# Erl — The King of Elfland’s Daughter character guide

> Erl in The King of Elfland’s Daughter by Lord Dunsany.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-i-the-plan-of-the-parliament-of-erl

## Who they are

The lord of Erl, father of Alveric.

## Relationships

### [Alveric](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/characters/alveric)

_family_

Alveric is the son of Erl, and their relationship is defined by duty and the burden of ruling the mortal kingdom.

### [Narl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/characters/narl)

_professional_

Narl serves as a counselor or retainer to Erl, advising him on matters of rule and magic.

## In the story

### [The King of Elfland’s Daughter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/the-king-of-elfland-s-daughter)

The lord of Erl, father of Alveric, who presides over the Parliament's request for a magic lord.

### [I: The Plan of the Parliament of Erl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/i-the-plan-of-the-parliament-of-erl)

The old white-haired lord who receives the parliament's request and commands his son to go to Elfland.

### [II: Alveric Comes in Sight of the Elfin Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/ii-alveric-comes-in-sight-of-the-elfin-mountains)

Alveric's father, the Lord of Erl, is mentioned as having given Alveric a command to go on an adventure, though Alveric chooses to take the magical sword instead of his father's favored one.

### [III: The Magical Sword Meets Some of the Swords of Elfland](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/iii-the-magical-sword-meets-some-of-the-swords-of-elfland)

The Vale of Erl is mentioned as Alveric's home, and he tells Lirazel tales of its folk and their wisdom.

### [IV: Alveric Comes Back to Earth After Many Years](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/iv-alveric-comes-back-to-earth-after-many-years)

Alveric's father, now deceased, died trusting Alveric to fulfill his quest.

### [VII: The Coming of the Troll](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/vii-the-coming-of-the-troll)

The town of Erl is the destination of the troll; he observes its smoke and towers from a distance.

### [The Arrival of the Rune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/viii-the-arrival-of-the-rune)

The folk of Erl attend the naming ceremony and rejoice at the boy's strength.

### [XV: The Retreat of the Elf King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/xv-the-retreat-of-the-elf-king)

The Elf King, who sorrowed for Lirazel and chants the spell to retreat Elfland.

### [XX: A Historical Fact](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/xx-a-historical-fact)

The parliament of Erl meets to debate the unicorn and ultimately celebrates the magic that has come to their valley.

### [On the Verge of Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/xxi-on-the-verge-of-earth)

Erl is mentioned as Orion's former home, which he considers leaving behind for Elfland.

### [XXV: Lirazel Remembers the Fields We Know](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/xxv-lirazel-remembers-the-fields-we-know)

The Elf King, grave and calm, feels sorrow for his daughter's longing and uses his magic to try to content her.

### [XXXI: The Cursing of Elfin Things](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/xxxi-the-cursing-of-elfin-things)

The twelve old men of the parliament run down the hill into the dusk and witness the Freer's curse, weary of magic.

### [XXXII: Lirazel Yearns for Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/chapters/xxxii-lirazel-yearns-for-earth)

The Elf King, who refuses to use the last potent rune, fearing the future without it, and tries to soothe Lirazel's earthward fancies.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/characters/erl
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_king_of_elfland_s_daughter_se/characters