Editing Cuilén (section)

== Reign and death ==
[[File:Amlaíb mac Illuilb (Oxford Bodleian Library MS Rawlinson B 488, folio 15r).jpg|thumb|The name of Cuilén's brother, [[Amlaíb, King of Scotland|Amlaíb mac Illuilb]], as it appears on folio 15r of Oxford Bodleian Library MS Rawlinson B 488 (the ''[[Annals of Tigernach]]''): "''Amlaim mac Illuilb''".<ref name="tigernach1">[[#T3|''The Annals of Tigernach'' (2010)]] § 977.4; [[#A2|''Annals of Tigernach'' (2005)]] § 977.4; [[#B15|''Bodleian Library MS. Rawl. B. 488'' (n.d.)]].</ref> Amlaíb seems to have held the kingship between 971–976, 977.<ref name="D2-2122;H2-93">[[#D2|Duncan (2002)]] pp. 21–22; [[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] p. 93.</ref>]]

Cuilén's undisputed reign seems to have spanned from 966 to 971.<ref>[[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4; [[#M1|''Monarchs of Scotland (842–1707)'' (2011)]]; [[#B1|Busse (2006b)]]; [[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] p. 163 table 1; [[#W5|Williams; Smyth; Kirby (1991)]] pp. 91–92.</ref> As far as surviving sources record, Cuilén's reign appears to have been relatively uneventful.<ref name="Walker 2013 ch. 4">[[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4.</ref> His death in 971 is noted by several sources. According to the ''Chronicle of the Kings of Alba'', Cuilén and his brother, Eochaid (died 971), were killed by Britons.<ref>[[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 199, 204; [[#D5|Davidson (2002)]] p. 147, note 165; [[#H4|Hudson, BT (1998b)]] pp. 151, 160; [[#H5|Hudson, BT (1996)]] p. 88, note 100; [[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] p. 93; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 475; [[#S3|Skene (1867)]] p. 10.</ref> The ''Annals of Ulster'' also reports that Cuilén fell in battle against Britons,<ref>[[#M4|McGuigan (2015)]] p. 275; [[#C11|Clarkson (2014)]] ch. 7, note 5; [[#CXX1|Charles-Edwards (2013)]] p. 544, note 42; [[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4 ¶ 24; [[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2012)]] § 971.1; [[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 971.1; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 196, 204; [[#D5|Davidson (2002)]] p. 147, n. 165; [[#H5|Hudson, BT (1996)]] p. 213; [[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] p. 93; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 475.</ref> whilst the twelfth century ''[[Chronicon Scotorum]]'' specifies that Britons killed him within a burning house.<ref>[[#C2|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2012)]] § 971; [[#C1|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2010)]] § 971; [[#W4|Woolf (2009)]] p. 258; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 204; [[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] p. 93; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 475.</ref> The ''Chronicle of the Kings of Alba'' locates Cuilén's fall to "''Ybandonia''".<ref>[[#M4|McGuigan (2015)]] p. 148, n. 488; [[#C11|Clarkson (2014)]] ch. 7; [[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#H6|Hicks (2003)]] p. 40; [[#M2|Macquarrie (1998)]] p. 16, note 3; [[#B17|Barrow (1973)]] p. 152; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 476; [[#S3|Skene (1867)]] p. 151.</ref> Although this might refer to [[Abington, South Lanarkshire|Abington]] in [[South Lanarkshire]],<ref>[[#C11|Clarkson (2014)]] ch. 7; [[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#H6|Hicks (2003)]] p. 40; [[#M2|Macquarrie (1998)]] p. 16, note 3; [[#H5|Hudson, BT (1996)]] p. 213; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 476, n. 2.</ref> a more likely location may be preserved by the twelfth–thirteenth century ''[[Chronicle of Melrose]]''. This source states that Cuilén was killed at "''Loinas''",<ref>[[#C11|Clarkson (2014)]] ch. 7; [[#H6|Hicks (2003)]] pp. 40–41; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 476, n. 4; [[#S4|Stevenson (1835)]] p. 226.</ref> a [[Scottish placenames|placename]] which seems to refer to either [[Lothian]] or [[The Lennox]],<ref>[[#C11|Clarkson (2014)]] ch. 7; [[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#H6|Hicks (2003)]] pp. 40–41.</ref> both plausible locations for an outbreak of hostilities between Scots and Britons.<ref name="C3-9">[[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9.</ref> In fact, "''Ybandonia''" itself could well refer to [[Lothian]],<ref>[[#M4|McGuigan (2015)]] p. 148, n. 488; [[#C11|Clarkson (2014)]] ch. 7; [[#M2|Macquarrie (1998)]] p. 16, note 3; [[#B17|Barrow (1973)]] p. 152, note 33.</ref> or the Lennox.<ref>[[#H6|Hicks (2003)]] p. 40.</ref> The account of Cuilén's demise preserved by ''The Prophecy of Berchán'' is somewhat different. According to this source, Cuilén met his end whilst "seeking a foreign land", which could indicate that he was attempting to lift taxes from the Cumbrians.<ref>[[#H4|Hudson, B.T. (1998b)]] p. 160, note 71; [[#M2|Macquarrie (1998)]] p. 16; [[#H5|Hudson, BT (1996)]] pp. 49 § 168, 88 § 168, pp. 213–214; [[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] p. 93; [[#A4|Anderson (1930)]] p. 48 § 166; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 477; [[#S3|Skene (1867)]] pp. 95–96.</ref> The ''Chronicle of the Kings of Alba'' reports that Cuilén's killer was a certain [[Rhydderch ap Dyfnwal]] ([[fl.]] 971), a man who slew Cuilén for the sake of his own daughter.<ref>[[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#M2|Macquarrie (1998)]] p. 16; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 476, note 1; [[#S3|Skene (1867)]] p. 151.</ref> The thirteenth century ''Verse Chronicle'',<ref>[[#B20|Broun (2005)]] pp. 87–88, note 37; [[#S3|Skene (1867)]] p. 179.</ref> the ''Chronicle of Melrose'',<ref>[[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 204; [[#M3|Macquarrie (2004)]]; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 476; [[#S4|Stevenson (1835)]] p. 226.</ref> and ''Chronica gentis Scotorum'' likewise identify Cuilén's killer as Rhydderch, the father of an abducted daughter raped by the king.<ref>[[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] pp. 93, 174, note 10; [[#S2|Skene (1872)]] pp. 161–162; [[#S1|Skene (1871)]] pp. 169–170.</ref>

