Gabhran of Dalriada
|
|
Gabhran of Dalriada, also known as Gabhran mac Domangart. Gabhran was king of Dalriada. He reigned from about 538-558.
Gabhran was a wise and excellent Prince. He first instituted the office of the King's Advocate. He persuaded Loth, a Pictish King, to league with Uther Pendragon, King of the Britons against the Anglo-Saxons in 502. Loth was also persuaded to marry Ann-Morgause, daughter to Gorlois and Igraine, step-daughter to the Pendragon and elder half-sister to King Arthur of the Round Table. When the famous King Arthur mounted the British throne, Gabhran aided him against the Saxons.
Gabhran was at last cut off, for one Toncetus, the Supreme Judge of Capital Crimes, a cruel and covetous man, expecting easy pardon of the King; the enraged people therefore cut him off. But finding they could not obtain the King's mercy, they next slew the King himself in 535 at the instigation of one Donald of Athol after a reign of thirty-four years.
His Queen and children fled to Ireland. Others say that he died after a tedious sickness and was buried at Icolmkill, the royal burying place.
He was succeeded by his nephew, Eugenius III, who instead of revenging his uncle's death, received Donald into favor, which made him suspected of having a hand in the conspiracy; and he was succeeded in 558 by his brother Conall I of Dalriada, who introduced heraldry.
Conall recalled the children of Gabhran but died before their return in 568 after a reign of ten years. Conall was succeeded by his younger brother Kintellus, who courteously entertained Aedan of Dalriada, son of Gabhran and on his deathbed resigned to him.