The Beatryce Prophecy

Kate DiCamillo

51 pages 1-hour read

Kate DiCamillo

The Beatryce Prophecy

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2021

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Beatryce is a young girl on the run who wakes up in a monastery with a repressed memory and a dangerous secret: she knows how to read and write, a skill strictly forbidden for women. Suffering from a protective fever, she remembers only her name. She possesses an innate inner strength and relies on her new friends and animal companions to process her past.

Key Relationships

Protected by Answelica

Hidden by Brother Edik

Friend of Jack Dory

Companion of Cannoc

Daughter of Beatryce's Mother

Sister of Beatryce's Brothers

Target of The King

Former Student of Beatryce's First Tutor

Former Student of Beatryce's Second Tutor

Answelica is a fearsome goat with large, sharp teeth who resides at the monastery. She is famous for tormenting the monks but displays immediate, uncompromising love and protectiveness toward Beatryce. She serves as a physical anchor for the young girl during dark moments.

Key Relationships

Protector of Beatryce

Tolerant of Brother Edik

Initially Hostile toward Jack Dory

Initially Hostile toward Cannoc

Feared by Head Monk

Hostile toward The Soldier

Brother Edik is an empathetic monk belonging to the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing. Tasked with illuminating the order's prophecies of death and destruction, he prefers to focus on beauty and light, utilizing glowing, vibrant letters. He struggles with the emotional scars left by his demanding father but consistently chooses kindness over strict adherence to the rules.

Key Relationships

Caretaker of Beatryce

Cautious Ally of Answelica

Subordinate to Head Monk

Son of Edik's Father

Traveling Companion of Jack Dory

Traveling Companion of Cannoc

Jack Dory is a twelve-year-old orphan with a remarkable memory who works as a messenger in his village. To cope with his painful past, he maintains a cheerful outward demeanor, often performing cartwheels and whistling. Beneath his joyful exterior, he harbors a deep anger toward the people who harmed his family.

Key Relationships

Friend of Beatryce

Son of Jack's Parents

Former Ward of Old Woman

Seeking Revenge against The Robber

Messenger for Innkeeper's Wife

Ally of Brother Edik

Ally of Cannoc

Cannoc is an enigmatic man living inside the trunk of a tree in the dark woods. He maintains a carefree, laughing demeanor that quickly wins Beatryce's trust. He harbors a deep understanding of human nature and chooses a simple life in the forest, offering guidance and shelter to those traveling through the woods.

Key Relationships

Guide to Beatryce

Instructor of Jack Dory

Fellow Traveler of Brother Edik

Trusted by Answelica

Opponent of The King

Opponent of The Counselor

The Counselor is a manipulative and power-hungry advisor to the current monarch. He uses vague prophecies from the Chronicles of Sorrowing to control the throne and eliminate perceived threats. He views his own rise in status as paramount and holds a deep-seated grudge regarding his lack of noble blood.

Key Relationships

Advisor to The King

Enemy of Beatryce

Enemy of Beatryce's Mother

Commander of The Soldier

Opponent of Brother Edik

The King is a paranoid and insecure monarch who relies heavily on the interpretations of his advisor. Terrified of losing his position to a prophesied girl child, he uses his authority to order violent acts to secure his reign. He acts out of a desperate desire to maintain his power.

Key Relationships

Advised by The Counselor

Hunter of Beatryce

Commander of The Soldier

Supporting Characters

The Soldier is a violent man employed by the king who carries out brutal orders. Struck down by illness, he requests a monk to record his final confession, carrying a heavy sword that triggers profound fear in Beatryce.

Key Relationships

Subordinate to The King

Attacker of Beatryce

Murderer of Beatryce's Brothers

Confessed to Jack Dory

Beatryce's Mother is a progressive, brave woman who defies the kingdom's strict laws by ensuring her daughter learns to read and write. She instills the importance of education in her children while trying to protect them from the dangers of their society.

Key Relationships

Mother of Beatryce

Mother of Beatryce's Brothers

Prisoner of The King

Former Employer of Beatryce's First Tutor

Beatryce's Brothers are young boys who share their sister's education. Their lives are cut short during a targeted raid on their family's estate.

Key Relationships

Brothers of Beatryce

Sons of Beatryce's Mother

Victims of The Soldier

The Robber is a dangerous criminal operating in the dark woods. His violent actions set off a chain of events that leave a young boy orphaned and seeking vengeance.

Key Relationships

Enemy of Jack Dory

Murderer of Jack's Parents

Edik's Father is a harsh, abusive man who dropped his son off at the monastery. He constantly criticized his child for being sensitive and forced him into frightening situations.

Key Relationships

Abusive Father of Brother Edik

The Head Monk of the Order of the Chronicles of Sorrowing prioritizes the monastery's rules over compassion. He fears demonic influence and strongly wishes to rid the brotherhood of the dangerous goat.

Key Relationships

Superior to Brother Edik

Terrified of Answelica

Beatryce's First Tutor is an educated man hired to teach the children. He holds regressive views and is eventually dismissed by Beatryce's mother after professing unrequited love.

Key Relationships

Former Teacher of Beatryce

Rejected Employee of Beatryce's Mother

Beatryce's Second Tutor is an inspiring educator who fosters the young girl's curiosity and intellect, showing her the wonders of the world before a violent attack on the estate.

Key Relationships

Former Teacher of Beatryce

Jack's Parents are loving figures who sacrifice themselves to protect their son from violence, urging him to run away to safety.

Key Relationships

Parents of Jack Dory

Victims of The Robber

The Old Woman is a weary villager who takes pity on a traumatized young boy. She provides him shelter and helps ground him in the reality of his survival.

Key Relationships

Former Caretaker of Jack Dory

The Innkeeper's Wife manages the local village inn where a dying soldier seeks shelter. She acts as a link between the village and the monks.

Key Relationships

Employer of Jack Dory

Host to The Soldier