House of Dunkeld
Encyclopedia
The so-called House of Dunkeld, in Scottish Gaelic
Dùn Chailleann (meaning Fort of the Caledonii or of the Caledonians), is a historiographical and genealogical construct to illustrate the clear succession of Scottish kings from 1034 to 1040 and from 1058 to 1290.
It is dynastically sort of a continuation to Cenél nGabráin of Dál Riata
, "race of Fergus", as "house" an originally Celtic concept to express one of the two rivalling leader clans of early medieval Scotland, whose founding father is king Fergus Mor of Dalriada. This Ferguside royal clan had rivalled the crown (of Dalriada, then that of Alba) against the Cenél Loairn, the later House of Moray
for the preceding four or more centuries. The Cenél nGabráin were represented by the so-called House of Alpin
before Dunkeld.
Sir Iain Moncreiffe made the case that Crínán of Dunkeld
actually belonged to a Scottish sept of Irish Cenél Conaill
royal dynasty, a branch of the Uí Néill
. This of course would not exclude his descendants from also being a (female line) continuation of the Cenél nGabráin through Bethóc
.
Genealogically the Dunkeld dynasty is based on Duncan I of Scotland
being of a different agnatic clan to his predecessor and maternal grandfather Malcolm II of Scotland
. However, sociohistorically, the reign of Duncan's son Malcolm III of Scotland
, which happens to coincide with the start of the centuries-long period of strong influence from the southern neighbour, the Kingdom of England
, has been seen as a more important place to start.
instead of the Irish-Celtic tradition of tanistry
and the Pictish
traditions (whether they were matrilineal
or not). Although the contemporaries did not have a common name for these monarchs, they were a family who formed a hereditary kingship.
Distinctive characteristics of the developments of society during this dynasty:
The so-called Dunkeld dynasty rose to rule in a time when the kingdom was fragmentary, under increasing outside threats, and some monarchs started to initiate more centralized government.
The Dunkelds came to power after the two centuries of civil unrest under the House of Alpin
. The first king of this new dynasty was Malcolm III of Scotland
who determined that succession would be to the eldest son, not according to the rules of tanistry
. This political decision reduced the conflicts inside the Royal family. The Dunkelds consolidated Scotland's' union and independence as a kingdom, despite several skirmishes with the neighbouring England
. The fall of the House of Dunkeld began in 1286, when Alexander III
died in a horse riding accident. The king had no living sons, only one three year-old granddaughter, Margaret, princess of Norway. Fearing the influence of king Eric II of Norway, her father, and another endless civil war, the Scottish nobles appealed to Edward I of England
. Margaret was betrothed to the future Edward II of England
, but died shortly afterwards on her arrival to Scotland.
The dynasty ended at a time when immigrant-originated feudal families had reached material level almost as high as the kings and the beneficiaries of feudal system desired to better guarantee their positions, rights and properties. Even at cost of national independence.
Following the end of the Dunkelds, Scotland fell in the First Scottish War of Independence
against England.
On Alexander III's death his granddaughter Margaret (Maid of Norway) was recognised as "right heir", as had been agreed in Alexander's lifetime, but she was never inaugurated as Queen of Scots.
See also: History of Scotland
- Scottish monarchs family tree
Scottish Gaelic language
Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language native to Scotland. A member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages, Scottish Gaelic, like Modern Irish and Manx, developed out of Middle Irish, and thus descends ultimately from Primitive Irish....
Dùn Chailleann (meaning Fort of the Caledonii or of the Caledonians), is a historiographical and genealogical construct to illustrate the clear succession of Scottish kings from 1034 to 1040 and from 1058 to 1290.
It is dynastically sort of a continuation to Cenél nGabráin of Dál Riata
Dál Riata
Dál Riata was a Gaelic overkingdom on the western coast of Scotland with some territory on the northeast coast of Ireland...
, "race of Fergus", as "house" an originally Celtic concept to express one of the two rivalling leader clans of early medieval Scotland, whose founding father is king Fergus Mor of Dalriada. This Ferguside royal clan had rivalled the crown (of Dalriada, then that of Alba) against the Cenél Loairn, the later House of Moray
House of Moray
The so-called House of Moray is a historiographical and genealogical construct to illustrate the succession of rulers whose base was at the region of Moray and who ruled sometimes a larger kingdom...
for the preceding four or more centuries. The Cenél nGabráin were represented by the so-called House of Alpin
House of Alpin
The House of Alpin is the name given to the kin-group which ruled in Pictland and then the kingdom of Alba from the advent of Cináed mac Ailpín in the 840s until the death of Máel Coluim mac Cináeda in 1034....
before Dunkeld.
