New
New
Year 2

The rise of Alba under Constantine II

I can describe how Constantine II strengthened the kingdom of Alba.

New
New
Year 2

The rise of Alba under Constantine II

I can describe how Constantine II strengthened the kingdom of Alba.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. With the Vikings defeated, Constantine now set about strenghtening his kingdom of Alba.
  2. He changed the Church to make it more like the one he had experienced in Ireland.
  3. He created a system of mormaers, local leaders who could help him rule over his lands.
  4. Eventually he came into conflict with a powerful king from England and they fought a big battle.
  5. Although Constantine lost, it stopped the king from England from taking control of parts of Scotland.

Keywords

  • Church - the Church is the name given to a group of Christian people who share the same beliefs about their religion

  • Mormaer - a mormaer was a Scottish leader and landowner who helped the king to rule

Common misconception

Pupils may think that Athelstan controlled Scotland because he defeated Constantine.

Although Constantine lost, Athelstan only remained king of England. He became overlord of Scotland but failed to unite England and Scotland under one kingship.

Briefly look into a timeline of King Athelstan to understand his importance.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Constantine defeated Giric in ...
Correct Answer: 900 CE
Q2.
Constantine had a rest after he defeated Giric.
true
Correct answer: false
Q3.
Where were St Columba's relics taken from by the Vikings?
Iona
Correct answer: Dunkeld
Ireland
Q4.
When Constantine defeated the Vikings, what things did he recapture?
Correct answer: St Columba's relics
Iona
Correct answer: Dunkeld
St Patrick's relics
Q5.
What are relics?
buildings of importance
Correct answer: items of religious importance from the past
items of food
Q6.
The battle against the Vikings was easy.
true
Correct answer: false

6 Questions

Q1.
What influenced Constantine to change the Church?
His father
His cousin Donald
Correct answer: His time in Ireland
Q2.
Who helped King Constantine II rule his lands?
farmers
Correct answer: mormaers
policemen
Q3.
What were mormaers responsible for?
Correct answer: Leading the army
Looking after farms
Correct answer: Collecting money from local people
Correct answer: Making decisions about local issues
Q4.
Order these events starting with the earliest.
1 - King Constantine II tried to take control of more of Scotland.
2 - King Athelstan captured the last Viking Kingdom of York.
3 - Constantine joined forces with the King of Dublin and the King of Strathclyde.
4 - Constantine fought Athelstan.
Q5.
When was the Battle of Brunanburh?
Correct answer: 937 CE
1028 CE
837 CE
Q6.
Athelstan defeated Constantine.
Correct answer: true
false

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