Lesson 2: Narnia
Welcome students!! In this second lesson we will be travelling to a world of magic and fantasy, where animals can talk, and knowing a little bit more of you is one of the greatest treasures you will find. Welcome to Narnia!!!
The World of Narnia
Narnia is a magical world created by C.S. Lewis for his novels The Chronicles of Narnia. According to the story, Narnia was created by Aslan, the great lion, and in it all kind of talking animals and mythical creatures live.
When Narnia was created by Aslan, six creatures witnessed its creation: Jadis (Empress of Charn, and Evil Witch), Digory, Polly and Andrew (humans), Frank (cab driver who became King Frank I, first King of Narnia), and Strawberry (Frank’s horse who later became Fledge, the first Flying Horse of Narnia).
When they arrived, Aslan started creating Narnia by calling the stars, sun, animals and plants through a song. When he was done, Aslan selected some animals to be Talking Animals, and he chose Frank, the cab driver, and his wife, Queen Helen, to be the first rulers of Narnia.
Aware that the evil witch Jadis had entered his country, Aslan sent Digory to look for a magic apple. Aslan planted this apple by the river, and the apple grew into a tree that would protect Narnia from Jadis.
When they returned home, Digory was allowed to take one of the magical apples home. He gave the apple to his mother, who miraculously recovered from her illness. After that, they planted the core and it grew into a big apple tree. Years later, when the tree was blown down, Digory, known as Professor Kirke, used the wood of the fallen tree to make a wardrobe. This magical wardrobe will play an important role in the World of Narnia.
When Narnia was created by Aslan, six creatures witnessed its creation: Jadis (Empress of Charn, and Evil Witch), Digory, Polly and Andrew (humans), Frank (cab driver who became King Frank I, first King of Narnia), and Strawberry (Frank’s horse who later became Fledge, the first Flying Horse of Narnia).
When they arrived, Aslan started creating Narnia by calling the stars, sun, animals and plants through a song. When he was done, Aslan selected some animals to be Talking Animals, and he chose Frank, the cab driver, and his wife, Queen Helen, to be the first rulers of Narnia.
Aware that the evil witch Jadis had entered his country, Aslan sent Digory to look for a magic apple. Aslan planted this apple by the river, and the apple grew into a tree that would protect Narnia from Jadis.
When they returned home, Digory was allowed to take one of the magical apples home. He gave the apple to his mother, who miraculously recovered from her illness. After that, they planted the core and it grew into a big apple tree. Years later, when the tree was blown down, Digory, known as Professor Kirke, used the wood of the fallen tree to make a wardrobe. This magical wardrobe will play an important role in the World of Narnia.
Inhabitants in Narnia
In Narnia you will be able to find the following creatures/characters:
- Talking Animals: Whatever animal you can think of from our world, it is very possible that you will find it in Narnia as well! The main difference is that some of these animals may have the ability to talk!! These versions, besides talking and speaking also change size: small animals will be larger, and large animals will be a little bit smaller. Talking animals are pretty much like humans, so killing them and eating them is absolutely prohibited!
- Mythological Creatures: Some example of these are: centaurs, dragons, dryads, fauns, giants, merpeople, minotaurs, ogres, phoenixes, satyrs, trolls, unicorns, werewolves, winged horses, among others.
- Dwarfs: Dwarfs earn a special section because they are native to Narnia. Aslan calls them “Sons of Earth”, and we can find two varieties of them regarding the color of their hair: Black Dwarfs, who are selfish and hostile, and Red Dwarfs, who are loyal to Aslan. Dwarfs are good miners and carpenters, and they can also be great archers.
- Witches: In Narnia there have been two witches: Jadis, the White Witch, and “The Green Lady”. Jadis was the one who sentenced Narnia to 100 years of winter, and “The Green Lady” can transform into a big serpent.
- Humans: Eleven humans have entered Narnia: 4 boys (Peter Pevensie, Edmund Pevensie, Digory Kirk, and Eustace Scrubb), 4 girls (Susan Pevensie, Lucy Pevensie, Polly Plummer, and Jill Pole), 2 men (King Frank I, and Andrew Ketterly), and 1 woman (Queen Helen)
Narnia's Age of Winter and The Golden Age
The Age of Winter is a significant era in Narnia’s history. It refers to the time when Jadis, the White Witch, ruled Narnia for 100 years. During this period of time, the White Witch sentenced Narnia to an eternal winter, covering the whole land with snow and ice and forbidding Christmas.
In order to conquer Narnia, Jadis had to exterminate all humans (all the descendants of King Frank and Queen Helen), causing the human population to be extinct. This caused most Narnians to believe that men were just a myth, except for the most faithful ones who truly believed in Aslan and in an ancient prophecy that said that two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve would come to save them and put an end to the tyrannical reign of the White Witch.
