Contested succession at Iona (704-26)

Abstract

From the death of Columba to that of Adomnán, the annalistic witnesses, ultimately based on an Iona record, routinely feature obituary notices for Iona’s abbots. However, in 707 the record exhibits an innovation: for the first time it features an entry outlining the succession to an office at Iona. This kickstarts a short-lived annalistic phenomenon, whereby between 707 and 724 five succession notices appear alongside the customary obituaries. This break with established tradition suggests that something was happening on Iona, however, the terse entries are not detailed enough to reveal exactly what this was. This article steps back from previous interpretations to assess the implications of the succession entries for the operation of the Iona abbacy. By evaluating the period through the lens of succession procedure, it is argued that the initial phase of contention pivoted around Dúnchad, who took the abbacy in 707. Trouble did not subside following the conclusion of this first phase, as the emergence of the elusive Feidlimid in 722 makes apparent. While the nature of his interjection remains unclear, the article provides scenarios for interpretating his role in events.