Fife: Genesis of the Kingdom

Introducing ISBN: 9781805143840 Published by Troubador, Publication due: end of May 2024. Paperback: £19.99 Preorder through all good book shops or: https://www.troubador.co.uk/bookshop/history-politics-society/fife-genesis-of-the-kingdom Author's Web site: https://adriangrant1.academia.edu/ Synopsis My new book “Fife: Genesis of the Kingdom” traces the history of Fife from the retreat of the ice cap to the formation of the “Kingdom of Fife” in 1130 - with appendices including the explanation of how it all came to an end such a short time later. There are many items included in this book which are entirely new to scholarship. c83 000 words of text 21 images on colour plates 40+ other illustrations       For the very first time the name of Fife is fully explained. The fabrication of the myth of “Macduff” is explained fully for the first time. Previously no-one has been able to explain the occurrence of Old Norse place names in Fife. New extra evidence is brought proving the legend that the Caledonians came from Transylvania. New – and this time correct – explanations of several placenames are offered and detailed. And so much more..... Fife: Genesis of the Kingdom: Chapters 01. In the Beginning: Chapter 1 discusses the arrival of peoples after the retreat of the ice: the Stone Age peoples followed by the Beaker Folk, the Cymry, the Caledonians and Maeatae and lastly the Falcons from whom the name of Fife ultimately derives. 02. Along came the Romans: Chapter 2 discusses the relevance to and involvement of Fife of the three Roman invasions of Scotland, disposing of some fake history in the process 03. How the Caledonians re-conquered ‘Fife’: Chapter 3 uses the evidence of the location and orientation of hill forts in Fife to tell the story of how the Caledonians took back Kinross and north and central Fife from the Falcons and the time scale involved 04. Managing Caledonian ‘Fife’: Chapter 4 looks at the control network used by the Caledonians as they asserted their control of their newly reacquired territory, including a detailed examination of Kirkcaldy which they founded about 1800 years ago. 05. The Foundation of Pictland: Chapter 5 briefly outlines the foundation of Pictland and Fife’s place within it. 06. Arthur Attacks Abernethy: Chapter 6 again briefly records that one of ‘king’ Arthur’s famous 12 battles - at ‘The City of the Legion’ took place in Fife close to Abernethy. 07. Christianity arrives in ‘Fife’: Chapter 7 explains with a detail never before offered exactly how Christianity arrived in Fife courtesy of St Kenneth of Aghaboe and St Raguel of Mucinis (aka “St Rule”. 08. “The Battle of Raith”: Chapter 8 exposes the so-called “Battle of Raith” as fake history, showing exactly how the idea came about, where the fatal flaws in the proposition lay and why the idea spread as widely as it did. 09. Along came the Angles: Chapter 9 explains where the Angles came from and hence why they were so called and corrects much misunderstanding of their arrival in Britain. In particular it considers the relationship of the Anglian hierarchy to Fife which they occupied for some 45 years in the middle 600s and the result for Fife of their expulsion in 685. 10. St Serf and the Romanisation of Christianity: Chapter 10 explains where St Serf came from and why his key role in Catholicising Pictland, especially the southern half of Fife - and shows that any claimed connection with St Kentigern is untrue because it is impossible. It also sets out the correct etymology- and hence meaning - of “Fothriff”. 11. How the Bones of St Andrew came to ‘Fife’: Chapter 10 explains exactly how the ‘Bones of St Andrew’ came to St Andrews, locates ‘Mucros’, showing exactly how and why “St Regulus” was invented by the Catholic Church for scurrilous purposes. 12. Along came the Scots: Chapter 12 explains how Kenneth mac Alpin’s genocide of the Pictish ruling classes affected Fife and the way in which a new rulers comprising both Scots and Irish was imposed on us and corrupting the name of Fife in the process. 13. Enter the Vikings: Chapter 13 explains how Viking influence over nearly 100 years led to several Norse placenames being given to North East Fife in particular and led to a separate identity for that area. It also explains why King Malcolm II murdered the Mormaer of Fife - leaving us with no history of his lineage. 