Torenth

Torenth
Map of the Eleven Kingdoms, including Torenth
Deryni novels location
Other name(s)	Kingdom of Torenth
Created by	Katherine Kurtz
Genre	Historical fantasy
Type	Monarchy
Notable locations	Beldour (capital)

Torenth is a fictional kingdom in the Deryni series of historical fantasy novels by Katherine Kurtz. It lies to the east of the Kingdom of Gwynedd, and the rulers of the two kingdoms often oppose each other, with the Torenthi monarchs serving as antagonists to the Haldane kings that are the primary protagonists of the novels.

The Kingdom of Torenth is one of the largest realms in the Eleven Kingdoms. Much of northern Torenth in bordered by the wild and untamed Norselands, but the northwestern edge of Torenth gives way to the Gulf of Normarch and the Northern Sea. East of Torenth are the distant lands of Érskeburg and West Veskitsa, while the Beldour River forms Torenth's southern border with the Principality of Orsal and Tralia. To the west of Torenth is the Kingdom of Gwynedd, which lies on the far side of the Coamer Mountains and the Rheljan Mountains. Torenth's western border primarily touches three Gwyneddan estates: the Duchy of Corwyn, the Earldom of Eastmarch, and the Earldom of Marley. The capital of Torenth is the city of Beldour, which is located near the junction of the Beldour and Argent Rivers in south-central Torenth.

The kingdom is divided into a collection of smaller estates, the rulers of which form the nobility and peerage of the realm. The largest of these estates are duchies, which include Arjenol, Arkadia, Jándrich, Lorsöl, Marluk, Nördmarcke, Östmarcke, Sasovna, Tolán, and Truvorsk. In addition, there are numerous smaller counties, which include Brustarkia, Czalsky, Fathane, Gwernach, Komnénë, Kulnán, Medras, and Sostra.

Torenth is a feudal monarchy, similar in structure to the kingdoms of medieval Europe. The head of state is a hereditary monarch which descends through the senior male line of the royal family. Women are strictly forbidden from inheriting the crown of Torenth. The titles of the nobility are also based on hereditary inheritance, but the monarch reserves the authority to change the standard rights of inheritance under certain circumstances (such as attainting the family of a convicted traitor). Additionally, the monarch has the power to create new nobles and new titles when necessary. The monarch has nearly-absolute authority in all secular matters throughout the realm, and each noble wields significant power within their own lands. The primary administrator in the realm is a powerful minister known as the Grand Vizier.