battle battle old irish old english fought led king mac led won predecessors begun subject nations rebelled recent years leading number large scale battles irish varied success following neighbouring territories carried led forces despite advice contrary effort nations retreat drew ambush near lake battle site long thought near present day village angus recent research suggested northerly location near shores battle ended decisive victory severely weakened power northern britain killed battle greater army victory marked independence regained dominance north background seventh century gradually extended territory north annals record siege interpreted conquest reign marking annexation territories south north forth nations consisted time kingdom north southern zone forth evidence eighth century anglo saxon historian points reign continued reign successor succeeded king soon rose rebellion battle rivers recorded 8th century stephen aided sub king leader southern rebellion ended disaster northern king mac deposed replaced mac beginning fall apart irish annals record victory brother killed recorded northern region southern zone near antagonists recorded reasonable interpretation thought forces recorded having destroyed time church undergoing major religious reform followed traditions church pledged loyalty diocese divided number new episcopal sees created founded south coast consecrated bishop involved church unlikely viewed sponsored roman church favourably attacks represented major threat challenges june alliance sent armies led son ireland force local population destroyed churches actions treated account battle historical sources explicitly state reason attacking consensus eroded thorough description battle given 8th century work english people completed brief additional detail given irish annals early welsh historian written attack counsel advisors including recently leadership retreat drew force ambush saturday lake mountains near army defeated slain location site battle uncertain relatively recently battle commonly known lake following 12th century english historian durham location battle near lake reinforced record conflict old welsh battle crane lake likely original lake complete narrative battle given fails inform location mention took place straits inaccessible mountains irish annals provided useful resource identifying battle site giving location fort survived modern usage separate instances angus identified possible location battle antiquarian early 19th century notes found early charters abbey suggests site grid reference east village informs recently drained seen old maps small lake earlier local tradition related claimed site location fought recent suggestions battle site include valley north grid reference grid reference reduced following drainage 18th century battle scene inscribed yard stone cited evidence battle site interpretation based stone proximity miles north short distance compelling stone unlikely earlier century ornamentation stone including animal forms style weaponry depicted suggests late century prior linked stone cited evidence known historically number possible interpretations carving recently published paper historian gives number reasons battle site notably absence inaccessible mountains mid angus makes case alternative site grid reference north western shore shares origin suggests early potential battle site locating requires special pleading need aftermath defeat devastated power influence recounts recovered lands held scots goes tell flee territory killed enslaved roman diocese abandoned monks fleeing roman catholic expansion scotland battles recorded example son killed marks point independence permanently secured
Battle of Dun Nechtain