14. Macbeth and the Thane of ‘Fife’: Chapter 14 explains that there was a Thane of Fife, but that he was not called Macduff. The true story and the Thane’s pedigree etc, is set out in detail (but why the later myth was invented is explained in Appendix B). This chapter shows the crucial role of the MS history and family lore of the Balfour family in correcting history. 15. ‘Fife’ becomes a Kingdom: Chapter 15 corrects the falsehoods perpetrated to justify the usurpation of the Scottish throne by the junior mac Malcolms to put the Moray risings in their true context leading ultimately to the creation of the “Kingdom” of Fife. Appendices A. Dunfermline Abbey: Here the so-called Foundation Charter is exposed definitively as a fake - and the reasons for and date of the faking are set out. The relationship with the Culdees is discussed. B. Fabricating the MacDuff Myth: A specific date for the promulgation of the “Macduff” myth is offered based on an explanation of how it became “necessary” for the Earls. The short term upshot too is explained. C. The End of the Kingdom and the Earldom: Here the “official” end of the kingdom is set out; it was followed not very long afterwards by the end of the Earldom itself. D. Another name change for “Fife”: Here is noted the further corruption of Fife’s name including Gaelic speakers not even understanding their own language! E. Pedigree of the Earls of ‘Fife’: This appendix is made necessary both by the amount of misinformation floating around the internet and other supposedly more reliable sources, but also to put into their proper context cadet branches including the families of Abernethy, Wemyss, Duff of Braco and Macintosh and their own cadets. Epilogue, Acknowledgements, Bibliography, Indexes Looking Forward... Get Ready! This book is particularly timely just now because of the several centenaries which will be soon upon us: 2025 2026 marks 600 years since the end of the Earldom of Fife marks approximately 600 years since the establishment of Kinross as a county separate from Fife. A the triple centenary occurs in 2030: 1800 1000 900 years since the Caledonian annexation years since the installation of Siward as Thane of Fife years since the establishment of the Earldom/kingdom of Fife The author hopes that relevant authorities will take full advantage of these coincidences to celebrate the ancient heritage of Fife and Kinross. Time Line Time Frame BCE c6 300 c4 000 c2 500 c1 000 x 650 c600 x 350 c200 c100 Event Final retreat of ice-cap from Fife: people can move back in! Arrival of Mesolithic peoples Arrival of Neolithic peoples: Balfarg Henge built thereafter Arrival of Beaker people Arrival of Cymru Arrival of Caledonians in northern Fife (including Kinross) and Maeatae in southern Fife Arrival of Falcon Tribe which displaces Caledonians in north Fife and Kinross Arrival of Menapians who briefly rule the lands of the Maeatae Time Frame CE 78 x 82 200 x 204 205 x 220 c225x30 c300 302 x 304 c507 580 x 600 c600 640 685 695 717 732 850 850x65 900 c1025 c1029 1030 1045 1054 1068 1072 1075 c1076 1085 1124 1130 1270 1286 1288 1298 1306 1315 1371 1389 1425 1426 Event Roman invasion of Scotland I under Agricola - Fife not involved Roman invasion of Scotland II under Severus: Carpow a major base Caledonians re-conquer north Fife Abernethy becomes administrative HQ Foundation of Caer y Caledy: Kirkcaldy Fife incorporated into new federal Kingdom of the Picts Roman invasion of Scotland III under Emperor Constantius no details available Battle of the City of the Legion: ‘king’ Arthur defeats Picts at Abernethy St Raguel (“St Rule”) establishes a church at St Andrews and a Culdee hermitage at Dysart King Nechtan establishes nunnery at Abernethy King Oswy of Northumbria brings Fife &c. under his rule Picts drive Northumbrians south of the Forth, Fife expanded to include Dunfermline area. Administrative centre moved to Cupar, Kennoway and Dunfermline Arrival of St Serf: Catholicism spreads through Fife Columban clergy expelled from Pictland St Acca brings the bones of St Andrew to St Andrews Kenneth Mac Alpine conquers