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Easterlings

2010-06-02T03:28:10Z

69.112.26.170:

[[Image:John Howe - Easterlings.jpg|thumb|''Easterlings'' by [[John Howe]].]]
'''Easterlings''' were [[Men]] who lived in the east of [[Middle-earth]], and were enemies of the Free Peoples.

The "Easterlings" are not one homogeneous group, but a collection of my disparate peoples, sometimes differing drastically in culture and technological level.

== Easterlings of the First Age ==
During the [[First Age]], the term was applied to the sons of [[Bór]] and [[Ulfang the Black|Ulfang]], or the ''Swarthy Men'', who came into [[Beleriand]] much later than the [[Edain]], and who were for a part secretly in league with [[Morgoth]].

The Easterlings of the First Age should not be confused with those of later ages. The term in the First Age was used to refer to any peoples who came from the east of the [[Ered Luin]], and as such, the Easterlings of the First Age could well have come from [[Eriador]], rather from the further east in the [[Wilderland]] of the area of the [[Sea of Rhûn]].

=== Sons of Bór ===
[[Bór]] was a leader of Men who came into Lothlann, Beleriand, in the year 463. His sons were [[Borlach]], [[Borlad]] and [[Borthand]]. Bór was welcomed by [[Maedhros]], who gave him and his followers land north of the [[March of Maedhros]], and south of it. Bór and his sons swore allegiance to Maedhros, and remained faithful, though he was told by Morgoth to betray the banner of [[Caranthir]]. All of them were wiped out during the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]].

=== Sons of Ulfang "the Accursed" ===
[[Ulfang]] also came in Lothlann, Beleriand, in 463, shortly after Bór. He was the father of [[Ulfast]], [[Ulwarth]], and [[Uldor]]. Ulfang was welcomed by the sons of [[Fëanor]], and he and his sons swore allegiance to Caranthir. They were given lands to dwell in the north and south of the March of Maedhros. Ulfang and his sons were secretly in the employ of Morgoth, and betrayed the [[Eldar]] and Edain during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad in what is now known as the [[Treachery of Men]].

The Easterlings were betrayed by their lord Morgoth, and confined to [[Hithlum]]. After the [[War of Wrath]], those that survived fled back over the [[Ered Luin]] to [[Eriador]] and beyond.

== Easterlings of the Third Age ==

In the third age, the Easterlings were a significant threat to Gondor; they were a more regimented force than the Orcs or even the Haradrim. It is likely that Sauron drew much of his inspiration for his Orc armies from these wicked men. Sauron suffered a harsh and heavy defeat from the Last Alliance, who vanquished his numerically superior Orcs with a ranked and ordered army. The Easterlings were all this and more, so Sauron greatly valued his alliance with the men of Rhûn.

The weapons that the Easterlings used were primarily jagged spears, making them especially effective against cavalry, as well as a shorter, odd, glaive-like version used for close combat. They also were known to run their foes down in great Wains, or wagons.

=== Wainriders ===

'''Main Article:''' [[Wainriders]]

The ''Wainriders'' were a confederation of Easterling tribes who were united by their hate of Gondor, fueled by the dark lord Sauron. Following the Great Plague which weakened Gondor, they started their attacks in Third Age 1856, defeating the Gondorian army and killing king [[Narmacil II]]. They rode in great wagons and chariots (which gave them their name), and raided the lands of [[Rhovanion (Realm)|Rhovanion]], destroying or enslaving its people. Gondor gradually lost all of its possessions east of [[Anduin]] to them. The thirtieth king of Gondor, [[Calimehtar, King of Gondor|Calimehtar]] son of Narmacil, defeated the Wainriders at the [[Field of Celebrant]], buying some rest for his land. However the Wainriders struck back in 1944, allying themselves with the [[Haradrim]] of Near Harad and the Variags of Khand. They managed to kill king [[Ondoher]] and both his sons, but instead of riding on to [[Minas Anor]] and taking the city, they paused to celebrate. Meanwhile, general [[Eärnil II|Eärnil]] of Gondor's southern army had defeated the Haradrim and rode north to defend his king. He came too late to rescue Ondoher, but managed to decisively defeat the Wainriders. Eärnil was later crowned king. After this defeat the might of the Wainriders was broken, and they retreated east. They still held Rhovanion, but never troubled Gondor again. It later turned out that their attacks were staged by Sauron to allow him to reclaim [[Mordor]] while Gondor's watch was diverted.

=== Balchoth ===

'''Main Article:''' [[Balchoth]]

The ''Balchoth'' were a fierce race of Easterlings, who attacked Gondor while under orders of [[Dol Guldur]]. In 2150 they overran the plains of [[Calenardhon]] and almost destroyed the army of the Ruling Steward [[Cirion]], but were defeated by the [[Éothéod]] under [[Eorl]] the Young. Like the Wainriders they rode in chariots and wagons, and they may have been descendants of this people.

=== Variags ===

'''Main Article:''' [[Variags]]

The ''Variags'' (in the real world, this is another name for the Varangians) were from [[Khand]], and they first appeared in the West in 1944 of the [[Third Age]], fighting alongside the Wainriders. They later appeared during the battle of the [[Pelennor Fields]]. Little was known about them, but they appeared to be a race of horse-men much like the [[Rohirrim]], although they were fiercely loyal to [[Mordor]].

[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Easterlings]]

Money

2009-09-07T20:29:35Z

69.112.26.170: /* History */

{{cleanup}}{{sources}}
'''Money''', specifically minted coin money, was used in Middle-earth through the Third Age.
==History==
Money is chiefly mentioned in relation to the trading town of [[Bree]]. At the end of the Third Age, a pony was considered to be worth about four [[silver pennies]]. The well-to-do owner of the [[Prancing Pony]], [[Barliman Butterbur]], considered a loss of 30 silver pennies to be a considerable blow. A gold piece was regarded as a particularly extravagant reward for good news.

[[Azog]] threw a money purse at [[Nár (companion of Thrór)|Nár]] containing "few coins of little worth" (which the Dwarves later stuffed in the mouth of Azog's decapitated head after his defeat).

Much of the gold and silver wealth of Dwarf-horde of [[Smaug]], appears to have been minted. [[Bilbo Baggins]] took home two chests from the horde, one containing gold coins and the other silver coins, and as a result (in addition to his family's pre-existing wealth) lived very comfortably for the next 50 years and was considered quite rich. In addition to the Hobbits of Bree, the Hobbits of the Shire apparently dealt in coin money as well, otherwise they might not have been so eager to search [[Bag End]] after Bilbo left, looking for secret treasure rooms.

When Thorin describes Dragons to Bilbo as stealing gold and jewels from other races, he comments that "they hardly know a good bit of work from a bad, though they usually have a good notion of the current market value"<ref>Hobbit Chapter I An Unexpected Party</ref>. This would seem to imply that there is some form of international "market"/exchange rate (albeit on a level akin to Medieval Europe) in Middle-earth.

==Notes==
In ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'' by [[Robert Foster]], the entry for "Money" on page 344 makes it a point to say

{{quote|'''contrary to the claims of some''', there are references to money in ''The Lord of the Rings''|The Complete Guide to Middle-earth'' - "Money"}}

The above phrase suggests that (in the early days of [[Tolkien fandom]]) there was some belief that coin money used as actual "currency" did not exist in Middle-earth; references to money are scarce, not highlighted and obviously forgettable among the narrative.

It was and partially related to how certain critics believed that Tolkien's rustic utopia of The Shire was espousing a specifically "[[wikipedia:Luddite|Luddite]]" agenda.{{fact}}

==See Also==
* [[Mirian]]/[[Castar]]
* [[Canath]]/[[Tharni]]

{{references}}

[[Category:Objects]][[Category:Currencies]]

Drúedain

2009-07-21T23:07:35Z

69.112.26.170:

{{race
|image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Aid of the Wild-men.jpg|300px]]
|name=Drúedain
|dominions=[[Drúadan Forest]]
|languages=
|height=Short
|length=
|skincolor=
|haircolor=Dark
|feathers=
|distinctions=Exceptional woodlands survival skills, Good stoneworkers, mysterious powers, glowing red eyes
|lifespan=Shorter than most [[Men]]
|members=[[Ghân-buri-Ghân]]
|}}
The '''Drúedain''' were the race of [[Men]] that lived in the [[Drúadan Forest]] at the end of the [[Third Age]]. Often referred to as [[Woses]], they were one of the least numerous and most mysterious races in [[Middle-earth]].

==History==
The Drúedain lived among the Second House of Men, the [[Haladin]], in the [[First Age]] in the forest of [[Brethil]].

Later, a number of the Drúedain were present in [[Númenor]], but they had left or died out before the [[Downfall of Númenor|Downfall]], as had the Púkel-men of [[Dunharrow]]. At the end of the Third Age they still lived in the Drúadan Forest of the [[White Mountains]], and at the long cape of [[Andrast]] west of [[Gondor]]. The region north of Andrast was still known as [[Drúwaith Iaur]], or "Old Drûg land".

