Chrestomanci

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Chrestomanci (pronounced: krest-oh-man-see) is the title of a job held by at least two major characters in a series of fantasy novels by Diana Wynne Jones. It is also the name given to the books series.

The Chrestomanci is a powerful enchanter with the responsibility of regulating magic usage in a set of parallel universes including our own world. The Chrestomancis are unique in that they have nine lives. This is because while most people have "doubles" across nine worlds, a potential Chrestomanci has no doubles. It is a government job, and each Chrestomanci is responsible for seeing to the location and training of his or her successor.

The main series includes five novels and several short stories. In order of internal chronology, they are:

In addition, there are some members of the series which cannot be placed exactly, although they are set in the same general era as Charmed Life:

  • The Sage of Theare (short story, published in Mixed Magics)
  • Witch Week (novel)
  • Warlock at the Wheel (short story, set after Charmed Life and published in Mixed Magics).

[edit] Abilities

All qualifiers must have, or have had, nine lives. Merely calling out 'Chrestomanci' will cause him to appear, whether he wants to or not. As a result, most people refer to him as 'August Personage' or similar. Also, it is implied that saying his name three times forces him to at least try to solve whatever magical dilemma the summoner wants.

Chrestomancis are all enchanters, making them among the strongest magic-users in the world. There are two Chrestomancis who appear most in the books. These two have serious magical weaknesses. In Christopher's case, this weakness is silver: he cannot work magic while having silver on his person or being touched by silver; he can also not work magic on silver (though only if it is directly cast at the silver: he can still affect it indirectly). Cat's weakness is that he must work magic through his left hand: using his right does nothing. His lives have also been converted into a book of matches by his older sister, Gwendoline. Their seat of office is Chrestomanci Castle, a fortress of magic staffed by civil servants and occupied by the current enchanter and his family. This castle can be used as both a government office and a private dwelling, as well as a school for Chrestomanci's children and world. Most people find the castle disconcerting to be in, but Chrestomanci does not seem to notice.

[edit] Chrestomancis (or in training)

The Chrestomancis encountered throughout the series include Gabriel de Witt and his successor Christopher Chant. As of the events of Charmed Life, Christopher Chant has started training Eric Chant as the next Chrestomanci.

Benjamin Allworthy: He was the Chrestomanci before Gabriel de Witt. Little is known about him other than his name.

Gabriel de Witt: Gabriel had been Chrestomanci before Christopher. Christopher Chant became Chrestomanci after Gabriel retired.

Christopher Chant: Christopher appears in all of the books in the Chrestomanci series. He is the current occupier of the post 'Chrestomanci'. He is often called into different worlds and places by various people pleading for help. He appears often as a dreamy, vague person but he is often most perceptive when looking vague. He currently has two lives remaining with one in a gold ring which is worn by Millie as her engagement ring. He has a strong sense of justice and morals and helps out people all the time.

Eric "Cat" Chant: Cat appears in Charmed Life, Mixed Magics, and The Pinhoe Egg. Although in training, he has not become Chrestomanci, as far as the readers know. Unlike most people, he is left-handed, and had been reprimanded in school for being so. He is a seemingly normal boy, with similar interests as most people. Cat has currently three lives remaining.

Books by Diana Wynne Jones

Chrestomanci series: The Lives of Christopher Chant • Conrad's Fate • Charmed Life • The Magicians of Caprona • The Pinhoe Egg • Mixed Magics • Witch Week

Dalemark Quartet: Cart and Cwidder • Drowned Ammet • The Spellcoats • The Crown of Dalemark

Castle series: Howl's Moving Castle • Castle in the Air

Derkholm series: Dark Lord of Derkholm • Year of the Griffin

Magids series: Deep Secret • The Merlin Conspiracy

Other: Archer's Goon • Dogsbody • Eight Days of Luke • Fire and Hemlock • Hexwood • The Homeward Bounders • Power of Three • A Tale of Time City • The Time of the Ghost • More...
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