Run of Alt Clut

Who was Run of Alt Clut?

Run was probably a ruler of Alt Clut and Strathclyde, a Brythonic kingdom in the Hen Ogledd or "Old North" of Britain. The dates of his reign are uncertain, but he probably ruled from the death of his father Artgal in 872 until around 878, when his son Eochaid ascended the throne.

The Harleian genealogies name Run as the son of Artgal, who ruled Strathclyde until his death in 872. Run is in fact the last figure in his line appearing in the Welsh genealogy, probably indicating that the pedigree was his own. Run was married to the daughter of Kenneth MacAlpin, and was thus brother-in-law to Constantín mac Cináeda, King of the Picts at the time. According to the Irish annals, Constantín consented to Artgal's death in 872. If Run's marriage had occurred or been arranged by that time, this may have provided Constantín a claim over Strathclyde. The marriage produced Eochaid, who, with Giric, possibly held overlordship of Scotland after the death of Run's brother-in-law, Áed mac Cináeda, until their deposition by King Donald II. To what extent Run ever ruled independently of his Scottish overlords is unknown, and that he reigned at all is just an educated guess, although the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba does specify that his son Eochaid ruled as "King of the Britons". The church of Saint Constantine at Govan was likely founded during Run's reign, or soon after. Run's death is unrecorded, but it was probably in 878 when Eochaid became king.