The Early Romanesque Tower at Restenneth Priory, Angus
W. Douglas Simpson
In the latter part of seventh century power Anglian kingdom Northumbria reached its height. Upon northern frontier, over against Picts, a vigorous forward policy was adopted; and here, as so often in our early history, Roman Church revealed herself ally State. Some Pictish borderlands, south Forth, had by this time passed under Northumbrian control; on strength an churchman, Trumwin, planted 681 at Abercorn, with portentous title ‘Bishop Picts’. The thus intruded Abercorn has left monuments today hog-backed stone some cross shafts, one great beauty showing among enrichments characteristic vine-scroll. These ecclesiastical measures were prelude to invasion Pictland scale, upon which whole bent able warlike monarch, Egfrith. But High King Brude MacBile, proved himself equal crisis. At famous battle Dunnichen, or Nechtan's Mere, Saturday, 20th May 685, he utterly destroyed army invasion—Egfrith flower his nobles being numbered slain. This memorable victory dealt blow Northumberland from that haughty resplendent never recovered; rapid military, political, spiritual, moral decline is rightly dated event.
The Antiquaries Journal