Causantín mac Fergusa facts for kids
Causantín (also known as Constantín mac Fergusa) was a powerful king of the Picts in what is now Scotland. His name means "Constantine, son of Fergus." He ruled from 789 until his death in 820. For a long time, people thought of him as "Constantine I of Scotland."
Causantín is famous for starting a church in a place called Dunkeld. This church later became very important because it received special items, called relics, from St Columba. St Columba was a very important early Christian saint.
Life as King
Historians believe Causantín and his brother, Óengus, were related to an earlier Pictish king, Óengus mac Fergusa. Their family might have come from an area called Circinn, which is now Kincardineshire. They also had connections to a powerful family in Ireland.
We don't have many records about what happened in Scotland during Causantín's time. This might be because important records kept in places like Iona were lost. The Vikings were very active then, attacking coastal areas and islands. This could explain why fewer records survived.
In 789, Causantín fought a battle in Pictland against a man named Conall mac Taidg. Causantín won this battle. We don't know if he was already king before this victory. King lists from that time give different ideas about how long he ruled. The only other clear record is about his death in 820.
The Dupplin Cross
The Dupplin Cross is a very old and tall stone cross. For many years, people thought it was made to celebrate a later king's victory. But recently, experts found a small part of an inscription on the cross. This inscription clearly names Causantín.
This means the cross was probably made by him or to remember him. On the cross, his name appears as "Custantin filius Fircus[sa]." This is a Latin way of writing his name, based on the Old Irish language.
Church and Religion
Causantín was very involved with the church. He is believed to have founded the church at Dunkeld. Later writers say he started it around 815. This church became a very important religious center.
Some people think that the special items (relics) of St Columba were moved from Iona to Dunkeld during Causantín's rule. This would have been a very important event for the church.
Causantín was also a supporter of a group of church reformers called the céli dé. They wanted to make the church better. He might have worked with important church leaders of his time. He also supported monasteries in Northumbria, a kingdom south of Pictland.
Causantín was followed as king by his brother, Óengus. Causantín's son, Drest, also became king later. Another son, Domnall, was king of Dál Riata (a kingdom in western Scotland) for many years. Causantín's name was used by three later kings, which shows how respected he was.
Family
While we aren't completely sure about Causantín's parents, we know he had at least two siblings:
- A brother named Óengus, who became king after him.
- A sister who was the mother of Alpín mac Echdach. Alpín was the founder of the Alpin Dynasty, a family from which many Scottish rulers came for centuries.
Causantín is believed to have had at least two sons:
See also
Images for kids
-
The Martyrology of Tallaght is an old book that lists saints and important church figures. Causantín is believed to be mentioned in it.
