Wencit of Torenth

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In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, Wencit Furstán was the King of Torenth, reigning from 1110 to 1121. He was also the thirteenth Festillic Pretender, claiming the title of King of Gwynedd from 1120 to 1121, a period of time that coincided with the early reign of the legitimate King of Gwynedd, Kelson Haldane.


Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Wenzel Zsubit Kyprian Nimur Furstán was born on January 17, 1073, the sixth child and third surviving son of King Nimur II of Torenth and his wife, Princess Charis Rochelle of Festil. He was created Duke of Varona by his father upon reaching his legal majority in 1087, and was later created co-Regent for his young cousin, Duke Lionel II d'Arjenol, in 1100, but he relinquished this office when Lionel reached his own majority the following year. Possessing a keen mind and a lust for power, Wencit encouraged both his father and his brother, Prince Carolus III, to encourage Prince Hogan Gwernach, the Festillic Pretender, to press his claim for the throne of Gwynedd, believing that his own ambitions would be served regardless of the outcome of Hogan's efforts. He was partially correct, as he came one step closer to inheriting the Festillic claim when Hogan was killed by King Brion Haldane of Gwynedd in 1105.

Wencit publicly disagreed with his father and brother on many occasions, but he wisely cultivated his own group of supporters amongst the Torenthi nobles. In addition to being a supremely-talented schemer and manipulator of people, he was also a very powerful Deryni adept who was extremely well-trained in the arcane arts. His father died on November 12, 1106, at which time Wencit's elder brother, Prince Carolus III succeeded to the throne of Torenth. His brother's reign lasted less than four years, and he died on February 11, 1110. Some claimed that Carolus was poisoned by Princess Charissa, the new Festillic Pretender, who sought to punish Carolus for seeking peace with Gwynedd. Others claimed that it was Wencit who had arranged the king's death, while still others believed that it was a natural death. The reign of Wencit's nephew, King Aldred II, quickly deteriorated into mad tyranny, culminating in the brutal beating of Aldred's wife, Queen Charissa. Upon recovering from her injuries, Charissa sought out Wencit's assistance, and the two successfully deposed Aldred from the throne on April 15, 1110. Following Aldred's execution three days later, Wencit succeeded to the Torenthi throne. Charissa immediately renounced her office as Dowager Queen of Torenth, preferring her title of Duchess of Tolán. Wencit was girded with the sword of his ancestors by Patriarch Gamalinos II on January 1, 1111, becoming King Wenzel II. Six days later, in exchange for Wencit supporting her claim to the throne of Gwynedd, Charissa formally made Wencit her legal heir.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his rise to the throne, and his reputation as a sly and devious opportunist, Wencit's reign was largely peaceful and prosperous. He reorganized the government bureaucracy to make its operations more efficient, fortified and rebuilt fortifications and outposts along Torenth's borders, and laid the foundation for the formation of a standing army. As a monarch, he was a strong and powerful king, one who was equally capable of inspiring loyalty or fear depending on the situation, and who always used his sharp political acumen to the advantage of his throne and his kingdom. Following the deaths of his only surviving child and grandchild in 1119, Wencit issued a proclamation declaring the children of his sister, Princess Morag, to be his legal heirs, ensuring that there would be no chaotic discord after his death.

On November 15, 1120, Charissa's final attempt to claim the throne of Gwynedd ended in her death at the hands of the new King of Gwynedd, Kelson Haldane. As Charissa's legal heir, Wencit inherited the Festillic claim to Gwynedd, and he immediately proclaimed himself the legitimate King of Gwynedd. He was formally recognized as such by Patriarch Gamalinos on January 1, 1121, and he soon began plans for a military campaign in Gwynedd. He invaded Gwynedd that spring, crossing the border without bloodshed after convincing Earl Bran Coris of Marley to turn traitor. Although King Kelson was occupied dealing with an ecclesiastical schism within the Gwyneddan church, a Gwyneddan force under the command of Duke Jared McLain of Cassan eventually met the Torenthi invaders, but they were unable to stop the advancing Torenthi army. Kelson's army met Wencit's at Llyndruth Meadows in early July, and the Torenthi king once again attempted to use deceit to achieve his goals. He convinced Kelson to engage in a Duel Arcane, which would enable the victor to gain lordship over his foe's kingdom without the needless deaths of thousands of soldiers. Wencit informed Kelson that the Duel would be sanctioned and monitored by the impartial Camberian Council, but Wencit planned on using disguised allies to impersonate the Council during the Duel. However, the true Camberian Council discovered Wencit's treachery, and their arrival the following day forced Wencit to battle Kelson on equal terms. Ironically, Wencit himself was eventually betrayed during the Duel Arcane, fatally poisoned by traitor among his supporters. To formally end the Duel, Kelson used his magic to kill Wencit and his remaining allies. King Wenzel II Furstán died on July 2, 1121, at the age of 48.

Wencit was succeeded as King of Torenth by his eldest nephew, King Alroy-Arion II, who was required to acknowledge King Kelson Haldane of Gwynedd as Overlord of Torenth. Alroy died shortly after attaining his legal majority in 1123, and was himself succeeded by his younger brother, Prince Liam-Lajos. The Festillic claim to the throne of Gwynedd passed from Wencit to his sister, Princess Morag, but she never made any public declaration of her claim. After Morag's death in 1128, the claim then passed to her eldest surviving son, King Liam-Lajos. Although Liam-Lajos technically retains the rights to the hereditary Festillic claim, he has never professed any desire to claim the crown of Gwynedd nor has he ever acknowledged his ownership of the claim. Due to the bonds of friendship that developed between Liam-Lajos and King Kelson during the former's stay at the Royal Court of Gwynedd, it seems highly unlikely that Liam-Lajos will ever press the Festillic claim.


[edit] Family

  • Married Duchess Euphrosine d'Yvreu of Terebol on March 1, 1098.
    • Princess Nimura (died age 2)
    • Princess Eufemia (later married Count Mahael of Torenth)


[edit] Sources


Preceded by
Charissa Furstán-Festil		 The Festillic Pretender
1120 - 1121		 Succeeded by
None Active
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