Óengus II facts for kids

Óengus mac Fergusa was a powerful king of the Picts. He ruled from 820 until 834. In Scotland, he is often linked to the worship of Saint Andrew. Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. However, this connection is mostly based on old stories and legends.

The Life of King Óengus

Óengus became king after his brother, Caustantín, passed away. Historians once thought his family came from Dál Riata. This was a kingdom in what is now western Scotland. But now, many believe his family was Pictish. They might have come from an area called Circinn. This area is now known as Mearns. His family also had ties to a powerful group in Ireland.

Óengus, his brother, and his son Eogán are mentioned in an old poem. This poem is called the Duan Albanach. It lists the kings who came before Máel Coluim III. These kings ruled over different parts of early Scotland. Óengus and his family were important to religious places. These included Dunkeld and St Andrews. They were seen as early supporters of these sites.

Óengus died in 834. This was the only major event of his reign recorded in old Irish texts. His nephew, Drest mac Caustantín, became king after him. Óengus's son, Eogán, also became king later. Sadly, Eogán and his brother Bran were killed in a battle. This battle was against Vikings in 839.

King Óengus and Saint Andrew

A writer named Walter Bower wrote a book in the 1440s. It was called Scotichronicon. In it, he shared a famous legend. The story says that Saint Andrew appeared to Óengus II in 832. This happened the night before a big battle against the Angles. The saint told the king to look for a "sign of the Cross of Christ in the air."

Earlier writers also mentioned this story. John of Fordun and Andrew of Wyntoun wrote about it. An even older text from the 1100s simply says King Hungus won a battle. He was helped by Saint Andrew. Because of this, the Picts agreed to honor the saint. Some parts of this legend might not be historically accurate.

The vision of the "Cross of Christ" is important. In Bower's story, it reminds people of another famous battle. Later, a writer named George Buchanan added to the legend. He said the cross appeared as a white saltire in the sky. This was formed by clouds during the battle. The saltire is the cross on Scotland's flag.

The religious site at St Andrews was very old. It existed long before Óengus. The first known leader of the church there died in 747. It is thought that an earlier king, also named Óengus, or Nechtan mac Der-Ilei, started the site. The famous St Andrews Sarcophagus was likely made for one of these earlier kings. Later stories say Saint Regulus came to St Andrews with relics of Saint Andrew. He was supposedly met by three sons of Óengus.

See also

• House of Óengus