Constantine II’s reign was marked by repeated Viking attacks, which severely disrupted the stability of his kingdom. In 906, Constantine faced a major Viking invasion, led by Sigtrygg, the King of the Norse-Gaels in Dublin. The Vikings attacked several key sites in the north of Scotland, and Constantine was forced to defend his realm. In 910, Constantine fought alongside the English King Æthelflæd of Mercia in a battle against the Norsemen. The battle, which took place near the River Leven, ended in a Viking defeat, but the threat was far from over.
Throughout the early part of Constantine II’s reign, the Vikings continued to raid Scotland, and it is likely that they played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the time. The Norse-Gaels established a presence in the northern parts of Scotland, especially in the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands, where they exerted control over the local population. Constantine had to navigate the complex relationships between the Scottish, the Norse, and the English, all of whom had competing interests in the region.
Internal Struggles and Political Alliances
While Constantine II faced external threats from the Vikings, he also had to contend with internal strife. His reign saw several challenges to his authority from local aristocrats and rival factions within the Scottish nobility. One of the most significant political events during his reign was his involvement in the complex web of alliances and rivalries that shaped Scotland and its neighbors.
Constantine II was married to a woman from the powerful house of Wessex, a kingdom in southern England, and this marriage formed part of a political alliance that was intended to strengthen his position. Constantine’s relationship with the Anglo-Saxons was also significant because it helped him maintain a degree of stability in the face of Viking threats. In the early years of his reign, Constantine was able to form a successful alliance with the Anglo-Saxon King Edward the Elder, which led to joint military campaigns against the Vikings.
However, Constantine’s relationship with the English deteriorated over time. By the 930s, political tensions between Scotland and England were on the rise. The death of Edward the Elder in 924 and the ascension of his son, Athelstan, led to a shift in the balance of power in Britain. Athelstan was a powerful and ambitious king, and he sought to assert English dominance over the rest of the British Isles, including Scotland.
In 934, Athelstan launched a military campaign against Constantine II. The Battle of Brunanburh in 937 was a pivotal moment in the history of both England and Scotland. Although Constantine II did not participate directly in the battle, his forces allied with those of the King of Strathclyde and other British rulers in an attempt to resist Athelstan’s forces. The battle was a decisive victory for Athelstan, and it resulted in the weakening of Scottish influence in the face of English expansion. shutdown123