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SPOILER WARNING: Plot details follow. Caution is advised!

Maybe you're right that Shadowhunters are more limited, that we don't get the full range of possibilities Mundanes get, but- we get to make the mundanes' lives possible. That's what we're born to. It is a privilege. I'm not going to run away from the Academy. I'm not running away from anything. I can bear marks, and that makes me a Shadowhunter, and that's what I will be whether the Nephilim want me or not.

–James to Matthew, Nothing but Shadows

James Herondale is the first child and only son of Tessa Gray and Will Herondale, and the older brother of Lucie Herondale.

Biography[]

Early life[]

James was born in 1886. His conception came as a surprise to his parents who were both unsure if Tessa could conceive children or not. Jem Carstairs gave the news to Tessa, and it was quickly decided that the child would be named James, after Jem, Tessa's former fiancé and Will's parabatai.[2]

When James was a baby and was about to have the protection ceremony place on him at the Silent City, Will demanded that only Brother Zachariah could do it.[3]

James was raised in the London Institute. With few children around, he grew to be a shy boy who, like his parents, developed a love for reading and spent most of his time doing so. When he was thirteen years old, his parents decided to send him to Idris to attend the Shadowhunter Academy, and the prospect of finally making friends made him both nervous and excited.[4]

Academy[]

At the Academy, James discovered his ability to turn into a shadow—an ability born out of his mother's demonic lineage. This earned him the nickname "Demon Eyes" among the students in the Academy and he became regularly bullied, particularly because he was feared as part-demon. Despite this, James decided to stay, not wanting to make his mother feel bad for his fate. Eventually, he became good friends with Matthew Fairchild, Thomas, and their cousin Christopher Lightwood.

At one point, during a training exercise in the forest near the Academy, a group of three students, led by his tormentor Alastair Carstairs, decided to play a prank on James. They intended to let loose a Vetis demon upon James in an attempt to scare him away and out of the Academy. The plan backfired when the demon escaped and the boy holding the Pyxis was killed. Blamed for the accident, James was promptly expelled from the Academy. Matthew staged an explosion in the Academy to get himself expelled and begged James's father to take him to London with them, declaring that he and James were to be parabatai and thus should not be separated, a suggestion the pair took to heart and decided that they would make true.[4]

The closeness of their families made it possible for the four of them to continue being friends. Matthew, Thomas, and Christopher's families all decided to move to London so they could remain close and be trained together at the Institute. At one point, the boys decided to rent out a room at the Devil Tavern.[5]

Love[]

After being expelled from the Academy, James was sent to Cirenworth to figure out what he wanted to do with his life. While there he contracted scalding fever—a Shadowhunter illness. Everyone in the house who had not had it already was forced to evacuate, leaving him alone with Cordelia Carstairs and her mother. Cordelia stayed by his bedside while he drifted in and out of consciousness, offering him water when he awoke or to read to him. At one point, he found himself turning into a shadow. Scared, he reached for Cordelia who, rather than run away, climbed into bed with him and held him till he came back to himself.

He was considered cured a few days later and was able to join his family at their manor house in Idris. There he met up with Grace Blackthorn—whom he had met and befriended the previous summer while trimming her house's briars—and found himself not able to stop talking about Cordelia. Eventually, Grace laughed off his rambling, saying it was because he was in love with Cordelia.

At one of their next meetings, she asked him to use his newly-found shadow ability to retrieve what she claimed to be her birth-mother's bracelet from where Tatiana Blackthorn had it locked up. After doing so, she asked him to wear it for her, as a sign of their friendship. Not knowing it was enchanted to make her siren-like abilities work on him, he agreed and from then on believed he was in love with Grace.

