Gwynedd (Fictional)
Encyclopedia
The fictional Kingdom of Gwynedd is the primary setting of the Deryni series
of historical fantasy
novel
s by Katherine Kurtz
.
There had been a historical Kingdom of Gwynedd
, an important part of Wales
with a long history of its own. The fictional kingdom is in no way identical to it; still, it was clearly the writer's conscious decision to use the name of an actual kingdom, rather than invent a fictional name.
. It is bordered to the north by the Kheldish Riding, by Torenth
to the east, by the Southern Sea to the south, and by Meara, The Connait, and the United Kingdoms of Howicce and Llannedd to the southwest and west. The exact borders of the kingdom have fluctuated greatly over its four centuries of history, expanding and contracting as the result of wars, conquest, treaties, and marriages. Nonetheless, Gwynedd has steadily increased in size over the years, eventually becoming one of the largest realms in the Eleven Kingdoms. The capital city of Rhemuth is located on the eastern bank of the River Eirian, which flows through the west-central plains of the kingdom. The geography of Gwynedd contains a wide variety of climates and terrains, including plains, farmlands, forests, hills, and mountains. The summers are usually moderately warm, while snow is common throughout most of the kingdom in the winter.
, which conquers Valoret and its surrounding lands in 411. Valoret is the original capital of the Kingdom of Gwynedd when it is founded in 645, but King Aidan Haldane moves the royal court to Rhemuth in 674. King Festil I Furstán moves the capital back to Valoret in 822, but it returns to Rhemuth less than a century later, following the Haldane Restoration. Nonetheless, Valoret remains one of the largest and oldest cities in the Eleven Kingdoms, and its ecclesiastical influence in Gwynedd is unmatched.
monarchy
, similar in structure to the kingdoms of medieval
Europe
. The head of state is a hereditary monarch which descends through the senior male line of the royal family. (The throne may only pass to a woman if the direct male line becomes extinct, at which point the senior female descendant inherits the crown.) Much of Gwynedd is divided into several duchies
, each of which is further divided into a numerous earldoms
, baronies
, and counties. The titles of the nobility are also based on hereditary inheritance, but the monarch reserves the authority to change the standard rights of inheritance under certain circumstances (such as attainting the family of a convicted traitor). Additionally, the monarch has the power to create new nobles and new titles when necessary. The monarch has nearly-absolute authority in all secular matters throughout the realm, and each noble wields significant power within their own lands. While the nobles have the authority and responsibility to deal with matters such as taxation, law enforcement, and civil disputes, there are also many commoners who hold lower-ranking official positions such as clerks, guards, tax collectors, and legal advocates.
The governing body of the realm is the Royal Council, alternately known as the Privy Council or High Council. The Council advises the monarch (or the designated Regent) on various matters of state, assisting the monarch in establishing new laws and carrying out the monarch's decisions. The monarch may appoint anybody to the Council, but positions are usually reserved for senior nobles, churchmen, and the monarch's closest advisors. The monarch (or Regent) always sits upon the Council, and positions are customarily reserved for the Archbishop of Valoret, the Archbishop of Rhemuth, and the legally-designated Regents of Gwynedd.
In military matters, each member of the peerage maintains their own levies to protect and defend their lands. Most nobles retain a military rank (ranging from a simple knight to a general), but the monarch retains supreme authority over all garrisons and soldiers in the kingdom. In addition, a standing royal army under the direct command of the crown is garrisoned around the capital city of Rhemuth. The senior military officer of the kingdom is the Earl Marshall, whose authority in military matters is superseded only by the monarch.
faith similar to the Roman Catholic Church
, including the celebration of Mass
, usually in Latin
, and the common use of confession and penance. Religion is an integral part of Gwyneddan society, and senior members of the clergy often wield a great deal of temporal influence in addition to their ecclesiastical power. The Church is led by an elected Primate of All Gwynedd, who also serves as the Archbishop of Valoret. The organizational structure of the Church is further divided into a collection of sees, each of which is run by a titled bishop. There are currently twelve titled sees in Gwynedd, though the exact number and size of various sees have changed regularly throughout the history of the kingdom. Additionally, there are a number of itinerant bishops, senior clergymen who do not have a set area or land to oversee.
The Church pre-dates the founding of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and the large role of the Church in Gwyneddan culture often results in the church's involvement in secular affairs. The Holy Church of Gwynedd was once under the control of the Patriarchate of Bremagne, but Gwynedd's ecclesiastical independence is secured in 647 by King Augarin Haldane, the first King of Gwynedd. In 820, the late King Bearand Haldane is formally canonized as a saint, and military support for the Haldane Restoration of 904 is provided by Michaeline knights, a militant religious order. A royal Haldane prince, Jashan Haldane, is even elected Archbishop of Valoret and Primate of All Gwynedd in 1044.
