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Her Majesty's Wizard

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Her Majesty's Wizard
File:Her majesty's wizard cover page.JPG
Her Majesty's Wizard cover
AuthorChristopher Stasheff
LanguageEnglish
SeriesA Wizard in Rhyme
GenreFantasy novel
PublisherDel Rey Books
Publication date
1986
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Hardcover, Paperback)
Pages352 pp (paperback)
ISBNISBN 0-345-27456-3 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character
Preceded bynone 
Followed byThe Oathbound Wizard 

Her Majesty's Wizard is one of the earliest novels by Christopher Stasheff and the first in the series A Wizard in Rhyme.


Plot summary

A PhD student called Matthew "Matt" Mantrell is transported into a fantasy world. In that world, which mirrors our own (but a thousand years ago), magic still reigns supreme. Dragons, wizards, sorcerers and giants are just some of the exotic residents of this world. Most importantly, faith (in the Christ) exists in this world, and largely influences the works of men [1]. Devout men who believe in and follow God- exactly the way the Christian doctrine dictates - will turn out successful in their actions.

Matt found himself the unwitting hero who has to rescue royalty-in-distress and help her regain her rule from an evil usurper.

Characters

  • Matthew "Matt" Mantrell : A PhD student who, through reading forbidden runes, stumbled into a magical world similar to his original Earth homeland. The geography of the new world is similar to Matt's home world, and even shared some common history. By accident, he discovered he could perform magic in the new world by reciting rhymes.
  • Sir Guy de Toutarien : Alias Sir Guy Losobal. A brave and upright knight and epitome of romantic knight in feudal age. He hid the fact that he was a descendant of Hardishane, a hero in the past who fought evil and established an Empire for goodness and order.
  • Stegoman : A fire-breathing dragon who unfortunately got intoxicated whenever he breathed fire.
  • Saint Montcaire : Patron saint of Merovence.
  • Colmain : A giant sworn to protect Royal House of Merovence.
  • Duke Astaulf : Murderer of the rightful king of Merovence and usurper of its throne.
  • Sayeesa : A witch who charmed Matthew to make him use his powers at her bidding.
  • Duke of Montmarte : A loyal noble to the rightful Royal House of Merovence. He and a number of other loyalist nobles were imprisoned by Duke Astaulf.
  • Marquis Sauvignon : Son of Duke of Montmarte, he adored Alisande.
  • Earl of Norville : Once aligned to the false king Astaulf, he switched allegiance to serve Alisande.
  • Baron D'Art : A loyal noble who shared the same cell as Duke of Montmarte.
  • Duke of Lachaise : A noble aligned with Duke Astaulf.
  • Count Ennudid : A noble aligned with Duke Astaulf.


Major themes

Catholic thought and tradition are the driving forces in this work. The author forms a world in which the catechism as well as some early tradition translates directly into reality. (See passages on the blood royal, and the siege of the convent.)

Any student of Catholicism will quickly see their studies reflected in the lives and actions of the characters. (i.e. the princess’s admonition to Matt after they encounter the lust witch, and the priest/werewolf’s internal turmoil)

Another important theme is the culture shock resulting from an individual abruptly transitioning from our modern relativistic culture into a black and white world. Stasheff goes to great lengths in juxtaposing the modern and medieval mindsets. (An excellent example here is Matt’s interaction with Maxwell’s Demon, a sub plot carried into book two of the series.)

Literary significance & criticism

The book gets most of its criticism from its strong adherence to Christian(i.e. traditional Catholic) doctrine [2]. While it is well written, and tension and humor are kept throughout the book, it is based strongly on Christian cosmology and philosophy, in particular, those of the Roman Catholic Church.

The non-Christian or non-religious readers may be uneasy with the religious theme in the story.

There was no indication of sequels when it was first published. The first sequel was published more than half a decade later. In subsequent sequels, the nature of good and evil are less dogmatically presented.

Footnotes

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