- Fergus Dubdétach
Fergus Dubdétach ("black-tooth") was, according to medieval Irish legend and historical tradition, a king of the
Ulaid who was brieflyHigh King of Ireland . He took the High Kingship after his predecessor,Lugaid mac Con , was expelled from Tara byCormac mac Airt and killed in Munster by Cormac's poet Ferches mac Commáin. Fergus and his two brothers, Fergus Caisfhiachlach ("rough-tooth") and Fergus Foltlebair ("long-hair"), then expelled Cormac toConnacht and Fergus took the throne. He ruled for a year, before he was defeated by Cormac, with the assistance of Tadg mac Céin and Lugaid Láma, in the Battle of Crinna.The "
Lebor Gabála Érenn " makes no reference to Fergus' descent. [R. A. Stewart Macalister (ed. & trans.), Lebor Gabála Érenn: The Book of the Taking of Ireland Part V, Irish Texts Society, 1956, p. 337]Geoffrey Keating gives him a long genealogy, naming his father as Finnchad, son of Ogaman, son of the former High King and king of the UlaidFíatach Finn . [Geoffrey Keating , "Foras Feasa ar Éirinn" [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100054/text052.html 1.42] ] The "Annals of the Four Masters " name Fergus' father as Imchad, but traces his descent no further. ["Annals of the Four Masters " [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005A/text027.html M226] ]The "Lebor Gabála" synchronises Lugaid's reign with that of the
Roman emperor Commodus (180-192). The chronology of Keating's "Foras Feasa ar Éirinn" dates his reign to 203-204, that of the "Annals of the Four Masters" to 225-226.References
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