Constantine the the son of Eth, assumed the government, and, having vanquished the Danes in Strathern, procured a respite from invasion for fourteen years.
At the end of that period Reginald, a Danish chief, appeared in the Clyde with an armament, and plun dered the country while the Scots were mustering their armies. On this occasion the latter were assisted by the Northumbrian Saxons, who contributed to ob tain the victory, the fruits of which were enjoyed for many years.
Edward, king of England, having made pretensions of sovereignty to the southern districts of Scotland, marched with an army to the borders; but his death occasioned a suspension of hostilities. His son Ethel stan, in obedience to his father's commands, entered Scotland, and wasted the country. The Scots retired to the mountains, to avoid an enemy which they were unable to resist. A peace was concluded; but it was purchased by valuable presents, and the delivery of Constantine's son as a hostage.
A general confederacy of Danish and Northumbrian freebooters united with the Scots to attack the Eng lish. A numerous fleet sailed from the Tay and the Forth, when a sanguinary engagement ensued disad vantageous to the Scots and their allies.
In the sixth year of his reign, Constantine entered into a solemn engagement with the nobles and clergy, to maintain the faith, the laws, and the discipline of the church. After a reign of forty years, he resigned his crown, and retired among the Culdces of St. An drews, where he lived several years in religious soli tude, and, on account of his piety, was promoted to the dignity of abbot of that order.
Malcolm the the son of Donald the Fourth, ascended the abdicated throne. The most remarkable event of his reign, was the obtaining of Cumberland from the English, on condition of main taining the peace of the northern counties, and becom ing the ally of Edmund. But Edmund was assassi txated. His brother Edred, who succeeded him, required Malcolm to fulfil the conditions of the treaty, and the Scots in consequence overran the disturbed counties, and were rewarded with their plunder. Malcolm was less fortunate in settling his own king dom. An insurrection in Murrayshire required his
presence to suppress it. The chief of the insurgents was punished with death; but his sept pursued the king, who encountered them in the Mearns, and was slain in battle.
the demise of Malcolm, Indulf, the son of Constantine the Third, assumed the govern ment. It was during this reign that Edinburgh was ceded by Edwy to the Scots, which, at a subsequent period, led to the cession of Lothian.
The Danes infested the shores of Buchan. They were repulsed in the first attack; but landing after wards in Banffshire, Indult' hastened to expel them, and was slain in the pursuit of the intruders.
prince had the misfortune to be op posed by his brother Culen, who was instigated by the abbot of Dunkeld. The rival prince appealed to the sword. Duf was at first successful; but being compelled to retire to the north, was assassinated at Forres.
Julen enjoyed but a short period the sovereignty of the kingdom, as a war with the kingdom of Strath clyde terminated in his defeat and death.
Kenneth the national independence of the Britons of Strathclyde was about to expire; and they were subdued by Kenneth who added their ter ritory to the Scottish monarchy.
Edgar, king of England, being harassed by the Danes, required Kenneth, agreeably to the treaty, to restore tranquillity. The Scots appeared, and car ried off the son of the Northumbrian chief. Scarcely had they returned home, when the Danes appeared in the Tay with a numerous fleet. Kenneth engaged the enemy at Luncarty, near Perth. Having secur ed domestic tranquillity, Kenneth established the suc cession in his own family. To this may be traced the sanguinary disputes which succeeded between the families of Duf and Kenneth. The king's death was effected by the treachery of Finella, a lady of the Mearns ; but she soon after expiated her crime with her blood.
Constantine the Fourth was the son of Culen. His right of succession being disputed by Kenneth, the son of Duf, the competitors met near Perth, and Constantine finished his short reign of one year.