Though the Drúedain largely held themselves apart from the troubles and calamities of Middle-earth, they were clearly a good-hearted people: their most significant contribution to the [[Free Peoples]] was showing the [[Rohirrim]] paths through their forest. Without their aid, the Rohirrim would have arrived at the [[Pelennor Fields]] much later, suffering losses from an [[Orc]] army that was waiting for them. The Woses then used poison-darts and arrows to hold off an army of Orcs searching for the Rohirrim.

Beyond that, though, their contribution to the history of Middle-earth is little. Even after the [[War of the Ring]], when [[Aragorn II|King Elessar]] granted the Drúadan Forest to be theirs forever, they never showed their faces again, nor was any alliance or trading system struck up between them and Gondor.

There is no record of their acts in the [[Fourth Age]], but it is clear that they never mingled with the Free Peoples, content to live their mysterious life in the Drúadan Forest, until they faded away into the mists of history and legend.

==Characteristics==
In appearance, the Woses were short, stumpy-bodied men, possibly related to the Pukel-men of ancient [[Rohan]]. They had disproportionate bodies and small, sunken eyes that glowed red when they were angry or suspicious. [[Elves]] described them as 'unlovely', and it is clear that they were, though not evil, as their appearance led many to believe.

== Names ==
The term Drúedain is Sindarin in origin, the singular being either Drûg or Drúadan. However there are many terms used for the same peoples in the various languages of [[Arda]]. The most common are listed below:

*'''Drughu:''' the Drúedain's own name for themselves. Drughu is ultimately the source of the Sindarin 'Drú' and many of the other names they are known by.
*'''Drú/Drúin:''' Simple [[Sindarin]] term for the Drughu, singular and plural.
*'''Drúath:''' An earlier Sindarin collective (that means, plural) term for the Drúedain, modified as early as the [[First Age]] when it became known that they were enemies of the orcs. Later used to refer to a large number of the Drúedain as opposed to 'Drúin' which was a simple pluralisation (As 'Woses' to the singular 'Wose') and Drúedain, used to refer to the race as a whole.
*'''Drúadan/Drúedain:''' Meaning 'Drú-men'. It also has possessive qualities as in the case of [[Drúadan Forest]]
*'''Drûg-folk:''' Rarely used collective term.
*'''[[Róg]]/[[Rógin]]:''' [[Rohirric]] terminology, singular/plural respectively (as in 'Drúg'/'Drúedain'. In Tolkien's text it is translated as Wose(s).
*'''Wose/Woses:''' A term borrowed from Old English by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] as a translation of the Rohhirric 'Róg'. This is perhaps the most common term used by readers of the text.
*'''[[Rú]]/[[Rúatani]]:''' Quenya terms for the Drughu, derived from their Sindarin counterparts. Singular/plural respectively.
==Inspirations==
Both the description of Woses, as well as the word "Wose" itself, derives from a folkloric figure of Medieval heraldry, the "wuduwasa" or "wood man", modern English [[Wikipedia:Woodwose|Woodwose]].

== See Also ==
* ''[[The Faithful Stone]]''
* [[:Category:Images of Woses|Images of Drúedain]]

[[Category:Drúedain]]
[[de:Drúedain]]
[[fr:encyclo:peuples:hommes:druedain]]
[[fi:Drúedain]]

2008-08-02T20:24:17Z

69.112.26.170: /* History */

{{sources}}
'''Hobbitish''' was the term given for the sub-dialect of [[Westron]] (Common Speech) that was spoken by the [[Hobbits]] of [[the Shire]].

==Grammatical differences==

Hobbitish was a regional dialect of the Westron language, spoken in a rustic agricultural region. As such, it was mutually intelligible with Common Speech, but is not as "refined" as the true form of the language spoken in [[Gondor]] abnd [[Rivendell]], containing many simplifications or archaisms. The most prominent change in actual grammatical structure from Westron is that Westron has both "deferential" pronouns, and "familiar" pronouns, but Hobbitish no longer possesses a [[wikipedia:T-V distinction|deferential pronoun]].

Westron had deferential pronouns for the second person (and sometimes the third person), but this had fallen out of use in the Shire, except in scattered parts of the [[Westfarthing]] where is was used more as a light-hearted term of endearment. [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s "translation" tried to convey this in how "thou" and "thine" were used, but ultimately this was inconsistent and hard to render. As Hobbit society was made up almost entirely of farmers and with barely and "government" to speak of, much less a noble class, this simply fell out of use.

The result of this was that when [[Peregrin Took]] was speaking to [[Denethor II]], [[Steward]] and ruler of Gondor, while he was at court in [[Minas Tirith (Gondor)|Minas Tirith]], Pippin is actually addressing Denethor using the very informal and personalized familiar pronoun, unintentionally using the same pronouns he might use with a close friend or social equal. This is a nuance that Tolkien's "translation into English" self-admittedly does not quite fully convey. This no doubt served as a source of astonishment to Denethor's servants, but the old Steward himself seemed to react to it with some bemusement. Tolkien notes that this linguistic nuance probably gave strength to the rumor that quickly spread that Pippin was a person of very high social rank within his own country, in order to be addressing Denethor as such, eventually leading to one particularly wild rumor that he had promised 5,000 Hobbits to the defense of the city.

Tolkien stated that this lack of a deferential pronoun and universal use of the familiar pronoun is what Gondorian characters are referring to when they repeatedly remark that Hobbit-speech sounds strange.

==Vocabulary differences==

The major difference between Hobbitish and more proper forms of Westron are many archaic words that Hobbits retained in their vocabulary from whatever languages they spoke in ancient times. Examples would include:

*''[[Smial]]'' - "larged excavated hole used as a home" (i.e. [[Bag End]], [[Brandy Hall]], or [[Great Smials]] of the Tooks).
*''[[Mathom]]'' - "old thing which you no longer have a use for but don't want to throw away; a knick-nack; an antique" (i.e. the [[Mathom-house]] is a museum)
*''[[Goblins|Goblin]]'' - the evil race properly termed "[[Orcs]]" in Common Speech were referred to as "''Goblins''" by the Hobbits. This is apparently some local colloquialism of uncertain origin. However, while this originated as a Hobbit "slang term" for Orcs, due to the presence of the Shire on the major trade route of the Great East Road, over the centuries this term was actually picked up by members of other races (much as how smoking [[Pipe-weed]] was). The term actually gained a high degree of popularity throughout Middle-earth. The term "Goblin" came to more often be used when referring to smaller Orcs, of the type Hobbits were more likely to see (rare roving bands like that led by [[Golfimbul]]). Larger soldier-Orcs bred for war were less likely to be referred to as "Goblins", because they never really encountered them, thus larger breeds of Orcs would often simply be called "Orcs".

:''Note: Tolkien's conception of what "Orcs" and "Goblins" were exactly fluctuated over time, and in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' was written when these ideas had not solidified in his mind, and as such in that book he uses the two terms rather interchangeably. Later on, he more fully set down that "Orcs" was the proper term for the entire race, with "Goblins" being a colloquial Hobbit-invented term for Orcs''

The highest concentration of unique "Hobbitish" words are of course in the surnames of old families, place names, and calender words such as names for months, days, seasons, et cetera.

==History==

Whatever language the Hobbits originally spoke has been lost to history, much as their specific origins have been lost. The earliest known historical location of the Hobbits is in the [[Vales of Anduin|upper vales]] of the river [[Anduin]]. It is heavily implied that while there, the ancestors of the Hobbits must have had some contact with the [[Éothéod]], who lived in the same area. Eventually, due to the increasing danger from [[Greenwood the Great|Greenwood]], which would become [[Mirkwood]], the Éothéod migrated south to Rohan and the Hobbits migrated West, in their "[[Wandering Days]]", ultimately reaching Bree and then the Shire.

The language of the Éothéod thus seems to have influenced the original language of the Hobbits. To what degree is not certain: speculation ranges anywhere from that the Hobbits borrowed a few words from the Éothéod, to that the Hobbits actually adopted the language of the Eotheod and spoke it as their own. Tolkien himself seemed to imply that the Hobbits almost if not fully adopted the language of the Éothéod, because it has always been common Hobbit practice to adopt the commonly spoken language of the Men they are living near; much as they would later adopt Westron. Thus the earliest known Hobbit-language was a "northern Mannish" tongue learned from the Eotheod. However, a small number of Stoors would move briefly to the Angle where they had some contact with the [[Dunlendings]], picking up a few Dunlending words. When the Stoors later moved to the Shire with the rest of their kin, they quickly adopted the language as spoken in the Shire at the time, but no doubt this brief Dunlending contact serves as the basis for several regional peculiarities in regions that [[Stoors]] mostly settled in, such as [[Buckland]] and the [[Marish]]. When the Hobbits migrated west into Eriador and came into contact with Men in the Bree-land and in the remnants of Arthedain that would become the Shire, as was their practice they once again took up the language spoken by the Men near them and adopted Westron, mostly forgetting their previous language.

