Gille Coemgáin of Moray

Gilla Coemgáin or Gille Coemgáin of Moray was the King or Mormaer of Moray, a semi-autonomous kingdom centred around Inverness that stretched across the north of Scotland. Unlike his two predecessors, he is not called "King of Scotland" in his death notice, but merely Mormaer. This has led to some speculation that he was never actually the ruler of Moray, but merely a subordinate of Mac Bethad mac Findláich. (Hudson p. 136).

In 1020, he certainly participated in the killing of his uncle Findláech. The Annals of Ulster (s.a. 1032) reports that Gille Coemgáin was burned to death, together with 50 of his men. The perpetrators are not mentioned in any sources. From circumstances, two candidates have been proposed to have lead the atrocity: Malcolm II of Scotland or Gilla Coemgáin's cousin Mac Bethad, who then became the only ruler of Moray. Mac Bethad reportedly married Gille Coemgáin's widow, Gruoch - either as a conquered enemy widow or a widow of an ally and kinsman, depending on who was responsible for the murder. Both scenarios are entirely credible, knowing archaic medieval customs - nothing exculpatory can be concluded from the marriage, whereas the adoption of the stepson may be a weightier indication.

Gille Coemgáin was the father of Lulach, a future King of Scotland, fostered by Mac Bethad, whom he succeeded.

In fiction

In the animated series, Gargoyles, Gille Coemgain is referred to as Gillecomgain. As a child he is disfigured by a female Gargoyle, who would later be named Demona. He grows up to become the Hunter, a masked assassin. He kills Findlaech of Moray, under the orders of Duncan I of Scotland. Duncan rewards Gillecomgain by making him High Steward of Moray, the title formerly held by Findlaech.

* Correction: The original Article noted that it was Malcolm II of Scotland that ordered Findlaech's death, but it was actually Duncan I (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_(Gargoyles) ).

Bibliography

* Hudson, Benjamin T., "Kings of Celtic Scotland", (Westport, 1994)

External links

* [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G100001A/index.html Annals of Ulster]
* [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G100002/index.html Annals of Tigernach]