The Black Cauldron (novel)
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 Recent US paperback cover |
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| Author | Lloyd Alexander |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Evaline Ness |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Chronicles of Prydain |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Holt, Rinehart and Winston |
| Released | June 1965 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| Pages | 224 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-8050-0992-2 (first edition, hardback) |
| Preceded by | The Book of Three |
| Followed by | The Castle of Llyr |
The Black Cauldron is the second book in Lloyd Alexander's five-part novel series The Chronicles of Prydain (first published in 1964). The story centers on the adventures of Taran, an Assistant Pig-Keeper in the magical land of Prydain, as he joins in a quest to capture the eponymous vessel, a magical device which can be used to create armies of the undead.
The Walt Disney company adapted it into a film in 1985, which itself served as inspiration for a 1986 computer game.
[edit] Plot summary
Having suffered a grievous blow with the death of his champion, the Horned King, in The Book of Three, Arawn begins to increase his number of deathless Cauldron Born with his vile tool, the Black Cauldron. Recognizing the danger that this poses, Prince Gwydion resolves to destroy the evil weapon and convenes a council at Caer Dallben, where reside Dallben, Call, Princess Eilonwy and, of course, Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper. Joining the council are the wandering bard-king Fflewddur Fflam, Doli of the Fair Folk, the jolly but powerful King Smoit, the cool and calculating king Morgant, Adaon, son of the chief bard, and the arrogant Prince Ellidyr who, between his two older brothers was left nothing of his father's kingdom besides "his name and his sword".
Gwydion and the other leaders realize that the costs involved in a direct assault on Annuvin are too high to be risked. Instead, a plan is hatched for Gwydion to lead a small band into Annuvin by way of a little-known mountain pass to seize the cauldron by stealth. King Smoit's band, as well as the companions led by Adaon, wait at the pass to support the raiding party, whilst King Morgant's war band is to create a distraction at the main entrance to the Deathlord's realm.
The Princess Eilonwy and Gurgi not permitted to go with the warriors, however they follow the companions and, after some chastisement, are allowed to remain.
Along the way, Taran and Ellidyr find themselves often at odds with each other, with Taran envying Ellidyr's noble birth and the Prince in return scorning Taran's lack of parentage.
Adaon says how he is to marry and the girl he is betrothed to made him a gift of an iron broach he wears. He tells Taran that if he were to die, Taran could have his healing herbs, horse, and broach. Doli turns invisible and enters Annuvin, only to find out that the Cauldron is already gone. Meanwhile, servants of Arawn chase the party away from their camp. Taran, Fflewddur, Gurgi, Doli, Eilonwy, Adaon, and Ellidyr find shelter in a Fair Folk waypost. The Fair Folk guardian there is reluctant to give any help, but his crow, Kaw, eagerly jabbers that the thieves of the Cauldron were the witches of the Marshes of Morva, known as Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch. After leaving the post, Ellidyr sneaks away for the Marshes, determined to win back the Cauldron for personal glory.
[edit] References
- Tuck, Donald H. (1974). The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy. Chicago: Advent, 6.
| The Chronicles of Prydain |
|---|
| Books |
| The Foundling and Other Tales from Prydain | The Book of Three | The Black Cauldron | The Castle of Llyr| Taran Wanderer| The High King |
| Characters |
| Achren | Angharad | Arawn | Coll | Dallben | Doli | Eiddileg | Ellidyr | Princess Eilonwy | Fflewddur Fflam | The Horned King | Glew | Gurgi | Gwydion | Gwystyl | Magg | Maibon | High King Math | Medwyn | Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch | Prince Rhun | Pryderi | Rhitta | Taran |
| Other media |
| The Black Cauldron (film) | The Black Cauldron (video game) |
| Animals |
| Gwythaints | Hen Wen | Kaw | Llyan | Lluagor | Melyngar | Melynlas |
| Places |
| Annuvin | Caer Cadarn | Caer Colur | Caer Dallben | Caer Dathyl | Cantrevs | Free Commots | Isle of Mona | Marshes of Morva | Spiral Castle | Summer Country |
| Other |
| The Book of Three | The Black Cauldron | Cauldron-Born | Dyrnwyn | Fair Folk | Golden Pelydryn | Huntsmen | Mirror of Llunet |