In any case, by the time of the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Rohirric]] langauge and Hobbitish possessed many linguistic similarities which were obvious even to a non-linguist like [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]]. Simply hearing parts of the language of the Rohirrim, Merry noticed several words which clearly sounded like old words used in the Shire. Merry would in his later years author a book of linguistic study on the relationship, "''[[Old Place Names in the Shire]]''".

==Real-world background==
Of course, all of this ties into the fact that "Westron" as it appears in the books written by J.R.R. Tolkien functions under the conceit that "Common Speech" is really a separate foreign language which Tolkien "translated" into English. For example, the name "Meriadoc Brandybuck" is "translated" into English from the "genuine Westron" name ''[[Kalimac Brandigamba]]'' (which would make it, actually "genuine Hobbitish")

The most obvious linguistic parallel between the "Hobbitish" dialect and language of the Rohirrim is in the name "Hobbit" itself: according to [[Théoden]] of Rohan, there are a few legends among the Rohirrim about Hobbit-like creatures they they call the ''[[Holbytlan]]'' in Rohirric. Rohirric is actually "translated" into Old English in the books just as Westron is into English, because it is an archaic form of Westron. "Holbytlan" in Old English means "Hole-builders", an apt name for the Hobbits. However, in "genuine Westron", the word translated into English as "Hobbit", is actually "''[[Kuduk]]''". The corresponding "genuine Rohirric" word from which it evolved is "''[[Kûd-dûkan]]''".

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Adapter [[Terence Tiller]] briefly corresponded with Tolkien about what accents should be used. It is unknown if he followed Tolkien's advice.

'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:There seems to be little contrast in style, other than the rural portrayal of [[Samwise Gamgee]].

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:Any dialectical difference is completely removed. Sam talks the same English as the other Hobbits.

'''1992: ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series)|BBC Radio's Tales from the Perilous Realm]]'':'''
:In the two episodes of "The Adventures of Tom Bombadil", [[Jonathan Adams]]' portrayal of Sam Gamgee is close to over-the-top rustic. He speaks in a grumbling, low voice.

'''2001: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
: Considerable attention was paid to the dialects characters speak with and cast members trained extensively with dialogue coaches. Hobbits in the films speak with basically an English Midlands accent, because Tolkien said that the Shire was based largely on his boyhood home in the Midlands. Of the main Hobbit characters:
*Sam Gamgee speaks with the working-class rustic Midlands accent which was used as the standard for all the other minor Hobbit characters.
*[[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] and [[Frodo Baggins]], because they are both book-educated, speak with a slightly more refined and less pronounced accent.
*The actor who played [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], [[Billy Boyd]], is Scottish, and originally he was supposed to speak like the others, but eventually it was decided that it was adversely affecting his comic timing. The production team then invented the [[wikipedia:Canon_(fiction)#Nature of fictional canons|justification]] that the [[Took Family|Took]] region of the Shire is described as very hilly, so much so that when [[Saruman]]'s [[ruffians]] take over the rest of the Shire they are successfully repulsed from Took-land due to its rough terrain, and thus is it loosely analogous to Scotland. Thus, it was decided that Tooks should speak with a Scottish accent as well, and Boyd was allowed to use his normal Scottish accent when portraying Pippin for the entire trilogy of films.
*Meriadoc Brandybuck is described as being the linguistic "oddball" of the group: he was not from any of the four farthings of the Shire, but a Brandybuck from Buckland, and thus is from a region apart. To reflect this, his accent is noticeably distinct from the other Hobbits seen on-screen, something of an invention between actor [[Dominic Monaghan]] and the dialect coaches, to reflect his unique origin.

[[Category:Languages]]
[[Category:Shire]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]

Wandering Days

2008-08-02T20:18:50Z

69.112.26.170:

Hobbits

2008-08-02T20:09:18Z

69.112.26.170: /* History */

{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]]}
| height= 2-4 feet (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''Hobbits''' were a small race that typically dwelt underground, believed to be related to [[Men]]. They played little role in history, save during the [[War of the Ring]].

==Description==

Hobbits are, or were, between two to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches, with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Hobbits have a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-Numenorian descent, having an average lifespan of between 90 and 100 years (the two oldest-living recorded Hobbits are The [[Old Took]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], who reached the ages of 130 and 131, respectively) The time at which a young Hobbit "comes of age" is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a 70 year old Hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien's inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of [[Middle-earth]] where the Hobbits live: [[The Shire]] ("shires" are administrative divisions in England of Anglo-Saxon origin).

(Mealtimes, at least according to the [[Peter Jackson]] script adaptation of the novel, consist at least of the seven meals known as breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Tolkien did say that Hobbits eat "at least six meals a day when they can get it", but he didn't give their names.)

==Origin==
Hobbits are evidently related to [[Men]], and are represented as a pygmy offshoot of that race. Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]].

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' (in [[Sindarin]], ''perian'' singular and ''periannath'' collective) due to their small stature. However, the term is slightly offensive to Hobbits, as to themselves they are not 'half' of anything, and certainly do not use the term to refer to themselves. Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). However this prefix dates back "only" to the 13th century, too late by Tolkien's standards, and so he constructed an alternative etymology, from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller".
When later he began to work out the language relations further, ''Hobbit'' was to be derived from the [[Rohirric]] (actually [[Anglo-Saxon]] - which Rohirric parallels in Tolkien's universe) ''Holbytlan'' (hole builders). In the original [[Westron]], the name was ''Kuduk'' (Hobbit), derived from the actual Rohirric ''kûd-dûkan'' (hole dweller).

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

==Some well-known Hobbits==
* [[Bilbo Baggins]]
* [[Frodo Baggins]]
* [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise "Sam" Gamgee]]
* [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck]]
* [[Peregrin Took|Peregrin "Pippin" Took]]
* [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger]]
* [[Otho Sackville-Baggins|Otho]] and [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]]
* [[Old Took]]
* [[Bullroarer|Bullroarer Took]]
* [[Sméagol]] (who became the creature [[Gollum]])
* [[Déagol]]

Though in [[The Hobbit]] it is mentioned that [[Gandalf]] "was responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures," no female Hobbits are depicted in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s stories doing so; however Hobbit women do appear in his works, such as the formidable [[Lobelia Sackville-Baggins]] and Sam's wife [[Rosie Cotton]].

==History==
Historically, the Hobbits are known to have originated in the Valley of [[Anduin]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. According to [[The Lord of the Rings]], they have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind. At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with the [[Dol Guldur|rising evil power in Mirkwood]], the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, to cross the River Brandywine and settle on the other side. Large numbers of Hobbits followed them, and most of their former territory was depopulated. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

A map of the Shire and surrounding regions may be found at [[Eriador]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.

==The ontological nature of hobbits==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men in Tolkien's works. Nearly all Tolkien scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for immortality in this world. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

== Usage outside Tolkien ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. For this reason [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and other fantasy tend to refer to Hobbits and Hobbit-like races rather as '''Halflings''' (''hin'' in the Mystara universe, ''hurthlings'' in Ancient Domains of Mystery).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "list of spirits" by Michael Denham, which includes several repetitions. There is no evidence to suggest Tolkien used this as a source — indeed he spent many years trying to find out whether he really did coin the word. Denham's "hobbit spirits" (which are never referenced anywhere except in the long list) have no obvious relation to Tolkien's Hobbits, other than the name (which may possibly imply hob- "small", see below): Tolkien's Hobbits are small humans, not spirits. Nonetheless, some few people have suggested that the reference in the Denham list should invalidate the trademark.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_floresiensis Homo floresiensis]'', a possible species in the genus Homo (thus, related to humans) discovered in 2004, has been informally dubbed a "hobbit" by its discoverers due to its small size.

[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]

Hobbits

2008-08-02T17:58:15Z

69.112.26.170:

{{race
| image= [[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name= Hobbits
| dominions= [[The Shire]]
| languages= [[Hobbitish]] (a regional dialect of [[Westron]]}
| height= 2-4 feet (often less than three feet in later days)
| skincolor= Nut-brown to White
| haircolor= Typically curly brown, rarely blond (until the [[Fourth Age]]), and white and grey in later years
| distinctions= [[Gift of Men|Mortality]], diminuitive stature
| lifespan= c. 100 years
| members= [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], [[Sméagol]], [[Bandobras Took]], [[Bilbo Baggins]], [[Frodo Baggins]]
}}
{{quote|In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.|[[An Unexpected Party]], [[The Hobbit]]}}
'''Hobbits''' were a small race that typically dwelt underground, believed to be related to [[Men]]. They played little role in history, save during the [[War of the Ring]].