The prophecy was correct indeed, and one good day, two boys and two girls: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, entered the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe! After one dangerous incident in which Edmund joins the White Witch for a little while, the four siblings reunite again and accept their destiny!
With the arrival of the siblings, the appearance of Father Christmas, the melting of the ice and snow, and the return of Aslan, all Narnians start to have faith and hope. With their renewed strengths they start the so called “Winter Revolution” to defeat Queen Jadis. In the Battle of Beruna the White Witch was killed and her army defeated.
This memorable battle was followed by the coronation of the Pevensies and the beginning of the Golden Age.
The Golden Age is the period of time in which the Pevensies, High King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just, and Queen Lucy the Valiant, ruled Narnia. During this Age, some lost territory was reintegrated to Narnia, and some lost alliances were reestablished. It was a time of prosperity and people were living happily, however this Golden Age came to an end when the four rulers returned to their world.
This Age was followed by the Dark Age, but for now we will only leave it like this, since we won’t cover all of Narnia history because we have some other interesting topics!
In order to conquer Narnia, Jadis had to exterminate all humans (all the descendants of King Frank and Queen Helen), causing the human population to be extinct. This caused most Narnians to believe that men were just a myth, except for the most faithful ones who truly believed in Aslan and in an ancient prophecy that said that two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve would come to save them and put an end to the tyrannical reign of the White Witch.
The prophecy was correct indeed, and one good day, two boys and two girls: Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, entered the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe! After one dangerous incident in which Edmund joins the White Witch for a little while, the four siblings reunite again and accept their destiny!
With the arrival of the siblings, the appearance of Father Christmas, the melting of the ice and snow, and the return of Aslan, all Narnians start to have faith and hope. With their renewed strengths they start the so called “Winter Revolution” to defeat Queen Jadis. In the Battle of Beruna the White Witch was killed and her army defeated.
This memorable battle was followed by the coronation of the Pevensies and the beginning of the Golden Age.
The Golden Age is the period of time in which the Pevensies, High King Peter the Magnificent, Queen Susan the Gentle, King Edmund the Just, and Queen Lucy the Valiant, ruled Narnia. During this Age, some lost territory was reintegrated to Narnia, and some lost alliances were reestablished. It was a time of prosperity and people were living happily, however this Golden Age came to an end when the four rulers returned to their world.
This Age was followed by the Dark Age, but for now we will only leave it like this, since we won’t cover all of Narnia history because we have some other interesting topics!
Beyond Narnia
In the world of Narnia we can also found the following places, countries that also complement Narnia’s geography:
* Archenland: Located in the South of Narnia, this country is surrounded by mountains. Its main city is Anvard, and it is inhabited by humans. The line of King Frank from Narnia survived and settled in Archenland. King Frank’s second son became the first King of Archenland. Archenland and Narnia are also allies.
* Calormen: Located in the South of Narnia, this semi-arid country is home of the “Great Desert”, and a volcano named the “Flaming Mountain of Lagour”. “The River of Calormen” is south of the Great Desert, where you can find gardens and pleasure houses. The capital of Calormen is Tashbaan. Calormen and Narnia never got along, primarily because of Calormen’s desire to conquer their surrounding countries.
* Eastern Ocean: This Ocean is home of different islands like Galma, the Seven Isles, Terebinthia, and The Lone Islands. Rumor has it that if you travel far enough you will find a passage to Aslan’s Country, when you reach a big wave.
* Ettinsmoor: Located in the North of Narnia, this land is inhabited by giants. In here you will find the castle of Harfang, where the Gentle Giants live (giants that eat humans!)
* Wild Lands of the North: Further North we can find these lands that are close to Ettinsmoor. There are mountains, precipices, and stony valleys. In here you can find the Ruined City of the Giants, where the only known entrance to Underland is located. East of these lands you will find The Witch Country.
* Western Wild: This is an uninhabited region where Digory found the magical apple that grew into a tree to protect Narnia from Jadis.
* Telmar: Located in the West of Narnia, this land used to be a colony of the Calormen Empire. Aslan turned its habitants into dumb beasts because of their violent actions, however, years later twelve pirates landed in Telmar and they mixed their families with the remaining Calormene settlers, giving birth to the Telmarines. The Telmarines where brutal and violent, and they invaded Narnia once.
* Underland: Under the surface of Narnia you can find Underland. This region was governed by the witch known as “The Lady of the Green Kirtle”. This is a very dangerous region, home to places like “The Shallow Lands”, “The Sunless Sea”, and “The Pale Beaches”.
