Eleven Kingdoms

In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, the Eleven Kingdoms is the collective name of the various realms that occupy a vast area of land at the western end of a large continent. The term pre-dates all existing records of the area, and thus includes several lands that are no longer sovereign kingdoms. Within the novels, various historians and other writers have disagreed on which specific lands compromise the Eleven Kingdoms, but the realms listed below are those that are most often included.

Caeriesse

The legendary land of Caeriesse is believed to have sunk beneath the sea in the sixth century. Detailed records of its existence and fate are extremely rare, leaving a great deal about the history, culture, and people of this land unknown. Even the exact location of Caeriesse, whether in the Gulf of Kheldour or the Atalantic Ocean, remains a mystery.

Carthmoor

For more detailed information, see Carthmoor.

The lands of Carthmoor were originally part of the ancient Kingdom of Mooryn, located along the northern shore of the Southern Sea. After Mooryn was annexed by the Kingdom of Gwynedd in the ninth century, Carthmoor became a Gwyneddan duchy traditionally held by the younger sons of the reigning monarchs. The current Duke of Carthmoor is Prince Nigel Haldane.

The Connait

Nestled between the lands of Howicce, Meara, and Gwynedd, The Connait consists of a collection of sovereign states with no single ruling authority between them. Throughout the centuries, the various states of The Connait have fought many battles and wars over the exact boundaries of their lands, resulting in many generations of highly-trained warriors that are often hired as mercenaries by other lands. The independent lands of The Connait include: the Principality of Pardiac, the Principality of Arbroath, the Grand Duchy of Calam, the Duchy of Llangan, the Duchy of Cyby, the Duchy of Gaël, the Bishopric of Tyburn, the Free Republic of Fenwick, twenty counties and baronies, and several abbeys.

Eastmarch

For more detailed information, see Eastmarch.

The lands of present-day Eastmarch were one of the few areas that did not fall under the influence of the Byzantyun Empire in the third century. It was divided into four sovereign counties in the late sixth century, but only Eastmarch remained independent by the middle of the ninth century. In the early tenth century, Eastmarch became part of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and it has remained a Gwyneddan earldom since that time. The current Earl of Eastmarch is Earl Burchard de Varian.

Gwynedd

For more detailed information, see Gwynedd (Fictional).

The Kingdom of Gwynedd was formed in the mid-seventh century by Count Augarin Haldane, encompassing the ancient lands of Haldane and Carthane. Gwynedd grew steadily over the following centuries, expanding its borders and absorbing many of its neighbors through both wars and treaties. The neighboring Kingdom of Torenth gained supremacy over Gwynedd for much of the ninth century, during which time the Kings of Gwynedd swore fealty to the Kings of Torenth, but Gwynedd regained its independence in 904. Over the next two centuries, Gwynedd grew into one of the largest and most powerful realms in the Eleven Kingdoms. The current King of Gwynedd is King Kelson Haldane.

Howicce and Llannedd

For more detailed information, see Howicce and Llannedd.

The United Kingdoms of Howicce and Llannedd are actually two separate kingdoms, each with its own history, government, and peerage. The ruling monarchs of the two lands married in 1055, and their son inherited both crowns jointly. Although the successive monarchs ruled both kingdoms, the two realms remain separate and independent of each other, united only by the single person who sits upon both thrones. However, the laws of succession are different in each kingdom, leaving open the possibility of separate rulers in the future. The current King of Howicce and Llanned is King Colman (II) MacFaolan-Gruffud.

Kheldour

For more detailed information, see Claibourne.

The lands of Kheldour were already occupied before the forces of the Byzantyun Empire arrived in the Eleven Kingdoms in the third century. The native tribes successfully fought off the incursions of the Byzantyun invaders, remaining free and independent while most of the other lands of the region were occupied. The sovereign Principality of Kheldour was established in the mid-sixth century, but it was eventually conquered by King Festil I Furstán of Gwynedd in the early ninth century. Kheldour remained a vassal state of the Crown of Gwynedd for the next eight decades, until Earl Sighere of Eastmarch invaded the land shortly after the Haldane Restoration. Sighere later swore fealty to King Cinhil I Haldane of Gwynedd, and the lands of Kheldour became the Gwyneddan duchy of Claibourne. Sighere's descendants have retained the title of Duke of Claibourne without interruption for over two centuries. The current Duke of Claibourne is Duke Graham III MacEwan. The Earl of Kheldour is a courtesy title held by the heir to the Duchy of Claibourne, and it is currently held by Duke Graham's eldest son, Earl Angus MacEwan.

