Baronies of Gwynedd (Fictional)

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In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, the Kingdom of Gwynedd is a feudal monarchy similar to the kingdoms of medieval Europe. Most of Gwynedd is divided up into a collection of duchies, earldoms, and baronies, each of which is ruled by a hereditary noble in exchange for swearing fealty to the Crown. While the nobles enjoy the prestige and income of being the ruling class of Gwyneddan society, they also must pay appropriate taxes for their lands, see to the defense of their borders, and enforce the laws of the kingdom. The feudal structure is hierarchal in nature, with noble also swearing loyalty to their immediate feudal superior.

For more detailed information on Gwyneddan society and history, see Gwynedd (Fictional).

Note: This listing is neither complete nor comprehensive. It is merely a list of those noble estates that have been specifically mentioned in the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz. The author retains the right to change any and all of this information in her future works.


Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Contents

[edit] Evering

The Barony of Evering lies along the coast of the Southern Sea, nestled between the Duchies of Carthmoor and Corwyn. The holder of the title was Sir Ralson de Cosnac, a knight from Vézaire who took service with King Owain Haldane in 946. After displaying extraordinary valor in the Battle of Laxalt, King Uthyr Haldane created Ralson Baron d'Evering on November 6, 948. The House of Ralson has retained the title without interruption for almost two centuries. The title is currently held by Baron Torsin Ralson, who inherited it in 1120.


[edit] Fallon

Note: Fallon is also the name of a sovereign kingdom located across the Southern Sea that seceded from Bremagne in 843.

The Barony of Fallon was created by King Brion Haldane on December 1, 1105, and bestowed upon Lord Rogier de Fallon. Rogier was personally elevated to an earl in 1114, though his estates retained their status as a barony. Rogier was killed by Earl Ian Howell of Eastmarch in 1120, at which point the barony passed to his eldest son, Rogier II.


[edit] Iomaire

The Barony of Iomaire is a small estate located on the great plain of Iomaire in eastern Gwynedd. It was created by King Malcolm Haldane on November 9, 1025, and bestowed upon Lord Kennet Howell, the second son of Earl Colwyn Howell of Eastmarch. In 1105, Baron Alban Howell defeated the forces of his traitorous cousin, Earl Rorik III Howell of Eastmarch, for which he was rewarded with the Earldom of Eastmarch by King Brion Haldane. Both Alban and his son, Ian Howell, held the titles of Earl of Eastmarch and Baron of Iomaire, but Ian was posthumously attainted after he supported the efforts of Duchess Charissa, the Festillic Pretender, and was killed by Duke Alaric Morgan of Corwyn. The title then passed to Ian's second cousin, Sir Colson Howell, and it currently held by Colson's son, Baron Colman Howell.


[edit] Kilchon

The Barony of Kilchon is located in the southernmost part of the Duchy of Carthmoor in southern Gwynedd. It was held by the House of Sainte-Beuve dating back to ancient times, but the family eventually became extinct in 856. It was then bestowed upon Baron Dunluce, but he was attainted by the Regents of King Alroy Haldane in 917, at which point the barony was bestowed upon the king's youngest brother, Prince Rhys Michael Haldane. It remained under the control of the Crown for the next century, until King Malcolm Haldane bestowed it upon Perrin du Roringe in 1036. The title is currently held by Baron Caidin du Roringe, who inherited it in 1125.


[edit] Kilshane

The Barony of Kilshane lies in northwestern Gwynedd, along the coast of the Gulf of Kheldour in the Earldom of Kierney. It was first created as an earldom by Prince Alphonse of Cassan in 786 and bestowed upon his close friend Lord Bellagh Kilshane. It retained its status as an earldom even after Cassan lost its sovereignty and became a duchy of Gwynedd, but the title became extinct after the death of Earl Banbhan Kilshane in 948. In 1128, King Kelson Haldane revived the title as a barony, bestowing it as a wedding present upon his companion, Sir Jatham Kilshane, a scion of the old ruling family.


[edit] Marlor

The Barony of Marlor is located in the region known as the Purple March, bordered to north by the Earldom of Transha and to the west by the Earldom of Culdi. It was first known to be held by the House of MacInnis, whose possession of the estate can be traced back as far as the early eighth century. After the Festillic Coup of 822, the title was attainted by King Festil I Furstán as part of his efforts to create a new peerage in Gwynedd. However, the House of MacInnis continued, and they eventually sought to reclaim their title after the Haldane Restoration of 904. The request was granted by King Cinhil I Haldane on July 7, 905, when he restored the Barony of Marlor to Sir Manfred MacInnis. (Manfred would also receive the Earldom of Culdi in 917.) In 940, the lands of Marlor were included in dowry of Manfred's granddaughter, Lady Janeltis MacInnis, when she married Earl Hrorik Ewan MacEwan of Rhendall. Three decades later, the title passed to their son, Ewan II MacEwan, who later passed it to one of his younger sons, Arran MacEwan, when Ewan inherited the Duchy of Claibourne in 984. The descendants of Baron Arran MacEwan have since held the title for over a century. It is currently held by Baron Odhran MacEwan, who inherited in 1098.

[edit] Rheljan

The Barony of Rheljan is located on the western face of the mountains of the same name, forming part of Gwynedd's eastern border with the neighboring Kingdom of Torenth. It was first created by King Cluim Haldane on December 2, 985, and awarded to Sir Richmond FitzEwan, a natural son of Duke Ewan II MacEwan of Claibourne, for his valor and bravery in the war with Torenth. Richmond's descendants have held the title without interruption for almost a century and a half. The title is currently held by Baron Murdo FitzEwan, who inherited in 1129.

[edit] Varian

The Barony of Varian was created by King Malcolm Haldane in 1025 and awarded to Sir Vasco de Varian as a reward for his valor during the war with Torenth. Vasco's descendants have held the title without interruption for over a century. In 1121, King Kelson Haldane bestowed the Earldom of Eastmarch upon Lord Burchard de Varian, the brother-in-law of the traitorous Ian Howell who had been slain for betraying the Crown. Burchard retained the title to Eastmarch when he inherited the Barony of Varian in 1126.


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[edit] See also

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