Fergus I (mythological king)
Fergus I, also called Fergus son of Ferchard, is a legendary king who has been called the first king of Scotland.
Life
Fergus is said to have come from Ireland around 330 B.C. to help the Scots living in what is now Scotland. These Scots were fighting against the Picts and Britons at the time.[1][2] Fergus fought battles in Scotland.
Later, he returned to Ireland to settle matters there. On his way, his ship sank near the Irish coast, and he drowned. The place where he died was later called Carrickfergus, which means "rock of Fergus".
A mythical figure
Modern historians now believe that Fergus I was a mythical figure. The first real Scottish kings may have started with Fergus Mór (Fergus II), who came from Ireland in the early 500s A.D.
Origin of the myth
In the Middle Ages, Scottish historians created a long list of kings starting with Fergus I. (Other old lists say Fergus's father, Ferchard, was the first king of Scotland, and Fergus the second.[3])
These lists were likely made up to give Scotland an ancient and noble history.[4] In the 17th century, these legends were used to claim that Scottish kings had ruled for more than 2,000 years.[5]
Portrayal in art
In the Great Gallery of Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh, there is a painting of Fergus I by artist Jacob de Wet II. It is part of a series showing 110 legendary and real Scottish kings.
Notes
- ↑ Fordun, John of (14th century). Chronica Gentis Scotorum.
{{cite book}}: Check date values in:|year=(help) - ↑ Buchanan, George (1582). Rerum Scoticarum Historia.
- ↑ Skene, William Forbes (1886). Celtic Scotland. Vol. 1.
- ↑ Innes, Thomas (1729). Critical Essay on the Ancient Inhabitants of the Northern Parts of Britain.
- ↑ Boece, Hector (1527). Scotorum Historiae.