View source for Gofraid mac Fergusa

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'''Gofraid mac Fergusa''' is an alleged ninth-century figure attested by the ''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]'' and various pedigrees concerning the ancestors of [[Clann Somhairle]] and [[Clann Domhnaill]]. If the pedigrees are to be believed, he was a son of [[Fergus mac Eirc]], and a descendant of [[Colla Uais]]. Likewise, the two annal-entries that note Gofraid mac Fergusa claim that he was an [[Airgíalla]]n ruler, who aided [[Cináed mac Ailpín]] in 835, and died sixteen years later as a ruler of the [[Kingdom of the Isles|Isles]]. Gofraid mac Fergusa's place in the aforesaid pedigrees is chronologically impossible. The events associated with him by the annals are not supported by any contemporary or near contemporary source. In fact, the two annal-entries that recount these alleged events are fabricated additions inserted into the chronicle at some point before the mid seventeenth century.

As a genealogical construct, Gofraid mac Fergusa may represent Clann Somhairle's matrilineal descent from [[Gofraid Crobán]]. The latter was the eponym of the [[Crovan dynasty]], a family from which Clann Somhairle dynasts derived their claims to the [[kingship of the Isles]]. Both kindreds vied for control of the Isles in the twelfth- and thirteenth centuries. [[Praise poetry]] pre-dating the first notice of Gofraid mac Fergusa indicates that Clann Somhairle's descent from a man named Gofraid was indeed highly regarded in the thirteenth century. The chronology of the evolution of this Gofraid into Gofraid mac Fergusa is unknown. The latter's constructed descent from Fergus mac Eirc, and fabricated connections with Cináed mac Ailpín, suggest that he was crafted as a means to connect Clann Domhnaill with the earliest history of the [[Scottish realm]].

==Traditional genealogical figure==
[[File:Clann Domhnaill pedigree (National Library of Ireland MS G 2, folio 25v).jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Refer to caption|Excerpt from folio 25[[Recto and verso|v]] of National Library of Ireland G 2 (the ''Ó Cianáin Miscellany''), the earliest source to note Gofraid mac Fergusa.<ref>[[#S4|Simms (2009)]] pp. 48–49 n. 39; [[#N1|Nicholls (2007)]] p. 97; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#N2|''National Library of Ireland MS G 2'' (n.d.)]].</ref>{{#tag:ref|The excerpt itself is a pedigree pertaining to Toirdhealbhach (died 1366) and Eóin Dubh (died 1349), sons of [[Alasdair Óg Mac Domhnaill]] (died 1299?). The text also makes note of the brothers' nephew, Domhnall mac Somhairle.<ref>[[#N1|Nicholls (2007)]] p. 97.</ref> Alasdair Óg was a great-great grandson of Somairle mac Gilla Brigte.|group=note}}]]

There are over a dozen sources dating from at least the eighteenth century which outline the traditional ancestry of [[Somairle mac Gilla Brigte]],<ref>[[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#S1|Sellar (1966)]] pp. 124–126.</ref> eponymous ancestor of [[Clann Somhairle]], a mediaeval kindred composed of three main branches: [[Clann Dubhghaill]], [[Clann Ruaidhrí]], and [[Clann Domhnaill]].<ref>[[#B2|Beuermann (2010)]] p. 108 n. 28.</ref> The earliest source relating to Somairle's ancestry is a pedigree which seems to date to the fourteenth century.<ref>[[#S4|Simms (2009)]] pp. 48–49 n. 39; [[#N1|Nicholls (2007)]] p. 97; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref> Although these sources vary in outlining Somairle's ancestry, many of them refer to a certain Gofraid mac Fergusa (Gofraid, son of Fergus). This man's father, Fergus, is generally presented by these pedigrees as the son of a man named Erc, indicating that this Fergus represents the fifth-century [[Fergus mac Eirc]], a legendary [[King of Dál Riata]]. The aforesaid sources generally continue on for several generations reaching to [[Colla Uais]], a legendary Irish king, and traditional ancestor of the Uí Macc Uais lineage of the [[Airgíalla]].<ref>[[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#S1|Sellar (1966)]] pp. 124–133.</ref>

