Der-Ilei facts for kids
Der-Ilei was a very important woman who lived a long time ago, in the late 600s. Historians believe she was either the daughter or, less likely, the sister of Bridei map Beli, who was a powerful king of the Picts. The Picts were an ancient people who lived in what is now Scotland.
We don't have many direct records that mention Der-Ilei by name. Instead, what we know about her comes from clues found in old writings, like the Irish annals. These are historical records kept by monks in Ireland. Historians have pieced together her story from these clues.
It's thought that Der-Ilei was a woman because her name, Der-Ilei, starts with "Der-". This part of the name comes from an older word that means "daughter." Her name could have been from either the Gaelic or Pictish languages.
Who Was Der-Ilei's Family?
Der-Ilei was a key figure because her sons became kings of the Picts. This was a big deal!
Her First Marriage
Historians believe Der-Ilei married a man named Dargart mac Finguine. He was a prince from a group called the Cenél Comgaill. Dargart passed away in 686.
Der-Ilei and Dargart are thought to have had two sons who later became kings:
- Bruide mac Der-Ilei (who died in 706)
- Nechtan mac Der-Ilei (who died in 732)
Both of these sons ruled the Picts, showing how important Der-Ilei's family was.
Her Second Marriage
After Dargart's death, it's believed that Der-Ilei married another man named Drostam. This name is a shorter, more familiar version of a common name like Drest or Drust.
Der-Ilei and Drostam had a son named Talorc or Talorcan. This name is also a shorter version of a longer name.
It's not completely clear which of Der-Ilei's marriages led to her son Ciniod, who died in 713.
Because her son Bruide (from Dargart) was already an adult by 696, and her son Talorc (from Drostan) doesn't appear in records until 713, historians think she married Drostan after Dargart passed away.
