Chronicles of Narnia series, written by C.S. Lewis between 1950 and 1956, consists of seven books that can be indexed by both their original publication order and their internal chronological order. Publication Order (Original Release)
This is the order in which the books were first published and is often recommended for first-time readers to experience the world as it was originally revealed. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) Prince Caspian (1951) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952) The Silver Chair (1953) The Horse and His Boy (1954) The Magician's Nephew (1955) The Last Battle (1956) Chronological Order (Narnian Timeline)
This order follows the timeline of events within the fictional world, starting with its creation and ending with its conclusion.
The Series
"The Chronicles of Narnia" is a series of seven fantasy novels that follow the magical land of Narnia and its inhabitants. The series is as follows:
Chronological Order
While the series can be read in publication order, some readers prefer to read in chronological order. Here is the series in chronological order:
Main Characters
Recurring Characters
Narnian Creatures
Themes
Symbolism
This index provides a comprehensive overview of "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, including the main characters, recurring characters, Narnian creatures, themes, and symbolism.
The index of The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis contains seven books, which are commonly listed in two different orders: Chronological Order (by Narnian time): The Magician's Nephew The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe The Horse and His Boy Prince Caspian The Voyage of the Dawn Treader The Silver Chair The Last Battle Original Publication Order (1950–1956): The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Prince Caspian The Voyage of the Dawn Treader The Silver Chair The Horse and His Boy The Magician's Nephew The Last Battle A New Narnian Tale: The Echo of the Silver Horn
Inspired by the themes of unexpected portals, the passage of time, and the restorative power of Aslan.
In 1947, years after the Pevensies had left the Professor’s house, a young girl named Elara was sent to the same country estate to recover from a lingering illness. Exploring the attic, she found not a wardrobe, but an old, tarnished silver horn tucked inside a moth-eaten velvet case.
When she blew it, the sound didn't echo against the rafters; instead, the floorboards beneath her dissolved into a carpet of blue mountain-bells. She found herself on the edge of the Lantern Waste, but the famous lamp-post was now entwined with golden ivy, and the snow was replaced by a warm, eternal twilight.
Narnia was in a "Quiet Age." No great evil loomed, but the Talking Beasts had begun to lose their speech, forgetting the old songs of Aslan. Elara met a young Centaur named Ryn who could only speak in broken whispers. Together, they traveled to the ruins of Cair Paravel. Guided by the Silver Horn—which grew warmer the closer they came to the truth—they discovered that the Great Music of Narnia was being muffled by a "Stone of Silence" placed by a lingering shadow of the White Witch.
At the center of the ruins, Elara didn't fight with a sword, but blew the horn one final time. The sound shattered the Stone, and as the music returned to the woods, a great Golden Lion appeared in the spray of the sea. He didn't stay long, but as he breathed on Elara, she felt her own illness vanish.
"The songs are yours to keep now," Aslan whispered. "Once a queen in Narnia, always a queen in Narnia". Elara blinked, and she was back in the attic, the silver horn now just a piece of toy tin—but she could still hear the faint melody of the trees.
Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis is a landmark series of seven fantasy novels that explores the history of a magical world from its creation to its end. While originally published between 1950 and 1956, modern editions are often numbered according to the internal chronology of the stories rather than their original release dates. The Seven Chronicles The series can be indexed in two primary ways: by Publication Order (how readers first experienced them) or Chronological Order (the timeline of Narnian history). Chronological Order Publication Order Book Title The Magician’s Nephew The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe The Horse and His Boy Prince Caspian The Voyage of the Dawn Treader The Silver Chair The Last Battle Key Thematic Index
Beyond the book list, a topical index of Narnia includes these foundational elements:
The Index of The Chronicles of Narnia serves as a vital roadmap for readers navigating the vast, magical world created by C.S. Lewis. Whether you are a first-time reader trying to keep track of the Pevensie children or a lifelong fan looking for the specific origin of Aslan, an index provides the structural backbone to these seven beloved novels. index of the chronicles of narnia
In this guide, we will break down the essential components of the Narnian universe, from the chronological order of the books to the key figures and locations that define the series. 1. The Publication vs. Chronological Order
One of the most debated topics in any Narnia index is the reading order. While C.S. Lewis wrote them in one sequence, the internal history of Narnia follows another. Publication Order: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) Prince Caspian (1951) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952) The Silver Chair (1953) The Horse and His Boy (1954) The Magician’s Nephew (1955) The Last Battle (1956) Chronological Order: The Magician’s Nephew (Creation of Narnia) The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Golden Age) The Horse and His Boy (During the Golden Age) Prince Caspian (The Restoration of Magic) The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (The Great Eastern Voyage) The Silver Chair (The Search for Prince Rilian) The Last Battle (The End of Narnia) 2. Major Characters Index
The inhabitants of Narnia range from ordinary English schoolchildren to talking beasts and divine beings.
