Prince Caspian facts for kids
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First edition dustjacket
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| Author | C. S. Lewis |
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| Illustrator | Pauline Baynes |
| Cover artist | Pauline Baynes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Series | The Chronicles of Narnia |
| Genre | Children's fantasy novel, Christian literature |
| Publisher | Geoffrey Bles |
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Publication date
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15 October 1951 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 195 pp (first edition) 44,740 words (US) |
| ISBN | 978-0-00-671679-2 (Collins, 1998; full colour) |
| OCLC | 2812448 |
| LC Class | PZ8.L48 Pr |
| Preceded by | The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe |
| Followed by | The Voyage of the Dawn Treader |
Prince Caspian is an exciting fantasy novel for kids by C. S. Lewis. It was first published in 1951. This book is the second one published in The Chronicles of Narnia series, which has seven books in total. Lewis actually finished writing Prince Caspian before the first Narnia book came out!
In newer versions of the series, Prince Caspian is the fourth book if you read them in the order the story happens. Just like the other Narnia books, it has wonderful drawings by Pauline Baynes.
Prince Caspian tells the story of the four Pevensie children – Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy – who return to Narnia. For them, only about a year has passed in England. But in Narnia, 1300 years have gone by! This is the only Narnia book where humans, called Telmarines, are in charge. The talking animals and magical creatures of Narnia are now in danger. The Pevensie siblings, who were once the legendary Kings and Queens of Narnia, are magically called back. They are children again, and they are summoned by a young prince named Prince Caspian.
The book has also been made into a movie and a TV show. The BBC made it into two TV episodes in 1989. A big movie came out in 2008.
What the Story is About
The story begins with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie. They are suddenly taken from a British railway station to a beach. They find an old, ruined castle there. They soon realize it's Cair Paravel, where they used to rule as Kings and Queens of Narnia.
They find their old treasure room. Peter's sword and shield, Susan's bow and arrows, and Lucy's dagger and magic healing potion are all still there. But Susan's magic horn, which she used to call for help, is missing. She had left it in the woods when they returned to England. Even though only one year has passed for them, 1300 years have flown by in Narnia!
The children soon rescue a dwarf named Trumpkin. Soldiers were about to drown him. Trumpkin tells them what has happened in Narnia. A group of people called Telmarines conquered Narnia. Now, King Miraz rules, along with his wife Queen Prunaprismia. Miraz became king by killing his own brother, who was Caspian's father, King Caspian IX.
Miraz allowed Prince Caspian, the true heir, to live. But only until Miraz had his own son. Prince Caspian escaped from Miraz's castle with help from his teacher, Doctor Cornelius. Doctor Cornelius taught Caspian all about Old Narnia and gave him Queen Susan's horn. Caspian ran into the forest but was knocked out when his horse bolted. He woke up in the home of a Talking Badger named Trufflehunter. Two dwarves, Nikabrik and Trumpkin, were also there. They accepted Caspian as their rightful king.
The badger and dwarves introduced Caspian to many creatures from Old Narnia. During a meeting, Doctor Cornelius arrived. He warned them that King Miraz and his army were coming. He told them to escape to Aslan's How, a safe place in the great woods. The Telmarines followed the Narnians there. After some small fights, the Narnians seemed to be losing. They decided to blow Queen Susan's horn. They hoped it would bring help.
Trumpkin and the Pevensies travel to find Caspian. The journey is hard. But then, Aslan appears to Lucy. He tells her to guide the others to him. Aslan sends Peter, Edmund, and Trumpkin ahead to Aslan's How. They need to stop some trouble brewing there. Aslan follows with Susan and Lucy.
Peter, Edmund, and Trumpkin arrive and stop the creatures threatening Caspian. Peter challenges Miraz to a one-on-one fight. The army of the winner would be the winner of the war. Miraz accepts the challenge. He is pushed into it by his lords, Glozelle and Sopespian. Miraz loses the fight. But Glozelle and Sopespian claim the Narnians cheated. They say Miraz was stabbed in the back while he was down. They order the Telmarine army to attack. In the confusion, Glozelle secretly stabs Miraz in the back.
Aslan, with Lucy and Susan, calls on the gods Bacchus and Silenus. With their help, the woods come alive! The gods and awakened trees change the battle. The Telmarines run away. They find themselves trapped at the Great River, where their bridge is destroyed. The Telmarines surrender.
Aslan gives the Telmarines a choice. They can stay in Narnia under King Caspian. Or, they can return to Earth, their original home. One volunteer disappears through a magic door Aslan creates. The Pevensies go through to show the other Telmarines it's safe. Peter and Susan tell Edmund and Lucy that they are too old to return to Narnia again. The Pevensies then find themselves back at the railway station.
Main Characters
- Lucy Pevensie: The youngest Pevensie child. She is the first to see Aslan again.
- Edmund Pevensie: The third Pevensie child. He trusts Lucy when she says she saw Aslan. He remembers that she was right before.
- Peter Pevensie: The oldest Pevensie sibling. He is the High-King of Narnia.
- Susan Pevensie: The second oldest Pevensie child. She is skilled with a bow and arrow.
- Prince Caspian: The true Telmarine King. He becomes King of Narnia. He also appears in the next two books, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader and The Silver Chair. He has a small part in The Last Battle.
- Aslan: The Great Lion. He created Narnia and helps its people.
- Miraz: Caspian's uncle. He took the throne from Caspian's father. He fights the Old Narnians who support Caspian. He accepts a challenge to fight Peter but is betrayed and killed by Lord Glozelle.
- Trumpkin: A Red Dwarf who helps Caspian. He is rescued by the Pevensie children. He leads them to Caspian. At first, he doesn't believe in Aslan or the old Kings and Queens, but he learns to believe.
- Doctor Cornelius: Half-dwarf and half-human. He is Caspian's teacher and helps the Narnians defeat the Telmarines.
- Reepicheep: A brave Talking Mouse. He is a fearless swordsman and a strong supporter of Aslan and Caspian.
- Nikabrik: A Black Dwarf in Caspian's army. He doesn't want to fight alongside Caspian. He tries to bring back the White Witch with black magic but is stopped.
- Trufflehunter: A Talking Badger. He keeps his faith in Aslan and Old Narnia. He helps Prince Caspian fight against Miraz.
- Bacchus and Silenus: Narnian forest gods. They help Aslan in the final battle.
- Lord Sopespian and Lord Glozelle: Telmarine lords. They trick Miraz into fighting Peter. Glozelle secretly kills Miraz during the battle.
Other Versions of the Story
The BBC made Prince Caspian into two episodes for their 1989 TV series, The Chronicles of Narnia.
A big movie called The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was released in 2008. It was the second film in the movie series from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media.
The book also inspired a song called "Prince Caspian" on the Phish album Billy Breathes.
A play based on the book was written by Erina Caradus. It was first performed in 2007.
See also
In Spanish: El príncipe Caspian para niños