Sir Iain Moncreiffe made the case that Crínán of Dunkeld
Crínán of Dunkeld
Crínán of Dunkeld was the lay abbot of the diocese of Dunkeld, and perhaps the Mormaer of Atholl. Crínán was progenitor of the House of Dunkeld, the dynasty which would rule Scotland until the later 13th century....
actually belonged to a Scottish sept of Irish Cenél Conaill
Cenél Conaill
The Cenél Conaill is the name of the "kindred" or descendants of Conall Gulban, son of Niall Noígiallach defined by oral and recorded history. They were also known in Scotland as the Kindred of Saint Columba....
royal dynasty, a branch of the Uí Néill
Uí Néill
The Uí Néill are Irish and Scottish dynasties who claim descent from Niall Noigiallach , an historical King of Tara who died about 405....
. This of course would not exclude his descendants from also being a (female line) continuation of the Cenél nGabráin through Bethóc
Bethóc
Bethóc ingen Maíl Coluim meic Cináeda was the eldest daughter of King Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots, who had no known sons.The strongest hereditary claim of succession to the Scottish throne therefore passed through Bethóc. Princess Bethóc married Crínán, Abbot of Dunkeld. The first son of...
.
Genealogically the Dunkeld dynasty is based on Duncan I of Scotland
Duncan I of Scotland
Donnchad mac Crínáin was king of Scotland from 1034 to 1040...
being of a different agnatic clan to his predecessor and maternal grandfather Malcolm II of Scotland
Malcolm II of Scotland
Máel Coluim mac Cináeda , was King of the Scots from 1005 until his death...
. However, sociohistorically, the reign of Duncan's son Malcolm III of Scotland
Malcolm III of Scotland
Máel Coluim mac Donnchada , was King of Scots...
, which happens to coincide with the start of the centuries-long period of strong influence from the southern neighbour, the Kingdom of England
Kingdom of England
The Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
, has been seen as a more important place to start.
Time and features
During the time of the so-called House of Dunkeld, succession to the Scottish throne evolved towards primogeniturePrimogeniture
Primogeniture is the right, by law or custom, of the firstborn to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings . Historically, the term implied male primogeniture, to the exclusion of females...
instead of the Irish-Celtic tradition of tanistry
Tanistry
Tanistry was a Gaelic system for passing on titles and lands. In this system the Tanist was the office of heir-apparent, or second-in-command, among the Gaelic patrilineal dynasties of Ireland, Scotland and Man, to succeed to the chieftainship or to the kingship.-Origins:The Tanist was chosen from...
and the Pictish
Picts
The Picts were a group of Late Iron Age and Early Mediaeval people living in what is now eastern and northern Scotland. There is an association with the distribution of brochs, place names beginning 'Pit-', for instance Pitlochry, and Pictish stones. They are recorded from before the Roman conquest...
traditions (whether they were matrilineal
Matrilineality
Matrilineality is a system in which descent is traced through the mother and maternal ancestors. Matrilineality is also a societal system in which one belongs to one's matriline or mother's lineage, which can involve the inheritance of property and/or titles.A matriline is a line of descent from a...
or not). Although the contemporaries did not have a common name for these monarchs, they were a family who formed a hereditary kingship.
Distinctive characteristics of the developments of society during this dynasty:
- Scotland was more influenced by outlanders than it had been earlier, or was to be under the kings of the House of Bruce and House of StuartHouse of StuartThe House of Stuart is a European royal house. Founded by Robert II of Scotland, the Stewarts first became monarchs of the Kingdom of Scotland during the late 14th century, and subsequently held the position of the Kings of Great Britain and Ireland...
. The kingdom was between two established powers: the Kingdom of EnglandKingdom of EnglandThe Kingdom of England was, from 927 to 1707, a sovereign state to the northwest of continental Europe. At its height, the Kingdom of England spanned the southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain and several smaller outlying islands; what today comprises the legal jurisdiction of England...
and NorwayNorwayNorway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. Quite a many Scottish king was to do homage to English monarch, and on other hand, Vikings controlled the HebridesHebridesThe Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
, CaithnessCaithnessCaithness is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic local government area of Scotland. The name was used also for the earldom of Caithness and the Caithness constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . Boundaries are not identical in all contexts, but the Caithness area is...
, the Isle of ManIsle of ManThe Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
and the Orkney IslandsOrkney IslandsOrkney also known as the Orkney Islands , is an archipelago in northern Scotland, situated north of the coast of Caithness...
. The common goal uniting the usual policies of kings of this dynasty was to balance between the two neighbours, sometimes allying to have some outside support (France in the Middle AgesFrance in the Middle AgesFrance in the Middle Ages covers an area roughly corresponding to modern day France, from the death of Louis the Pious in 840 to the middle of the 15th century...