Meara

For more detailed information, see Meara.

The realm of Meara was founded as sovereign principality in the mid-seventh century. Unlike many of its neighbors, Meara failed to grow or expand substantially over the following centuries, often plagued by constant internal strife and struggles for power. Meara legally lost its independence in 1025, when the eldest daughter of the last Prince of Meara married King Malcolm Haldane of Gwynedd. However, many Mearan partisans refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the marriage, and several unsuccessful rebellions broke out over the next century. Meara remains a province of Gwynedd, and is currently divided into two duchies. The current Duke of Laas is Duke Jolyon Ramsay-Quinnell, and the current Duke of Ratharkin is Prince Rory Haldane, who also serves as Viceroy of Meara.

Mooryn

For more detailed information, see Carthmoor and Corwyn.

The ancient Kingdom of Mooryn was founded in the mid-sixth century, ruled by the descendants of the old Byzantyun leaders who had remained behind when the Byzantyun forces withdrew from the area two centuries earlier. Originally a small realm, Mooryn gradually extended its borders over the next two hundred years, forming a sizeable and powerful kingdom that was a close ally of the neighboring Kingdom of Torenth. In the ninth century, the sole heiress to the throne of Mooryn, Princess Brionne, married Prince Festil II Furstán-Festil of Gwynedd, which gave the Crown of Gwynedd nominal control of Mooryn following the death of the last King of Mooryn in 833. After Brionne's death two years later, Mooryn was officially annexed by Gwynedd, and the land was divided into the Duchies of Carthmoor and Corwyn, a status that has remained unchanged for three centuries. The current Duke of Corwyn is Duke Alaric Morgan.

Tolán

For more detailed information, see Tolán.

Also known as Tolán-by-the-Sea, the lands of Tolán were formed into an autonomous state in the mid-fifth century. However, Tolán lost its sovereignty when it was conquered by the Kingdom of Torenth in the late seventh century. It remained a Torenthi county for over two centuries, until it reverted to the Torenthi Crown after the death of the last Count of Tolán. In 927, the land was included in the dowry of the daughter of the King of Torenth when she married the Festillic Pretender, Prince Marek I Furstán-Festil. For the next two hundred years, every Festillic Pretender would also bear the title of Duke or Duchess of Tolán. Currently, the title is vacant and the lands of Tolán are held by the Torenthi crown.

Torenth

For more detailed information, see Torenth.

The Kingdom of Torenth is one of the largest and most powerful realms in all of the Eleven Kingdoms. Founded in the mid-sixth century, Torenthi society is a unique blend of Western and Eastern traditions. The royal House of Furstán, a family of powerful Deryni adepts, has held the throne without interruption since the creation of the kingdom, and they have successfully expanded Torenth's borders steadily over the centuries. Torenth conquered the neighboring Kingdom of Gwynedd in the early ninth century, after the successful invasion of Prince Festil I Furstán, but Gwynedd regained its sovereignty less than a century later. Torenth and Gwynedd fought a series of bloody wars and conflicts over the next two centuries, until Gwynedd finally gained supremacy over Torenth in 1121. However, in 1128, King Kelson Haldane of Gwynedd renounced his authority as Overlord of Torenth and restored the independence of land. The current King of Torenth is King Liam-Lajos II Furstán d'Arjenol.

Sources

• Katherine Kurtz and Robert Reginald, Codex Derynianus, ISBN 0-89370-011-8
• Katherine Kurtz and Robert Reginald, Codex Derynianus (Second Edition), ISBN 1887424962
• Katherine Kurtz, King Kelson's Bride, ISBN 0-441-00732-5