Pictland, kills all the nobles in Fife. Member of the Cenel Angus imposed as Mormaer of Fife Columban Christianity reintroduced Fothriff, including Culross, re-allocated to the Culdees People have to learn Gaelic and largely forget Pictish Foundation of Old Kirk in Kirkcaldy dedicated to St Patrick Catholic clergy largely expelled from Pictland including Fife Mormaer of Fife seeks Canute’s protection from King Malcolm II Battle of Falkland Muir - Mormaer of Fife and others killed Siward, brother-in-law of King Duncan I, appointed Thane of Fife Macbeth’s men kill Siward’s family at Kennoway but he escapes Thane Siward killed in battle helping Malcolm III to reconquer SE Scotland Osulf mac Siward appointed Thane King Malcolm III and Margaret Atheling married at Dunfermline Norman King William I meets King Malcolm III at Abernethy, forcing Malcolm to become his vassal. Foundation of All Saints (Catholic church) in Dunfermline to replace St Patrick’s (Columban church) Aethelred son of Malcolm III appointed Mormaer of Fife aged about 5. Aethelred leaves Fife to become Mormaer of Moray. Members of the family of the Mormaer of Angus fill in as locum mormaers All Saints church, Dunfermline, becomes an Abbey End of the Moray Risings: Duncan I appointed first Earl of Fife FIFE BECOMES A ‘KINGDOM’ Prince Alexander (son of Alexander III) appointed Earl of Fife until Earl Duncan III comes of age: Fife as a “kingdom” exposed as a myth. King Alexander III dies at Pettycur by falling off his horse Earl Duncan III appointed a Guardian of Scotland MACDUFF MYTH CREATED by Earl Duncan III and his uncle Macduff. Earl Duncan III murdered by Sir William de Abernethy Macduff killed at the Battle of Falkirk (fighting on the Scots’ side) Edward I burns Dunfermline Abbey - foundation charter destroyed New ‘Foundation Charter’ faked. Earl Duncan IV resigns his earldom to King Robert Bruce for a regrant END OF THE KINGDOM OF FIFE Countess Isabella resigns earldom. Earldom reassigned to Duke of Albany. Death of the Countess Isabella of Fife - end of the main line of the Earls. Wemyss family now the senior line of the family. Murdoch Albany forfeits his lands END OF THE EARLDOM OF FIFE Establishment of Kinrossshire as a separate entity. 

Paperback available now! £19.99 Buy through any good book store (High Street or online) or direct from Troubador Author's Web site: https://adriangrant1.academia.edu/ Synopsis My new book “Fife: Genesis of the Kingdom” traces the history of Fife from the retreat of the ice cap to the formation of the “Kingdom of Fife” in 1130 - with appendices including the explanation of how it all came to an end such a short time later. There are many items included in this book which are entirely new to scholarship. Text: c83 000 words 21 images on colour plates 40+ other illustrations       For the very first time the name of Fife is fully explained. The fabrication of the myth of “Macduff” is explained fully for the first time. Previously no-one has been able to explain the occurrence of Old Norse place names in Fife. New extra evidence is brought proving the legend that the Caledonians came from Transylvania. New – and this time correct – explanations of several placenames are offered and detailed. And so much more..... Fife: Genesis of the Kingdom: Chapters 01. In the Beginning: Chapter 1 discusses the arrival of peoples after the retreat of the ice: the Stone Age peoples followed by the Beaker Folk, the Cymry, the Caledonians and Maeatae and lastly the Falcons from whom the name of Fife ultimately derives. 02. Along came the Romans: Chapter 2 discusses the relevance to and involvement of Fife of the three Roman invasions of Scotland, disposing of some fake history in the process 03. How the Caledonians re-conquered ‘Fife’: Chapter 3 uses the evidence of the location and orientation of hill forts in Fife to tell the story of how the Caledonians took back Kinross and north and central Fife from the Falcons and the time scale involved 04. Managing Caledonian ‘Fife’: Chapter 4 looks at the control network used by the Caledonians as they asserted their control of their newly reacquired territory, including a detailed examination of Kirkcaldy which they founded about 1800 years ago. 05. The Foundation of Pictland: Chapter 5 briefly outlines the foundation of Pictland and Fife’s place within it. 06. Arthur Attacks Abernethy: Chapter 6 again briefly records that one of ‘king’ Arthur’s famous 12 battles - at ‘The City of the Legion’ took place in Fife close to Abernethy. 