Feirefiz
Half-orc brother of Parzival, the child of their father Gahmuret’s first marriage to the orc queen Belacane, equal of his brother in knightly ability.
- Gender – Male
- Race – Half Orc
- Occupation – Knight
- Religion –
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- Enemies –
- Abode/ Base of operations –
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While serving the “Baruch of Baghdad”, Gahmuret defends Belacane, queen of the heathen nation of Zazamanc, from her enemies. The two marry, and she soon becomes pregnant with Feirefiz. Belacane won’t allow her husband to participate in tournaments, so he sneaks out one night to Spain to seek knightly combat in secret. Before he can return, he learns his brother, the king of Anjou, has died, leaving him to inherit the kingdom. Because he can’t go back to his wife and son, he marries Herzeloyde of Wales, and she bears him Parzival. He dies soon after.
Later, Feirefiz travels to Europe with a huge orc retinue to seek his father. He meets Parzival and the two fight. Though he proves himself to be Parzival’s only equal, Parzival thinks of his wife Condwiramurs, which inspires him to break his sword across Feirefiz’ helmet.
Feirefiz won’t fight an unarmed man, so he puts an end to the fight, asserting that Parzival would have won the battle had his sword held out for one more blow. They identify themselves, and after realizing they are brothers, they embrace and go off to a feast with their uncle, King Arthur. While there, the Grail servant Cundrie arrives to take Parzival to the Grail Castle of Munsalvaesche, and Parzival invites Feirefiz to join him.
Parzival heals the Fisher King Anfortas and becomes the new Grail King. It is revealed that Feirefiz cannot see the holy object because he is not of the faith. He agrees to be baptized if it will help him in love, and as soon as he renounces his heathen god Jupiter (Muslim theology was not well known in medieval Europe), he can see the Grail. He marries the Grail bearer Repanse, and after celebrating Parzival’s coronation, they return to Feirefiz’ lands. Repanse gives birth to Prester John.