Lulach (The Fool) (1057-1058)

Lulach was King of Scots between 1057 and 1058.

He appears to have been a weak king, and was indeed known as Lulach the Simple or Lulach the Fool. He does, however, have the distinction of being the first king of Scotland of whom there are coronation details available. He was crowned in August 1057 at Scone.

Lulach was the son of Gruoch of Scotland (Lady Macbeth), from her first marriage to Gille Coemgáin, Mormaer of Moray, and thus the stepson of Mac Bethad. Following the death in battle of Macbeth in 1057, the king’s followers placed Lulach in the throne, despite strong resistance from the of faction of Máel Coluim III. Lulach ruled only for a few months before being assassinated and succeeded by Máel Coluim.

Lulach was married, although his wife’s name is unknown. His son Máel Snechtai was Mormaer of Moray, while Óengus of Moray was the son of Lulach’s daughter.

He is belived to be buried with the rest of the Gaelic kings of Scotland on Saint Columba’s Holy Island of Iona in or around the monastery. The exact position of his grave is unknown.