Drest I facts for kids

Drest, also known as Drust, was a legendary king of the Picts. The Picts were an ancient people who lived in what is now Scotland. Drest is believed to have ruled from around 412 to 452 AD. He was the son of a man named Erp.

Drest, King of the Picts

Drest is a very important figure in the history of the Picts. He is considered a "legendary" king. This means that while he was a real person, some stories about him might be exaggerated or mixed with myths.

He ruled during a time of big changes in Britain. The powerful Roman Empire had just left Britain. This left many parts of the land open to new groups and conflicts.

What Do We Know About Drest?

Most of what we know about Drest comes from an old document called the Pictish Chronicle. This chronicle is like an ancient history book for the Picts.

The Pictish Chronicle says that Drest ruled for a very long time, about 100 years! It also claims he won 100 battles. These numbers might be symbolic, showing he was a very strong and successful leader.

During his reign, different groups like the Angles, Britons, and Scots were moving into northern Britain. Drest worked to take control of much of this area. He brought stability after the Romans left.

The chronicle also mentions that Saint Patrick went to Ireland during Drest's rule. This helps historians guess when Drest lived, placing him in the middle of the 5th century.

Other Stories About Drest

The Pictish Chronicle also says that Drest sent his brother, Nechtan, away to Ireland.

Another historian, John of Fordun, wrote about Drest too. He thought Drest ruled for 45 years. John of Fordun also linked Drest to another important religious figure, Palladius, instead of Saint Patrick.

After Drest, the king lists show that Talorc son of Aniel became the next king of the Picts.