, launches a surprise assault and succeeds in overthrowing the legitimate Haldane king. King Ifor Haldane is slain in the coup, as is almost every member of the royal family. (The only survivor is the king's youngest son, Prince Aidan Haldane, who is smuggled out of the palace before he can be killed.) Supported by the Torenthi armies of his father, King Kálmán II of Torenth, Festil conquers Gwynedd and proclaims himself King Festil I. Festil replaces many of the human nobles who had been loyal to the Haldanes with his own Deryni supporters from Torenth, establishing a new peerage who support his claim to the throne. Festil and his descendants rule Gwynedd for the next eight decades, during which time Gwynedd is a vassal state to the Kings of Torenth.
Although Imre is killed, his sister, Princess Ariella, escapes and flees to Torenth. She mounts the first Festillic invasion the following year, leading a Torenthi army into Gwynedd in an attempt to regain the throne. Ariella is slain during the defeat of her army, but her infant son remains alive in Torenth. Over the next two centuries, Ariella's descendants, known as the Festillic Pretenders, regularly invade Gwynedd to press their claim for the throne.
Festillic kings evolves into a general hatred of all Deryni. Despite the fact that several Deryni play central roles in the Restoration, anti-Deryni sentiment continues to grow throughout the kingdom. Shortly after the death of King Cinhil I in 917, the human Regents of young King Alroy forcibly removed the newly-elected Deryni Archbishop of Valoret, Alister Cullen, igniting a wave of Deryni persecution. In 918, the Statutes of Ramos are passed, which forbid Deryni from holding titles, owning land, or joining the priesthood. Additionally, the Church begins teaching that Deryni are inherently evil and corrupt, and actively sanctions the violent and bloody suppression of Deryni throughout the realm.
The early years of the Haldane Restoration also see a significant expansion of the kingdom's borders. The lands of Kheldour, Eastmarch, and Cassan are all brought under the control of Gwynedd during this time, nearly doubling the size of the realm. All of these lands are secured through a series of treaties, requiring no conquest or warfare.
, Torenthi monarchs are often willing to support invasions of Gwynedd with money, supplies, mercenaries, or even Torenthi soldiers. Additionally, the stark differences in the treatment of Deryni within each society cause further antagonism and distrust between the kingdoms. While Deryni are openly persecuted and feared throughout Gwynedd, most of the royal family and peerage of Torenth are openly Deryni, leading many Gwyneddans to fear their eastern neighbors.
In 983, Imre II Furstán-Festil, the grandson of Princess Ariella, launches the second Festillic invasion, sweeping into Gwynedd at the head of army provided by King Malachy II of Torenth. The invaders kill King Nygel Haldane and conquer most of Eastmarch, but their advance is halted by the onset of winter. When the war resumed the following year, King Jasher Haldane soundly defeats the invaders at the Battle of Grecotha, driving them back into the lands of Eastmarch. The war finally ends in 985, when the Gwyneddan army defeats the last of invaders at the Battle of Rengarth, a battle that claims the lives of both King Jasher and Imre II.
The third Festillic invasion occurs in 1025, during which time Gwynedd is beset by the armies of King Kyprian II Furstán of Torenth, Prince Jolyon II Quinnell of Meara, and the newest Festillic Pretender, Marek II Furstán-Festil. The Gwyneddan forces are led by Prince Cinhil II Haldane, who quickly defeats the Mearan invaders and then turns his efforts toward the Torenthi armies. The decisive battle of the war occurs when the armies of Gwynedd and Torenth meet at the Battle of Killingford on June 15. Three bloody days of carnage ensue, claiming the lives of thousands of soldiers on both sides. When the battle finally ends on June 17, the Gwyneddan forces emerge triumphant, though the final toll of the victory is very high. The Festillic Pretender and his eldest son are slain, and his youngest son is captured and executed a week later, but the royal family of Gwynedd also suffers losses. King Urien Haldane dies at the Battle of Killingford, and his heir, Prince Cinhil II, dies a week later, leaving the crown to the sixteen-year-old Prince Malcolm Haldane.
Although Gwynedd retains nominal control of the land, Mearan separatists make several more attempts to split from Gwynedd over the next several decades. Malcolm's son, King Donal Blaine Haldane, campaigns into Meara in both 1076 and 1089, achieving military victories both times but failing to capture the Mearan Pretenders who lead the rebellions. A series of border conflicts with Torenth plague Gwynedd's eastern border during this time, but they never escalate beyond raids and skirmishes.