). Wars were fought in both fronts, but also alliances and treaties were made with both. - Many Norman lords and institutions were brought to Scotland, especially after the Norman conquest of EnglandNorman conquest of EnglandThe Norman conquest of England began on 28 September 1066 with the invasion of England by William, Duke of Normandy. William became known as William the Conqueror after his victory at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066, defeating King Harold II of England...
; by the end of the period, both had been in Scotland for centuries. The tribal polity evolved to a medieval feudal society, adopting legal traditions from RomeRomeRome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, and the elite evolved to become broadly "FrankishFranksThe Franks were a confederation of Germanic tribes first attested in the third century AD as living north and east of the Lower Rhine River. From the third to fifth centuries some Franks raided Roman territory while other Franks joined the Roman troops in Gaul. Only the Salian Franks formed a...
" in custom, a change strengthened by the immigration of (Anglo-Saxon) English, Normans and French.
The so-called Dunkeld dynasty rose to rule in a time when the kingdom was fragmentary, under increasing outside threats, and some monarchs started to initiate more centralized government.
The Dunkelds came to power after the two centuries of civil unrest under the House of Alpin
House of Alpin
The House of Alpin is the name given to the kin-group which ruled in Pictland and then the kingdom of Alba from the advent of Cináed mac Ailpín in the 840s until the death of Máel Coluim mac Cináeda in 1034....
. The first king of this new dynasty was Malcolm III of Scotland
Malcolm III of Scotland
Máel Coluim mac Donnchada , was King of Scots...
who determined that succession would be to the eldest son, not according to the rules of tanistry
Tanistry
Tanistry was a Gaelic system for passing on titles and lands. In this system the Tanist was the office of heir-apparent, or second-in-command, among the Gaelic patrilineal dynasties of Ireland, Scotland and Man, to succeed to the chieftainship or to the kingship.-Origins:The Tanist was chosen from...
. This political decision reduced the conflicts inside the Royal family. The Dunkelds consolidated Scotland's' union and independence as a kingdom, despite several skirmishes with the neighbouring England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The fall of the House of Dunkeld began in 1286, when Alexander III
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
died in a horse riding accident. The king had no living sons, only one three year-old granddaughter, Margaret, princess of Norway. Fearing the influence of king Eric II of Norway, her father, and another endless civil war, the Scottish nobles appealed to Edward I of England
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
. Margaret was betrothed to the future Edward II of England
Edward II of England
Edward II , called Edward of Caernarfon, was King of England from 1307 until he was deposed by his wife Isabella in January 1327. He was the sixth Plantagenet king, in a line that began with the reign of Henry II...
, but died shortly afterwards on her arrival to Scotland.
The dynasty ended at a time when immigrant-originated feudal families had reached material level almost as high as the kings and the beneficiaries of feudal system desired to better guarantee their positions, rights and properties. Even at cost of national independence.
Following the end of the Dunkelds, Scotland fell in the First Scottish War of Independence
Wars of Scottish Independence
The Wars of Scottish Independence were a series of military campaigns fought between the independent Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England in the late 13th and early 14th centuries....
against England.
Kings of the House of Dunkeld
- Donnchad I, r. 1034-1040
- Máel Coluim III, r. 1058-1093
- Domnall III, r. 1093-1094 and 1094-1097
- Donnchad II, r. 1094
- EdgarEdgar of ScotlandEdgar or Étgar mac Maíl Choluim , nicknamed Probus, "the Valiant" , was king of Alba from 1097 to 1107...
, r. 1097-1107 - Alexander IAlexander I of ScotlandAlexander I , also called Alaxandair mac Maíl Coluim and nicknamed "The Fierce", was King of the Scots from 1107 to his death.-Life:...
, r. 1107-1124 - David IDavid I of ScotlandDavid I or Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim was a 12th-century ruler who was Prince of the Cumbrians and later King of the Scots...
, r. 1124-1153 - Malcolm IVMalcolm IV of ScotlandMalcolm IV , nicknamed Virgo, "the Maiden" , King of Scots, was the eldest son of Earl Henry and Ada de Warenne...
, r. 1153-1165 - William IWilliam I of ScotlandWilliam the Lion , sometimes styled William I, also known by the nickname Garbh, "the Rough", reigned as King of the Scots from 1165 to 1214...
, r.1165-1214 - Alexander IIAlexander II of ScotlandAlexander II was King of Scots from1214 to his death.-Early life:...
, r.1214-1249 - Alexander IIIAlexander III of ScotlandAlexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
, r.1249-1286 - Margaret, r.1286
On Alexander III's death his granddaughter Margaret (Maid of Norway) was recognised as "right heir", as had been agreed in Alexander's lifetime, but she was never inaugurated as Queen of Scots.
See also: History of Scotland
History of Scotland
The history of Scotland begins around 10,000 years ago, when humans first began to inhabit what is now Scotland after the end of the Devensian glaciation, the last ice age...
- Scottish monarchs family tree