* Aslan’s Country: Pretty much like Narnia’s heaven, Aslan’s Country is where all the good and kind Narnians rest after they die. It is a beautiful place where everything is perfect, and it can be accessed through every world. Some important character that entered into Aslan’s Country are:
Besides them, right before the destruction of Narnia by Aslan, all the creatures that were capable of looking into Aslan’s eyes and rejoice, were allowed into his country, while the ones who feared and hated would fall into the darkness and into an uncertain fate.
* Archenland: Located in the South of Narnia, this country is surrounded by mountains. Its main city is Anvard, and it is inhabited by humans. The line of King Frank from Narnia survived and settled in Archenland. King Frank’s second son became the first King of Archenland. Archenland and Narnia are also allies.
* Calormen: Located in the South of Narnia, this semi-arid country is home of the “Great Desert”, and a volcano named the “Flaming Mountain of Lagour”. “The River of Calormen” is south of the Great Desert, where you can find gardens and pleasure houses. The capital of Calormen is Tashbaan. Calormen and Narnia never got along, primarily because of Calormen’s desire to conquer their surrounding countries.
* Eastern Ocean: This Ocean is home of different islands like Galma, the Seven Isles, Terebinthia, and The Lone Islands. Rumor has it that if you travel far enough you will find a passage to Aslan’s Country, when you reach a big wave.
* Ettinsmoor: Located in the North of Narnia, this land is inhabited by giants. In here you will find the castle of Harfang, where the Gentle Giants live (giants that eat humans!)
* Wild Lands of the North: Further North we can find these lands that are close to Ettinsmoor. There are mountains, precipices, and stony valleys. In here you can find the Ruined City of the Giants, where the only known entrance to Underland is located. East of these lands you will find The Witch Country.
* Western Wild: This is an uninhabited region where Digory found the magical apple that grew into a tree to protect Narnia from Jadis.
* Telmar: Located in the West of Narnia, this land used to be a colony of the Calormen Empire. Aslan turned its habitants into dumb beasts because of their violent actions, however, years later twelve pirates landed in Telmar and they mixed their families with the remaining Calormene settlers, giving birth to the Telmarines. The Telmarines where brutal and violent, and they invaded Narnia once.
* Underland: Under the surface of Narnia you can find Underland. This region was governed by the witch known as “The Lady of the Green Kirtle”. This is a very dangerous region, home to places like “The Shallow Lands”, “The Sunless Sea”, and “The Pale Beaches”.
* Aslan’s Country: Pretty much like Narnia’s heaven, Aslan’s Country is where all the good and kind Narnians rest after they die. It is a beautiful place where everything is perfect, and it can be accessed through every world. Some important character that entered into Aslan’s Country are:
- Peter, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie.
- Mr. and Mrs. Pevensie.
- He-Beaver and She-Beaver.
- King Caspian X
- Digory Kirke
- Polly Plummer
- Eustace Scrubb
- Jill Pole
- King Frank and Queen Helen
- Tirian, last King of Narnia
- Puddleglum, the Marsh-wiggle
- Reepicheep, the Mouse
- Tumnus, the Faun
Besides them, right before the destruction of Narnia by Aslan, all the creatures that were capable of looking into Aslan’s eyes and rejoice, were allowed into his country, while the ones who feared and hated would fall into the darkness and into an uncertain fate.
The Seven Friends of Narnia
In order to wrap up this lesson, we will quickly learn about the Seven Friends of Narnia. This title refers to the seven humans from Earth that traveled and aided Narnia
With this we put an end to this lesson!! I hope you enjoyed it! Please proceed to your assignment!
- Digory Kirke: Witnessed the creation of Narnia. He also has a magical wardrobe that led the Pevensie siblings into Narnia for the first time.
- Polly Plumer: Digory’s friend who also witnessed the creation of Narnia.
- Peter Pevensie: King of Narnia during the Golden Age, he defeated the White Witch and helped Caspian X to the throne of Narnia during the Narnian Revolution (Civil War)
- Edmund Pevensie: King of Narnia during the Golden Age, he defeated the White Witch, helped Caspian X to the throne of Narnia during the Narnian Revolution, and also aided him on his voyage to search for the Seven Lost Lords of Narnia.
- Lucy Pevensie: Queen of Narnia during the Golden Age. Like her brothers, she defeated the White Witch, helped Caspian X to the throne of Narnia during the Narnian Revolution, and also aided him on his voyage to search for the Seven Lost Lords of Narnia.
- Eustace Scrubb: He aided King Caspian X on his voyage to search for the Seven Lost Lords of Narnia, he defeated the “Lady of the Green Kirtle” and also helped King Tirian in The Last Battle of Narnia.
- Jill Pole: Eustace’s friend, she he defeated the “Lady of the Green Kirtle” and also helped King Tirian in The Last Battle of Narnia.
With this we put an end to this lesson!! I hope you enjoyed it! Please proceed to your assignment!