Somerled

Somerled (d. 1164) was a mid 12th century warlord who, through matrimonial alliance and military conquest, rose in prominence and seized control of the Kingdom of the Isles. Little is certain of Somerled's origins, although he appears to have belonged to a Norse-Gaelic family of some substance. His father, GilleBride, may have ruled Argyll, and appears to have conducted a marriage alliance with Malcolm, son of Alexander I, King of Scotland, and claimant to the Scottish throne. Following a period of dependence upon David I, King of Scotland, Somerled first appears on record in 1153, when he supported his nephews, the sons of Malcolm, in their revolt against the newly enthroned Malcolm IV, King of Scotland. Following this unsuccessful rebellion, Somerled appears to have turned his sights upon the kingship of the Isles, then ruled by his brother-in-law, Godred Olafsson, King of the Isles. Taking advantage of Godred's faltering authority, Somerled participated in a violent coup d'état, and seized half of the kingdom in 1156. Two years later, he defeated and drove his brother-in-law from power, and Somerled ruled the entire kingdom until his death.