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Bilbo Baggins

2007-07-20T03:31:36Z

The Lord Rhys:

{{expansion}}
{{Hobbit
| image = [[Image:Ian Holm as Bilbo.jpg|[[Ian Holm]] as ''Bilbo Baggins'' in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
| name = Bilbo Baggins
| othernames =
| birth = September 22, [[Third Age 2890|2890 T.A.]]
| death = Not known
| mother= [[Belladonna Took]]
| father = [[Bungo Baggins]]
| location = [[Bag End]], [[Hobbiton]], [[Rivendell]]
| race = [[Hobbits]]
| gender = Male
| height =
| hair = Brown
| eyes =
}}
{{quote|I would have followed you to the end. Into the very fires of [[Mordor]].|[[Aragorn II|Aragorn]]}}
'''Bilbo Baggins''' was the first [[ring-bearer]] in the history of [[Middle-earth]] to give up the [[One Ring]] voluntarily.

== History ==
He was born on September 22, 2890 of the [[Third Age]], son of Bungo [[Baggins family|Baggins]] and [[Belladonna Took]]. In 2941, he joined [[Gandalf]], [[Thorin Oakenshield]] and his twelve [[Dwarves]] on the quest to reclaim the [[Lonely Mountain]] from the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]]. This led to an adventure which takes Bilbo and his companions to [[Rivendell]] and through [[Mirkwood]], eventually reaching Lonely Mountain. Here, after the mountain has been reclaimed by Thorin Oakenshield, the [[Battle of Five Armies]] takes place.

During his adventures in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bilbo also found the [[One Ring]], and escaped from [[Gollum]] when he won a riddle competition with the question "What have I got in my pocket?" However, during the contest, he also revealed the names of "Baggins" and "[[The Shire]]" to Gollum. Bilbo was the [[Ring-bearer]] for many decades with no idea of its significance, and it prolonged his life beyond normal limits and slowed his aging. He used this ring to its fullest ability when the expedition was captured by spiders in [[Mirkwood]], and also when Thorin and his companions were imprisoned by the Mirkwood Elves. At the [[Battle of Five Armies]], Bilbo uses the ring to prevent himself getting hurt. This means it is difficult to find him after the battle, but eventually he regains consciousness and takes the ring off himself. He further remarks to [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] in ''The Lord of the Rings'' that it is useful for hiding from the Sackville-Bagginses when they come to visit.

[[Image:Bilbo smoking a pipe.jpg|thumb|250px|Bilbo smoking a pipe]]In ''The Lord of the Rings'', Bilbo left the Shire on the day of his eleventy-first (111th) birthday, (September 22, 3001), leaving the Ring and all the rest of his estate, including his home [[Bag End]], to his relative and heir [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]. His dissapearance at his party caused him to be later remembered as "[[Mad Baggins]]". He travelled to Rivendell, accompanied by three dwarves, where he lived a very pleasant life of retirement: eating, sleeping, writing poetry, and working on his memoir, ''There and Back Again'', known to us as ''The Hobbit''. He also wrote a book called ''Translations from the Elvish'', which formed the basis of what is known to us as ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.

At the end of ''[[The Return of the King]]'', Bilbo accompanied Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, and Elves to the [[Grey Havens]], there to take ship for [[Valinor]] across the sea, on September 29, 3021. He had already celebrated his 131st birthday, becoming the oldest Hobbit in Middle-earth.

The poem "[[Bilbo's Last Song]]" was published after Tolkien's death.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Bilbo Baggins from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg|thumb|left|Bilbo as portrayed in [[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]]]
In the 1966 BBC Radio serialization of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bilbo is played by Paul Daneman.

In the BBC's 1981 [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|radio serialization]] of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Bilbo is played by [[John Le Mesurier]].

[[Orson Bean]] was the voice of Bilbo in the [[Rankin/Bass]] animated version of [[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit|The Hobbit]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Bilbo is played by [[Ian Holm]], who also played [[Frodo Baggins]] in the radio series 20 years earlier.

