 the black cauldron (1965) is a high fantasy novel by lloyd alexander, the second of five volumes in the chronicles of prydain. for 1966 it was a newbery honor book, runner-up for the year's "most distinguished contribution to american literature for children". the story continues the adventures of taran, the assistant pig-keeper, as he joins in a quest to capture the eponymous magical cauldron from arawn death-lord. the book provided a title and many elements of plot for the only prydain film, the disney animated feature the black cauldron released in 1985 (below). ==origins== the series was inspired by welsh mythology and by the castles, scenery, and language of wales, which the author experienced during world war ii combat intelligence training. about the author (1973). the foundling and other tales of prydain, henry holt and company, first edition, page [88]. at one stage of planning it was a trilogy with titles the battle of the trees, the lion with the steady hand, and little gwion.lloyd alexander: a bio-bibliography by jacobs and tunnel  ==plot== the story opens at caer dallben where dallben the enchanter and coll the farmer and retired warrior have raised the orphan taran from infancy. it is early autumn more than a year after the defeat of arawn's army and death of his warlord the horned king which ended the book of three. the black cauldron, pp. 5, 15. taran has returned more or less contentedly to farming and studying under the tutelage of his mentors. however, weightier matters are afoot. prince gwydion has called allies to a council hosted by dallben. men are disappearing and more and more of the undead cauldron-born have joined the forces of arawn the death lord. evidently the black cauldron is active: gwy
1960s_fantasy_novels 1965_novels American_children\'s_novels American_fantasy_novels Children\'s_fantasy_novels Henry_Holt_and_Company_books Newbery_Honor-winning_works Novels_by_Lloyd_Alexander Sequel_novels The_Chronicles_of_Prydain_novels