Editing Eochaid ab Rhun (section)

== Transformation of the Pictish realm ==
[[File:Domnall mac Custantín (Oxford Bodleian Library MS Rawlinson B 489, folio 27v).jpg|thumb|left|The title of [[Domnall mac Custantín]], the first recorded [[King of Alba]], as it appears on folio 27v of Oxford Bodleian Library Rawlinson B 489.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2017)]] § 900.6; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 900.6; [[#B18|''Bodleian Library MS. Rawl. B. 489'' (n.d.)]].</ref>]]

As for the Scottish kingdom, the succeeding king is identified as [[Donald II of Scotland|Domnall mac Custantín]] by the ''Chronicle of the Kings of Alba''.<ref name="combine3">[[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 122–123; [[#H2|Hudson, BT (1998)]] pp. 149, 155; [[#A1|Anderson, AO (1922)]] pp. 395–396; [[#S3|Skene (1867)]] p. 9.</ref> Domnall's kingship is corroborated by the ''Annals of Ulster'' and ''Chronicon Scotorum'' which report his death in 900.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2017)]] § 900.6; [[#C5|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2012)]] § 900; [[#C4|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2010)]] § 900; [[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] p. 122; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 900.6.</ref> The fact the ''Chronicle of the Kings of Alba'' accords Domnall an eleven-year reign places the inception of his rule in 889 and therefore corroborates the eleven-year reign accorded to Eochaid.<ref name="combine3"/> Domnall is the first monarch to be styled [[King of Alba]] by a contemporary annalistic source.<ref>[[#E1|Evans (2015)]] p. 151 n. 96; [[#W8|Walker (2013)]] ch. 1 ¶ 50; [[#C18|Clarkson (2012a)]] ch. 8 ¶ 24; [[#C20|Clarkson (2012b)]] ch. 11 ¶ 48; [[#A2|Anderson, MO (2010)]] p. 124; [[#C7|Clarkson (2010)]] ch. 8 ¶ 26; [[#H5|Hadley (2009)]] p. 203; [[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] p. 170; [[#B3|Broun (2007)]] pp. 21, 33 n. 115; [[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] p. 320 n. 18; [[#C16|Charles-Edwards (2006)]] p. 343 n. 2; [[#C12|Clancy (2006a)]]; [[#F7|Forsyth (2005)]] p. 32; [[#B2|Broun (2004b)]]; [[#F8|Foster (2004)]] p. 108; [[#D20|Davidson (2002)]] p. 128; [[#B1|Bruford (2000)]] p. 59; [[#W3|Woolf (2000)]] p. 151; [[#V1|Veitch (1998)]] p. 199 n. 34; [[#B15|Bannerman (1997)]] p. 35; [[#L1|Lynch (1991)]] p. 40; [[#W1|Williams; Smyth; Kirby (1991)]] p. 103.</ref> Prior to about this period, the Gaelic {{lang|mga|Alba}} stood for "[[Great Britain|Britain]]".<ref>[[#D26|Downham (2017)]] p. 91; [[#K6|Koch (2006a)]]; [[#B14|Broun (1997)]] p. 113 n. 6.</ref> In fact, the shifting terminology employed by various English, Irish, and Scottish sources may be evidence that the Pictish realm underwent a radical transformation during this period in history.<ref>[[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] p. 170; [[#B3|Broun (2007)]] pp. 72–75; [[#B2|Broun (2004b)]]; [[#B14|Broun (1997)]] p. 113 n. 6.</ref>

[[File:Picts (British Library Cotton MS Tiberius B I, folio 124r).jpg|thumb|right|An excerpt from folio 124r of British Library Cotton Tiberius B I (the "C" version of the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]''): "{{lang|ang|Peohtas}}".<ref>[[#O7|O'Keeffe (2001)]] p. 43; [[#C21|''Cotton MS Tiberius B I'' (n.d.)]].</ref> The excerpt refers to eighth century [[Picts]] of the [[Kingdom of the Picts]].]]

