The Chronicles of Prydain facts for kids
A complete set of The Chronicles of Prydain
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| Author | Lloyd Alexander |
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| Illustrator | Evaline Ness (maps) |
| Cover artist | Jean-León Huens |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | High fantasy, children's literature |
| Publisher | Holt, Rinehart and Winston |
| Published | 1964–1968 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover and paperback), audiobook, e-book |
| No. of books | 5 |
| Followed by | The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain |
The Chronicles of Prydain is a pentalogy of children's high fantasy Bildungsroman novels written by American author Lloyd Alexander and published by Henry Holt and Company. The series includes: The Book of Three (1964), The Black Cauldron (1965), The Castle of Llyr (1966), Taran Wanderer (1967), and The High King (1968). The second book earned a 1966 Newbery Honor and the final novel won the 1969 Newbery Medal.
The five novels take place in Prydain, a fictional country ruled by a High King who oversees several minor kingdoms. The setting is based on Wales and inhabited by creatures and characters inspired by Welsh mythology and folklore. The Chronicles of Prydain series follows the protagonist Taran, a youth living on a farm who dreams of being a great hero but instead is made "Assistant Pig-Keeper" in the first book, entrusted with protecting Hen Wen, a white "oracular pig" magically empowered with clairvoyance. While attempting to care for the sow, Taran stumbles into a series of adventures wherein he helps protect his country of Prydain from different threats, chief among them the evil Arawn, whose forces include an undead army known as the Cauldron-Born. Throughout the stories, Taran's major companions are the enchantress Princess Eilonwy, the bard Fflewddur Fflam (a minor king who has left his kingdom), the wild beast-man Gurgi, and the dwarf Doli. The heroes frequently work alongside the Fair Folk (a society of elves and similar beings) and the warriors known as the Sons of Don. Along with various fights against forces of evil, the novels focus on Taran's journey of maturity, growing from a hot-tempered, impulsive boy to a knowledgeable and insightful adult.
The books were accompanied by an illustrated short story book in 1965 and another in 1967, followed by The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain, a collection of six short stories published in 1973. The cover art for the novels and the interior art for the short story picture books was done by Evaline Ness. New illustrations for the 1973 anthology were done by Margot Zemach. The first two novels of The Chronicles of Prydain were loosely adapted into the 1985 Disney film The Black Cauldron and led to a video game of the same name produced by Sierra Entertainment.
Contents
Setting
Once ruled over by the evil sorceress Queen Achren, Prydain is now under the authority of the just High King, a member of the family known as the Children of Don, descendants of Lady Don and her consort, Belin. The High King and his warriors, known as the Sons of Don, are based in the stronghold called Caer Dathyl. The rest of Prydain is divided into territories and minor kingdoms (called cantrevs) ruled by many lower kings who owe their loyalty to the High King. A collection of villages called the Free Commots exist outside any cantrev's jurisdiction, answering only to the High King.
The evil Queen Achren was overthrown by her consort and student in magic, Arawn. Taking the Iron Crown, Arawn became master of the fortress of Annuvin, the Land of the Dead. Known as the Death-Lord, Arawn's warriors include the "Cauldron-Born" (undead soldiers reanimated by the magical Black Cauldron), the fearsome war commander called the Horned King, and the bloodthirsty Huntsmen of Annuvin (who in death transfer their power to their surviving comrades). Arawn also corrupts a race of birds into the Gwythaints, monstrous airborne agents. When the first novel begins, Arawn and the Horned King are making new plans to conquer Prydain.
Underneath and within Prydain is the kingdom of the Fair Folk, a society of diminutive supernatural beings that use magic to stay hidden and mostly keeps to their own affairs. Having no love for Arawn, the Fair Folk occasionally aid the humans of Prydain against him.
Significant locations in Prydain include: Caer Dallben, the simple home of series protagonist Taran, his mentor Dallben, and the retired warrior Coll; Caer Colur, which stands near the Isle of Mona and is the ancestral home of the House of Llyr; The Spiral Castle, fortress of the sorceress Achren; Annuvin, fortress of Arawn; and the Marshes of Morva, a haunted swamp inhabited by the witches Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch.
In addition to the races of humans and Fair Folk, Prydain is home many strange creatures, such as the odd forest man called Gurgi.
Adaptations
Film
Walt Disney Productions released a Prydain animated film in 1985. The Black Cauldron is based primarily on the first two novels while incorporating elements from the others. The movie had a production budget of $44 million, while its theatrical release grossed only $21 million in the United States. Critics gave the film mixed reviews and found the film "pretty, but confusing and overly somber" due to its dark nature and disjointed script, though Roger Ebert gave it a positive review. Production delays and its disappointing box office performance put the future of the Disney animation studio department in jeopardy. Then newly appointed studio head Jeffrey Katzenberg was dismayed by the product, and the animators felt that it lacked "the humor, pathos, and the fantasy which had been so strong in Lloyd Alexander's work. The story had been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it was heartbreaking to see such wonderful material wasted."
Of the film, Lloyd Alexander remarked: "First, I have to say, there is no resemblance between the movie and the book. Having said that, the movie in itself, purely as a movie, I found to be very enjoyable."
