Imre II of Furstán-Festil

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In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, Imre II Furstán-Festil was the third Festillic Pretender, claiming the title of King of Gwynedd from 975 to 985. Known as "The Young Pretender," his claim to the throne of Gwynedd coincided with the legitimate reigns of three Haldane kings: King Uthyr (948–980), King Nygel (980-983), and King Jasher (983-985).

Imre Nimur Tamás Furstán-Festil was born on May 23, 928, the firstborn son and heir of Prince Marek I, the Festillic Pretender, and his wife, Princess Charis of Torenth. He received a fine education in both academic disciplines and military strategy as a youth, and even took part in several Torenthi military campaigns. He succeeded to his father's pretensions when Marek renounced his claim to the throne of Gwynedd in 975, and immediately sought the assistance of King Malachy II of Torenth. Imre was formally recognized as the legitimate King of Gwynedd by the Torenthi Patriarch Archelaos I on January 1, 977. Following the deaths of his parents in 981, he inherited the title of Duke of Tolán.

On August 12, 983, Imre crossed the Gwyneddan border with some ten thousand troops and quickly conquered the lands of Marley. King Nygel Haldane rushed to meet the invaders with a hastily-gathered force, and engaged Imre's army near Old Argoed on September 3. However, King Nygel was killed in the battle and the Gwyneddan forces were defeated and forced to retreat. Imre continued his invasion and managed to overrun all of Eastmarch, proclaiming himself King Imre II of Gwynedd on September 30 and establishing a royal court at the city of Rengarth a few weeks later. Severe winter storms arrived early that year, forcing Imre to halt his advance until the following spring.

Although the harsh winter exacted a heavy toll on Imre's army, it also prevented any significant response from Jasher Haldane, the new King of Gwynedd. In June of 984, a Torenthi relief force under the command of Prince Nimur of Torenth departed Beldour and soon joined with a second relief force commanded by King Malachy II. The combined force rendezvoused with the remains of Imre's forces on July 17, providing Imre with enough troops to continue his invasion. The Torenthi army arrived at the city of Grecotha on August 2 and launched an assault the following morning. However, King Jasher had redeployed the Gwyneddan army during the night and successfully flanked the invading army, pinning them against the walls of Grecotha. King Malachy, his son Prince Nimur, and Imre's son, Prince Mark-Imre, were killed almost immediately, and the rest of the Torenthi army soon quit the field and fled for their lives. Imre and King Carolus II, Malachy's second son, managed to organize the retreat slightly, but both were wounded in the flight from Grecotha and Carolus died of injuries the following week.

Although defeated soundly at Grecotha, Imre still held the conquered lands of Eastmarch. He retreated to Rengarth and retained his court there through the winter of 984. Since the new King of Torenth, Kyprian II, was a child, Imre knew he could expect no further aid from Torenth, so he enlisted the aid of his son-in-law, Count Duchad Mór of Tigre, to provide him with reinforcements to fortify Rengarth. Additionally, Imre's grandson, Prince Imre III, was declared to be of legal age one year early and sent to Beldour to rally volunteers for the army. King Jasher and the Gwyneddan army arrived outside of Rengarth on May 30, 985, and drove the Torenthi defenders back behind the city's walls after a battle on June 2. Jasher laid siege to the city for over three weeks, then launched an assault on June 29. The attack failed, but a second attack on July 2 succeeded in capturing the city, despite the death of King Jasher during the battle. Upon seeing that the city was lost, Imre committed suicide by throwing himself from the city walls. Prince Imre II Furstán-Festil died on July 2, 985, at the age 57. He was succeeded by his grandson, Prince Imre III.

[edit] Family

• Married Countess Tamara of Netterhaven on December 12, 948.
  • Prince Mark-Imre
  • Princess Ariella (later married Count Duchad Mór of Tigre)
  • Princess Charissa (died age 5)
  • Prince Markáspár (died age 4)
  • Princess Anastasia (later married Hort Makonnen of Orsal)
  • 2 unnamed children who were dead at birth

[edit] Sources

• Katherine Kurtz and Robert Reginald, Codex Derynianus, ISBN 0-89370-011-8

Preceded by Marek I Furstán-Festil

The Festillic Pretender 975 - 985

Succeeded by Imre III Furstán-Festil