Oswiu of Northumbria
Talorcan became king in 653; in the next year, he defeated and killed Dúnchad mac Conaing, king of the Dál Riata, in battle at Strath Ethairt. It has been suggested that this battle may have been part of a traditional "inaugural raid" against hostile neighbors to mark the beginning of a king's rule. Talorcan was the nephew of the powerful Oswiu of Northumbria; Oswiu is reported by Bede to have "for the most part subdued and made tributary" the Picts (along with the Dál Riata), and it is possible that Talorcan was subject to Oswiu.