Royalty of Scotland and Ireland


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One of my favourite paintings ;)
Painted by Daniel Maclise in 1854 & it now hangs in the National Gallery of Ireland.
(I have a copy at home)
 
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A wonderful painting.... Daniel Maclise captured the feel of that day. I collect historic art myself. How are you my friend? I moved up north that is why I have not been around. I am done with unpacking and very happy to be here. Blessings to you....
 
Ancient Princess said:
A wonderful painting.... Daniel Maclise captured the feel of that day. I collect historic art myself. How are you my friend? I moved up north that is why I have not been around. I am done with unpacking and very happy to be here. Blessings to you....
Click to expand...

He did indeed Ancient Princess.

Its not exactly a happy Wedding painting (if you look closely)

Before the wedding Strongbow & his army sacked Waterford & massacred some of its Gaelic-Norse Population.The Princess of Leinster looks rather sad,she stands infront of her father,King Diarmait Mac Murchada of Leinster.The church is in ruins & smouldering (representing the sack of Waterford).In the foreground there are heaped bodies of the defeated Irish soldiers, as well as the harp (the symbol of Ireland) with its broken strings.Look closely at Strongbow,his foot is crushing a toppled Celtic cross.

Simply a Masterpiece.

I'm very well your grace,thank you for posting my favourite painting.
 
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The Annals of Ulster...All one has to do is read...

605-annalsulster-wide.jpg
 
The Song of King Dermot and the Earl /Chanson du Roi Dermot et du comte

Written in the early 13th century. It tells of the arrival of Strongbow in Ireland in 1170 (the "earl" in the title), and of the subsequent arrival of Henry II of England.

"Of Hugh de Lacy I shall tell you
How he enfeoffed his barons,
Knights, serjeants and retainers.
Castkeknock, in the first place, he gave
To Hugh Tyrell, whom he loved so much;
And Castle Brack according to the writing,
To baron William le Petit,
Magherdernon likewise
And the land of Rathkenny,
The cantred of Ardnorcher then
To Meiller, who was of great worth,
Gave Hugh de Lacy-
To the good Meiler Fitz Henry;
To Gilbert de Nangle, moreover
He gave the whole of Morgallion;
To Jocelin he gave the Naven,
And the lands of Ardbrackan,
(The one was son the other father,
According to the statement of the mother)
To Richard de Tuite likewise
He gave rich fief;
Rathwire he gave moreover
To the baron Robert de Lacy.
To Richard de la Chapell
He gave good and fine land,
To Geoffrey de Constantine Kilbixi
Near to Rathconarty;
And Skryne he gave by charter;
To Adam de Feypo he gave it;
To Gilbert de Nugent,
And likewise to William de Musset,
He gave lands and honours,
In the presence of barons and vavasours."
 
Tara land of the High Kings

TARA​

Tara, which attained the climax of its fame under Cormac, is said to have been rounded by the Firbolgs, and been the seat of kings thenceforth. Ollam Fodla first gave it historic fame by founding the Feis or Triennial Parliament, there, seven or eight centuries before Christ. It is said it was under, or after, Eremon, the first Milesian high king that it, one of the three pleasantest hills in Ireland, came to be named Tara - a corruption of the genitive form of the compound word, Tea Mur - meaning "the burial place of Tea" the wife of Eremon, and daughter of a king of Jerusalem. Tara must have been impressive. The great, beautiful hill was dotted with seven duns, and in every dun were many buildings - all of them, of course, of wood, in those days - or of wood and metal. The greatest structure was the Mi Cuarta, the great banqueting hall, which was on the Ard Righ’s own dun. Each of the provincial kings had, on Tara, a house that was set aside for him when he came up to attend the great Parliament. There was a Grianan (sun house) for the provincial queens, and their attendants. The great Feis was held at Samain (Hallowday). It lasted for three days before Samain and three days after. But the Aonach or great fair, the assembly of the people in general, which was a most important accompaniment of the Feis, seems to have begun much earlier. At this Feis the ancient laws were recited and confirmed, new laws were enacted, disputes were settled, grievances adjusted, wrongs righted. And in accordance with the usual form at all such assemblies, the ancient history of the land was recited, probably by the high king’s seanachie, who had the many other critical seanachies attending to his every word, and who, accordingly, dare not seriously distort or prevaricate. This highly efficient method of recording and transmitting the country’s history, in verse, too, which was practised for a thousand years before the introduction of writing, and the introduction of Christianity and which continued to be practised for long centuries after these events was a highly practical method, which effectively preserved for us the large facts of our country’s history throughout a thousand of the years of dim antiquity when the history of most other countries is a dreary blank.​

As from the great heart and centre of the Irish Kingdom, five great arteries or roads radiated from Tara to the various parts of the country the Slighe Cualann, which ran toward the present County Wicklow, the Slighe Mor, the great Western road, which ran via Dublin to Galway, the Slight Asail which ran near the present Mullingar, the Slighe Dala which ran southwest, and the Slighe Midluachra, the Northern road. "Great, noble and beautiful truly was our Tara of the Kings."​


