Magana Deres, Duchess of Dern
The Duchess Magana was renowned for her bold spirit and prudent leadership. She always listened to her council and led with reason and justice. According to all account, she possessed a boyish build and plain face, although this was given a pleasing effect by her confidence, boldness and generosity.
She was also a famous warrior, riding into battle herself. Sometime early in 6074 she married Hleofar who was said to have come from the eastern wilderness, from a "kingly lineage." Although he is shrouded in mystery, there is no doubt that he was a comfort and support to Magana, always giving her wise counsel. Some say he was a priest who renounced his vows to marry Magana, or that he was raised in a monastery.
He was less of a warrior and more of a scholar, although in the end he did lose his own life while protecting Magana from Bekian assassins trying to murder Magana and their daughter Cynelaif.
Most scholars agree that while the original marriage contract, signed by the council as witnesses, is lost, their marriage was valid and that the subsequent actions of Hleofar would have more than redeemed any legal errors in their marriage.
After the death of Hleofar, Magana remarried, to her distant cousin Graleth, although this marriage was much less happy than the previous one. Her new husband, being of a cadet (lesser) Deres line, had a weaker though still potent claim to the throne, and was obviously pushing to put their only child Holwinna on the throne rather than Magana's first daughter, Cynelaif. However, Graleth died before Magana, so his plotting to put Helwinna on the throne came to an end and Cynelaif subsequently inherited her mother's title and power
Relationships
Spouses
Hleofar the Stranger
(spouse)
Graleth of Castle Deres
(Husband)
Siblings
Children
Related Reports
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