Cart and Cwidder facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Diana Wynne Jones |
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| Cover artist | Juliet Stanwell Smith |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Dalemark Quartet |
| Genre | Fantasy, Children's novel |
| Publisher | Macmillan |
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Publication date
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1975 |
| Media type | Print (hardback and paperback) |
| Pages | 193 |
| ISBN | 0-333-17939-0 |
| Followed by | Drowned Ammet |
Cart and Cwidder is an exciting fantasy novel for young readers by the British author Diana Wynne Jones. It was first published in 1975. This book is the first one released in The Dalemark Quartet series. However, if you read the books in the order of their story, Cart and Cwidder actually happens after The Spellcoats and Drowned Ammet.
Contents
What is Cart and Cwidder About?
The story follows a young musician named Moril. He travels with his family – his father Clennen, his mother Lenina, and his older siblings Dagner and Brid – across a land called Dalemark. Dalemark is divided by a big conflict between the North and the South. Moril's family are Singers, meaning they travel around playing music, delivering messages, and sharing news.
A Dangerous Journey Begins
One day, Moril's father, Clennen, is killed by the Earl of South Dales. The Earl thought Clennen was secretly helping the North. After this sad event, Moril's mother, Lenina, takes her three children and a young traveler named Kialan back to her hometown. Kialan is the son of a Northern leader and is trying to escape danger. Lenina quickly marries a local Lord, believing it will protect her family from bad luck.
Fleeing to the North
Moril, Dagner, Brid, and Kialan soon realize that Clennen's killer is among the wedding guests. They decide to escape the town and try to reach the North. They continue to perform music to earn a living, but it's much harder without Clennen and Lenina. Dagner tries to continue his father's secret work helping the North, but he gets caught and is arrested. Brid, Moril, and Kialan have to flee, worried about what will happen to Dagner.
Moril's Magical Cwidder
Before he died, Clennen gave Moril a special musical instrument called a cwidder. It's like a lute or an acoustic guitar. People say this cwidder once belonged to Moril's ancestor, Osfameron, who was a famous musician and magician. As Moril travels, he starts to discover that he can use the cwidder's magic.
The Battle and Its Aftermath
As the group travels, they get caught up in the war. When the Southern army is about to attack the North, Moril uses his magical cwidder. He makes the mountains "walk" and close the only pass between the North and the South. This is just like his ancestor Osfameron did in old songs! The walking mountains stop the Southern army, and the evil Earl of South Dales, who killed Clennen, is defeated.
However, Moril feels very sad and guilty after the battle. Even though he saved the North, many people died. He is especially heartbroken because his beloved horse, Olob, was shot during the fight.
In the end, everyone safely reaches Hannart, Kialan's father's home. Dagner is released from jail and joins them. Moril decides to travel with another Singer named Hestefan to learn more about being a proper Singer. Hestefan agrees, and they set off to continue their journey through Dalemark.
Main Characters
- Moril (full name Osfameron Tanamoril) – He is the youngest son of Clennen and Lenina. He gets his father's magic cwidder and learns to use its amazing powers.
- Clennen Mendakersson – A very famous Singer in Dalemark. He secretly helps the North as a spy, using his travels to gather information.
- Kialan – A 14-year-old boy who is the son of a Northern leader. He is shipwrecked in the South and joins Clennen's group to escape danger and reach the North.
- Dagner (full name Dastgandlen Handagner) – The oldest son of Clennen and Lenina. He is a talented musician. After his father's death, he tries to help the North but is arrested.
- Brid (full name Cennoreth Manaliabrid) – The daughter of Clennen and Lenina. She is a singer and plays an instrument called a panhorn. She performs with her family from their brightly painted pink cart.
- Lenina Thornsdaughter – She is the niece of the Earl of South Dales. She married Clennen after falling in love with him, even though she was supposed to marry someone else.
- Tholian – The bad Earl of South Dales who kills Clennen. He gathers an army to attack the North but is stopped by Moril's magic.
- Ganner Sagersson – The Lord of Markind. He was supposed to marry Lenina before she ran off with Clennen. He marries her after Clennen's death.
- Olob (full name Barangarolob) – The loyal horse that pulls Clennen's cart. Olob has a special sense that warns them when enemies are near. He is sadly killed during the battle.
What Do Cart and Cwidder Mean?
The title of the book, Cart and Cwidder, refers to two important things in the story:
- The cart is the wagon that Singers like Moril's family use to travel all around Dalemark.
- The cwidder is the special musical instrument, similar to a lute, that Singers play. Moril's cwidder has magical powers!