Over the following years, the two constantly exchanged letters and spent their summers together in Idris. They developed an understanding that one day James would save her from her mother's clutches and marry her.[6] Occasionally, Grace would break things off with him in an effort to torture him. After one such time, James got extremely drunk and began making dangerous bets with Ragnor Fell, the former High Warlock of London. He was rescued from his self-destructive behavior by Magnus Bane, his father's warlock friend. Magnus tried to offer him his confidences, wanting to help solve his problem, but James insisted he was beyond saving.[7] The following day, Grace wrote back to him apologizing, claiming she was only afraid, and the two resumed their relationship.

Shadows[]

In August 1903, despite his previous training with Jem to get his demonic power under control, James found himself falling into his shadow realm uncontrollably and repeatedly in a matter of a few days. Surprisingly, he began seeing the shadowy figures from this other realm in London, attacking and poisoning Shadowhunters in the daylight. Never having had his power prove prophetic before, James and his friends—which included the newly arrived Cordelia—decided to look into the matter. During their inquisition, he began hearing comments from numerous different demons he encountered about his grandfather. Intrigued that he could be involved, James began trying to figure out which Prince of Hell he might be and even asked Jem if he had ever turned up anything in the time he spent looking for the same answer.

Meanwhile, Grace, who had recently moved to London, asked James to run away with her, become mundanes, and get married. James, unwilling to abandon his family and friends, tried to convince her that she could come stay at the Institute but she was insistent that it would not free her from Tatiana. When he continued to refuse she accused him of forgetting her and not loving her enough. The next day, she broke things off with him, told him she was engaged to Charles Fairchild, and asked for her bracelet back. James tried to change her mind but she was adamant that she do it now before her mother recovered from being poisoned by these demons.

With the spell broken, the fog that had been over James's mind for the last few years finally lifted and he found he could think clearly. He figured out that the warlock Emmanuel Gast had raised a Mandikhor demon. With some research they discovered the Mandikhor could produce an unlimited amount of smaller demons known as Khora demons—the shadowy figures that had been attacking them. They also learned that it was difficult to kill and so they would have to capture the Mandikhor in a Pyxis. Stealing one from Hypatia Vex, they went to face the demon on Tower Bridge. Unfortunately, it was too strong for the Pyxis, breaking out and vanishing.

The next day, while working on a cure for the demon's poison, Christopher was poisoned and brought to the Silent City. James received a note requesting his presence at the infirmary there and took Cordelia and Matthew with him. While waiting for Jem, Christopher called out to James warning him that it was all about him and he must leave. The other ill began chanting his name and a possessed Ari Bridgestock told him he was being summoned to face the Prince if he wanted the attacks to stop. So, after fleeing the Bone City, James opened a Portal into the shadow realm to face his grandfather, Belial.

Once in the realm, Belial said he would get rid of the Mandikhor and cure those who were sick if James allowed him to co-inhabit his body so he could once again walk the earth. He attempted to persuade him with all the power he could have, but James refused. Angered, Belial commanded the Mandikhor to attack him. James was surprised when Cordelia arrived to aid him in battle but still the Mandikhor was too strong for them. James realized he was able to reach into the realm itself through his connection to Belial and he used these powers to destroy the Mandikhor. Belial tried once again to convince him but was cut off when Cordelia stabbed him with Cortana. With Belial severely wounded, the realm began to collapse and James and Cordelia were returned to their world.

Having been poisoned and depleted his strength when reaching into the realm, James was dying when they came back. Matthew tried iratzes but they were not strong enough to save him. Thankfully, unbeknownst to him, the ghost of Jesse Blackthorn gave James his last breath—which had been preserved in his locket to one day resurrect him—saving his life.

