Albanactus

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth, Albanactus was the founding king of Albania or Albany. He was the youngest of three sons of Brutus, a descendant of Aeneas of Troy. According to legend, upon their father's death, the eldest son Locrinus was given Loegria, Camber was given "Cambria" and Albanactus "Albania". These names are merely reverse etymologies. Albanactus, for instance, is a reverse etymology of the Scottish word "Albannach" (Scotsman). Likewise, "Locrinus" represents the medieval Welsh word "Loegria" (England) and Camber represents the Latin word Cambria or the Welsh word "Cymru" (Wales).

It is recounted that Albanactus was killed shortly after he began his reign, by Humber, king of the Huns. Humber invaded Albany from Germany and met Albanactus's army in battle, where Humber killed Albanactus. This forced the people of Albany to flee south to Albanactus's brother, Locrinus.

All this was supposedly before the Picts and Scots had invaded. Later Kings of England - particularly Edward I - used the Brutus and Albanactus legend as an excuse to claim superiority over and to conquer Scotland, arguing that as Locrinus was the oldest brother, so he and hence England had superior status. The same argument, of course, extended over Wales, as Camber was also junior to Locrinus.

In Scottish origin myths, Albanactus had little place. The Scots instead stressed descent from Gaythelos (Gael) or Gaidel Glas and his wife Scota.

ee also

*Geoffrey of Monmouth
*Lebor Gabála Érenn
*Nennius
*Alba