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{{book|
{{book
title=Smith of Wootton Major|
| title=Smith of Wootton Major
image=[[Image:Smith of Wootton Major (edited by Verlyn Flieger).jpg|225px]]|
| image=[[Image:Wootton Major 1967.png|275px]]
author=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Verlyn Flieger]]|
| author=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
isbn=0007202474|
| editor=[[Verlyn Flieger]] (2005 edition)
publisher= [[HarperCollins]]|
| illustrator=[[Pauline Baynes]]
date=September 5, 2005|
| publisher=[[George Allen and Unwin]] (UK)
format=Hardcover|
| date=[[9 November]] [[1967]] (UK)
pages= 160|
| format=Hardcover; paperback
amazon=http://www.amazon.com/Smith-Wootton-Major-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007202474|
| pages=62
amazonprice=$22.37
| isbn=0048231215
}}
}}
'''''Smith of Wootton Major''''', first published in 1967, is a short story by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]].  
'''''Smith of Wootton Major''''' is a short story written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], first published in [[1967]].


== Background ==
The book was originally illustrated by [[Pauline Baynes]]. The story has appeared with other works in compilations, including ''[[The Tolkien Reader]]'', ''[[Poems and Stories]]'', and ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]''.
The book grew out of an attempt to explain the meaning of [[Faery]] by means of a brief story about a cook and his cake.  This would have been part of a preface by Tolkien to George MacDonald's famous faerie story The Golden Key.  But the story grew from there and became a tale in its own right.


The book was originally called "'''The Great Cake'''", but the title was changed to "'''Smith of Wootton Major'''" in an attempt to suggest an early work by P.G. Wodehouse.
== Overview ==
The book began as an attempt to explain the meaning of [[Faery]] by means of a story about a cook and his cake, and Tolkien originally thought to call it ''The Great Cake''. It was intended to be part of a preface by Tolkien to [[George MacDonald]]'s famous fairy story ''The Golden Key''.<ref>[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]''</ref> Tolkien's story grew to become a tale in its own right.


The story was first published in the Christmas edition of ''Redbook'' magazine, New York on # 23 November 1967 but without the illustrations by [[Pauline Baynes]] that appeared in the published book.
''Smith of Wootton Major'' is not connected to the [[Middle-earth]], except by the thematic "Faery" motif of the traveler who journeys to a land that lies beyond the normal world and is usually beyond the reach of mortals. (Smith can thus be likened to [[Beren]] in the realm of [[Thingol]], or [[Eärendil]] journeying to [[Valinor]], or [[Ælfwine]]'s visit to [[Tol Eressëa]].)


It is not definitely connected to the [[Middle-earth]] legendarium. Both ''Faery'' and [[Valinor]] are lands outside of the normal world, but Valinor cannot normally be visited by mortals.  There are lesser elven kingdoms that humans can visit and return: [[Faramir]] mentions visitors to [[Lothlórien|Lórien]].
==Synopsis==
The village of [[Wootton Major]] was well known around the countryside for its annual festivals, which were particularly famous for their culinary delights. The biggest festival of all was the [[Feast of Good Children]]. This festival was celebrated only once every twenty-four years: twenty-four children of the village were invited to a party, and the highlight of the party was the [[Great Cake]], a career milestone by which [[Master Cook]]s were judged. In the year the story begins, the Master Cook was [[Nokes]], who had landed the position more or less by default; he delegated much of the creative work to his apprentice Alf. Nokes crowned his Great Cake with a little doll jokingly representing the Queen of Faery. Various trinkets were hidden in the cake for the children to find; one of these was a star the Cook discovered in the old spice box.


It is sometimes published in an omnibus edition with "[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]", another Tolkien novella with illustrations by [[Pauline Baynes]]. The two stories are not obviously linked, though an ingenious person could devise a common framework.
The star was not found at the Feast, but was swallowed by a [[Smith Smithson|blacksmith's son]]. The boy did not feel its magical properties at once, but on the morning of his tenth birthday the star fixed itself on his forehead, and became his passport to Faery. The boy grew up to be a blacksmith like his father, but in his free time he roamed the Land of Faery. The star on his forehead protected him from many of the dangers threatening mortals in that land, and the Folk of Faery called him "[[Starbrow]]". The book describes his many travels in Faery, until at last he meets the true Queen of Faery. The identity of the King is also revealed.


== The story ==
The time came for another Feast of Good Children. Smith had possessed his gift for most of his life, and the time had come to pass it on to some other child. So he regretfully surrendered the star to Alf, and with it his adventures into Faery. [[Alf|King of Faery]], who had become Master Cook long before, baked it into the festive cake once again for another child to find. After the feast, Alf retired and left the village; and Smith returned to his forge to teach his craft to his now-grown son.


