Narnia

The Inklings
(sometimes this name is translated as “Inksters,” but many scholars of Tolkien’s and Lewis’s works believe that a far more accurate rendering of Inklings would be “Hints”)

Many writers – contemporaries of Tolkien and Lewis – often turned to religious themes in their books. Some were friends on academic, literary, or spiritual grounds and became known as the Inklings, a literary club that met at the pub The Eagle and Child to eat, drink, talk, and read their own works and stories. Drafts of such books as The Lord of the Rings were first read there.

Members of the club included:

- John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

Tolkien was the most famous member of the club. He became renowned as the creator of Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings and a number of other stories. He was a professor at Oxford and a scholar of languages. Tolkien and Lewis became friends through their shared love of folklore, though Tolkien considered Lewis’s invented Narnia poorly constructed. Tolkien was also against Lewis’s marriage. Lewis regarded Tolkien as one of those who helped him to understand and accept Christianity. In time, Tolkien’s son also joined the Inklings.

- Clive Staples Lewis

Lewis is probably best known as the author of works on theology and literature, but his Chronicles of Narnia won worldwide affection. The first book in the series was The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Lewis taught literature at Oxford and Cambridge. He died on November 22, 1963, the same day as President John F. Kennedy.

- Warren Lewis

Warnie, as he was usually called, was the brother, friend, and secretary of C. S. Lewis. He spent most of his life as a soldier, rising to the rank of major. In later life, he wrote six stories about war and military figures. He edited The Letters of C. S. Lewis. As boys, the brothers inspired each other with new adventures, games, and writings. They also gave each other great support when their mother died.

- Charles Williams

Williams began his career as a proofreader at the Oxford University Press. He later became an editor, then a writer of poetry, plays, novellas, as well as critical works and theological essays. He was notable for keeping the Inklings lively, though all members of the literary club found him and his works rather strange.

- Owen Barfield

Barfield wrote literary criticism and children’s fantasy stories. He appeared at the Inklings only occasionally and earned a reputation as “the man who will argue with you about anything.” Barfield, who served as Lewis’s solicitor, was also a close friend. Several of Lewis’s books were dedicated to Barfield’s children. Barfield wrote a book that had a profound influence on Tolkien’s views on language.