Cadfiell Dunheuvelin: Rebel Son, Peacekeeper or Traitor?

Cadfiell Dunheuvelin was the third son of Ulrich Dunheuvelin and his wife, Aoife (pronounced Ee-fa; née Trevithick). History has always portrayed him as a co-conspirator in the Dunheuvelin Rebellion alongside his brother, Gerard Dunheuvelin. Recent documents released by Ludwig Dunheuvelin have made historians rethink Cadfiell's role in the rebellion, which coincides with the Dunheuvelin family's campaign to have the young man posthumously cleared of the title of 'rebel'.

Early Life and Childhood

Cadfiell Dunheuvelin was born in Draakhohen Castle on the eve of the Final Battle for the Invasion of Kredashmi. He was named by his mother in honour of his two grandfathers, who both died in the battle: clan leader Elroy Dunheuvelin, and Varsii ambassador, Cadfan Trevithick. Cadfiell's mother died two weeks later due to complications from his birth.
Cadfiell and his two older brothers, Otto and Gerard, were mostly left in the charge of his maternal grandmother, Jowcasta Trevithick. As the third son, very little was recorded about his childhood; however, he did manage to leave his mark on Draakhohen Castle. When the old library was being renovated by Lazarev Dunheuvelin, a bookshelf was moved and revealed a tiny, painted image of what is assumed to be a dragon, drawn in a child's hand. The signature next to it reads: "Cadf'll". A glass pannel has been placed over the graffiti to protect it.

Betrothal

In the weeks prior to the Dunheuvelin Uprising, Cadfiell is recorded has having been betrothed to a young lady called Alessandrina Coetzee. It is believed that she was either the daughter or neice of a falconer living in Draakhohen Castle, referred to only as Falconer Coetzee. Modern Coetzee descendants from the local area believe he was called Rylond, but could not confirm Alessandrina's relationship to him.
Contemporary accounts suggest that the betrothal was a source of intense disagreement between Cadfiell and his brother, Gerard. It is also noted that Ulrich Dunheuvelin appeared to have strongly disapproved of the union. Lady Jowcasta appears to have been the only family member to have given the pair their blessing, and took the young woman under her wing, as Alessandrina was noted to have been part of the matriarch's personal entourage during the Witch of Boerhaaven's trial. The writing of General Mariusz Senyavin provides a possible reason for the ill-feeling within the Dunheuvelin family towards the union: the general claimed in several correspondences that Alessandrina Coetzee had been pregnant with Cadfiell's illegitimate child. The differences in their social standing may have also factored into it.

The Dunheuvelin Uprising: Historical Opinion

It has always been assumed that

Contemporary Accounts

Cadfiell Dunheuvelin by Caitlin Phillips