The village of [[Wootton Major]] is well-known around the countryside for its annual festivals, which are particularly famous for their culinary delights. The biggest festival of them all is the [[Feast of Good Children]]. This festival is celebrated only once every twenty-four years, and the celebrations take the form of a party to which twenty-four children of the village are invited. The highpoint of the party is the Great Cake, which is remarkable for its hidden magical ingredients. Whoever swallows one of these is given the rare gift of an entry into the Land of [[Faery]].
==Expanded edition==
In [[2005]], an expanded edition of ''Smith of Wootton Major'' was published, edited by [[Verlyn Flieger]].<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tolkienbooks.net/php/details.php?reference=54350|articlename=Smith of Wootton Major. 2005|dated=|website=TB|accessed=2 March 2015}}</ref>


This year the magic star hidden inside the Great Cake was eaten by a [[Smith|blacksmith's son]]. The boy did not feel any of its magical properties at once but on the morning of his tenth birthday the star fixed itself on his forehead and marked him as one intimate with the Faeryfolk. This boy grew up to be a blacksmith like his father, but in his free time he roamed into the Land of Faery. The star on his forehead protected him from the evils threatening mortals in that land, and the Folk called him [[Starbrow]] and told him about their land and its hidden beauties and dangers.  
In addition to editorial notes and commentary, the edition includes much material that was previously unpublished, including: facsimiles of manuscripts and typescripts of the earlier versions, new essays (especially one dealing with the background of the story and the nature of [[Faerie]]) and notes by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], a time scheme, and a list of characters.<ref>[http://mythus.com/smith.html Mythus] (Verlyn Flieger's website), as of 18 August 2010</ref>


The years passed and it was now time for another Feast of Good Children. Smith had had his precious gift for most of his life now and the time had come for it to be passed on to some other child. So he gave up the star, and the mysterious new Master Cook baked it into the festive cake once more.
On [[26 February]] [[2015]], the expanded edition was reissued by HarperCollins as a pocket hardcover, with an additional gallery displaying the illustrations redrawn by [[Pauline Baynes]] for appearance in the 1980 deluxe edition of ''[[Poems and Stories]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?forum=9&post_id=14711#forumpost14711|articlename=New Book Releases|dated=26 February 2015|website=Guide|accessed=2 March 2015}}</ref>


Funny, frightening and always fascinating, the book is in part dominated by the character of the earlier [[Master Cook]], a shallow, sly and lazy man called [[Nokes]]. He is the foremost among the non-believers, and dismisses all things magical as mere dreams and fancies. In the end it is he who meets the [[King of Faery]] and who is told off by him for his greed and indolence.
==Publication history and gallery==
;Earlier editions
{{Gallery
|width=125
|height=125
|lines=2
|File:Wootton Major 1967.png|1967 hardcover
|File:Wootton Major 1967 alter.png|1967 hardcover alternative cover
|File:Wootton Major 1975.png|1975 hardcover
|File:Wootton Major 1983.png|1983 paperback
|File:Wootton Major 1990 hardcover.png|1990 hardcover
|File:Wootton Major 1990 paperback.png|1990 paperback
}}
* [[George Allen and Unwin]], hardcover ([[1967]]), pp. 62.
* [[George Allen and Unwin]], hardcover ([[1975]]), ISBN 0048231215
* [[Unwin Paperbacks]], paperback ([[1983]]), pp. 78. ISBN 0048232327 - (with ''[[Leaf by Niggle]]'')
* [[Unwin Hyman]], hardcover ([[1990]]), ISBN 0044407254
* [[Unwin Paperbacks]], paperback ([[1990]]), ISBN 004440722X


== The Critical Edition ==
;Expanded editions
{{Gallery
|width=125
|height=125
|lines=2
|File:Smith of Wootton Major (edited by Verlyn Flieger).jpg|2005 hardcover
|File:Wootton Major 2015.jpeg|2015 hardcover
}}
* [[HarperCollins]] hardcover ([[2005]]), pp. 160. ISBN 0007202474
* [[HarperCollins]] hardcover ([[2015]]), pp. 224. ISBN 0007557280 - (also part of the [[2015]] [[The Tolkien Treasury|Tolkien Treasury]] pocket set)


The most recent edition of [[Smith of Wootton Major]] is a critical edition prepared by [[Verlyn Flieger]] and published in 2005.
==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Smith of Wootton Major|Images of Smith of Wootton Major]]
*''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]''
*''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]''


It includes much material that was hitherto unpublished, including fac-similes of manuscripts and typescripts of previous versions, new essays (especially one dealing with the background of the story and the nature of [[Faëry]]) and notes by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], a list of characters, a chronology, ...
==External links==
*[http://www.johngarth.co.uk/php/SmithofWoottonMajor.php Review of the expanded edition] by [[John Garth]]


