Explain the destruction of Charn

The Queen described the destruction as "great peril". She was calm and led the others firmly away from the crumbling structure. The breaking up of the palace is described as "first a rumbling, then a creaking, then a roar of falling masonry, and the floor shook." As the Queen led them out of the palace, the walls crumbled behind them. The Queen uses magic to break through the last doors on their way out, leaving a heap of dust on the threshhold.

Chapter V (5) The Deplorable Word.

The destruction happened because of a war. Jadis wanted the throne, but her sister wouldn't give it to her.

"It was my sister's fault" said Jadis. "If only she would yield me the throne", "her pride has destroyed the whole world."

They had a solemn promise to not use magic, but Jadis sister broke her promise. But Jadis has more magic powers than her sister.

At the end Jadis was lead to use the Deplorable Word. It is a word, that would destroy all living things except the one who spoke it.