Brion's son and heir, Kelson Haldane, is also forced to deal with these issues. On the very day of his coronation in 1120, Kelson is challenged by Hogan's daughter Charissa, but the young king manages to defeat the Deryni sorceress. The following year, Kelson meets the invasion of King Wencit Furstán of Torenth and succeeds in defeating Wencit in arcane combat, gaining dominion over Torenth through his victory. Several years later, a new Mearan Pretender rises up to seek Mearan independence, but Kelson mounts a military campaign into Meara in 1124 and successfully puts down the rebellion.
A new era of peaceful relations between Gwynedd and Torenth dawns in 1128, when King Liam Lajos II returns to Torenth to take up his crown. Not only does Kelson protect the young monarch from the treason of his uncles, but he later relinquishes his authority over Torenth and restores Torenth's independence. Several months later, a pair of marriages are scheduled between the ruling families of both lands to further secure the developing bonds of friendship between the two realms.
Deryni novels
The Deryni novels are a series of historical fantasy books written by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. The first novel in the series to be published was Deryni Rising in 1970, and the most recent novel in the series, Childe Morgan, was published on December 5, 2006...
of historical fantasy
Historical fantasy
Historical fantasy is a sub-genre of fantasy and related to historical fiction, which makes use of specific elements of real world history. It is used as an umbrella term for the sword and sorcery genre and sometimes, if fantasy is involved, the sword-and-sandal genre too...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
s by Katherine Kurtz
Katherine Kurtz
Katherine Kurtz is the author of numerous fantasy novels, most notably the Deryni novels. Although born in America, for the past several years, up until just recently, she has lived in a castle in Ireland...
.
There had been a historical Kingdom of Gwynedd
Kingdom of Gwynedd
Gwynedd was one petty kingdom of several Welsh successor states which emerged in 5th-century post-Roman Britain in the Early Middle Ages, and later evolved into a principality during the High Middle Ages. It was based on the former Brythonic tribal lands of the Ordovices, Gangani, and the...
, an important part of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
with a long history of its own. The fictional kingdom is in no way identical to it; still, it was clearly the writer's conscious decision to use the name of an actual kingdom, rather than invent a fictional name.
Geography
Gwynedd is located near the center of the area known as the Eleven KingdomsEleven Kingdoms (Fictional)
The Eleven Kingdoms is a fictional collection of nations that serve as the primary setting of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz. Although the exact number of sovereign kingdoms varies through the literary history of the novels, the term remains in use throughout the series.-Bremagne:The Kingdom...
. It is bordered to the north by the Kheldish Riding, by Torenth
Torenth
Torenth is a fictional kingdom in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz. It lies to the east of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and the rulers of the two kingdoms often oppose each other, with the Torenthi monarchs serving as antagonists to the Haldane kings that are the...
to the east, by the Southern Sea to the south, and by Meara, The Connait, and the United Kingdoms of Howicce and Llannedd to the southwest and west. The exact borders of the kingdom have fluctuated greatly over its four centuries of history, expanding and contracting as the result of wars, conquest, treaties, and marriages. Nonetheless, Gwynedd has steadily increased in size over the years, eventually becoming one of the largest realms in the Eleven Kingdoms. The capital city of Rhemuth is located on the eastern bank of the River Eirian, which flows through the west-central plains of the kingdom. The geography of Gwynedd contains a wide variety of climates and terrains, including plains, farmlands, forests, hills, and mountains. The summers are usually moderately warm, while snow is common throughout most of the kingdom in the winter.
Rhemuth
Rhemuth is the capital city of Gwynedd. Known as "Rhemuth the Beautiful", it is located on the eastern bank of the Eirian River in west-central Gwynedd. The foundation of the city pre-dates the Byzantyun conquest of the third century, but it first comes under Gwyneddan control in 655. In 674, King Aidan Haldane moves the capital of his kingdom from Valoret to Rhemuth, where it remains until the Festillic Coup of 822. Rhemuth suffers from declining prestige and population during the Festillic Interregnum, but it is rebuilt following the Haldane Restoration of 904. The royal court returns to Rhemuth in 917, where it has remained for over two centuries, and Rhemuth has flourished as one of the largest and most prestigious cities in the Eleven Kingdoms. Rhemuth is also the location of Gwynedd's secondary archbishopric.Valoret
Valoret is located on the southern bank of the Eirian River in the western foothills of the Lendour Mountains in central Gwynedd. Valoret's All Saints' Cathedral is the residence of the Primate of Gwynedd, the senior clergyman of the Holy Church, and the city itself is central location of Gwynedd's senior archbishopric. It is also the original home of the House of HaldaneHouse of Haldane (fictional)
The House of Haldane is a fictional royal family in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz. For most of the series, the Haldanes are the ruling family of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and members of the family most often serve as primary or secondary protagonists in the plots...
