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Láthspell

From Tolkien Gateway

The main article for this title is Gandalf.

"Láthspell I name you, Ill-news; and ill news is an ill guest they say."

– Gríma Wormtongue to Gandalf, The Two Towers, The King of the Golden Hall

Láthspell (S. "Ill-news") was a name given to Gandalf by Gríma Wormtongue in Théoden's hall of Meduseld. Attempting to keep the King weak, Wormtongue pointed out that Gandalf always seemd to appear in the land of Rohan at times of hardship or war. His strategy did not succeed, for Gandalf broke his hold over Théoden, and he soon found himself exiled from Edoras.

In an earlier draft of The Two Towers it is actually Théoden who refers to Gandalf as Láthspell (The Treason of Isengard).

[edit] Etymology

Láthspell translates to "ill news" in Old English which comes from láð meaning "hateful, evil" and spell meaning "story".

[edit] Adaptations

In Peter Jackson's The Two Towers, Wormtongue uses the quote "Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest." to call Gandalf Láthspell.