FIONN AND THE FIAN​

It is only recently that we have realised the all important part played by legendary lore in forming and stamping a nation’s character. A people’s character and a people’s heritage of tradition act and react upon each other, down the ages, the outstanding qualities of both getting ever more and more alike - so long as their racial traditions are cherished as an intimate part of their life. Of all the great bodies of ancient Irish Legendary lore, none other, with the possible exception of the Red Branch cycle, has had such developing, uplifting, and educational effect upon the Irish people, through the ages, as the wonderful body of Fenian tales in both prose and verse, rich in quality and rich in quantity. Fionn MacCumail, leader of the Fian (Fenians), in the time of Cormac MacArt, is the great central figure of these tales. The man Fionn lived and died in the third century of the Christian Era. It was in the reign of Conn, at the very end of the second century, that was founded the Fian - a great standing army of picked and specially trained, daring warriors, whose duty was to carry out the mandates of the high king - "To uphold justice and put down injustice, on the part of the kings and lords of Ireland - and to guard the harbors from foreign invaders". From this latter we might conjecture that an expected Roman invasion first called the Fian into existence. They prevented robberies, exacted fines and tributes, put down public enemies and every kind of evil that might afflict the country. Moreover they moved about from place to place all over the island. Fionn, being a chieftain himself in his own right, had a residence on the hill of Allen in Kildare. The Fianna (bodies of the Fian) recruited at Tara, Uisnech and Taillte fairs. The greatest discrimination was used in choosing the eligible ones from amongst the candidate throng - which throng included in plenty sons of chieftains and princes. Many and hard were the tests for him who sought to be one of this noble body. One of the first tests was literary for no candidate was possible who had not mastered the twelve books of poetry. So skilful must he be in wood running, and so agile, that in the flight no single braid of his hair is losed by a hanging branch. His step must be so light that underfoot he breaks no withered branch. In facing the greatest odds the weapon must not shake in his hand . When a candidate had passed these tests and was approved as fit for his heroic band, there were also vows to be taken as the final condition of his admission. There were three cathas (battalions) of the Fian - three thousand in each catha. This was in time of peace. In time of war the quota was seven cathas. Although the Fianna were supposed to uphold the power of the Ard Righ, their oath of fealty was not to him, but to their own chief, Fionn. The best stories of the Fian are preserved to us in the poems of Oisin, the son of Fionn, the chief bard of the fian, in the Agallamh na Seanorach (Colloquy of the Ancients) of olden time. This is by far the finest collection of Fenian tales, and is supposed to be an account of the Fian’s great doings, given in to Patrick by Oisin and Caoilte, another of Fionn’s trusted lieutenants, more than 150 years after. After the overthrow of the Fian, in the battle of Gabra in the year 280 A.D.,Caoilte is supposed to have lived with the Tuatha de Dannann, under the hills - until the coming of St. Patrick. Oisin had been carried away to the Land of mortal existence, and to Ireland, when Patrick is in the land, winning it from Crom Cruach to Christ.​
 
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The Great O'Brians of Ireland

The O'Brien dynasty (Irish: Uí Briain or Ua Briain; Modern: Ó Briain) are a royal and noble house founded in the 10th century by Brian Boru of the Dál gCais or Dalcassians. After becoming King of Munster, through conquest he established himself as High King of Ireland. Brian's descendants thus carried the name O'Brien, continuing to rule the Kingdom of Munster until the 12th century where their territory had shrunk to the Kingdom of Thomond which they would hold for just under five centuries.
In total, four O'Briens ruled in Munster, and two held the High Kingship of Ireland (with opposition). After the partition of Munster into Thomond and the MacCarthy Kingdom of Desmond by Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair in the 12th century, the dynasty would go on to provide around thirty monarchs of Thomond until 1542. During part of this period in the late 13th century they had a rivalry with the Norman de Clare house, disputing the throne of Thomond. The last O'Brien to reign in Thomond was Murrough O'Brien who surrendered his sovereignty to the new Kingdom of Ireland under Henry VIII of the House of Tudor, becoming instead Earl of Thomond and maintaining a role in governance. Today the head carries the title of Prince of Thomond, and depending on succession sometimes also Baron Inchiquin.
Throughout the time that the O'Briens ruled in medieval Ireland, the system of tanistry was used to decide succession, rather than primogeniture used by much of feudal Europe. The system in effect was a dynastic monarchy but family-elected and aristocratic, in the sense that the royal family chose the most suitable male candidate from close paternal relations—roydammna (those of kingly material) rather than the crown automatically passing to the eldest son. This sometimes led to bitter quarrels and in-family warring. Since 1542, the head of the O'Brien house adopted primogeniture to decide succession of noble titles instead.




It was during this century that the race annexed to Munster the area today known as Clare and made it their home. Taken from the weakened Uí Fiachrach Aidhne it had previously been part of Connacht but was renamed Thomond (Tuamhain, meaning North Munster). After gaining influence over other tribes in the area such as the Corcu Mruad and Corcu Baiscinn, the Dalcassians were able to crown Cennétig mac Lorcáin as King of Thomond, he died in 951.[4] His son Mathgamain mac Cennétig was to expand their territory further according to the Annals of Ulster; capturing the Rock of Cashel capital of the Eoghanachta, the Dalcassians became Kings of Cashel and Munster over their previous overlords for the first time in history.[2]
Mathgamain along with his younger brother Brian Boru began military campaigns such as the Battle of Sulcoit, against the Norse Vikings of the settlement Limerick, ruled by Ivar.


Tadc mac Briain, assassinated by Donnchad in 1023
Earls of Thomond
Earls of Inchiquin
Marquesses of Thomond
Early Barons Inchiquin
Viscounts Clare
O'Brien's of Aran
 
The Great O'Neill of Ireland

Early life

O'Neill came from a line of the O'Neill dynasty - derbfine - authorities recognized as the legitimate successors to the chieftainship of the O'Neills and to the title of Earl of Tyrone. He was the second son of Matthew, reputed illegitimate son of Conn, 1st Earl of Tyrone. Shane O'Neill (Seán an Díomais) a much younger son of Conn opportunistically pushed the issue of Matthew's illegitimacy even though it made little or no difference in terms of the Irish legal system. Once Matthew was accepted by Conn as his son, he was as entitled to the O'Neill lordship as Shane.In the ensuing conflict for the succession Matthew (also known in Irish as Fear Dorcha or "Dark Man"), was killed by followers of Shane and Conn fled his territory placing Hugh in a very precarious situation. His main support came from the English administration in Dublin, which was anxious to reduce the independent power of the Gaelic clans and to bring them within the English system by the policy of surrender and regrant.
O'Neill succeeded his brother, Brian, as baron of Dungannon, when the latter was murdered by Shane O'Neill in 1562. He was brought up in the Pale, by the Hoveneden family, not in England as has been erroneously claimed in various histories, but after the death of Shane he returned to Ulster in 1567 under the protection of Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy of Ireland. In Tyrone, Hugh's cousin, Turlough Luineach O'Neill had succeeded Shane O'Neill as The O'Neill, or chieftain, but was not recognized by the English as the legitimate Earl of Tyrone. The crown therefore supported Hugh O'Neill as the rightful claimant and as an ally in Gaelic controlled Ulster. During the Second Desmond Rebellion in Munster, he fought in 1580 with the English forces against Gerald Fitzgerald, 15th Earl of Desmond, and assisted Sir John Perrot against the Scots of Ulster in 1584. In the following year he was summonsed to attend Parliament in Dublin as Earl of Tyrone and, in 1587 after a visit to the Court in England, he was awarded a patent to the lands of his grandfather, the first earl, Conn O'Neill. His constant disputes with Turlough were fomented by the English with a view to weakening the power of the O'Neills, but with the growing power of Hugh, the two came to some agreement and Turlough abdicated in 1595. Hugh was subsequently inaugurated as The O'Neill at Tullahogue in the style of the former Gaelic kings, and became the most powerful lord in Ulster.

