Scottish Blog

King Bridei III was at one point the overking of the Picts.

The reign of King Bridei III as King of the Picts began in 671 and ended with his death in 693. Due to disputes of his exact birthdate, it is unknown exactly how old King Bridei III was at his death. Best estimates of his birth year are either 616 or 628.

King Bridei III is best known as one of the leaders involved in the Battle of Dunichen. As a king, King Bridei III was regarded as a rather expasionary king. Predominently this involved attacking neighbouring kingdoms. In 681 King Bridei led a campaign against King Dunnotar in Orkney. In fact, the camapign was said to have been so violent that the “Annals of Ulster” recorded the state of Orkeny as being “deleted”. The next year King Bridei III began a camppaign to conquer the Strathearn region, ruled by King Dundurn, this too was succesful.

King Bridei III began shapping himself in the image of a powerful leader ruling from his main base in Moray. It was believed then as it is now, that King Bridei III was attempting to secure and rule the districts to the North and South of his location. It soon came to be believed that King Bridei III was attempting to also secure the areas which were at one point ruled by his grandfather. In 685, King Ecgfrith opposed the efforts of King Bridei III, which amounted to the Battle of Dunichen. King Bridei II was the victor in this case.

King Bridei III died in 693.

See also: Famous Scots.