Scotland before Somerled
Dal Riata
Also known as Dalriada, Dal Riata was a kingdom of Gaels, called Scotti by the Romans, who had begun migrating from the north-east of Ireland around the second century AD to escape the famine. When Kenneth mac Alpin (a Pict) became king of both Dal Riata and Pictland in 840 AD (through marriage, not conquest) he moved his court from Dunadd to Scone to escape the Norse who were beginning to raid more and more frequently from the west.Norse Occupation
The western islands (the Hebrides) were acknowledged by the Scottish kings to be Norwegian territory and were ruled from the Isle of Mann by a Norse king, subject to the King of Norway. The Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland) and northern parts of the mainland were separate from the Manx kingdom, ruled by the Norse Earls of Orkney, also subject to the King of Norway. By Somerled’s time (born around 1110) much of the western highlands was also occupied by the Norse. This “unauthorised” occupation was largely ignored by the kings of Scotland. The Gaels still living in these areas submitted to Norse rule. Many, including clan leaders, lived in exile in Ireland.
Events in Somerled’s Lifetime
Home is Morvern
Somerled’s early activities were to secure a safe place to live in Morvern. The map below shows the places of interest in his initial two-years campaign. Inevitably, he became involved in wider issues. The map on the left shows the sites of his activities on wider fronts since his journey from the north of Ireland to Morvern. It indicates his land and sea battles from the Isle of Skye to Northallerton in Yorkshire.
Walter - Knight for Hire
Walter’s family came from Dol-de-Bretagne and moved to Oswestry, in Shropshire at the request of Henry I, where Walter was subsequently born. He later returned to France as part of Princess Matilda’s (Henry I’s daughter) entourage. Normandy was part of King Henry’s domain, so he planned to marry his daughter Matilda to Geoffrey of Anjou thus protecting Normandy’s southern border. When Henry I died, Matilda was busy quelling a revolt in Normandy. Taking advantage of Matilda’s difficulty, Steven of Blois. (Henry’s nephew) rushed to London and got himself crowned King of England. This meant that Normandy also became his property. So began many years of war between Matilda and Stephen supporters. Scotland (including Somerled) became involved.
Scotland before Somerled
Dal Riata
Also known as Dalriada, Dal Riata was a kingdom of Gaels, called Scotti by the Romans, who had begun migrating from the north-east of Ireland around the second century AD to escape the famine. When Kenneth mac Alpin (a Pict) became king of both Dal Riata and Pictland in 840 AD (through marriage, not conquest) he moved his court from Dunadd to Scone to escape the Norse who were beginning to raid more and more frequently from the west.Norse Occupation
The western islands (the Hebrides) were acknowledged by the Scottish kings to be Norwegian territory and were ruled from the Isle of Mann by a Norse king, subject to the King of Norway. The Northern Isles (Orkney and Shetland) and northern parts of the mainland were separate from the Manx kingdom, ruled by the Norse Earls of Orkney, also subject to the King of Norway. By Somerled’s time (born around 1110) much of the western highlands was also occupied by the Norse. This “unauthorised” occupation was largely ignored by the kings of Scotland. The Gaels still living in these areas submitted to Norse rule. Many, including clan leaders, lived in exile in Ireland.
Events in Somerled’s Lifetime
Home is Morvern
Somerled’s early activities were to secure a safe place to live in Morvern. The map below shows the places of interest in his initial two-years campaign. Inevitably, he became involved in wider issues. The map on the left shows the sites of his activities on wider fronts since his journey from the north of Ireland to Morvern. It indicates his land and sea battles from the Isle of Skye to Northallerton in Yorkshire.Walter - Knight for Hire
Walter’s family came from Dol-de-Bretagne and moved to Oswestry, in Shropshire at the request of Henry I, where Walter was subsequently born. He later returned to France as part of Princess Matilda’s (Henry I’s daughter) entourage. Normandy was part of King Henry’s domain, so he planned to marry his daughter Matilda to Geoffrey of Anjou thus protecting Normandy’s southern border. When Henry I died, Matilda was busy quelling a revolt in Normandy. Taking advantage of Matilda’s difficulty, Steven of Blois. (Henry’s nephew) rushed to London and got himself crowned King of England. This meant that Normandy also became his property. So began many years of war between Matilda and Stephen supporters. Scotland (including Somerled) became involved.
Walter Jardine
About A Wolf in His Belly
The Book
Maps