For example, the ''[[Anglo-Saxon Chronicle]]'' identifies the Irish as {{lang|ang|Scottas}} up until the 890s.<ref>[[#W4|Woolf (2009)]] p. 251; [[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] pp. 170, 187; [[#S7|Swanton (1998)]] p. 82; [[#T4|Thorpe (1861)]] pp. 160–161.</ref> By the 920s, this term came to be accorded to the people formerly regarded as Pictish<ref>[[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] pp. 170, 187; [[#S7|Swanton (1998)]] pp. 104–105; [[#T4|Thorpe (1861)]] pp. 196–197.</ref> (and last recorded as such in the 870s).<ref>[[#W4|Woolf (2009)]] p. 251; [[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] pp. 170, 187; [[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 117, 124; [[#S7|Swanton (1998)]] pp. 74–75; [[#T4|Thorpe (1861)]] pp. 144–145.</ref>{{#tag:ref|One version of the eleventh-century ''[[Lebor Bretnach]]'' alleges that the last Pictish king was a certain Custantín. This man appears to be identical to Custantín mac Cináeda, and the record itself appears to reveal that—by the eleventh century at least—this monarch's demise marked the end of the Pictish realm. In fact, the Picts' final attestation by the ''Anglo-Saxon Chronicle'' refers to the Viking campaigning that evidently brought about Custantín's destruction.<ref>[[#T7|''The Irish Version of'' (2015)]] § historia 27; [[#T6|''The Irish Version of'' (2009)]] § historia 27; [[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] p. 124.</ref>|group=note}} As for the [[Irish annals]]—specifically the hypothesised ''Chronicle of Ireland''—the terms {{lang|la|Picti}} and {{lang|la|rex Pictorum}} ("king of the Picts") are last accorded to the Picts and their kings in the 870s.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2017)]] §§ 875.3, 876.1, 878.2; [[#B13|Broun (2015b)]] p. 120; [[#C5|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2012)]] § 876; [[#C4|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2010)]] § 876; [[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] pp. 170, 187; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] §§ 875.3, 876.1, 878.2; [[#B3|Broun (2007)]] pp. 84, 89 n. 6; [[#C16|Charles-Edwards (2006)]] pp. 326 § 875.3, 326 § 876.1, 328 § 878.3, 343 n. 2; [[#D20|Davidson (2002)]] p. 128; [[#B1|Bruford (2000)]] p. 59 n. 52; [[#B14|Broun (1997)]] p. 112, 122 nn. 2–3, 122 n. 50.</ref> In fact, the last Pictish king to be styled thus was Domnall's uncle, Áed.<ref>[[#W4|Woolf (2009)]] pp. 251–252; [[#B3|Broun (2007)]] p. 72; [[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 117, 340; [[#B14|Broun (1997)]] p. 112.</ref> By the 900s, the terms {{lang|mga|fir Alban}} ("men of Alba") and {{lang|mga|rí Alban}} ("king of Alba") are utlilised for these people.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2017)]] §§ 900.6, 918.4; [[#B13|Broun (2015b)]] pp. 119–120; [[#C5|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2012)]] § 900; [[#C4|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2010)]] § 900; [[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] pp. 170, 187; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] §§ 900.6, 918.4; [[#B3|Broun (2007)]] pp. 21, 33 n. 115, 72, 84, 89 n. 6; [[#C16|Charles-Edwards (2006)]] p. 343 § 900.9, 343 n. 2; [[#B2|Broun (2004b)]]; [[#D3|Duncan (2002)]] p. 14; [[#D20|Davidson (2002)]] p. 128; [[#B1|Bruford (2000)]] p. 59, 59 n. 52; [[#B14|Broun (1997)]] pp. 112, nn. 2–3, 124 n. 56; [[#O9|Ó Murchadha (1992–1993)]] p. 59.</ref> The ''Chronicle of the Kings of Alba'' last utilises the term {{lang|la|Pictavia}} in the midst of Domnall's reign. Thereafter, the realm is called {{lang|la|Albania}}.<ref>[[#A2|Anderson, MO (2010)]] p. 124; [[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] pp. 170, 180, 187; [[#B3|Broun (2007)]] pp. 72–73, 84–85; [[#C16|Charles-Edwards (2006)]] p. 343 n. 2; [[#F8|Foster (2004)]] p. 108; [[#W3|Woolf (2000)]] pp. 151–152; [[#B14|Broun (1997)]] p. 118 n. 33; [[#L1|Lynch (1991)]] p. 40.</ref>

[[File:Scottish people (British Library Cotton MS Tiberius B I, folio 141r).jpg|thumb|left|An excerpt from folio 141r of British Library Cotton Tiberius B I: "{{lang|ang|Scotta leode}}".<ref>[[#O7|O'Keeffe (2001)]] p. 77; [[#C21|''Cotton MS Tiberius B I'' (n.d.)]].</ref> The excerpt refers to tenth-century [[Scottish people]] of the [[Kingdom of Alba]].]]

There is reason to suspect that the political and dynastic upheaval endured by the Pictish realm in the last quarter of the ninth century was the catalyst for a radically new political order based upon the reestablishment of the Alpínids in the kingship.<ref>[[#B3|Broun (2007)]] p. 73; [[#B2|Broun (2004b)]]; [[#B14|Broun (1997)]] pp. 115, 123–124.</ref> Alternately, the transformation could have taken place specifically during the floruit of Giric and Eochaid. For instance, it is conceivable that Giric gained the throne by seizing upon the upheaval caused by the incessant Viking depredations that assailed Pictavia. At an earlier date, the Gaelic realm of Dál Riata appears to have crumbled under such pressures, and it is possible that Giric drew military power from this broken polity to forcefully seize the Pictish throne. In any case, the accommodation of significant Gaelic aristocratic power in the wavering Pictish realm could account for the eventual transformation of Pictavia into Alba.<ref>[[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 321, 340–342, 351.</ref>{{#tag:ref|The last notice of the Dál Riata by a contemporary secular source is the ''Annals of Ulster''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s report of [[Conall mac Taidg]]'s slaying in 807.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2017)]] § 807.3; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 807.3; [[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] p. 59.</ref>|group=note}}

