Page:Chronicles of the Picts, chronicles of the Scots, and other early memorials of Scottish history.djvu/138

 cxxx PEEFACE. earlier century belong to the eleventh century, while the oldest of the Latin lists which place them in the ninth century, was compiled in the year 1165, a century later ; and the oldest of the eleventh century lists, i.e., that by Flann Mainis- treach, synchronizes these kings of Dalriada with the monarchs of Ireland, so as to leave no doubt as to the period to which he refers them. In the second place, the Irish annalists entirely support the older lists. The question is whether these four kings reigned in the first half of the eighth century, or in the first half of the ninth century ; but the "Irish Annals" mention in the year 719 the battle of Finglinne between the two sons of Ferchar fada (Ainbhceallach and Selvach) in which AinbhceaUach was slain, and the sea battle of Ardeanesbie, be- tween the genus Gabhran under Duncan Bee, and the genus Lorn under Selvach ; and in 723 the clericatus of Selvach regis Dalriada. They mention Dungal as being expelled from his kingdom in 726, and Echadh, son of Echadh, beginning his reign in that year. In 727 they mention a conflict at Eossfeochan between Selvach and the "fanulia " Echdach nepotis Domnall," that is, the family of which Eocha, a son of Echach, the grandson of Donald brec, was the head. They have the death of Echadh, son of Echadh, king of DaMada in 733, and mention an expedition by Dungal, the son of Selvach; and in 736 they again mention Dungal, son of Selvach, as having been taken and bound by the