Magrat Garlick

Lore & Background

Magrat began as part of the Lancre Coven, which started as a parody of the Three Witches in Macbeth and a reworking of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone archetypes. While Granny Weatherwax relies on headology and Nanny Ogg on experience, Magrat distinguishes herself by actually believing in herbalism rather than using plants merely as props for psychological tricks. She is capable of real magic, demonstrated when she transformed an old wooden door into a rising oak. Her role often involves mediating conflicts within the coven or between the witches and their charges. In Witches Abroad, her attempt to use Fairy Godmother powers was thwarted by a wand that reset effects to pumpkins.

In Their Own Story

The Lancre Coven faced its usual dynamic: two witches getting on each other's nerves until Magrat stepped in to mediate. She handled the pressure of being the 'maiden' while balancing her interest in crystals and nature with the hard work required of a village witch. During Witches Abroad, she was tasked as a Fairy Godmother but found her wand uncooperative, resetting spells to pumpkins instead of the desired outcomes. Later, after a long engagement, she left her duties as a working witch to marry King Verence II and become Queen of Lancre.

Reader's Guide

Magrat Garlick represents the 'maiden' archetype within the Lancre Coven. She is characterized by her belief in New Age concepts like crystals and nature cycles, yet remains surprisingly practical when necessary. Her primary strengths include physical defense, genuine herbalism, and mediation between the clashing personalities of Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg. Unlike her mentors who rely on headology or showy tricks, she can perform real magic, though she struggled with the Fairy Godmother wand's tendency to default to pumpkins. She eventually transitioned from witch to Queen of Lancre upon marrying King Verence II.

Did You Know?

• Magrat is the daughter of Simplicity Garlick, granddaughter of Araminta Garlick, and niece of Yvonnel Garlick.
• She can perform real magic, such as turning an old wooden door into a rising oak, a feat that impressed Granny Weatherwax.
• In Witches Abroad, she was chosen to be a Fairy Godmother but her wand kept resetting spells to pumpkins.
• Magrat is technically considered a better doctor than the other coven members because she actually believes in herbalism rather than using plants as props for headology.
• After a long engagement, she became Queen of Lancre by marrying King Verence II.