The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams
"The Dragonbone Chair" is a fantasy novel that follows the journey of an orphan named Simon, who works as a scullion in a castle. Dreaming of heroism, Simon is apprenticed to Dr. Morgenes, the castle's sorcerer, who attempts to instill a sense of responsibility in him. The story unfolds in the backdrop of political turmoil following the death of Prester John, the High King, leading to the rise of his power-hungry son, Elias, and the sinister influence of the priest Pyrates. As evil spreads across the realm, Simon teams up with allies, including the Sithi prince Jiriki and a troll named Binabik, to seek the legendary swords of prophecy to restore order.
Through a series of adventures, Simon discovers his own courage and encounters various magical beings, including a dragon. Key themes include friendship, the struggle against malevolent forces, and the journey of self-discovery. Notably, Simon's heroic journey is marked by a significant transformation when he defeats a dragon and earns the name Simon Snow-lock. The novel explores the intricacies of loyalty, love, and the burden of destiny in a richly imagined fantasy world.
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Subject Terms
The Dragonbone Chair
First published: 1988
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Fantasy—heroic fantasy
Time of work: Undefined
Locale: Osten Ard, a land resembling medieval Europe
The Plot
Simon, an orphaned castle kitchen scullion, avoids his duties and spends his time dreaming of becoming a hero. He is apprenticed to Dr. Morgenes, the castle’s sorcerer, in an attempt to teach him to be industrious. When Prester John, the High King, dies, his elder son, Elias, takes over the throne. Elias is increasingly influenced by the evil priest Pyrates, lackey of the vengeful Storm King. Josua, the younger son, tries with Morgenes to halt the encroaching evil. Finally, they and their allies must search for the missing swords of prophecy to restore order to Osten Ard.
Morgenes dies as he helps Josua escape from his brother. Scared and alone, Simon must follow Josua to his holding in the north. Simon wanders through the woods until hunger drives him toward a town, where he saves a humanlike creature from a hunter. The creature is Jiriki, a prince of the fairy-folk Sithi. Jiriki rewards Simon with a white arrow, a mark of debt owed.
As Simon ponders the meaning of the arrow, the troll Binabik appears to help Simon on his way. They meet up with Melachias, another castle runaway. Binabik leads the two young people to Geloë’s house in the woods to rest and recuperate. She, along with Binabik, is a member of the League of the Scroll, a centuries-old group formed to gather knowledge and fight evil. Morgenes also had been a member. While at Geloë’s house, Melachias reveals herself to be Marya, a serving lady to the princess. She is hurrying to Josua with an important message from the princess.
After more harrowing adventures, Simon, Marya, and Binabik reach Josua. Simon discovers that Marya is actually the princess herself and so must learn to quell his rising feelings for her. He also learns, for the first time, of the prophecy of the swords and that the sword Thorn is hoarded by an ice dragon. Simon and Binabik lead a small party into the mountains to search for it.
Meanwhile, Prester John’s realm is in disarray with conspiracies and plots that Elias and Pyrates foster. Those dukes and barons loyal to Prester John’s ideals are held as virtual prisoners, while others, greedy for power, curry favor with the king and his priest. The land is ravaged by plague and the weather is unusual, both effects of the Storm King’s rising power.
Simon’s party is captured by a group of Sithi, and only his white arrow prevents them from being killed. Jiriki vouches for them as he begins to realize there is something special about Simon. Jiriki agrees to help them hunt for Thorn. They find the sword, but they arouse the dragon guarding it. Simon, holding Thorn, kills the dragon, but he thinks the killing was more the sword’s doing than his. Dragon blood spurts over a lock of Simon’s hair, turning it white. Jiriki tells him that he has been marked, and he is known thereafter as Simon Snow-lock.