The History of the Runestaff
Encyclopedia
The History of the Runestaff is an omnibus collection of four fantasy
novels by Michael Moorcock
, consisting of The Jewel In The Skull
, The Mad God's Amulet
, The Sword Of The Dawn
, and The Runestaff
. Charting the adventures of Dorian Hawkmoon, a version of the Eternal Champion
, it takes place in a far-future version of Europe
in which the insane rulers of the Dark Empire of Granbretan (the name given to what was once Great Britain
) are engaged in conquering the continent. Written rapidly in the 1960s, it is considered a classic of the genre, and has proven highly influential in shaping subsequent authors' works.
A subsequent trilogy, consisting of Count Brass, The Champion of Garathorm and The Quest for Tanelorn expand on the original saga, both deepening its characters (which in the original stories were a bit two-dimensional) and further linking them to the Moorcockian Multiverse.
Dorian, in the final pages of the third book, happens to confront (along with other champions like Erekose
) the malignant entity which used to reside in Elric's Stormbringer
and which broke free at the tragic end of the albino prince's saga.
The omnibus has also been published under the title Hawkmoon.
, ruled by the immortal King-Emperor Huon, who dwells in a fluid-filled sphere in Londra
, its capital. The inhabitants of Granbretan are renowned for their cruelty, and for their practice of wearing mask
s at all times.
The geopolitical situation depicted is in fact a curious reversal of that in the Second World War. The future Britain is a brutal empire, bent on the total conquest of Europe, its armies (pouring across a huge bridge spanning the Channel) overwhelming country after country and committing terrible atrocities wherever they come. Conversely, the protagonist Dorian Hawkmoon is a German (though having an English name), originally from Köln
, who is exiled by Granbretan's brutal conquest of his homeland but who fights on and rallies the Europeans' resistance to the conquerors.
, are an in-joke
.
The "terrifying ancient gods of Granbretan... who were said to have ruled the land before the Tragic Millennium" are based on The Beatles
: Jhone
, Jhorg
, Phowl
and Rhunga
.
The "tragic millennium" are based on 20th Century British Prime Ministers
(Chirshil, the Howling God (Winston Churchill
) and Aral Vilsn, the Roaring God (Harold Wilson
), Supreme God) or writers: Bjrin Adass, the Singing God (Brian Aldiss
); Jeajee Blad, the Groaning God (J. G. Ballard
); Jh'Im Slas, the Weeping God (James Sallis
).
"Aral Vilsn, the Roaring God" is the "father of Skvese ("credit squeeze") and Blansacredid ("balance of credit") the gods of Doom and Chaos", named after economic terms of the period when the books were written.
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
novels by Michael Moorcock
Michael Moorcock
Michael John Moorcock is an English writer, primarily of science fiction and fantasy, who has also published a number of literary novels....
, consisting of The Jewel In The Skull
The Jewel In The Skull
The Jewel in the Skull is a fantasy novel by Michael Moorcock, first published in 1967. The novel is the first in the four volume The History of the Runestaff.-Plot summary:...
, The Mad God's Amulet
The Mad God's Amulet
The Mad God's Amulet is a fantasy novel by Michael Moorcock, first published in 1968 as Sorcerer's Amulet. The novel is the second in the four-volume The History of the Runestaff....
, The Sword Of The Dawn
The Sword Of The Dawn
The Sword of the Dawn is a novel by British author Michael Moorcock, and was first published in 1968.The novel is the third in Moorcock's four book The History of the Runestaff series, and the narrative follows on immediately from the preceding novel The Mad God's Amulet...
, and The Runestaff
The Runestaff
The Runestaff is a novel by British author Michael Moorcock, and was first published in 1969 under the title The Secret of the Runestaff....
. Charting the adventures of Dorian Hawkmoon, a version of the Eternal Champion
Eternal Champion
The Eternal Champion is a fictional creation of the author Michael Moorcock and is a recurrent feature in many of his novels.-About the Eternal Champion:...
, it takes place in a far-future version of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in which the insane rulers of the Dark Empire of Granbretan (the name given to what was once Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
) are engaged in conquering the continent. Written rapidly in the 1960s, it is considered a classic of the genre, and has proven highly influential in shaping subsequent authors' works.