==Description==

Hobbits are, or were, between two to four feet tall, the average height being 3 feet 6 inches, with slightly pointed ears and oversized furry feet with leathery soles, resulting in most never wearing shoes. They are fond of an unadventurous bucolic life of farming, eating, and socializing. Hobbits have a life span somewhat longer than Men of non-Numenorian descent, having an average lifespan of between 90 and 100 years (the two oldest-living recorded Hobbits are The [[Old Took]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]], who reached the ages of 130 and 131, respectively) The time at which a young Hobbit "comes of age" is 33, as compared to the human 21 years. Thus a 70 year old Hobbit would only be middle-aged. Hobbits also like to drink ale in inns, not unlike the English countryfolk, who were Tolkien's inspiration. We can also see that in the name Tolkien chose for the part of [[Middle-earth]] where the Hobbits live: [[The Shire]] ("shires" are administrative divisions in England of Anglo-Saxon origin).

(Mealtimes, at least according to the [[Peter Jackson]] script adaptation of the novel, consist at least of the seven meals known as breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner and supper. Tolkien did say that Hobbits eat "at least six meals a day when they can get it", but he didn't give their names.)

==Origin==
Hobbits are evidently related to [[Men]], and are represented as a pygmy offshoot of that race. Their exact origin is unknown, but by the early [[Third Age]] they were living in the Vales of [[Anduin]] in [[Wilderland]].

== Etymology ==

Hobbits are also called ''[[Halflings]]'' (in [[Sindarin]], ''perian'' singular and ''periannath'' collective) due to their small stature. However, the term is slightly offensive to Hobbits, as to themselves they are not 'half' of anything, and certainly do not use the term to refer to themselves. Tolkien's etymology for 'Hobbit' is interesting as well: obviously constructed without prior intent, it would have been natural for him to connect it to the German prefix ''hob'' meaning ''small'' (e.g. ''hobgoblin''). However this prefix dates back "only" to the 13th century, too late by Tolkien's standards, and so he constructed an alternative etymology, from [[Old English]] ''hol-bytla'', "hole-dweller".
When later he began to work out the language relations further, ''Hobbit'' was to be derived from the [[Rohirric]] (actually [[Anglo-Saxon]] - which Rohirric parallels in Tolkien's universe) ''Holbytlan'' (hole builders). In the original [[Westron]], the name was ''Kuduk'' (Hobbit), derived from the actual Rohirric ''kûd-dûkan'' (hole dweller).

According to Tolkien, the word ''hobbit'' was the first element of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' that he created. As a university lecturer, he was in the process of correcting reports when he started scribbling on a piece of paper and wrote, "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit", and the multitude of stories sprang from that. The idea of a little hole dwelling creature was introduced to Tolkien by one of his students in a story he had written.

==Some well-known Hobbits==
* [[Bilbo Baggins]]
* [[Frodo Baggins]]
* [[Samwise Gamgee|Samwise "Sam" Gamgee]]
* [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck]]
* [[Peregrin Took|Peregrin "Pippin" Took]]
* [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger]]
* [[Otho Sackville-Baggins|Otho]] and [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]]
* [[Old Took]]
* [[Bullroarer|Bullroarer Took]]
* [[Sméagol]] (who became the creature [[Gollum]])
* [[Déagol]]

Though in [[The Hobbit]] it is mentioned that [[Gandalf]] "was responsible for so many quiet lads and lasses going off into the Blue for mad adventures," no female Hobbits are depicted in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s stories doing so; however Hobbit women do appear in his works, such as the formidable [[Lobelia Sackville-Baggins]] and Sam's wife [[Rosie Cotton]].

==History==
Historically, the Hobbits are known to have originated in the Valley of [[Anduin]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. According to [[The Lord of the Rings]], they have lost the genealogical details of how they are related to the rest of humankind. At this time, there were three '''Hobbit-kinds''', with different temperaments. The [[Harfoots]], the most numerous, were almost identical to the Hobbits as they are described in ''The Lord of the Rings''. The [[Stoors]] had an affinity for water, boats and swimming; the [[Fallohides]] were an adventurous people. (Both of these traits were much rarer in later days.) While situated in the Valley of the Anduin River the Hobbits lived close by the [[Eotheod]], the ancestors of the [[Rohirrim]], and this led to some contact between the two. As a result many old words and names in "Hobbitish" are derivatives of words in Rohirric, so much so that even someone without linguistic training could make out the relation (Merry would later write an entire book devoted to the relationship, ''Old Place Names in the Shire'').

Some time near the beginning of the [[Third Age]], they undertook, for reasons unknown, but possibly having to do with [[Mordor]]'s power, the arduous task of crossing the [[Misty Mountains]]. Some of the Stoors, however, stayed behind, and it is from these people that [[Gollum]] would come many years later. The Hobbits took different routes in their journey westward, but eventually came to a land between the River [[Baranduin]] (which they renamed ''Brandywine'') and the Weather Hills. There they founded many settlements, and the divisions between the Hobbit-kinds began to blur.

Around the year 1600 of the Third Age, two Fallohide brothers decided, again for reasons unknown, to cross the River Brandywine and settle on the other side. Large numbers of Hobbits followed them, and most of their former territory was depopulated. Only [[Bree]] and a few surrounding villages lasted to the end of the Third Age. The new land that they found on the west bank of the Brandywine is called [[The Shire]].

A map of the Shire and surrounding regions may be found at [[Eriador]].

Originally the Hobbits of the Shire swore nominal allegiance to the last Kings of Arnor, being required only to acknowledge their lordship, speed their messengers, and keep the bridges and roads in repair. During the final fight against [[Angmar]] at the Battle of Fornost, the Hobbits maintain that they sent a company of archers to help but this is nowhere else recorded. After the battle the kingdom of Arnor was destroyed, and in absence of the king the Hobbits elected a Thain of the Shire from among their own chieftans.

The first Thain of the Shire was Bucca of the Marrish, who founded the Oldbuck family. However, later on the Oldbuck family crossed the Brandywine River to create the separate land of Buckland and the family name changed to the familiar "Brandybuck". Their patriach then became Master of Buckland. With the departure of the Oldbucks/Brandybucks, a new family was selected to have its chieftans be Thain, the Took family (Indeed, Pippin Took was son of the Thain and would later become Thain himself). The Thain was in charge of Shire Moot and Muster and the [[Hobbitry-in-Arms]], but as the Hobbits of the Shire led entirely peaceful, uneventful lives the office of Thain was seen as something more of a formality.

==The ontological nature of hobbits==
[[Hobbits]] are considered Men in Tolkien's works. Nearly all Tolkien scholars agree that Men are closely related to [[Hobbits]], far more closely than Men are to either [[Elf|Elves]] or [[Dwarves]]. It is thus commonly assumed that Hobbits are among the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]] and are the result of the same act of creation as Men. This would imply that Hobbits have the [[Gift of Men]] to pass entirely beyond [[Arda]], which also means that the avoidance of the Gift of Men in Hobbits, like in Men, can be physically and morally destructive. [[Sméagol]], who had originally been a Hobbit, was transformed into the monster [[Gollum]] by a combination of the evil of the [[One Ring]] and the resulting avoidance of the [[Gift of Men]]. [[Bilbo Baggins]] became "thin and stretched" from the immortality that the One Ring granted to him, since neither Men nor Hobbits are intended for immortality in this world. Men and Hobbits appear to have the same ontological nature, which is that they are the result of the act of creation that resulted in the Younger Children of [[Eru|Iluvatar]].

== Usage outside Tolkien ==

"Hobbit" is a trademark owned by the Tolkien estate, as are most of the names, places and artifacts included in books by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. For this reason [[Dungeons & Dragons]] and other fantasy tend to refer to Hobbits and Hobbit-like races rather as '''Halflings''' (''hin'' in the Mystara universe, ''hurthlings'' in Ancient Domains of Mystery).

The name ''hobbit'' had previously appeared in an obscure "list of spirits" by Michael Denham, which includes several repetitions. There is no evidence to suggest Tolkien used this as a source — indeed he spent many years trying to find out whether he really did coin the word. Denham's "hobbit spirits" (which are never referenced anywhere except in the long list) have no obvious relation to Tolkien's Hobbits, other than the name (which may possibly imply hob- "small", see below): Tolkien's Hobbits are small humans, not spirits. Nonetheless, some few people have suggested that the reference in the Denham list should invalidate the trademark.

The lexeme ''hob'', meaning ''small'', is a root word for ''hobbledehoy'', ''hobgoblin'', and ''hobyah''. This may have influenced Tolkien's name; see '''[[#Origin|Origin]]''' above.

''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_floresiensis Homo floresiensis]'', a possible species in the genus Homo (thus, related to humans) discovered in 2004, has been informally dubbed a "hobbit" by its discoverers due to its small size.

[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]

Dunlending language

2008-08-02T17:56:28Z

69.112.26.170:

Not much is known of the language of the Dunlendings. Only one word is presented, "''forgoil''" which reportedly means "strawheads", their derisive term for the Rohirrim.

Languages

2008-08-02T17:54:44Z

69.112.26.170: /* List of languages */

In discussing the languages [[Tolkien]] invented, it is necessary to consider two aspects: their "primary world" history, namely their literal development by Tolkien as a linguist, and their "secondary world" history, namely their imagined historical development in the history of Middle-earth.

