Donald I King of Scots ¹⁸⁸⁴

  General Notes:

King of Alba, the united kingdom of the Picts and Scots (858-862), brother and successor of Kenneth I MacAlpin. Donald established an ancient corpus of laws and rights (known as the laws of Aed, or Aedh) that apparently included the custom of tanistry. According to this custom, the successor of a king was elected during his lifetime from the eldest and worthiest of his kin, often a collateral (brother or cousin) in preference to a descendant (son). The next king, Donald's nephew Constantine I, succeeded in accordance with this custom.
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Donald I (Domnall mac Ailpín) (c. 812 - 863) was King of Scots from 858 to 862. He was the younger son of Alpin II of Dalriada and succeeded his brother, King Kenneth I of Scotland, to the throne upon his death.

Described before as the wanton son of the foreign woman, Donald I had a short term as King. He established an ancient corpus of laws and rights (known as the laws of Aed, or Aedh) that apparently included the custom of tanistry. According to this custom, the successor of a King was elected during his lifetime from the eldest and worthiest of his kin, often a collateral (brother or cousin) in preference to a descendant. During Donald I's reign, his nephew, Constantine I of Scotland , was chosen to succeed him following his death. The custom of tanistry lasted until the reign of Malcolm II of Scotland (1005-34).

Uncertainty exists about the circumstances of his death in 862. He either died at a battle in Scone or peacefully in his palace at Kinn Belachoir. He died unmarried and childless. It is not known where he was buried. ^1874,1886

  Life Events:

1. Acceded: King of Alba (Scotland), 858-862. ¹⁸⁸⁴