Chapter IV
Part 7
The Standard of Lothian
The Funeral of Cóelub of Moray
King Griogair sent riders to all corners of his realm to announce the death of great Cóelub of Moray. All the High Earls of the realm were ordered to come to Scuin to hold court with the King and to attend the burial of the murdered Regent. Cóelub was laid to rest in a place of honour near to his friend and master, King Alasdair I, at the Royal Abbey of Scuin.
Young Cóelub, his only son, rode to Scuin at once, and there grieved bitterly with his sister, the Queen and his childhood friend and companion, King Griogair. Soon afterwards, Eochu, Lord of the Isles arrived at Scuin followed only days later by Earl Fearghas II and young Malcolm III of Eoforwic, his ward. But Earl Eochaid III of Northumbria and the Earl of Lothian did not come….
Cóelub II MacCóelub, Mormaer of Moray (c.972)
When the word of Cóelub’s death reached Prince Cyneric One-Eye, he was at Bebbanburg. He clapped his hands together with joy, but in his heart, there yet burned a wroth, for he now saw that the old Mormaer had outmanoeuvred him once again. He had hidden his mortal wound, and so Cyneric, thinking that Cóelub of Moray was unharmed, had delayed. And now, King Griogair has returned, and was gathering the great lords to him.
“So, the dog is dead at last”, Prince Cyneric had laughed. “Obstinate till the last, that rogue has stood in my way, and the way of my House, for too long. Yet even in death, he could not go quickly enough for me to make my move before young Griogair’s return. At least I know now how he suffered for it!”
“Now that Cóelub is dead, we must waste no time!” exclaimed Cerdic of Rucestre, Prince Cyneric’s most trusted retainer. “We must march on Dun Cyneric and Scuin at once and drive the Albanite pup from these shores forever.”
“We must act indeed”, replied Cyneric cautiously, “but I will not risk so blatant a rising until I know the mettle of my foe. All of us have heard of Griogair’s victories against the Saracens. Therefore, let us see how he responds, before we risk all. Long has Cóelub protected Earl Eochaid III of Northumbria, and his lands in Cumbria. But I perceive that young Griogair will not come to Eochaid’s aid. Mark how the boy swore never to aid Earl Eochaid when the Earl of Northumbria failed to support his audacious rebellion against my noble father. Now is the time to seize Cumbria. Then we shall control land from coast to coast and split the realm in two. Whatever happens, I will not be summoned by that usurping child. And in Lothian, that boy cannot touch me.”
And so, in late October 971, several weeks after the burial of Mormaer Cóelub, a herald bearing the standard of Lothian, arrived at Scuin, and asked to be brought before the King. He entered the great hall, where the King sat deep in conversation with Eochu of the Isles and young Cóelub MacCóelub. Earl Fearghas and Earl Malcom had already returned south, desiring to be present in their lands should there be war in the Scots Kingdom.
“Welcome, herald of Lothian. What words do you bring from my fair cousin?” demanded Griogair, anger and irritation behind his polite remarks. “I do fear for his health, for he did not attend my court nor the burial of great Cóelub”.
“Noble Cyneric, Earl of Lothian, bids greetings to his honourable cousin Griogair, King of Scots and Earl of Albany, lovingly and with friendship. Let it be known that the Lord Cyneric, inflamed with righteous anger for the deceit of Eochaid III, so-called Earl of Northumbria, is in arms for the seizure of that land that is known as Cumbria. The worthy Earl Cyneric means no harm to admirable Griogair, well-beloved kinsman, and begs that the King will not interfere with his just designs on Cumbria and the Earldom of Northumbria. The Lord Cyneric reminds the King of his sacred oath that he would not aid Earl Eochaid III should any man seek his overthrow. May you, most illustrious king, ever rejoice and flourish in Christ the Lord of lords.”
Griogair’s fists tightened as he sat. So, Lothian has risen indeed, he thought. “My cousin speaks with fair words, trusty herald. You shall have my answer in due time, but first, leave us””, Griogair had risen from his chair as he spoke to the herald. As the herald bowed his head and departed the hall, the King turned to Eochu and young Cóelub. “And so, this is the move of Prince Cyneric. What think you, my Lords?”
“My King, there are none of us who love the Earl Eochaid”, replied Eochu II MacDonncuan, Lord of the Isles, but I warn you, we should not embolden Prince Cyneric One-Eye”.
“My Lord”, said Cóelub MacCóelub, emotion overcoming him, “that villain murdered my Father. My father that made
you King. You cannot stand by whilst be builds his power so flagrantly!”
