Nigel Haldane of Gwynedd

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In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, Nigel Haldane is the Duke of Carthmoor and a Prince of Gwynedd. He is the son of King Donal Blaine Haldane, the brother of King Brion Haldane, and the uncle of King Kelson Haldane. During the early years of his nephew's reign, he occasionally served as Prince Regent of the realm.


Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Nigel Cluim Gwydion Rhys Haldane was born on February 20, 1087, the second surviving son of King Donal Blaine Haldane and his second wife, Queen Richeldis. In addition to the customary education of royal prince, Nigel received extensive tutelage in the military arts from his uncle, Duke Richard Haldane of Carthmoor, an area of study in which he displayed a natural talent and understanding. After the death of his father in 1095, his brother Brion became King of Gwynedd, and Nigel rose to the position of Heir Apparent to the throne. He accompanied Brion on the campaign to put down the rebellion of Earl Rorik III of Eastmarch in 1105, and was present when Brion defeated Duke Hogan Gwernach of Marluk, the Festillic Pretender, in a Duel Arcane on June 21. Nigel's status changed again the following year, after the birth of Brion's son and heir, Prince Kelson. Nigel returned to the position of Heir Presumptive to the throne, and he was appointed Commander of the Royal Army on November 16, 1106, after Duke Richard announced his retirement from active service. Upon Richard's death, Nigel was created Duke of Carthmoor by King Brion on December 25, 1114.

On November 1, 1120, King Brion was murdered by the foul magic of Duchess Charissa of Tolán, the Festillic Pretender, dying in Nigel's arms on the plain of Candor Rhea near Rhemuth. Nigel's nephew, Prince Kelson, ascended to the throne shortly thereafter, and Nigel served a steadfast mentor and guide during the early years of the young king's reign. He served as one of the senior commanders of the army that met the invasion of King Wencit of Torenth in 1121, and he was wounded in battle while fighting the invaders.

King Kelson activated Nigel's hereditary Haldane potential on May 15, 1124, in preparation for the Mearan campaign, during which time Nigel remained in Rhemuth as Prince Regent while the king personally led the southern Gwyneddan army. A Torenthi plot to assassinate Nigel was attempted during the king's absence, but the ploy failed and Nigel was unharmed.

Nigel again served as Prince Regent in 1125, when King Kelson left Rhemuth to embark upon a religious quest. After Kelson was believed killed in a tragic accident, Nigel was urged to take the throne, which was his right as the eldest surviving male of the Haldane line. However, Nigel declared that he would not be crowned as king until a period of one year and one day had passed, refusing to claim the throne until Kelson was confirmed dead. Shortly thereafter, Nigel discovered that his eldest son, Prince Conall, had been responsible for the death of Lord Tiercel de Claron, a Deryni mage who had been secretly tutoring Conall. Unable to control the magical abilities that Tiercel had awoken within him, Conall panicked and attacked Nigel with his powers, locking his father in a comatose state of unconsciousness. Conall immediately assumed the title of Prince Regent, and began to plan his own coronation as King of Gwynedd, but his rise to the throne was halted by the sudden return of King Kelson. Nigel was revived by Duke Alaric Morgan of Corwyn and Bishop Duncan McLain, and later testified at the trial of his treasonous son. Conall was later executed for his crimes against the crown.

Nigel was sorely wounded by his son's treachery, and he declined to acknowledge Conall's children. Although Conall's legitimate son, Prince Albin, was the legal heir to Nigel's title as Duke of Carthmoor, Nigel intentionally passed him over and transferred the succession to his second son, Prince Rory, in May of 1125. Nigel refused to change his mind for the next several years, despite the protests of several close friends and family (including King Kelson) who urged Nigel not to blame Conall's children for the actions of their father. In 1128, Nigel finally relented, agreeing to restore the legitimate line of succession in response to a series of weddings designed to secure the peace of the realm. (Prince Rory married Lady Noelie Ramsay and was made Duke of Ratharkin and Viceroy of Meara, which required him to live in Meara, not Rhemuth.) Nigel returned Albin to his line of succession, and agreed to the presence of Conall's illegitimate daughter at court.

Known as the "Iron Duke," Prince Nigel Haldane is widely acknowledged as one of the noblest knights in the Eleven Kingdoms. He is honorable and kind, and has displayed unswerving loyalty to whoever wears the crown of Gwynedd, whether father, brother, or nephew. He has extensive knowledge of military strategy and tactics, and he has personally trained many of the current and future nobles of Gwynedd, most of whom spent some time at the royal court as one of his royal pages and squires. He is well-respected by both soldiers and generals, all of whom quickly realize his talents as a natural-born leader. Additionally, he is a skilled courtier and politician, ably serving as Prince Regent during King Kelson's occasional absences from Rhemuth. Though close to the throne for his entire life, Nigel has no desire to be king, and he prefers a life standing next to the throne rather than sitting upon it. In addition to his close personal relationship with King Kelson, he also serves as one of Kelson's most-trusted advisors as a member of the Privy Council.


[edit] Family

  • Married Lady Meraude de Traherne on June 7, 1106.
    • Prince Conall Blaine Cluim Uthyr (died age 18)
    • Prince Rory Werril Bertald Bearand (later Duke of Ratharkin and Viceroy of Meara) (Married Noelie Ramsay-Quinnell in 1128 and later had one son, Prince Bearand Bertald Ewan de Traherne Haldane)
    • Prince Payne Malcolm Saer Augarin (later Duke of Travlum) (betrothed to Princess Stanisha of Torenth)
    • Princess Eirian Elspeth Sidana (later betrothed to King Liam Lajos II of Torenth)
    • Princess Gloriana Haldana Esmeralda


[edit] Sources

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