Middle Ages Galloway

11th century

a brythonic speaking kingdom dominated galloway until region until late 7th century when taken on english kingdom of bernicia.

english dominance supplanted norse-gaelic (gall-ghàidheal) peoples between 9th , 11th century. can seen in context of widespread norse domination of irish sea, including extensive settlement in isle of man , in english region of cumbria south of galloway.

if had not been fergus of galloway established himself in galloway, region rapidly have been absorbed scotland. did not happen because fergus, sons, grandsons , great-grandson alan, lord of galloway, shifted allegiance between scottish , english kings. during period of scottish allegiance galloway contingent followed david, king of scots in invasion of england , led attack in defeat @ battle of standard (1138).

alan died in 1234. had 3 daughters , illegitimate son thomas. community of galloway wanted thomas king . alexander iii of scotland supported daughters (or rather husbands) , invaded galloway. community of galloway defeated, , galloway divided between alan s daughters, bringing galloway s independent existence end.

alan s eldest daughter, derbhorgail (latinized dervorguilla), married john de balliol, , son (also john) became 1 of candidates scottish crown. consequently, scotland s wars of independence disproportionately fought in galloway.

there large number of new gaelic placenames being coined post 1320 (e.g. balmaclellan), because galloway retained substantial gaelic speaking population several centuries more. following wars of independence, galloway became fief of archibald grim, earl of douglas , heirs. whithorn remained important cultural centre, , medieval kings of scots made pilgrimages there.