When did Somerled die and where was he killed?
Somerled died in 1164 during a seaborne invasion of Scotland near Renfrew. His forces numbered 160 ships when they engaged Scots led by Herbert Bishop of Glasgow and Baldwin Sheriff of Lanark.
Questions about Somerled
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who were the parents of Somerled according to historical records?
No contemporary pedigree outlines his ancestry with certainty so the names of his father and grandfather appear as GilleBride and GilleAdamnan in the Annals of Tigernach and the Annals of Ulster. These records corroborate only two or three generations of his patrilineal lineage while sources from later centuries contradict each other regarding earlier ancestors.
What is the origin of Somerled's genetic marker found in modern descendants?
Genetic studies published in 2004 and 2011 suggest his patrilineal origins lie in Norway rather than Ireland. This marker is extremely rare in Celtic-speaking areas but common in Norway and suggests Somerled may have almost 500,000 living patrilineal descendants today.
How many sons did Somerled have and which clans descended from them?
Somerled is known to have had at least five sons and one daughter including Dugald who founded Clan MacDougall and Ranald who founded Clan Donald. Angus defeated brother Ranald in 1192 then disappeared from record while Bethoc became prioress of Iona Nunnery.
When did Somerled emerge into recorded history and what rebellion did he join?
Less than six months after King David I of Scotland died on the 2nd of May 1153 Somerled emerged into recorded history. He rose in rebellion that November alongside his nepotes against the new king Malcolm IV.