On March 17, 2016, Variety confirmed that Walt Disney Pictures had re-acquired the film rights to The Chronicles of Prydain, with the intention to adapt the book series into an epic motion picture series, more attuned to Lloyd Alexander's high fantasy world. The project is currently in early development at the Walt Disney Studios with no director, producer, or screenwriter attached yet.
Audiobook
Early in the 2000s, Listening Library (Random House) produced an unabridged reading by James Langton of the five main volumes, with author's notes read by Lloyd Alexander himself. The audiobooks were published on compact audio cassette and compact disc, and were also released for download from 2004 to 2005. In May 2017, an audiobook adaptation of The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain was released in a digital format. This edition was also read by James Langton.
Major and Recurring Characters
Characters are grouped by the book where they first appear.
The Book of Three
Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper. The main protagonist of The Prydain Chronicles, he is a young man who grows from early adolescence to adulthood over the course of the series. Initially defensive, quick-tempered, and impulsive, he matures over the series and makes it a point to improve himself and increase his knowledge. His true parentage a mystery, Taran is mentored by the ancient enchanter Dallben and the two live together in Caer Dallben at a farm owned by the warrior-turned-farmer Coll. Initially unsatisfied with his life as a farmhand, Taran longs to be a hero who finds glory in adventures. By the end of the first book, he reconsiders this opinion and realizes he is happiest living a simple life on the farm Caer Dallben and wants to remain there. Despite this, he is later called back to adventure again.
Dallben. When first introduced in The Book of Three, he is already 379 years old. Living on Coll's farm in Caer Dallben, he acts as the protector of Taran and mentor of Taran and helps protect the prophetic pig Hen Wen. Some recognize him as the most powerful enchanter in Prydain, and while his displays of power are quite potent they are used sparingly.
Coll. A retired warrior of great skill, Coll now lives in his farm in Caer Dallben, acting as caretaker for the oracular pig Hen Wen. On meeting the enchanter Dallben, he allows the ancient man and Taran to take up residence at the farm. When Taran is in his mid-teens, Coll passes may of Hen Wen's responsibilities to him, naming the boy "Assistant Pig-Keeper."
Hen Wen. A white oracular pig, blessed with the ability to prophesy future events and reveal hidden information. Hen Wen originally belongs to a simple farmer but the Death-Lord Arawn learns of her oracule power and captures her. Henwen suffers for some time as a prisoner in the dark fortress Annuvin. The warrior Coll eventually journeys into Annuvin alone and rescues the pig, becoming her caretaker. When Coll retires, he keeps Henwen on his farm. Taran and Dallben help look after her after they take residence at the farm. When Taran is a teenager, Coll jokingly bestows on him the official title of Assistant Pig-Keeper. Henwen is lost at the beginning of The Book of Three, which causes a chain of events that puts Taran on the path of becoming a hero.
Princess Eilonwy. A princess of the House of Llyr, the women of whom are formidable enchantresses. She befriends Taran in the first book and over the years they develop romantic feelings for each other. Eilonwy is the daughter of Angharad, who in turn is the daughter of Regat. Against her mother's wishes, Angharad married a commoner named Geraint, Eilonwy's father. Smart and witty, she is also considered by some to be scatterbrained. She often employs unusual similes and metaphors. She has a preference for going barefoot, and usually prefers sandals if she must wear some kind of shoe. She carries with her the Golden Pelydryn, a magical bauble that has been in her family for generations.
Fflewddur Fflam, son of Godo. A cantrev lord of Prydain, he is considered a minor king of a tiny kingdom. With few responsibilities and believing his people get along fine without him, he often leaves his kingdom, preferring to wander as a bard. Although prone to boasting, the strings of his enchanted "truthful harp" break whenever he tells a lie, sometimes forcing him to be honest.
Gurgi. A good-natured and "ever hungry" being described as a being who is both man and beast. He has long arms and is covered with fur and leaves. Often referring to himself in the third person, his manner of speech is filled with rhymed pairs of words ("crunchings and munchings", "smackings and wackings", "sneakings and peekings"), and redundant phrases ("see with lookings"). Gurgi is humble and loyal toward his human companions, at first submitting even to Taran as a "noble lord". In the course of the Chronicles, he plays a highly important role by accidentally finding hidden items which ultimately occupy a vital role in the stories.
Doli. One of the Fair Folk, a society of magical beings who live in an extensive underground kingdom spanning the entire country of Prydain. Doli is described as a short, stocky dwarf who carries a number of weapons and is adept in hunting, fighting, and stealth. Originally, he is said to be the only one of his kin who does not have the power to turn himself invisible. After aiding Taran's companions and the House of Don in The Book of Three, he is rewarded by Gwydion with invisibility, although each use causes an uncomfortable sensation inside his ears.
King Eiddileg. The reclusive leader of the Fair Folk. He aids Taran and his allies in numerous battles against the forces of Annuvin.
Gwydion. Prince of Don, heir of King Math of Prydain. He is the war leader of the House of Don against the forces of Annuvin, and rides a horse named Melyngar. After meeting Taran in The Book of the Three, he befriends the young man and accompanies him on several adventures.
