Kenneth MacAlpin

In 843AD, MacAlpin invaded Pictland, or Alba. This was well timed, as the Picts had for some time been engaged in fighting the Vikings who were attempting to settle parts of the west and north of Alba. Because the Picts were exhausted the Scots won their battles and MacAlpin became king of the Picts as well. Legend has it that MacAlpin also had a claim to the Pictish throne through his mother. Alba soon became known as Scotia.

Kenneth MacAlpin was always looking for ways to extend Scotia. The Angles (or English) were strong in the south, and also wanted to extend their country by taking Scottish land. Kenneth attacked the Angles six times. He crossed the River Forth (which was the border) into Bemicia, where they burned and looted villages.

From the time of Kenneth MacAlpin one king ruled the Picts and Scots. These kings were warrior-like Celts who defended the realm from various invading forces. These included the Norsemen, the Danes and the English. Many of them died in battle and the leading men of the country would choose one of themselves to replace them. This was one of the earliest examples of democracy in this country. However, there were never weak monarchs because each king had to defend his position and fight to keep his power. Many of the kings came from the family of MacAlpin.

Constantine II was one of Kenneth’s descendants and he is regarded as one of Alba’s greatest kings. He was king from 903 until 943aD. In those days that was a long time to rule and that suggests that he was an able and popular ruler.

Even though he lost as many battles as he won, Constantine strengthened the power of Alba. The reason for this success was that Constantine was very adept at diplomacy. He made clever alliances with the Vikings and managed to control those in his own kingdom that might have plotted against him to take his position of power.