Constantine I

Constantine I was the son of Kenneth I MacAlpin, and succeeded his uncle, Donald I on the Scottish throne, in 863.

Much of his reign was spent fighting off Viking raiders, or trying to expand his kingdom southwards. In common with other rulers, Constantine ended up paying the Vikings off, year on year, to maintain the peace.
In 872 the assassination of the King of Strathclyde and his brother-in-law allowed him to absorb Strathclyde into Alba.
In 877 the Viking raiders from Dublin established a base in Fife, and, in trying to dislodge them, Constantine was killed, leaving a son, Donald, who would take the throne 12 years later.

See also:

• Scottish kings