What is Logres in That Hideous Strength?

Logres in C.S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength: Unpacking a Truly Mythic England

C.S. Lewis’s That Hideous Strength – the finale of his Space Trilogy – it’s not just a novel, it’s a sprawling exploration of big ideas. Think science versus tradition, good versus evil, and what it even means to be human. And tangled up in all of this is Logres, a concept Lewis borrowed from Arthurian legend. But it’s more than just a name; it’s a powerful symbol, representing England’s true spiritual heart and a fierce resistance against the soul-crushing plans of the bad guys in the story.

Logres: From Knights and Dragons to… Modern England?

Okay, so in the old Arthurian tales, Logres basically is the kingdom of King Arthur, which roughly translates to England. The name itself has roots in the Welsh word Lloegyr, an ancient way of referring to South and Eastern England. But Lewis, being Lewis, takes it a step further. He doesn’t just see Logres as a place on a map. Nope, it’s a spiritual ideal, a kind of “haunting” that embodies the very best of England’s past, and the amazing things it could be in the future. Think of it as England’s potential, waiting to be unlocked.

According to Encyclopedia Mythica, Logres is the portion of Britain now called England when it was still inhabited by Celts and usually referring vaguely to Arthur’s kingdom.

In That Hideous Strength, Logres is like a force constantly trying to break through into England. It’s “the truest and best self of the people,” yearning to be realized. It’s all about Christian love, a deep connection to nature, and the kind of fruitfulness that makes life worth living. Remember the glory and rightness of Camelot? That was a brief, shining glimpse of Logres in action.

Logres vs. Britain: A Battle for England’s Soul

Lewis sets up a real contrast here, a kind of “good England” versus “bad England” scenario. He calls the fallen, messed-up version of the country “Britain.” This “Britain” is easily led astray, tempted by shiny new things and materialistic promises. And the National Institute for Co-ordinated Experiments – or N.I.C.E. – they’re the embodiment of everything wrong with “Britain.” They’re the villains of the piece, no question.

The N.I.C.E. wants to create a cold, heartless society, run by science and completely disconnected from tradition, morality, and the simple beauty of nature. They’re all about sucking the life out of everything, replacing it with a sterile, controlled existence. Logres, on the other hand, is fighting to protect those essential human qualities that make us, well, us.

St. Anne’s: The Last Stand for Logres

The heroes in this story, the ones standing up to the N.I.C.E.’s crazy schemes, are the ones who believe in those old-fashioned values. They find a safe haven at St. Anne’s, led by the mysterious Dr. Elwin Ransom. Ransom’s a key figure; he’s like a Christ-like character and also the main guy from Lewis’s Space Trilogy. Turns out, he’s also the “Pendragon,” the seventy-ninth in line from Arthur himself, carrying the weight of history and the hope of Logres on his shoulders.

The group at St. Anne’s, with its Christian love and fruitfulness, represents Logres. In every age, the Pendragons and the little Logres which gathered around them have been the fingers which gave the tiny shove or the almost imperceptible pull, to prod England out of the drunken sleep or to draw her back from the final outrage into which Britain tempted her.

Merlin’s Back! The Arthurian Legend Gets Real

And then there’s Merlin. Yes, that Merlin, the legendary wizard. His appearance in the story really hammers home the connection to Arthurian legend and the enduring power of Logres. By bringing Merlin back from his long sleep, Lewis is showing us that the fight against the N.I.C.E. is just the latest chapter in an ancient battle between good and evil. Merlin brings the wisdom and magic of the past to help win the day.

Logres: It’s Not Just an England Thing

While Logres is definitely tied to England in the book, Lewis hints that every nation has its own version of this “haunting,” its own ideal to strive for. As Ransom puts it, “If one is thinking simply of goodness in the abstract, one soon reaches the fatal idea of something standardized—some common kind of life to which all nations ought to progress.”

Each nation’s “haunting” plays the role of John the Baptist. It is the herald, the forerunner, the wild voice crying in the wilderness that prepares the way for the Lord.

So, in the end, Logres in That Hideous Strength is a powerful reminder. It tells us to remember the importance of tradition, to hold onto our morals, and to cherish the unique spiritual identity of our nation, whatever that may be. It’s a call to recognize and embrace the “haunting” that can guide us toward a better future. It’s a pretty cool idea, when you think about it.