==Primary-world history==
Tolkien was a professional linguist and a specialist in the Old English language. He was also interested in many languages outside his field and developed a particular love for the Finnish language (he described the finding of a Finnish grammar book as "entering a complete wine-cellar filled with bottles of an amazing wine of a kind and flavour never tasted before", ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', number 214).

Finnish morphology (particularly its rich system of inflection]) in part gave rise to [[Quenya]]. Another of Tolkien's favorites was Welsh — and features of Welsh phonology found their way to [[Sindarin]]. Numerous words were borrowed from existing languages, but less and less obviously as Tolkien progressed, so that attempts to match a source to a particular Elvish word or name in works published during his lifetime are often very dubious.

Language-making was Tolkien's hobby for most of his life. He is known to have constructed his first languages (Animalic and Nevbosh) at a little over thirteen and he continued to ponder upon his creations up until his death more than sixty-five years later. Language invention had always been tightly connected to the mythology that Tolkien developed, as he found that a language could not be complete without the history of the people who spoke it, just as these people could never be fully realistic if imagined only through the English and as speaking English. Tolkien therefore took the stance of a translator and adaptor rather than that of the original author of his works.

Although the [[Elvish]] languages [[Sindarin]] and [[Quenya]] are the most famous and the most mature languages of those that Tolkien invented for his mythology, they are by no means the only ones. They belong to a family of Elvish dialects, that originate in [[Common Eldarin]], the language common to all [[Eldar]], which in turn originates in [[Primitive Quendian]], the common root of [[Eldar]]in and [[Avari]]n languages. In addition to that, there is a separate language family that is spoken by Men, the most prominent member of which was [[Westron]] (derived from the [[Númenórean]] speech [[Adûnaic]]) or the "Common speech" of the peoples of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Most Mannish tongues showed influences by Elvish, as well as some [[Dwarvish]] influences. Several independent languages were drafted as well, for example the [[Khuzdul]] language of the Dwarves. Other languages are [[Valarin]] (the tongue of the [[Valar]]), and the [[Black Speech]] created by [[Sauron]] during the Second Age.

===Elvish scholarship===

Although the study of Tolkien's languages is as a rule not taken seriously by mainstream linguistics, a number of serious scholars have worked on compiling all that can be recovered about their histories and grammars.

An early book dedicated to Eldarin is ''An Introduction to Elvish'' by Jim Allan (published by Bran's Head Books), written before the publication of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' in 1977 and therefore mostly outdated.

There are several journals dedicated to the subject:
*[[Quettar]], Bulletin of the Linguistic Fellowship of The Tolkien Society, edited by Julian C. Bradfield, the oldest Eldarin publication.
*[[Vinyar Tengwar]] and [[Parma Eldalamberon]] are published by the [[Elvish Linguistic Fellowship]].
*[[Tyalie Tyelellieva]] is published by Lisa Star.
*[[Mythlore]] is published by the [[Mythopoeic Society]].
*[[Beyond Bree]] is published by Nancy Martsch.

[[Tolklang]], [[Elfling]] and [[Lambengolmor]] are mailing lists dedicated to Tolkien linguistics.

==Secondary-world history==

''See also [[Lhammas]], [[Elvish]]''.

In the history of Middle-earth, the tongues of the Elves are separated as part of the speakers emigrate to [[Aman]] while others stay behind, leading to a split of [[Quenya]] (High-Elvish, or Elf-Latin) and [[Sindarin]].

===Middle-earth linguistics===

The invention of writing is attributed to [[Rúmil]], who first invented an alphabet: the [[Sarati]] (literally "letters"). [[Fëanor]] later enhanced and further developed this alphabet into the [[Tengwar]], which were spread to Middle-earth by the [[Ñoldor]] and remained in use ever after. 
[[Daeron]] of [[Doriath]] indepently of Rúmil and Fëanor had invented the [[Cirth]] [[Runes]], but these were only used for inscriptions, and otherwise replaced by the Tengwar, except among the [[Dwarves]].

An important source of Middle-earth linguistic scholarship is [[Pengolodh]] of Gondolin who wrote in Quenya. He is the author of ''[[Quendi and Eldar]]'', the ''[[Lhammas]]'' and ''[[Osanwe-kenta]]''.

In Quenya, ''lambë'' is the term for spoken language or verbal communiation while ''tengwesta'' is a more abstract term for a system or a code of signs and may be translated as "grammar".

== Writing and spelling ==

Sindarin and Quenya are often written in the ''[[Tengwar]]'' script, which Tolkien especially devised for them, or alternatively in the rune-like ''[[cirth]]''. When Middle-earth languages are written with the Latin alphabet, either acute accents (á, é, í, ó, ú) or circumflex accents (â, ê, î, ô, û, ŷ) mark long vowels depending on language or other convention. The [diaeresis (ä, ë, ö) is normally used to mark that a short vowel is to be separately pronounced, that it is not silent or part of a diphthong. For example, the last four letters of ''Ainulindalë'' should be sounded as if spelled ''dah-leh'' in English rather than as ''dale'' and the first three letters of ''Eärendil'' represent something like ''eh-ahr'' rather than the English word ''ear''. (But occasionally, especially when writing proto-Eldarin forms, Tolkien used the macron to indicate long vowels and the dieresis on ä, ö, and ü as in German to indicate ''i''-modification or ''e''-modification.)

In the ''Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien adopted the literary device of claiming to have replaced the original [[Westron]] with English. This device of rendering an ''imaginary'' language with a ''real'' language he carried further, rendering [[Rohirric]], related to an older form of Westron, by Old English, and names in the tongue of [[Dale]] in the north of [[Rhovanion]] by Old Norse forms, thus mapping the genetic relation of his fictional languages on the existing historical relations of the Germanic languages. A natural consequence of this is that the languages thus ''replaced'' were never worked out by Tolkien in any detail because they never appeared in the texts.

==List of languages==

#[[Elvish]]:
#*[[Primitive Quendian]]
#**[[Avarin]] languages (at least six languages)
#**[[Common Eldarin]]
#***[[Quenya]]
#****[[Vanyar in Quenya]]
#****[[Noldorin Quenya]]
#***[[Common Telerin]]
#****Telerin of [[Valinor]] (considered a dialect of [[Quenya]])
#****[[Sindarin]] (at least three dialects)
#****[[Nandorin]] languages (influenced by Avarin)
#[[Mannish]] languages (all showed influence by Avarin tongues as well as [[Khuzdul]]):
#*Languages of forefathers of the First and Third Houses of the [[Atanatári]]
#**[[Taliska]] (two dialects)
#***[[Adûnaic]]
#****[[Westron]] (influenced by [[Sindarin]], and languages of Eriador)
#*****[[Hobbitish]] (dialect of Westron, influenced by languages of Northmen)
#****Black Adûnaic of [[Black Númenóreans]]
#**Languages of Men of [[Eriador]] during the [[Second Age]]
#**Languages of [[Northmen]]
#***[[Dale|Dalish]]
#***[[Rohirric]]
#*Language of forefathers of the Second House of the Atanatari
#**[[Haladin]] language
#**[[Dunlending language]]
#*[[Drûgs|Drûg]] languages
#**Language of the Drúedain of [[Brethil]]
#**Language of the Woses of [[Drúadan Forest]]
#*Many [[Haradrim]] languages
#*Many tongues of [[Easterlings]]
#Languages of [[Dwarves]]:
#*[[Khuzdul]]
#*[[Iglishmek]] (sign language)
#Languages of the [[Ents]]
#*Old Entish.
#*"New" Entish
#Languages of the [[Ainur]] ([[Valar]] and [[Maiar]])
#*[[Valarin]]
#**[[Black Speech]], created by [[Sauron]]

==External links and references==
*[http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/ Ardalambion] A site containing much knowledge about Tolkien's languages and questions surrounding them.
*[http://www.geocities.com/tyalie Tyalie Tyelellieva]
*[http://www.elvish.org/ The Elvish Linguistic Fellowship]
*[http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/misc/local/TolkLang/ the Tolkien language mailing list]
*[http://www.lotrlibrary.com/ The Lord of the Rings Fanatics Library]
*[http://www.jerekdain.com/tolkien.html Tolkien information: Languages, Elves, the Ainur, and the Valar]
*[http://www.elvish.org/gwaith/language.htm Fellowship of the Word-smiths] With language courses, links, translations, and much more
*[http://www.abo.fi/~jolin/tolkien/ Tolkien's Pronunciation Recordings] Ardamir's Tolkien Homepage

[[Category: Languages]]

2008-08-01T21:26:10Z

69.112.26.170: /* After the War of the Ring */

''(For other characters see [[Faramir|Faramir (disambigation)]])''
{{gondorian
| image=[[Image:Ellaine - Untitled.jpg|250px]]
| name=Faramir
| othernames=
| position=[[Steward of Gondor]], [[Prince of Ithilien]]
| birth=[[Third Age 2983]]
| rule=[[Third Age 3019]] - [[Fourth Age 82]]
| death=[[Fourth Age 82]], aged 120 years
| gender=Male
| parentage=[[Denethor II]] and [[Finduilas of Dol Amroth]]
| spouse=[[Éowyn]]
| children=[[Elboron]]
| ref=''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''; [[Appendix A]]
|}}
{{quote|[Faramir] is bold, more bold than many deem; for in these days men are slow to believe that a captain can be wise and learned in the scrolls of lore and song, as he is, and yet a man of hardihood and swift judgement in the field. But such is Faramir. Less reckless and eager than [[Boromir]], but not less resolute.|''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[Minas Tirith (chapter)|Minas Tirith]]}}
'''Faramir''' was a [[Steward of Gondor]] and the first [[Prince of Ithilien]].