The number of generations between Somairle, Fergus mac Eirc, and Colla Uais are far too few to represent an accurate genealogy,<ref>[[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#S1|Sellar (1966)]] pp. 124–125.</ref> suggesting that the latter two legendary figures were inserted into the lineage. In fact, Somairle's ancestry can only be corroborated as far back as his grandfather.<ref name="W2">[[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref>{{#tag:ref|Somairle's grandfather is consistently identified as a certain Gilla Adamnáin by the pedigrees. This name is corroborated by the ''[[Annals of Ulster]]'' which names Somairle "''{{lang|ghc|Somharlidh Mac Gille Adhamhnain}}''", a patronymic name that evidently refers to his grandfather.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2012)]] § 1164.4; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 1164.4; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#S1|Sellar (1966)]] p. 129.</ref>|group=note}} The generations separating this man's father from Gofraid mac Fergusa vary considerably and contain unusual names. Besides Somairle's father and grandfather, the only figures that can be otherwise attested outside of these traditional pedigrees are Colla Uais (and Colla Uais' immediate descendants), Fergus mac Eirc, and Gofraid mac Fergusa.<ref name="W2"/>

==Spurious annalistic attestations==
[[File:Somairle mac Gilla Brigte (Royal Irish Academy MS C iii 3, folio 447v).jpg|left|alt=Refer to caption|thumb|The name of [[Somairle mac Gilla Brigte]] as it appears on folio 447v of Dublin Royal Irish Academy C iii 3.<ref>[[#A3|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013b)]] § 1083.10; [[#A4|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013c)]] § 1083.10; [[#R1|''Royal Irish Academy MS C iii 3'' (n.d.)]].</ref> The annal-entry misdates Somairle's death by eighty-one years.]]

Gofraid mac Fergusa is noted twice by the ''[[Annals of the Four Masters]]''. One entry is dated 834.<ref name="source-835">[[#H2|Hudson, B (2014)]] p. 198; [[#A1|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2008a)]] § 835.15; [[#A2|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2008b)]] § 835.15; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 299; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#H3|Hudson, BT (1996)]] p. 200; [[#H1|Hudson, BT (1994)]] pp. 40–41; [[#O2|Ó Corráin (1980)]] pp. 177–178.</ref> Although the other is dated 851, this entry appears lumped together with entries corresponding to events dated to 853 in other sources.<ref name="source-851">[[#A1|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2008a)]] § 851.16; [[#A2|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2008b)]] § 851.16; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 299; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#M1|McLeod (2002)]] pp. 27–28; [[#H1|Hudson, BT (1994)]] pp. 40–41; [[#O2|Ó Corráin (1980)]] pp. 177–178.</ref> The first entry identifies Gofraid mac Fergusa as a chieftain of the [[Airgíalla]], and states that he went to [[Kingdom of Alba|Alba]] to support [[Dál Riata]], at the behest of [[Cináed mac Ailpín]] (died 858).<ref name="source-835"/> The second entry styles Gofraid mac Fergusa chief of {{lang|mga|[[Innsi Gall]]}} whilst reporting his death.<ref name="source-851"/> There are several reasons to doubt the historical accuracy of these annal-entries.<ref>[[#B4|Byrne (2008)]] p. 632; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 299; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#H1|Hudson, BT (1994)]] pp. 40–42; [[#O2|Ó Corráin (1980)]] pp. 177–178.</ref> For example, the name ''{{lang|mga|[[Gofraid]]}}'' is a [[Gaelic languages|Gaelic]] form of an [[Old Norse]] name, whilst the name ''{{lang|mga|[[Fergus (name)|Fergus]]}}'' is Gaelic. Although these names could be indicative of mixed ancestry of a bearer,<ref>[[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 299.</ref> the early ninth century seems to be extremely early for such intermingling amongst the upper classes, especially for an alleged leading member of the Airgíalla, a population group located in north-central Ireland.<ref>[[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 299; [[#O2|Ó Corráin (1980)]] pp. 177–178.</ref> In fact, the name ''{{lang|mga|Gofraid}}'' is not attested amongst the [[Irish people|Irish]] or [[Vikings|Norse]] in any uninterpolated Irish source for the ninth century.<ref>[[#O2|Ó Corráin (1980)]] pp. 177–178.</ref> Certainly, a Gofraid son of Fergus is otherwise unrecorded amongst the Airgíalla,<ref>[[#H2|Hudson, B (2014)]] p. 198; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#H1|Hudson, BT (1994)]] p. 41.