, which conquers Valoret and its surrounding lands in 411. Valoret is the original capital of the Kingdom of Gwynedd when it is founded in 645, but King Aidan Haldane moves the royal court to Rhemuth in 674. King Festil I Furstán moves the capital back to Valoret in 822, but it returns to Rhemuth less than a century later, following the Haldane Restoration. Nonetheless, Valoret remains one of the largest and oldest cities in the Eleven Kingdoms, and its ecclesiastical influence in Gwynedd is unmatched.
Grecotha
Grecotha is located on the border of Gwynedd and Kheldour, northwest of the city of Valoret. Originally a free city, it is conquered and incorporated into Gwynedd by King Aidan Haldane in 678. Over the centuries, Grecotha serves as the home of several of the greatest learning institutions in the Eleven Kingdoms, including the Varnarite School and the University of Grecotha. The Battle of Grecotha in 984 is the turning point in the Torenthi-Gwyneddan war, with King Jasher Haldane soundly defeating the invading Torenthi forces. Grecotha is also the center of one of the oldest dioceses in Gwynedd, giving the ancient city a great deal of both scholarly and ecclesiastical importance.Dhassa
Dhassa lies directly east of Rhemuth, located on the northwestern shore of Lake Jashan in the Lendour Mountains. It is one of the most religious cities in Gwynedd, with an unbroken string of bishops ruling the city since before the foundation of the kingdom itself. Dhassa becomes a sovereign city in 597, its independence secured by the presence of Gwynedd on one side and Mooryn on the other. However, Mooryn becomes a part of Gwynedd in 835, leading to Dhassa's eventual inclusion in Gwynedd in 903. The Bishops of Dhassa traditionally maintain a neutral stance on most political issues, earning them a reputation of fairness and equality that has provided them with significant influence in matters of both church and state. Due to its central location, Dhassa is often a convenient location for gatherings of the Curia of Bishops.Government
The Kingdom of Gwynedd is a feudalFeudalism
Feudalism was a set of legal and military customs in medieval Europe that flourished between the 9th and 15th centuries, which, broadly defined, was a system for ordering society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labour.Although derived from the...
monarchy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
, similar in structure to the kingdoms of medieval
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. The head of state is a hereditary monarch which descends through the senior male line of the royal family. (The throne may only pass to a woman if the direct male line becomes extinct, at which point the senior female descendant inherits the crown.) Much of Gwynedd is divided into several duchies
Duchies of Gwynedd (Fictional)
The Duchies of Gwynedd are the largest feudal estates within the fictional Kingdom of Gwynedd in the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz. Each duchy is governed by a hereditary noble who rules their land in exchange for swearing fealty to the Crown...
, each of which is further divided into a numerous earldoms
Earldoms of Gwynedd (Fictional)
The Earldoms of Gwynedd are the second-largest feudal estates within the fictional Kingdom of Gwynedd in the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz. Each earldom is governed by a hereditary noble who rules their land in exchange for swearing fealty to the Crown...
, baronies
Baronies of Gwynedd (Fictional)
The Baronies of Gwynedd are the third-largest feudal estates within the fictional Kingdom of Gwynedd in the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz. Each barony is governed by a hereditary noble who rules their land in exchange for swearing fealty to the Crown...
, and counties. The titles of the nobility are also based on hereditary inheritance, but the monarch reserves the authority to change the standard rights of inheritance under certain circumstances (such as attainting the family of a convicted traitor). Additionally, the monarch has the power to create new nobles and new titles when necessary. The monarch has nearly-absolute authority in all secular matters throughout the realm, and each noble wields significant power within their own lands. While the nobles have the authority and responsibility to deal with matters such as taxation, law enforcement, and civil disputes, there are also many commoners who hold lower-ranking official positions such as clerks, guards, tax collectors, and legal advocates.
The governing body of the realm is the Royal Council, alternately known as the Privy Council or High Council. The Council advises the monarch (or the designated Regent) on various matters of state, assisting the monarch in establishing new laws and carrying out the monarch's decisions. The monarch may appoint anybody to the Council, but positions are usually reserved for senior nobles, churchmen, and the monarch's closest advisors. The monarch (or Regent) always sits upon the Council, and positions are customarily reserved for the Archbishop of Valoret, the Archbishop of Rhemuth, and the legally-designated Regents of Gwynedd.
In military matters, each member of the peerage maintains their own levies to protect and defend their lands. Most nobles retain a military rank (ranging from a simple knight to a general), but the monarch retains supreme authority over all garrisons and soldiers in the kingdom. In addition, a standing royal army under the direct command of the crown is garrisoned around the capital city of Rhemuth. The senior military officer of the kingdom is the Earl Marshall, whose authority in military matters is superseded only by the monarch.