Math, son of Mathonwy. The High King of Prydain, Math rules above all lesser kings in the country and is the patriarch of the Royal House of Don, the descendants of the Lady Don and her consort, Belin, the Sun king. A just ruler, Math's leadership helps keep Arawn the Death-Lord partly in check. He dwells in the stronghold Caer Dathyl, the castle of the Children of Don that lies north of the Eagle Mountains.
The Horned King. For a time, he is Arawn's champion and the war leader of the Death-Lord's forces. He is described as a huge man wearing armor, except for his arms, which are naked and stained crimson. Along with this, he wears a red cape and an antlered skull mask.
Achren. The former Queen of Prydain, her tyrannical rule was ended by her former consort and student Arawn, who took the Iron Crown from her. Living as Arawn's subject in the Spiral Castle, she despises the Death-Lord while finding herself drawn to and protective of the noble warrior Gwydion. She makes her own plans to take over Prydain.
Arawn, the Death-Lord. The main antagonist of the series, Arawn is originally a mortal man. He gains magical powers by being tutored by the evil Queen Achren during her time as ruler of Prydain. After growing powerful as her consort, Arawn overthrows Achren and takes the Iron Crown from her. After gaining possession of the Black Cauldron, he creates a powerful undead army known as the Cauldron-Born. He then attempts to conquer Prydain, often defied by the Sons of Don.
The Black Cauldron
King Smoit. The boisterous lord of Cantrev Cadiffor and one of the only Southern Cantrevs to remain loyal to the High King.
King Morgant. Ruler of the kingdom of Madoc.
Gwystyl. One of the Fair Folk, described as resembling "a bundle of sticks with cobwebs floating at the top." Gwystyl lives in a hidden underground waypost near the border of Annuvin. He has a pet crow, named Kaw, whom he later passes to Taran.
Kaw. A crow, originally the pet of Gwystyl before being given to Taran. Kaw can talk, although only in one-word statements. He has a mischievous temperament, often playing tricks on his human friends and talking more freely than he should.
Ellidyr. Described as a prince whose father left him only "his name and his sword," he is deeply sensitive about his poverty.
Adaon. A gifted minstrel, warrior, and healer with a distinctive brooch that bestows prophetic dreams.
Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch. Three witches who live alone in the Marshes of Morva, apparently inspired by the Norns of folklore. Although their identities seem fluid and interchangeable, each persona has a distinctive appearance: Orwen wears a necklace of milky stones, Orddu's hair is adorned with many ornaments, and Orgoch's face is shadowed by a black cowl. They were the original owners of the Black Cauldron and lent it to Arawn, who used it to create the Cauldron-Born. They trade information and advice to anyone brave enough to enter their domain, though they nearly always ask for a magical price. Many years ago, they acted as guardians of Dallben when they found him as an abandoned infant near the marsh.
The Huntsmen of Annuvin. A band of wild, merciless fighters notorious for their endurance, tenacity, and bloodthirst. They serve in Arawn's army, each branded with the mark of Annuvin on their foreheads. When one is slain, his strength is magically transferred to his nearby comrades, making each stronger as their numbers dwindle.
The Castle of Llyr
Prince Rhun. The only son of King Rhuddlum and Queen Teleria, who rule over the Isle of Mona. Cheerful and altruistic, he is also clumsy and accident-prone, with others believing he must mature before taking the throne. He is first introduced in The Castle of Llyr when the Princess Eilonwy is sent by the enchanter Dallben to live at the castle and gain a "proper" upbringing.
Chief Steward Magg. A respected man on the Isle of Mona, he becomings increasingly power-hungry and focused on his own desires.
Glew. Resentful of his diminutive stature, Glew turns to magical potions to increase his physical size, first testing it on a wild cat. Prone to self-pity and desperation, he later works to improve his personality rather than his body.
Llyan. A female cat with orange fur that becomes larger than a horse due to an experimental growth potion created by Glew. Later enchanted by Fflewddur's music, she serves as his steed.
Taran Wanderer
Aeddan. A farmer who shelters Taran while he searches for his parents.
Dorath. A treacherous bandit and mercenary. His unofficial second-in-command is the bandit Gloff.
Craddoc. An old shepherd who claims a connection to Taran.
Llonio, son of Llonwen. Unusually lucky, he and his family spend their days waiting for whatever comes their way.
Hevydd the Smith. An expert metalsmith who teaches sword forging to Taran.
Dwyvach the Weaver-Woman. An expert weaver who teachers her skills to Taran.
Annlaw Clay-Shaper. An expert potter from Commot Merin who teaches pottery to Taran. Taran later considers Annlaw to be the wisest of his Commot teachers.
Llassar, son of Drudwas. Young and enthusiastic to prove himself as a man, he is a mirror image of Taran in his own younger years. His knowledge of mountain craft proves vital.
Morda. An evil sorcerer who wishes to attain ultimate power.
The High King
King Pryderi, son of Pwyll. King of the Western Realms, he becomes increasingly convinced that only extreme measures will bring order to Prydain.
See also
In Spanish: Las Crónicas de Prydain para niños
