Claibourne

In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, Claibourne is a duchy that lies in the northern region of the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Originally part of the former Principality of Kheldour, the lands of Claibourne have been a vassal state to the Crown of Gwynedd since the early years of the Festillic Interregnum.

Geography

Claibourne is a long, narrow land located north of central Gwynedd, nestled between the Rhendall Mountains to the east and the Gulf of Kheldour to the west. Further to the east are the lands of Eastmarch, Marley, and the Kheldish Riding, while the duchy of Cassan lies on the opposite side of the Gulf of Kheldour. The Atalantic Ocean forms the northern border of Claibourne, and the central lands of inner Gwynedd lie directly to the south. Much of the terrain is hilly and mountainous, while the cool, damp climate provides ample rain, snow, and wind.

History

The lands of Claibourne were originally part of the sovereign Principality of Kheldour, which dated back to the sixth century. In 823, the ruling family of Kheldour was deposed when the land was conquered by King Festil I Furstán, who had overthrown King Ifor Haldane of Gwynedd the previous year. Festil bestowed the title of Prince of Kheldour upon his younger brother, who then acknowledged Festil as Overlord of Kheldour. The House of Furstán-Festil ruled Kheldour for the remainder of the Festillic Interregnum in Gwynedd.

After the Haldane Restoration deposed the Festillic Kings of Gwynedd in 904, the first Festillic Pretender, Princess Ariella I Furstán-Festil, invaded Gwynedd the following year. The Gwyneddan army of King Cinhil I Haldane was joined by the autonomous Earl of Eastmarch, Sighere MacEwan. After successfully defeating the Festillic invaders at the Battle of Iomaire on April 25, 905, Sighere took his army north and invaded Kheldour. He conquered most of Kheldour by the end of September, with the Festillic rulers of the land retaining control of only the mountain fortress of Rhorau.

In 906, Sighere once again allied himself with King Cinhil I of Gwynedd. In exchange for Gwynedd's assistance in defeating the last Festillic resistance in Kheldour, Sighere agreed to become Cinhil's vassal. After exchanging mutual oaths, Cinhil and Sighere returned to Kheldour, where they succeeded in capturing the last of members of the Festillic ruling family on August 15. The lands of Kheldour were officially annexed to the Kingdom of Gwynedd, then divided up amongst Sighere and his sons. Sighere was created the first Duke of Claibourne on August 26, 906, and his sons were created the Earls of Marley, Rhendall, and Eastmarch. Sighere's descendants have since ruled the Duchy of Claibourne without interruption, providing one of the only unbroken lines of succession among the ducal families of Gwynedd.

Dukes of Claibourne

• HOUSE OF MacEWAN
  • (906 – 917): Sighere MacEwan
  • (917 – 918): Ewan I MacEwan
  • (918 – 948): Graham I MacEwan
  • (948 – 984): Ewan II MacEwan
  • (984 – 1012): Angus MacEwan
  • (1012 – 1025): Tresham MacEwan
  • (1025 – 1054): Keene MacEwan
  • (1054 – 1056): Fychan MacEwan
  • (1056 – 1078): Graham II MacEwan
  • (1078 – 1095): Ursic MacEwan
  • (1095 – 1129): Ewan III Kenzie MacEwan
  • (1129 - 1130+): Graham III Nectan MacEwan
    • Heir Apparent: Earl Angus MacEwan (son of Duke Graham III)

Sources

• Katherine Kurtz and Robert Reginald, Codex Derynianus, ISBN 0-89370-011-8
• Katherine Kurtz and Robert Reginald, Codex Derynianus (Second Edition), ISBN 1-877424-96-2