== Translations ==
The name "Baggins" has often been changed for translated versions of the books:
* In the German translation he is called ''Bilbo Beutlin'' (created from ''Beutel''=''bag'').
* In the French translation he is called ''Bilbo'' (or ''Bilbon'') ''Sacquet''.
* In the Norwegian translation he is called ''Bilbo Lommelun''.
* In the Finnish translation he is called ''Bilbo Reppuli''.
* In the Dutch version he is called ''Bilbo Balings''.
* In the Brazilian Portuguese translation he is called ''Bilbo Bolseiro'' (but ''Bilbo Bolsin'' in the first edition of ''The Hobbit'').
* In the Spanish translation he is called ''Bilbo Bolsón''.
* In the Hungarian translation he is called ''Zsákos Bilbó''.
* In one of three Polish translations of ''The Lord of the Rings'' he is called ''Bilbo Bagosz''. In the other two translation and in ''The Hobbit'' he keeps his original name.
* In the first Bulgarian translation he keeps his original name, but in the second translation he is called ''Bilbo Torbins''.

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Balbo Baggins]] = [[Berylla Boffin]]
|
__________|________________________________________
| | | | |
| | | | |
[[Mungo Baggins]] = [[Laura Grubb]] [[Pansy Baggins|Pansy]] [[Ponto Baggins|Ponto]] [[Largo Baggins|Largo]]* [[Lily Baggins|Lily]]
|
| *(ancestor of [[Frodo Baggins]])
_______________|_____________________________________________
| | | | |
| | | | |
[[Bungo Baggins|Bungo]] = [[Belladonna Took ]] [[Belba Baggins|Belba]] [[Longo Baggins|Longo]] [[Linda Baggins|Linda]] [[Bingo Baggins]] = [[Chica Chubb]]
| | |
| | |
'''BILBO BAGGINS''' [[Otho Sackville-Baggins]] = [[Lobelia Bracegirdle]] [[Falco Chubb-Baggins]]
|
|
[[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]]
</code>
{{Template:Thorin and Company}}

== Trivia ==
* In 1968, [[Wikipedia: Leonard Nimoy|Leonard Nimoy]] released a record, "The Two Sides of Leonard Nimoy," which contained the song "The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins."

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Bilbo Baggins|Images of Bilbo Baggins]]

[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Baggins]]

The Children of Húrin

2007-04-05T23:11:46Z

The Lord Rhys: /* External links */

{{book|
title=The Children of Húrin|
image=[[Image:The Children of Hurin cover.jpg|225px]]|
author=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]], with illustrations by [[Alan Lee]]|
isbn=0618894640|
publisher=[[HarperCollins]], [[Houghton Mifflin]]|
date=April 17th, 2007|
format=Hardcover|
pages= 320|
amazon=http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618894640|
amazonprice=$17.16
}}

On September 18th, 2006 '''The Children of Húrin''' was announced. Set to be released on April 17th of 2007, the unfinished work edited by [[Christopher Tolkien]] will finally be released after 30 years of development. It will include 25 new black and white illustrations by [[Alan Lee]].

==Press Release==

'''Date:''' Mon, 18 Sep 2006

'''J.R.R. TOLKIEN'S THE CHILDREN OF HÚRIN TO BE PUBLISHED IN 2007'''

Houghton Mifflin has acquired US rights to publish the first complete book by J.R.R. Tolkien since the posthumous Silmarillion in 1977. HarperCollins UK acquired the project from The Tolkien Estate in a world rights deal. Presented for the first time as a fully continuous and standalone story, the epic tale of The Children of Húrin will reunite fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, dragons and Dwarves, and the rich landscape and characters unique to Tolkien.

The Children of Húrin, begun in 1918, was one of three "Great Tales" J.R.R. Tolkien worked on throughout his life, though he never realized his ambition to see it published. Though familiar to many fans from extracts and references within other Tolkien books, it has long been assumed that the story would forever remain an "unfinished tale". Now reconstructed by Christopher Tolkien, painstakingly editing together the complete work from his father's many drafts, this book is the culmination of a tireless thirty-year endeavor by him to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's vast body of unpublished work to a wide audience.

