The Northern Tapestry

Exploring the sagas and stories that link medieval Iceland, Scandinavia and the northern British Isles

Ortelius Map reproduced with permission from Vintage Maps

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  • Nechtan mac Derilei: King Naiton of the Picts

    The Pictish Civil War Part II As set out in last post on here, the figure generally known as Nechtan became in 706 the second of Derilei’s sons to sit on the Pictish throne. Unlike his brother, Bridei, he is described in the sources as king of Picts (not Fortriu)[1]. The name Nechtan is the Read more

  • Derilei, Mother of Kings

    The Pictish Civil War Part I As with the European royal families in more recent times, the ruling classes on the island of Britain in the period before the formation of Scotland and England were often linked by birth. The Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria had risen to prominence in the 7th century and many of Read more

  • Dun Nechtain, 685 – Part 2: Cuthbert in Carlisle

    Dun Nechtain, 685 – Part 2: Cuthbert in Carlisle

    In the previous post about the Battle of Dun Nechtain, I noted how, according to Bede at least, Cuthbert very much opposed King Ecgfrith’s belligerent advance into Pictland – however far north into the territory that was. This follow-up post deals with a couple of related and rather eerie tales about Cuthbert and the demise Read more

  • Dun Nechtain, 685

    The narrative of history occasionally tells of battles whose outcome can justifiably claim to have determined the future. One such battle took place on 20 May 685 somewhere in what is now Scotland, between the Northumbrian English, led by their king Ecgfrith (Ecgfrið), and the Picts, led by Bridei, son of Beli. It is usually Read more

  • The St. Andrews Sarcophagus and the Origins of Onuist I

    A trip to St. Andrews is not complete for those who are interested in early medieval history without a trip to see a magnificent Pictish monument which is on display in the Cathedral museum. The monument, known as the St Andrews Sarcophagus, was discovered in 1833 and reassembled in 1922. Initially covered by some sort Read more

  • Journeys in Pictland 1: Three Stones

    Journeys in Pictland 1: Three Stones

    A short “family and friends” trip to Perthshire provided the opportunity to visit three Pictish Stones last weekend. All of these were Class II monuments – i.e. 8th or 9th century where Pictish symbols are accompanied by Christian designs. 1: Around one and half miles south of Pitlochry centre, and on the other side of Read more