</ref> nor is such a figure otherwise attested by any contemporary or near-contemporary source.<ref>[[#H2|Hudson, B (2014)]] p. 198; [[#M1|McLeod (2002)]] pp. 27–28; [[#H1|Hudson, BT (1994)]] p. 41.</ref>{{#tag:ref|Significantly, none of the events presented by the annal-entries are recorded by later traditional clan sources like the ''[[Book of Clanranald]]''. This eighteenth-century source details the traditional history of Clann Domhnaill, and credits the family's arrival in Scotland to the actions of Somairle's father.<ref>[[#H2|Hudson, B (2014)]] pp. 198–199; [[#H1|Hudson, BT (1994)]] p. 41; [[#M2|Macbain; Kennedy (1894)]] pp. 152–155.</ref>|group=note}} Furthermore, there is no contemporary or near-contemporary record of Cináed ruling before 842, and it is not until the late thirteenth century when a source—the ''[[Chronicle of Huntingdon]]''—erroneously dates the outset of his reign to 834. This particular miscalculation was further propagated in the late fourteenth century by the influential ''[[Chronica gentis Scotorum]]'' of [[John Fordun]] (died 1363).<ref>[[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#S3|Skene (1872)]] pp. 136–137; [[#S2|Skene (1871)]] pp. 145–147.</ref> Another issue concerning the entries is the fact that the term ''{{lang|mga|Innsi Gall}}'' ("the Islands of the Foreigners")<ref>[[#D1|Downham (2007)]] p. 183.</ref> is an anachronism during for the period in question, and is otherwise first attested by an historical source in the tenth century.<ref>[[#O1|Oram (2014)]] p. 2; [[#A3|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013b)]] § 939.6; [[#A4|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013c)]] § 939.6; [[#C4|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2012)]] § 941; [[#C3|''Chronicon Scotorum'' (2010)]] § 941; [[#C6|Clancy (2006)]] p. 26; [[#D1|Downham (2007)]] p. 183, 183 n. 36; [[#W1|Woolf (2007)]] p. 299; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#B3|Barrett (2003)]] pp. 76–77.</ref>

Yet another spurious entry concerns the aforesaid Somairle. Historically, this king is known to have been killed in 1164.<ref name="W2"/> The ''Annals of the Four Masters'' misdates his death, reporting it eighty-one years earlier, in 1083.<ref name="source-1083">[[#A3|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013b)]] § 1083.10; [[#A4|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013c)]] § 1083.10; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref> There is evidence indicating that this entry is connected with the two concerning Gofraid mac Fergusa. For instance, all three are single sentences tacked to the end of rather long annal-entries, which could be evidence that they were inserted into the annals together.<ref name="W2"/> Furthermore, these three entries appear to be synchronised within eighty-one years of three historical events recorded by other sources. For example, the ''Annals of Ulster'' reveals that [[Gofraid ua Ímair]] (died 934) died two hundred and thirty years before Somairle's death,<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2012)]] §§ 934.1, 1164.4; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] §§ 934.1, 1164.4; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref> whereas the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' places Gofraid mac Fergusa's death two hundred and thirty years before its misdated death of Somairle.<ref>[[#A3|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013b)]] §§ 851.16, 1083.10; [[#A4|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013c)]] §§ 851.16, 1083.10; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref> Additionally, the latter source places Gofraid mac Fergusa's death sixteen years after it reports his arrival in Alba from Ireland,<ref>[[#A3|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013b)]] §§ 835.15, 851.16; [[#A4|''Annals of the Four Masters'' (2013c)]] §§ 835.15, 851.16; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref> whilst the ''Annals of Ulster'' reports Gofraid ua Ímair's death sixteen years after his own arrival in Britain from Ireland.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2012)]] §§ 918.4, 934.1; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] §§ 918.4, 934.1; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none;"