[[File:Rhydderch ap Dyfnwal (British Library MS Cotton Faustina B IX, folio 8v).jpg|left|thumb|The name of Cuilén's killer, [[Rhydderch ap Dyfnwal]], as it appears on folio 8v of British Library Cotton MS Faustina B IX (the ''[[Chronicle of Melrose]]''): "''Radhardus''".<ref>[[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 476; [[#S4|Stevenson (1835)]] p. 226; [[#C8|''Cotton MS Faustina B IX'' (n.d.)]].</ref>]]

There is reason to suspect that Cuilén's killer was a son of [[Dyfnwal ab Owain, King of Strathclyde]] (died 975).<ref>[[#B1XXX|Broun (2015c)]]; [[#C11|Clarkson (2014)]] ch. 7; [[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4; [[#C7|Clarkson (2012)]] ch. 9; [[#O1|Oram (2011)]] chs. 2, 5; [[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#B12|Busse (2006c)]]; [[#B11|Broun (2004f)]] p. 135; [[#M3|Macquarrie (2004)]]; [[#M2|Macquarrie (1998)]] pp. 6, 16; [[#W5|Williams; Smyth; Kirby (1991)]] pp. 92, 104.</ref> Although there is no specific evidence that Rhydderch was himself a king,<ref>[[#M3|Macquarrie (2004)]]; [[#TA1|Thornton (2001)]] p. 67 n. 66.</ref> the fact that Cuilén was involved with his daughter, coupled with the fact that his warband was evidently strong enough to overcome that of Cuilén, suggests that Rhydderch must have been a man of eminent standing.<ref>[[#M3|Macquarrie (2004)]].</ref> At about the time of Cuilén's demise, a granddaughter of Dyfnwal could well have been in her [[teens]] or [[Young adult|twenties]], and it is possible that the recorded events refer to a visit by the King of Alba to the court of the [[King of Strathclyde]].<ref name="C3-9"/> Such a visit may have taken place in the context of Cuilén exercising his lordship over the Britons. His dramatic death suggests that the Scots severely overstepped the bounds of hospitality,<ref>[[#W4|Woolf (2009)]] p. 258; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 205; [[#H5|Hudson, B.T. (1996)]] pp. 213–214.</ref> and could indicate that Rhydderch was compelled to fire his own hall. Certainly, such killings are not unknown in Icelandic and Irish sources.<ref>[[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 205.</ref> The Lothian placename of [[West Linton]] appears as ''Lyntun Ruderic'' in the twelfth century. The fact that the place name seems to refer to a man named Rhydderch could indicate that this was the place where Cuilén and Eochaid met their end.<ref>[[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 205, note 40.</ref> Another way in which Cuilén may have met his end concerns the record of his father's earlier seizure of [[Edinburgh]] preserved by the ''Chronicle of the Kings of Alba''. The fact that this conquest would have likely included at least part of Lothian,<ref>[[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4; [[#H4|Hudson, B.T. (1998b)]] pp. 151, 159; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 468; [[#S3|Skene (1867)]] p. 10.</ref> coupled with the evidence locating Cuilén's demise to the same area, could indicate that Cuilén was slain in the midst of exercising overlordship of this contested territory. If so, the records that link Rhydderch with the [[regicide]] could reveal that this wronged father exploited Cuilén's vulnerable position in the region and that Rhydderch seized the opportunity to avenge his daughter.<ref name="Walker 2013 ch. 4"/>