Christopher Tolkien said: "''It has seemed to me for a long time that there was a good case for presenting my father's long version of the legend of the Children of Húrin as an independent work, between its own covers, with a minimum of editorial presence, and above all in continuous narrative without gaps or interruptions, if this could be done without distortion or invention, despite the unfinished state in which he left some parts of it.''"

[[Image:Alan Lee - Beleg Departs Menegroth.jpg|150px|thumb|left|''Beleg Departs Menegroth'' by [[Alan Lee]].]]
Having drawn the distinctive maps for the original The Lord of the Rings more than 50 years ago, Christopher has also created a detailed new map for this book. In addition, it will include a jacket and color paintings by Alan Lee, illustrator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Centenary Edition and Oscar ® -winning designer of the film trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings was already acclaimed worldwide as the most popular book of the 20th Century before the blockbuster films in 2001-3 broke new ground and inspired millions more to read J.R.R. Tolkien's books -- an additional 50 million copies were sold, leaving new fans wanting more. The Children of Húrin will be published by [[HarperCollins]] UK in April 2007, and on the same day in the United
States by [[Houghton Mifflin]].

[[Image:Children-of-hurin-deluxe-edition-w-stamp.jpg |thumb|right|The Deluxe Edition]]
Victoria Barnsley, CEO and Publisher of HarperCollins Publishers UK said: "''This epic story of adventure, tragedy, fellowship and heroism stands as one of the finest expressions of J.R.R. Tolkien's skills as a storyteller. With a narrative as dramatic and powerful as anything contained within The Lord of the Rings , it can now be read and enjoyed as Tolkien originally intended, and will doubtless be a revelation for millions of fans around the world.'''"

Janet Silver, Vice President and Publisher of Houghton Mifflin, said, "''As J.R.R. Tolkien's original American publisher, dating back to The Hobbit, we are extremely proud to be bringing this project to Tolkien's devoted readership in the United States. Christopher Tolkien has done a great service in realizing his father's vision for The Children of Húrin.''"

'''Date:''' Sun. April 1, 2007

HarperCollins.ca Newsletter: The Children of Húrin

Painstakingly restored from Tolkien’s manuscripts and presented for the first time as a fully continuous and standalone story, the epic tale of The Children of Hùrin will reunite fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, dragons and Dwarves, eagles and Orcs, and the rich landscape and characters unique to Tolkien.

Tùrin is born into a Middle-earth crushed by the recent victory of the Dark Lord, Morgoth, and his monstrous army. The greatest warriors among Elves and Men have perished and Tùrin’s father, Hùrin, has been captured. For his defiance, Hùrin’s entire family is cursed by Morgoth to be brought down into darkness and despair.

But, like his father, Tùrin refuses to be cowed by Morgoth and as he grows so does the legend of the deadly hero. In a land overrun with marauding Orcs, Tùrin gathers to him a band of outlaws and gradually they begin to turn the tide in the war for supremacy of Middle-earth.

Then Morgoth unleashes his greatest weapon: Glaurung, Mightiest of Dragons, and he proves an unstoppable foe. As the Dragon carves a fiery swathe through Middle-earth there remains only one man who can slay him, but to do that he will first have to confront his destiny.

The Children of Hùrin was one of three Great Tales begun by J.R.R. Tolkien as he recovered from the horrors of the First World War, and he worked on refining and improving it for the rest of his life. This tragic tale of adventure, heroism, suffering and love stands as one of the finest expressions of his skills as a storyteller and the narrative is as powerful as anything contained within The Lord of the Rings. Painstakingly reconstructed by Christopher Tolkien from his father’s manuscripts, it can finally be enjoyed as the author originally intended.

