In C. S. Lewis's fantasy novel series the Chronicles of Narnia, Aslan's How is a construction located south of the Great River in Narnia next to the Great Woods. It was built over the Hill of the Stone Table. It is a tell.
The word "How" derives from the Old Norse haugr, meaning hill. In parts of England, it is a synonym for a barrow, or earthen burial-mound (see tumulus.)
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
For more details on this topic, see The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The Pevensie children first encounter Aslan in this place in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Aslan's camp is here when the children first arrive there, but is soon moved to another location due to an event that happens the same night. That night, Aslan is seen wandering out of the campsite by Lucy and Susan, who follow him. Aslan knows that they are following him and asks them why. He agrees to let them stay with him and they walk together up the hill to the Stone Table. There, Aslan tells the children to stay and to keep quiet. Aslan then goes up the hill to the Table. There, hundreds of evil creatures await him, including the White Witch. Aslan is soon bound with ropes on the table and killed. Afterwards, the army of creatures file out and the two sisters walk up to his body, kiss him, and mourn his death. They try to untie him, but are unable to. Soon, mice come along and gnaw through the ropes.
When morning comes, the two decide to leave the place. As they leave, a huge earthquake happens and they turn back to see the Stone Table cracked. Stunned, they walk up to the table. As the sun rises, Aslan appears in a triumphant sight. They are amazed and ask how he came back to life. He explains about the Deep Magic From the Dawn of Time, and the yet Deeper Magic From Before the Dawn of Time. They then leave the place with a bound and a mighty roar
Deeper Magic Before From The Dawn Of Time
Susan and Lucy are explained the Deeper Magic From Before The Dawn Of Time which says that if anyone is killed on the Stone Table though he hasn't committed a crime, the Stone Table Shall Break and The Man will come alive.
"...when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor's stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards."
This has a hidden moral in it. It says that "Death is also afraid of the one who is always on the path of truth, and willingly sacrifice their lives in a traitor's hands on a purpose to save others".
This again goes back to "Long Live Truth".
Prince Caspian
For more details on this topic, see Prince Caspian.
The site is not referred to as "Aslan's How" until Prince Caspian, the events of which take place over a thousand Narnian years after The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
At some point during the absence of the Pevensie children, a barrow was raised over the remains of the broken Stone Table. Who built the mound, or why, is not explained by Lewis. It is possible that this action was undertaken by the superstitious Telmarines, who feared and despised anything to do with Old Narnia. Another possibility is that the Old Narnians themselves wished to protect the Stone Table fragments from desecration by hiding them from their enemies.
The runaway Prince Caspian flees into the forest from his evil uncle, King Miraz, and finds a host of good creatures and animals. When word gets out that the King's army is out to capture the Prince, he and his friends take cover inside Aslan's How. The How proves to be a reliable fortress. Miraz's army surrounds the mound and is fought off when the four Pevensies and Aslan return to Narnia[2].
The Horse and His Boy
For more details on this topic, see The Horse and His Boy.
Aslan's How is only mentioned once more in The Horse and His Boy.
(from wikipedia)
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