“Be silent!”, Griogair’s blue eyes narrowed as he looked at young Cóelub with distaste, “I beg you to control yourself for you are now the Mormaer of Moray. And I warn you, take not that tone with a King, such as I am. A King does not take orders from the likes of you!”
“I apologise, my Liege”, young Cóelub grovelled, fear and surprise in his eyes.
“Indeed?”, replied King Griogair dismissively. “For Eochaid’s treachery in the struggle for my crown, I did indeed swear, and upon Holy Relics, that I would not aid him against any man. I see now how unwise that was. Your father, my Lord of Moray, told me at the time of this folly – and I see now that the words of wise Cóelub were true indeed. But nonetheless, so did I swear and so shall my word stand…”
“But my Lord, I must protest…”, interrupted the Lord of the Isles.
“My word shall stand! A Prince is nothing without his word. I shall discuss this no further”. With that Griogair left the hall and retired to his chamber, leaving Eochu and young Cóelub greatly disturbed.
That evening, the Queen, Caitilin NicCóelub, came to Griogair in his chamber. “Husband, my brother, young Cóelub, has informed me that Lothian has risen against Northumbria and that you are resolved not to interfere. Can this be true?”
“Curse that boy!”, muttered Griogair, “Speak no more of this, for it is no business of a woman. I swore before God. My decision is made!”
“Griogair. That man will stop at nothing to see you and your House in ruins. He has murdered my Father and now, fearing to attack you directly before he is ready, he is growing his power and testing your resolve. If Lothian takes Cumbria, your Kingdom will be split in half, with the lands of Lothian spanning from coast to coast across your realm. You must not allow this!”
“Woman! You are too free with your words. I cannot know that Prince Cyneric was responsible for the craven attack on beloved Cóelub. Indeed, I have heard that there are those who say Eochaid III himself was the villain, attempting to incriminate Prince Cyneric so that I would move against Lothian before Lothian could attack Northumbria. And I saw not the Earl Eochaid at the burial of your father. How can I protect such a man? Moreover, when I became King, I confirmed Prince Cyneric in his lands and titles in return for his peaceful submission - which he gave. Therefore, I will not attack him without a certain cause. I desire peace in my realm and amongst my kin – not a never-ending feud between Albany and Lothian! And so, I warn you, speak to me no more of this and never again tell me what I ‘
must’ do. I am your husband and your King. You will do as I say! Now be gone at once.”
Queen Caitilin stared coldly at the King. “My Father loved you well, but I fear that he was deceived in seeing greatness in you. Look at you now – a scared little boy. You may excel in war, but I tell you truly – you are a fool if you believe the words you have just uttered! I perceive that you fear the Earl of the Lothian and hide behind your so-called oath to escape your duty; your duty to avenge my Father, who so loved you, to his cost. And your duty to defend your subjects, who will not follow a coward.”, with these bitter remarks, the Queen lifted her robes and stormed out of the chamber. Griogair rose with fury, hurling his wooden chair into the corner of the room. Her words had cut him deeply, but she was gone.
Caitilin, Queen of Scots (c.972)
He
was scared. He was terrified. Without Cóelub to guide him, he had no idea how to rule a kingdom. He felt utterly alone. Soldier that he was, he knew that his forces were not ready to face the might of Lothian in battle. And so, as he had done regularly since the death of Cóelub, he called once again for the company of the beautiful Etain Donchaidd, to comfort him.
In November 971, Prince Cyneric One-Eye, Earl of Lothian, invaded Cumbria and what remained of the Eardlom of Northumbria. No other Earls came to the aid of Earl Eochaid III, but he rode out to face the armies of Lothian, nonetheless. As he left Carleole on the morning of 14th November, he bade farewell to his children, to his young sons, the 10-year-old Eochaid and 9-year-old Eadric. He gave orders that they be escorted to Dun Cyneric in Galloway, to the court of King Griogair, lest they fall into the hands of the vengeful Earl of Lothian. Then he donned his helm and rode to war for the last time.
Eochaid III, Earl of Northumbria
His army comprised fewer than 1500 men, whilst he knew well that Prince Cyneric’s forces numbered well over 5,000. On the banks of the River Ituna, near the hamlet of Wetherhala, Eochaid III met the one-eyed Prince in battle. The forces of Earl Eochaid III were scattered and destroyed, whilst men floundered and drowned in the river. The Earl himself was captured and brought back to the Lothianite stronghold at Dunholm, in chains. He would never see his children again and died soon after in the dungeons of Prince Cyneric. He was 59 years old. Whether Eochaid III succumbed to illness or grief, or whether he was slain, is not known.