Aslan: The Great Lion and creator of Narnia. He is the central figure across all seven books, representing justice, sacrifice, and ultimate power.
The Pevensie Siblings: Peter (the High King), Susan (the Gentle), Edmund (the Just), and Lucy (the Valiant). They are the primary protagonists of the early books.
Eustace Scrubb & Jill Pole: Cousins and friends of the Pevensies who take over the mantle of "Friends of Narnia" in the later adventures.
The Antagonists: Jadis (the White Witch), the Telmarines (King Miraz), and Rishda Tarkaan.
Notable Creatures: Mr. Tumnus (the Faun), Reepicheep (the Mouse), and Puddleglum (the Marsh-wiggle). 3. Geographical Index of Narnia
The world of Narnia is more than just a snowy forest. It contains diverse kingdoms and mystical landmarks.
Lantern Waste: The spot where the Wardrobe enters Narnia and where the iron lamp-post grows.
Cair Paravel: The majestic castle on the eastern sea where the Kings and Queens of Narnia rule. Chronicles of Narnia series, written by C
The Lone Islands: A group of islands (Felimath, Doorn, and Avra) that play a major role in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Calormen: The vast, desert-dwelling empire to the south, known for its distinct culture and worship of the god Tash. Ettinsmoor: The rugged northern land inhabited by giants. 4. Key Artifacts and Symbols
An index of Narnia wouldn't be complete without the magical items that drive the plot forward.
The Wardrobe: The portal between our world and Narnia, made from the wood of a magical apple tree.
The Stone Table: The site of ancient magic where Aslan sacrificed himself to save Edmund.
Susan’s Horn: A gift from Father Christmas that, when blown, brings help to the caller.
The Silver Chair: An enchanted chair used by the Lady of the Green Kirtle to imprison the minds of her captives. 5. Why Use a Narnia Index?
Because C.S. Lewis’s writing is rich with allegory, mythology, and linguistic depth, an index helps readers connect the dots between the creation of the world in The Magician’s Nephew and its ultimate transformation in The Last Battle. It allows scholars and casual fans alike to track the evolution of the "Deep Magic" and the "Magic from Before the Dawn of Time."
By understanding the Index of The Chronicles of Narnia, you gain a deeper appreciation for the meticulous world-building that has made this series a cornerstone of children's literature for over 70 years.
For scholars and book clubs, an index of themes is essential.
| Theme | Exemplified By | Book | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Sacrifice & Redemption | Aslan’s death in place of Edmund | LWW | | Temptation of Gluttony | Turkish Delight (Edmund) | LWW | | Pride before a fall | Rabadash turned donkey | HHB | | Greed (literal gold) | The pool on Deathwater Island | VDT | | Faith without sight | Lucy walking through the dark woods alone | VDT | | Fear vs. Courage | Puddleglum crushing the fire | SC | | The Danger of “Progressive” Rationalism | The Experimental School (co-ed, modern) | SC | | False Prophets & Heresy | Shift the Ape (the Anti-Aslan) | LB | | Exclusion from Salvation | Susan Pevensie’s fate | LB | | The Problem of Evil | The existence of Tash and the Calormene cruelty | LB/HHB | The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
This index categorizes every realm, city, and magical threshold.