The Chronicles of Prydain

***The Chronicles of Prydain*** is a pentalogy of children's high fantasy Bildungsroman novels written by American author Lloyd Alexander. The series follows the adventures of Taran the Assistant Pig-Keeper, a youth raised by Dallben the enchanter, as he nears manhood while helping to resist the forces of Arawn Death-Lord. One volume was published annually from 1964 to 1968; the second earned a 1966 Newbery Honor and the last won the 1969 Newbery Medal.

The five novels follow the protagonist Taran from youth to maturity, most overtly in the fourth book, Taran Wanderer. Taran has the title Assistant Pig-Keeper at Caer Dallben but initially dreams of being a grand hero like the High Prince Gwydion. His most important companions in adventure are Princess Eilonwy, a girl his age; Fflewddur Fflam, a wandering bard and minor king; Gurgi, a wild man-beast; and Doli, a dwarf.

Thematically the novels draw upon Welsh mythology, particularly the Mabinogion. The novels are not, however, retellings of those myths, a point Alexander himself makes in an author's note for The Book of Three: stories have been conflated, and characters have been changed in both role and motive, so a student of Welsh culture should be prepared as Arawn becomes the books' dark arch enemy and Gwydion's negative traits are replaced with unclouded heroism.

Appropriately, the author's note also reveals the geography is ultimately derived from Wales, though Alexander notes that Prydain is separate from Wales both in physical geography and history.

**Book 1: The Book Of Three, published March 12, 1964**

Taran lives at Caer Dallben with his guardians, the ancient enchanter Dallben and the farmer and retired soldier Coll. Due to the threat posed by a warlord known as the Horned King, Taran is forbidden from leaving the farm. When a pig he is caring for escapes, Taran follows her but is attacked by horsemen, led by the Horned King himself. He escapes, wounded and is found by Gwydion, who, determined to find the pig, takes Taran along with him. However, they discover the Horned King seeks to destroy Gwydion's castle and they begin their quest to stop him.

This story, and that of the second book, provided the inspiration for Disney's *The Black Cauldron*.

[Wikipedia]

**Book 2: The Black Cauldron, published August 5, 1965**

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: Gwydion proposes to capture it.

This story, and that of the first book, provided the inspiration for Disney's The Black Cauldron.

Lloyd Alexander's said of the film, "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."

[Wikipedia]

**Book 3: The Castle of Llyr, published March 3, 1966**

Princess Eilonwy faces the unavoidable (and in her view absolutely unnecessary) ordeal of becoming a young lady. Taran joins her escort to a royal court where she will continue her education, near to her ancestral home. Soon after arrival, she is kidnapped for the sorceress Achren. Taran and companions including Prince Rhun set out to rescue her.

[Wikipedia]

**Book 4: Taran Wanderer, published August 24, 1967**

The story follows Taran as he "wanders" with Gurgi, but without most of his former companions from the other Chronicles. He searches for his noble or common lineage in the eastern regions of Prydain, far from both the realm and forces of Arawn and the demesne of the High King. Along the way, he meets many people, learns new skills and crafts, and confronts some rough characters.

[Wikipedia]

**Book 5: The High King, published October 27, 1968**

In the concluding volume Taran and companions join the rest of Prydain in a great effort to defeat Arawn directly. Finally Taran must decide whether to be High King.

[Wikipedia]