Drest I

Who is Drest I?

Drest or Drust, son of Erp, is a legendary king of the Picts from 412 to 452.

The Pictish Chronicle tells that Drest reigned for 100 years and triumphed in 100 battles. It also states that Saint Patrick came to Ireland in the nineteenth year of his reign, which would place it in the middle of the 5th century. The Chronicle claims that he exiled his brother Nechtan to Ireland. John of Fordun claims that Drest reigned for 45 years in the time of Palladius rather than Patrick, and conflates him with his brother Nechtan.

The king lists record that he was followed by one Talorc son of Aniel.