GIRIC
The information I could find about Giric was a bit contradictory- some historians suggest he was the son of Donald I, others say he was the son of Dúngal.
It would make sense if he was the son of Donald I, meaning he had a claim to the throne, however, there is a suggestion that Giric ruled alongside his cousin Eochaid, the King of Strathclyde (son of Rhun, King of Strathclyde). Perhaps he wasn’t of royal blood, and he enlisted the help of Eochaid, who was.
There is another theory that Giric may have enlisted the help of Eochaid in battle against Áed, in exchange for a share of royal power.
There are a lot of theories about the relationship of Giric and Eochaid, but no solid evidence. It appears that because Giric was his senior, that it was he who held the most power. And if Giric was the son of Donald I, then that would make him Eochaid’s great uncle.
One source that was rather interesting claimed that Giric may have conquered half of Ireland and most of England! Another source claimed this wasn’t true.
Giric was, however, responsible for shifting the power of the church away from Pictish opression, and was styled as Gregory the Great.
Retribution would come to Giric in the form of Áed’s nephew and son: Donald and Constantine. They defeated Giric and Eochaid at Dundurn, which is now Strathearn in Perth and Kinross.
Giric and Eochaid jointly ruled for 12 years.
Born: 832
Died: 889, age 57, at Dundurn (now Strathearn in Perth and Kinross).
Reign: 878–889
Places associated with Giric: Iona (where he is buried).
Predecessor: Áed
Successor: Donald II
EOCHAID
I couldn’t find any images of Eochaid- so his appearance is to remain a mystery!
His parentage isn’t, however. Eochaid’s mother was a daughter of Kenneth MacAlpin (the first king in this series).
Remember when Constantine I helped to put his brother-in-law, Rhun on the throne? That was Eochaid’s father!
It was during Giric and Eochaid’s reign (or possibly Donald II, the next king in line) that the Kingdom of Alba was established.
Quick recap: Up until now, the kings I have discussed were the Kings of Pictland- the kingdom created when the Gaels of Dál Riata and the Picts merged).
Due to tensions from Viking invasions and the expansion of the Kingdom, by 900 AD, Pictland no longer existed. Pictland and Dál Riata had gone and in their place was the Kingdom of Alba (the Gaelic word for Scotland).
So sometime in the late 9th century, Scotland was born!
Eochaid either died alongside Giric at Dundurn or was disposed of at a similar time by Donald II. It’s unknown where he is buried.
Born: 853
Died: 889 (age 36)
Reign: 878-889
Places associated with Eochaid: Al Clud (the rock of the Clyde) the ancient seat of his Kingdom, and Govan, the newly-established seat of the Kingdom of Strathclyde.
Predecessor: Áed
Successor: Donald II
