Chrestomanci
Encyclopedia
The Chrestomanci series is a children's fantasy series by Diana Wynne Jones
. The word "Chrestomanci" may be derived from the Greek
khrestos, meaning "useful," and -mancy, "divination."
Chrestomanci is the title of a powerful enchanter
with the responsibility of regulating magic usage in a set of parallel universes
. The Chrestomancis are unique in that they have nine lives; this is because, while most people in the world of Chrestomanci have spiritual doubles among eight other worlds, a potential Chrestomanci has no doubles. It is a government job, and each Chrestomanci is responsible for locating and training his or her successor.
The main series includes six novels and several short stories. In order of internal chronology, they are:
In addition, there are some members of the series which cannot be placed exactly, although they are set in the same general era as Charmed Life
:
that saying his name three times will summon him on any world. Once called, a Chrestomanci will attempt to solve any urgent magical dilemma, either out of obligation or natural inclination.
As enchanters, Chrestomancis are among the strongest magic-users in their world. The two featured Chrestomanci in the series have serious magical weaknesses; whether this is a result of their magical strength or a coincidence is unknown. In Christopher Chant's case, this weakness is silver: he cannot work magic while silver is on his person or while being touched by silver; he is also unable to work magic directly on silver. Eric "Cat" Chant's weakness is that he must work magic through his left hand; his right hand cannot work magic.
The seat of office is Chrestomanci Castle, a fortress of magic staffed by civil servants and occupied by the current enchanter and his family. This castle can be used as both a government office and a private dwelling, as well as a school for Chrestomanci's children and wards. Most people find the atmosphere of the castle disconcerting, but the Chrestomanci does not seem to notice.
.
Gabriel de Witt appears in The Lives of Christopher Chant
, Conrad's Fate
, and Stealer of Souls. Christopher Chant became Chrestomanci after Gabriel retired.
Christopher Chant appears in all of the books in the Chrestomanci series. He is the current occupant of the post. He takes great pains with his clothes, and is often found in either his impeccable dove-gray suit or one of many elaborately embroidered dressing gowns. He is often described as dreamy or vague, but these are also the times when he is most perceptive. He currently has two lives remaining, one of which is in a gold engagement ring worn by his wife, Millie.
Eric "Cat" Chant appears in Charmed Life
, Mixed Magics, and The Pinhoe Egg
. He is in training to become the next Chrestomanci. He is a seemingly ordinary boy, with interests similar to most boys his age. Cat currently has three lives remaining; his nickname was coined by his older sister when she found out he had nine lives.
Diana Wynne Jones
Diana Wynne Jones was a British writer, principally of fantasy novels for children and adults, as well as a small amount of non-fiction...
. The word "Chrestomanci" may be derived from the Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
khrestos, meaning "useful," and -mancy, "divination."
Chrestomanci is the title of a powerful enchanter
Enchanter
Enchanter may refer to:In entertainment:*Enchanter , a manga series by Izumi Kawachi*Enchanter , a 1996 novel by Sara DouglassIn games:*Enchanter , used in fantasy role-playing games...
with the responsibility of regulating magic usage in a set of parallel universes
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
. The Chrestomancis are unique in that they have nine lives; this is because, while most people in the world of Chrestomanci have spiritual doubles among eight other worlds, a potential Chrestomanci has no doubles. It is a government job, and each Chrestomanci is responsible for locating and training his or her successor.
The main series includes six novels and several short stories. In order of internal chronology, they are:
- The Lives of Christopher ChantThe Lives of Christopher ChantThe Lives of Christopher Chant is a 1988 novel by Diana Wynne Jones. It was commended for the 1988 Carnegie Medal.This novel is the second in the Chrestomanci series. This series contains powerful nine-lived enchanters who each carry the title of Chrestomanci...
(published 1988) - Conrad's FateConrad's FateConrad's Fate is a novel by Diana Wynne Jones published in 2005. It is the fifth book of the Chrestomanci series. It tells the story of Conrad Tesdinic, a boy from Series Seven who is sent on a mission to fix his bad karma.-Plot summary:...
(2005) - Charmed LifeCharmed Life (novel)Charmed Life is a 1977 novel by British children's author Diana Wynne Jones. It was the first book in the Chrestomanci series of novels to be published. The series name comes from the way the plots involve a series of powerful nine-lived enchanters who carry the title Chrestomanci...
(1977) - The Magicians of CapronaThe Magicians of CapronaThe Magicians of Caprona is a 1980 children's fantasy novel by Diana Wynne Jones. Part of the Chrestomanci series, it follows the story of two venerable Italian spell-houses, the Casa Montana and the Casa Petrocchi.-Plot summary:...
