Danvis Harkonnen
Landsraad representative of his House
Baron Danvis Harkonnen was an early member of House Harkonnen who served as its third representative in the Landsraad League under Emperor Roderick Corrino, and whose rivalry with Willem Atreides nearly destroyed him.
Baron Danvis Harkonnen was an early member of House Harkonnen who, with the backing of his elder sister Valya Harkonnen, came to represent his House in the Landsraad League during the reign of Emperor Roderick Corrino. His time at court was defined by a bitter rivalry with a fellow newcomer of House Atreides and by a poisoning that nearly cost him his life and his seat. (Navigators of Dune; Imperial Court)
Rise to the Landsraad#
With the assistance of his elder sister Valya Harkonnen, Danvis became the third Harkonnen representative in the Landsraad League in 1 AG, taking the place of his older brother Griffin, whom Valya had originally intended for the role. Soon after arriving at the Salusan court of Emperor Roderick Corrino, Danvis fell into a bitter rivalry with Willem Atreides, another newcomer to the court. The two were the only volunteers for the new Emperor's first task set before the assembled court. (Navigators of Dune; Imperial Court)
The contest for Imperial Chamberlain#
In 9 AG, Danvis competed with Willem for the post of Imperial Chamberlain. To secure it, he plotted with his eccentric cousin Gerhard Harkonnen to assassinate the other candidates and to tie green-and-black ribbons to their bodies, making it appear that Willem had been responsible. The scheme succeeded in removing the rival candidates, but it was not enough to drive Willem from contention entirely. (Imperial Court)
Betrayal and recovery#
To clear himself of suspicion, Danvis agreed to be poisoned with the same gnats that had killed the other candidates and then revived with an antidote. Gerhard knew, in secret, that the poison would still leave Danvis in what was likely a permanent coma. When the Baron awoke, Gerhard revealed the truth, took his place as Harkonnen representative, and carried Danvis back to Lankiveil. It is implied that Danvis eventually regained his movement, killed Gerhard, and reclaimed his seat in the Landsraad. (Imperial Court)
Frequently asked questions
- Who is Danvis Harkonnen?
- Baron Danvis Harkonnen was an early member of House Harkonnen who became its third representative in the Landsraad League during the reign of Emperor Roderick Corrino. With the backing of his elder sister Valya Harkonnen, he took the seat in 1 AG.
- How did Danvis Harkonnen become a Landsraad representative?
- With the assistance of his elder sister Valya Harkonnen, Danvis became the third Harkonnen representative in the Landsraad League in 1 AG. He took the place of his older brother Griffin, whom Valya had originally intended for the role.
- What was the rivalry between Danvis Harkonnen and Willem Atreides?
- Soon after arriving at the Salusan court of Emperor Roderick Corrino, Danvis fell into a bitter rivalry with Willem Atreides, another newcomer. The two were the only volunteers for the new Emperor's first task set before the assembled court.
- How did Danvis Harkonnen try to win the post of Imperial Chamberlain?
- In 9 AG, Danvis competed with Willem Atreides for the post of Imperial Chamberlain. He plotted with his cousin Gerhard Harkonnen to assassinate the other candidates and tie green-and-black ribbons to their bodies, making it appear that Willem was responsible.
- What happened to Danvis Harkonnen after he was poisoned?
- To clear himself of suspicion, Danvis agreed to be poisoned and revived, but Gerhard secretly intended the poison to leave him in a likely permanent coma so Gerhard could take the Harkonnen seat. It is implied that Danvis eventually regained his movement, killed Gerhard, and reclaimed his place in the Landsraad.
Sources
- BookNavigators of Dune, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, 2016 (expanded universe)
- BookImperial Court, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, short story (expanded universe)
Spotted a factual error or a primary source we missed? Email a correction. Every flagged claim gets reviewed.
Followed from this entry
Valya Harkonnen
Valya Harkonnen of Lankiveil rose from a promising student of Raquella Berto-Anirul to become the second Reverend Mother Superior of the order she renamed the Bene Gesserit. Consumed by a vendetta against House Atreides, she developed the technique of Voice and used it to seize sole leadership.
House Harkonnen: the Baron's Giedi Prime
Seated on industrial Giedi Prime and ruled by a Siridar-Baron, the Harkonnens had hated House Atreides since Corrin. Arrakeen finished them off.
Lankiveil
Lankiveil was a cold maritime world of the Corrino Empire whose chief export was whale fur. Held by House Harkonnen, it was governed for a time by Abulurd, who renounced the Harkonnen name in favour of his wife's family name, Rabban.
House Atreides
House Atreides was a respected House Major of the Galactic Padishah Empire, ruled by a Duke and seated for twenty-six generations on the ocean world of Caladan. Through Paul Muad'Dib and his son Leto II, the Atreides line rose to rule the Known Universe before passing into a bloodline scattered across the millennia.
Landsraad: the council of the Great Houses
The High Council of the Great Houses, overseen by the Padishah Emperor. It gave them a forum for trade, alliance and the formal feud of kanly.
Mentioned in1 entry
Get new articles in your inbox
No spam. New lore drops, canon conflicts, and deep dives only when they’re worth reading.
Some links on Lore Fortress are affiliate links. If you buy through them we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.