Urien of Gwynedd

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In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, Urien Haldane was the twenty-first King of Gwynedd, reigning from 994 to 1025. He was the sixteenth member of the House of Haldane to sit upon the throne of Gwynedd, and the tenth consecutive Haldane king since the end of the Festillic Interregnum.

Urien Owain Rhys Michael Haldane was born on March 31, 974, the firstborn son and heir of Prince Cluim Haldane of Gwynedd and his wife, Princess Swynbeth of Cassan. His father ascended to the throne of Gwynedd in 985 when Urien's uncle, King Jasher, was slain at the Battle of Rengarth, and Urien succeeded his father nine years later in 994. Shortly after his coronation, he called up his levies in response to an expected invasion from the Festillic Pretender Imre III and King Kyprian II of Torenth. However, the extreme drought and heat of the summer of 995 forced Kyprian to cancel his plans, and the Torenthi king was eventually forced to redeploy his forces to deal with barbarian invasions along Torenth's eastern border. For the next two decades, Gwynedd enjoyed a beautiful period of peace and prosperity, and Urien actively sought to expand the good fortunes of his kingdom by establishing stronger alliances with foreign realms through the marriages of his children. In 1025, another Festillic invasion appeared on the horizon, once again supported by the King of Torenth. Urien placed the Gwyneddan army under the command of his eldest son, Prince Cinhil, and gave him absolute authority to protect the realm as he saw fit. The aging king took no personal role in the following campaign, but he often appeared before his troops prior to major battles to inspire and encourage them. Nonetheless, he was slain while fighting bravely at the Battle of Killingford. King Urien Haldane died on June 17, 1025, at the age of 51. He was succeeded by his eldest son and heir, Prince Cinhil II Haldane.

[edit] Family

• Married Princess Jaroni of R'Kassi on May 8, 988.
  • Prince Cinhil II (later King of Gwynedd)
  • Prince Cluim (died age 3 days)
  • Princess Suibhne (later married Lord Turlough Stainleigh)
  • Princess Bethra (later married King Theofrid III of Bremagne)
  • Prince Alroy (later Duke of Travlum, died age 4)
  • Prince Aidan (later Duke of Valoret, died before 1025)
  • Princess Breida (later married King Tancrede of Fallon)
  • Prince Ossian (later Duke of Travlum, died age 14)
  • Princess Rathnait (later married Prince Onan of Jáca)
  • Prince Malcolm (later Duke of Rhemuth and King of Gwynedd)
  • Prince Jaron (later Duke of Travlum)

[edit] Sources

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

Preceded by: Cluim Haldane

King of Gwynedd 994 - 1025

Succeeded by: Cinhil II Haldane