Our historical documentary looking at the Monarchs of Scotland, continues looking at the first dynasty of Scottish Monarchs in the house of MacAlpin, with the 10th Century King Cuilén.
Cuilén’s reign as King of Alba from 9 66 A D, though brief, was marked by relative quiet — at least, that's what surviving sources tell us. From the records we have, there was little sign of major conflict during his rule. Yet, everything changed when he was killed in battle in 9 71 A D, a death that would be recorded in multiple annals, but with conflicting details.
According to the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba, Cuilén and his brother Eochaid were slain by the Britons. This account, supported by the Annals of Ulster, claims Cuilén met his end in battle against these neighboring peoples. But the Chronicon Scotorum offers an even darker twist: Cuilén was killed in a burning house.
This detail suggests an ambush or even an act of vengeance. But where exactly did this happen? Some sources point to a place called Ybandonia, which might refer to either Abington in South Lanarkshire, or more likely, the region of Lothian or The Lennox — areas rife with conflict between Scots and Britons.
A fascinating twist comes from the Prophecy of Berchán. Here, Cuilén’s death is described as him seeking a foreign land, which could indicate that he was attempting to exert control over the Cumbrians — a people under Scottish authority. This hints that Cuilén’s death might not have been merely the result of a battle, but of a political move gone wrong.
But who killed Cuilén? The killer, according to several sources, was Rhydderch ap Dyfnwal — a name that keeps cropping up in the accounts. Rhydderch is described as a father avenging his daughter’s abuse at the hands of the king. In this tragic tale, it seems that Cuilén’s violent actions led to his downfall, triggering a brutal vendetta.
Some scholars suggest that Rhydderch may have been a powerful leader from Strathclyde. The Chronicle of the Kings of Alba even mentions that Cuilén’s downfall came while he was visiting Strathclyde. It’s possible that Cuilén, as a king trying to exert authority over the region, was met with resistance and ultimately fell to this well-placed strike.
After Cuilén’s dramatic death, sources tell us that he was buried at St Andrews — the same place as his father. Yet, some claim he was laid to rest at Iona. No matter where his body rested, his death marked the end of his direct line, but the Alpínid dynasty would continue to influence Scotland for generations.
The rivalry between the clans didn’t end with Cuilén. His son, Custantín, would go on to become king after a brief and violent power struggle. But the conflict between the kingdoms would continue for decades, with the Kingdom of Strathclyde remaining a powerful force in the region.
So, what do you think really happened to King Cuilén? Was he betrayed by those closest to him, or did his thirst for power and control lead to his tragic end? We may never know the full truth, but the story of his death has left an indelible mark on Scottish history.
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