Nine Years War (Ireland)
O'Neill followed Shane's policy of arming the people, rather than rely mostly upon mercenary soldiers, such as redshanks and bonnaught. This policy allowed him to field an impressive force, with cavilers and gunpowder supplied from Spain and Scotland, and in 1595 he gave the crown authorities a shock by ambushing and routing a small English army at the Battle of Clontibret. He and other clan chiefs then offered the crown of Ireland to Philip II of Spain who refused it.
In spite of the traditional enmity between his people and the O'Donnells, O'Neill allied himself with Hugh Roe O'Donnell, son of Shane's former ally and enemy Hugh O'Donnell, and the two chieftains opened communications with King Philip II of Spain. In some of their letters to the king - intercepted by the lord deputy, Sir William Russell - they were shown to have promoted themselves as champions of the Roman Catholic Church, claiming liberty of conscience as well as political liberty for the native inhabitants of Ireland.
 
Dunadda Fort where Ard Righ Pictish Kings reigned from in Scotland....

 
The Great O'Tooles of Ireland



The O'Tooles of Leinster, one of the leading families of that province, are descended from Tuathal mac Augaire, King of Leinster (d. 958), who belonged to the Uí Dúnlainge dynasty. The name is an anglicization of the Irish O'Tuathail.
Their original territory comprised the southern part of the present County Kildare but they were driven from it during the Anglo Norman invasion and settled in the mountains of what is now County Wicklow around Glendalough.
Here, with their kinsmen the O'Byrne family, they were noted for their resistance to English domination for four centuries.
At the start of the sixteenth century there were five great houses, all, owing allegiance to "The O'Toole of Powerscourt" as the recognized chief:[1]
  • O'Toole of Castle Ruddery, residing in Glen Imaile.
  • O'Toole of O'Toole's Castle, Ballymacledy, (now Talbotstown), Glen Imaile.
  • O'Toole of Carnew Castle.
  • Art Oge O'Toole of Castle Kevin, Fertie.
  • Tirlogh O'Toole of Powerscourt, Feracualan.
  • O'Toole of Omey, Iar Connaught, with other minor houses of the family such as OToole of Ballineddan and Brittas, in the Glen Imaile; O'Toole of Toolestown, near Dunlavin; O'Toole of Glengap, or Glen of the Downs (as it is now called); and a few others.
At the start of the sixteenth century, the leading branches of the clan were to a certain extent independent of each other; they were all bound to protect themselves; but in external matters affecting the whole clan they were bound to obey the head of the sept.[2]
Throughout their history the family were famous as soldiers, from fighting the English in the glens of Wicklow to serving in the armies of other European countries in the 18th century.
A branch of the O'Tooles are also settled in counties Galway and Mayo.



 
Sacred Isle of Iona

Iona (Scottish Gaelic: Ì Chaluim Chille) is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination. Its modern Gaelic name means "Iona of (Saint) Columba" (formerly anglicised "Icolmkill").

Etymology

The Hebrides have been occupied by the speakers of several languages since the Iron Age, and as a result many of the names of these islands have more than one possible meaning.Nonetheless few, if any, can have accumulated so many different names over the centuries as the island now known in English as "Iona".
The earliest forms of the name enabled place-name scholar William J. Watson to show that the name originally meant something like "yew-place".The element Ivo-, denoting "yew", occurs in Ogham inscriptions (Iva-cattos [genitive], Iva-geni [genitive]) and in Gaulish names (Ivo-rix, Ivo-magus) and may form the basis of early Gaelic names like Eogan (ogham: Ivo-genos).It is possible that the name is related to the mythological figure, Fer hÍ mac Eogabail, foster-son of Manannan, the forename meaning "man of the yew".
Mac an Tàilleir (2003) lists the more recent Gaelic names of Ì,Ì Chaluim Chille and Eilean Idhe noting that the first named is "generally lengthened to avoid confusion" to the second, which means "Calum's (i.e. in latinised form "Columba's") Iona" or "island of Calum's monastery".The possible confusion results from "ì", despite its original etymology, becoming a Gaelic noun (now obsolete) meaning simply "island".Eilean Idhe means "the isle of Iona", also known as Ì nam ban bòidheach ("the isle of beautiful women"). The modern English name comes from an 18th century misreading of yet another variant, Ioua,which was either just Adomnán's attempt to make the Gaelic name fit Latin grammar or else a genuine derivative from Ivova ("yew place").Ioua's change to Iona results from a transcription mistake resulting from the similarity of "n" and "u" in Insular Minuscule.
Despite the continuity of forms in Gaelic between the pre-Norse and post-Norse eras, Haswell-Smith (2004) speculates that the name may have a Norse connection, Hiōe meaning "island of the den of the brown bear", "island of the den of the fox", or just "island of the cave".The medieval English language version was "Icolmkill" (and variants thereof).
Table of earliest forms (incomplete)FormSourceLanguageNotesIoua insulaAdomnán's Vita Columbae (c. 700)LatinAdomnán calls Eigg Egea insula and Skye Scia insulaHii, HyBede's Historia ecclesiastica gentis AnglorumLatinEoa, Iae, Ie,
I Cholaim ChilleAnnals of UlsterIrish, LatinU563 Nauigatio Coluim Chille ad Insolam Iae
"The journey of St Columba to Í"
U716 Pascha comotatur in Eoa ciuitate
"The date of Easter is changed in the monastery of Í") U717 Expulsio familie Ie
"The expulsion of the community of Í"
U778 Niall...a nn-I Cholaim Chille
"Niall... in Í Cholaim Chille"Hi, EuLebor na hUidreIrishHi con ilur a mmartra
"Hi with the multitude of its relics"
in tan conucaib a chill hi tosuċ .i. Eu
"the time he raised his church first i.e. Eu"EoWalafrid Strabo (c. 831)LatinInsula Pictorum quaedam monstratur in oris fluctivago suspensa salo, cognominis Eo
"On the coasts of the Picts is pointed out an isle poised in the rolling sea, whose name is Eo"Euea insulaLife of St Cathróe of MetzLatin
Folk etymology

