Gwystyl
Encyclopedia
Gwystyl is a character in Lloyd Alexander
's fantasy Chronicles of Prydain book series. He first appears as one of the Fair Folk
in the second novel of the series, The Black Cauldron
. He also makes an appearance in the fifth and final novel, The High King
.
), a race of magical
creatures who live in the fictional land of Prydain
. He is described as resembling "a bundle of sticks with cobwebs floating at the top." He appears sickly
, with sparse, long and stringy hair
. He wears a mournful
expression and with his anxious eyes, seems constantly on the verge of tears
. His personality is no cheerier; he constantly complains and snivels, is a pessimist, and appears cowardly. He avoids conflict by asserting, "I am not up to it today...I'm not well, not at all well, really."
Gwystyl lives in a hidden underground waypost near the border
of Annuvin, the dominion of the villain
of the series. He has a pet crow
, named Kaw
.
and his companions meet Gwystyl as they are escaping the Huntsmen of Annuvin after their failed attempt to obtain the Black Crochan. Under the pressure of fellow Fair Folk, Doli
, he gives them refuge from the vicious Huntsmen in his underground lair, but he immediately encourages them to leave. To the annoyance of Gwystyl, Kaw (who can speak one word sentences) blurts out the names of Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch
in connection with the Cauldron. Gwystyl reluctantly reveals that the three sorceresses
possess the Cauldron in the Marshes of Morva
. After the companions have rested, Gwystyl sends them with directions to the Marshes with a supply of magical aides.
Gwystyl reappears near the end of the novel and assists the companions in the final battle
scenes. It is revealed that Gwystyl is actually shrewd and brave
, portraying a weaker image to his advantage. "Did you believer King Eiddileg would trust a lesser servant so close to Annuvin? But if you misjudged him, it was his intention that you do so." As the Cauldron is destroyed, Gwystyl gives Kaw to Taran as thanks from the Fair Folk. Kaw becomes a trusted companion throughout the remainder of the novels.
. When Taran has been kidnapped
, his companions Eilonwy, Fflewddur Fflam
, and Prince Rhun
enlist Gwystyl's aide in organizing an attack on Caer Cadarn, using additional supplies from Gwystyl's bag of magical tricks. They defeat Magg
only because of Gwystyl's help.
Much later, Gwystyl leads an army of Fair Folk reinforcements in the final days of climactic battle for the control of Prydain. It is again revealed that his melancholy personality masks a brave and true individual. In his first appearance in the novel, he was reporting from a dangerous spy
ing mission; in the second, he was one of the few who could lead the Fair Folk to fight with the humans.
In a final note, Gwystyl returns to Eiddileg's underground kingdom with the passing of magic from Prydain, never to return above ground. It is also explained that Gwystyl's personality and health were affected by living so close to the region of Annuvin, further burnishing his valiance.
. However, none of the characters in those tales resemble Alexander's character. Alexander seemed to enjoy creating the self-pitying Gwystyl. When a friend complemented him on his "interesting self-portrait
", he only very reluctantly agreed that he was qualified to play hypochondriac!
Lloyd Alexander
Lloyd Chudley Alexander was a widely influential American author of more than forty books, mostly fantasy novels for children and adolescents, as well as several adult books...
's fantasy Chronicles of Prydain book series. He first appears as one of the Fair Folk
Fair Folk
This article is for the fictional race in the fiction of Lloyd Alexander. For the mythological Fair Folk, see Fairy.The Fair Folk are a race of supernatural beings in The Chronicles of Prydain, a series of children's fantasy novels by Lloyd Alexander...
in the second novel of the series, The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron (novel)
The Black Cauldron is a 1965 fantasy novel, the second book in Lloyd Alexander's five-part novel series The Chronicles of Prydain . 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...
. He also makes an appearance in the fifth and final novel, The High King
The High King
The High King is the last book in the Chronicles of Prydain fantasy series of books by Lloyd Alexander. It was awarded the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1969.-Plot overview:...
.
Description
Gwystyl is one of the Fair Folk, (possibly a sidhSidh
Sidh may refer toPlaces* Sidh, Gujrat, a village in the Gujrat District of PakistanMythology* Sidh, the abodes of the Aos Sí in Celtic mythology...
), a race of magical
Magic (fantasy)
Magic in fiction is the endowing of fictional characters or objects with magical powers.Such magic often serves as a plot device, the source of magical artifacts and their quests...
creatures who live in the fictional land of Prydain
Prydain
Prydain is the modern Welsh name for Britain.-Medieval:Prydain is the medieval Welsh term for the island of Britain . More specifically, Prydain may refer to the Brittonic parts of the island; that is, the parts south of Caledonia...
. He is described as resembling "a bundle of sticks with cobwebs floating at the top." He appears sickly
Illness
Illness is a state of poor health. Illness is sometimes considered another word for disease. Others maintain that fine distinctions exist...
, with sparse, long and stringy hair
Hair
Hair is a filamentous biomaterial, that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Found exclusively in mammals, hair is one of the defining characteristics of the mammalian class....
. He wears a mournful
Grief
Grief is a multi-faceted response to loss, particularly to the loss of someone or something to which a bond was formed. Although conventionally focused on the emotional response to loss, it also has physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and philosophical dimensions...
expression and with his anxious eyes, seems constantly on the verge of tears
Tears
Tears are secretions that clean and lubricate the eyes. Lacrimation or lachrymation is the production or shedding of tears....
. His personality is no cheerier; he constantly complains and snivels, is a pessimist, and appears cowardly. He avoids conflict by asserting, "I am not up to it today...I'm not well, not at all well, really."
