Peter Pevensie facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peter Pevensie |
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| Narnia character | |
William Moseley as Peter Pevensie in the 2008 film, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
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| Race | Human |
| Title | High King Peter the Magnificent Emperor of the Lone Islands Lord of Cair Paravel Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Lion Sir Peter Wolf's-Bane |
| Family | Mr and Mrs Pevensie (parents) Susan (sister) Edmund (brother) Lucy Pevensie (sister) Eustace Scrubb (cousin) |
| Nationality | English |
Peter Pevensie is a fictional character from C. S. Lewis's famous book series, The Chronicles of Narnia. He is one of the main characters and appears in three of the seven books: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Last Battle. He is also mentioned in other books.
Peter is the oldest of the four Pevensie children. He shares amazing adventures in the magical land of Narnia with his sisters, Susan and Lucy, and his brother, Edmund. In Narnia, he becomes known as High King Peter the Magnificent. He is the highest ruler among the Narnian monarchs.
In the Disney live-action films, Peter is played by the English actor William Moseley. An older Peter is shown at the end of the first movie, played by Noah Huntley.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The name "Peter" was one of the first names C. S. Lewis thought of for his characters. In an early draft of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter was actually the youngest child, but this changed in the final book where he became the oldest.
The last name "Pevensie" comes from a real place in England called Pevensey. It's a town on the coast with an old castle. This castle was once called "England's Gate" by writer Rudyard Kipling. It's a bit like the wardrobe in the Narnia books, which acts as a gate to another world! The Pevensie last name first appears in the third Narnia book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Peter's Adventures in Narnia
How Old is Peter?
Peter was born in 1927 in his own world. He is 13 years old when he first enters Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. He rules Narnia for 15 years, growing up to be about 28 years old there. But when he returns to England, he is still 13! By the time of The Last Battle, he is 22 and a university student, but he still loves Narnia.
Peter in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Peter is a very loyal and protective older brother. He tries his best to take care of his siblings and act responsibly. When World War II air-raids start in England, he and his siblings are sent to the countryside. They stay at the large house of Professor Digory Kirke.
At first, Peter doesn't believe Lucy when she says she found a magical world in the wardrobe. He thinks it's just her imagination. But when all four children finally enter Narnia, he apologizes to Lucy. He gets very angry with Edmund because Edmund had lied about Narnia's existence earlier.
Edmund later goes to the evil White Witch. Peter feels bad, thinking his anger might have pushed Edmund away. The Pevensie children are helped by Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, who suspect Edmund is a traitor. Edmund is eventually rescued by Aslan, the great lion.
On their journey to meet Aslan, Father Christmas gives Peter a sword called Rhindon and a shield. Peter later earns the name "Sir Peter Wolf's-Bane" from Aslan. This happens after he bravely kills Maugrim, the chief wolf of the White Witch's secret police, who was trying to harm Susan and Lucy.
Aslan makes Peter the head general of his army. After the White Witch is defeated in a big battle, Peter is crowned "His Majesty King Peter the Magnificent, High King of Narnia." He becomes Emperor of the Lone Islands and Lord of Cair Paravel. This fulfills an ancient prophecy that two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve would sit on the four thrones at Cair Paravel. This moment ends the long winter and the White Witch's rule, starting Narnia's Golden Age.
After 15 years of ruling Narnia, Peter and his siblings return to their own world. They find that no time has passed in England, and they are children again.
Peter in The Horse and His Boy
Peter is not in this book, but he is mentioned. While Susan and Edmund are away, Peter is fighting giants in the north of Narnia.
Peter in Prince Caspian
When the Pevensies return to Narnia, they find the ruins of their old castle, Cair Paravel. They discover their treasure chamber, where Peter finds his sword, Rhindon, and his shield. He once again becomes the leader of the group. They meet Trumpkin, a dwarf who helps them find Prince Caspian.
As the High King, Peter makes important decisions. To buy time for Lucy to find Aslan, Peter challenges the Telmarine king, Miraz, to a one-on-one duel. After the Pevensie children help defeat the Telmarines, Peter officially gives Caspian the power to rule Narnia. Aslan tells Peter and Susan that they are too old to return to Narnia again, as they have learned all they can from that world.
The four children then return to their own world, ready for their boarding schools. In this book, it becomes clear that Lucy is Peter's favorite sister.
Peter in Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Peter is not physically in this book. It is mentioned that he is studying with Professor Kirke to prepare for exams. In the movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Peter has a small appearance at a party.
Peter in The Last Battle
Peter has a smaller role in this final Narnia story. He appears in a vision to Tirian, the last King of Narnia.
Later, Peter and Edmund go to London to find some magic rings. They are waiting for Lucy, Eustace, Jill, Professor Kirke, and Polly at a train station when a terrible train crash happens. This crash sends Jill and Eustace to Narnia, where they eventually enter the "real Narnia" (heaven) and are reunited with Peter, Edmund, Lucy, Digory, and Polly.
Peter is described as having the face of a king and a warrior. At the end of the world, Aslan orders Peter to shut the door of Narnia, bringing the world to an end. Peter is one of the many characters allowed to stay in Aslan's Country, which is like heaven.
Peter and Christian Ideas
C. S. Lewis, the author, was an expert on allegory, which is a story with a hidden meaning. However, he didn't see The Chronicles of Narnia as a direct allegory. Instead, he thought of them as "what if" stories. He wondered, "What if Christ came to a world like Narnia?"
There are some interesting similarities between Peter Pevensie and St. Peter from the Bible. St. Peter was one of Jesus's main followers. Just like St. Peter was given his name by Christ, Peter Pevensie is named "Sir Peter Wolf's-Bane" by Aslan.
Also, St. Peter is seen as the first leader among other church leaders. In a similar way, Peter Pevensie is given the title of High King, making him the highest ruler in Narnia. Finally, in the Bible, St. Peter is given the "keys to the kingdom of heaven." In The Last Battle, Peter Pevensie shuts the door to the destroyed Narnia, locking it with a golden key.
Who Has Played Peter?
Many actors have played Peter Pevensie in different adaptations:
- In the 1967 TV show, Paul Waller played him.
- In the 1988 TV series by the BBC, Peter was played by Richard Dempsey.
- In Walden Media's The Chronicles of Narnia films, William Moseley plays Peter as a child. Noah Huntley plays an older Peter at the end of the first movie.
- In the radio plays by Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, Freddie Findlay voiced Peter as a child, and Peter Moreton voiced him as an adult.
- In the spoof movie Epic Movie, Peter is played by Adam Campbell.
See also
In Spanish: Peter Pevensie para niños