Days later, while still recovering from his ordeal, James was visited by Grace. Grace pleaded for his understanding of her actions and then told him of her mother's involvement in necromancy and her plans against Nephilim. She forced her bracelet back on his wrist and asked that he go to Blackthorn Manor to destroy an automaton there. With the bracelet's control strengthened, James agreed and in the process of destroying it, burned down the manor. At the following Enclave meeting, Tatiana accused James of having orchestrated the Mandikhor attacks and burning her house down to destroy her evidence. In an effort to protect him, Cordelia provided him with an alibi, claiming he had been with her the night before. As Tatiana was arrested for the dark magic items found in the rubble of her home, James proposed to Cordelia in order to save her reputation, with the plan to divorce in a year. Cordelia accepted provided he remain faithful to her.[6]

Breaking the curse[]

Over the coming months, James spent most of his time preparing his future home with Cordelia to be ready for after the wedding. During this time, he danced attendance on his fiancée and honored his agreement not to speak with Grace. He thought often of taking off the bracelet she had given him, out of respect for Cordelia, but found whenever he attempted to do so either he could not get it open or his mind wandered somewhere else, the task forgotten. Thus, it remained on during their wedding, and later marriage.

The first couple weeks of married life went well between the couple. James found he enjoyed Cordelia's constant company and their nightly ritual of playing games and learning more about one another. They talked often of traveling, especially to Constantinople, and he bought her a golden globe necklace to reflect that for their two week anniversary.

Eventually, however, it became clear that there was a murderer on the loose attacking Shadowhunters. Worse, James began to have vivid visions of these murders in his sleep. He began believing he may be responsible; that Belial was possessing him in his sleep and forcing him to commit these acts. He told his friends of his concern and they decided they would begin investigating to prove his innocence. On more than one occasion, he tied himself to the bed in order to make sure he could not leave.

During all this, his feelings for Daisy were slowly rising to the surface despite the spell. At one point, Grace stopped by seeking to emotionally torment him a bit but even she could tell when he was kissing her that his mind was on Cordelia. Afterwards, he noticed a crack in the metal of the bracelet.

He was absolved of his potential guilt when another murder occurred while he had been observed confined to his bed. His relief was short-lived, however, as news broke that Thomas had been arrested as the killer. They ran to see him and he gave them an object he had found next to the latest victim that he believed to be the killers. The group then went to the London Shadow Market to look into the object where they met Magnus. He offered some insight into the item and then offered to come over and guide James in spying on Belial with his power, as they believed he was the one sending him the visions.

On the way home to wait for Magnus, they were attacked by demons and James overheard them call Cordelia a paladin before retreating. He asked her about it at home and she confessed that she had gone to visit Wayland the Smith and he had asked her to be his paladin. Magnus arrived soon after and helped James travel between realms in his mind to Edom. After confronting Belial and him denying the accusations, James realized he could not get back. He began fighting with Belial when Cordelia's voice called to him, bringing James back. While attending to his wounds, the pair got intimate and the bracelet broke in half, causing him to faint.

He came to with another vision and an epiphany on the case. He, Cordelia, and Matthew—who had shown up while James was unconscious—ran to Mount Street Gardens where they found a dying Charles and Belial in the body of Jesse Blackthorn. A fight between Belial and Cordelia ensued when he once again asked James to possess him. This was interrupted by the appearance of Lilith, who revealed that she had been disguising herself as a number of people, including Magnus and Wayland, to make Cordelia her paladin. She commanded Cordelia to kill Belial and she had no choice but to obey. Lucie then arrived in an effort to preserve Jesse's body. Seeing that Cordelia was clearly struggling to hold back from harming Lucie, James used the gun Christopher had given him to dispatch Lilith. Cordelia collapsed with the force being lifted and Lucie managed to expel Belial from Jesse's body. James then came to assist his wife in dealing another wound to Belial by turning her to shadow with him. With Belial gone, the group headed to the Institute, where they had been battling Leviathan. James gave an abridged version of events to the Enclave who deemed Tatiana a threat that needed to be interrogated. Back at home, James relayed the full story to his friends.

