| Kenneth III | |
|---|---|
| King of Alba (Scotland) | |
| Reign | 997 – c. 25 March 1005 |
| Predecessor | Constantine III |
| Successor | Malcolm II |
| Born | c. 966 |
| Died | c. 25 March 1005(1005-03-25) (aged 38–39) Monzievaird |
| Burial | |
| Issue | Boite mac Cináeda? Gille Coemgáin? Giric mac Cináeda Suibne? |
| House | Alpin |
| Father | Dub, King of Alba |
Cináed mac Duib (Modern Gaelic:Coinneach mac Dhuibh;[1] c. 966 – c. 25 March 1005),anglicised asKenneth III, and nicknamedAn Donn ("the Chief" or "the Brown"),[2] wasKing of Alba (Scotland) from 997 to 1005. He was the son ofDub (Dub mac Maíl Coluim). Many of the Scots sources refer to him as Giric son of Kenneth son of Dub, which is taken to be an error.[3] An alternate explanation is that Kenneth had a son, Giric, who ruled jointly with his father.[4][5]
The primary sources concerning the life and "reign" of Giric include chronicle entries dating to the years 1251 and 1317. They can be found inThe Chronicles of the Picts and Scots ofWilliam Forbes Skene. The chronicle ofJohn of Fordun (14th century) mentions Giric as "Grim" or "Gryme", reporting him killed by KingMalcolm II.[citation needed] Giric is not mentioned by earlier sources, which would make his existence questionable.John Bannerman theorised thatmac Duib, the Gaelic patronymic of Kenneth III, evolved to the surnamesDuff andMacDuff, and that Kenneth III could be a direct ancestor toClan MacDuff, which produced allmormaers andearls of Fife from the 11th to the mid-14th century, noting that Giric could be the actual founder of the house, following a pattern of several Scottish clans seemingly founded by grandsons of their eponym.[6]
The only event reported in Kenneth's reign is the killing of Dúngal mac Cináeda by Gille Coemgáin mac Cináeda, by theAnnals of the Four Masters s.a. 999. It is not certain that this refers to events in Scotland, and whether one or both were sons of this Kenneth, or of KingKenneth II or some other person or persons, is not known.[7][8] A "Gilla Caemgein son of Cinaed" also appears in theAnnals of Ulster. An entry from the year 1035 reports that his unnamed granddaughter and her husband Cathal, son of Amalgaid, were both killed by Cellach, son of Dúnchad. This Cathal was reportedly King to the WesternLaigin, possibly connected to theKings of Leinster. The context is unclear but it is likely that this is the same Gille Coemgáin, connected to Kenneth III.[9]
Kenneth III was killed in battle atMonzievaird inStrathearn by KingMalcolm II (Máel Coluim mac Cináeda), which took place about 25 March 1005.[10][11] WhetherBoite mac Cináeda was a son of this Kenneth, or of Kenneth II, is uncertain, although most propose this Kenneth. A son, or grandson of Boite, was reported to be killed by Malcolm II in 1032 in the Annals of Ulster.[12] The relevant entry has been translated as:"The grandson of Baete son of Cinaed was killed by Mael Coluim son of Cinaed".[13]
Boite's daughter,Gruoch (Gruoch ingen Boite meic Cináeda) –William Shakespeare'sLady Macbeth – was wife firstly ofGille Coemgáin,mormaer of Moray, and secondly of KingMacbeth; her son by Gille Coemgáin,Lulach (Lulach mac Gille Coemgáin), succeeded Macbeth as King of Scotland. Themeic Uilleim, descendants ofWilliam fitz Duncan by his first marriage, were probably descended from Kenneth; and theClann Mac Aoidh or Clan Mackay claim descent from Kenneth III through Lulach's daughter.[14]
The theory that Clan MacDuff were descendants of Kenneth III was based on their close connection to royalty.Andrew of Wyntoun reported thatMalcolm III (reigned 1058–1093) had granted to a "MacDuff,thane of Fife" the privilege of enthroning the kings at their inauguration. John of Fordun has Malcolm III promise this same unnamed MacDuff that he will be the first man of the kingdom, second only to the King. This unnamed MacDuff appears frequently in stories connected to the rise of Malcolm III to the throne and was later immortalised in the Shakespearean characterMacduff. The status of the successive heads of this clan as the "senior inaugural official" seems confirmed by records of the inauguration ceremonies ofAlexander II (reigned 1214–1249) andAlexander III (reigned 1249–1286). Earlier heads of this house "witnessed royal documents far more frequently" than other members of the nobility; their names were often listed first among the lay witnesses, ahead of both the nativeScottish nobility and theAnglo-Norman nobles. A number of 12th century heads of house served asjusticiars of Scotia. Their leaders were namedDonnchadh (Duncan), Mael-Coluim (Malcolm), and Causantin (Constantine), names shared by the royal family, making a close relation to the reigning royal house likely. Bannerman suggests that the MacDuffs had their own, legitimate claim to the Scottish throne, which they declined to pursue, having been compensated with privileges by Malcolm III and his descendants.[6]
During the 10th century, there were dynastic conflicts in Scotland between two rival lines of royalty: one descended fromCausantín mac Cináeda (Constantine I, reigned 862–877), the other from his brotherÁed mac Cináeda (reigned 877–878).John of Fordun claims thatKenneth II of Scotland (reigned 971–995) attempted to establish new succession rules, which would limit the right to the throne to his own descendants, excluding all other claimants. WhileConstantine III of Scotland (reigned 995–997) did manage to rise to the throne, he was the last known descendant of Áed. With his death, the rivalry between descendants of Causantin and Áed gave way to a rivalry between two new royal lines, both descended from Causantin.[15]
One line descended from Kenneth II and was represented by his sonMalcolm II. The other line descended from his brotherDub, King of Scotland (reigned 962–967) and was represented by Kenneth III. Neither Constantine III nor Kenneth III were able to extend their control toCumbria, which likely served as a stronghold and powerbase for Malcolm II. He was the legitimate heir according to the succession rules of Kenneth II. When Malcolm II managed to kill Kenneth III, it signified the triumph of his line. He continued to rule to 1034, enjoying a long reign and managed to leave the throne to his own descendants.[15]
However, the rivalry between the two lines survived Kenneth III. In 1033, Malcolm II killed a descendant of Kenneth III.Gruoch, another descendant of Kenneth III, was the consort ofMacbeth, King of Scotland (reigned 1040–1057), whose rivalDuncan I (reigned 1034–1040) was the grandson and heir of Malcolm II. They continued the bitter feud which had started in the previous century.[15]
The contemporarykings of Strathclyde were also involved in the feud, though it is uncertain whether they had dynastic connections with the various Scottish rival lines. A theory that they represented another line of descendants ofDonald II of Scotland (reigned 889–900)[15] was based on the idea thatOwen I of Strathclyde (d. 937) was the son of this king.[16]
The death of Kenneth III is mentioned inLewis Grassic Gibbon's novelCloud Howe.
Kenneth III appeared inGargoyles (comics), written byGreg Weisman.
Kenneth III of Scotland Born: before 967 Died: 25 March 1005 | ||
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | King of Alba 997–1005 | Succeeded by |