07. Christianity arrives in ‘Fife’: Chapter 7 explains with a detail never before offered exactly how Christianity arrived in Fife courtesy of St Kenneth of Aghaboe and St Raguel of Mucinis (aka “St Rule”. 08. “The Battle of Raith”: Chapter 8 exposes the so-called “Battle of Raith” as fake history, showing exactly how the idea came about, where the fatal flaws in the proposition lay and why the idea spread as widely as it did. 09. Along came the Angles: Chapter 9 explains where the Angles came from and hence why they were so called and corrects much misunderstanding of their arrival in Britain. In particular it considers the relationship of the Anglian hierarchy to Fife which they occupied for some 45 years in the middle 600s and the result for Fife of their expulsion in 685. 10. St Serf and the Romanisation of Christianity: Chapter 10 explains where St Serf came from and why his key role in Catholicising Pictland, especially the southern half of Fife - and shows that any claimed connection with St Kentigern is untrue because it is impossible. It also sets out the correct etymology- and hence meaning - of “Fothriff”. 11. How the Bones of St Andrew came to ‘Fife’: Chapter 10 explains exactly how the ‘Bones of St Andrew’ came to St Andrews, locates ‘Mucros’, showing exactly how and why “St Regulus” was invented by the Catholic Church for scurrilous purposes. 12. Along came the Scots: Chapter 12 explains how Kenneth mac Alpin’s genocide of the Pictish ruling classes affected Fife and the way in which a new rulers comprising both Scots and Irish was imposed on us and corrupting the name of Fife in the process. 13. Enter the Vikings: Chapter 13 explains how Viking influence over nearly 100 years led to several Norse placenames being given to North East Fife in particular and led to a separate identity for that area. It also explains why King Malcolm II murdered the Mormaer of Fife - leaving us with no history of his lineage. 14. Macbeth and the Thane of ‘Fife’: Chapter 14 explains that there was a Thane of Fife, but that he was not called Macduff. The true story and the Thane’s pedigree etc, is set out in detail (but why the later myth was invented is explained in Appendix B). This chapter shows the crucial role of the MS history and family lore of the Balfour family in correcting history. 15. ‘Fife’ becomes a Kingdom: Chapter 15 corrects the falsehoods perpetrated to justify the usurpation of the Scottish throne by the junior mac Malcolms to put the Moray risings in their true context leading ultimately to the creation of the “Kingdom” of Fife. Appendices A. Dunfermline Abbey: Here the so-called Foundation Charter is exposed definitively as a fake - and the reasons for and date of the faking are set out. The relationship with the Culdees is discussed. B. Fabricating the MacDuff Myth: A specific date for the promulgation of the “Macduff” myth is offered based on an explanation of how it became “necessary” for the Earls. The short term upshot too is explained. C. The End of the Kingdom and the Earldom: Here the “official” end of the kingdom is set out; it was followed not very long afterwards by the end of the Earldom itself. D. Another name change for “Fife”: Here is noted the further corruption of Fife’s name including Gaelic speakers not even understanding their own language! E. Pedigree of the Earls of ‘Fife’: This appendix is made necessary both by the amount of misinformation floating around the internet and other supposedly more reliable sources, but also to put into their proper context cadet branches including the families of Abernethy, Wemyss, Duff of Braco and Macintosh and their own cadets. Epilogue Looking Forward This book is particularly timely just now because of the several centenaries which will be soon upon us: 2025 2026 marks 600 years since the end of the Earldom of Fife marks approximately 600 years since the establishment of Kinross as a county separate from Fife. A the triple centenary occurs in 2030: 1800 