==Contents==
:''From a preliminary copy''
* Preface (7)
* Introduction (13)
* Note on Pronunciation (28)
* Narn I Chîn Húrin (31)
* The Tale of the Children of Húrin
::# [[The Childhood of Húrin]] (33)
::# [[The Battle of Unnumbered Tears]] (52)
::# [[The words of Húrin and Morgoth]] (61)
::# [[The Departure of Túrin]] (66)
::# [[Túrin in Doriath]] (80)
::# [[Túrin among the Outlaws]] (98)
::# [[Of Mîm the Dwarf]] (121)
::# [[The Land of Bow and Helm]] (141)
::# [[The Death of Beleg]] (151)
::# [[Túrin in Nargothrond]] (159)
::# [[The Fall of Nargothrond]] (171)
::# [[The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin]] (182)
::# [[The Coming of Túrin into Brethil]] (192)
::# [[The Journey of Morwen and Niënor to Nargothrond]] (198)
::# [[Niënor in Brethil]] (213)
::# [[The Coming of Glaurung]] (221)
::# [[The Death of Glaurung]] (234)
::# [[The Death of Túrin]] (248)
* Tables 261
* Genealogies:
::# The House of Hador & the People of Haleth (262)
::# The House of Bëor (263)
::# The Princes of the Noldor (264)
* Appendix (265)
::# The Evolution of the Great Tales (267)
::# The Composition of the Text (281)
* List of Names (291)
* Note on the map (319)

==See also==
* [[The Children of Húrin Release Party]]

==External links==
* [http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/Children-of-Hurin-FAQ.htm Children of Húrin FAQ]
* [http://www.lotrplaza.com/archive5/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=24&TopicID=207607 Discussion at LotRPlaza.com]
* [http://wormtalk.blogspot.com/2006/09/j.html Blog post by Michael Drout]
* [http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/childrenofhurin.htm Article on TolkienLibrary.com]
* [http://www.harpercollins.ca:80/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0007246226 News Release at HarperCollins.ca]
* [http://tolkien.hcp-uk.co.uk/thechildrenofhurin.aspx The Children of Húrin Trailer]

==Pre-order==
'''Regular edition'''
* [http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618894640/sr=8-1/qid=1170968587/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-2987979-0667618?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.com]
* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Hurin-Christopher-Tolkien/dp/0007246226 Amazon.co.uk]
* [http://www.amazon.ca/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007246226/sr=11-1/qid=1170986155/ref=sr_11_1/702-1711121-9420851 Amazon.ca]
'''Deluxe Edition'''
* [http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin-Deluxe-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618904417/sr=8-2/qid=1170968587/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-2987979-0667618?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.com]
* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007252234/sr=8-1/qid=1170968778/ref=pd_ka_1/203-1975989-7489551?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.co.uk]
* [http://www.amazon.ca/Children-Hurin-Deluxe-J-Tolkien/dp/0007252234/sr=8-1/qid=1170968875/ref=pd_ka_1/702-4168450-3416061?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.ca]

[[Category:Books by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:Books by Christopher Tolkien]]

J.R.R. Tolkien

2007-03-30T22:19:03Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Image:Jrrt_1972_pipe.jpg|right|thumb|350px|J.R.R. Tolkien in 1972, in his study at Merton Street]]
''See also [[Simon Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]], [[Edith Tolkien]], [[Tolkien|etc.]]''

'''John Ronald Reuel Tolkien''' (January 3, 1892 – September 2, 1973) is an author best known for ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and its sequel trilogy ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. He worked as reader and professor in English language at the University of Leeds from 1920 to 1925; as professor of Anglo-Saxon language at Oxford from 1925 to 1945; and of English language and literature from 1945 to 1959. A strongly committed Catholic, Tolkien was a close friend of [[C.S. Lewis]], and a member of the [[Inklings]], a literary discussion group to which both Lewis and [[Owen Barfield]] belonged.