Murray (1966) claims that the "ancient" Gaelic name was Innis nan Druinich (the isle of Druidic hermits") and repeats a Gaelic story (which he admits is apocryphal) that as Columba's coracle first drew close to the island one of his companions cried out "Chì mi i" meaning "I see her" and that Columba's response was "Henceforth we shall call her Ì".

Ancient Stones of Iona - YouTube

On the Sacred Isle of Iona stands the church of St Columba. Next to the Church is the Ancient Royal Burial Ground of Kings of some Ard Righ Kings of Ireland, Ard Righ Kings of Pictland, Norweigen Kings and King Alpin and his two sons King Kenneth I of Alpin and King Donald I of Alpin and their descendents of Kenneths line going to MacBeth and from Donalds line which includes some of my ancestors named MacKinnon.
 
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The Kirkyard on Isle of Iona Reilig Oghrain...

The ancient burial ground, called the Rèilig Odhrain (Eng: Oran's "burial place" or "cemetery"), contains the 12th century chapel of St Odhrán (said to be Columba's uncle), restored at the same time as the Abbey itself. It contains a number of medieval grave monuments. The abbey graveyard contains the graves of many early Pictish & Scottish Kings and their direct ancestors, as well as kings from Ireland, Norway. Iona became the burial site for the kings of Dál Riata or Dalraida Pictland and their successors. Notable burials there include:
In 1549 an inventory of 48 Scottish, 8 Norwegian and 4 Irish kings was recorded. Saint Baithin and Saint Failbhe may also be buried on the island. The Abbey graveyard is also the final resting place of John Smith, the former Labour Party leader, who loved Iona. His grave is marked with an epitaph quoting Alexander Pope: "An honest man's the noblest work of God".
Other early Christian and medieval monuments have been removed for preservation to the cloister arcade of the Abbey, and the Abbey museum (in the medieval infirmary). The ancient buildings of Iona Abbey are now cared for by Historic Scotland .
 
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Oxford History of Scotland early Pictish Kings into the end of the House of Alpin

Skara Brae: c.2500 BC

In the extreme north of Scotland, in the Orkneys, a small neolithic community builds a village in about 2500 BC on a site already occupied for many generations. There is no wood on the island, so the walls of the one-room dwellings are of stone. So is the built-in furniture. There are stone beds and shelves and recessed cupboards, with a hearth in each hut. Low covered passages lead from one dwelling to another. Earth is piled up around to give shelter from the wind. There is even a drain from each of the seven or eight houses, leading to a common sewer.​

A sudden disaster of some kind causes Skara Brae to be abandoned. Rapidly covered by sand, it is preserved intact until unearthed in 1850. ​

Pre-Roman Scotland: to the 1st century AD

In the neolithic period Scotland shares with the Atlantic coast of Europe the tradition of massive stone architecture, of which Skara Brae is a rare domestic example. The isle of Lewis provides a magnificent example of standing stones at Callanish, where the stone circle is in use as a temple of some kind well into the bronze age (until about 1200 BC). ​


Like the rest of the Scotlands Isles, the region is subject to successive waves of immigrants from the continent of Europe. The most significant are the Beaker people and the Celts. The first written accounts of Scotland are by the Romans after their invasion. They list several tribes, of which the Caledonii are the most important.​

Picts and Scots: 3rd - 9th century AD

With the frontier of the Roman empire established along the line of Hadrian's Wall, the tribes to the north are free to engage in their own power struggles largely undisturbed by Roman interference.​

Gradually a new tribal group establishes a dominant position. They are the Picts, first mentioned in a Roman document of the 3rd century as the Picti. This may be a version of their own name for themselves, or it may mean that they tattoo their bodies (picti, Latin for 'painted people'). Theirs seems not to have been an Indo-European language, so they may have been indigenous people asserting themselves over the Celtic intruders.​

The Picts, in their turn, are subdued by Celts - not from within Scotland but from overseas. In the 5th century a Celtic tribe from northern Ireland begins to settle on the west coast of Scotland. They are the Scots. (The original Scots are northern Irish) and are considered the Ard Righ Kings of Dalraida.

The Scots establish a kingdom, by the name of Dalriada, on both sides of the water. By the 9th century Dalriada in Ireland has succumbed to raids by Vikings. But from within Dalriada in Scotland there emerges the first Scottish dynasty of Alpin. The kings of this line establish themselves, over two centuries, against constant Viking pressure from all sides.​

The Vikings and the Scottish Isles: 9th - 10th century AD

The coasts of the Scottish isles are now dotted with monasteries, not yet rich by the standards of medieval monasticism but with sufficient wealth to attract Viking marauders. One of the most famous islands, Iona, is raided three times in a decade (in 795, 802 and 805). Even monasteries which seem secure, pleasantly sited on inland rivers, fall victim to Viking longships rowing upstream. But gradually, during the 9th century, the raiders settle.​

Soon all the Scottish islands and the Isle of Man are in Viking hands, and the intruders are even seizing territory on the mainland of both Britain and Ireland. In 838 Norwegians capture Dublin and establish a Norse kingdom in Ireland.​

At this time the territory securely in the hands of the Scots and Picts extends only from the great rift of Loch Ness down to the firths of Clyde and Forth. North of this central region, the Hebrides, Orkneys and Shetlands, together with much of the mainland, are in the hands of Vikings from Norway. In the southwest the border region of Strathclyde is often under threat from the Norwegian Vikings of Dublin. In the southeast Lothian is another border region of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria whose capital city is York.