The second of [[Denethor II|Denethor]]'s two sons, Faramir was briefly the [[Ruling Steward]] after his father's death. Upon the arrival of the true king, King [[Aragorn Elessar]], he laid down his office, but Elessar renewed the hereditary appointment of [[Steward of Gondor|Steward]] as the advisor to the King. Faramir was also appointed [[Prince of Ithilien]].

==History==
===In Ithilien===
Faramir acted as a Gondorian ranger in [[Ithilien]], harassing [[Haradrim]] and keeping evil things from entering the land from [[Minas Morgul]]. During one such raid he found [[Frodo Baggins]], [[Samwise Gamgee]] amd [[Gollum]] observing an attack by his rangers on a column of [[Haradrim]]. The former two were captured as spies by the rangers though Gollum eluded them. Frodo was questioned by Faramir concerning their errand. Frodo recounted the journies of the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Fellowship]] and its members but referred to the [[Quest for the Ring|purpose]] of the travels and only cryptically. During the questioning he denied knowledge of Gollum but revealed that he travelled with both [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], the [[Heir of Isildur]], and [[Boromir son of Denethor II|Boromir]]. Faramir informed Frodo of Boromir's death, implying Frodo's involvement in it, though Frodo had not known of Boromir's death until that very moment.

Unsure of how to deal with his captives, Faramir led Frodo and Sam, blindfolded, to [[Henneth Annûn]]. There he questioned them further in private, learning that the errand the hobbits were on was linked to the 'Isildur's bane' that had sent Boromir to [[Rivendell]] in the first place. Eager to earn their trust Faramir delivered his famous oath, saying that he "...would not take this thing, if it lay by the highway. Not were [[Minas Tirith]] falling in ruin and I alone could save her, so, using the weapon of the Dark Lord for her good and my glory. No, I do not wish for such triumphs". In an unfourtunate slip up however Samwise revealed the nature of 'Isildur's bane' and so Faramir was tested, just as Boromir had been, by the lure of The Ring. Where Boromir failed Faramir succeeded, leading Samwise to remark that Faramir had "shown [his] quality".

During the night, Faramir's watch spotted Gollum fishing in the Forbidden Pool. Faramir called Frodo to him who confessed to the part of Gollum in their errand, begging Faramir not to slay him. Gollum was caught and questioned and then surrendered to Frodo. The following morning Faramir released Frodo and Sam (with Gollum), but warned them strongly against taking the pass of [[Cirith Ungol]].

===In Pelennor/Minas Tirith===

Faramir returned to [[Osgiliath]] after his encounter with the hobbits, supervising the defence there. However he retreated over the [[Pelennor Fields]] to report to Denethor and was almost caught by the [[Nazgûl]] on their Fell Beasts, but was saved by [[Gandalf]]. Faramir reached Minas Tirith, telling Denethor and Gandalf of what befell in Ithilien, but soon departed to supervise the defences at his father's bidding. In this venture the host of the [[Witch King]] came upon Osgilliath and Faramir was struck down by the [[Black Breath]]. Only a sorty by [[Imrahil]] and his knights saved the wounded (including Faramir) from that onset.

Faramir remained out of action for the rest of the War of the Ring. During the [[Battle of Pelennor Fields]] Denethor planned to burn his stricken son alongside him and Faramir was once again saved by Gandalf, though Denethor completed his suicide. After this he was taken to the [[Houses of Healing]] and healed by [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] after the battle. Faramir spent the rest of the war recovering in the Houses of Healing where he met [[Éowyn]], also greiviously wounded. The two fell in love and were married after the war.

===After the War of the Ring===

After the destruction of the [[One Ring|Ring]] and the [[Battle of the Morannon]] Faramir, as Steward, led the ceremony in the crowning of [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] as King of Gondor and Arnor. Aragorn reinstated the original role of the [[Stewards]] before the failing of the [[Kings of Gondor]] and made Faramir the [[Prince of Ithilien]]. As Prince of Ithilien Faramir was one of the two Chief Commanders of [[Aragorn II|King Elessar]] and his duty was to guard and maintain the eastern borders of Gondor. He also defeated the remaining enemies and cleansed the [[Morgul Vale]].

Faramir and Éowyn settled down in [[Emyn Arnen]], a range of hills in Ithilien in sight of [[Minas Tirith]], and Faramir became the [[Lord of Emyn Arnen]]. He and Eowyn had at least one son named [[Elboron]], who followed his father as Steward and Prince of Ithilien when this died in the year [[Fourth_Age_82|82]] of the Fourth Age. Faramir lived to be 120 years old, due to the large percentage of pure Dunedain ancestry he possessed as a member of the Gondorian nobility.

== Tolkien's thoughts of Faramir ==
Faramir was, in the words of Tolkien, "modest, fair-minded and scrupulously just, and very merciful" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', 244). His appearance toward the end of ''[[The Two Towers]]'' apparently was as much of a surprise to Tolkien as it is to his readers. "I am sure I did not invent him," he wrote. "I did not even want him, though I like him" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|Letters]]'', 66).

Faramir in many ways speaks for Tolkien, who was a soldier in [[World War I]], when he says, for example, "I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness... I love only that which they defend" (''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The Window on the West]]"). Much later, Tolkien would write, "As far as any character is 'like me', it is Faramir" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|Letters]]'', 180).

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Faramir r-b.JPG|thumb|Faramir (and Éowyn) in [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]].]]

In [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]], Faramir's role has been omitted. However, a young blackhaired man is shown at the coronation of "King Aragorn", sitting on a horse beside Éowyn. It can be guessed that this is a cameo of Faramir. Whether he had at any time a larger part, that was cut for time restraints, is unknown.

In the [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|1981 BBC Radio adaptation]] Faramir was voiced by [[Andrew Seear]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Faramir is played by [[David Wenham. He does not at first let Frodo, Sam, and Gollum go, but decides to bring them and the Ring to Gondor. He takes them west to [[Osgiliath]], crossing the river [[Anduin]], and not until the [[Ringwraiths]] attack the city does he release them. Many fans of the book criticize this change, saying that it seriously damages the character. [[Peter Jackson]]'s explanation is that he needed another adventure to delay Frodo and Sam, because the episode at [[Cirith Ungol]] was moved to the third movie, and so a new climax was needed. Another explanation often cited is that it was felt that for dramatic reasons it was necessary to show character ''development'', which meant that Faramir had to go through some kind of struggle or difficult decision. Jackson also argued that it was necessary for Faramir to be tempted by the Ring because everyone else was tempted, and letting Faramir be immune would be inconsistent, at least in the eyes of a film audience, and would weaken the films' portrayal of the Ring.
[[Image:Faramir the Ranger.jpg|thumb|250px|[[David Wenham]] as Faramir from [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
In the extended edition of [[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]], Jackson has included a new flashback scene showing that Denethor has been neglecting him and favoring Boromir, so that Faramir wanted to please his father by bringing him the Ring. (The relationship is similarly strained in the books, but there his father's favoritism does not seem to affect his decisions in Ithilien.) On the whole, however, new Extended Edition scenes with Faramir brought the character closer to the sympathetic treatment of the books (the line he is given regarding a fallen Southron belongs to Sam in the books, but is not out of keeping with Faramir's character).

== See Also ==

* [[:Category: Images_of_Faramir|Images of Faramir]]
{{sequence
|prev=[[Denethor II]]
|next=none (abandoned)
|list=27th [[Ruling Steward|Ruling Steward of Gondor]] <code>III</code> 3019
}}
{{sequence
|prev=[[Mardil]], 969 years earlier
|next=[[Elboron]]
|list=[[Steward of Gondor|Steward to the King of Gondor]] <code>III</code> 3019 – <code>IV</code> 82
}}
{{sequence
|prev=none
|next=[[Elboron]]
|list=[[Prince of Ithilien]] <code>III</code> 3019 – <code>IV</code> 82
}}

[[Category: Ruling stewards]]
[[Category: Gondorians]]
[[Category: Dúnedain]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Faramir (Sohn von Denethor II.)]]
[[fi:Faramir]]

Eagles

2008-08-01T20:59:49Z

69.112.26.170: /* Flying the Ring to Mount Doom */

The '''Eagles''' were immense flying birds that were sentient, and could speak.