Religion
The Holy Church of Gwynedd is a ChristianChristian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
faith similar to the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, including the celebration of Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
, usually in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, and the common use of confession and penance. Religion is an integral part of Gwyneddan society, and senior members of the clergy often wield a great deal of temporal influence in addition to their ecclesiastical power. The Church is led by an elected Primate of All Gwynedd, who also serves as the Archbishop of Valoret. The organizational structure of the Church is further divided into a collection of sees, each of which is run by a titled bishop. There are currently twelve titled sees in Gwynedd, though the exact number and size of various sees have changed regularly throughout the history of the kingdom. Additionally, there are a number of itinerant bishops, senior clergymen who do not have a set area or land to oversee.
The Church pre-dates the founding of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and the large role of the Church in Gwyneddan culture often results in the church's involvement in secular affairs. The Holy Church of Gwynedd was once under the control of the Patriarchate of Bremagne, but Gwynedd's ecclesiastical independence is secured in 647 by King Augarin Haldane, the first King of Gwynedd. In 820, the late King Bearand Haldane is formally canonized as a saint, and military support for the Haldane Restoration of 904 is provided by Michaeline knights, a militant religious order. A royal Haldane prince, Jashan Haldane, is even elected Archbishop of Valoret and Primate of All Gwynedd in 1044.
Early history
The lands of modern-day Gwynedd are first conquered by the armies of Autokratór Basileios I of Byzantyun in 249. The Byzantyun forces withdraw in 408, and the local chieftains divide up the land into the states of Haldane, Carthane, Lendour, Molling, and Rhemuth. The rulers of these lands war back and forth for the next two centuries, until Count Augarin II of Haldane succeeds in conquering the neighboring lands of Carthane in 645. Augarin declares himself ruler of both lands as High King of Haldane, and formally changes the name of kingdom to Gwynedd in 647. Although initially a small realm, Augarin's descendants successfully expand the borders of Gwynedd over the next two centuries through both conquest and treaty. Gwynedd is plagued by a series of barbarian raids during the 8th century, but King Bearand Haldane eventually pushes the invaders back, winning a final decisive victory in 755.The Festillic Interregnum
On June 21, 822, Prince Festil Furstán, a younger son of the royal family of TorenthTorenth
Torenth is a fictional kingdom in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz. It lies to the east of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and the rulers of the two kingdoms often oppose each other, with the Torenthi monarchs serving as antagonists to the Haldane kings that are the...
, launches a surprise assault and succeeds in overthrowing the legitimate Haldane king. King Ifor Haldane is slain in the coup, as is almost every member of the royal family. (The only survivor is the king's youngest son, Prince Aidan Haldane, who is smuggled out of the palace before he can be killed.) Supported by the Torenthi armies of his father, King Kálmán II of Torenth, Festil conquers Gwynedd and proclaims himself King Festil I. Festil replaces many of the human nobles who had been loyal to the Haldanes with his own Deryni supporters from Torenth, establishing a new peerage who support his claim to the throne. Festil and his descendants rule Gwynedd for the next eight decades, during which time Gwynedd is a vassal state to the Kings of Torenth.
The Haldane Restoration
Festil's great-great-grandson, King Imre, ascends to the throne of Gwynedd in 900. Imre's arrogance and cruelty to his human subjects results in a great deal of antagonism toward the king, much of which has been slowly building since the last Haldane king was deposed. Ironically, it is a Deryni noble, Earl Camber MacRorie of Culdi, who eventually rises up to challenge Imre. After discovering the existence of a Haldane heir in 903, Camber gathers the support of the militant Michaeline order and launches a lightning attack on the royal palace. On December 2, 904, Imre is deposed, and Cinhil Haldane, the great-grandson of King Ifor Haldane, assumes the throne.Although Imre is killed, his sister, Princess Ariella, escapes and flees to Torenth. She mounts the first Festillic invasion the following year, leading a Torenthi army into Gwynedd in an attempt to regain the throne. Ariella is slain during the defeat of her army, but her infant son remains alive in Torenth. Over the next two centuries, Ariella's descendants, known as the Festillic Pretenders, regularly invade Gwynedd to press their claim for the throne.
Anti-Deryni backlash
After the Haldane Restoration, many of the descendants of those human families who had lost their titles during the Festillic Interregnum reclaim their lands. However, the decades of anger and resentment toward the DeryniDeryni
The Deryni are a fictional race of humans who possess a variety of psychic and magical abilities in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz...