But at least by now, in the mid-9th century, there is a recognizable Scottish kingdom.​

The Alpin dynasty: AD 843-1057

The love of early historians for precise turning points has caused the year 843 to be selected as the starting date of the Scottish kingdom. It is said to be the year in which Kenneth Alpin, already king of the Scots (since 840), is accepted also as king of the Picts and his only brother becomes King after Kenneths death. In reality the merging of the two kingdoms seems to have been a gradual process throughout the 9th century.​

The significant fact is that Kenneth's male descendants provide kings in Scotland for the period until Macbeths death; and during the early part of that period a separate Pictish kingdom fades from view. The name of Kenneth's father is said to be Alpin. So he and his descendants are known as Alpin. Alpins sons were Kenneth and Donald that served as Kings.​

An indication of the conscious merging of the Picts and Scots under one rule is the use of Scone as the royal site of the Alpin dynasty. Situated in the east of Scotland (by contrast with the western base of the Scots in Dalriada), it has been strongly associated with the Pictish kings. Tradition maintains that as a gesture of unified rule Kenneth of Alpin brings to Scone the sacred coronation stone, known now as the Stone of Scone or Stone of Destiny.

The Alpin kings win no territory from the Vikings on their northern borders. But they do significantly extend the boundaries of Scotland in the south.​

During the Alpin dynasty the border regions of Strathclyde and Lothian are firmly established as Scottish.

Duncan and Macbeth: AD 1034-1057

The death of Malcolm II in 1034 causes a succession crisis in the Alpin dynasty and a civil war in Scotland. He has only a daughter, Bethoc, whose son Duncan succeeds to the throne. But Duncan is challenged by Macbeth, also descended in the female line from the royal family.​

Contrary to Shakespeare's version of the story, Duncan is a young man - probably younger than Macbeth - and Macbeth may have an equally good claim to the throne (there is no precedent in the dynasty for inheritance through a female line). Nor does Macbeth murder Duncan in his bed; he kills him in battle near Elgin in 1040.​

Macbeth reigns seventeen years as the king of Scotland (or king of Scots, in the more authentic phrase), and on the whole he rules well. Indeed the kingdom is calm enough for him to go on pilgrimage in 1050 to Rome, where he is said to have demonstrated his status by 'scattering money like seed'.

Duncan's son, Malcolm, eventually rises against Macbeth and kills him, in a battle at Lumphanan in 1057. Both men are members of the Alpin dynasty, and the fact that Macbeth is buried in the holy island of Iona suggests that his contemporaries do not consider him a usurper. Macbeth is immediately succeeded by his stepson, Lulach.
​

 
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What a great reference this thread has become, Ancient Princess. I feel like I need a quiz or something to make some things stick in my mind (was it tanistry that was the earlier system? I need to go back and check - need to know the word for that).
 
To Dear Princess Kaimi about Tanistry and what the future change may bring...

Tanistry was a Gaelic system for passing on titles and lands. In this system the Tanist (Irish Tánaiste; Scottish Gaelic Tànaiste; Manx Tanishtagh) was the office of heir-apparent, or second-in-command, among the (royal) Gaelic patrilineal dynasties of Ireland, Scotland and Man, to succeed to the chieftainship or to the kingship, However; there are rules that are being looked at that may change the old rules of Tanistry in the United Kingdom. There is also differant rules on being a descendent of a Royal line that is currently being used in the efforts to have my mother recognized as the legitimate Heir of Kilmorie Mishnish McKinnon line. I bid you a grand day my friend.
 
Tanist Succession starting in Ireland then migrating to Scotland, but; the Picts...?

Now I realize the the law of Ireland on Tanistry came to Scotland around the 5th century, however what are the ancient rules of Pictish Ard Righ Kings? This is where I for one have a question. The monarchy, chiefship, land and titles were passed to the eldest male, but; the Pictish rules were all together differant.
The Tanist (or Tannist) is an interesting concept, and not much has been written about it. In its simplest terms, a Tanist was a royal successor. Tanistry seems to be Celtic in origin, and appears to have been imported into Scotland from Ireland in the fifth century. In the earliest days, the Tanist was not necessarily directly related to the king, or even the same branch of the royal family; however they would share a common ancestor. In fact, during the early middle ages, the King was elected by the noble princely families, and the Tanist was elected as well. It was a lifetime post. The Pictish rules of succession were differant and this is my point.
In theory, the Tanist would have been an ambitious and capable successor, “without blemish”, able to take on the rulership in a time when a chieftain’s life expectancy often did not allow for his sons to achieve manhood. The Tanist Succession would encourage rotation between branches of a family, and was considered a fair way to keep balance. However, more often than not, it led to dynastic infighting.
Malcolm II, in 1005, was the first (since King Kenneth and King Donald time) Scottish monarch to introduce hereditary monarchy and female-line succession at the same time (as the Ard Righ Kings of Dalraida had done till Kenneth I of Alpin and his brother Donald I of Alpin), since his heir, Duncan II, was descended from his eldest daughter. This innovation caused great conflict and he had to spend many years clearing the way to the throne for his grandson.
So the concepts of Tanist Succession and Patrilinear Succession bumped into each other and wreaked havoc for centuries until Tanistry was abolished by James VI (James VI of Scotland). The system lingered in a diminished form in Ireland until the mid-19th century. The key word here is abolished by James VI of Scotland...and to conclude my point how will all these rules effect a direct descent from a original royal line of the House of Alpin...?
 
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The Laws of Succession from the Pictish Kings list...

The list of kings does verify one area which is the largest obstacle to those who seek the Celtification of the Picts - The list delivers clear evidence that the Picts were a matrilinear society - that is: the bloodlines passed through the mother, and rarely did a son succeed a father to the crown of Pictland. This is rare enough in western society and not recorded in any Celtic society (although the Scots, once they assumed the Pictish throne, curiously kept a matrilinear descent of the crown, but within the Alpin dynasty). This Pictish matrilinear evidence is confirmed by Bede, who wrote that the Pictish succession went through the female line. Bede also re- affirms the existence (at least at the time of his writing in the mid 700's) of the Kingdom or Queendom if you will...
 
The last High King of Ireland,Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair also King of Connacht.

