Gille Coemgáin mac Máil Brigti (died 1032) was the King or Mormaer of Moray, a semi-autonomous kingdom centred on 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 participated in the killing of his uncle Findláech, the father of MacBeth. 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 led the atrocity: Malcolm II of Scotland or Mac Bethad, who then became the only ruler of Moray. Both men were Gille Coemgáin's cousin, and both had reason to want him dead. Gille Coemgáin is believed to have killed his cousin Dúngal mac Cináeda, the younger brother of Malcolm II, in 999.[1][2] This could be a motive, but 33 years is a long time to wait for retaliation. Likewise, Gille Coemgáin participated in the death of Mac Bethad's father, his death at Mac Bethad's hands may also have been an act of retaliation; however, this is not documented. Mac Bethad gained more from Gille Coemgáin's death for not only did he become the solitary ruler of Moray, he also married Gruoch, Gille Coemgáin's widow. The marriage may have been 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 and Gruoch were the parents of Lulach, a future King of Scotland, fostered by Mac Bethad, whom he succeeded.
In the animated series Gargoyles, Gille Coemgáin is referred to as Gillecomgain. As a boy, Gille Coemgáin surprises Demona prowling around one night in his family's barn, and is promptly slashed in the face by the female gargoyle, creating the generational line of "hunters" bent on destroying all gargoyles.[3] As an adult, just as in medieval reality, Gille Coemgáin kills his uncle Findlaech of Moray, here under the orders of Duncan I of Scotland. Duncan rewards Gillecomgain by making him High Steward of Moray and marrying him to Gruoch.
^Annals of the Four Masters, s.a. 998: "Dúngal Cináed's son, was killed by Gille Coemgáin, Cináed's son." Smyth, pp. 221–222, makes Dúngal following ESSH p. 580.
gille, coemgáin, moray, gille, coemgáin, máil, brigti, died, 1032, king, mormaer, moray, semi, autonomous, kingdom, centred, inverness, that, stretched, across, north, scotland, unlike, predecessors, called, king, scotland, death, notice, merely, mormaer, this. Gille Coemgain mac Mail Brigti died 1032 was the King or Mormaer of Moray a semi autonomous kingdom centred on 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 Findlaich Hudson p 136 Gille CoemgainMormaer of MorayReign1029 1032PredecessorMael Coluim of MoraySuccessorMacbethIn 1020 he participated in the killing of his uncle Findlaech the father of MacBeth The Annals of Ulster s a 1032 reports that Gille Coemgain 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 led the atrocity Malcolm II of Scotland or Mac Bethad who then became the only ruler of Moray Both men were Gille Coemgain s cousin and both had reason to want him dead Gille Coemgain is believed to have killed his cousin Dungal mac Cinaeda the younger brother of Malcolm II in 999 1 2 This could be a motive but 33 years is a long time to wait for retaliation Likewise Gille Coemgain participated in the death of Mac Bethad s father his death at Mac Bethad s hands may also have been an act of retaliation however this is not documented Mac Bethad gained more from Gille Coemgain s death for not only did he become the solitary ruler of Moray he also married Gruoch Gille Coemgain s widow The marriage may have been 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 Coemgain and Gruoch were the parents of Lulach a future King of Scotland fostered by Mac Bethad whom he succeeded Contents 1 In fiction 2 Bibliography 3 References 4 External linksIn fiction editIn the animated series Gargoyles Gille Coemgain is referred to as Gillecomgain As a boy Gille Coemgain surprises Demona prowling around one night in his family s barn and is promptly slashed in the face by the female gargoyle creating the generational line of hunters bent on destroying all gargoyles 3 As an adult just as in medieval reality Gille Coemgain kills his uncle Findlaech of Moray here under the orders of Duncan I of Scotland Duncan rewards Gillecomgain by making him High Steward of Moray and marrying him to Gruoch Bibliography editHudson Benjamin T Kings of Celtic Scotland Westport 1994 References edit Weir p 176 Annals of the Four Masters s a 998 Dungal Cinaed s son was killed by Gille Coemgain Cinaed s son Smyth pp 221 222 makes Dungal following ESSH p 580 Gillecomgain GargWiki For primary sources see also External links below Weir Alison Britain s Royal Families The Complete Genealogy ISBN 978 0099539735External links editAnnals of Ulster Annals of TigernachPreceded byMael Coluim mac Mail Brigti Mormaer of Moray1029 1032 Succeeded byMac Bethad mac Findlaich Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Gille Coemgain of Moray amp oldid 1146731211, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
