The Cabby

 

Frank was a British cab driver who later became King Frank I, the first king of the land of Narnia. His descendants ruled Narnia and later Archenland as well, until the end of the Age of Conquest.

Early Life
Frank was born in the British country sometime in the nineteenth century. Little is known about him, but for the fact that he grew up in the country and was accustomed to farm work. By 1900, he had married a country girl called Helen and moved to London, where he ran a hansom cab.

In the summer of 1900, Frank's life took an abrupt turn, beginning one day when his cab was hailed by a man and an unusual lady, who requested he drive them to several places in London, including a restaurant, and a jewelry store, both of which the female passenger robbed. After some time, the female passenger took control of the cab herself, somehow ousting Frank from his place as the driver. By this time several policemen and store owners were in angry pursuit of the cab. Frank joined the chase, anxious to spare his cabhorse, Strawberry.

Once the cab was stopped, a fight broke out. The woman declared herself to be "the empress Jadis". Frank, trying to keep peace between the woman and the angry police, tried to persuade her gently come down and not get herself into trouble. For his efforts, Jadis tried to hit him and anyone else in range with an iron bar which she broke with her bare hands off a lamp-post. Frank managed to evade her as he stayed close to Strawberry and kept him calm.

Narnia
In the middle of the fight, Frank, Strawberry, Jadis, and the male passenger were magically transported by two children into another world in what was a desperate attempt to get Jadis off the streets. All were suprised to be dragged into a new world which was in the process of being sung into existence by a huge Lion. The children expressed surprise and dismay that they had accidentally brought the cabbie and his horse. In the darkness, Frank speculated that perhaps they had fallen through a hole in the streets and into sewer construction. Then, whilst the others argued about what was to be done, Frank tried to shush them, declaring that he wanted to hear the music being sung by the Lion and the stars. After the entire world had been sung into existence, and Jadis and her male companion (one of the children's Uncle Andrew) fled in terror, Frank was left with the two children, Digory and Polly. The three made their way down to the Lion and the other animals who were being born out of the earth.

There, the lion Aslan welcomed Frank and Strawberry. Strawberry was made into a winged horse and given the gift of speech, and Frank was asked if he might like to be the king of the new Narnia. Frank hesitantly accepted on the condition that he might have his wife at his side. In a moment, Aslan had transported Helen to his side, and after Aslan explained what would be expected of him, it was agreed that the pair would be the first monarchs of Narnia.

Two days later, they were crowned King Frank and Queen Helen. At their coronation, a great tree was planted by Digory which would ensure protection from the witch Jadis. The two reigned for many years, and had several sons and daughters. Eventually their children populated not only Narnia, but all of the southern lands of Archenland and Calormen as well, and likely several island nations. It is usually assumed that Frank's son Frank II became king after him.