The Battle of Wetherhala (14 November 971) - Earl Eochaid III makes his stand
Prince Cyneric marched into Carleole, raised his banners upon the walls and declared himself Earl of Lothian and Northumbria. King Griogiar had done nothing to prevent it, and now the Scots Kingdom was riven in two by the lands of Prince Cyneric.
On 18th November 971, young Eochaid MacEochaid of Cumbria, and his younger brother Eadric arrived at Dun Cyneric in Galloway. And when King Griogair saw them, tired, hungry and terrified, a great shame came over him. He therefore ordered that the boys be given food and water, chambers and clothes. When he learned of the pitiful death of Earl Eochaid, he privately wept. Not for love of Eochaid, but for his own shame.
“These boys shall be to me as sons. They shall have every facility and my love. But even this shall not wash away the stain of my disgrace”, Griogair was said to have declared. And indeed, from then on, young Eochaid and Eadric were brought up with great honour and respect amongst Griogair’s own children and enjoyed high favour with the King.
Nevertheless, Griogair still refused to move against Lothian. He had sworn not to interfere in any attack on Earl Eochaid III and therefore had no just reason. He also feared Prince Cyneric’s military strength. The Lands of Lothian were far more populous than the lands of Albany, Moray and the Isles. Griogair’s armies were also still depleted from the Third Crusade, and his greatest commanders, Cóelub of Moray and Donncuan IV were dead. Griogair was simply not certain that he would triumph in such a struggle, and even if he did, what would be the cost? The losses caused by such civil strife would weaken the kingdom, perhaps irreparably, and how then would the prowling Norse sea-wolves be kept at bay? Norse raids were common, and large forces of Norsemen always stood ready to strike from their nearby lands in Ireland.
For the next year, therefore, Griogair and Prince Cyneric, Lothian and Albany, each waited for the other to make the first move. Neither felt confident enough to strike, and each looked to strengthen itself for the inevitable confrontation.
To this end, in the Summer of 972, Griogair sent secret envoys by sea to the Kingdom of Wessex. There they met with Aethelraed King and his wife, the Lady of Hwicce. It was agreed that Griogair and Aethelraed would enter into a solemn covenant and alliance, by which each would aid the other in times of war. Negotiations were short and friendly, due to the preliminary diplomacy carried out previously by the late Cóelub of Moray. The alliance was secured on the betrothal of Princess Caitilin NicGriogair to King Aethelraed’s infant son and heir, Aelfraed Atheling. Aetheraed and Griogair did not meet but warms word of amity and friendship were exchanged by means of many letters.
Aethelraed, King of Wessex
At the court of the Scots Kingdom there was much unease. There were whispers now that Griogair was not only weak and indecisive, but that he was a coward. It was clear to all that Prince Cyneric was now an independent King in all but name – and that Griogair had done nothing to establish his authority. Increasinlgy, there were those who credited King David II of Jerusalem with all the victories and glories of the Third Crusade, for how could such a feeble boy have done the things that were said of him?
Queen Caitilin, enraged by her husband’s refusal to avenge the death of her father, and infuriated by his taking of a mistress, herself gathered a court faction to push the King into taking action. She wrote to Earl Fearghas II of Westoraland, begging him to come to court to convince King Griogair to move against Lothian. On 6 November 972, the Queen was further incensed to learn that her husband had publicly acknowledged the birth of a daughter by his mistress, Etain Donchaidd, named Muirgel of Dunblane.
There was peace in the Kingdom, but the pressure of the increasing tensions must eventually be released. The unsteady peace of the stalemate seemed to be shattering in the Spring of 973. In Dun Cyneric, Griogair received word that Prince Cyneric had again called his banners and was marching northwards from Dunholm towards Lanark, intent on invading the Earldom of Lennox; the lands of Earl Eadwin. It was Earl Fearghas II who first brought this word to the King, having learned of Cyneric‘s preparations from his own agents. He had then made the perilous sea voyage from Lonceastre to Dun Cyneric, avoiding the Norse ships that dominated the Irish Sea.
“My Lord,” Earl Fearghas had said, “I humbly advise that you should not allow Lothian to march unmolested on Lennox. Your inaction over Cumbria has emboldened him and his arrogance is greater now than ever. Should he take Lennox, the royal lands of Galloway will be cut off from all but the lands of Lothian. This is a prelude to war for the kingdom. I know I am not as wise as noble Cóelub, whose death weighs heavy on my soul, but I beg you to hear me. If we do not stop wicked Cyneric, accursed childkiller and villain, – he will have your crown.”
