Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameCrinan “The Thane” Dunkeld , Mormaer of Atholl, Lay Abbot of Dunkeld 
Birth975, Atholl, Perthshire, Scotland
Death1045, Scotland
Misc. Notes
NickNames:
The Hound Earl
Hereditary lay abbot of Dunkeld and Dull.
Abbot Crinán of Dunkeld, born about 978, killed in battle in 1045 at Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, Scotland.
Crinán was married to Bethóc, daughter of King Malcolm II of Scotland (1005-34). As Malcolm II had no son, the strongest hereditary claim to the Scottish throne descended through Bethóc, and Crinán's eldest son Duncan I (1034-40), became King of Scots. Some sources indicate that Malcolm II designated Duncan as his successor under the rules of tanistry because there were other possible claimants to the throne.
Crinán's second son, Maldred of Allerdale, held the title of Lord of Cumbria. It is said that from him, the Earls of Dunbar, for example Patrick Dunbar, 9th Earl of Dunbar, descend in unbroken male line.
Crinán as Lay Abbot of Dunkeld
The Culdee Monastery of Saint Columba was founded on the north bank of the River Tay in the 6th century or early 7th century following the expedition of Columba into the land of the Picts. Probably originally constructed as a simple group of wattle huts, the monastery - or at least its church - was rebuilt in the 9th century by Kenneth I mac Ailpín of Scotland (843-58). Kenneth I brought relics of Columba from Iona to Dunkeld at the same time others were taken to Kells in Ireland, to protect them from Viking raids. Dunkeld became the prime bishopric in eastern Scotland until supplanted in importance by St Andrews from the 10th century.
While the title of Hereditary Lay Abbot was a feudal position that was often exercised in name only, Crinán does seem to have acted as Abbot in charge of the monastery in his time. He was thus a man of high position in both clerical and secular society.
The magnificent semi-ruined Dunkeld Cathedral, built in stages between 1260 and 1501, stands today on the grounds once occupied by the monastery. The Cathedral contains the only surviving remains of the previous monastic society: a course of red stone visible in the east choir wall that may be re-used from an earlier building, and two stone 9th-10th century cross-slabs in the Cathedral Museum.
The Hound Earl
Hereditary lay abbot of Dunkeld and Dull.
Abbot Crinán of Dunkeld, born about 978, killed in battle in 1045 at Dunkeld, Perth and Kinross, Scotland.
Crinán was married to Bethóc, daughter of King Malcolm II of Scotland (1005-34). As Malcolm II had no son, the strongest hereditary claim to the Scottish throne descended through Bethóc, and Crinán's eldest son Duncan I (1034-40), became King of Scots. Some sources indicate that Malcolm II designated Duncan as his successor under the rules of tanistry because there were other possible claimants to the throne.
Crinán's second son, Maldred of Allerdale, held the title of Lord of Cumbria. It is said that from him, the Earls of Dunbar, for example Patrick Dunbar, 9th Earl of Dunbar, descend in unbroken male line.
Crinán as Lay Abbot of Dunkeld
The Culdee Monastery of Saint Columba was founded on the north bank of the River Tay in the 6th century or early 7th century following the expedition of Columba into the land of the Picts. Probably originally constructed as a simple group of wattle huts, the monastery - or at least its church - was rebuilt in the 9th century by Kenneth I mac Ailpín of Scotland (843-58). Kenneth I brought relics of Columba from Iona to Dunkeld at the same time others were taken to Kells in Ireland, to protect them from Viking raids. Dunkeld became the prime bishopric in eastern Scotland until supplanted in importance by St Andrews from the 10th century.
While the title of Hereditary Lay Abbot was a feudal position that was often exercised in name only, Crinán does seem to have acted as Abbot in charge of the monastery in his time. He was thus a man of high position in both clerical and secular society.
The magnificent semi-ruined Dunkeld Cathedral, built in stages between 1260 and 1501, stands today on the grounds once occupied by the monastery. The Cathedral contains the only surviving remains of the previous monastic society: a course of red stone visible in the east choir wall that may be re-used from an earlier building, and two stone 9th-10th century cross-slabs in the Cathedral Museum.
Spouses
Birthabt 984, Scotland
Deathabt 1045, Scotland
FatherMalcolm II MacAlpin , King of Scots (~954-1034)
Marriageabt 1000