In addition to ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Tolkien's published fiction includes ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' and other posthumous books about what he called a [[legendarium]], a fictional mythology of the remote past of Earth, called [[Arda]], and [[Middle-earth]] (from ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middangeard middangeard]'', the lands inhabitable by [[Men]]) in particular. Most of these posthumously published works were compiled from Tolkien's notes by his son [[Christopher Tolkien|Christopher Reuel Tolkien]]. The enduring popularity and influence of Tolkien's works have established him as the "father of the modern high fantasy genre". Tolkien's other published fiction includes adaptations of stories originally told to his children and not directly related to the legendarium.

== Biography ==
=== The Tolkien Family ===
Although records are unclear, many of Tolkien's paternal ancestors were craftsmen. The Tolkien family had its roots in Saxony (present-day Germany), but had been living in England since the 18th century, becoming "quickly and intensely English (not British)" (''Letters'', 165). The surname ''Tolkien'' is anglicised from ''Tollkiehn'' (i.e. German: ''tollkühn'', "foolhardy", the etymological English translation would be "dull-keen", a literal translation of "oxymoron"). The character of Professor Rashbold in ''[[The Notion Club Papers]]'' is a pun on the name.

'''See also:''' [[J.R.R. Tolkien's Family Tree]]

=== Childhood ===
Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein in the Orange Free State (now Free State), South Africa, to [[Arthur Tolkien|Arthur Reuel Tolkien]] (1857 – 1896), an English bank manager, and his wife Mabel, ''née'' Suffield (1870 – 1904). Tolkien had one sibling, his younger brother, Hilary Arthur Reuel, who was born on February 17, 1894.

While living in Africa he developed a severe fear of spiders after being bitten by a large tarantula out in their garden. When he was three, Tolkien went to England with his mother and brother on what was intended to be a lengthy family visit. His father, however, died in South Africa of a severe brain haemorrhage before he could join them. This left the family without an income, so Tolkien's mother took him to live with her parents in Birmingham, England. Soon after in 1896, they moved to Sarehole (now in Hall Green), then a Worcestershire village, later annexed to Birmingham. He enjoyed exploring Sarehole Mill and Moseley Bog and the Clent Hills and Lickey Hills, which would later inspire scenes in his books along with other Worcestershire towns and villages such as Bromsgrove, Alcester and Alvechurch and places such as his aunt's farm of Bag End, the name of which would be used in his fiction.

[[Image:Jrrt_1905.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Ronald and Hilary Tolkien in 1905]]

Mabel tutored her two sons, and Ronald, as he was known in the family, was a keen pupil. She taught him a great deal of botany, and she awoke in her son the enjoyment of the look and feel of plants. Young Tolkien liked to draw landscapes and trees. But his favourite lessons were those concerning languages, and his mother taught him the rudiments of Latin very early. He could read by the age of four, and could write fluently soon afterwards. He attended King Edward's School, Birmingham and, while a student there, helped "line the route" for the coronation parade of King George V, being posted just outside the gates of Buckingham Palace. He later attended St. Philip's School and Exeter College, Oxford.

His mother converted to Roman Catholicism in 1900, despite vehement protests by her Baptist family. She died of diabetes in 1904, when Tolkien was twelve, at Fern Cottage, Rednal, which they were then renting. For the rest of his life, Tolkien felt that she had become a martyr for her faith; this had a profound effect on his own Catholic beliefs. Tolkien's devout faith was significant in the conversion of C.S. Lewis to Anglicanism.

During his subsequent orphanhood he was brought up by Father Francis Xavier Morgan of the Birmingham Oratory, in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham. He lived there in the shadow of Perrott's Folly and the Victorian tower of Edgbaston waterworks, which may have influenced the images of the dark towers within his works. Another strong influence was the romantic medievalist paintings of Edward Burne-Jones and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood; the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has a large and world-renowned collection of works and had put it on free public display from around 1908.

[[image:Jrrt_1911.jpg|left|thumb|150px|J.R.R. Tolkien in 1911]]

=== Youth ===
Tolkien met and fell in love with [[Edith Bratt|Edith Mary Bratt]], three years his senior, at the age of sixteen. Father Francis forbade him from meeting, talking, or even corresponding with her until he was twenty-one. He obeyed this prohibition to the letter.

