Kenneth III of Scotland
Cináed mac Duib (anglicised Kenneth III) (before 967–1005) was King of Scots from 997 to 1005. He was the son of Dub mac Maíl Coluim. Many of the Scots sources refer to him as Giric son of Cináeda son of Dub, which is taken to be an error.[1]
The only event reported in Cináed's reign is the killing of Dúngal mac Cináeda by Gille Coemgáin mac Cináeda, by the Annals 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 Cináed, or of Cináed mac Maíl Coluim, or some other person or persons, is not known.[2] Cináed was killed in battle at Monzievaird in Strathearn by Máel Coluim mac Cináeda in 1005.[3]
Whether Boite mac Cináeda was a son of this Cináed, or of Cináed mac Maíl Coluim, is uncertain, although most propose this Cináed. A son, or grandson of Boite, was reported to be killed by Máel Coluim mac Cináeda in 1032 in the Annals of Ulster.[4]
Cináed's daughter, Gruoch ingen Cináeda — Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth — was wife of Gille Coemgáin, Mormaer of Moray, wife of King Mac Bethad mac Findlaích and mother of King Lulach mac Gille Coemgáin. The meic Uilleim, descendants of William fitz Duncan by his first marriage, were descended from Cináed through his grandson Lulach.[5]
Notes
- ^ Duncan, p. 22; Smyth, pp. 220–221 and 225, prefers to assume that Giric mac Cináed meic Duib ruled jointly with his father; also Early Sources, p.522, note 4.
- ^ Early Sources, p.520, note 5; Smyth, pp. 221–222, makes Gille Coemgáin the son of this Cináed without explanation.
- ^ Annals of Ulster and Chronicon Scotorum, s.a. 1005; the various versions of the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba and the Prophecy of Berchán agree on the site of the battle; Early Sources, pp 522–524. Duncan, p. 22, suggests that the killer's name should be read as Giric mac Cináeda, a brother of Máel Coluim. If not, this Cináed's son Giric was presumably also killed at about this time.
- ^ This Cináed and Boite's son, Smyth, pp. 220–221; Duncan, p. 32. See also Early Sources, p. 571, note 7.
- ^ Duncan, pp. 102–103.
References
- Anderson, Alan Orr, Early Sources of Scottish History A.D 500–1286, volume 1. Reprinted with corrections. Paul Watkins, Stamford, 1990. ISBN 1-871615-03-8
- Duncan, A.A.M., The Kingship of the Scots 842–1292: Succession and Independence. Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 2002. ISBN 0-7486-1626-8
- Smyth, Alfred P. Warlords and Holy Men: Scotland AD 80-1000. Reprinted, Edinburgh: Edinburgh UP, 1998. ISBN 0-7486-0100-7
| Preceded by: Constantine III |
King of Scots 997–1005 |
Succeeded by: Malcolm II |
