Constantine of Strathclyde facts for kids

Constantine was a king from a very old kingdom in Scotland called Alt Clut. This kingdom is now known as Strathclyde. People believe he was the son of King Riderch Hael. His story mainly comes from a book about a saint named St. Kentigern. In this book, Constantine is shown as a religious person, linking him to other saints named Constantine across Britain.

Who Was Saint Constantine?

According to the old book, Constantine was the son of King Riderch and Queen Languoreth. He became king after his father died. But later, he decided to give up his crown and become a clergyman. A clergyman is someone who works for the church, like a priest or a monk.

From King to Monk

No other old writings mention King Riderch having a son named Constantine. This makes his story a bit of a mystery. However, a Saint Constantine was honored in the area around Glasgow. This is where much of the old book's story takes place. An early church in a nearby town called Govan was even named after him.

By the 1100s, not much was known about Saint Constantine's life. So, it's possible that the story of King Constantine was made up to explain who this mysterious early saint was.

His Story in the Orthodox Church

The "Great Synaxaristes" is a collection of saint stories in the Orthodox Church. It includes Saint Constantine of Strathclyde. His special day, called a feast day, is on March 11. This book also says that Saint Columba helped Constantine become a Christian. It claims Constantine then became a missionary, spreading Christianity in England and Ireland. He is believed to have died around the year 640 AD.

The Mystery of His Story

The Greek Orthodox Church recognizes St Constantine of Strathclyde and Govan as a saint. There are no strong historical records to prove he existed exactly as the stories say. But the legend tells us he gave up his throne in Strathclyde in 612 AD. He then became a monk and later a priest. It is also said that St Columba helped him become a Christian.

The year 612 AD fits with the time when Christians were using the churchyard in Govan. Digs there have shown Christian activity from the 400s and 500s. A stone coffin, called a sarcophagus, found there is thought to have held his remains. However, this coffin was made much later, between the 800s and 900s. This doesn't mean it couldn't have held his remains. It was common in the Middle Ages to create new containers for old saints' relics. Relics are special objects, often parts of a saint's body, that people believe have religious power.

There are also three later Scottish kings named Constantin(e). They ruled many centuries after the legendary figure linked to Riderch Hael.

Other Constantines

The story gets even more confusing because there was also a Cornish St Constantin(e). He was linked to a kingdom called Dumnonia during the Dark Ages. This kingdom was very similar to the British Kingdom of Strathclyde.

Because there aren't many original sources, experts disagree. Some think Constantine of the British Kingdoms was the same person. Others believe one story was made up to copy another. Or perhaps there were several people named Constantin(e) who became famous. More study and archaeological digs are needed to find clearer answers.