Bearand of Gwynedd

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In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, Bearand Haldane was the fifth King of Gwynedd, reigning from 736 to 794.


Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Bearand Llarik Donal Haldane was born on September 7, 720, the firstborn son and heir of King Ryons Haldane and Queen Raphaela. He succeeded his father upon the throne of Gwynedd a month after King Ryons died battling Muslim forces near Nyford in 736. Bearand was crowned King of Gwynedd on September 29, 736, at the age of 16, younger than any of his four predecessors. Despite his youth, Bearand not only continued his father's ongoing campaign against the barbarian invaders, but soon proved himself to be an extremely cunning and successful field general. The Gwyneddan armies began to drive the invaders back to the borders of the kingdom, regaining much of the territory that had been occupied. King Bearand's greatest military accomplishment came when he permanently drove the Moorish forces from Gwynedd. He destroyed the Moorish armada at the Battle of the Jamin Straits in 752, and then made a daring raid on the port city of Kharthat in 755. After the raid, over fifty enemy ships were sinking or burning, and the shipyards of the city were completely destroyed. As a result, the Moorish were never again capable of threatening Gwynedd's borders. His victories earned him the title of "Defender of the Realm" from Archbishop Adon of Valoret, and his people commonly referred to him as "Saint Bearand." Bearand ruled Gwynedd for nearly three-score years, the longest reign of any king in the history of the realm. King Bearand Haldane died on December 12, 794, at the age of 74. He was succeeded by his eldest surviving son, Prince Ifor Haldane.

Bearand is widely regarded as one of the greatest kings in the history of Gwynedd. His successful military campaigns secured the peace and safety of the realm, and he was widely respected and admired throughout the kingdom. His passing was greatly mourned, and he is credited with restoring Gwynedd to a position of strength and prominence that the kingdom had lacked since the reign of Bearand's grandfather, King Llarik the Cruel. On the 100th anniversary of Bearand's birth, September 7, 820, the king was formally canonized by Archbishop William I, and he officially became Saint Bearand Haldane.


[edit] Family

  • Married Lady Iona de Vali on May 27, 740. (Died November 14, 776)
    • Prince Augarin (died age 9)
    • Prince Bearand (Junior) (dead at birth)
    • Princess Karissa (never married, died age 25)
    • Prince Donal (died age 2 months)
    • Princess Jestyna (dead at birth)
    • twins Princess Valeria and Prince Valerian (both died 3 days after birth)
    • Prince Ryanik (died age 7)
  • Married Lady Aisling Kincaid of Kildaren on June 16, 777.
    • Prince Ifor (later King of Gwynedd)
    • Princess Aurora (later married Baron Gwalchmai Carrach)
    • Princess Petrea
    • Princess Angharad


[edit] Sources


Preceded by:
Ryons Haldane		 King of Gwynedd
736 - 794		 Succeeded by:
Ifor Haldane
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