In 1911, while they were at King Edward's School, Birmingham, Tolkien and three friends, Rob Gilson, Geoffrey Smith and Christopher Wiseman, formed a semi-secret society which they called "the [[T.C.B.S.]]", the initials standing for "Tea Club and Barrovian Society", alluding to their fondness of drinking tea in Barrow's Stores near the school and, illegally, in the school library. After leaving school, the members stayed in touch, and in December 1914, they held a "Council" in London, at Wiseman's home. For Tolkien, the result of this meeting was a strong dedication to writing poetry.

In the summer of 1911, Tolkien went on holiday in Switzerland, a trip that he recollects vividly in a 1968 letter (''Letters'', no. 306), noting that Bilbo's journey across the Misty Mountains ("including the glissade down the slithering stones into the pine woods") is directly based on his adventures as their party of twelve hiked from Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen, and on to camp in the moraines beyond Mürren. Fifty-seven years later, Tolkien remembers his regret at leaving the view of the eternal snows of Jungfrau and Silberhorn ("the Silvertine ([[Celebdil]]) of my dreams"). They went across the Kleine Scheidegg on to Grindelwald and across the Grosse Scheidegg to Meiringen. They continued across the Grimsel Pass and through the upper Valais to Brig, and on to the Aletsch glacier and Zermatt.

[[image:Tolkien_1916.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Tolkien in 1916, wearing his British Army uniform in a photograph from the middle years of WW1]]

On the evening of his twenty-first birthday, Tolkien wrote to Edith a declaration of his love and asked her to marry him. She replied saying that she was already engaged, but had done so because she had believed Tolkien had forgotten her. The two met up and beneath a railway viaduct renewed their love, with Edith returning her ring and choosing to marry Tolkien instead. A condition of their engagement was that she was to convert to Catholicism for him. They were engaged in Birmingham, in January 1913, and married in Warwick, England, on March 22, 1916.

With his childhood love of landscape, he visited Cornwall in 1914 and he was said to be deeply impressed by the singular Cornish coastline and sea. After graduating from the University of Oxford (Exeter College, Oxford) with a first-class degree in English language in 1915, Tolkien joined the British Army effort in [[World War I]] and served as a second lieutenant in the eleventh battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers. His battalion was moved to France in 1916, where Tolkien served as a communications officer during the Battle of the Somme, until he came down with trench fever on October 27, and was moved back to England on November 8. Many of his fellow servicemen, as well as many of his closest friends, were killed in the war. During his recovery in a cottage in Great Haywood, Staffordshire, England, he began to work on what he called ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', beginning with ''[[The Fall of Gondolin]]''. Throughout 1917 and 1918 his illness kept recurring, but he had recovered enough to do home service at various camps, and was promoted to lieutenant. When he was stationed at Kingston upon Hull, one day he and Edith went walking in the woods at nearby Roos, and Edith began to dance for him in a thick grove of hemlock. This incident inspired the account of the meeting of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and [[Lúthien]], and Tolkien often referred to Edith as his Lúthien.

=== Oxford ===
Tolkien's first civilian job after World War I was at the ''Oxford English Dictionary'' (among others, he initiated the entries "wasp" and "walrus"). In 1920 he took up a post as Reader in English language at the University of Leeds, and in 1924 was made a professor there, but in 1925 he returned to Oxford as a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College.

Tolkien and Edith had four children: John Francis Reuel (November 17, 1917 - January 22, 2003), Michael Hilary Reuel (October 1920–1984), [[Christopher Tolkien|Christopher John Reuel]] (1924) and Priscilla Anne Reuel (1929). Tolkien assisted Sir Mortimer Wheeler in the unearthing of a Roman Asclepieion at Lydney Park, Gloucestershire, in 1928. During his time at Pembroke, Tolkien wrote ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and the first two volumes of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Of Tolkien's academic publications, the 1936 lecture "[[Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics]]" had a lasting influence on [[Beowulf]] research.