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | '''Synchronisation of three fabricated entries of the ''Annals of the Four Masters'''''
|-
|{{center|'''''Annals of the Four Masters'''''}} || {{center|'''''Annals of Ulster'''''}}
|-
| '''835''', Gofraid mac Fergusa to Alba.<ref name="source-835"/> || '''918''', Gofraid ua Ímair to Britain.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2012)]] § 918.4; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 918.4; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | —a span of sixteen years{{#tag:ref|For the ''Annals of the Four Masters'', this span of years is calculated from the uncorrected date of 851.|group=note}}—
|-
| '''851''' (='''853'''), Gofraid mac Fergusa dies.<ref name="source-851"/> || '''934''', Gofraid ua Ímair dies.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2012)]] § 934.1; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 934.1; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | —a span of two hundred and thirty years{{#tag:ref|For the ''Annals of the Four Masters'', this span of years is calculated from the corrected date of 853.|group=note}}—
|-
| '''1083''', Somairle mac Gilla Brigte dies.<ref name="source-1083"/> || '''1164''', Somairle mac Gilla Brigte dies.<ref>[[#T2|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2012)]] § 1164.4; [[#T1|''The Annals of Ulster'' (2008)]] § 1164.4; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref>
|}

==Evolution of a genealogical construct==
[[File:Gofraid Crobán (British Library Cotton MS Julius A VII, folio 50v).jpg|alt=Refer to caption|thumb|The name of [[Gofraid Crobán]] as it appears on folio 50v of British Library Cotton Julius A VII (the ''[[Chronicle of Mann]]''): "''{{lang|la|Godredus Crouan}}''".<ref>[[#M3|Munch; Goss (1874)]] pp. 112–113; [[#C5|''Cotton MS Julius A VII'' (n.d.)]].</ref>]]

Quite how Gofraid mac Fergusa became synchronised with the historical Gofraid ua Ímair is unknown. It could well have taken place between the fourteenth- and the seventeenth centuries. As such, the chronology of Gofraid mac Fergusa's construction may be bounded between the propagation of Cináed's miscalculated accession in the 1380s, and the final compilation of the ''Annals of the Four Masters'' in the 1630s.<ref name="W2"/> What is more certain is that the twelfth- and thirteenth-century members of Clann Somhairle derived their claim to the kingship of the Isles through their descent from Somairle's wife, [[Ragnhildis Olafsdottir|Ragnailt]], daughter of [[Amlaíb mac Gofraid (died 1153)|Amlaíb mac Gofraid]] (died 1153).<ref>[[#B6|Beuermann (2012)]] p. 5; [[#B2|Beuermann (2010)]] p. 102; [[#W3|Williams (2007)]] p. 145; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#B5|Brown (2004)]] p. 70; [[#R2|Rixson (2001)]] p. 85.</ref> Ragnailt and her father were members of the [[Crovan dynasty]], descended from [[Gofraid Crobán]] (died 1095),<ref>[[#M4|McDonald (2007b)]] p. 27 tab. 1.</ref> the dynasty's founder.<ref>[[#M5|McDonald (2012)]] p. 150; [[#M6|McDonald (2007a)]] p. 50; [[#D3|Duffy (2004)]].</ref> Gofraid Crobán's position at the apex of the Crovan dynasty and Clann Somhairle—two competing kindreds that vied for control of the Isles—could indicate that he is the Gofraid referred to in the earliest evidence of a Clann Somhairle ancestor bearing the name. These references to Gofraid, and the "seed" or "race" of Gofraid, survive in two thirteenth-century compositions of epic praise poetry pre-dating the first attestation of Gofraid mac Fergusa.<ref>[[#C1|''Ceannaigh Duain t'Athar'' (2012)]]; [[#B2|Beuermann (2010)]] p. 108 n. 9; [[#B1|Bateman; McLeod (2007)]] pp. 78, 91; [[#W2|Woolf (2005)]].</ref>

The reasons behind Gofraid Crobán's apparent transformation into Gofraid mac Fergusa are uncertain. One possibility is that later unease of a matrilineal descent from the Gofraid of the praise poetry led to the assumption of a patrilineal link with him. Another aspect of the transformation could have concerned a conscious rejection of Gofraid Crobán, which in turn may have led to the adoption of a genealogical link to a similarly-named historical figure like Gofraid ua Ímair.<ref name="W2"/>{{#tag:ref|According to one particular mediaeval pedigree, Gofraid Crobán was—like Gofraid ua Ímair—the grandson of a man named ''Ímar''.<ref>[[#W2|Woolf (2005)]]; [[#T3|Thornton (1996)]] pp. 94–96.