Marek I of Furstán-Festil

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, Marek I Furstán-Festil was the second Festillic Pretender, claiming the title of King of Gwynedd from 905 to 975. Also known by the Gwyneddan name of "Mark," he was referred to as "The Old Pretender." His claim to the throne of Gwynedd coincided with the legitimate reigns of six Haldane kings: King Cinhil I (904-917), King Alroy (917-921), King Javan (921-922), King Rhys Michael (922-928), King Owain (928-948), and King Uthyr (948-980).

Marek Imre Usbert Furstán-Festil was born on January 31, 905, the only child of the incestuous relationship between King Imre of Gwynedd and his sister, Princess Ariella. His father had died on December 2, 904, committing suicide after losing the throne of Gwynedd during the Haldane Restoration. His mother had Marek legitimized by King Nimur I of Torenth shortly after his birth, but Ariella was killed later that year during her failed invasion of Gwynedd. Marek followed his mother's path by claiming the throne of Gwynedd for himself, and he was formally acknowledged as the rightful King of Gwynedd by the Torenthi Patriarch Antiochos I in 920. The following year, he secretly traveled to Gwynedd with Prince Miklos of Torenth to witness the coronation of King Javan Haldane.

In 928, a Torenthi force under the command of Prince Miklos invaded Gwynedd, intending to restore Marek to the throne. Although they succeeded in luring King Rhys Michael Haldane from Rhemuth, the invaders were driven back to Torenth after Rhys Michael killed Miklos in a magical battle. Upon returning to Torenth, Marek faced the wrath of King Arion I, who had not authorized the attack upon Gwyneddan and personally blamed Marek for Miklos' death. As a result, Arion refused to support any move against Gwynedd for the next twenty years. When Marek attempted a second invasion in 948, Arion provided mercenaries and financial support, but refused to commit the Torenthi army. Marek's forces met the Gwyneddan army in May of 948 and succeeded in killing King Owain Haldane, but Owain's brother, King Uthyr, drove back the invaders and forced Marek to once again return to Torenth in defeat.

On February 4, 975, following a paralyzing stroke that left him partially crippled, Marek renounced his claim to the throne of Gwynedd in favor of his eldest son, Prince Imre II. He retired to his estates in Tolan, and was created Duke of Imrealy by King Malachy II of Torenth in December of 975. Prince Marek I Furstán-Festil died on April 18, 981, at the age of 76.

[edit] Family

• Married Princess Charis of Torenth on July 17, 927.
  • Prince Imre II (later the Festillic Pretender)
  • Princess Imriella (later married Duke Ysarn of Marluk)
  • Princess Ysolte (dead at birth)
  • Prince Arim-Miklós (later Count of Moyrenc, died at age 16)
  • Princess Chariella (later married Prince Rogan of Torenth)
  • Princess Bernadine (died at age 5)
  • Princess Ætherien (later joined a convent under the name Sister Ragenfride)

[edit] Sources

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

Preceded by Ariella I Furstána-Festila

The Festillic Pretender 905 - 975

Succeeded by Imre II Furstán-Festil