In 1945, he moved to Merton College, Oxford, becoming the Merton Professor of English Language and Literature, in which post he remained until his retirement in 1959. Tolkien completed ''The Lord of the Rings'' in 1948, close to a decade after the first sketches. During the 1950s, Tolkien spent many of his long academic holidays at the home of his son John Francis in Stoke-on-Trent.
Tolkien had an intense dislike for the side effects of industrialisation, which he considered a devouring of the English countryside. For most of his adult life he eschewed automobiles, preferring to ride a bicycle. This attitude is perceptible from some parts of his work, such as the forced industrialisation of The Shire in ''The Lord of the Rings''.

[[Image:Jrrt_1972_tree.jpg|thumb|180px|The last known photograph of Tolkien, taken 9 October 1972, next to one of his favourite trees (a ''Pinus nigra'') in the Botanic Garden, Oxford]]

[[W.H. Auden]] was a frequent correspondent and long-time friend of Tolkien's, initiated by Auden's fascination with ''The Lord of the Rings'': Auden was among the most prominent early critics to praise the work. Tolkien wrote in a 1971 letter,
{{quote|I am [...] very deeply in Auden's debt in recent years. His support of me and interest in my work has been one of my chief encouragements. He gave me very good reviews, notices and letters from the beginning when it was by no means a popular thing to do. He was, in fact, sneered at for it.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', #327}}

=== Retirement and Old Age ===
During his life in retirement, from 1959 up to his death in 1973, Tolkien increasingly turned into a figure of public attention and literary fame. The sale of his books was so profitable that Tolkien regretted he had not taken early retirement. While at first he wrote enthusiastic answers to reader inquiries, he became more and more suspicious of emerging [[Tolkien fandom]], especially among the hippy movement in the USA. Already in 1944, he made a somewhat sarcastic comment about a fan letter by a twelve-year-old American reader ("It's nice to find that little American boys do really still say 'Gee Whiz'.", ''Letters'' no. 87). In a 1972 letter he deplores having become a cult-figure, but admits that
{{quote|even the nose of a very modest idol (younger than [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu-Bu_and_Sheemish Chu-Bu and not much older than Sheemish]) cannot remain entirely untickled by the sweet smell of incense!|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', #336}}.

Fan attention became so intense that Tolkien had to take his phone number out of the public directory, and eventually he and Edith moved to Bournemouth at the south coast. Tolkien was awarded a CBE ("Commander of the British Empire") by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on March 28, 1972.

[[Image:Tolkiengrave.jpg|thumb|The grave of J.R.R. and Edith Tolkien]]
Edith Tolkien died on November 29, 1971, at the age of eighty-two, and Tolkien had the name Lúthien
engraved on the stone at Wolvercote Cemetery, Oxford. When Tolkien died 21 months later on September 2, 1973, at the age of 81, he was buried in the same grave, with Beren added to his name, so that the engraving now reads:
:''Edith Mary Tolkien, Lúthien, 1889 – 1971''
:''John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, Beren, 1892 – 1973''

Posthumously named after Tolkien are the Tolkien Road in Eastbourne, East Sussex, and the asteroid [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2675_Tolkien 2675 Tolkien]. Tolkien Way in Stoke-On-Trent is named after J.R.R.'s son Father John Francis Tolkien, who used to be the priest in charge at the nearby Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Angels and St. Peter in Chains.

== Writing ==
[[Image:Jrrt_lotr_cover_design.jpg|thumb|350px|Cover design for the three volumes of ''The Lord of the Rings'' by J.R.R. Tolkien]]

Beginning with ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', written while recuperating from illness during World War I, Tolkien devised several themes that were reused in successive drafts of his legendarium. The two most prominent stories, the tales of Beren and Lúthien and that of [[Túrin]], were carried forward into long narrative poems (published in ''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]''). Tolkien wrote a brief summary of the mythology these poems were intended to represent, and that summary eventually evolved into ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', an epic history that Tolkien started three times but never published. The story of this continuous redrafting is told in the posthumous series ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''. From around 1936, he began to extend this framework to include the tale of ''The Fall of [[Númenor]]'', which was inspired by the legend of Atlantis.

