Re: Niall of the Nine Hostages DNA

siabair wrote:

Umm, then why would the later Wessex kings apparently forge male-line
descents from Cerdic?  Niall, as founder of the dynasty, was the one
from whom they all, even the usurpers, must trace to 'justify' their
position.



How many non-descendants of Alfred among the descendants of Cerdic were
subsequently kings of Wessex/England?


I was talking about the ones before Ecgbert.

But there would be no need for all of the royal pedigrees to trace
from Heremon and Scotia and the foundation legend if it was just about
connecting with Adam.



What foundation legend? The Irish foundation legend (if any) that
existed prior to the Christian-inspired foundation legend that survives
to us is unknown. In the Christian-inspired foundation legend
convergence with biblical lines to Adam is achieved through a mixture of
individuals who appear to be legendary, mythological or fictional.

My only point here was that there was more to it than tracing to Adam and fitting in with Isadore's concept of the peopling of the world - there were also right-to-rule issues in linking in to these fabular nation-founders.

taf
.