(1980) - "Stealer of Souls" (short story, published in Mixed Magics)
- "Carol Oneir's Hundredth Dream" (short story, published in Mixed Magics)
- The Pinhoe EggThe Pinhoe EggThe Pinhoe Egg is a novel by Diana Wynne Jones published in 2006. It revisits Chrestomanci Castle and the character of Cat Chant from her first Chrestomanci book, but also introduces the character of Marianne Pinhoe, who lives in the village near the castle and whose family practices a rather...
(2006)
In addition, there are some members of the series which cannot be placed exactly, although they are set in the same general era as Charmed Life
Charmed Life (novel)
Charmed Life is a 1977 novel by British children's author Diana Wynne Jones. It was the first book in the Chrestomanci series of novels to be published. The series name comes from the way the plots involve a series of powerful nine-lived enchanters who carry the title Chrestomanci...
:
- "The Sage of Theare" (short story, reprinted in Mixed Magics and first published in 1982 by DAW Book's Hecate's Cauldron)
- Witch WeekWitch WeekWitch Week is part of the Chrestomanci series of fantasy novels by Diana Wynne Jones. It was named a School Library Journal Book of the Year...
(1982 novel, set after Charmed Life) - "Warlock at the Wheel" (short story, set after Charmed Life and published in Mixed Magics).
Abilities
All Chrestomancis must have, or have had, nine lives. Merely calling out "Chrestomanci" will cause the current Chrestomanci to appear, whether he wants to or not, anywhere on his own world. It is implied in Witch WeekWitch Week
Witch Week is part of the Chrestomanci series of fantasy novels by Diana Wynne Jones. It was named a School Library Journal Book of the Year...
that saying his name three times will summon him on any world. Once called, a Chrestomanci will attempt to solve any urgent magical dilemma, either out of obligation or natural inclination.
As enchanters, Chrestomancis are among the strongest magic-users in their world. The two featured Chrestomanci in the series have serious magical weaknesses; whether this is a result of their magical strength or a coincidence is unknown. In Christopher Chant's case, this weakness is silver: he cannot work magic while silver is on his person or while being touched by silver; he is also unable to work magic directly on silver. Eric "Cat" Chant's weakness is that he must work magic through his left hand; his right hand cannot work magic.
The seat of office is Chrestomanci Castle, a fortress of magic staffed by civil servants and occupied by the current enchanter and his family. This castle can be used as both a government office and a private dwelling, as well as a school for Chrestomanci's children and wards. Most people find the atmosphere of the castle disconcerting, but the Chrestomanci does not seem to notice.
Known Chrestomancis
Benjamin Allworthy is the earliest named Chrestomanci, followed by Gabriel de Witt and his successor, Christopher ChantThe Lives of Christopher Chant
The Lives of Christopher Chant is a 1988 novel by Diana Wynne Jones. It was commended for the 1988 Carnegie Medal.This novel is the second in the Chrestomanci series. This series contains powerful nine-lived enchanters who each carry the title of Chrestomanci...
.
Gabriel de Witt appears in The Lives of Christopher Chant
The Lives of Christopher Chant
The Lives of Christopher Chant is a 1988 novel by Diana Wynne Jones. It was commended for the 1988 Carnegie Medal.This novel is the second in the Chrestomanci series. This series contains powerful nine-lived enchanters who each carry the title of Chrestomanci...
, Conrad's Fate
Conrad's Fate
Conrad's Fate is a novel by Diana Wynne Jones published in 2005. It is the fifth book of the Chrestomanci series. It tells the story of Conrad Tesdinic, a boy from Series Seven who is sent on a mission to fix his bad karma.-Plot summary:...
, and Stealer of Souls. Christopher Chant became Chrestomanci after Gabriel retired.
Christopher Chant appears in all of the books in the Chrestomanci series. He is the current occupant of the post. He takes great pains with his clothes, and is often found in either his impeccable dove-gray suit or one of many elaborately embroidered dressing gowns. He is often described as dreamy or vague, but these are also the times when he is most perceptive. He currently has two lives remaining, one of which is in a gold engagement ring worn by his wife, Millie.
Eric "Cat" Chant appears in Charmed Life
Charmed Life (novel)
Charmed Life is a 1977 novel by British children's author Diana Wynne Jones. It was the first book in the Chrestomanci series of novels to be published. The series name comes from the way the plots involve a series of powerful nine-lived enchanters who carry the title Chrestomanci...
, Mixed Magics, and The Pinhoe Egg
The Pinhoe Egg
The Pinhoe Egg is a novel by Diana Wynne Jones published in 2006. It revisits Chrestomanci Castle and the character of Cat Chant from her first Chrestomanci book, but also introduces the character of Marianne Pinhoe, who lives in the village near the castle and whose family practices a rather...
. He is in training to become the next Chrestomanci. He is a seemingly ordinary boy, with interests similar to most boys his age. Cat currently has three lives remaining; his nickname was coined by his older sister when she found out he had nine lives.