Magg
Encyclopedia
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
.
. However, he is also quite vain and power hungry. He wears flashy clothes: "He wore one of the finest cloak
s Taran
had ever seen, its rich embroidery
almost surpassing King
Rhuddlum's gament." Magg is tagged for a villain when he is described as "spider
-like" in his movements and he soon embodies the traits of a traitor concerned only with his own comfort and glory. As the stories progress, he becomes more and more obsessed with obtaining power
and even seems to descend into madness
. He is prone to gleefully call himself "King Magg" and "Magg the Magnificent", and eventually, "Magg Death-Lord" at seeming times of triumph. Unlike so many characters in Alexander's works, he does not show balanced sides but is always a villain.
, Eilonwy's ancestral land. However, Magg (because of his insatiable need for power) allies with the evil sorceress Achren
, and they plan to kidnap Princess Eilonwy. If Achren's plan succeeds, she will rule Prydain
through Eilonwy and the enchantments of Llyr; and she will reward Magg by making him king
of Mona.
Magg abducts Eilonwy and takes her to Caer Colur, the ancestral home of Llyr. Ultimately, Achren's plans are foiled by Taran
, Eilonwy and the companions, and Achren's power is destroyed. When Magg is scorned by Achren (even in her defeat), he seeks revenge by flooding Caer Colur to drown Achren and the companions. He escapes at the end of the novel.
as a servant and ally of Arawn
, aiding him in stealing the sword Dyrnwyn. With Arawn's forces, he briefly takes control of Caer Cadarn, where he boasts that Arawn has promised he will one day wear the Iron Crown of Annuvin and thus rule in the Death Lord's stead.
Eilonwy, Fflewddur
, and Rhun
recapture Caer Cadarn and rescue Taran and Gwydion
from Magg's clutches. Magg slips away again. On the journey, he and his war band happen upon his old mistress, Achren. Magg is again vengeful, attacking Achren and leaving her for dead.
When Annuvin is about to fall to the Sons of Don, Arawn deserts his throne room
, leaving behind the Iron Crown
of Annuvin. Magg finds the crown and, in his madness, claims it as his own. He sets it upon his head; however, the crown can be worn only by someone with authority and instead, it begins to glow until white-hot, killing Magg as it burns into his head. He may realise in his last moments that Arawn has ultimately played him for a fool.
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 appears as the secondary 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...
in the third novel of the series, The Castle of Llyr
The Castle of Llyr
The Castle of Llyr is the third volume in the children's fantasy series Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander, first published in 1966.Taran continues his adventures and encounters new friends and old enemies.- Plot :...
. 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
Through hard work, Magg has become a reasonably respected man on the Isle of MonaIsle of Mona
The Isle of Mona is the original name of the Isle of Anglesey, and is also the name of a fictional island off the western coast of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain series...
. However, he is also quite vain and power hungry. He wears flashy clothes: "He wore one of the finest cloak
Cloak
A cloak is a type of loose garment that is worn over indoor clothing and serves the same purpose as an overcoat; it protects the wearer from the cold, rain or wind for example, or it may form part of a fashionable outfit or uniform. Cloaks are as old as human history; there has nearly always been...
s 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:...
had ever seen, its rich embroidery
Embroidery
Embroidery is the art or handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with needle and thread or yarn. Embroidery may also incorporate other materials such as metal strips, pearls, beads, quills, and sequins....
almost surpassing King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
Rhuddlum's gament." Magg is tagged for a villain when he is described as "spider
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
-like" in his movements and he soon embodies the traits of a traitor concerned only with his own comfort and glory. As the stories progress, he becomes more and more obsessed with obtaining power
Political power
Political power is a type of power held by a group in a society which allows administration of some or all of public resources, including labour, and wealth. There are many ways to obtain possession of such power. At the nation-state level political legitimacy for political power is held by the...
and even seems to descend into madness
Insanity
Insanity, craziness or madness is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity may manifest as violations of societal norms, including becoming a danger to themselves and others, though not all such acts are considered insanity...
. He is prone to gleefully call himself "King Magg" and "Magg the Magnificent", and eventually, "Magg Death-Lord" at seeming times of triumph. Unlike so many characters in Alexander's works, he does not show balanced sides but is always a villain.
The Castle of Llyr
Magg is the Chief Steward of the royal family on the Isle of MonaIsle of Mona
The Isle of Mona is the original name of the Isle of Anglesey, and is also the name of a fictional island off the western coast of Prydain in Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain series...
, Eilonwy's ancestral land. However, Magg (because of his insatiable need for power) allies with the evil sorceress Achren
Achren
Achren is a fictional character and villainess in the fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain, written by Lloyd Alexander.-Profile:In the novels, Achren was once Queen of Prydain, and ruled many years as a harsh and vengeful tyrant, both as ruler and then as the Death-lord Arawn's consort...
, and they plan to kidnap Princess Eilonwy. If Achren's plan succeeds, she will rule 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...
through Eilonwy and the enchantments of Llyr; and she will reward Magg by making him king
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
of Mona.
Magg abducts Eilonwy and takes her to Caer Colur, the ancestral home of Llyr. Ultimately, Achren's plans are foiled by Taran
Taran
- Given name :* Taran, a 7th century king of the Picts* Taran Taran, founder of the Taran Panth religious sect* Taran Adarsh, an Indian film critic* Taran Killam, an American comic actor* Taran Noah Smith, an actor...
, Eilonwy and the companions, and Achren's power is destroyed. When Magg is scorned by Achren (even in her defeat), he seeks revenge by flooding Caer Colur to drown Achren and the companions. He escapes at the end of the novel.
The High King
Magg reappears in 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:...
as a servant and ally of 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...
, aiding him in stealing the sword Dyrnwyn. With Arawn's forces, he briefly takes control of Caer Cadarn, where he boasts that Arawn has promised he will one day wear the Iron Crown of Annuvin and thus rule in the Death Lord's stead.
Eilonwy, Fflewddur
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 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...
recapture Caer Cadarn and rescue Taran and Gwydion
Gwydion
Gwydion fab Dôn is a magician, hero and trickster of Welsh mythology, appearing most prominently in the Fourth Branch of the Mabinogi, which focuses largely on his relationship with his young nephew, Lleu Llaw Gyffes...
from Magg's clutches. Magg slips away again. On the journey, he and his war band happen upon his old mistress, Achren. Magg is again vengeful, attacking Achren and leaving her for dead.
When Annuvin is about to fall to the Sons of Don, Arawn deserts his throne room
Throne room
A throne room is the room, often rather a hall, in the official residence of the crown, either a palace or a fortified castle, where the throne of a senior figure is set up with elaborate pomp— usually raised, often with steps, and under a canopy, both of which are part of the original notion of...
, leaving behind the Iron Crown
Crown (headgear)
A crown is the traditional symbolic form of headgear worn by a monarch or by a deity, for whom the crown traditionally represents power, legitimacy, immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, honour and glory of life after death. In art, the crown may be shown being offered to...
of Annuvin. Magg finds the crown and, in his madness, claims it as his own. He sets it upon his head; however, the crown can be worn only by someone with authority and instead, it begins to glow until white-hot, killing Magg as it burns into his head. He may realise in his last moments that Arawn has ultimately played him for a fool.