</ref>|group=note}} A deliberate disavowal of Gofraid Crobán could have stemmed from a slackening of pride in Clann Domhnaill's supposedly less-than-Gaelic ancestors. Another factor may have concerned the clan's continuous incorporation into the [[Scottish realm]]. As such, it is conceivable that Gofraid mac Fergusa was first put forth as an ancestor in the context of Clann Domhnaill's patriotic support of the [[Great Cause|Bruce cause]] during the [[Wars of Scottish Independence]].<ref name="W2"/> Alternately, the formulation of the doctored annal-entries could date as late as the seventeenth century, and could have been concocted in the context of a legal dispute between [[Randal MacDonnell, 1st Earl of Antrim|Randal MacDonnell]] (died 1636) and a certain George Crawford. This case concerned claims to [[Rathlin Island]], and featured genealogical evidence designed to bolster this MacDonnell chieftain's defence.<ref>[[#H1|Hudson, BT (1994)]] pp. 40–42.</ref> In any event, the constructed link with Fergus mac Eirc presented by the pedigrees, and the fabricated connection with Cináed mac Ailpín preserved by the annals, seems to reveal that members of Clann Domhnaill wished to be closely associated with the earliest history of the Scottish realm.<ref name="W2"/> As such the kindred could claim a pedigree equal to that of the Scottish kings themselves.<ref>[[#O1|Oram (2014)]] p. 2.</ref>{{#tag:ref|The Clann Domhnall [[Lord of the Isles|Lordship of the Isles]] was a successor of the independent [[Kingdom of the Isles]].<ref>[[#C2|Clancy (2006)]]; [[#D2|Davey (2006)]].</ref> The earliest reliable evidence of the latter unified realm dates to the tenth century. The annal-entries that note Gofraid mac Fergusa—identifying him as the lord of these islands—seem to reflect later propaganda rather than historical events. Whilst this apparent Gaelic [[pseudo-history]] places the origins of the kingdom in the context of association with Cináed mac Ailpín, [[Scandinavian sagas]] place its origin in the similarly unhistorical context of association with [[Haraldr hárfagri]] in the same century.<ref>[[#D1|Downham (2007)]] pp. 177–178.</ref> The traditional claims of Clann Somhairle's descent from Colla Uais may well stem from Clann Domhnaill's settlement in Ireland, and may originate in an attempt to integrate the kindred into local literary tradition and geographical history. For example, an unrelated but similarly-named Irish kindred, the Clann Domhnaill of Clann Ceallaigh, is known to have earlier possessed the kingship of an Airgíallan sub-kingdom, and to have claimed a descent from Colla Uais. This kindred appears in early legal tracts concerning the performance of military service to their [[Uí Néill]] overlords. The fact that the Clann Domhnaill of Clann Ceallaigh had lost prominence by the time of Clann Domhnaill's settlement in Ireland, coupled with the fact that Clann Domhnaill was settled in the same vicinity of their Irish namesakes and provided [[gallowglasses]] to the [[O'Neill dynasty|Ó Néill]] kindred, may well explain why Clann Domhnaill was accorded an Airgíallan ancestry like their Irish namesakes.<ref>[[#S4|Simms (2009)]] pp. 48–49.</ref>|group=note}}

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==Citations==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==References==

===Primary sources===
{{refbegin|colwidth=30em}}
*{{cite web |url=https://celt.ucc.ie//published/G100005A/index.html |title=Annals of the Four Masters |year=2008a |website=[[Corpus of Electronic Texts]] |edition=29 August 2008 |publisher=[[University College Cork]] |access-date=6 June 2016 |ref=A1 }}
*{{cite web |url=https://celt.ucc.ie//published/T100005A/index.html |title=Annals of the Four Masters |year=2008b |website=[[Corpus of Electronic Texts]] |edition=3 September 2008 |publisher=[[University College Cork]] |access-date=22 January 2018 |ref=A2 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G100005B/index.html |title=Annals of the Four Masters |year=2013b |website=Corpus of Electronic Texts |edition=3 December 2013 |publisher=University College Cork |access-date=6 June 2016 |ref=A3 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005B/index.html |title=Annals of the Four Masters |year=2013c |website=Corpus of Electronic Texts |edition=16 December 2013 |publisher=University College Cork |access-date=6 June 2016 |ref=A4 }}
