Aslan's How

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".

The word "How" derives from the Old Norse "haugr", meaning hill. In England, it is a common synonym for a barrow, or earthen burial-mound (see tumulus.)

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.

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.

The Horse and His Boy

Aslan's How is only mentioned once more in "The Horse and His Boy".