Shortly after Earl Fearghas had said these words, a herald arrived from Prince Cyneric declaring that Lennox was rightfully a possession of the House of Lothian, and that Prince Cyneric intended to seize it for himself by right.
King Griogair narrowed his eyes at the Herald and rose from his seat, towering proudly above the small man. “Know you that Eadwin, Earl of Lennox is not only my true subject and friend, but he is also my mother’s husband? Does the Earl of Lothian dare to oppose my stepfather with such unruly force? Does the noble Earl now doubt that I shall defend my own stepfather? If he does so, I say to you that he is deceived indeed. Tell Lothian that he is not to enter into Lennox under arms, by command of the King. Tell him that if he does so, he will be a traitor to my crown and his lands will be forfeit”.
“But my Lord, you have no such authority to so command my master, the valiant Earl of Lothian. The King has not the power to prevent the Lords of Scotland from settling their own disputes”, protested the herald.
King Griogair seemed taller now as he stepped menacingly towards the herald. “Were I your master, or your master’s father, I would have your tongue for such words. Yet I am merciful. The King’s power lies in what he can do, not in what he may do. Therefore, return to your master at once and tell him that if he does not stand down, I shall meet him in Lennox – on the field!”
Once the herald had departed, Griogair turned to Earl Fearghas, saying, “My Lord of Westoraland, I will not abandon Lennox, nor allow Lothian to amass more power. I beg you, return to Westoraland and from there send riders west to Malcolm of Eoforwic, and south to King Aethelraed. Inform the King of Wessex that I am in need of his aid at once. Do
not do this secretly, however. Once you are safely in Westoraland, ensure that the news reaches Prince Cyneric that Westoraland, Eoforwic and Wessex are amassing at his rear. I believe that he will not attack Lennox with such forces arrayed against him. He has not reckoned on our friendship with the West Saxons”.
At Lanark at the end of May 973, Prince Cyneric prepared to march on Lennox. Once he had seized these lands, the royal lands in Galloway, and the treasury, would be easily within his grasp. And more than that, once Cyneric had seized Lennox, one way or another, Griogair and the House of Albany would be finished. It was well that Griogair had declared to Cyneric’s herald that he would fight to defend Lennox. For the young King was now in an impossible situation. Either he could break his word, displaying unforgivable weakness and lose all his already wavering political support. Or he could give battle – where he would be crushed by the superior forces of Lothian. Moray and the Isles, led now by young and inexperienced lords, could not possibly muster in time. Eoforwic and Westoralnd would be dealt with by the forces Cyneric had left in Dunholm under the command of Cerdic of Rucestre. Once Prince Cyneric had defeated young Griogair, his father’s crown would be his at last, and any resistance would surely melt away.
But Prince Cyneric had not considered the Angelcyn. On 2 June 973, even as Prince Cyneric approached the borders of Lennox, a rider rushed up to him, exhausted and gasping.
“My prince. I have most urgent news from Cerdic of Rucestre. The King of Wessex has raised his dragon banner, and with Earl Fearghas II, is even now encamped at Eoforwic in force. Aethelraed King has proclaimed that he stands firmly with his beloved brother, Griogair, King of Scots. He has given word that he will march on Dunholm at once, should you, my Lord, enter the lands of Earl Eadwin. My Prince, lord Cerdic begs you to know that he has not the strength to oppose the united forces of Wessex, Eoforwic and Westoraland. If you march into Lennox, Lothian itself may be lost.”
Prince Cyneric stared at the boy for a moment, shock engraved on his face. “What is this devilry?”, he bellowed, fury overcoming him as he shook with rage. “By what means has my cousin of Albany ensnared the Lords of Wessex? This struggle is not theirs, and ever they strain under the strength of the marauding Norsemen in their lands.”
“My Lord, it is said that Cóelub the Kingmaker befriended the King of Wessex and aided him in his negotiations to wed the lady of Hwicce….”, the rider began.
“Speak not of that Gael to me”, Prince Cyneric nearly screamed with fury and bitterness. “Even now that dog interferes with my plans, long after his death. I tell you I will have my revenge! I swear it by my father and by my immortal soul. But for now, I must wait, for I will not lose Lothian to gain meagre Lennox”.
With that, the armies of Lothian withdrew and Lennox was safe, for now.
NEXT TIME: The Norsemen and the West Saxon Wars (974-977)