Aedán, king of Dál Riata

Also known as Áedan and Aidan.

King of Dál Riata

Overking of the Dál Riata in Argyll and Antrim

Events

Date of Birth: about 535.

Place of Birth: unknown.

This estimated date is given by Anderson, who bases it on the age at death, 74, given in the Annals of Tigernach s.a. 604. Fraser (p. 121) states that Áedán was about 40 when he became king in 576. Baldwin prefers to give the date as unknown, noting that the Chronicon Scotorum s.a. 606 gives a different age at death -- 86 or 88. Fraser (p. 122) notes that a twelfth-century Gaelic poem that locates Áedán's birthplace on the Forth "has little claim to historical reliability."

Date of Death: 17 April, probably in 609.

This date is given by Fraser (p. 141). Anderson gives probably 608 or 609. Baldwin gives 17 April in about 604.

Place of Death: unknown.

Anderson notes that Berchan, an eleventh-century source, states that he died in Kintyre.

Place of Burial: unknown.

Anderson notes that John of Fordun, a 14th century source, states that he was buried at Kilkerran, but that this statement is of “uncertain value.”

Relationships

Father: Gabrán.

This relationship is given by Anderson, by Fraser, and by Baldwin.

Mother: unknown.

Fraser (p. 122) notes that "late Welsh stories, giving the king [Áedán] a British mother, are preposterous in their other details. On the other hand, Áedán's sons Artúr and Conaing bore names of British and English derivation, respectively -- perhaps their mother was indeed a North Briton whose family had English connections."

Spouse: unknown.

Children:

(Complete source citations for facts about the children on this page are currently outside of the scope of this project. Most information below comes from Baldwin.)

Eochaid Find (died about 590?).

Tuathal.

Bran (died about 594).

Báithíne.

Conaing (died about 622).

Gartnait.

Eochaid Buide (died about 629).

Children or grandchildren:

Artúr

Domangart (died about 594).

References

Anderson, Marjorie O. “Dál Riata, kings of (act. c.500-c.850)” in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. (Oxford University Press, 2004).

Anderson, Marjorie O. “Aedán mac Gabrán (c.. 535-609?)” in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. (Oxford University Press, 2004).

Annals of Tigernach (Donnchadh Ó Corráin, compiler). (CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts, University College, Cork, 1996).

Baldwin, Stewart. “Áedán mac Gabráin” in The Henry Project.

Chronicon Scotorum (Beatrix Färber, Ruth Murphy compilers). (CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts, University College, Cork, 2012).

Fraser, James E. From Caledonia to Pictland: Scotland to 795. (Edinburgh University Press, 2009).