Fair Folk
Encyclopedia
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
. The term "Fair Folk" is one of several titles often given to fairies
, elves
and similar human-like supernatural races in folklore
, such as the Welsh Tylwyth Teg
. Alexander's Fair Folk most closely resemble dwarves or diminutive elves in appearance. Some of the Fair Folk appear in more beautiful forms.
In the novels, the Fair Folk live underground. They have outposts throughout Prydain
and mines where they get supplies of beautiful gems, from which they take only the best, most flawless examples. The entrance to the subterranean Fair Folk kingdom is hidden under the Black Lake.
The Fair Folk are ruled by King Eiddileg, a hot-tempered and easily excitable little man. He harbors a great dislike and distrust for humans since his coronation as king. In The Book of Three, the companions enter the realm of the Fair Folk and come face to face with the King. He withholds from them the oracular pig Hen Wen
.
Other significant Fair Folk include the dwarf Doli, a companion of the series' protagonist
Taran
, and Gwystyl
, a depressed and melancholy fae who provides the heroes with information and aid (often unwillingly or after threat of "squeezing").
The Fair Folk are portrayed as ambivalent towards humans, though usually not antagonistic. They generally keep to themselves and have disdain for the foolish and awkward "mortals" who live above. However, they have less love for the Death-Lord Arawn
and his minions and occasionally aid the forces of Prydain against him. It was mentioned by Doli in Taran Wanderer
that the Fair Folk always honored the House of Llyr
(Eilonwy
's house). They also are honorbound to repay any debts they have to mortals. Usually this comes in the form of granting wishes or bestowing magical treasures.
At the conclusion of the series, following the downfall of Arawn, the Fair Folk retreat into their underground world (seemingly for good) when beings of magic depart from Prydain and a new age begins. This diminishing of magic resembles similar events in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
and other works of fantasy.
The Fair Folk appear in the Disney animated film The Black Cauldron
, loosely adapted from the first two novels of the Chronicles of Prydain. Unlike Alexander's dwarf-like description, the Disney Fair Folk more closely resemble the contemporary Victorian
version of fairies and are depicted as tiny winged beings.
Fairy
A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
.
The Fair Folk are a race of supernatural beings in The Chronicles of Prydain
The Chronicles of Prydain
The Chronicles of Prydain is a five-volume series of children's fantasy novels by author Lloyd Alexander...
, a series of children's fantasy novels by Lloyd Alexander
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...
. The term "Fair Folk" is one of several titles often given to fairies
Fairy
A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term...
, elves
Elf
An elf is a being of Germanic mythology. The elves were originally thought of as a race of divine beings endowed with magical powers, which they use both for the benefit and the injury of mankind...
and similar human-like supernatural races in folklore
Folklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
, such as the Welsh Tylwyth Teg
Tylwyth teg
The Tylwyth Teg is the common term in Wales for fairies. A synonym, Bendith y Mamau, means "Blessing of the Mothers". Until the early 19th century it was commonly believed that the Tylwyth Teg, described as ethereal, beautiful and fair-haired, dwelt in a number of places in Wales as genii loci...
. Alexander's Fair Folk most closely resemble dwarves or diminutive elves in appearance. Some of the Fair Folk appear in more beautiful forms.
In the novels, the Fair Folk live underground. They have outposts throughout 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...
and mines where they get supplies of beautiful gems, from which they take only the best, most flawless examples. The entrance to the subterranean Fair Folk kingdom is hidden under the Black Lake.
The Fair Folk are ruled by King Eiddileg, a hot-tempered and easily excitable little man. He harbors a great dislike and distrust for humans since his coronation as king. In The Book of Three, the companions enter the realm of the Fair Folk and come face to face with the King. He withholds from them the oracular pig Hen Wen
Hen Wen
Hen Wen is a white sow featured in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain. She is an oracular pig - that is, she has the ability to prophesy about future events and reveal hidden information...
.
Other significant Fair Folk include the dwarf Doli, a companion of the series' protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
Taran
Taran (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 Gwystyl
Gwystyl
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...
, a depressed and melancholy fae who provides the heroes with information and aid (often unwillingly or after threat of "squeezing").
The Fair Folk are portrayed as ambivalent towards humans, though usually not antagonistic. They generally keep to themselves and have disdain for the foolish and awkward "mortals" who live above. However, they have less love for the Death-Lord Arawn
Arawn
In Welsh mythology, Arawn was the king of the otherworld realm of Annwn, appearing prominently in the first branch, and alluded to in the fourth. In later tradition, the role of king of Annwn was largely attributed to the Welsh psychopomp, Gwyn ap Nudd...
and his minions and occasionally aid the forces of Prydain against him. It was mentioned by Doli in Taran Wanderer
Taran Wanderer
Taran Wanderer is the fourth book in the Chronicles of Prydain series by Lloyd Alexander. It tells of Taran's search for his lineage through which he encounters many different people who each help to shape Taran as he learns about who he truly is. It is the only book in the series in which...
that the Fair Folk always honored the House of Llyr
Llyr
Llŷr is a figure in Welsh mythology, the father of Brân, Brânwen and Manawydan by Penarddun. The Welsh Triads mention he was imprisoned by Euroswydd; the Second Branch of the Mabinogi names Euroswydd as the father of Penarddun's younger two sons, Nisien and Efnisien. Llŷr corresponds to Lir in...
(Eilonwy
Princess Eilonwy
Princess Eilonwy is a fictional character in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain and wife of High King Taran in the Chronicles of Prydain and also appears in Disney's 1985 animated film The Black Cauldron...
's house). They also are honorbound to repay any debts they have to mortals. Usually this comes in the form of granting wishes or bestowing magical treasures.
At the conclusion of the series, following the downfall of Arawn, the Fair Folk retreat into their underground world (seemingly for good) when beings of magic depart from Prydain and a new age begins. This diminishing of magic resembles similar events in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a high fantasy epic written by English philologist and University of Oxford professor J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit , but eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in...
and other works of fantasy.
The Fair Folk appear in the Disney animated film The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron (film)
The Black Cauldron is a 1985 American animated fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation and originally released to theatres on July 24, 1985...
, loosely adapted from the first two novels of the Chronicles of Prydain. Unlike Alexander's dwarf-like description, the Disney Fair Folk more closely resemble the contemporary Victorian
Victorian literature
Victorian literature is the literature produced during the reign of Queen Victoria . It forms a link and transition between the writers of the romantic period and the very different literature of the 20th century....
version of fairies and are depicted as tiny winged beings.