Stone carving of the last High King at Augustinian Cong Abbey

220px-Rory_O%27Connor_Stone_Carving.jpg
 
Posts not relevant to the topic 'Royalty of Scotland and Ireland' and discussing general Scottish and Irish history including highland clearances, emigration to North America, the Irish Harvest Festival, Scottish independence, the 12 Apostles of Ireland, Neolithic stones, the Potato Famine etc,
have been moved to a new thread in Members' Corner:

The History of Pictland, Scotland and Ireland

° ° °

Some fine-tuning was required after the initial separation to ensure each post was in the correct thread.
In accordance with standard Forums procedure could any further requests to have posts moved
be made by PM and not by a post in either one or both threads.

thanks,
Warren
Non-Reigning Houses Moderator
​
 
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Ruaidri Ua Conchabair or known as Rory Conner O'Conner

King of Dublin

Ruaidri Ua Conchobair was later anglisized as Rory Conner O'Conner served as Tanaiste of Connacht 1126-1144. Conchobair was over twenty sons sired by Tairidelbach Ua Conchobair and his first chosen heir. An army was led by Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair, and he gave the kingdom of Ath-cliath and Leinster to his own son, Conchobhar; he afterwards proceeded to the South, and defeated Cormac Mac Carthaigh, and burned his camp at Sliabh-an-Caithligh.

King of Mide

Following Tairrdelbach's kidnapping of the king of Mide in 1143, "the kingdom of Meath was given by Toirdhealbhach to his own son, Conchobhar." However, the strtagey backfired as the annals fo 1144 record:
Conchobhar, son of Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair, heir apparent to the monarchy of Ireland, was killed at Bealach Muine-na-Siride, by Ua Dubhlaich, lord of Feara-Tulach, for he considered him as a stranger in sovereignty over the men of Meath. Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair gave West Meath to Donnchadh, son of Muircheartach Ua Maeleachlainn; and he divided East Meath equally between Tighearnan Ua Ruairc, lord of Breifne, and Diarmaid Mac Murchadha, King of Leinster, and they remained thus under the protection of the Connaughtmen.
​
Later that year, "four hundred cows were given by the men of Meath to Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair, as eric for his son, Conchobhar."
Conchobair's death resulted in the released of his half-brother, Ruaidhri, who would eventually insinuate himself as his father's Tánaiste.

Children and descendants

Brian Mainech, son of Conchobhar, son of Toirrdhelbach was killed at the battle of Ath na caisberna in 1159, a significant defeat of Connacht by Aileach.

References

 
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Tairrdelbach Ua Conchobair anglicized to Turlough Mor O'Conner

Family background

Toirhealbach Ua Conchobair 1088-1156 was King of Connacht 1106-1156 and High King 1120-1156. The youngest son of Ruaidrí na Saide Buide (died 1118), his mother was Mór, daughter of Toirdelbach Ua Briain (1009–14 July 1086). His brothers were Niall (killed 1093), Tadc (killed 1097), Conchobar (murdered 1103), Domnall, King of Connacht (deposed 1106). There was at least one sister, Dubhchobhlaigh Bean Ua hEaghra of Luighne Connacht (died 1131). Ruaidrí was married to four or more women.
In 1092, King Ruaidrí was blinded by Flaithbertaigh Ua Flaithbertaigh, an incident which led to the domination of Connacht by the Dal gCais of Munster, led by Tairrdelbach's uncle, Muirchertach Ua Briain, who possibly took Tairrdelbach into his household to groom him for the day when he would be king of Connacht. (p.471,MIAE 2005)
However this would not occur until 1106; until then, Connacht endured a prolonged period of civil strife between different factions of the Uí Conchobair, Uí Ruairc of Bréifne as well as more minor families of the Uí Briúin and Síol Muireadaigh, including the long-displaced Ui Fiachrach Aidhne. Tairrdelbach's brothers Tadc and Domnall both gaining the kingship at different times, but depended upon the support of Ua Briain.

Reign

In 1106, with the support of his uncle Muirchertach Ua Briain, eighteen-year old Tairrdelbach deprived his older brother Domnall of the kingship of Connacht. He would remain king of Connacht for fifty years.
"Tairrdelbach carefully maintained his alliance with Ua Briain, sending troops to aid the high king agains the Ui Ruaric of Bréifne in 1109. But he was also determined to defend his kingdom against predators such as Domnall Mac Lochlainn (d. 1121), king of the north of Ireland." (O'Byrne, p. 471)
Tairrdelbach constructed Dún Bhun na Gaillimhe (“Fort at the Mouth (bottom) of the Gaillimh”) in 1124. A small settlement grew up around this fort and eventually this developed into Galway city.
The Cross of Cong, made at the behest of Tairrdelbach was designed to be placed on top of a religious staff or crosier. It was made for the Cathedral church at Tuam. The cross was subsequently moved to Cong Abbey. He is also believed to have refounded Cong Abbey circa 1135.

