The Chronicles of Prydain facts for kids
A complete set of The Chronicles of Prydain
|
|
|
|
| Author | Lloyd Alexander |
|---|---|
| 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 series of five exciting children's high fantasy novels. They were written by American author Lloyd Alexander. The books tell a coming-of-age story, showing how a young person grows and learns.
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, The Black Cauldron, won a special award called a Newbery Honor in 1966. The last book, The High King, won the famous Newbery Medal in 1969.
The stories happen in a make-believe land called Prydain. This land is ruled by a High King and many smaller kingdoms. Prydain is inspired by the real country of Wales. Its creatures and characters come from Welsh myths and old stories.
The series follows a young hero named Taran. He lives on a farm and dreams of being a great hero. But in the first book, he becomes the "Assistant Pig-Keeper." His job is to protect Hen Wen, a special white pig. Hen Wen can see the future and knows hidden things.
While looking after Hen Wen, Taran gets into many adventures. He helps protect Prydain from dangers. The biggest threat is the evil Arawn, who has an army of undead soldiers called the Cauldron-Born.
Taran's main friends on his journey are:
- The smart enchantress Princess Eilonwy.
- The bard Fflewddur Fflam, a minor king who loves to wander.
- The wild, furry beast-man Gurgi.
- The dwarf Doli.
These heroes often get help from the Fair Folk, who are like elves, and the brave warriors called the Sons of Don. The books are full of battles against evil. But they also focus on Taran's journey. He grows from a quick-tempered boy into a wise and thoughtful adult.
Besides the main novels, there are also short stories. The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain was published in 1973. The first two novels were loosely made into a Disney movie in 1985. It was called The Black Cauldron. There was also a video game based on the movie.
Contents
The World of Prydain
Prydain used to be ruled by the evil sorceress Queen Achren. Now, the good High King rules it. He is part of the Children of Don family. They are descendants of Lady Don and Belin.
The High King and his warriors, the Sons of Don, live in a strong castle called Caer Dathyl. Prydain is divided into smaller areas and kingdoms. These are ruled by lesser kings who are loyal to the High King. There are also Free Commots, which are villages that answer only to the High King.
The evil Queen Achren was overthrown by her student in magic, Arawn. Arawn took the Iron Crown and became the master of Annuvin. This fortress is known as the Land of the Dead. Arawn is called the Death-Lord.
Arawn's army includes the "Cauldron-Born." These are undead soldiers brought back to life by the magical Black Cauldron. He also has the scary Horned King and the bloodthirsty Huntsmen of Annuvin. Arawn also turns birds into monstrous flying creatures called Gwythaints. When the first book begins, Arawn plans to conquer Prydain.
Underneath Prydain, there is a hidden kingdom of the Fair Folk. These are small, magical beings who usually stay hidden. They don't like Arawn and sometimes help the humans of Prydain fight him.
Important places in Prydain include:
- Caer Dallben: Taran's simple home with his mentor Dallben and the warrior Coll.
- Caer Colur: The home of Princess Eilonwy's family.
- The Spiral Castle: The fortress of the sorceress Achren.
- Annuvin: Arawn's fortress.
- The Marshes of Morva: A spooky swamp where three witches live.
Prydain is also home to many strange creatures, like the unique forest man called Gurgi.
Movie and Audio Stories
The Disney Movie
Walt Disney Productions released an animated film in 1985. It was called The Black Cauldron. The movie was mostly based on the first two books. It also used ideas from the other books.
The movie cost a lot to make, about $44 million. But it only made $21 million in the United States. Critics had mixed feelings about it. They thought it was "pretty, but confusing and overly somber." This was because it was dark and the story was hard to follow.
Lloyd Alexander, the author, said about the movie: "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."
In 2016, Walt Disney Pictures got the rights to The Chronicles of Prydain again. They plan to make a new movie series. This new series aims to be more like Lloyd Alexander's original high fantasy world.
Audiobooks
In the early 2000s, Listening Library made audiobooks of the five main novels. James Langton read the stories. Lloyd Alexander himself read notes about the author. These audiobooks were available on cassette, CD, and for download. In 2017, an audiobook of The Foundling and Other Tales of Prydain was also released. It was also read by James Langton.
Main Characters of Prydain
The characters are listed by the book where they first appear.
From The Book of Three
- Taran, Assistant Pig-Keeper. He is the main hero of the series. He grows from a young teenager to an adult. At first, he is quick-tempered and impulsive. But he learns and becomes wiser throughout his adventures. Taran's parents are a mystery. He is taught by the old enchanter Dallben. They live on a farm with Coll. Taran dreams of being a hero. But by the end of the first book, he realizes he is happy living a simple life. Still, he is called to adventure many times.
- Dallben. He is 379 years old when the first book begins. He lives on Coll's farm and protects Taran and the special pig Hen Wen. Many people think he is the most powerful enchanter in Prydain. He uses his magic carefully.
- Coll. He is a skilled retired warrior. Coll now lives on his farm at Caer Dallben. He takes care of Hen Wen, the pig who can see the future. He let Dallben and Taran live on his farm. When Taran was a teenager, Coll made him "Assistant Pig-Keeper."
- Hen Wen. She is a white pig with the power to see the future and find hidden things. The evil Arawn once captured her. But Coll rescued her and became her caretaker. When Coll retired, he kept Hen Wen on his farm. Taran and Dallben also helped care for her. Hen Wen gets lost at the start of The Book of Three. This event sends Taran on his journey to become a hero.
