Caspian X | |
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Narnia character | |
Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
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Race | Human |
Nation | Telmar |
Gender | Male |
Title | King of Narnia, Emperor of the Lone Islands, Lord of Cair Paravel, Lord of Telmar, Baron of Ettinsmor, Duke of the Lantern Waste, Duke of the Seven Isles, Duke of Galma, Count of the Western March, Emperor of Dragon Island |
Birthplace | Narnia |
Family | |
Spouse | Ramandu's daughter |
Parents | King Caspian IX |
Children | Rilian |
Family | King Miraz (uncle), Queen Prunaprismia (aunt), Ramandu (father-in-law), Erlian and Tirian (direct descendents) |
Major character in | |
Portrayals in adaptations | |
1988 BBC miniseries: Jean-Marc Perret (boy) Samuel West (young man) Geoffrey Russell (old man) |
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2008 Walden/Disney film: Ben Barnes | |
2010 Walden/Fox film: Ben Barnes |
Prince Caspian (also known as Caspian X, King of Narnia, Lord of Cair Paravel and Emperor of The Lone Islands, Caspian the Seafarer, and Caspian the Navigator) is a fictional character in The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. He is featured in three books in the series: Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Silver Chair. He also appears at the end of The Last Battle.
Caspian is described as noble, handsome, brave and merry; he strives for fairness and justice at all times and is a devoted King. For his love of the sea he is known as Caspian the Seafarer.
Lewis introduces Caspian as the young nephew of and heir to King Miraz of Narnia. By this time 1300 years have passed since the rule of High King Peter and his siblings, and Old Narnians no longer live openly in Narnia, having been driven into hiding by Caspian's ancestors, the Telmarines. In fact, the talking beasts are believed to be mythical, and stories of them are forbidden in Miraz's castle.
When Caspian is a small boy (by which time both of his parents are dead), his nurse tells him of these stories, which fascinate him; but when he mentions them in the presence of his uncle, Miraz rebukes Caspian and dismisses the nurse.
Miraz appoints Doctor Cornelius Caspian's tutor. Cornelius has dwarfish as well as human blood, though Miraz does not know this. Cornelius teaches Caspian the sciences and history that his uncle prescribes, but also tells him secretly the true stories of Narnia's past.
Cornelius tells Caspian that Miraz killed Caspian IX, Caspian's father and Miraz's elder brother, to take the throne for himself. Although Miraz never cared much for Prince Caspian, he was willing that Caspian should succeed him as king, as he would rather Caspian inherit the throne than a stranger.