After they left, James attempted to console Cordelia who was clearly distraught over the revelation that she was Lilith's paladin. When she commented that they should not behave as if they have a real marriage, James resolved to tell her he loved her, about the bracelet, and to ask to remarry her for a true marriage. However, they were interrupted by a knock on the door so he asked Cordelia to wait upstairs for him to talk to her. He opened the door to find Grace and decided to use this to his advantage and get her to confess what she had been doing to him. She confirmed his suspicions and he demanded she remain to be questioned by the Consul and Silent Brothers. When he went to speak to Cordelia, he found she was gone. Realizing she had overheard him and Grace, misunderstood the interaction, and fled, he Tracked her to Matthew's flat. There he found a note in which Matthew explained his intentions with Cordelia, that he was taking her to Paris, and that they could discuss a new marital arrangement when they returned. James went to the train station, determined to stop them and tell them everything when he was waylaid by his father, frantic over his sister's disappearance. James agreed to help him search for Lucie, and thus had to let Cordelia go undisturbed.[8]

Later life[]

Years later, in 1937, James was present at his father's deathbed, where he spoke about Will's fear of ducks and his continual battle to keep them out of the pond at the family home in Yorkshire.[3]

Personality[]

James is a quiet and studious boy who prefers reading or having fun with friends rather than partying. He is also kind, loving, and good-hearted, as well as responsible, able to keep himself and his parabatai Matthew out of trouble. Upon getting his heart broken by Grace, however, James became suicidal and troublesome, generally not caring about future consequences or what might happen to him, making it a habit to disgrace himself in public and put his life in danger, thinking himself damned. He refused to listen to the advice of others and became difficult to reason with.[7]

Physical description[]

James greatly resembles Will, save for his radiant golden eyes. He is said to be beautiful and lovely, his pale white skin luminous and clear, his long, curling black hair normally disheveled. According to Cordelia, James has a lethal dimple.[6]

James, being Will's first and only son, became the first to inherit the Herondale birthmark — a star-shaped scar on the skin over his shoulder.

Skills and abilities[]

  • Nephilim physiology: Being Nephilim, James is expected to possess a variety of enhanced physical and mental abilities granted to him by the angel blood of Raziel in his veins and also by the angelic Marks of the Gray Book. This includes enhanced strength, agility, stamina, and coordination, which would improve over time and practice.
    • Runic magic: Due to the angel blood in their veins, all Shadowhunters are all able to apply runes of the Gray Book on their skin without any real danger. These Marks, in turn, give varied effects that serve to benefit the wearer.
    • The Sight: As a Shadowhunter, James can easily see through most magical illusions and layers of glamour over reality.
    • Use of heavenly weapons: As a Nephilim, James is also able to handle heavenly weapons with effect, since this would normally not work for other species. In particular, these are weapons made of adamas and forged by Iron Sisters, such as seraph blades.
  • Parabatai bond: Due to his parabatai bond with Matthew Fairchild, James is able to call on more strength in battle. The runes drawn on him by Matthew also give a considerably stronger effect.
  • Marksmanship: James's primary weapon is the throwing knife. He perfected the skill, most likely, from his father. He is even able to throw multiple knives at a time and land them directly in their target.

Former:

  • Demonic magic: James had special "talents", such as the ability to travel through realms and turn to shadow, due to inheriting some demon blood from his mother. He was capable of extending these powers to others and some objects. James lost these powers when Belial died.

Possessions[]

  • Mundane occult books: James collects occult books which he keeps in the Devil Tavern. James is fascinated by the idea of mundanes who have no connection to that which is magical yet yearn for it so.
  • Summoning matchbook: After their lessons, Brother Zachariah gave James a matchbook that could be used to summon him; specifically if he went into the shadow realm. The box has a sketch of Hermes on it.
  • Daggers and throwing knives: James’s weapons of choice are daggers and throwing knives. Particularly those made by his cousin Christopher Lightwood which are built to be stronger than normal runed blades.
  • Other basic Shadowhunter gear, including: steles, seraph blades, and a witchlight.
  • Herondale family ring: Like many Shadowhunters, James owns a copy of a ring symbolizing his family name. After his death, it was saved by his mother and given to his descendant Jace Herondale; whom later passed it on to Kit Herondale.

