Niall, Earl of Carrick
Encyclopedia
Níall of Carrick was the second man to bear the title Mormaer
, or Earl
, of Carrick. He was successor of mormaer
Donnchadh of Carrick
. He may have been Donnchadh's son, or else as suggested by one recent genealogical theory, his grandson. It has been argued that Niall's father was Nichol (Cailean or Colin), son of mormaer Donnchadh by the daughter of Niall Ruadh, briefly king of Tir Eoghain.
Níall made a grant which assured that his nephew, Lachlan and successors would have all the powers in respect to the ceann ceneóil (head of kin). This grant was confirmed by King Alexander III
. It ensured that the structure of Carrick's Gaelic
society would remain pretty undisturbed in the event that no direct male heir was available to succeed him as earl.
As things transpired, this is indeed what happened. Níall left no sons, and was succeeded by his daughter Marjory. The latter passed the mormaerdom on to her son Roibert a Briuis, who became King Robert I of Scotland
.
Mormaer
The title of Mormaer designates a regional or provincial ruler in the medieval Kingdom of the Scots. In theory, although not always in practice, a Mormaer was second only to the King of Scots, and the senior of a toisech.-Origin:...
, or Earl
Earl of Carrick
The Earl of Carrick was the head of a comital lordship of Carrick in southwestern Scotland. The title emerged in 1186, when Donnchad, son of Gille Brigte, Lord of Galloway, became Mormaer or Earl of Carrick in compensation for exclusion from the whole Lordship of Galloway...
, of Carrick. He was successor of mormaer
Mormaer
The title of Mormaer designates a regional or provincial ruler in the medieval Kingdom of the Scots. In theory, although not always in practice, a Mormaer was second only to the King of Scots, and the senior of a toisech.-Origin:...
Donnchadh of Carrick
Donnchadh, Earl of Carrick
Donnchadh was a Gall-Gaidhil prince and Scottish magnate in what is now south-western Scotland, whose career stretched from the last quarter of the 12th century until his death in 1250...
. He may have been Donnchadh's son, or else as suggested by one recent genealogical theory, his grandson. It has been argued that Niall's father was Nichol (Cailean or Colin), son of mormaer Donnchadh by the daughter of Niall Ruadh, briefly king of Tir Eoghain.
Níall made a grant which assured that his nephew, Lachlan and successors would have all the powers in respect to the ceann ceneóil (head of kin). This grant was confirmed by King Alexander III
Alexander III of Scotland
Alexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
. It ensured that the structure of Carrick's Gaelic
Goidelic languages
The Goidelic languages or Gaelic languages are one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic languages, the other consisting of the Brythonic languages. Goidelic languages historically formed a dialect continuum stretching from the south of Ireland through the Isle of Man to the north of Scotland...
society would remain pretty undisturbed in the event that no direct male heir was available to succeed him as earl.
As things transpired, this is indeed what happened. Níall left no sons, and was succeeded by his daughter Marjory. The latter passed the mormaerdom on to her son Roibert a Briuis, who became King Robert I of Scotland
Robert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
.