Festillic kings evolves into a general hatred of all Deryni. Despite the fact that several Deryni play central roles in the Restoration, anti-Deryni sentiment continues to grow throughout the kingdom. Shortly after the death of King Cinhil I in 917, the human Regents of young King Alroy forcibly removed the newly-elected Deryni Archbishop of Valoret, Alister Cullen, igniting a wave of Deryni persecution. In 918, the Statutes of Ramos are passed, which forbid Deryni from holding titles, owning land, or joining the priesthood. Additionally, the Church begins teaching that Deryni are inherently evil and corrupt, and actively sanctions the violent and bloody suppression of Deryni throughout the realm.
The early years of the Haldane Restoration also see a significant expansion of the kingdom's borders. The lands of Kheldour, Eastmarch, and Cassan are all brought under the control of Gwynedd during this time, nearly doubling the size of the realm. All of these lands are secured through a series of treaties, requiring no conquest or warfare.
Festillic invasions
Due in part to the close familial ties between the Festillic Pretenders and the royal family of TorenthTorenth
Torenth is a fictional kingdom in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz. It lies to the east of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and the rulers of the two kingdoms often oppose each other, with the Torenthi monarchs serving as antagonists to the Haldane kings that are the...
, Torenthi monarchs are often willing to support invasions of Gwynedd with money, supplies, mercenaries, or even Torenthi soldiers. Additionally, the stark differences in the treatment of Deryni within each society cause further antagonism and distrust between the kingdoms. While Deryni are openly persecuted and feared throughout Gwynedd, most of the royal family and peerage of Torenth are openly Deryni, leading many Gwyneddans to fear their eastern neighbors.
In 983, Imre II Furstán-Festil, the grandson of Princess Ariella, launches the second Festillic invasion, sweeping into Gwynedd at the head of army provided by King Malachy II of Torenth. The invaders kill King Nygel Haldane and conquer most of Eastmarch, but their advance is halted by the onset of winter. When the war resumed the following year, King Jasher Haldane soundly defeats the invaders at the Battle of Grecotha, driving them back into the lands of Eastmarch. The war finally ends in 985, when the Gwyneddan army defeats the last of invaders at the Battle of Rengarth, a battle that claims the lives of both King Jasher and Imre II.
The third Festillic invasion occurs in 1025, during which time Gwynedd is beset by the armies of King Kyprian II Furstán of Torenth, Prince Jolyon II Quinnell of Meara, and the newest Festillic Pretender, Marek II Furstán-Festil. The Gwyneddan forces are led by Prince Cinhil II Haldane, who quickly defeats the Mearan invaders and then turns his efforts toward the Torenthi armies. The decisive battle of the war occurs when the armies of Gwynedd and Torenth meet at the Battle of Killingford on June 15. Three bloody days of carnage ensue, claiming the lives of thousands of soldiers on both sides. When the battle finally ends on June 17, the Gwyneddan forces emerge triumphant, though the final toll of the victory is very high. The Festillic Pretender and his eldest son are slain, and his youngest son is captured and executed a week later, but the royal family of Gwynedd also suffers losses. King Urien Haldane dies at the Battle of Killingford, and his heir, Prince Cinhil II, dies a week later, leaving the crown to the sixteen-year-old Prince Malcolm Haldane.
Mearan conflicts
Hoping to solidify a more secure peace with Meara, Prince Malcolm Haldane marries the heiress to Meara shortly before his coronation to produce a joint heir to the two lands. However, Mearan separatists refuse to acknowledge Princess Roisian as the rightful heir, choosing to support her younger sister in an attempt to maintain Meara's independence. After several failed attempts to resolve the matter diplomatically, Malcolm is finally forced to mount a military campaign in Meara to suppress the rebels and assert his wife's rights. He defeats the Mearan separatists in 1027, but is forced to return to Mearan in 1044 to put down another attempt at Mearan independence.Although Gwynedd retains nominal control of the land, Mearan separatists make several more attempts to split from Gwynedd over the next several decades. Malcolm's son, King Donal Blaine Haldane, campaigns into Meara in both 1076 and 1089, achieving military victories both times but failing to capture the Mearan Pretenders who lead the rebellions. A series of border conflicts with Torenth plague Gwynedd's eastern border during this time, but they never escalate beyond raids and skirmishes.
