Chronica Gentis Scotorum facts for kids

The Chronica Gentis Scotorum (say "KRON-ih-ka JEN-tiss SKOT-oh-rum") means Chronicles of the Scottish People. It was the first big book about Scottish history. A priest named John of Fordun wrote it. He lived in St Andrews and worked in a church in Aberdeen. Before he died, he wrote the first five parts, covering history up to King David I (who ruled from 1124 to 1153). He also collected notes for the rest of the book, with the last note from 1385.

Who Finished the Story?

Another writer, Andrew of Wyntoun, wrote his own history of Scotland between 1420 and 1424. But it seems he didn't know about Fordun's work.

However, in 1441, a man named Walter Bower (who was an abbot at Inchcolm Abbey) continued Fordun's history. He added more information, bringing the story up to the year 1437 and the death of King James I. Bower called his finished work the Scotichronicon.

Many copies of this important history were kept in famous religious places. These copies are often known by the names of those places, like the Book of Paisley or the Book of Scone. Even though other people's names might be on some copies, they are mostly Walter Bower's work.

What Did Fordun's Chronicle Say?

Historian William F. Skene pointed out some key ideas in Fordun's history about early Scotland. Here are a few of them:

• Where the Scots Came From: Fordun wrote that the Scots came from a man named Gathelus. He was the son of a Greek king. Gathelus went to Egypt during the time of Moses and married Scota, who was a daughter of the pharaoh. After that, he led the Scots to Spain.
• The Stone of Scone: From Spain, some groups went to Ireland. The last group was led by Simon Breac. He brought the Stone of Scone with him. This stone was used to crown Scottish kings. Fordun said it was made of marble.
• Settling in Scotland: Under Breac's great-grandson, Ethachius Rothay, the Scots traveled to Albion (which is now Great Britain). They renamed it Scotia. Then, the Picts settled in Scotland and married into the Scots families.
• Fergus, the Leader: Around 330 BC, the Scots chose Fergus as their leader. His land stretched from the sea and the western islands to Drumalban. Fergus brought the coronation stone from Ireland.
• More Scots Arrive: Rether, Fergus's great-grandson, brought another group of Scots from Ireland. He united them with the Scots already living on the mainland and islands.
• Becoming Christian: Fordun claimed that in AD 203, the Scots became Christians.
• Scots Driven Out: In AD 360, King Eugenius of the Scots was killed by the Picts and Britons. The Scots were then forced back to Ireland.
• St Andrew's Relics: After the Scots left, the relics of St Andrew were supposedly brought to Scotland. Hurgurst, the king of the Picts, received them.
• The Scots Return: In AD 403, the Scots came back under the leadership of Erth. They settled in Ergadia. Erth was the ancestor of many Scottish kings, including Kenneth MacAlpin. Kenneth led the Scots out of Ergadia, defeated the Picts, and ruled over all of Scotland.
• List of Kings: Fordun's history ended with a list of Scottish kings, from Kenneth MacAlpin to David I.

See also

• Gesta Annalia