Elfin of Alt Clut facts for kids
Elfin was a ruler of an old kingdom called Alt Clut. This kingdom was based around a famous place called Dumbarton Rock in what is now Scotland. Elfin lived in the late 600s. Old family records, known as the Harleian genealogies, say he was the son of King Eugein I and the father of Beli II, who also became king later. We don't know much for sure about Elfin, but historians think he might be mentioned in other old writings.
Who Was Elfin?
Historians often try to match old names from different historical records. They think Elfin might be the same person as "Alphin son of Nectin," who is mentioned in the Annals of Ulster as dying in the year 693. This record also mentions "Bruide son of Bili," who was Bridei III, a king of the Picts.
Some historians wonder if the old records got Elfin's father wrong. The Annals of Ulster say his father was Nectin, but the Harleian genealogies say it was Eugein. Nectin was a much earlier king, so it's a bit confusing. Some experts, like Alfred P. Smyth, think there might have been two different people named Elfin. However, Alan MacQuarrie suggests there was only one Elfin, and the Annals of Ulster might have accidentally used his great-grandfather's name (Neithon/Nectin) instead of his father's (Eugein). This might have happened because being related to Neithon was very important.
Elfin in Other Records
Another historian, James E. Fraser, thinks Elfin might also be the "Eliuin son of Cuirp" mentioned in the Annals of Ulster in 673. This record says he was captured along with Conamail son of Cano. This name might be a mistake for a different old Irish term that means "descendant of Uerb." This "Uerb" could be related to Nechtan nepos Uerb, a Pictish king who might be the same as Neithon of Alt Clut, Elfin's great-grandfather.
The Annals of Tigernach, another old record, tells us that in 678, a group of people called the Cenél Loairn from Dál Riata were defeated by the Britons at a place called Tíriu. Elfin is the most likely king of the Alt Clut Britons at that time, so he might have led them to victory.
If the record from 673 is about Elfin, it means he was active in Dál Riata earlier. In that year, Domangart, son of Domnall Brecc, a king from another group called Cenél nGabráin, was killed. Elfin's fellow captive, Conamail, was likely the son of Cano Garb, a person from a group based in Skye.
Elfin might also have led the Britons who defeated the Cruthin of Ulster in 682. This battle happened at Ráth Mór in Mag Line, a plain near modern Larne. In this battle, their king, Cathassach, was killed.