Recent history
Ongoing conflicts with both Meara and Torenth continue to plague Gwynedd into the twelfth century, often separated by periods of uneasy peace. In 1105, Prince Hogan Gwernach Furstán-Festil becomes the first Festillic Pretender in eight decades to mount a challenge for the throne of Gwynedd, but he is ultimately defeated by King Brion Haldane. The following year, Brion is forced to march his army into Meara to put down the rebellion of the Mearan Pretender, Judhael II. Within his own kingdom, Brion is openly lenient toward Deryni, often ignoring the more oppressive laws that repressed the rights of Deryni. While Brion's guarded support of Deryni is perhaps more public than his predecessors, it continues a general trend of increasing tolerance toward Deryni that has been evolving in Gwyneddan society for several decades. Although Deryni are still feared and scorned by most of the general population, very few people still partake of the violent and brutal persecutions that had been commonplace two hundred years earlier.Brion's son and heir, Kelson Haldane, is also forced to deal with these issues. On the very day of his coronation in 1120, Kelson is challenged by Hogan's daughter Charissa, but the young king manages to defeat the Deryni sorceress. The following year, Kelson meets the invasion of King Wencit Furstán of Torenth and succeeds in defeating Wencit in arcane combat, gaining dominion over Torenth through his victory. Several years later, a new Mearan Pretender rises up to seek Mearan independence, but Kelson mounts a military campaign into Meara in 1124 and successfully puts down the rebellion.
A new era of peaceful relations between Gwynedd and Torenth dawns in 1128, when King Liam Lajos II returns to Torenth to take up his crown. Not only does Kelson protect the young monarch from the treason of his uncles, but he later relinquishes his authority over Torenth and restores Torenth's independence. Several months later, a pair of marriages are scheduled between the ruling families of both lands to further secure the developing bonds of friendship between the two realms.
Kings of Gwynedd
| The House of Haldane | |||
| 645 – 673 | Augarin Alexander Haldane | ||
| 673 – 698 | Aidan Alexander Haldane | ||
| 698 – 719 | Llarik Broccan Haldane | ||
| 719 – 736 | Ryons Gospatric Haldane | ||
| 736 – 794 | Bearand Llarik Donal Haldane | ||
| 794 – 822 | Ifor Augarin Niall Haldane | ||
| The Festillic Coup (June 21, 822) | |||
| Haldane Heirs | The House of Festil | ||
| 822 – 903 | Aidan Augarin Ifor Haldane (Daniel Draper) | 822 – 839 | Festil I Ferencz Furstán |
| 839 – 851 | Festil II Avgust Fyodor Furstán-Festil | ||
| 851 – 885 | Festil III Istvan Furstán-Festil | ||
| 885 – 900 | Blaine Godomar Radislaus Furstán-Festil | ||
900 – 904 |
Imre I Istvan Ingwar Furstán-Festil |
||
| 903 – 904 | Cinhil Donal Ifor Haldane (Nicholas Draper) | ||
| The Haldane Restoration (December 2, 904) | |||
| The House of Haldane | The Festillic Pretenders | ||
904 – 917 |
Cinhil I Donal Ifor Haldane |
904 – 905 | Ariella I Festila Nimura Furstána-Festila |
905 – 975 |
Marek I Imre Usbert Furstán-Festil |
||
| 917 – 921 | Alroy Bearand Brion Haldane | ||
| 921 – 922 | Javan Jashan Urien Haldane | ||
| 922 – 928 | Rhys Michael Alister Haldane | ||
| 928 – 948 | Owain Javan Cinhil Haldane | ||
| 948 – 980 | Uthyr Michael Richard Haldane | ||
| 975 – 985 | Imre II Nimur Tamás Furstán-Festil | ||
| 980 – 983 | Nygel Rhys Owain Haldane | ||
| 983 – 985 | Jasher Owain Cinhil Haldane | ||
| 985 – 994 | Cluim Michael Reginaud Haldane | 985 – 1024 |
Imre III Festil Nimur Furstán-Festil |
| 994 – 1025 | Urien Owain Rhys Michael Haldane | ||
| 1024–1025 | Marek II Malachy Moyslav Furstán-Festil | ||
| 1025 | Cinhil II Aymeric Nygel Haldane | 1025 | Marek III Furstán-Festil |
| 1025–1074 | Malcolm Congal Aidan Julian Haldane | 1025 | Ariella II Athénodóra Amaranda Furstána-Festila |
| 1025–1038 | Imriella Elizabeth Furstána-Festila | ||
| 1038–1050 | AriElinora Imrietta Furstána-Festila-Mór | ||
| 1050–1061 | Chriselle Carola Carmina Furstána-Festila-Mór | ||
1061–1105 |
Hogan Zimri Marek Gwernach Furstán-Festil mac Tadhg |
||
| 1074–1095 | Donal Blaine Aidan Cinhil Haldane | ||
| 1095–1120 | Brion Donal Cinhil Urien Haldane | ||
| 1105–1120 | Charissa Aymarine Festiliana Furstána-Festila-mac-Tadhg | ||
| 1120 - 1130+ | Kelson Cinhil Rhys Anthony Haldane | ||
| 1120–1121 | Wenzel II "Wencit" Zsubit Kyprian Nimur Furstán | ||
| 1121 - 1128 | Morag Máriah Khadijah Furstána | ||
| 1129 - 1130+ | Teymuraz Tivadar Termöd Theodorik Furstán d'Arjenol-Brustarkia | ||
Sources
- Katherine KurtzKatherine KurtzKatherine Kurtz is the author of numerous fantasy novels, most notably the Deryni novels. Although born in America, for the past several years, up until just recently, she has lived in a castle in Ireland...
