Battle of Fid Eoin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Fid Eoin |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Uí Chóelbad of Dál nAraidi | Latharna and Dál Riata | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Máel Caích | Connad Cerr † Díucaill mac Eochaid † |
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| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| ~Unknown casualties | ~Unknown casualties | ||||||
The Battle of Fid Eoin (which might mean "Owen's wood" in modern Irish) was an important fight in early medieval Ireland. It happened around 629 or 630. This battle was between two powerful kingdoms: Dál Riata and Dál nAraidi.
The Dál Riata forces were led by their king, Connad Cerr. On the other side, the Dál nAraidi were led by Máel Caích. He was the brother of Congal Cáech, who was the king of Dál nAraidi and also the ruler of the larger kingdom of Ulaid. The Dál Riata suffered a big defeat in this battle.
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Why the Battle Happened
The Battle of Fid Eoin started because King Connad Cerr of Dál Riata tried to get involved in a problem within the Dál nAraidi kingdom. Connad Cerr had only been king for about three months.
He wanted to help his friend, Díucaill mac Eochaid. Díucaill was the king of a smaller area called Latharna, which was part of Dál nAraidi. Díucaill was fighting against another group, the Uí Chóelbad of Magh Line. This fight might have been about who would be the main king of Dál nAraidi.
A Big Defeat
This battle was very important because it was a huge loss for Dál Riata. Their king, Connad Cerr, was killed. Two of his grandfather's grandsons, Rigullon and Fáelbe, also died.
Díucaill mac Eochaid, Connad's ally, was also killed. Some old records say that Osric, a Saxon prince, might have died there too. A group of Connad Cerr's soldiers from Kintyre (in what is now Scotland) were also badly beaten.
What Happened After the Battle
After the Battle of Fid Eoin, Domnall Brecc became the new king of Dál Riata. He was also a grandson of the previous king, Áedán mac Gabráin. Domnall Brecc likely wanted to protect Dál Riata's lands in Ireland. He also wanted to stop more attacks from the Uí Chóelbad of Dál nAraidi.
So, Domnall Brecc decided to make an alliance (a friendly agreement) with Congal Cáech. This meant Dál Riata stopped being allies with the Cenél Conaill. The Cenél Conaill were enemies of Dál nAraidi.
New Alliances and More Battles
Congal Cáech used this new alliance, and another one with the kingdom of Strathclyde, to try and become the High King of Ireland. The High King was like the most powerful ruler in all of Ireland.
However, this plan led to a terrible battle called the Battle of Magh Rath in 637. In this battle, Congal Cáech was killed by the High King Domnall mac Áedo. Domnall mac Áedo was the king of the Cenél Conaill. After this defeat, Dál Riata lost control of its lands in Scotland.
Some historians think that in 631, Congal Cáech took over a small kingdom called Mag nEilni. This area was west of Dál Riata. This might have happened because of the victory at the Battle of Fid Eoin.
