Laas (Fictional)

In the fictional universe of the Deryni novels of Katherine Kurtz, Laas is a duchy located at the far western edge of the province of Meara in the Kingdom of Gwynedd. It is named after the city of the same name, which served as the capital of the former sovereign Principality of Meara for almost four centuries.

Geography

The Duchy of Laas occupies the western half of the ancient lands of Meara, which lie to the west of Gwynedd. Directly to the east is the Duchy of Ratharkin, while the Bay of Kildaren separates Laas from the Duchy of Cassan to the north. Its southern border runs along the lands of The Connait, and the vast Atalantic Ocean stretches off to the west. The city of Laas itself is situated on the coast of the Bay of Caelshaile, which is located along the southwestern shore of the duchy.

History

Beginning in the seventh century, the city of Laas served as the capital of the Principality of Meara. For over almost four hundred years, Laas was the site of the Amethyst Throne, the seat of power for the Sovereign Princes of Meara. However, following the death of Prince Jolyon II Quinnell, the last Mearan prince, in 1025, the lands of Meara were incorporated into the Kingdom of Gwynedd when Jolyon's eldest daughter, Princess Roisian, married King Malcolm Haldane of Gwynedd. After many Mearan nobles refused to acknowledge Gwyneddan control of the land, Malcolm moved the administrative capital of Meara to the city of Ratharkin in 1028. Nonetheless, many Mearans continued to regard Laas as the traditional seat of power in the land.

In 1123, Princess Caitrin Quinnell, the Mearan Pretender, rose up in rebellion against Gwynedd and proclaimed Laas the capital of an independent Meara. However, Caitrin was defeated the following year by King Kelson Haldane of Gwynedd, and Laas returned to its previous status. Four years later, seeking to finally end the Mearan disputes, King Kelson arranged several marriages to create a permanent peace between The Two lands. To appease the Mearans, he formed the Duchy of Laas and bestowed the ducal title upon Sir Jolyon Ramsay, the eldest member of the only remaining line descended from the ancient Princes of Meara. Additionally, Duke Jolyon's eldest son, Brecon, married Kelson's cousin, Richelle Haldane, further joining the mutual interests of Gwynedd and Meara in the future.

Dukes of Laas

  • HOUSE OF RAMSAY-QUINNELL
    • (1128 - 1130+): Jolyon Ramsay-Quinnell
      • Heir Apparent: Earl Brecon Jolyon Jameson Ramsay-Quinnell (son of Duke Jolyon)

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
  • Katherine Kurtz, King Kelson's Bride, ISBN 0-441-00732-5