Cellach II facts for kids

Cellach II was an important religious leader in Scotland a long, long time ago. He was known as the fourth Bishop of the Scots. This was a very early version of what later became the Bishopric of St Andrews. The bishopric might not have been fixed at St Andrews during his time.

Who Was Cellach II?

Cellach II was a bishop who lived in the middle of the 10th century. He is mentioned in old lists of bishops from the 1400s. These lists were created by historians named Walter Bower and Andrew of Wyntoun. They say that Cellach II took over from another bishop named Máel Ísu I.

How Long Did Cellach Rule?

The historians Bower and Wyntoun claim that Cellach II was a bishop for 25 years. They also say he was confirmed in his role in Rome. Bower wrote that Cellach's father was named "Ferdlag." He also said that Cellach was the first bishop to travel to Rome for this confirmation.

If we look at the dates, it gets a bit tricky. If the bishop before Máel Ísu, named Fothad I, was removed in 955, and Máel Ísu took over right away, then Máel Ísu would have been bishop from 955 to 963. If this is true, then Cellach II would have started his rule in 963 and continued until at least 988.

What Do Old Records Say?

An old book from the early 1000s called the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba (CKA) mentions Cellach. This book talks about the time when King Cuilén mac Iduilb ruled (from 966 to 971). The CKA says, "Cellach filius Ferdalaig reg[navit]," which means "Cellach the son of Ferdalach reigned."

This old record helps us in a few ways:

• It supports the idea that Cellach was a bishop in the 960s.
• It confirms his father's name, Ferdalach, which matches what Bower wrote.

However, the CKA also suggests something different about who came before Cellach. It says "Maelbrigd' episcopus pausavít" (Bishop Máel Brigte rested) just before mentioning Cellach. This might mean that a bishop named Máel Brigte was Cellach's predecessor. But we don't know much else about this Máel Brigte. It's also possible this refers to a bishop from a different area.

The exact end date of Cellach's time as bishop after 988 is not clear. It would depend on how long it took between him becoming bishop and his confirmation in Rome. The next bishop mentioned after Cellach on the lists is Máel Muire.