The eagles are said in [[The Silmarillion]] to have been "devised" by [[Manwë]] Súlimo, leader of the [[Valar]], and were often called '''Eagles of Manwë'''. They were sent from [[Valinor]] to Middle-earth to keep an eye on the exiled [[Ñoldor]], and on their foe the evil Vala [[Morgoth]].

For a time the Lord of the Eagles, [[Thorondor]], kept his eyries at the top of [[Thangorodrim]], the volcano above [[Angband]] itself. While they lived there, Thorondor helped [[Fingon]] rescue [[Maedhros]]. Thorondor's folk later removed their eyries to the [[Crissaegrim]], part of the [[Echoriath]] or ''Encircling Mountains'' about [[Gondolin]]. There they were friends of [[Turgon]], and kept spies off the mountains.

Thorondor wounded Morgoth in the face after Morgoth's battle with [[Fingolfin]], and he carried Fingolfin's corpse to the Echoriath, where he was buried by Fingon.

The Eagles fought alongside the army of the Valar, [[Elves]] and Edain during the [[War of Wrath]] at the end of the [[First Age]].

In the [[Second Age]], a pair of Eagles had an eyrie in the King's House in [[Armenelos]], the capital of Númenor until the Kings became hostile to the Valar. The Eagles also watched the peak of Mount [[Meneltarma]], and three Eagles would always appear when someone climbed to the summit.

In the [[Third Age]], Thorondor's descendants [[Gwaihir]] and [[Landroval]] lived in an eyrie to the east of the [[Misty Mountains]] in [[Wilderland]].

In ''The Hobbit,'' no eagles are identified by name. Only the title [[Lord of the Eagles]] distinguishes the eagle leader from other eagles in this story. (The text adds that he was given the title [[King of All Birds]] at a later date.) Many readers assume, without hard evidence, that it was Gwaihir and Landroval who rescued [[Thorin Oakenshield]] and company from a band of [[Wargs]] and [[Goblins]], flying them to the river [[Anduin]], and later assisted in the [[Battle of Five Armies]] fought near [[Erebor]], the Lonely Mountain.

Before and during the [[War of the Ring]], one of Gwaihir's people rescued [[Gandalf]] the Grey from the top of [[Isengard]], and others of his people rescued [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] from [[Mount Doom]] in [[Mordor]] after the [[One Ring]] had been destroyed.

Tolkien's painting of an eagle on a crag appears in some editions of ''The Hobbit''. According to [[Christopher Tolkien]], the author based this picture on a painting by [[Archibald Thorburn]] of an immature Golden Eagle, which Christopher found for him in ''The Birds of the British Isles'' by [[T.A. Coward]]. However, Tolkien's use of this model does not necessarily mean that his birds were ordinary Golden Eagles. In his last writings Tolkien speculated that these great Eagles were actually [[Maiar]] in bird-shape, as he felt it unlikely [[Ilúvatar]] would grant [[Fëa and hröa|feär]] to animals. If this is true, then [[Roäc|Roäc the Raven]] and the Thrush, who appear in ''The Hobbit'', must also be Maiar or other spirits in animal form (and possibly even [[Beorn]], who sometimes takes the form of a bear).

==Flying the Ring to Mount Doom==

Many skeptics have asked why the Eagles simply didn't carry Frodo and the One Ring into Mordor and drop the Ring in Mount Doom. At first glance this seems incredibly easy compared to the alternative but there are a few reasons which prevent this idea.

Firstly, the Eagles would most likely have become corrupted by the power of the Ring and would have most likely attempted to prevent the destruction of the Ring. But this can be contended with the argument that Gandalf knew that ''anyone'' might and would refuse to throw in the Ring.

Another objection is that the Eagles coming from the air would have been fairly obvious to Sauron and his spies, and the [[Fell beasts]] would most likely have stopped the attempt. Also, it is probable that Mordor's numerous archers would create great trouble. The distances, greatly decreased by the movie, are in the book quite large. Mordor being full of orcs, they would be under constant fire, unless they could maintain a great height for a long period of time. The Eagles expressed fear in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' about going into the Lands of Men because of their bows. This, combined with the Fell Beasts, would probably not only hinder but completely wipe them out.

It is interesting to note that for Peter Jackson's live-action adaptation of ''The Lord of the Rings'', many cast and crewmembers have casually joked about how "the Eagles don't take the Ring to Mordor because that would have ended the story quickly!" etc. Particularly, on the writer-director DVD commentary track, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh repeat this statement and begin joking around about it. However, writing partner Philipa Boyens then bursts out and angrily declares "Why does everyone always say that?! The flying Nazgul on their Fell Beasts would have stopped them! How more obvious does that need to be?! Mordor has flying creatures to!"...to which Peter and Fran fall silent, then quietly admit, entirely makes sense.

Another proposition is that the Eagles would have refused to aid the Fellowship in destroying the Ring because they, being emissaries of the Valar like Gandalf, were not allowed to go on the offensive against evil. Flying the Ring to Mordor could have been the Fellowship's first priority but maybe they were unable to contact the Eagles in time.

Lastly, and perhaps most obviously, many state the reason for the Eagles not flying it to Mordor is simply because it would have made a boring book. Few would disagree with this.

The party of Tolkienists that accepts this as a 'plot hole' usually responds that in any book there are usually plot holes. In a larger, far more detailed and realistic book we expect fewer (if any) plot holes, when in reality there is a far greater chance.

[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Birds]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Adler]]
[[fi:Kotkat]]

Gimli

2008-07-11T21:47:54Z

69.112.26.170: /* Portrayal in Adaptations */

{{youmay|Gimli Elf-friend|the uncanonical [[Gimli (Noldo)|Gimli the Noldo]] in the ''[[Tale of Tinúviel]]''}}
{{quote|Only Gimli lifted up his head; a smouldering fire was in his eyes. . .|Gimli's response to the mention of the [[Mines of Moria]]}}
{{dwarves infobox
| image=[[Image:John Howe - Gimli 01.jpg|300px]]
| name=Gimli
| othernames=Elf-friend, Lockbearer, Lord of the Glittering Caves
| life=[[Third Age 2879]] - [[Fourth Age 120]]
| realm=[[Erebor]]
| parentage=[[Glóin son of Gróin|Glóin]]
| lineage=[[Durin the Deathless]]/[[Borin]]
| robes=
| gender=Male
|}}
'''Gimli''' was a [[dwarf]] of [[Durin's Folk]], a direct descendant of [[Durin the Deathless]] through [[Náin II]]'s younger son [[Borin]], and in turn [[Farin]]'s younger son [[Gróin]], and his younger son [[Glóin]]. Despite being too young at the time of the [[Quest of Erebor]] (only 62), he became famous as the only Dwarven member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

==History==
Gimli was born in the [[Blue Mountains]] nine years after the tragic destruction of [[Dale]] and the wasting of [[Erebor]] by [[Smaug]] the Golden. Little is known about his early life (or the lives of young dwarves in general, as a matter of fact), but he was forbidden to join [[Thorin and Company]] because of his age: only 62 at the time, according to ''[[The Quest of Erebor]]''.

Years later, in [[Third Age 3017|TA 3017]], Gimli witnessed the tempting offers of the messenger of [[Sauron]] (presumed to be a [[Nazgûl]]) concerning the [[Ring of Power]], and accompanied his troubled father to [[Rivendell]] for the dual purpose of warning retired burglar (and old acquaintance) [[Bilbo Baggins]] and seeking the counsel of [[Elrond]] on such weighty matters. His purpose in going was unknown – he neither knew Bilbo, nor liked the [[Elves]] any more than any other Dwarf at that time. It is possible his father merely took him for the experience of being in [[Rivendell]]. Whatever the reason, he attended the [[Council of Elrond]] as a representative of the [[Dwarves of Erebor]].

===The Fellowship of the Ring===

Gimli, as the only young dwarf (so far as we know) at the council of Elrond, was appointed as a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. He alone of the company wore a mail-shirt, and carried a broad-bladed axe. He quickly distinguished himself in the company by declaring that he "needed no map" and naming the [[Misty Mountains]] individually by their [[Khuzdul]] names, inspiring the comment from [[Sam]]: "A fair jaw-cracker dwarf-language must be!"

Gimli, surprisingly, stood more than all the others with [[Gandalf]] on the matter of passing through [[Moria]]. This may be influenced by his curiosity about the fate of his second cousin [[Balin]], who went thither to refound the ancient kingdom of the [[Longbeards]], and also his vengeful nature. His first clash with [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]] occurred before the [[Doors of Durin]], in a brief dispute over whose fault it was (the Elves’ or the Dwarves’) that the friendship between them waned. Gandalf quickly intervened, though it was not until [[Lothlórien]] that they would truly become friends.

[[Image:Aleksandr Kortich - 03.jpg|thumb|left|300px|''Moria'' by [[Aleksandr Kortich]]]]He was quite helpful to Gandalf in explaining the Doors to the other curious members of the fellowship. Gandalf showed his appreciation of Gimli’s skills by letting him walk up front through the dark tunnels beside himself, and taking brief counsels with him when the way is unsure. It is probable that here Gandalf is tapping into Dwarven inborn or developed skills rather than actual knowledge of Moria itself, as Gimli had never personally been there.