Wives and children



Tairrdelbach had the following known wives:
  • Caillech Dé Ní Eidin
  • Órfhlaith Ní Mailshechlainn, died 1115
  • Mór Ní Lochlainn, died 1122
  • Tailltiu Ní Mailshechlainn, sister of Órfhlaith, died 1127
  • Derbforgaill Ní Lochlainn, died 1151.
  • Dubhcobhlach Ní Maíl Ruanaid, died 1168.
Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh, writing in 1649, wrote the following account of Tairrdelbach's family (219.16 - 220.13, pp. 486–489):
" Toirdehealbach Mor s. Ruaidhri, high-king of Ireland, had many sons; Ruaidhri, king of Ireland also, Cathal Croibhdhearg, king of Connacht, Domhnall Mor, tainst of Connacht (to him was finally granted the hundredfold increase) were his three sons by his wife; Maol Iosa, coarb of Coman, was the eldest of his family (and his heir), and Aodh Dall and Tadhg Alainn and Brian Breifneach and Brian Luighneach, Maghnus and Lochlainn, Muircheartach Muimneach, Donnchadh, Maol Seachlainn, Tadhg of Fiodhnacha, Cathal Mioghran, two [sons named] Conchabhar, Diarmaid, Domhnall, Muirgheas, Tadhg of Dairean, Murchadh Fionn."
​
  1. - Conchobair Ua Conchobair, fl. 1126-1144
  2. - unnamed daughter, wife of Murchadh Ua hEaghra, murdered 1134
  3. - Aedh Dall Ua Conchobair, fl. 1136-1194
  4. - Ruaidrí Ua Conchobair, fl. 1136-1198
  5. - Tadhg Alainn Ua Conchobair, died 1143/1144
  6. - Cathal Migarán Ua Conchobair, died 1151 or 1152
  7. - Cathal Crobdearg Ua Conchobair, 1152-1224
  8. - Donnell Mor Mideach Ua Conchobair, died 1176
  9. - Brian Breifneach Ua Conchobair, fl. 1156
  10. - Brian Luighnech Ua Conchobhair, fl. 1156-1181
  11. - Maghnus Ua Conchobair, died 1181
  12. - Mór Ní Conchobair, died 1190
  13. - Muirchertach Muimhnech Ua Conchobair, died 1210
  14. - Máel Ísa, Abbot of Roscommon, died 1223
  15. - Muirgheas the Canon, died 1224
  16. - Aedh
  17. - Maghnus
  18. - Lochlann
  19. - Donchadh
  20. - Maol Seachlainn
  21. - Tadhg Fiodhnacha
  22. - Conchobair
  23. - Diarmaid
  24. - Tadhg Dairean
  25. - Murchadh Finn
  26. - Uran
Via his son, Brian Luighnech O Conchobhair, descended the dynasties of O Conchobhair Sligigh, O Conchobhair Ruadh and O Conchobhair Donn (O'Conner Don), respectively.
 
The Gaelic Kings and Kingdoms in Ireland...

Gaelic Ireland consisted of as few as five and as many as nine main kingdoms, subdivided into dozens of smaller kingdoms. The primary kingdoms were Connacht, Ailech, Airgíalla, Ulster, Mide, Leinster, Osraige, Munster and Thomond. Until the end of Gaelic Ireland they continued to fluctuate, expand and contract in size, as well as dissolving entirely or being amalgamated into new entities.


The names of Connacht, Ulster, Leinster and Munster are still in use, now applied to the four modern provinces of Ireland. The following is a list of the main Irish kingdoms and their kings.
Ri Cocaid: Kings of the Fifths

Ard Ri Cocaid febressa: High-Kings with Opposition


Maire Herbert has noted that Annal evidence from the late eighth century in Ireland suggests that the larger provincial kingships were already accruing power at the expense of smaller political units. Leading kings appear in public roles at church-state proclamations ... and at royal conferences with their peers. (2000,p. 62). Responding to the assumption of the title ri hErenn uile (king of all Ireland) by Mael Sechlainn I in 862, she furthermore states that
... the ninth-century assumption of the title of "ri Erenn" was a first step towards the definition of a national kingship and a territorially-based Irish realm. Yet change only gained ground after the stranglehold of Ui Neill power-structures was broken in the eleventh century. ...The renaming of a kingship ... engendered a new self-perception which shaped the future definition of a kingdom and of its subjects.
​
Between 846-1022, and again from 1042–1166, kings from the leading Irish kingdoms made greater attempts to compel the rest of the island's polity to their rule, with varying degrees of success, until the inauguration of Ruaidri Ua Conchobair (Rory O'Connor) in 1166,

High-Kings of Ireland 846-1198

Ruaidhri, King of Ireland

Upon the death of Muirchertach Mac Lochlainn in early 1166, Ruaidhri, King of Connacht, proceeded to Dublin where he was inaugurated King of Ireland without opposition. He was arguably the first undisputed full king of Ireland. He was also the only Gaelic one, as the events of the Norman invasion of 1169–1171 brought about the destruction of the high-kingship, and the direct involvement of the Kings of England in Irish politics.
One of Ruaidri's first acts as king was the conquest of Leinster, which resulted in the exile of its king, Dermot MacMurrough. Ruaidri then obtained terms and hostages from all the notable kings and lords. He then celebrated the Oneach Tailtann, a recognised prerogative of the High Kings, and made a number of notable charitable gifts and donations. However, his caput remained in his home territory in central Connacht (County Galway). Ireland's recognised capital, Dublin, was ruled by Hasculf Thorgillsson, who had submitted to Ruaidri.
Only with the arrival of MacMurrough's Anglo-Norman allies in May 1169 did Ruaidri's position begin to weaken. A series of disastrous defeats and ill-judged treaties lost him much of Leinster, and encouraged uprisings by rebel lords. By the time of the arrival of Henry II in 1171, Ruaidri's position as king of Ireland was increasingly untenable.
Ruaidri at first remained aloof from engagement with King Henry, though many of the lesser kings and lords welcomed his arrival as they wished to see him curb the territorial gains made by his vassals. Through the intercession of Archbishop Lorcán Ua Tuathail (Lawrence O'Toole), Ruaidri and Henry came to terms with the Treaty of Windsor in 1175. Ruaidri agreed to recognise Henry as his lord; in return, Ruaidri was allowed to keep all Ireland as his personal kingdom outside the petty kingdoms of Laigin (Leinster) and Mide as well as the city of Waterford.
 
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Current Chief of MacGregors statement about history

Current Chief of Clan MacGregor statement verifying they are not descended from Alpin
Many sources claim we are descended from Griogar, said to have been the third son of Alpin, King of Scotland, who commenced his reign in 833. Alternatively claims have been made for descent from his eldest brother, Kenneth MacAlpine, but these are both impossible to trace. According to Buchanan of Auchmar, the Clan Gregor were located in Glenorchy as early as the reign of Malcolm Canmore (1057-1093). Hugh of Glenorchy appears to have been the first of the Chiefs who was so styled. Before this the Clan system, as we know it, was not in place.​
sir-malcolm-1996.jpg

Major Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor
7th Baronet, 24th Chief of Clan Gregor
(photo taken in 1996)​

