Kenneth I Macalpin King of Scots and Picts 844-859 , 800859 (aged 59 years)

media/Kenneth Macalpin.jpg
Name
Kenneth I /Macalpin/ King of Scots and Picts 844-859
Given names
Kenneth I
Surname
Macalpin
Name suffix
King of Scots and Picts 844-859
Birth
Text:

~Burke's Guide to the Royal Family, London, 1973 , Reference: 312

Death
Text:

~Burke's Guide to the Royal Family, London, 1973 , Reference: 312

Note
Text:

~Burke's Guide to the Royal Family, London, 1973 , Reference: 312

Source citation
Text:

~Burke's Guide to the Royal Family, London, 1973 , Reference: 312

Source citation
Note

* REMARKS:
1st King of Scots (or King of Alba)

* BIOGRAPHY
Kenneth was born about 800, the son of Alpin, king of Kintyre. Kenneth was king of the Picts and, according to national myth, first king of Scots, earning him the posthumous epithet 'An Ferbasach' ('The Conqueror'). His undisputed legacy was to produce a dynasty of rulers who claimed descent from him. Even though he cannot be regarded as the father of Scotland, he was the founder of the dynasty which ruled that country for much of the medieval period.

Kenneth's origins are uncertain, as are his ties, if any, to previous kings of the Picts of Dál Riata (the Gaelic over-kingdom on the western seaboard of Scotland with some territory on the northern coasts of Ireland). Medieval genealogies are unreliable sources, but some historians accept Kenneth's descent from the Cenél nGabrain of Dál Riata.

Although later traditions provided details of his reign and death, Kenneth's father Alpin is not listed as among the kings in the _Duan Albanach_ (Song of the Scots), the Middle Gaelic poem found with the _Lebor Bretnach,_ a Gaelic version of the _Historia Brittonum_ attributed to Nennius. The idea that Kenneth was a Gael is not entirely rejected, but modern historiography distinguishes between Kenneth as a Gael by culture, and perhaps in ancestry, and Kenneth as a king of Gaelic Dál Riata. Kenneth could well have been the first sort of Gael. Kings of the Picts before him, from Bridei, son of Der-Ilei, his brother Nechtan as well as Oengus I (Angus I), son of Fergus and his presumed descendants, were all at least partly Gaelicised. The idea that the Gaelic names of Pictish kings in Irish annals represented translations of Pictish ones was challenged by the discovery of the inscription _Custantin filius Fircus(sa),_ the latinised name of the Pictish king Caustantin, son of Fergus, on the Dupplin Cross.

Kenneth's rise to power can be placed in the context of the recent end of the previous dynasty, which had dominated Fortriu (an ancient Pictish kingdom, often used synonymously with Pictland in general) for two or four generations. This followed the death of King Uen, son of Oengus of Fortriu, his brother Bran, Aed mac Boanta and many others in battle against the Vikings in 839. The resulting succession crisis seems, if the Pictish Chronicle's king-lists have any validity, to have resulted in at least four would-be kings warring for supreme power.

Kenneth's reign is dated from 843, but it was probably not until 848 that he defeated the last of his rivals for power. The _Pictish Chronicle_ claims that he was king in Dál Riata for two years before becoming Pictish king in 843, but this is not generally accepted. In 849, Kenneth had relics of St. Columba, which may have included the Monymusk Reliquary, transferred from Iona to Dunkeld. Other than these are bare facts, the _Chronicle of the Kings of Alba_ reports that he invaded Saxonia six times, captured Melrose and burnt Dunbar, and also that Vikings laid waste to Pictland, reaching far into the interior.

The reign of Kenneth also saw an increased degree of Norse settlement in the outlying areas of modern Scotland. The Shetlands, the Orkneys, Caithness, Sutherland, the Western Isles and the Isle of Man, and part of Ross were settled; the links between Kenneth's kingdom and Ireland were weakened, those with southern England and the continent almost broken. In the face of this, Kenneth and his successors were forced to consolidate their position in their kingdom, and the union between the Picts and the Gaels, already progressing for several centuries, began to strengthen. By the time of Donald II, the kings would be called neither of the Gaels nor of the Scots, but of Alba.

Kenneth died from a tumour on 13 February 858 at the palace of Cinnbelachoir, perhaps near Scone. The annals report the death as that of the 'king of the Picts', not the 'king of Alba'. The title 'king of Alba' is not used until the time of Kenneth's grandsons Donald II (Domnall mac Causatin) and Constantine II (Constantin mac Aeda). The Fragmentary Annals of Ireland quote a verse lamenting Kenneth's death: Because Cináerd with many troops lives no longer there is weeping in every house; there is no king of his worth under heaven as far as the borders of Rome.

Kenneth left at least two sons, Constantine and Aed, who were later kings, and at least two daughters. One daughter married Run, king of Strathclyde, and Eochaid mac Run, king of the Picts, resulted from this marriage. Kenneth's daughter Máerl Muire married two important Irish kings. Her first husband was Aed Finliath of the Cenél nEógain. Niall Glúndub, ancestor of the O'Neill, was the son of this marriage. Her second husband was Flann Sinna of Clann Cholmáin.