[[File:Cináed mac Maíl Choluim (Oxford Bodleian Library MS Rawlinson B 488, folio 15r).jpg|thumb|right|The name of Cuilén's successor, [[Cináed mac Maíl Choluim]], as it appears on folio 15r of Oxford Bodleian Library MS Rawlinson B 488: "''Cinaeth mac Mail Cholaim''".<ref name="tigernach1"/>]]

Although the ''Chronicle of the Kings of Alba'' reports that Dub's brother, [[Cináed mac Maíl Choluim]] (died 995), was the next King of Alba,<ref>[[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4; [[#W4|Woolf (2009)]] p. 258; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 205; [[#H4|Hudson, B.T. (1998b)]] pp. 151, 161; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] pp. 512–513; [[#S3|Skene (1867)]] p. 10.</ref> Irish sources – such as royal genealogies,<ref>[[#B9|''Book of Leinster'' (2015)]] § Genelach rig Alban; [[#D2|Duncan (2002)]] p. 21; [[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] p. 94.</ref> the fourteenth century ''[[Annals of Tigernach]]'',<ref>[[#T3|''The Annals of Tigernach'' (2010)]] § 977.4; [[#A2|''Annals of Tigernach'' (2005)]] § 977.4; [[#D2|Duncan (2002)]] p. 21; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 484.</ref> and the ''Annals of Ulster'' – appear to reveal that Amlaíb possessed the kingship before his death at Cináed's hands.<ref>[[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4; [[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2012)]] § 977.4; [[#D3|Dumville (2000)]] p. 77; [[#W4|Woolf (2009)]] p. 258; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 977.4; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 196, 205; [[#D2|Duncan (2002)]] p. 21; [[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] p. 93; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] pp. 484–485, note 3 and note 4.</ref> Whilst Cináed may well have initially succeeded to the kingship,<ref>[[#B6XXX|Broun (2015f)]]; [[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4; [[#B4|Broun (2004b)]]; [[#B7|Broun (2004e)]]; [[#D2|Duncan (2002)]] p. 21.</ref> it seems that Amlaíb was able to mount a successful – if only temporary – bid for the throne. Certainly, the aforesaid annal-entries style Amlaíb a king and accord Cináed a mere patronymic name.<ref>[[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4; [[#D2|Duncan (2002)]] p. 21.</ref>{{#tag:ref|The ''Annals of Ulster'' misidentifies Cináed's father as Domnall,<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2012)]] § 977.4; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 977.4; [[#D2|Duncan (2002)]] p. 21, note 45; [[#A1|Anderson (1922)]] p. 485, note 4.</ref> a name which is that of his grandfather.|group=note}} Amlaíb's tenure is not attested by any Scottish king list,<ref>[[#D2|Duncan (2002)]] p. 22.</ref> and it would appear that his reign was indeed brief, perhaps dating from 971–976, 977.<ref name="D2-2122;H2-93"/> One possibility is that the kingship had been shared between Amlaíb and Cináed until the former's death.<ref>[[#C11|Clarkson (2014)]] ch. 7.</ref>

This revolving succession within the Alpínid dynasty reveals that the inter-dynastic struggle between Cuilén and Dub was continued by their respective brothers.<ref>[[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4; [[#H2|Hudson, B.T. (1994)]] p. 93.</ref>{{#tag:ref|If Sueno's Stone indeed commemorates Dub, it is likely that its erection dates to Cináed's reign.<ref name="D2-21"/>|group=note}} As for Cuilén's other brother, Eochaid, this man's death with Cuilén seems to be evidence of his prominent position within the kingdom. The fact that Amlaíb reigned after his brother's death likewise appears to indicate that he too played an important part in Cuilén's regime.<ref>[[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 205–206.</ref> One of Cináed's first acts as king was evidently an invasion of the Kingdom of Strathclyde.<ref>[[#C11|Clarkson (2014)]] ch. 7; [[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4 ¶ 25; [[#W4|Woolf (2009)]] p. 259; [[#B13|Busse (2006a)]]; [[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#B7|Broun (2004e)]].</ref> This campaign could well have been a retaliatory response to Cuilén's killing,<ref>[[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4 ¶ 25; [[#W4|Woolf (2009)]] p. 259.</ref> carried out in the context of crushing a British affront to Scottish authority.<ref>[[#W7|Walker (2013)]] ch. 4 ¶ 25.</ref>{{#tag:ref|Cináed's strike into Cumbrian territory could have been the last conflict of Dyfnwal's reign.<ref name="C3-9"/>|group=note}} In any event, Cináed's invasion ended in defeat,<ref>[[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9; [[#B7|Broun (2004e)]].</ref> a fact which coupled with Cuilén's killing reveals that the Kingdom of Strathclyde was indeed a power to be reckoned with.<ref>[[#M4|McGuigan (2015)]] p. 140; [[#C7|Clarkson (2012)]] ch. 9; [[#C3|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 9.</ref>