There were four principal Clan Gregor families descended from Gregor of the Golden Bridles. These were Glenstrae, Glencarnaig, Roro, and Glengyle. The Chiefs originally were of the Glenstrae branch which died out as a result of long persecution. Leadership then often switched from one to the other of the three remaining families.
Rob Roy MacGregor was never a Clan Chief but was considered a "Captain," leading the Clan in battle, and was Tutor to Gregor Macgregor, otherwise called James Graham of Glengyle or Glùn Dubh (Black Knee), after his father died leaving him the Chiefship of the Glengyle branch when he was just 10 years old. In clanship a Captain would be appointed as a military leader when the Chief was a minor or otherwise unsuited for the role.
In 1714 Alexander Drummond (or MacGregor) of Balhaldie (Bohaldy), of the Roro line was elected was Chief. He was succeeded by his son, William before 1743. William was created a baronet in the Jacobite peerage by James the Old Pretender. William's eldest son was Alexander born in 1758 and suceeded his father in 1765. The latter Alexander became a Captain in the 65th Regiment. In 1774, when the Act of Proscription against Clan Gregor was finally repealed, another election was organised and General John Murray Macgregor of Lanrick, descended from the Glencarnaig line, was acclaimed as the new Chief. He was elected while Alexander of Balhaldie was still alive and serving in the army in the West Indies. Alexander of Balhaldie raised an unsuccessful court action against Sir John Murray. [see note below by #18]
The current Chief is descended from the Glencarnaig line.​


The following list is only an approximation and is subject to frequent revisions. Most of the dates are estimated. There are a series of obits up to Gregor (John Murray) no. 12 who died in 1629. Thereafter the succession passed to his brother Patrick Roy who was alive in 1651. The records are rather vague about the succession of the descendants of Ewin the tutor which ended with Kilmanan.
  • Griogair of the Golden Bridles, b~1300; d~1360​
  • Eoin cam (Ian of the One-Eye), son of Griogair, .b~1325; obit.1390​
  • Eoin dubh, son of Eoin cam, b~1350; obit.1415​
  • Gille-coluim (Malcolm "the lame lord"), son of Eoin dubh, b~1375; obit.1440​
  • Padraig, son of Gille-coluim, b~1405; obit.1461​
  • Eoin dubh, son of Padraig, b~1440 obit.1519 (his son Maol-coluim dsp 1498)​
  • Eoin MacEoghan, gt-gt-gt-grandson of #3. Eoin dubh, b~1480; obit 1528​
  • Alasdair ruadh of Glenstrae (Allister Roy), son of Eoin MacEoghan, b~1515; obit 1547​
  • Eoin ruadh, son of Alasdair ruadh, b~1540; obit 1550​
  • Griogair ruadh of Glenstrae 'The arrow of Glen Lyon', brother of Eoin ruadh,


    b~1541; executed 1571

    ​
  • Alasdair ruadh of Glenstrae, son of Griogair ruadh, b~ 1569; executed 1604
  • Gregor, alias John Murray, nephew of Alasdair ruadh, b ~1599. last recorded 1639 (sold Glenstrae to Glenorchy in 1624)​
  • Patrick Roy, brother of Gregor, b~1600; d~1650s​
  • James, son of Patrick Roy d~ 1670s (?)​
  • Gregor, son of Malcolm, g-son of Ewin the tutor, d~ 1680s​
  • Archibald of Kilmanan, cousin of Gregor, d~ 1704​
  • Alexander MacGregor or Drummond of Balhaldie (Bohaldy) - Roro - elected in 1714, d.1743​
  • William Macgregor Drummond of Balhaldie succeeded his father 1743. d. ~1765​
  • [Alexander MacGregor Drummond of Balhaldie, b1758, succeeded 1765.]

    Alexander of Balhaldie was not elected and was living outside Scotland. Had he been more dynamic the opportunity for Sir John to campaign for the chiefship might not have arisen. There were also disputes about the seniority and right of the original Balhaldie in 1714. Alexander unsuccessfully sued Sir John Murray in 1795. Note the numbering suggests that Sir John Murray did not accept the succession of William in 1743.

    ​

  1. [*]Sir John Murray (Macgregor) of Lanrick (Glencarnaig branch), elected chief in 1775. Baronetcy created in 1795
    [*]
    Sir Evan John Macgregor 1785-1841, 2nd Baronet of Lanrick, founder of the Clan Gregor Society in 1822 Obtained royal license to resume the name MacGregor in 1822.​
    [*]
    Sir John Athole Bannatyne Macgregor of MacGregor, 3rd Baronet, 1810-1851​
    [*]
    Sir Malcolm Murray Macgregor of MacGregor, 4th Baronet, b.1834, d.1879​
    [*]
    Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, RN, 5th Baronet. b.1873​
    [*]
    Brigadier Sir Gregor MacGregor of MacGregor, 6th Baronet. b.1925, d.2003​
    [*]
    Major Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, 7th Baronet.​
 
The Honorable Standing Council of Highland Chief MacGregor

This was taken from the Official site of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and it is current July 2011.

Clan Chiefs

Details of the the current Clan Chiefs who are members of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs are shown below. Although every care has been taken in the preparation of these details, the accuracy of individual entries cannot be guaranteed. All errors, omissions or corrections should be directed to Mr. Romilly Squire at the office of the Standing Council.
Clicking on the clan crest will take you to the specific clan section where you can learn more about the history of the clan, view its various tartans and discover a great deal of further information.

SIR MALCOLM MACGREGOR OF MACGREGOR BT.
Loophill
Canonbie
Dumfrieshire
DG 14 0XW
cr087.gif


Now as far as the MacGregors go they went back as far as Hugh of Glenorchy and before this (according to the Honorable Chief and the Lord Lyons Courts) there was no MacGregor/Gregor/Grigor recorded and no viable evidence to prove their case. There were four main lines of MacGregor; Gregor of Glenstrae, Gregor of Glencarmaig, Gregor of Roro and Gregor of Glengyle. The Eldest line died out being Gregor of Glenstrae. This is from the accepted genealogy of the current Chief of MacGregor and examined and approved by the Lord Lyon Courts. There are many people out in this world today that are related to MacGregors that would like you to think they go back further than they really do. So moral to the story always check any Clan Chiefs lineage with the Lord Lyons Courts and the Council of Irish and Scottish Chiefs as they have the only reliable sources for genealogies. MacGregors did not go back to Fearchar Og. I bid you all a great night, Ancient Princess
 
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