in about 1225, the "chronicle of mann" records that alan aided ragnall in an unsuccessful military expedition in the hebrides against amlaíb dub. shortly afterwards in about 1225 or 1226, the same source states that an unnamed daughter of ragnall married thomas, alan's illegitimate son. unfortunately for ragnall, the marital alliance appears to have cost him the kingship, since the chronicle records that the manxmen had him removed from power and replaced with amlaíb dub. the recorded resentment of the marital alliance may indicate that alan's son was intended to eventually succeed ragnall, who was perhaps about sixty years-old at the time. a plan intended to place a scottish magnate's son on the throne would have been almost certainly encouraged by the scottish crown, considering its potential to bring stability to the region, and the prospect of expanding scottish royal authority.