Former:

  • Grace's bracelet: When they were children, Grace asked James to wear her mother’s bracelet as a sign of their friendship. Unbeknownst to James, the bracelet was enchanted to allow Grace’s siren-like abilities to work on him. As such, with the bracelet on, he believed himself in love with Grace and complacent to all her wishes. The bracelet also clouded his memories of and feelings for Cordelia and, in general, made his thoughts less than clear.
  • His gun: A weapon Christopher added runes to that was effective against demons and Lilith. James lost his ability to fire the gun after Belial died. James placed the gun inside Jesse's old coffin and buried it at Chiswick House.

Relationships[]

Romance[]

I knew I would be able to come home, because of you. That you would lead me back. You are my constant star, Daisy.

–James to Cordelia, Chain of Iron

TLH tarot 06

Cordelia is Lucie's best friend and future parabatai. Because of this—and his father's vehemence that they be close to the remaining Carstairs family—she and James have known each other a long time and became close friends.

At a young age, James fell in love with Cordelia, though unaware of his feelings or that she returned them. Before James was even able to admit these feelings to himself, Grace Blackthorn had given him a bracelet that allowed her siren-like abilities to work on him, and that masked his love for Cordelia.

After Cordelia moved to London, the bracelet began weakening and eventually was taken off. He began to come out of his fog and started to realize he was in love with Cordelia. After battling the Mandikhor demon, he made plans to read together with her, as she once had to him when he was ill as a child, as a romantic gesture. However, when she was healed enough to do so, Grace had returned her bracelet to him, its power strengthened, and he once again believed himself in love with Grace.

Days later, he proposed to Cordelia after she provided him with an alibi, tarnishing her reputation in the process. He hoped to save her from humiliation with a marriage blanc—they would marry for a year and then divorce.

James spent the next months being a model fiancé and decorating their future home with flourishes of Cordelia's heritage. In December 1903, they wed. They spent the coming weeks getting used to each other's company and domestic life, even establishing a nightly game. During this time, James's true feelings for Cordelia battled with the bracelet and were beginning to overpower it—resulting in it cracking and eventually breaking.

Once its power was gone, he realized the truth of what he felt for Cordelia and what Grace had done to him. After dispatching Belial a second time, he decided to confess his feelings for her and ask her to marry him again properly for a real marriage. However, before he could, they were interrupted by Grace and Cordelia misunderstood James's reaction to her and fled. When he realized she was gone, he Tracked her to Matthew's flat where he found a note telling him of Matthew's feelings for her, that they believed he had chosen Grace, and that Matthew was taking her on a trip to Paris. James rushed to the train station to stop them and tell them everything but was waylaid by his father needing his help to find Lucie. Reluctantly, he held back from confronting them and let her go.

Family/Friends[]

CJ James & Matthew 02

James and Matthew during their parabatai ceremony

Matthew is James's parabatai.

They first met at Shadowhunter Academy where James's jealousy of Matthew's popularity made James dislike him, even though Matthew was simply trying to befriend James. As they got to know each other, they became close friends and, ultimately, parabatai.

Matthew's family soon moved back to London so they could be close together and they became inseparable along with their other friends Christopher and Thomas Lightwood. After much insistence from Matthew that they needed a private clubhouse, James found them one at the Devil Tavern. There they spend most of their time together.

One year, for Matthew's birthday, James gave him a puppy he had found in the streets.

As Matthew turned to alcohol, James understood that he could not bring it up or whatever secret issue was causing it until Matthew chose to. This, however, changed after he married Daisy and Matthew began arguing with him about their relationship. What James did not know is that Matthew had a fancy for Cordelia and that was what was creating the tension between them. When Cordelia ran off to Paris with Matthew before James could confess his feelings for her, he felt an undeniable rage towards Matthew for running away with his wife and leaving behind a presumptuous letter.

