Senchus fer n-Alban facts for kids
The Senchus fer n-Alban (which means The History of the Men of Scotland) is an old text from the Middle Ages. It was written in the Old Irish language. Experts believe it was put together around the 10th century. This important document lists the family trees of the kings who ruled a kingdom called Dál Riata. It also includes a census, which is like a count of the people and groups in Dál Riata.
Contents
What is the Senchus fer n-Alban?
The Senchus text can be found in several old books called manuscripts. Some of the most important copies belonged to Dubhaltach Mac Fhirbhisigh and later to Edward Lhuyd. One key manuscript, known as Ms. H.2.7, is kept at Trinity College Dublin. It was created in the 14th century by Lúcás Ó Dalláin. He likely worked with Seán Mór Ó Dubhagáin, who was a famous poet and historian.
Other copies of the Senchus are in the Book of Ballymote (made between 1384 and 1406) and the Book of Lecan (before 1418). Mac Fhirbhisigh also included parts of it in his own family history books in the 17th century. It's thought that the Senchus might have come from even older documents written in Latin around the 7th century.
How long is the Senchus?
The Senchus is quite a short document. It's usually about 70 to 80 lines long, depending on which version you read. After the main Senchus text, there's an added part called the Genelaig Albanensium. This section contains the family trees of kings like Máel Coluim mac Cináeda and Causantín mac Cuilén from Alba (an early name for Scotland). It also lists other kings from Dál Riata, such as Ainbcellach mac Ferchair.
Where did Dál Riata come from?
Most versions of the Senchus begin with a story about how Dál Riata started. This story often mentions Eochaid Muinremar and his sons, including Fergus Mór. However, Mac Fhirbhisigh's version of the Senchus connects Dál Riata to an older group called the Síl Conairi. It traces their origins to Cairpre Riata, who might be the "Reuda" mentioned by Bede in his book Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum.
The Genelaig Albanensium and similar family trees say that Cairpre Riata was an ancestor of Fergus Mór mac Eirc. He was many generations before Fergus Mór, perhaps ten or even fifteen generations earlier.
Why is the Senchus important for history?
The most valuable parts of the Senchus for historians are its later sections. These parts list real kings of Dál Riata. The stories might end and true history might begin around the time of Conall mac Comgaill, in the middle of the 6th century. The last king mentioned in the main Senchus family trees who can be clearly identified is Conall Crandomna, who died around 660 AD.
Dál Riata's Divisions and Duties
The Senchus describes how Dál Riata was divided into different groups or clans. These main groups were the Cenél nGabráin, the Cenél Loairn, and the Cenél nÓengusa. It also explains what each group had to do for military service. At the time the Senchus was written, the Cenél Comgaill was still part of the Cenél nGabráin.
These divisions might not be extremely old, and the lists can sometimes be a bit confusing. The Senchus doesn't mention any groups or military duties for any lands in Ireland that might have been part of Dál Riata. One interesting detail is the mention of the Airgíalla people living in the lands of the Cenél Loairn. It's not clear if these were people who moved from Ireland or just a group that was considered "additional clients" or allies.
The Senchus is believed to contain the oldest known mention of a naval battle in the British Isles. It briefly records a fight between different groups from Dál Riata that happened in the year 719. This shows that sea battles were important even back then!
See also
- The Prophecy of Berchán
- Duan Albanach
- Pictish Chronicle
- Chronicle of the Kings of Alba
- Deda mac Sin