Text:

~Burke's Guide to the Royal Family, London, 1973 , Reference: 312

Media object
media/Kenneth Macalpin.jpg
media/Kenneth Macalpin.jpg
 

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

Kenneth has no great-grandparents recorded.

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

Kenneth has 1 grandfather and 1 grandmother recorded (2 in total).

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts by marriage recorded.

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

Kenneth has one father recorded.

Biological parents (1)

Partnership  Alpin King of Kintyre 834 + … …

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no parents-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-parents-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no partners recorded.

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

Kenneth has no siblings recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no siblings-in-law recorded.

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-siblings-in-law recorded.

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no first cousins recorded.

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

Kenneth has no nephews or nieces recorded.

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

Kenneth has one son recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no children-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

Kenneth has one grandson recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no grandchildren-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of Kenneth has 6 members (including Kenneth). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted)

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

Kenneth has no great-grandparents recorded.

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

Kenneth has one grandfather recorded.

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts by marriage recorded.

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

Kenneth has one father recorded.

Biological parents (1)

Partnership  Alpin King of Kintyre 834 + … …

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no parents-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-parents-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no partners recorded.

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

Kenneth has no siblings recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no siblings-in-law recorded.

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-siblings-in-law recorded.

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no first cousins recorded.

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

Kenneth has no nephews or nieces recorded.

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

Kenneth has one son recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no children-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

Kenneth has one grandson recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no grandchildren-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of Kenneth has 5 members (including Kenneth). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted)

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

Kenneth has no great-grandparents recorded.

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

Kenneth has one grandmother recorded.

Biological parents of father (1)

Partnership  Eochaid the Venomous King of Scots of Argyll + Fergusa
1 Fergusa

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts by marriage recorded.

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

Kenneth has no parents recorded.

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no parents-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-parents-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no partners recorded.

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

Kenneth has no siblings recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no siblings-in-law recorded.

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-siblings-in-law recorded.

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no first cousins recorded.

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

Kenneth has no nephews or nieces recorded.

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

Kenneth has no children recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no children-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

Kenneth has no grandchildren recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no grandchildren-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of Kenneth has 2 members (including Kenneth). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted)

No family available

No family available

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

Kenneth has no great-grandparents recorded.

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

Kenneth has 1 grandfather and 1 grandmother recorded (2 in total).

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts by marriage recorded.

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

Kenneth has one father recorded.

Biological parents (1)

Partnership  Alpin King of Kintyre 834 + … …

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no parents-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-parents-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no partners recorded.

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

Kenneth has no siblings recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no siblings-in-law recorded.

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-siblings-in-law recorded.

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no first cousins recorded.

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

Kenneth has no nephews or nieces recorded.

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

Kenneth has one son recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no children-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

Kenneth has one grandson recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no grandchildren-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of Kenneth has 6 members (including Kenneth). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted)

No family available

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

Kenneth has no great-grandparents recorded.

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

Kenneth has one grandfather recorded.

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts by marriage recorded.

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

Kenneth has one father recorded.

Biological parents (1)

Partnership  Alpin King of Kintyre 834 + … …

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no parents-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-parents-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no partners recorded.

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

Kenneth has no siblings recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no siblings-in-law recorded.

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-siblings-in-law recorded.

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no first cousins recorded.

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

Kenneth has no nephews or nieces recorded.

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

Kenneth has one son recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no children-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

Kenneth has one grandson recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no grandchildren-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of Kenneth has 5 members (including Kenneth). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted)

No family available

Great-grandparents

generation +3 relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Biological great-grandparents)

Kenneth has no great-grandparents recorded.

Grandparents

generation +2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandparents)

Kenneth has one grandmother recorded.

Biological parents of father (1)

Partnership  Eochaid the Venomous King of Scots of Argyll + Fergusa
1 Fergusa

Uncles and Aunts

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts recorded.

Uncles and Aunts by marriage

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no uncles or aunts by marriage recorded.

Parents

generation +1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological parents)

Kenneth has no parents recorded.

Parents-in-law

generation +1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no parents-in-law recorded.

Co-parents-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-parents-in-law recorded.

Partners

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no partners recorded.

Partner chains

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no members of a partner chain recorded.

Siblings

same generation relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Full siblings)

Kenneth has no siblings recorded.

Siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no siblings-in-law recorded.

Co-siblings-in-law

same generation no blood relationship

Kenneth has no co-siblings-in-law recorded.

Cousins

same generation relationship coefficient: 12.5% (Children of full siblings of biological parents)

Kenneth has no first cousins recorded.

Nephews and Nieces

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Children of full siblings)

Kenneth has no nephews or nieces recorded.

Children

generation -1 relationship coefficient: 50.0% (Biological children)

Kenneth has no children recorded.

Children-in-law

generation -1 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no children-in-law recorded.

Grandchildren

generation -2 relationship coefficient: 25.0% (Biological grandchildren)

Kenneth has no grandchildren recorded.

Grandchildren-in-law

generation -2 no blood relationship

Kenneth has no grandchildren-in-law recorded.

Summary for the shown extended family

The extended family of Kenneth has 2 members (including Kenneth). (additional members of the partner chains are not counted)

No family available

No family available