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Land of Prydain
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Type
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Magical Country
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Basis
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Wales
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Pronunciation
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PRI-dane
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Ruler
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The Land of Prydain is a fictionalized version of Wales, where Lloyd Alexander was stationed for a brief time during the Second World War. Alexander also notes that Prydain is different from Wales in both physical geography and history. Alexander based Prydain on Welsh mythology, especially the Mabinogi. Prydain is engaged in constant battles with its neighbour, Annuvin , the Land of Death. Once ruled over by Achren , Prydain was (mostly) liberated by the Sons of Don, who arrived by boat and established a new government at Caer Dathyl.
Map of Prydain from The High King
Political System(s)
Prydain is composed of smaller units calledcantrevs, most of which are ruled by kings. Therefore it is easy to assume that the kingdoms are ruled with a fuedal type of system. The notable exception is the Free Commots, whose people have no king. The High King reigns over all of the other kingdoms from Caer Dathyl. There are a few kingdoms that pledge allegiance to Arawn and his land of death, Annuvin, over which the High King and is cantrevs have no control.
Geography
For specific places and locations, see List of Prydain locations.
The land of Prydain takes roughly a month to cover, from any direction. It is filled with grasslands and many forests. There are many hills, which grow into large mountain ranges in the North and Northeast, and also around Annuvin. The continent is surounded on all sides by water, with about half a dozen major rivers throughout. There is also a small island seperated from the mainland to the West, called the Isle of Mona, and aswamp known as the Marshes of Morva in the Southwest.
Inhabitants
For specific characters, see List of Prydain Characters.
Here are all of the major species that live within the land of Prydain.
Humans-Most of the characters and population are common humans, be they royalty or farmers
Enchanters/Enchantresses-A human but with lots of magical power
Fair Folk-Name used for multiple species that live in the Kingdom of Tylwyth Teg. These includes dwarves, moonlight singers, and lake sprites
Cauldron-Born-Dead warriors brought back to "life" by the Black Cauldron
Hunstmen-Evil warriors who grow stronger whenever one of their group dies
Gwythaints-Dragon like creatures but smaller, with huge, sharp talons
Dragons-Only once mentioned in the Prydain Chronicles (a baby)
Horses-Most common form of transportation, an ordinary horse
Pigs-Only one pig names specifically, Hen Wen
Crows-A crow, the most famous being Kaw and Kadwyr
Wolves-A wolf, including Brynach and Briavael
Cats-One being magically overgrown, Llyan
Gurgi-Apparently a species all of his own, some-what shorter, skinny, very hairy