Gwystyl lives in a hidden underground waypost near the border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
of Annuvin, the dominion of the villain
Villain
A villain is an "evil" character in a story, whether a historical narrative or, especially, a work of fiction. The villain usually is the antagonist, the character who tends to have a negative effect on other characters...
of the series. He has a pet crow
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
, named Kaw
Kaw (character)
Kaw is a character in The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. He first appears in the second book of the series, The Black Cauldron, and plays a role in each of the following books...
.
The Black Cauldron
TaranTaran (character)
Taran is a fictional character in The Chronicles of Prydain series, as well as in the film and game named after the second novel, The Black Cauldron.-Profile:...
and his companions meet Gwystyl as they are escaping the Huntsmen of Annuvin after their failed attempt to obtain the Black Crochan. Under the pressure of fellow Fair Folk, Doli
Doli
Doli is a fictional character in Lloyd Alexander's fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. Doli is one of the "fair folk", a nation of faeries, and other magical beings who live in an extensive underground kingdom that spans the entire country of Prydain.-Profile:Doli is described as a short,...
, he gives them refuge from the vicious Huntsmen in his underground lair, but he immediately encourages them to leave. To the annoyance of Gwystyl, Kaw (who can speak one word sentences) blurts out the names of Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch
Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch
Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch are fictional characters in Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain series.They are three witches who live alone in the Marshes of Morva...
in connection with the Cauldron. Gwystyl reluctantly reveals that the three sorceresses
Magician (fantasy)
A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
possess the Cauldron in the Marshes of Morva
Marshes of Morva
The Marshes of Morva is a region in the fictional country of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's fantasy series, The Chronicles of Prydain. It is most notable for being the home of the three Fates-like enchantresses, Orddu, Orwen and Orgoch.-Description:...
. After the companions have rested, Gwystyl sends them with directions to the Marshes with a supply of magical aides.
Gwystyl reappears near the end of the novel and assists the companions in the final battle
Battle
Generally, a battle is a conceptual component in the hierarchy of combat in warfare between two or more armed forces, or combatants. In a battle, each combatant will seek to defeat the others, with defeat determined by the conditions of a military campaign...
scenes. It is revealed that Gwystyl is actually shrewd and brave
Courage
Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation...
, portraying a weaker image to his advantage. "Did you believer King Eiddileg would trust a lesser servant so close to Annuvin? But if you misjudged him, it was his intention that you do so." As the Cauldron is destroyed, Gwystyl gives Kaw to Taran as thanks from the Fair Folk. Kaw becomes a trusted companion throughout the remainder of the novels.
The High King
Gwystyl reappears in the fifth and final novel of the series, The High KingThe High King
The High King is the last book in the Chronicles of Prydain fantasy series of books by Lloyd Alexander. It was awarded the Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature in 1969.-Plot overview:...
. When Taran has been kidnapped
Kidnapping
In criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority...
, his companions Eilonwy, Fflewddur Fflam
Fflewddur Fflam
Fflewddur Fflam, son of Godo, is a cantrev lord in the fictional country of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain. He is referred to as a King, but it is made clear that he is a very minor king of a tiny kingdom at best, much less important than the High King who rules Prydain. His...
, and Prince Rhun
Rhûn
In the fictional world of Middle-earth created by J. R. R. Tolkien, Rhûn was a large region of eastern Middle-earth. Rhûn was the name used for all lands lying east of Rhovanion, around and beyond the inland Sea of Rhûn, whence came many attacks on Gondor and its allies during the Third Age of...
enlist Gwystyl's aide in organizing an attack on Caer Cadarn, using additional supplies from Gwystyl's bag of magical tricks. They defeat Magg
Magg
Magg is a character in Lloyd Alexander's fantasy Chronicles of Prydain book series. He appears as the secondary villain in the third novel of the series, The Castle of Llyr. He also makes an appearance in the fifth and final novel, The High King.- Description :Through hard work, Magg has become...
only because of Gwystyl's help.
Much later, Gwystyl leads an army of Fair Folk reinforcements in the final days of climactic battle for the control of Prydain. It is again revealed that his melancholy personality masks a brave and true individual. In his first appearance in the novel, he was reporting from a dangerous spy
SPY
SPY is a three-letter acronym that may refer to:* SPY , ticker symbol for Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts* SPY , a satirical monthly, trademarked all-caps* SPY , airport code for San Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire...
ing mission; in the second, he was one of the few who could lead the Fair Folk to fight with the humans.
In a final note, Gwystyl returns to Eiddileg's underground kingdom with the passing of magic from Prydain, never to return above ground. It is also explained that Gwystyl's personality and health were affected by living so close to the region of Annuvin, further burnishing his valiance.
Genesis
Like many of the other locations and names in the series, Alexander chose the name Gwystyl from the collection of medieval Welsh-language prose tales known as the MabinogionMabinogion
The Mabinogion is the title given to a collection of eleven prose stories collated from medieval Welsh manuscripts. The tales draw on pre-Christian Celtic mythology, international folktale motifs, and early medieval historical traditions...
. However, none of the characters in those tales resemble Alexander's character. Alexander seemed to enjoy creating the self-pitying Gwystyl. When a friend complemented him on his "interesting self-portrait
Self-portrait
A self-portrait is a representation of an artist, drawn, painted, photographed, or sculpted by the artist. Although self-portraits have been made by artists since the earliest times, it is not until the Early Renaissance in the mid 15th century that artists can be frequently identified depicting...
", he only very reluctantly agreed that he was qualified to play hypochondriac!