Constantine II Biography and Timeline

Death of Father Aed

Constantine's father, King Áed, is killed in 878, leaving Constantine as a young member of a dynasty marked by contested succession.

Birth by 879

Constantine II, son of King Áed, is born no later than 879 into the dynasty later associated with the House of Alpin.

Gaelic Name Causantin mac Aeda

Constantine II is known in Gaelic sources as Causantín mac Áeda, identifying him as the son of King Áed.

Grandson of Kenneth I

Constantine II is a grandson of Kenneth I through his father Áed, linking him directly to the dynasty that preceded the Kingdom of Alba.

Kingdom Centered on the Tay

The core of Constantine II's kingdom lies around the River Tay, with Scone developing as an important royal and assembly center.

Role range: 0900-0943

Kingdom of Alba Identity

During Constantine II's lifetime, the name Alba becomes established in surviving records for the kingdom he rules.

Role range: 0900-0943

Northern Reach toward Moray

The northern reach of Constantine II's kingdom extends toward the Moray Firth, although control farther north remains uncertain.

Role range: 0900-0943

Southern Frontier near the Forth

Constantine II's core kingdom extends south toward the River Forth during the early tenth century.

Role range: 0900-0943

Succession

Constantine II succeeds his cousin Donald II and becomes King of Alba.

Role range: 0900-0943

Norsemen Plunder Dunkeld

Norse raiders plunder Dunkeld during the early years of Constantine II's reign.

Role range: 0900-0943

Battle of Strath Erenn

Constantine II's forces defeat a Norse army at Strath Erenn, where Ímar grandson of Ímar is reported among the dead.

Role range: 0900-0943

Crozier of Columba at Strath Erenn

A Scottish chronicle associates Constantine II's victory at Strath Erenn with the revered crozier linked to Saint Columba.

Role range: 0900-0943

Death of Imar at Strath Erenn

Ímar grandson of Ímar is reported killed with many Norsemen when Constantine II's forces defeat the invaders at Strath Erenn.

Role range: 0900-0943

Viking Threat Reduced

The defeat of Viking forces helps Constantine II strengthen royal control in mainland Alba after years of Scandinavian pressure.

Role range: 0900-0943

Church Discipline Agreement

At Scone, Constantine II and Bishop Cellach pledge to uphold the laws and discipline of the faith and the rights of the churches.

Role range: 0900-0943

Council of Scone

Constantine II and Bishop Cellach preside over an assembly at Scone concerned with the church and royal authority.

Role range: 0900-0943

Earliest Moot Hill Record

The 906 meeting of Constantine II and Bishop Cellach provides the earliest surviving reference to the royal assembly place at Scone's Moot Hill.

Role range: 0900-0943

Gaelic Church Customs at Scone

The Scone agreement is associated by historians with the growing Gaelic character of church and kingship in Constantine II's realm.

Role range: 0900-0943

Development of Mormaer Offices

Later historical summaries associate Constantine II's reign with the emergence of mormaers as important regional officers within Alba.

Role range: 0900-0943

Gaelicisation of Alba

Historians associate Constantine II's long reign with the continuing Gaelicisation of the former Pictish kingdom.

Role range: 0900-0943

Alliance with Bamburgh

Constantine II supports Ealdred of Bamburgh against Norse forces contesting control of Northumbria.

Role range: 0900-0943

Battle of Corbridge

Constantine II's army fights Norse forces at Corbridge during the struggle over Northumbria.

Role range: 0900-0943

Norse Rear Attack at Corbridge

Ragnall's remaining force attacks the Scots from the rear at Corbridge, leaving the battle's final outcome disputed in later accounts.

Role range: 0900-0943

Southern Border Stabilization

The Corbridge campaign contributes to a more stable southern frontier for Constantine II's kingdom.

Role range: 0900-0943

Three Norse Divisions Repulsed at Corbridge

Accounts of Corbridge state that forces allied with Constantine II defeat three divisions of the Norse army before the battle changes course.

Role range: 0900-0943

Meeting with Edward the Elder

Constantine II meets Edward the Elder at Bakewell; the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle portrays the northern rulers as accepting Edward's overlordship.

Role range: 0900-0943

Meeting at Eamont

Constantine II joins other northern rulers at Eamont Bridge to reach a political settlement with King Athelstan.

Role range: 0900-0943

Athelstan Takes York

Athelstan's seizure of York changes the balance of power in northern Britain and precedes Constantine II's political settlement with the English king.

Role range: 0900-0943

Buckingham Charter Witness

Constantine II witnesses a charter at Buckingham after the 934 campaign and is described there by the Latin term subregulus.

Role range: 0900-0943

Subregulus Description

The Buckingham charter uniquely describes Constantine II as subregulus, although historians dispute what this wording proves about his political status.

Role range: 0900-0943

Possible Hostage after Invasion

John of Worcester later reports that one of Constantine II's sons is given as a hostage after Athelstan's 934 campaign; the detail remains source-dependent.

Role range: 0900-0943

Athelstan Invades Scotland

King Athelstan invades Constantine II's kingdom by land and sea during a major English campaign into Scotland.

Role range: 0900-0943

Athelstan Withdraws from Scotland

Athelstan withdraws from the Scottish campaign later in 934 without removing Constantine II from power.

Role range: 0900-0943

Dunnottar Targeted

Athelstan's 934 invasion is associated with attacks on major Scottish strongholds, including the fortified site at Dunnottar.

Role range: 0900-0943

English Advance into Fortriu

Sources describing Athelstan's 934 campaign place English forces as far north as Fortriu during the invasion of Constantine II's realm and allies.

Role range: 0900-0943

English Fleet Raids Caithness

A naval force accompanying Athelstan's campaign is reported to raid as far north as Caithness while Constantine II avoids a decisive battle.

Role range: 0900-0943

English Land Campaign

Athelstan leads an English land army into Constantine II's kingdom during the 934 invasion of Scotland.

Role range: 0900-0943

English Naval Campaign

English naval forces operate along the Scottish coast while Athelstan's army advances north during the 934 campaign.

Role range: 0900-0943

Southern Alba Ravaged

Athelstan's 934 invasion ravages parts of southern Alba while Constantine II avoids a decisive pitched battle.

Role range: 0900-0943

Welsh Kings Join Athelstan's Invasion

Athelstan's invasion force against Constantine II includes several Welsh rulers alongside English and other contingents.

Role range: 0900-0943