| Notes |
In old Scottish law High Kings were elected by a national assembly of c h i e f t ains and religious leaders. In 1034, the 30 year old Duncan MacCri n a n w a s e lected High King of Scotland (or Alba as it was called then). A s H i g h K i ng, Duncan soon became unpopular. His most unpopular move was t o f i g h t w ars in both the south in Northumbria and in the north against T h o r f i nn of Orkney at almost the same time. In Northumbria, he sent repe a t e d c a valry charges against the fortified walls of Durham. Onces the S c o t t i sh cavalry was destroyed in this way the city troops counter attac k e d a n d k illed thoussands of the Scottish infantry. Ducan MacCrinan ret r e a t e d from Northumbria leaving the heads of his massacred troops impal e d a r o u nd the walls of Durham. MacCrinan then combined his remaining me n w i t h t h e defeated troops commanded by his nephew Moddan. Moddan army w a s i n r e t reat itself after being forced to withdraw from Caithness and S u t h e r land by Thorfinn. The High King attacked Thorfinn at sea while M o d d a n w as to attack by land. While awaiting reinforcements from Iriish m e r c e n aries, Moddan force attacked was while they slept and destoryed. D u n c a n 's fleet of eleven ships was defeated at sea by Thorfinn and chase d i n t o t h e Moray Firth. While Duncan escaped inland, two Orkney fleets r a m s h a cked the costal settlments. On August 14, 1040, HIgh King Duncan o n c e a g a in attacked Thorfinn only to be once again defeated. After this d e f e a t , the ruling clans of Scotland had enough of Duncans expansionism a n d i n a b ility to rule or command. A group of them headed by MacBeth di s p o s e d of Duncan and MacBeth was eleted as the New High King.
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1001 - 1040 (39 years)
