From Pictland to Alba: Scotland, 789-1070 (New Edinburgh History of Scotland)

In the 780s northern Britain was dominated by two great kingdoms; Pictavia, centred in north-eastern Scotland and Northumbria which straddled the modern Anglo-Scottish border. Within a hundred years both of these kingdoms had been thrown into chaos by the onslaught of the Vikings and within two hundred years they had become distant memories. This book charts the transformation of the political landscape of northern Britain between the eighth and the eleventh centuries. Central to this narrative is the mysterious disappearance of the Picts and their language and the sudden rise to prominence of the Gaelic-speaking Scots who would replace them as the rulers of the North. From Pictland to Alba uses fragmentary sources which survive from this darkest period in Scottish history to guide the reader past the pitfalls which beset the unwary traveller in these dangerous times. Important sources are presented in full and their value as evidence is thoroughly explored and evaluated. COVER 1 COPYRIGHT 5 Contents 6 Maps and Genealogical Tables 7 Acknowledgements 8 General Editor’s Preface 10 Note on Spelling and Pronunciation 12 Introduction Land and People: Northern Britain in the Eighth Century 18 PART ONE: Events (789–1070) 56 Chapter 1: The Coming of the Vikings 58 Chapter 2: The Scaldingi and the Transformation of Northumbria 85 Chapter 3: Last Days of the Pictish Kingdom (839–89) 104 Chapter 4: The Grandsons of Cinaed and the Grandsons of Ímar 139 Chapter 5: The Later Tenth Century: A Turmoil of Warring Princes 194 Chapter 6: The Fall of the House of Alpín and the Moray Question 237 PART TWO: Process 290 Chapter 7: Scandinavian Scotland 292 Chapter 8: Pictavia to Albania 329 Table of Events 368 Guide to Further Reading 370 The Principal Medieval Chronicles used in this Volume 374 Bibliography 377 Index 387 This Volume Charts The Transformation Of The Political Landscape Of Northern Britain Between The Middle Of The Eighth And The Middle Of The Eleventh Centuries. Introduction: Land And People : Northern Britain In The Eighth Century -- The Coming Of The Vikings -- The Scaldingi And The Transformation Of Northumbria -- Last Days Of The Pictish Kingdom (839-89) -- The Grandsons Of Cinaed And The Grandsons Of Ímar -- The Later Tenth Century : A Turmoil Of Warring Princes -- The Fall Of The House Of Alpín And The Moray Question -- Scandinavian Scotland -- Pictavia To Albania. Alex Woolf. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [360]-369) And Index.