Tarot Blades 4

Lucie is James's younger sister, and the two are very close. They often talk to one another about their problems and relationships and rarely fight.[9] When they were little, they would read books aloud by the fire every night. As they grew up, they began to bicker, but remain relatively close as siblings.

James is very supportive of Lucie's writing. For her eighth birthday, James bought Lucie a thick blank book, and it became one of her most prized possessions. She keeps it next to her bed and has copied her favorite pieces of her own work into it.

Though she never confided in him when her demonic ability presented itself, James had long suspected that she had a stronger connection to ghosts than he did as a Herondale. Still, he never pried, allowing her to chose for herself when and if she wanted to tell him.

When she went missing to preform necromancy, James joined his father in the hunt to find her as Will believed she would listen to him more than anyone.

These are my brothers, all around me; I would do anything for them.

–James about Matthew, Christopher, and Thomas, Chain of Iron

Along with Matthew, Thomas and Christopher make up the other members of the Merry Thieves. These four boys are a tight-knit group of friends. Whether it be demon hunting, investigating, or just hanging out; they are almost always together. They would also do almost anything for one another, including sacrificing their own safety for the other.

Jem Carstairs, formally known as Brother Zachariah, was James's father's parabatai whom James considered as an uncle.

After James discovered his shadow ability, James initially wanted to avoid it. However, soon Jem was called to help ease his mind and convinced him the best way to deal with it is to understand and master it. Over the course of a year, Jem taught James how to resist the pull that drew him into this shadow realm and control the feelings that triggered it. Eventually, James felt the influence of the realm lessen and even went a full year without it happening. Despite the progress, Jem gave him a matchbox that could be used to send a message to Jem when he slipped back into it.

Jem remains James's main confidant on matters involving his power and the shadow realm.

Despite being good friends with his sister, James did not get along with Alastair Carstairs.

During his time at the Academy, Alastair bullied James relentlessly. Making fun of his eyes and later his demonic ability. At one point, he and his friends planned to prank James when releasing demons into the woods for a training exercise. The trick ended up killing Alastair's friend and James was expelled.

Years later, when Alastair moved to London with his family, James still hadn't forgiven Alastair for his tormenting him. Alastair even accused him of trying to get close to his sister in an attempt to get back at him. However, James remained civil with him in public, especially following his engagement to Cordelia.

After marrying his sister, James tried to move past his issues with Alastair, viewing him as his brother now. Though both boys were not overly friendly and were wary of the other hurting Cordelia, they seemingly grew to respect one another as her loved one. James offered Alastair advice on how to seek forgiveness for his past actions, and Alastair was impressed by the way he treated his sister and even defended him when Cordelia was lashing out at him after their father's death.

Enemies[]

Belial is James's maternal grandfather who he was always curious about due to how his blood manifested in him. In 1903, Belial finally revealed himself to his grandson and explained his plans for him. As part of his punishment for joining with Lucifer, Belial cannot walk the earth in his own form. He could, however, possess someone of his bloodline if they consented to it. As such he has attempted on two occasions to force James into agreement by nearly killing everyone in London. In both instances, James has refused and Cordelia has thwarted him. He is, however, not willing to give up and has been working with Tatiana for years to get what he wants.

Tatiana plotted to hurt James in a way to get revenge against his parents. She allied herself with his grandfather Belial in this effort. He created an enchantment on a bracelet so that her daughter's abilities would work on him and then instructed her to convince him to steal it for her and have him wear it. She then used Grace to manipulate him into believing he loved her and torturing him through that love.

All of this was also meant to prepare him for Belial to be able to possess him so that he could walk the earth again.

I've only been half-alive since I was fourteen. You have not just made me think that I loved you, you have subsumed my will over and over until I no longer know who I am. Do you even understand what it is that you've done?

–James to Grace when discovering the truth, Chain of Iron

Grace is the cold adoptive daughter of Tatiana Blackthorn, whom he was forced into believing himself in love with.

