Fergus Mor Mac Earca King of Dál Riada ¹⁸⁷⁴

  General Notes:

Fergus I (Scottish Gaelic: Fergus Mor Mac Earca) was king of Scottish Dál Riada from about 500 until 501. He is sometimes referred to as the Father of Scotland, and was sometimes traditionally (and erroneously) considered to be the first King of Scots, a role usually traditionally allocated to the much later Kenneth MacAlpin .

Much of his reign is controversial due to the sources available. The Annals of the Four Masters state he was the son of Muredach son of Owen son of Niall of the Nine Hostages, High King of Ireland. However his name implies he was son of Erc , king of Dál Riada , who could be the same person as Muredach. His brother was Muircheartach, High King of Ireland from 504 until 527 .

He was responsible for an invasion of Scotland to aide his maternal grandfather, Loarn, king of Dál Riada, who was being oppressed by the Picts. Fergus and his five brothers: Ferdus, Loarn, Loarn, Aeneas, and Aeneas, defeated the Picts in 498 and secured the independence of Dál Riada. The king died soon after and Fergus, being of royal blood on at least his mother's side, was elected king by the Milesians . One legend states that Fergus brought the Stone of Destiny from Ireland where Saint Columba would establish Scone. Most Dalriadan and Scottish kings have been crowned, seated on that stone until Edward I of England captured it in the 12th century.

Fergus is the paternal ancestor of the House of Alpin and the Scottish royal family. He is, therefore, also an ancestor of the British Royal family through Matilda of Scotland and the House of Stuart. He only reigned a short while then was succeeded by his son Domangart. ¹⁸⁷⁴

  Life Events:

1. Acceded: King of Dál Riada, 500-501. ¹⁸⁷⁴

Fergus married.