*{{cite book |year=2007 |editor1-last=Bateman |editor1-first=M |editor2-last=McLeod |editor2-first=W |title=Duanaire Na Sracaire, Songbook of the Pillagers: Anthology of Scotland's Gaelic Verse to 1600 |publisher=[[Birlinn (publisher)|Birlinn]] |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84158-181-1 |ref=B1 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G402244/index.html |title=Ceannaigh Duain t'Athar, a Aonghas |year=2012 |website=Corpus of Electronic Texts |edition=10 July 2012 |publisher=University College Cork |access-date=11 June 2016 |ref=C1 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100016/index.html |title=Chronicon Scotorum |year=2010 |website=Corpus of Electronic Texts |edition=24 March 2010 |publisher=University College Cork |access-date=16 June 2016 |ref=C3 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G100016/index.html |title=Chronicon Scotorum |year=2012 |website=Corpus of Electronic Texts |edition=14 May 2012 |publisher=University College Cork |access-date=16 June 2016 |ref=C4 }}
*{{cite web |year=n.d. |url=http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Cotton_MS_julius_a_vii |title=Cotton MS Julius A VII |website=[[British Library]] |access-date=8 November 2014 |ref=C5 |archive-date=20 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720174904/http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Cotton_MS_julius_a_vii |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite web |year=n.d. |url=https://www.isos.dias.ie/libraries/RIA/RIA_MS_C_iii_3/english/index.html |title=Royal Irish Academy MS C iii 3 |website=Irish Script on Screen |publisher=[[Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies]] |access-date=12 June 2016 |ref=R1 }}
*{{cite book |year=1894 |editor-last1=Macbain |editor1-first=A |editor1-link=Alexander Macbain |editor-last2=Kennedy |editor2-first=J |title=Reliquiæ Celticæ: Texts, Papers and Studies in Gaelic Literature and Philology, Left by the Late Rev. Alexander Cameron, LL.D. |url=https://archive.org/details/reliquiaeceltica02came |volume=2 |publisher=The Northern Counties Newspaper and Printing and Publishing Company |location=Inverness |ol=24821349M |ref=M2 }}
*{{cite book |year=1874 |editor1-last=Munch |editor1-first=PA |editor1-link=Peter Andreas Munch |editor2-last=Goss |editor2-first=A |editor2-link=Alexander Goss |title=Chronica Regvm Manniæ et Insvlarvm: The Chronicle of Man and the Sudreys |url=https://archive.org/details/chronicaregvmma00gossgoog |volume=1 |publisher=[[Manx Society]] |location=Douglas, IM |ref=M3 }}<!-- Note that the scanned book given at the url is missing pages 202-203. -->
*{{cite web |year=n.d. |url=https://www.isos.dias.ie/libraries/NLI/NLI_MS_G_2/english/index.html |title=National Library of Ireland MS G 2 |website=Irish Script on Screen |publisher=[[Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies]] |access-date=18 June 2016 |ref=N2 }}
*{{cite book |editor-last=Skene |editor-first=WF |editor-link=William Forbes Skene |year=1867 |title=Chronicles of the Picts, Chronicles of the Scots, and Other Early Memorials of Scottish History |url=https://archive.org/details/chroniclesofpict00sken |publisher=H.M. General Register House |location=Edinburgh |ol=23286818M |ref=S5 }}
*{{cite book |year=1871 |editor-last=Skene |editor-first=WF |title=Johannis de Fordun Chronica Gentis Scotorum |url=https://archive.org/details/johannisdefordun01ford |publisher=Edmonston and Douglas |location=Edinburgh |ol=24871486M |ref=S2 }}
*{{cite book |year=1872 |editor-last=Skene |editor-first=WF |title=John of Fordun's Chronicle of the Scottish Nation |url=https://archive.org/details/johannisdefordun02ford |location=Edinburgh |publisher=Edmonston and Douglas |ol=24871442M |ref=S3 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/G100001A/index.html |title=The Annals of Ulster |year=2008 |website=Corpus of Electronic Texts |edition=29 August 2008 |publisher=University College Cork |access-date=6 June 2016 |ref=T1 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100001A/index.html |title=The Annals of Ulster |year=2012 |website=Corpus of Electronic Texts |edition=15 August 2012 |publisher=University College Cork |access-date=6 June 2016 |ref=T2 }}