1000 900 years since the Caledonian annexation years since the installation of Siward as Thane of Fife years since the establishment of the Earldom/kingdom of Fife The author hopes that relevant authorities will take full advantage of these coincidences to celebrate the ancient heritage of Fife and Kinross. Time Line Time Frame BCE c6 300 c4 000 c2 500 c1 000 x 650 c600 x 350 c200 c100 Event Final retreat of ice-cap from Fife: people can move back in! Arrival of Mesolithic peoples Arrival of Neolithic peoples: Balfarg Henge built thereafter Arrival of Beaker people Arrival of Cymru Arrival of Caledonians in northern Fife (including Kinross) and Maeatae in southern Fife Arrival of Falcon Tribe which displaces Caledonians in north Fife and Kinross Arrival of Menapians who briefly rule the lands of the Maeatae Time Frame CE 78 x 82 200 x 204 205 x 220 c225x30 c300 302 x 304 c507 580 x 600 c600 640 685 695 717 732 850 850x65 900 c1025 c1029 1030 1045 1054 1068 1072 1075 c1076 1085 1124 1130 1270 1286 1288 1298 1306 1315 1371 1389 1425 1426 Event Roman invasion of Scotland I under Agricola - Fife not involved Roman invasion of Scotland II under Severus: Carpow a major base Caledonians re-conquer north Fife Abernethy becomes administrative HQ Foundation of Caer y Caledy: Kirkcaldy Fife incorporated into new federal Kingdom of the Picts Roman invasion of Scotland III under Emperor Constantius no details available Battle of the City of the Legion: ‘king’ Arthur defeats Picts at Abernethy St Raguel (“St Rule”) establishes a church at St Andrews and a Culdee hermitage at Dysart King Nechtan establishes nunnery at Abernethy King Oswy of Northumbria brings Fife &c. under his rule Picts drive Northumbrians south of the Forth, Fife expanded to include Dunfermline area. Administrative centre moved to Cupar, Kennoway and Dunfermline Arrival of St Serf: Catholicism spreads through Fife Columban clergy expelled from Pictland St Acca brings the bones of St Andrew to St Andrews Kenneth Mac Alpine conquers Pictland, kills all the nobles in Fife. Member of the Cenel Angus imposed as Mormaer of Fife Columban Christianity reintroduced Fothriff, including Culross, re-allocated to the Culdees People have to learn Gaelic and largely forget Pictish Foundation of Old Kirk in Kirkcaldy dedicated to St Patrick Catholic clergy largely expelled from Pictland including Fife Mormaer of Fife seeks Canute’s protection from King Malcolm II Battle of Falkland Muir - Mormaer of Fife and others killed Siward, brother-in-law of King Duncan I, appointed Thane of Fife Macbeth’s men kill Siward’s family at Kennoway but he escapes Thane Siward killed in battle helping Malcolm III to reconquer SE Scotland Osulf mac Siward appointed Thane King Malcolm III and Margaret Atheling married at Dunfermline Norman King William I meets King Malcolm III at Abernethy, forcing Malcolm to become his vassal. Foundation of All Saints (Catholic church) in Dunfermline to replace St Patrick’s (Columban church) Aethelred son of Malcolm III appointed Mormaer of Fife aged about 5. Aethelred leaves Fife to become Mormaer of Moray. Members of the family of the Mormaer of Angus fill in as locum mormaers All Saints church, Dunfermline, becomes an Abbey End of the Moray Risings: Duncan I appointed first Earl of Fife FIFE BECOMES A ‘KINGDOM’ Prince Alexander (son of Alexander III) appointed Earl of Fife until Earl Duncan III comes of age: Fife as a “kingdom” exposed as a myth. King Alexander III dies at Pettycur by falling off his horse Earl Duncan III appointed a Guardian of Scotland MACDUFF MYTH CREATED by Earl Duncan III and his uncle Macduff. Earl Duncan III murdered by Sir William de Abernethy Macduff killed at the Battle of Falkirk (fighting on the Scots’ side) Edward I burns Dunfermline Abbey - foundation charter destroyed New ‘Foundation Charter’ faked. Earl Duncan IV resigns his earldom to King Robert Bruce for a regrant END OF THE KINGDOM OF FIFE Countess Isabella resigns earldom. Earldom reassigned to Duke of Albany. Death of the Countess Isabella of Fife - end of the main line of the Earls. Wemyss family now the senior line of the family. Murdoch Albany forfeits his lands END OF THE EARLDOM OF FIFE Establishment of Kinrossshire as a separate entity.