[[File:Máel Muire ingen Cináeda (Oxford Bodleian Library MS Rawlinson B 489, folio 28v).jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|right|The name of Eochaid's maternal aunt, [[Máel Muire ingen Cináeda]], as it appears on folio 28v of Oxford Bodleian Library Rawlinson B 489.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2017)]] § 913.1; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 913.1; [[#B18|''Bodleian Library MS. Rawl. B. 489'' (n.d.)]].</ref>]]

The temporary exclusion of the Alpínids from the Pictish throne could well have meant that they endured exile in Ireland.<ref name="W2-321322">[[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 321–322.</ref> Certainly, Domnall's paternal aunt, [[Máel Muire ingen Cináeda]], possessed significant Irish connections as the wife of two successive [[kings of Tara]]—Áed Findliath and [[Flann Sinna mac Maíl Shechnaill]]<ref>[[#C18|Clarkson (2012a)]] ch. appendix a; [[#C20|Clarkson (2012b)]] ch. genealogical tables; [[#B3|Broun (2007)]] p. 96 n. 84; [[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 257 tab. 6.6, 321–322; [[#H13|Herbert (2000)]] pp. 68–69; [[#B14|Broun (1997)]] p. 117; [[#H2|Hudson, BT (1998)]] p. 157 nn. 41–42; [[#H3|Hudson, BT (1996)]] pp. 120, 134; [[#H4|Hudson, BT (1994)]] p. 171 genealogy 4.</ref>—and the mother of another—[[Niall Glúndub mac Áeda]].<ref>[[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] pp. 257 tab. 6.6, 321–322; [[#B8|Bhreathnach (2005)]] p. 269; [[#H7|Hudson, BT (2004b)]]; [[#H13|Herbert (2000)]] pp. 69–70; [[#H2|Hudson, BT (1998)]] p. 157 n. 42; [[#H3|Hudson, BT (1996)]] pp. 120, 134, 148; [[#H4|Hudson, BT (1994)]] p. 171 genealogy 4.</ref> If Domnall and his succeeding first cousin, [[Constantine II of Scotland|Custantín mac Áeda]], indeed spent their youth in Ireland prior to assuming the kingship of Alba, their Gaelic upbringing could well have ensured the continuation of Pictavia's Gaelicisation.<ref name="W2-321322"/> If the eventual Alpínid successors of Eochaid and Giric were indeed sheltered in Ireland, this could account for the fact that the ''Chronicle of Ireland'' fails to acknowledge their usurpation.<ref>[[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] p. 124.</ref>

[[File:Eochaid, son of Rhun (map2).png|thumb|upright|left|Map od the kingdoms of [[Kingdom of Alba|Alba]] and [[Kingdom of Strathclyde|Strathclyde]], and the [[Scandinavian Scotland|Scandinavian]] and [[Kingdom of Northumbria|Northumbrian]] territories in about 900.<ref>[[#F8|Foster (2004)]] p. 8 ill. 1.</ref>]]

Furthermore, if the Pictish transformation indeed stems from the floruit of Giric and Eochaid, the new terminology could indicate that the [[Kingdom of Alba]] was envisioned to include Pictish, Gaelic, British, and English inhabitants.<ref name="combine2">[[#E1|Evans (2015)]] 151 n. 96; [[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] pp. 178–179.</ref> Several king-lists allege that Giric subjugated Ireland and England during his reign,<ref>[[#C2|Charles-Edwards (2008)]] pp. 177, 179; [[#W2|Woolf (2007)]] p. 120; [[#V1|Veitch (1998)]] p. 211; [[#H3|Hudson, BT (1996)]] p. 206; [[#M8|Macquarrie (1990)]] p. 7; [[#C26|Cowan (1981)]] p. 10; [[#A1|Anderson, AO (1922)]] pp. 364–365, 365 n. 2; [[#S3|Skene (1867)]] pp. 151, 174, 204, 288, 301, 305.</ref> an outlandish claim that could instead evince a multi-ethnic northern alliance under his authority. As such, there is reason to suspect that {{lang|mga|Alba}} — a term previously used for Britain — may have been meant to encapsulate a new political construction, a polity of "North Britain".<ref name="combine2"/>{{#tag:ref|There is reason to suspect that the new terminology is related to similar recently-adopted terminology employed in Ireland — such as {{lang|mga|rí Érenn}} and {{lang|mga|fir Érenn}} — which may have been employed to represent a territorial-based multi-ethnic authority.<ref>[[#D20|Davidson (2002)]] pp. 128–129, 159; [[#H13|Herbert (2000)]].</ref> Alternately, another possibility is that the recorded shift in terminology — from {{lang|la|rex Pictorum}} and {{lang|la|Picti}} to {{lang|mga|rí Alban}} and {{lang|mga|fir Alban}} — may merely be a translational shift from Latin to Gaelic.<ref>[[#E1|Evans (2015)]] p. 151 n. 96; [[#B13|Broun (2015b)]] pp. 122–124; [[#B3|Broun (2007)]] pp. 86–87; [[#B14|Broun (1997)]] p. 123 n. 54.</ref>|group=note}}