The Ickabog

This summary section includes Chapter 1: “King Fred the Fearless,” Chapter 2: “The Ickabog,” Chapter 3: “Death of a Seamstress,” Chapter 4: “The Quiet House,” Chapter 5: “Daisy Dovetail,” Chapter 6: “The Fight in the Courtyard,” Chapter 7: “Lord Spittleworth Tells Tales,” Chapter 8: “The Day of Petition,” and Chapter 9: “The Shepherd’s Story.”

The tiny land of Cornucopia is ruled by the fair-haired King Fred the Fearless. All the citizens think that King Fred is a fine fellow, and he agrees. Fred’s closest companions are two lords. “Lord Spittleworth was very thin, cunning, and clever. His friend Flapoon was ruddy-faced and so enormous that it required six men to heave him onto his massive chestnut horse” (10). Both lords influence the king by telling him what he wants to hear.

All the regions of Cornucopia are prosperous and known for one specialty or another: baking, wine, smoked ham, cheese, and other delicacies. Only the Marshlands to the north offer nothing of interest except for a legendary monster known as the Ickabog. The creature’s appearance changes depending on who is telling the story, and parents threaten their children with the Ickabog if the little ones aren’t obedient. Two six-year-old friends take these stories to heart: the plump Bert Beamish, whose father is the head of the king’s guard, and the assertive Daisy Dovetail, whose mother is the king’s seamstress.

The Beamish and Dovetail families live in a place reserved for the king’s servants. It is called the City-Within-The-City. Chouxville is the name of the town proper. When Fred is expecting a visit from another king, he insists on a splendid new outfit. Even though Daisy’s mother is sick, as Head Seamstress, she forces herself to complete the sewing. She falls dead, clutching the final amethyst button to be sewn on the king’s new suit. Fred is disturbed by the death, but his courtiers talk him out of feeling sad and tell him how generous he is to all his servants. He sends a large wreath for Mrs. Dovetail’s funeral but doesn’t visit the bereaved family himself.

As the king rides out to go hunting a few days later, he notices the Dovetail cottage, which is draped in mourning, unlike the homes of all his other cheering subjects. Fred orders the Dovetails relocated to a smaller cottage near the graveyard, where he won’t have to look at their sadness every time he rides by.

A year goes by as Daisy quietly mourns her mother. Bert never mentions the panful subject when they are together. Shortly after their seventh birthdays, both children are playing in the palace courtyard. Some of the children hope to receive a wave from the king, but Daisy expresses her dislike, calling the king “selfish, vain, and cruel” (29). Bert defends the king, and he and Daisy get into a fight. Bert’s father, Major Beamish, arrives to break up the scuffle.

Because Spittleworth doesn’t like children, he believes he can get them banished from the courtyard by telling the king about the fight between Bert and Daisy. The king doubts the report and summons Major Beamish as an eyewitness. Bert’s father reluctantly confirms Daisy’s accusations. Fred is stung by Daisy’s description: “Selfish, vain, and cruel. Selfish, vain, and cruel. The words echoed in the king’s head as he pulled on his silk nightcap. It couldn’t be true, could it?” (35). He resolves to demonstrate his generosity the next day by giving Bert a small medal for defending his majesty’s honor.

On the Day of Petition, when peasants are allowed to bring their grievances to the king, Fred goes further to demonstrate his good character. He dresses simply for the occasion and agrees to hear every complaint instead of taking a break for lunch. The final petitioner is a Marshland shepherd who claims that he saw the Ickabog eat his dog. Wanting to appear courageous and generous, Fred says he will ride forth with his Royal Guard to confront the beast.