- Princess Eilonwy. She is a princess from a family of powerful enchantresses. She becomes Taran's friend in the first book. Over time, they develop romantic feelings for each other. Eilonwy is smart and witty. She often uses funny comparisons when she talks. She likes to go barefoot or wear sandals. She carries a magical golden bauble called the Golden Pelydryn.
- Fflewddur Fflam, son of Godo. He is a minor king of a small kingdom in Prydain. He often leaves his kingdom to wander as a bard. He likes to boast, but his magical harp strings break when he tells a lie. This makes him tell the truth!
- Gurgi. He is a kind and always hungry creature. He is described as being part man and part beast. He has long arms and is covered in fur and leaves. He often talks about himself using "crunchings and munchings" or "smackings and wackings." Gurgi is humble and loyal to his friends. He often finds hidden items that are important to the stories.
- Doli. He is one of the Fair Folk. They are magical beings who live in a huge underground kingdom. Doli is a short, strong dwarf. He is good at hunting, fighting, and being sneaky. At first, he was the only one of his kind who couldn't turn invisible. But after helping Taran, he was given the power to become invisible. It makes his ears tingle, though!
- King Eiddileg. He is the leader of the Fair Folk. He helps Taran and his friends in many battles against Arawn.
- Gwydion. He is a prince and the heir of King Math of Prydain. He leads the House of Don warriors against Arawn. He rides a horse named Melyngar. He becomes Taran's friend and joins him on several adventures.
- Math, son of Mathonwy. He is the High King of Prydain. He rules over all the lesser kings. He is the head of the Royal House of Don. King Math is a fair ruler. His leadership helps keep Arawn the Death-Lord from taking over. He lives in the castle of Caer Dathyl.
- The Horned King. For a time, he is Arawn's main warrior and leader of his army. He is a huge man in armor. He wears a red cape and a mask made from an antlered skull.
- Achren. She was the former evil Queen of Prydain. Her student, Arawn, overthrew her. She now lives as Arawn's subject. She hates Arawn but also feels drawn to and protective of Gwydion. She has her own plans to take over Prydain.
- Arawn, the Death-Lord. He is the main bad guy in the series. Arawn was once a normal man. He learned magic from Queen Achren. He became powerful and overthrew her. He then got the Black Cauldron. He used it to create a strong undead army called the Cauldron-Born. He tries to conquer Prydain, but the Sons of Don always fight against him.
From The Black Cauldron
- King Smoit. He is a loud lord and one of the few Southern Cantrevs who stays loyal to the High King.
- King Morgant. He rules the kingdom of Madoc.
- Gwystyl. He is one of the Fair Folk. He looks like "a bundle of sticks with cobwebs." Gwystyl lives in a hidden place near Arawn's fortress. He has a pet crow named Kaw, who later becomes Taran's pet.
- Kaw. He is a talking crow. He can only say one word at a time. Kaw is mischievous and likes to play tricks.
- Ellidyr. He is a prince whose father left him only his name and sword. He is very sensitive about being poor.
- Adaon. He is a talented musician, warrior, and healer. He wears a special brooch that gives him dreams about the future.
- Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch. These are three mysterious witches who live in the Marshes of Morva. They were the original owners of the Black Cauldron. They lent it to Arawn. They trade information and advice for magical prices. They also looked after Dallben when he was a baby.
- The Huntsmen of Annuvin. They are a group of wild, cruel fighters in Arawn's army. They are known for being tough and never giving up. When one is killed, his strength magically goes to his friends, making them stronger.
From The Castle of Llyr
- Prince Rhun. He is the only son of King Rhuddlum and Queen Teleria. They rule the Isle of Mona. Rhun is cheerful and kind. But he is also clumsy and often has accidents. Others believe he needs to grow up before becoming king. He first appears when Princess Eilonwy is sent to his castle to learn proper manners.
- Chief Steward Magg. He is a respected man on the Isle of Mona. But he becomes very power-hungry and selfish.
- Glew. He is unhappy about being small. Glew tries to use magic potions to become bigger. He tests a potion on a wild cat first. He often feels sorry for himself. Later, he tries to improve his personality instead of his body.
- Llyan. She is a female cat with orange fur. She becomes bigger than a horse because of Glew's growth potion. Later, Fflewddur's music charms her, and she becomes his steed (like a horse).
From Taran Wanderer
- Aeddan. He is a farmer who gives Taran shelter while Taran searches for his parents.
- Dorath. He is a dishonest bandit and mercenary. His second-in-command is another bandit named Gloff.
- Craddoc. He is an old shepherd who says he is connected to Taran.
- Llonio, son of Llonwen. He is unusually lucky. He and his family spend their days waiting for good things to happen.
- Hevydd the Smith. He is an expert at working with metal. He teaches Taran how to forge swords.
- Dwyvach the Weaver-Woman. She is an expert weaver. She teaches Taran her skills.
- Annlaw Clay-Shaper. He is an expert potter from Commot Merin. He teaches Taran how to make pottery. Taran later thinks Annlaw is the wisest of his teachers.
- Llassar, son of Drudwas. He is young and eager to prove himself. He is like a younger version of Taran. His knowledge of the mountains is very important.
- Morda. He is an evil sorcerer who wants to gain ultimate power.
From The High King
- King Pryderi, son of Pwyll. He is the King of the Western Realms. He becomes more and more convinced that only extreme actions will bring order to Prydain.
Images for kids
-
A complete set of The Chronicles of Prydain
See also
In Spanish: Las Crónicas de Prydain para niños