*{{cite book |last=Thornton |first=DE |year=1996 |chapter=The Genealogy of Gruffudd ap Cynan |editor-last=Maund |editor-first=KL |title=Gruffudd ap Cynan: A Collaborative Biography |series=Studies in Celtic History |publisher=[[The Boydell Press]] |location=Woodbridge |pages=79–108 |isbn=0-85115-389-5 |issn=0261-9865 |ref=T3 }}
{{refend}}

===Secondary sources===
{{refbegin|colwidth=30em}}
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*{{cite conference |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314234735/http://www.ionahistory.org.uk/iona-conf-beuermann._the_attack_on_iona_in_1209-10_.doc |url=http://www.ionahistory.org.uk/iona-conf-beuermann._the_attack_on_iona_in_1209-10_.doc |title=The Norwegian Attack on Iona in 1209–10: The Last Viking Raid? |first=I |last=Beuermann |year=2012 |conference=Iona Research Conference, April 10th to 12th 2012 |conference-url=http://www.ionahistory.org.uk/iona/ionahome/ionaabout/researchconference.htm |pages=1–10 |access-date=22 February 2013 |ref=B6 }}<!-- Note that although the file extension identifies the file as a DOC, the file itself is actually a PDF. To view the file, download it and rename the file extension to ".pdf". -->
*{{cite book |last=Brown |first=M |author-link=Michael Brown (historian) |year=2004 |title=The Wars of Scotland, 1214–1371 |series=The New Edinburgh History of Scotland |publisher=[[Edinburgh University Press]] |location=Edinburgh |isbn=0-7486-1237-8 |ref=B5 }}
*{{cite book |last=Byrne |first=FJ |author-link=Francis John Byrne |year=2008 |orig-year=2005 |chapter=The Viking Age |editor-last=Ó Cróinín |editor-first=D |editor-link=Dáibhí Ó Cróinín |title=Prehistoric and Early Ireland |series=New History of Ireland |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |location=Oxford |pages=609–634 |isbn=978-0-19-821737-4 |ref=B4 }}
*{{cite book |last=Clancy |first=TO |author-link=Thomas Owen Clancy |year=2006 |chapter=Lordship of the Isles |editor-last=Koch |editor-first=JT |editor-link=John T. Koch |title=Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia |volume=3 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |location=Santa Barbara, CA |pages=1188–1189 |isbn=1-85109-445-8 |ref=C2 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Clancy |first=TO |year=2008 |title=The Gall-Ghàidheil and Galloway |url=http://www.clanntuirc.co.uk/JSNS/V2/JSNS2.pdf |journal=[[The Journal of Scottish Name Studies]] |volume=2 |pages=19–51 |issn=2054-9385 |ref=C6 |access-date=24 November 2018 |archive-date=24 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124055147/http://www.clanntuirc.co.uk/JSNS/V2/JSNS2.pdf |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite book |last=Davey |first=PJ |year=2006 |chapter=Kingdom of Man and the Isles |editor-last=Koch |editor-first=JT |title=Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia |volume=2 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |location=Santa Barbara, CA |pages=1057–1058 |isbn=1-85109-445-8 |ref=D2 }}
*{{cite book |last=Downham |first=C |year=2007 |title=Viking Kings of Britain and Ireland: The Dynasty of Ívarr to A.D. 1014 |publisher=[[Dunedin Academic Press]] |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-903765-89-0 |ref=D1 }}
*{{cite ODNB |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/50613 |title=Godred Crovan [Guðrøðr, Gofraid Méránach] (''d''. 1095) |last=Duffy |first=S |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/50613 |access-date=5 July 2011 |ref=D3}}
*{{cite book |last=Hudson |first=B |author-link=Benjamin Hudson |year=2014 |title=The Picts |series=The Peoples of Europe |publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]] |location=Chichester |isbn=978-1-4051-8678-0 |ref=H2 }}
*{{cite book |last=Hudson |first=BT |year=1994 |title=Kings of Celtic Scotland |url=https://www.questia.com/library/2030888/kings-of-celtic-scotland |url-access=subscription |publisher=[[Greenwood Press]] |location=Westport, CT |isbn=0-313-29087-3 |issn=0885-9159 |via= |ref=H1 |access-date=2021-07-19 |archive-date=2019-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623011235/https://www.questia.com/library/2030888/kings-of-celtic-scotland |url-status=dead }}
*{{cite book |last=Hudson |first=BT |year=1996 |title=Prophecy of Berchán: Irish and Scottish High-Kings of the Early Middle Ages |series=Contributions to the Study of World History |publisher=Greenwood Press |location=Westport, CT |isbn=0-313-29567-0 |issn=0885-9159 |ref=H3 }}
