Narnia: Anybody else find it odd with sibling Kings and Queens?

[herlig9]

Brothers and sisters becomes kings and queens?

Since you know what the ehem typical role of King and Queen is to begin with. I love the books though, and the BBC tv series i saw growing up. But i always found that technically odd?

 

[KatieLee]

It definitely is a bit odd from our viewpoint, but I get the feeling that C.S. Lewis was using that as part of his Christian allegory. The idea in Christianity is that when people reach the end of their journey and sit victoriously in heaven is that everyone is going to be on equal footing, but not only that, everyone is going to be royalty as the adopted children of God. Since the children are not from Narnia they are adopted and sit in the highest place available as equals.

That's how I came to view it. Not sure if thats what Lewis meant.

 

[Deimos]

It definitely is a bit odd from our viewpoint, but I get the feeling that C.S. Lewis was using that as part of his Christian allegory. The idea in Christianity is that when people reach the end of their journey and sit victoriously in heaven is that everyone is going to be on equal footing, but not only that, everyone is going to be royalty as the adopted children of God. Since the children are not from Narnia they are adopted and sit in the highest place available as equals.

That's how I came to view it. Not sure if thats what Lewis meant.

I think that you are right...good analysis.
(I could not have stated your argument half so well. nor so concisely)

 

[Olorgando]

Brothers and sisters becomes kings and queens?

Since you know what the ehem typical role of King and Queen is to begin with. I love the books though, and the BBC tv series i saw growing up. But i always found that technically odd?

Well, trying to think in a conspiracy theory vein, some people might jump to the conclusion that CSL "obviously borrowed" this from some dynasties of Ancient Egypt, of the Third Kingdom period ...

 

[Red Leaf]

There were plenty of 'joint kings' in the Anglo-Saxon period, as well as (we think), in the incredibly mystifying Pictish kingdoms.

It *usually* tended to be a more temporary than permanent arrangement, often with one of the joint kings accidentally cutting off their own head while shaving, but it was definitely 'a recognised thing' in early mediaeval Kingship that was considered legitimate and workable.

If only CS Lewis had known someone immersed in Anglo-Saxon history....

 

[Deimos]

There were plenty of 'joint kings' in the Anglo-Saxon period, as well as (we think), in the incredibly mystifying Pictish kingdoms.

It *usually* tended to be a more temporary than permanent arrangement, often with one of the joint kings accidentally cutting off their own head while shaving, but it was definitely 'a recognised thing' in early mediaeval Kingship that was considered legitimate and workable.

If only CS Lewis had known someone immersed in Anglo-Saxon history....

He did... I think it was this guy named John Ronald...something...something ... ( I wish I could remember....)

 

[KatieLee]

There were plenty of 'joint kings' in the Anglo-Saxon period, as well as (we think), in the incredibly mystifying Pictish kingdoms.

It *usually* tended to be a more temporary than permanent arrangement, often with one of the joint kings accidentally cutting off their own head while shaving, but it was definitely 'a recognised thing' in early mediaeval Kingship that was considered legitimate and workable.

If only CS Lewis had known someone immersed in Anglo-Saxon history....

That's good to know! I'm no history buff (although I would like to delve into some of it more), so I wasn't sure how valid it was outside of allegory. With so few monarchy's remaining in modern day (29 according to google), I wonder how strange the concept overall will seem someday outside of childs play and fairy tales. Or perhaps they will reign again.

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

He did... I think it was this guy named John Ronald...something...something ... ( I wish I could remember....)

Ah, yes... And something with a T.... Was it... Token? Something like token... I think it rhymed with token....