Giric

Giric (also spelled Ciric, Gaelic: Griogair mac Dúngail) was King of the Picts and later King of Alba (Scotland) from 878 to 889. His parentage is debated, with various sources claiming he was the son of Dúngal, or possibly related through other figures of the time. Giric's reign is a subject of considerable historical debate due to the scarcity of contemporary evidence and the conflicting accounts provided by later chronicles.

While the Chronicle of the Kings of Alba portrays Giric as a relatively minor figure, some other historical sources, most notably those influenced by the Gaelic tradition, depict him as a successful and significant king. He is sometimes associated with a period of expansion and military success, particularly against the English.

One significant, though debated, achievement attributed to Giric is the association with the Lex Innocentium, or "Law of the Innocents," which is believed to have concerned the protection of the church and the vulnerable, particularly children. This suggests a concern for social order and justice during his reign. However, the exact nature and impact of this law remain unclear.

Giric's reign ended in 889, when he was overthrown or killed, possibly by Domnall II. The circumstances surrounding his deposition are not fully known. Despite the ambiguity surrounding his life and reign, Giric remains an important, albeit enigmatic, figure in the early history of Scotland.