The Crystal Cave

Infobox Book |
name = The Crystal Cave
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption =
author = Mary Stewart
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = Arthurian
genre = Fantasy novel
publisher = William Morrow
release_date = 1970
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 494 pp
isbn = ISBN 0688013988
preceded_by =
followed_by = The Hollow Hills

"The Crystal Cave" is a 1970 fantasy novel by Mary Stewart. The first in a quintet of novels covering the Arthurian legend, it is followed by "The Hollow Hills".

Plot introduction

The protagonist of this story is a boy named Myrddin Emrys, also known as Merlin, which is the Welsh form of the word "falcon". Emrys is also known as Ambrosius, or Prince of light.

Plot summary

This novel covers the time from Merlin's sixth year until he becomes a young man. The Romans have recently left England, which has now broken up into a number of mini-kingdoms loosely united under a High King; and the Saxons are a big threat. Merlin is the illegitimate son of a Welsh princess, who refuses to name the father. Small for his age and often a target of abuse and neglect, Merlin is a very observant little boy who gains information through spying, but also occasionally has a clairvoyant vision. This and his unknown parentage cause him to be referred to as "the son of a devil" by townspeople and some of his relatives. Educated by a hermit who teaches him to use his psychic powers as well as his earthly gifts, Merlin eventually finds his way to the court of Ambrosius Aurelianus, High King of Britain, and assists in his preparations to rule over a truly united Britain.

Film, TV or theatrical adapations

The novel was adapted into a television series by the BBC in the 1990s, retitled Merlin Of the Crystal Cave and starred Robert Powell as Ambrosius.