The Westmark trilogy by Lloyd Alexander
The Westmark trilogy by Lloyd Alexander is a compelling narrative set in the fictional kingdom of Westmark, characterized by adventure and complex character development. The story revolves around a power struggle featuring an impotent king and his tyrannical chief minister, Cabbarus, as well as the mystery surrounding the disappearance of the king’s heir, Princess Augusta. Central to the tale is Theo, a printer's apprentice who becomes a fugitive and aligns himself with an array of colorful characters, including the cunning itinerant showman Count Las Bombas and the resourceful waif Mickle, who later turns out to be the missing princess.
As the plot unfolds, themes of war, governance, and personal morality are explored, particularly through Theo's evolution into Kestrel, a reluctant warrior grappling with the realities of violence. Throughout the trilogy, Alexander delves into significant moral questions, including the nature of power, the complexities of loyalty, and the consequences of revenge. The story culminates in a struggle for self-determination and justice, leading Mickle to abolish the monarchy and embark on a journey of exile alongside Theo. This trilogy marks a shift from Alexander's previous fantasy works, engaging readers in profound introspection while maintaining an exciting narrative pace.
On this Page
Subject Terms
The Westmark trilogy by Lloyd Alexander
First published:Westmark, 1981; The Kestrel, 1982; The Beggar Queen, 1984; with map
Type of work: Adventure tale
Themes: Social issues, war, death, and friendship
Time of work: The seventeenth or eighteenth century
Recommended Ages: 13-15
Locale: The fictitious country of Westmark
Principal Characters:
Theo , a youth of Westmark, who falls in love with Mickle and assists her in defending the kingdomMickle , a street urchin, who becomes the Beggar Queen of WestmarkCount Las Bombas , a good-natured mountebank, who befriends Theo and MickleCabbarus , a tyrant, who commits dastardly deeds in his struggles to become ruler of WestmarkFlorian , a charismatic leader, who controls a band of revolutionariesJustin , a young zealot, who seeks to abolish the monarchyDr. Torrens , the court physician, who becomes chief ministerKing Constantine , the king of Regia, who attacks Westmark
The Story
The Westmark trilogy is an intricate tale of adventure, intrigue, and suspense that swirls throughout the kingdom of Westmark, revealing a motley cast of characters that would do credit to Charles Dickens. It is also a tale of introspection that wrestles with important issues. Westmark, a mythical kingdom, has an impotent king on the throne and a dangerous tyrant named Cabbarus as chief minister. The king’s only heir, Princess Augusta, is believed dead, and the king spends much time attempting to contact her through spiritualists. Theo, a printer’s apprentice, becomes a fugitive from the law and is befriended by an itinerant showman, Count Las Bombas. Las Bombas makes his living in various guises, all relying on fakery for success. Theo and the count are joined by Mickle, a waif who smokes cigars, curses vehemently, and needs a bath but who is clever and talented. Mickle and Theo develop a close rapport, but he is unhappy about the deviousness of Las Bombas and runs away.
Theo meets Florian and joins his group of revolutionaries. Florian, for reasons of his own, agrees to help Theo rescue Las Bombas and Mickle from the jail at Nierkeeping. Theo is assigned to accompany Justin, one of Florian’s lieutenants. During the raid, Theo is unable to kill an officer who is threatening Justin’s life, an incident which haunts Theo and Justin throughout their relationship. After the raid, Mickle, Las Bombas, and Theo are brought to the palace by Cabbarus, who has learned of their chicanery. Cabbarus intends to force them to “raise” the missing princess and trick the king into enlarging Cabbarus’ power. Once at the palace, Mickle’s memory of her childhood returns, and it is determined that she is the missing princess whom Cabbarus had tried to murder. Cabbarus escapes to Regia, a neighboring kingdom.
Mickle is installed in the palace as the future queen, and Theo is sent on a tour of the kingdom to prepare him for his role as consort. Mickle, however, wearies of the long absence from Theo and beguiles Count Bombas into taking her in search of Theo. While she is away from the palace, the king dies, and Mickle becomes Queen Augusta, known to her subjects as the Beggar Queen. The King of Regia, aided by treasonous elements within Westmark, sees this as an advantageous moment to invade, and he moves his army within Westmark’s boundaries. The army of Westmark is betrayed by its commanding general and retreats in disarray. Florian agrees to aid Mickle on condition there will be changes in the government at the end of the war.
Theo, who has joined Florian’s army, is sickened by the slaughter he witnesses but gradually becomes hardened to the war. He takes the name “Kestrel” and becomes known for his vicious raids on the enemy. The war is brought to an honorable conclusion for both sides when Mickle and the young King Constantine of Regia meet privately and arrange a settlement. Back in the capital city of Marianstat, Mickle dilutes the powers of the monarchy and installs Florian, Justin, and Theo as her directors.
Not all the subjects of Westmark are pleased with the populist reforms begun by Mickle, and Cabbarus uses the unrest among the courtiers and military to engineer a coup. Mickle eludes arrest as she and Theo go underground to organize forces to defeat Cabbarus. Florian is wounded and must recover before he can rally his followers, and Justin’s hatred for the monarchy and his distrust of Theo lead him to betray his promise to help. It seems the rebellion against Cabbarus will fail when help comes unexpectedly from the citizens of Marianstat, who unite to attack the palace and oust the usurpers. Mickle insists that the people of Westmark have earned the right to rule themselves and abolishes the monarchy. She realizes that she must go into exile if unrest in Westmark is to end. Accompanied by the faithful Las Bombas, she and Theo board a ship for a new adventure, a new life.
Context
The Westmark trilogy is a departure for Alexander from the writing of fantasy which characterizes his previous work. The trilogy, however, has much in common with the Prydain chronicles (1964-1968), which relate the adventures of Taran, who, like Theo, is struggling to be a worthy hero but does not find the path always clearly marked. In the Westmark trilogy, Alexander explores universal questions, and it is this questioning that lends grandeur to his work. As the occupants of Westmark struggle with the issues of power and greed, war and inhumanity, and self-aggrandizement and debasement, the reader must struggle with them also. One must deal with the question of Kestrel, who fights nobly but relishes his acts of vengeance; of Florian, who wants to be one of the common people but clings to his aristocratic lineage because of the adoration it engenders; of Constantine, who believes death suitable punishment for treason—even for an uncle.
Alexander states in his American Book Award Acceptance for Westmark, “We must not be intimidated or, worse, intimidate ourselves into telling less than we know. Above all, we cannot be afraid to tell what we do not know or have been unable to learn. We owe it to our young people.” It is a windfall for the reader that Alexander does his telling so well, with verve, excitement, and suspense. Once having entered the Kingdom of Westmark, one leaves reluctantly.