, Camber of CuldiCamber of Culdi (novel)Camber of Culdi is fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books on June 12, 1976. It was the fourth novel in Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the first book in her second Deryni trilogy, The Legends of Camber of Culdi...
, ISBN 0-345-24590-3 - Katherine Kurtz, Saint CamberSaint CamberSaint Camber is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1978. It was the fifth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the second book in her second Deryni trilogy, The Legends of Camber of Culdi...
, ISBN 0-345-27750-3 - Katherine Kurtz, Camber the HereticCamber the HereticCamber the Heretic is a fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1981. It was the sixth novel of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the third book in her second Deryni trilogy, The Legends of Camber of Culdi...
, ISBN 0-345-33142-7 - Katherine Kurtz, The Harrowing of GwyneddThe Harrowing of GwyneddThe Harrowing of Gwynedd is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Del Rey Books in 1989. It was the tenth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the first book in her fourth Deryni trilogy, The Heirs of Saint Camber...
, ISBN 0-345-33259-8 - Katherine Kurtz, King Javan's YearKing Javan's YearKing Javan's Year is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Del Rey Books in 1992. It was the eleventh of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the second book in her fourth Deryni trilogy, The Heirs of Saint Camber...
, ISBN 0-345-33260-1 - Katherine Kurtz, The Bastard PrinceThe Bastard PrinceThe Bastard Prince is a fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Del Rey Books in 1994. It was the twelfth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the third book in her fourth Deryni trilogy, The Heirs of Saint Camber...
, ISBN 0-345-33262-8 - Katherine Kurtz, In the King's ServiceIn the King's ServiceIn the King's Service is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ace Books in 2003. It was the fourteenth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the first book in the fifth Deryni trilogy, the Childe Morgan trilogy...
, ISBN 0-441-01060-1 - Katherine Kurtz, Childe MorganChilde MorganChilde Morgan is a fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was published by Ace Books on December 5, 2006. It is the fifteenth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, the second book in the fifth Deryni trilogy, the Childe Morgan trilogy...
, ISBN 0-441-01282-5 - Katherine Kurtz, Deryni RisingDeryni RisingDeryni Rising is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books as the nineteenth volume of the celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in August, 1970, and was reprinted at least ten times over the next three decades...
, ISBN 0-345-01981-4 - Katherine Kurtz, Deryni CheckmateDeryni CheckmateDeryni Checkmate is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books as the forty-sixth volume of the celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in May 1972, and has been reprinted a number of times since. The author released a revised...
, ISBN 0-345-22598-8 - Katherine Kurtz, High DeryniHigh DeryniHigh Deryni is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books as the sixty-first volume of the celebrated Ballantine Adult Fantasy series in September, 1973, and has been reprinted a number of times since. A revised and updated...
, ISBN 0-345-23485-5 - Katherine Kurtz, The Bishop's HeirThe Bishop's HeirThe Bishop's Heir is a fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1984. It was the seventh of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the first book in her third Deryni trilogy, The Histories of King Kelson...
, ISBN 0-345-31824-2 - Katherine Kurtz, The King's JusticeThe King's JusticeThe King's Justice is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1985. It was the eighth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the second book in her third Deryni trilogy, The Histories of King Kelson...
, ISBN 0-345-31825-0 - Katherine Kurtz, The Quest for Saint CamberThe Quest for Saint CamberThe Quest for Saint Camber is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ballantine Books in 1986. It was the ninth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the third book in her third Deryni trilogy, The Histories of King Kelson...
, ISBN 0-345-31826-9 - Katherine Kurtz, King Kelson's BrideKing Kelson's BrideKing Kelson's Bride is a historical fantasy novel by American-born author Katherine Kurtz. It was first published by Ace Books in 2000. It was the thirteenth of Kurtz' Deryni novels to be published, and the only novel in the series that was not part of a trilogy...
, ISBN 0-441-00732-5 - Katherine Kurtz, The Deryni Archives , ISBN 0-345-32678-4
- Katherine Kurtz and Robert Reginald, Codex Derynianus (second edition), ISBN 1-887424-96-2