== See also ==
{{references}}
{{perilousrealm}}
{{Publishedmajorbooks}}
{{title|italics}}
[[Category:Books by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:Books by Verlyn Flieger]]
[[Category:Fiction books]]
[[Category:Publications by title]]
[[Category:Smith of Wootton Major| ]]


*[[Essay concerning Smith of Wootton Major]]
[[Category:Books by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[de:Der Schmied von Großholzingen]]
[[de:Der Schmied von Großholzingen]]
[[fr:tolkien/biblio/sgw]]
[[fi:Seppä ja satumaa]]
[[fi:Seppä ja satumaa]]

Latest revision as of 16:18, 30 March 2024

Smith of Wootton Major
Wootton Major 1967.png
AuthorJ.R.R. Tolkien
EditorVerlyn Flieger (2005 edition)
IllustratorPauline Baynes
PublisherGeorge Allen and Unwin (UK)
Released9 November 1967 (UK)
FormatHardcover; paperback
Pages62
ISBN0048231215

Smith of Wootton Major is a short story written by J.R.R. Tolkien, first published in 1967.

The book was originally illustrated by Pauline Baynes. The story has appeared with other works in compilations, including The Tolkien Reader, Poems and Stories, and Tales from the Perilous Realm.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The book began as an attempt to explain the meaning of Faery by means of a story about a cook and his cake, and Tolkien originally thought to call it The Great Cake. It was intended to be part of a preface by Tolkien to George MacDonald's famous fairy story The Golden Key.[1] Tolkien's story grew to become a tale in its own right.

Smith of Wootton Major is not connected to the Middle-earth, except by the thematic "Faery" motif of the traveler who journeys to a land that lies beyond the normal world and is usually beyond the reach of mortals. (Smith can thus be likened to Beren in the realm of Thingol, or Eärendil journeying to Valinor, or Ælfwine's visit to Tol Eressëa.)

Synopsis[edit | edit source]

The village of Wootton Major was well known around the countryside for its annual festivals, which were particularly famous for their culinary delights. The biggest festival of all was the Feast of Good Children. This festival was celebrated only once every twenty-four years: twenty-four children of the village were invited to a party, and the highlight of the party was the Great Cake, a career milestone by which Master Cooks were judged. In the year the story begins, the Master Cook was Nokes, who had landed the position more or less by default; he delegated much of the creative work to his apprentice Alf. Nokes crowned his Great Cake with a little doll jokingly representing the Queen of Faery. Various trinkets were hidden in the cake for the children to find; one of these was a star the Cook discovered in the old spice box.

The star was not found at the Feast, but was swallowed by a blacksmith's son. The boy did not feel its magical properties at once, but on the morning of his tenth birthday the star fixed itself on his forehead, and became his passport to Faery. The boy grew up to be a blacksmith like his father, but in his free time he roamed the Land of Faery. The star on his forehead protected him from many of the dangers threatening mortals in that land, and the Folk of Faery called him "Starbrow". The book describes his many travels in Faery, until at last he meets the true Queen of Faery. The identity of the King is also revealed.

The time came for another Feast of Good Children. Smith had possessed his gift for most of his life, and the time had come to pass it on to some other child. So he regretfully surrendered the star to Alf, and with it his adventures into Faery. King of Faery, who had become Master Cook long before, baked it into the festive cake once again for another child to find. After the feast, Alf retired and left the village; and Smith returned to his forge to teach his craft to his now-grown son.

Expanded edition[edit | edit source]

In 2005, an expanded edition of Smith of Wootton Major was published, edited by Verlyn Flieger.[2]

In addition to editorial notes and commentary, the edition includes much material that was previously unpublished, including: facsimiles of manuscripts and typescripts of the earlier versions, new essays (especially one dealing with the background of the story and the nature of Faerie) and notes by J.R.R. Tolkien, a time scheme, and a list of characters.[3]

On 26 February 2015, the expanded edition was reissued by HarperCollins as a pocket hardcover, with an additional gallery displaying the illustrations redrawn by Pauline Baynes for appearance in the 1980 deluxe edition of Poems and Stories.[4]

Publication history and gallery[edit | edit source]

Earlier editions
1967 hardcover  
1967 hardcover alternative cover  
1975 hardcover  
1983 paperback  
1990 hardcover  
1990 paperback  
Expanded editions
2005 hardcover  
2015 hardcover  

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. ↑ Humphrey Carpenter, J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography
  2. ↑ "Smith of Wootton Major. 2005", TolkienBooks.net (accessed 2 March 2015)
  3. ↑ Mythus (Verlyn Flieger's website), as of 18 August 2010
  4. ↑ "New Book Releases" dated 26 February 2015, Tolkien Collector's Guide (accessed 2 March 2015)
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