The High King | Literary Qualities

The High King Literary Qualities

Alexander's style is simple and clear, and his characters are easily identified by their characteristic ways of speaking.

Alexander drew on the myths and legends of The Mabinogion, a medieval work which includes one of the earliest allusions to the legend of King Arthur.

Although he drew many of his characters from this work, The Prydain Chronicles do not follow its story. He used the characters and places as a base from which to create the world of Prydain.

Taran's story has many things in common with Arthurian legend. Like Arthur, he is hidden as an infant, becomes the high king, and uses a sword that no one else can draw. While many aspects of Taran's story parallel the story of Arthur, however, Prydain is primarily a creation of Alexander.