MacAlpin's treason facts for kids

MacAlpin's treason is an old medieval story, or legend, from Scotland. It helps explain how the Pictish language disappeared and was replaced by Gaelic around the 800s and 900s. This legend also tells about a famous event where many important Pictish leaders were killed.

The story says that Kenneth MacAlpin's mother might have been from the royal family of Fortriu, a Pictish kingdom. His great-grand uncle, Alpín, was even a Pictish king for a while. The Picts had a special way of deciding who would be king: it often passed through the mother's side of the family. Because of this, Kenneth was one of several nobles who could claim the throne of both the Picts and the Scots.

The Story of MacAlpin's Treason

The legend describes a time when Kenneth MacAlpin wanted to unite the Picts and the Scots under his rule. The Picts were a powerful group living in what is now Scotland. The Scots, or Gaels, were another group, and Kenneth was their leader.

What Happened at Scone?

According to the legend, Kenneth MacAlpin invited the Pictish king, Drest, and other important Pictish nobles to a meeting. This meeting was held at Scone, a very important place in Scotland. The goal was to discuss peace and Kenneth's claim to the Scottish throne.

The legend says that Kenneth's men came to Scone secretly carrying weapons. While the Pictish king and nobles were at the meeting, they were suddenly attacked and killed. This event is often called "MacAlpin's treason" because it was a betrayal.

The Prophecy of Berchán's Account

An old text called Prophecy of Berchán describes the event in a dramatic way. It says that MacAlpin's men trapped the Pictish nobles in a pit that had sharp blades hidden in the ground. Unable to fight back, the remaining Picts were then killed. Their bodies and belongings were taken.

After this terrible event, Kenneth MacAlpin became king of both the Picts and the Scots. He used his mother's family history to support his claim to the Pictish throne. He then brought these two groups together to form a new kingdom. This new kingdom was called Alba, which later grew into modern-day Scotland.

Historical Clues and Sources

It's important to remember that "MacAlpin's treason" is a legend. This means it's a story passed down through time, and it might not be exactly what happened. Historians look at old writings to try and understand the past.

Old Writings About Kenneth MacAlpin

There are only a few old writings that talk about Kenneth MacAlpin becoming king of the Picts. These writings are sometimes hard to trust completely. Two of these sources, Prophecy of Berchán and De instructione principis, mention that in 841, MacAlpin attacked and defeated the Pictish army.

While these texts mention battles and Kenneth's rise to power, the dramatic story of the betrayal at Scone is mostly from legend. It helps explain how the Pictish language and culture slowly faded away as the Gaelic language and Scottish kingdom grew stronger.

See also

• Origins of the Kingdom of Alba
• Braflang Scóine, another tale that might be linked to this legend