Black Crochan
Encyclopedia
The Black Crochan is a large, magical iron
cauldron
that features prominently in the second book of the Chronicles of Prydain, The Black Cauldron
. It is used in the production of Cauldron-Born
, the undead
soldiers of the Death-Lord Arawn. It may have had other uses, but by the time of the stories, all that it is good for is producing Cauldron-Born.
Originally the property of three witches, Orddu
, Orwen
and Orgoch
, the Crochan was loaned to Arawn
. This loan was intended to be for a limited time, but Arawn tried to renege on the deal and keep the Crochan, forcing the witches to act to take it back. It is found by Taran
, Fflewddur Fflam
, Eilonwy, and Gurgi
, who have been sent, along with others, from Caer Dallben
to retrieve the Crochan and, hopefully, to destroy it.
Taran eventually convinces the witches to part with the Crochan by trading a magical brooch, formerly the property of Adaon
, the son of Taliesin
, who had been killed while accompanying Taran and his friends. When Taran tries to destroy it, the witches explain that the only way to destroy the Crochan is for a living man to enter it, knowing that to do so is fatal.
While trying to transport the Crochan to Caer Dallben, Taran loses it to Ellidyr
, who craves the glory of bringing it in. Ellidyr eventually destroys the Crochan, at the cost of his own life.
The Black Crochan is based on a cauldron in Welsh mythology that had very similar properties.
Iron
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a metal in the first transition series. It is the most common element forming the planet Earth as a whole, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core. It is the fourth most common element in the Earth's crust...
cauldron
Cauldron
A cauldron or caldron is a large metal pot for cooking and/or boiling over an open fire, with a large mouth and frequently with an arc-shaped hanger.- Etymology :...
that features prominently in the second book of the Chronicles of Prydain, The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron can refer to:* The Black Cauldron , the second novel in The Chronicles of Prydain series* The Black Cauldron , the Disney animated film based on The Chronicles of Prydain book series...
. It is used in the production of Cauldron-Born
Cauldron-Born
In Lloyd Alexander's series of fantasy books The Chronicles of Prydain, the Cauldron-Born are a race of deathless warriors in the service of Arawn, Death-Lord of Annuvin.- Origins :...
, the undead
Undead
Undead is a collective name for fictional, mythological, or legendary beings that are deceased and yet behave as if alive. Undead may be incorporeal, such as ghosts, or corporeal, such as vampires and zombies...
soldiers of the Death-Lord Arawn. It may have had other uses, but by the time of the stories, all that it is good for is producing Cauldron-Born.
Originally the property of three witches, Orddu
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...
, Orwen
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...
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...
, the Crochan was loaned to 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...
. This loan was intended to be for a limited time, but Arawn tried to renege on the deal and keep the Crochan, forcing the witches to act to take it back. It is found 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...
, 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...
, Eilonwy, and Gurgi
Gurgi
Gurgi is a fictional character in The Chronicles of Prydain, the series of fantasy novels by Lloyd Alexander. Gurgi is the hero Taran's faithful companion, appearing in all five books.- Profile :...
, who have been sent, along with others, from Caer Dallben
Caer Dallben
Caer Dallben is a cottage farm within the lands of Prydain and the starting point for each book of Lloyd Alexander's The Chronicles of Prydain. It is also the setting for the series' final chapter....
to retrieve the Crochan and, hopefully, to destroy it.
Taran eventually convinces the witches to part with the Crochan by trading a magical brooch, formerly the property of Adaon
Adaon
Adaon is the son of the Chief Bard Taliesin, in Lloyd Alexander's fantasy series The Chronicles of Prydain. He is featured solely in the second book, The Black Cauldron, although he is mentioned in the third and fifth books. He is a gifted minstrel, though not yet an official bard, a...
, the son of Taliesin
Taliesin
Taliesin was an early British poet of the post-Roman period whose work has possibly survived in a Middle Welsh manuscript, the Book of Taliesin...
, who had been killed while accompanying Taran and his friends. When Taran tries to destroy it, the witches explain that the only way to destroy the Crochan is for a living man to enter it, knowing that to do so is fatal.
While trying to transport the Crochan to Caer Dallben, Taran loses it to Ellidyr
Ellidyr
Ellidyr is a fictional character in the Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander. He plays a tragic, pivotal role in the second book of the series, The Black Cauldron....
, who craves the glory of bringing it in. Ellidyr eventually destroys the Crochan, at the cost of his own life.
The Black Crochan is based on a cauldron in Welsh mythology that had very similar properties.