James first met her in Idris in 1899. They began a friendship while he trimmed her mother's briars. The following year, they did much of the same until she asked him to steal what she claimed was her birth-mother's bracelet for her from Tatiana. After he did, she asked him to wear it as her only true friend. James obliged, not knowing that the bracelet was enchanted.

From then on he believed he loved Grace. The two exchanged letters constantly and spent their summers together in Idris. They developed an understanding that one day, James would save her from Tatiana and they would get married.

When Grace moved to London, James was excited. However, the powers of the bracelet began to fade. One night, she asked him to run away with her, become mundanes, and get married as a test. He refused and so she later took her bracelet back and told him that she was engaged to Charles Fairchild instead.

Some days later she returned the bracelet, now stronger, to him and reestablished their understanding. Following his engagement to Cordelia, Grace told him that she could make her engagement to Charles a long one so that they could marry after he divorced Cordelia. James however did not respond after having told her they shouldn't talk or be friends for the time being.

For the next four months, James avoided Grace. The day of his wedding she tried to speak with him but he decided against it, holding true to his promise with Cordelia. A few weeks later, Grace arrived at his doorstep and forced him to speak with her, feigning the need of someone to talk to and expressing curiosity over Lucie. When she commanded a kiss from him, he pictured Cordelia and Grace, acting offended, told him as such, which began further turmoil and confusion for James.

When the bracelet finally broke because of the overwhelming love James had for Cordelia overpowered it, James came to the realization of what the bracelet had been doing all this time and Grace's subsequent powers—as well as his true feelings for Cordelia. Grace showed up at his home that night trying to invoke his assistance with her charm, but he confronted her. She confirmed his suspicions and while she did not try to apologize or defend herself, she agreed to tell the truth to the Consul and Silent Brothers at his suggestion.

  • Augustus Pounceby is one of the people James hates. In the summer of 1900, Augustus had come to London on his travel year. Once he and James were alone, he made a series of slurs against his mother's good name. To which James threw him in the river.
  • Lavinia Whitelaw: During tea with the Consul, Lavinia insulted his sister, claiming no one would want to marry her because of her "disadvantages". At another point, she made rude remarks concerning James and his friends, calling them hooligans. For these reasons, James hates her.

Appearances[]

Gallery[]

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Trivia[]

  • James Herondale was named after Jem Carstairs, Will's parabatai and Tessa's former fiancé.
    • His first middle name, "Morgan", is an ancestral name of one of Will's mother's relatives; while his second, "Henry", is in reference to Henry Branwell, whom had been a father-like figure to Will.[10]
  • Unlike their father and many of their descendants, both James and Lucie are not afraid of ducks,[11] a fact that James flaunts in front of his father to annoy him.[7][12] However, he doesn't fancy them after being bitten by one at Hyde Park as a child.[6]
  • James's favorite treat is Yorkshire shortbread.[13]
  • James's favorite book is Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.[1]
  • Like his descendant Jace, James played piano for a few years before abandoning it.[6]
  • James is one of the two Herondale boys known to have gold eyes, the other being his descendant Jace Herondale. While James has gold eyes because of his demonic heritage, Jace was born with excess angel blood; possibly because of this difference, the gold of their eyes are of different degrees—while James's eyes were bright gold, Jace's was pale, almost yellow.
  • According to a found family tree, James and Cordelia would have a son named Owen. Also according to the family tree, James died in 1963, at the age of 76 or 77.
  • Upon his death, his mother kept his family ring for decades. In 2008, she gave it to his descendant Jace,[14] and in 2012, it was given to a Herondale from another line, Kit.[15]
  • His favorite animal is a wolf.[1]
  • He is also not fond of parsnips.[8]
  • Despite being 6 feet tall, James wishes he was taller.[8]
  • James has always wanted to visit Constantinople.[8]
  • Because of James's unique abilities, he is the only Shadowhunter to be able to use a gun that can kill demons.[16][8]

  • James is a poet.[17]
  • James "has nicknames for everyone."[18]

  • References[]

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