Winric of Zalemia

Winric of Cormarden (1070-1119) was King consort of Zalemia from 1093 to 1108 as the husband of Queen Marelhild, and from 1108 to 1119 King in his own right. Winric was born in the remote County of Cormarden and met Marelhild on a visit to the royal court of Zalemia, where they fell in love. In 1108, Winric became sole king, as was stipulated in the will of his wife Marelhild (instead of her being directly succeeded by her eldest son).

Early life
Winric was born the second son of Winmark, Count of Cormarden and his wife Garmia. As such, he was a member of the House of Cormarden, which during the reign of his son Elmark I became known as the House of Winric.

Marriage
When Winric accompanied his father to the royal court of King Theofrith V at Irmonham, Winric fell in love with Marelhild, a daughter of the king, who likewise fell in love with him. Although Theofrith initially did not approve of the young nobleman, as Winric began to visit the royal court more and more the king came to respect him. In 1090, the two were married (Marelhild's father wished she would marry Hulgör, Prince of Ullond, but this marriage fell through).

Winric and Marelhild loved each other deeply. It is said that they were inseperable during their reign, and indeed shared much of the royal power.

King consort
Theofrith V died in 1092 and was succeeded by his son Redmark IV. Redmark had been sick for some time prior to his accession, and even during his short reign of just a few months, it was expected that Marelhild would succeed to the throne. This indeed transpired in 1093, and Winric became king consort of Zalemia.

King regnant
In 1108, Queen Marelhild of Zalemia passed away. Her will stipulated that instead of being succeeded immediately by her eldest son, Winric would become king in his own right until his death. Even though Winric was distraught over his wife's death, he was a capable ruler, personally leading his army against the peasants' revolt of 1113. He died in 1119 of the plague at age 49 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Elmark I.

Family
Winric and Marelhild had five sons. The names of each began with the prefix -el, meaning "royal" in Middle Zalemian. This would eventually become a tradition in the House of Winric.

Elmark I, who succeeded his father

Elberht, who succeeded Elmark I

Elbrin, died of the plague soon after his father

Elred, died of the same plague

Elweor, from whom descended the later monarchs of the House of Winric

They also had several daughters whose names are (for now) lost to history.