Eochaid of Scotland

Eochaid was disputably king of the Picts during the reign of Giric, his claim to the throne was being the grandson of Kenneth MacAlpin (possibly) and the son of Run, king of Strathclyde which he declared gave him the right to the throne.

Eochaid
Disputed King of the Picts
878 - c. 26 November 889
Predecessor	Áed or Giric
Successor	Donald II
Born	c. 860 Scotland
Died	after 26 November 889
House	Alpin
Father	Run Macarthagail, king of Strathclyde
Mother	NN ingen Cináed

Birth

Eochaid was born around c. 860 as son of Run Macarthagail, king of Strathclyde and NN Ingen Cináed. Little is known apart from this about his birth other than it must of took place in Scotland.

Reign

His reign began in 878 after the death of Áed, his 1st cousin once removed, which he claimed gave him right to the throne over Giric who was the murderer of Áed. His reign ended in 889 when he was deposed or abdicated, it is unclear.

Death

His death supposedly happened in 889, after he abdicated or was deposed. It is unknown how he died but it was most likely natural causes.

Donald II

Donald II, his cousin succeeded him and was the last king of the Picts, as after his death in 900 the kingdom of Alba was founded which controlled Pictland and Scotland. Although monarchs were styled as Pictish up until 942/943

Eochaid Of Scotland Media

• 

  The fortress of Al Clud occupied Al Clud ("the rock of the Clyde"). The mediaeval citadel that sat atop this geological formation formed the capital of the Kingdom of Al Clud until the late ninth century.

• 

  The title of Áed mac Cináeda as it appears on folio 26r of Oxford Bodleian Library Rawlinson B 489 (the Annals of Ulster). As far as the Irish annals are concerned, Áed was the last King of the Picts. Nevertheless, other sources report that Áed was succeeded by Eochaid and Giric.

• 

  Barochan Cross, a stone high cross, dating between the eighth- and tenth century. This British monument is an example of the so-called 'Govan School' of sculpture.

• 

  The name of Giric as it appears on folio 30v of Lat. 4126: "Grig filius DunegalTemplate:-".

• 

  A mounted warrior, the most prominent figure displayed upon the Govan sarcophagus. This monument is perhaps the finest example of the 'Govan School' of sculpture. The sarcophagus could be that of Custantín mac Cináeda, the Pictish king who orchestrated the death of Eochaid's paternal grandfather.

• 

  The name of Eochaid's maternal grandfather, Cináed mac Ailpín, as it appears on folio 30v of Lat. 4126: "Kynedus filius AlpiniTemplate:-". Eochaid's maternal Alpínid ancestry could well account for his association with the Pictish kingship.

• 

  Several hogbacks on display in Govan. These massive sculpted monuments show influence of Scandinavian, Pictish, English, and Gaelic artistry. They probably marked the graves of the royalty and nobility of the Kingdom of Strathclyde. Such stones are found in regions of northern Britain settled by Vikings.

• 

  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.