Who is Princess Jehnna?
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Princess Jehnna is the sheltered royal at the heart of Conan the Destroyer – part damsel in distress, part destined sacrifice, and part coming‑of‑age heroine. In my opinion, she gives the film much of its fairy‑tale flavour, sitting halfway between innocent tag‑along and potential sorceress.
Jehnna’s Role in Conan the Destroyer
In the 1984 film, Jehnna is the niece and ward of Queen Taramis of Shadizar. She is kept protected in the royal palace, guarded by the queen’s soldiers and watched over by the towering eunuch Bombaata.
When the story begins, Taramis sends her to a secluded temple to pray – where she is attacked by bandits and rescued by Conan, who is lured into the situation by the promise of resurrecting Valeria.
Taramis then reveals the supposed “true” mission. Jehnna, as a virgin of royal blood and a child of the gods, is the only one who can retrieve a magic key from the fortress of Toth‑Amon and then unlock the horn of Dagoth.
Conan is tasked with escorting her safely, while Bombaata secretly orders to kill him once the quest is done.
From Sheltered Princess to Emerging Heroine
At first, Jehnna is naïve and inexperienced, relying entirely on Conan, Zula and the others for protection. She clearly has a crush on Conan, asking him blunt questions about love and loyalty that he batters away with gruff non‑answers. Those scenes they highlight both her innocence and Conan’s awkwardness with anything that is not battle.
As the quest continues, Jehnna grows braver and more decisive. She helps in escapes, learns to trust Zula’s tough‑love advice, and even shows hints of latent magical potential after touching the horn.
By the final act, she is strong enough to rebuke Bombaata and, once crowned, chooses to spare Conan and his friends instead of treating them as expendable tools.
Some non‑canonical sources suggest that, after Dagoth’s defeat, Jehnna rules as queen in her own right and may develop sorcerous abilities – a path that would put her closer to the “sorcerer‑queen” archetype found elsewhere in sword and sorcery.
Why Jehnna Matters in the Howard‑Verse Context
Jehnna is not a Robert E. Howard creation, but she fits neatly into the broader pattern of royals whose destinies hinge on barbarian swords.
Where Zenobia represents the grounded, loyal queen of the prose canon, Jehnna feels more like an 80s fantasy riff on the “chosen princess” motif – a bridge between the darker pulp roots and more family‑friendly adventure.
From a Howard‑Verse perspective, I think she is useful for showing how filmmakers softened and reshaped Conan for a wider audience: adding a younger character, giving him someone to protect rather than just comrades to carouse with, and hinting at a future where the barbarian’s actions shape entire royal bloodlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Princess Jehnna in the original Conan stories?
No. Jehnna is unique to Conan the Destroyer and does not appear in Robert E. Howard’s prose. She was created for the 1984 film.
Who plays Princess Jehnna?
Jehnna is played by Olivia d’Abo in her feature‑film debut. She was a teenager at the time, which matches the character’s youth and inexperience.
What is Jehnna chosen to do?
She is the only person who can retrieve the key from Toth‑Amon’s fortress and then unlock the horn of Dagoth, making her the linchpin of Queen Taramis’ secret plan.