*{{cite book |last=McDonald |first=RA |year=2007a |chapter=Dealing Death From Man: Manx Sea Power in and around the Irish Sea, 1079–1265 |editor-last=Duffy |editor-first=S |title=The World of the Galloglass: Kings, Warlords and Warriors in Ireland and Scotland, 1200–1600 |publisher=[[Four Courts Press]] |location=Dublin |isbn=978-1-85182-946-0 |pages=45–76 |ref=M6 }}
*{{cite book |last=McDonald |first=RA |year=2007b |title=Manx Kingship in its Irish Sea Setting, 1187–1229: King Rǫgnvaldr and the Crovan Dynasty |publisher=Four Courts Press |location=Dublin |isbn=978-1-84682-047-2 |ref=M4 }}
*{{cite book |last=McDonald |first=RA |year=2012 |chapter=The Manx Sea Kings and the Western Oceans: The Late Norse Isle of Man in its North Atlantic Context, 1079–1265 |editor-last=Hudson |editor-first=B |title=Studies in the Medieval Atlantic |series=The New Middle Ages |publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]] |location=New York |isbn=978-1-137-06239-0 |doi=10.1057/9781137062390_6 |pages=143–184 |ref=M5 }}
*{{cite journal |last=McLeod |first=W |year=2002 |title=Rí Innsi Gall, Rí Fionnghall, Ceannas nan Gàidheal: Sovereignty and Rhetoric in the Late Medieval Hebrides |journal=[[Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies]] |volume=43 |pages=25–48 |issn=1353-0089 |ref=M1 }}
*{{cite book |last=Oram |first=RD |author-link=Richard Oram |chapter=Introduction: A Celtic Dirk at Scotland's Back? The Lordship of the Isles Mainstream Scottish Historiography since 1828 |year=2014 |editor-last=Oram |editor-first=RD |title=The Lordship of the Isles |series=The Northern World: North Europe and the Baltic c. 400–1700 AD. Peoples, Economics and Cultures |publisher=[[Brill Publishers|Brill]] |location=Leiden |doi=10.1163/9789004280359_002 |isbn=978-90-04-28035-9 |issn=1569-1462 |pages=1–39 |ref=O1 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Ó Corráin |first=D |author-link=Donnchadh Ó Corráin |year=1980 |title=Review of J Bannerman, Studies in the History of Dál Riada |journal=[[Celtica (journal)|Celtica]] |volume=13 |pages=169–182 |ref=O2 }}
*{{cite book |last=Nicholls |first=K |author-link=Kenneth Nicholls |year=2007 |chapter=Scottish Mercenary Kindreds in Ireland, 1250–1600 |editor-last=Duffy |editor-first=S |title=The World of the Galloglass: Kings, Warlords and Warriors in Ireland and Scotland, 1200–1600 |publisher=Four Courts Press |location=Dublin |isbn=978-1-85182-946-0 |pages=86–105 |ref=N1 }}
*{{cite book |last=Rixson |first=D |year=2001 |title=The Small Isles: Canna, Rum, Eigg and Muck |url=https://archive.org/details/smallislescannar00rixs |url-access=registration |publisher=Birlinn |location=Edinburgh |isbn=1-84158-154-2 |ol=3544460M |ref=R2 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Sellar |first=WDH |author-link=David Sellar |year=1966 |title=The Origins and Ancestry of Somerled |journal=[[Scottish Historical Review]] |volume=45 |issue=2 |pages=123–142 |issn=0036-9241 |eissn=1750-0222 |jstor=25528658 |ref=S1}}
*{{cite book |last=Simms |first=K |year=2009 |title=Medieval Gaelic Sources |series=Maynooth Research Guides for Irish Local History |publisher=Four Courts Press |location=Dublin |isbn=978-1-84682-137-0 |ref=S4 }}
*{{cite book |last=Williams |first=G |year=2007 |chapter='These People were High-Born and Thought Well of Themselves': The Family of Moddan of Dale |editor1-last=Smith |editor1-first=BB |editor2-last=Taylor |editor2-first=S |editor3-last=Williams |editor3-first=G |title=West Over Sea: Studies in Scandinavian Sea-Borne Expansion and Settlement Before 1300 |publisher=Brill |location=Leiden |series=The Northern World: North Europe and the Baltic c. 400–1700 AD. Peoples, Economics and Cultures |pages=129–152 |isbn=978-90-04-15893-1 |issn=1569-1462 |ref=W3 }}
*{{cite book |last=Woolf |first=A |author-link=Alex Woolf |year=2007 |title=From Pictland to Alba, 789–1070 |series=The New Edinburgh History of Scotland |publisher=Edinburgh University Press |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-0-7486-1233-8 |ref=W1 }}
*{{cite journal |last=Woolf |first=A |year=2005 |title=The Origins and Ancestry of Somerled: Gofraid mac Fergusa and 'The Annals of the Four Masters' |journal=Mediaeval Scandinavia |volume=15 |pages=199–213 |ref=W2 }}
{{refend}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gofraid mac Fergusa}}
[[Category:9th-century rulers of the Kingdom of the Isles]]
[[Category:Irish people whose existence is disputed]]