The Kingdom of Strathclyde, also known as Strat Clut or Alt Clut, was a Brythonic kingdom in southern Scotland and northern England which existed from the 5th century AD to 1030, with Dumbarton (Alt Clut) serving as its capital. It was part of the "Old North", an ethnically-Welsh region of northern Britannia, and Strathclyde became a prime target for seafaring Viking raiders during the Viking invasions of England in the late 9th century. In 870, the Vikings of Sudreyjar captured Dumbarton Rock, sacking the city and damaging Alt Clut's power. However, under King Rhun ab Arthgal, the kingdom shifted its base of power up the Clyde River, and it became known as "Strat Clut", or Strathclyde. During the late 9th and early 10th centuries, the kings of Strathclyde took advantage of the frequent Scandinavian invasions of Northumbria to conquer Westernas, Cumbria, and other Anglo-Saxon territories on the Brythonic frontier. Strat Clut's power peaked under King Dyfnwal ab Owain (r. 941-973), under whom Leeds in Yorkshire became the new southeastern frontier of Strathclyde. Strathclyde retained its independence for decades, and it survived a massive invasion by King Aethelred the Unready in 1000 and later allied with King Malcom II of Scotland to defeat the English at the Battle of Carham in 1018. In 1030, Strathclyde's last king, Mael Coluim ap Owain, became a vassal of Scotland, ending Strathclydian independence. His death in 1054 led to the extinction of the Cumbrian dynasty, and Strathclyde was annexed by the Kingdom of Scotland.
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