Derfel Cadarn
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Derfel Cadarn (Pronounced: Der-Vel) is a fictional character and the main protagonist in The Warlord Chronicles by Bernard Cornwell.
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[edit] Character introduction
Although Derfel Cadarn is a fictitious character, it is likely that Bernard Cornwell based his character around Derfel-Gadarn, a canonized Saint. Derfel-Gadarn was the son of King Hoel II Fychan (the Small) which Cornwell could easily have exchanged for Aelle, the Saxon King. Derfel-Gadarn is said to have been a hermit who was at the battle of Camlann, where Arthur supposedly dies. It is also said that the Saint went to live in a monastery in his old age because the killing of Arthur turned him Christian. This makes it even more probable that Cornwell based his character around this Saint.[citation needed]
Derfel bears a strong resemblance to Sir Bedivere. Like Bedivere, he is one of Arthur's closest advisors and friends, is one-handed (in Welsh legends), and casts Excalibur into the sea after the Battle of Camlann (in many versions).
[edit] Character sketch
[edit] Biographical summary
[edit] Prior story
Born of a Saxon woman and a Saxon Warlord and King, Derfel was orphaned when his father disappeared and his mother was enslaved in a raid on his home town by the British King of Siluria, Gundleus and the Druid Tanaburs. Derfel was to be one of twelve sacrifices to the Gods as a tribute from the victorious raiders. Derfel survived being thrown into the "Death Pit" and is henceforth considered to be favored by the Gods.
[edit] Actions in "The Warlord Chronicles"
Derfel was then adopted by Merlin and lived on the Tor at Ynys Wydryn (Glastonbury). He becomes friends with Nimue (another child believed to be touched by the Gods and Merlin's apprentice). He was present at Caer Cadarn for the birth of Mordred, and was sent to fetch Morgan when Christian priests were unable to safely orchestrate the child's birth. He then travelled to the meeting at Glevum where the guardians of Mordred were selected. Following the death of Uther the Tor was attacked by Gundleus, and Derfel was forced to escape with Nimue. While escaping he took the sword of his dead sword master (Hywel) and later accordingly named it "Hywelbane". He used a punt boat to escape to Ermid’s Hall. The hall was evacuated in order to not be attacked by the raiders and Derfel went with them. On the way to Caer Cadarn, Derfel killed his first man when the convoy was attacked by sentries and Derfel and Gwlyddyn go to attack them. Derfel then meets Arthur for the first time in front of Caer Cadarn.
Derfel joined Owain's troops, and participated in an illegal raid on Kernow tin miners on Dartmoor, for which Owain was killed by Arthur for the implementation of justice. Derfel then joined Arthur's spearmen and over several years becomes one of Arthur's Warlords, adopting the standard of the pointed star on a black background, four points for most of his men, five for the "warriors of the cauldron", and to acknowledge acts of great bravery in battle. Derfel took his troops to Brittany in place of Arthur in order to help fortify King Ban at Ynys Trebes against the Frankish people. Derfel met Lancelot and Galahad, and found Merlin in Ynys Trebes. When the city was taken by the Franks, Galahad returns to Dumnonia with Derfel and Merlin on Merlin’s boat.
Upon returning to Dumnonia, Derfel rescued Nimue from the Isle of the Dead, which is where the mentally insane were exiled. After rescuing Nimue, he fought in the desperate battle at Lugg Vale (Mortimer's Cross), and following the battle he and a small contingent of his warriors aided Merlin in a quest for one of the thirteen mythical Treasures of Britain. Afterwards, Derfel continues his Warlord duties to Arthur, fighting in numerous battles against the Saxons, and against Lancelot's rebellion, including playing a crucial role at the Myndd Baddon. His final action was at the Battle of Camlann in which Arthur was taken away in an enchanted boat after being (apparently) mortally wounded.
In his old age Derfel retires to a monastery in Powys where he befriends the queen of Powys, Igraine, wife of King Brochvael of Powys who also happens to be the grand nephew of Derfel's life partner, Ceinwyn. The queen asks him to write his story for her, and Derfel writing his memoirs forms the frame of the series. As the novels progress it is apparent that the Saxon's are approaching Derfel's monastery. As an ex-warrior, Derfel is ordered by the bishop Sansum to defend the monastery. Although it is not shown it is surmisable this is how Derfel dies.
[edit] Relationship with other characters in "The Warlord Chronicles"
Throughout the story Derfel is involved with numerous women, but the two who feature most prominently are Nimue as a friend and occasional lover, and Ceinwyn as a life partner.
Derfel is also forced to deal with apparent magic throughout his quests. The most notable repercussion of a spell is when he cuts off his left hand so that Nimue cannot magically use him to hurt his partner, Ceinwyn.
