The Cruarch of Alba was the title of the King of the Picti, who was the ruler of the tribes of Alba ever since Cinhil ap Domnall united them and drove the Tiberians out of Alba. The rulers hail from the folk of the Cullach Gorrym or black boar, the tribe of Cinhil Ru. Alban rulership follows matrilineal descent, with the title passing not from the Cruarch to his own child but to his sister's son. This tradition was briefly broken when Maelcon, the son of the then Cruarch of Alba, slew his father and forced the Cruarch's heir and nephew, Drustan mab Necthana into exile. Later, with the aid of the Dalriada of Eire, Drustan reclaimed the throne.
Known Cruarchs of Alba[]
Cinhil ap Domnall—commongly known as Cinhil Ru, he united the tribes and became the first Cruarch of Alba after the Albans drove out the Tiberians
Cruarch of Alba—the Cruarch at the start of the series, father to Maelcon and uncle to Drustan. He was slain and overthrown by his son.
Maelcon—known as Maelcon the Usurper, he slew his father and usurped the throne.
Drustan mab Necthana—reclaimed his throne and wed Queen Ysandre de la Courcel of Terre d'Ange, marking the beginning of Alba's renewed contact with the wider world and its close ties to Terre d'Ange.
Talorcan mab Breidaia—nephew and successor of Drustan
Arwyn—the daughter of Alais de la Courcel, the younger child of Drustan and Ysandre. Arwyn is the only known female rule of Alba, and it is unknown whether she held the title of Cruarch or a feminine version thereof.
Faolan mab Sibeal—the Cruarch during Moirin mac Fainche's time. Like Arwyn, he was a descendant of Alais.