Gimli reacted most indignantly to Sam’s suggestion that Moria was but “holes”, going so far as to chant for him the ancient song ''[[The World was Young, the Mountains Green]]''. Gimli continued to be helpful to Gandalf on the rest of the dark passage, and boldly aided in the [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul]], protecting Balin’s tomb. After Gandalf remained behind to halt the Balrog, Gimli led the others across the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

He again shows great emotion when they near [[Kheled-zâram]], taking [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] alone out of all the company with him to see it (though Sam follows as well). This hints at a degree of affection for Frodo, though it may merely be because he was the most important of the company. Despite his helpfulness, at [[Lothlórien]] he became the greatest hindrance to the Company, when he alone was required to be blindfolded and of all of them liked the idea the least (save for perhaps Legolas). The compromise was made that the entire company would go through the Golden Wood in this manner, that Gimli would not suffer alone.

Despite this early struggle, it is Gimli of all the company that is most remembered for his deeds in Lothlórien. For his heart softened towards [[Galadriel]] and as a result toward Elves in general when that great lady sympathized with his sorrows, using the traditional Khuzdul names. In return he attempted to compliment her, as he saw her love and understanding. Though slightly clumsy in his first attempt, he distinguished himself when, as Galadriel gave the Company [[Gifts of Galadriel|gifts]], he asked only for a single strand of her hair. This Galadriel graciously gave with a blessing, probably remembering when [[Fëanor]] had requested a similar gift several millennia ago. Henceforth Gimli was known as "[[Lockbearer]]". He wept openly at the departure from Lothlórien, calling the light more dangerous than the darkness he had feared.

After the departure from Lothlórien Gimli is relegated a fairly minor role. He had, however, become a fast friend of Legolas the Elf, a result of Galadriel’s kindness. This, too, made him famous among all the Dwarves of the [[Third Age]].

===The Three Hunters===

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Pursuit in Rohan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Pursuit in Rohan'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]] After the [[Breaking of the Fellowship]], during which he and Legolas slew many [[orcs]], Gimli listened in silence as his only remaining comrades, [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] and Legolas, sang a lament for Boromir in the character of three of the Winds. Only the East Wind was left, and Gimli would not sing it, which Aragorn declared to be appropriate.

For most of the chase he served as a commentator, usually leaving the decisions to Aragorn. His reaction was quite hostile to the suspicious [[Rohirrim]], especially after [[Éomer]]’s rash comments about Galadriel. Little did either know that they would become close friends in the times to come as fiery words passed between them. After the [[Three Hunters]] were lent horses, Gimli and Éomer parted in peace, with promises to one another of reconciliation.

Of the Three Hunters, Gimli seemed the most shaken by [[Fangorn]] while they searched for traces of [[Merry]] and [[Pippin]]. Gimli felt no reluctance to shoot the “unarmed” old man whom they thought was [[Saruman]], unlike Aragorn and Legolas. After Gandalf was revealed to them, Gimli fell to his knees. Gandalf put his hand on Gimli’s head, and the dwarf laughed for the first time recorded during the [[Quest of the Ring]].

Gimli’s ire was raised again in King [[Théoden]]’s courts against [[Wormtongue]], who spoke slanderously of the Lady of the Golden Wood. Gandalf quickly calmed him. Gimli was delighted by the [[White Mountains]] and [[Helm’s Deep]], declaring “This country has tough bones”. He declared that if he had a hundred of his kin he could make the fortress invincible.

===War of the Ring===

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Glittering Caves of Aglarond.jpg|thumb|left|300px|''The Glittering Caves of Aglarond'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]During the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], Gimli saved Éomer’s life outside the gates. He came in, boasting of his first two orc-kills to his friend Legolas. Legolas estimated his slaughter to amount to twenty, starting the good-hearted orc-killing game that continued through the rest of the battle. Gimli was the first to the culvert when the orcs crept through, leaping heroically into their midst from the walls. He then proceeded to lead the blocking up of the culvert. During the course of the battle Gimli was one of those forced into the [[Glittering Caves]]. He was astonished to see the magnificence of these caverns, moving even Legolas with his glowing description of them. This one sight would change his life.

His final kill score number was forty-two in that battle, surpassing his friend the elf by one. Gimli shows a hint of humor and affection when he greets the two [[Hobbits]] Merry and Pippin comfortably situated among [[flotsam]] and [[jetsam]] in the ruin of [[Isengard]]. He declared himself deep in Pippin’s debt when the hobbit lent him his spare pipe.

As the fellowship of friends again began to break up – Gandalf and Pippin heading for [[Minas Tirith]], [[Théoden]] and his riders for [[Dunharrow]] – Gimli out of love and respect for Aragorn went with him, Legolas, the sons of Elrond, and the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers]] on the [[Paths of the Dead]]. He showed great reluctance before the [[Dark Door]], the final thought that drove him downward was the thought of being bested by an Elf underground.

[[Image:Luca Michelucci - 1999 - March.jpg|thumb|right|200px|By [[Luca Michelucci]]]]He participated in the epic [[Battle of Pelennor Fields]], returning with Aragorn and his other companions on the [[Black Ships]], and later recounted their journey to the fascinated Hobbits. He began to fear for Legolas, who seemed entranced by the Sea. His position on Elves completely changed, he remarked "If all the fair folk take to the Havens, it will be a duller world for those who are doomed to stay". He was much more skeptical as to the overall end of [[Men]] than his comrade.

Gimli fought in the [[Battle of the Morannon]], passing through unscathed, and finding the alive but bruised Pippin among the dead lying on the hill. He returned to the [[Field of Cormallen]] to be reunited to his friends, and there displayed open affection for all of them, even his frequent rival Pippin ("If only because of the pains you have cost me, which I shall never forget").

===After the War of the Ring===

After the coronation of Aragorn, Gimli said farewell to his old friend Éomer, who begged for pardon as to his words on Galadriel, though he slyly added that he didn’t think she was the fairest in the world: adding that [[Arwen]] was only when Gimli began to threaten him. Gimli was content with that.

During the return journey he visited many places with Legolas, including Fangorn Forest and [[Aglarond]]. Eventually he returned to Erebor, to find it nearly devastated by war. [[Dáin II Ironfoot]] had died, and [[Thorin III Stonehelm]] was now King. Eventually, though, he returned to the Glittering Caves with a contingent of dwarves, becoming the “Lord of the Glittering Caves”. He rebuilt the gates of Minas Tirith with [[mithril]] and steel, and in both [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]] accomplished great works. In Aglarond, it is assumed, he lived on until he was old, and in [[Fourth Age 120]] it is believed that he sailed with Legolas his friend across [[Belegaer]] to [[Valinor]]. There he presumably died in peace.

==Character==

Gimli throughout ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' showed perhaps the greatest open contempt for Sauron and his minions, save for perhaps [[Boromir (son of Denethor II)|Boromir]]. He was a grim character, for the most part, laughing only occasionally and, though in a few rare situations inspiring amusement, never joking. Due to his comments especially in the chapter ''[[The Ring goes South]]'', he may be called more superstitious than the others, acting very much as if Caradhras was an actual living being.

Gimli also carries the characteristic of smoldering vengeance against enemies found in many dwarves, such as when speaking of Moria. It may be that Gimli’s strongest show of sentiment was when speaking of Balin and Moria. He also is shown to have a steadfast nature to match, noticeable, for instance, when he plunges heedlessly across a stagnant creek in his eagerness to get to Moria. He also seems to have a love (or an interest, at least) in food, complementing the [[lembas]] of the Elves most highly.

==Portrayal in Adaptations==

Gimli was portrayed in [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]] as almost as tall as Legolas and Aragorn. He was voiced by [[David Buck]].

[[Image:Gimli son of Gloin.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Gimli as portrayed by [[John Rhys-Davies]]]]In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], he was played by [[John Rhys-Davies]], who also provided the voice for [[Treebeard]]. His character has been criticized by Tolkien fans because he acted as the Comedian for ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers|The Two Towers]]'' and ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'', whereas in the books he was a solid, serious character.

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | FAR | | | | | | |FAR=[[Farin]]}}
{{familytree| | | |,|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| | | FUN | | | | | | GRO | | |FUN=[[Fundin]]|GRO=[[Gróin]]}}
{{familytree| |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | }}
{{familytree| BAL | | DWA | | OIN | | GLO |BAL=[[Balin]]|DWA=[[Dwalin]]|OIN=[[Óin son of Gróin|Óin]]|GLO=[[Glóin]]}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | GIM | GIM='''GIMLI ELF-FRIEND''' }}
{{familytree/end}}

==See Also==
* [[:Category:Images of Gimli|Images of Gimli Elf-friend]]
{{sequence
|prev=none
|next=unknown
|list=[[Lord of the Glittering Caves]] <code>IV</code> ?? – 120
}}
{{fellowship}}

[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Gimli]]
[[fi:Gimli]]