A subsequent trilogy, consisting of Count Brass, The Champion of Garathorm and The Quest for Tanelorn expand on the original saga, both deepening its characters (which in the original stories were a bit two-dimensional) and further linking them to the Moorcockian Multiverse.
Dorian, in the final pages of the third book, happens to confront (along with other champions like Erekose
Erekosë
Many of Michael Moorcock's heroes are aspects of one all-encompassing hero, the Eternal Champion. Erekosë is the title character, so to speak, as the fantasy novel The Eternal Champion and its sequels feature him. He is a unique aspect of the Champion, in that he can remember all of his previous...
) the malignant entity which used to reside in Elric's Stormbringer
Stormbringer
Stormbringer is the name of the infamous black sword featured in a number of fantasy stories by the author Michael Moorcock. Created by the forces of Chaos, it is described as a huge, black sword covered with strange runes carved deep into its blade...
and which broke free at the tragic end of the albino prince's saga.
The omnibus has also been published under the title Hawkmoon.
Granbretan
Granbretan is a far-future version of Great BritainGreat Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, ruled by the immortal King-Emperor Huon, who dwells in a fluid-filled sphere in Londra
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, its capital. The inhabitants of Granbretan are renowned for their cruelty, and for their practice of wearing mask
Mask
A mask is an article normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise, performance or entertainment. Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes...
s at all times.
The geopolitical situation depicted is in fact a curious reversal of that in the Second World War. The future Britain is a brutal empire, bent on the total conquest of Europe, its armies (pouring across a huge bridge spanning the Channel) overwhelming country after country and committing terrible atrocities wherever they come. Conversely, the protagonist Dorian Hawkmoon is a German (though having an English name), originally from Köln
KOLN
KOLN, digital channel 10, is the CBS affiliate in Lincoln, Nebraska. It operates a satellite station, KGIN, on digital channel 11 in Grand Island. KGIN repeats all KOLN programming, but airs separate commercials...
, who is exiled by Granbretan's brutal conquest of his homeland but who fights on and rallies the Europeans' resistance to the conquerors.
Gods of Granbretan
The names of the gods of Granbretan, given in the book The RunestaffThe Runestaff
The Runestaff is a novel by British author Michael Moorcock, and was first published in 1969 under the title The Secret of the Runestaff....
, are an in-joke
In-joke
An in-joke, also known as an inside joke or in joke, is a joke whose humour is clear only to people who are in a particular social group, occupation, or other community of common understanding...
.
The "terrifying ancient gods of Granbretan... who were said to have ruled the land before the Tragic Millennium" are based on The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
: Jhone
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, Jhorg
George Harrison
George Harrison, MBE was an English musician, guitarist, singer-songwriter, actor and film producer who achieved international fame as lead guitarist of The Beatles. Often referred to as "the quiet Beatle", Harrison became over time an admirer of Indian mysticism, and introduced it to the other...
, Phowl
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
and Rhunga
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
.
The "tragic millennium" are based on 20th Century British Prime Ministers
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
(Chirshil, the Howling God (Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
) and Aral Vilsn, the Roaring God (Harold Wilson
Harold Wilson
James Harold Wilson, Baron Wilson of Rievaulx, KG, OBE, FRS, FSS, PC was a British Labour Member of Parliament, Leader of the Labour Party. He was twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 1960s and 1970s, winning four general elections, including a minority government after the...
), Supreme God) or writers: Bjrin Adass, the Singing God (Brian Aldiss
Brian Aldiss
Brian Wilson Aldiss, OBE is an English author of both general fiction and science fiction. His byline reads either Brian W. Aldiss or simply Brian Aldiss. Greatly influenced by science fiction pioneer H. G. Wells, Aldiss is a vice-president of the international H. G. Wells Society...
); Jeajee Blad, the Groaning God (J. G. Ballard
J. G. Ballard
James Graham Ballard was an English novelist, short story writer, and prominent member of the New Wave movement in science fiction...
); Jh'Im Slas, the Weeping God (James Sallis
James Sallis
James Sallis is an American crime writer, poet and musician, best known for his series of novels featuring the character Lew Griffin and set in New Orleans, and for his 2005 novel Drive, which was adapted into a 2011 film of the same name.He is the brother of philosopher John Sallis...
).
"Aral Vilsn, the Roaring God" is the "father of Skvese ("credit squeeze") and Blansacredid ("balance of credit") the gods of Doom and Chaos", named after economic terms of the period when the books were written.