The Fall of the Kingdom of Northumbria

Book excerpt: The Battle of Dunnichen is significant since it marked the turning point in the history of the Picts and marked their independence from the Kingdom of Northumbria. Not only is this possibly the best documented event in the history of the Picts, but it also allowed them to overthrow the Northumbrian rule and the dark shadow it cast over all northern peoples. Without the leadership of King Bridei and his courageous followers, Scotland as we know it may not have existed. The battle also helped to define the Scottish/English border that remains today, a border that could have been pushed further north by the Northumbrians if they had not been stopped.