Tolkien was strongly influenced by Anglo-Saxon literature, Germanic and Norse mythologies, Finnish mythology, the Bible, and Greek mythology. The works most often cited as sources for Tolkien's stories include ''Beowulf'', the ''[[Kalevala]]'', the ''[[Poetic Edda]]'', the ''[[Volsunga saga]]'' and the ''[[Hervarar saga]]''<sup>1</sup>. Tolkien himself acknowledged Homer, Oedipus, and the Kalevala as influences or sources for some of his stories and ideas. His borrowings also came from numerous Middle English works and poems. A major philosophical influence on his writing is King Alfred's Anglo-Saxon version of ''Boethius''' ''Consolation of Philosophy'' known as the ''Lays of Boethius''. Characters in ''The Lord of the Rings'', such as Frodo, Treebeard and Elrond make noticeably Boethian remarks.

In addition to his [[Mythopoeia|mythological compositions]], Tolkien enjoyed inventing fantasy stories to entertain his children. He wrote annual Christmas letters from Father Christmas for them, building up a series of short stories (later compiled and published as ''[[The Father Christmas Letters]]''). Other stories included ''[[Mr. Bliss]]'', ''[[Roverandom]]'', ''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]'', ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]'' and ''[[Leaf by Niggle]]''. ''Roverandom'' and ''Smith of Wootton Major'', like ''The Hobbit'', borrowed ideas from his legendarium. ''Leaf by Niggle'' appears to be an autobiographical work, where a "very small man", Niggle, keeps painting leaves until finally he ends up with a tree.

Tolkien never expected his fictional stories to become popular, but he was persuaded by a former student to publish a book he had written for his own children called ''The Hobbit'' in 1937. However, the book attracted adult readers as well, and it became popular enough for the publisher, George Allen & Unwin, to ask Tolkien to work on a sequel.

Even though he felt uninspired on the topic, this request prompted Tolkien to begin what would become his most famous work: the epic three-volume novel ''The Lord of the Rings'' (published 1954–55). Tolkien spent more than ten years writing the primary narrative and appendices for ''The Lord of the Rings'', during which time he received the constant support of the Inklings, in particular his closest friend C.S. Lewis, the author of ''The Chronicles of Narnia''. Both ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'' are set against the background of ''The Silmarillion'', but in a time long after it.

Tolkien at first intended ''The Lord of the Rings'' as a children's tale like ''The Hobbit'', but it quickly grew darker and more serious in the writing. Though a direct sequel to ''The Hobbit'', it addressed an older audience, drawing on the immense back story of Beleriand that Tolkien had constructed in previous years, and which eventually saw posthumous publication in ''The Silmarillion'' and other volumes. Tolkien's influence weighs heavily on the fantasy genre that grew up after the success of ''The Lord of the Rings''.

Tolkien continued to work on the history of Middle-earth until his death. His son Christopher, with some assistance from fantasy writer [[Guy Gavriel Kay]], organised some of this material into one volume, published as ''The Silmarillion'' in 1977. In 1980 Christopher Tolkien followed this with a collection of more fragmentary material under the title ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', and in subsequent years he published a massive amount of background material on the creation of Middle-earth in the twelve volumes of ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]''.
All these posthumous works contain unfinished, abandoned, alternative and outright contradictory accounts, since they were always a work in progress, and Tolkien only rarely settled on a definitive version for any of the stories. There is not even complete consistency to be found between ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'', the two most closely related works, because Tolkien was never able to fully integrate all their traditions into each other. He commented in 1965, while editing ''The Hobbit'' for a third edition, that he would have preferred to completely rewrite the entire book.

The John P. Raynor, S.J., Library at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, preserves many of Tolkien's original manuscripts, notes and letters; other original material survives at Oxford's Bodleian Library. Marquette has the manuscripts and proofs of ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'', and other manuscripts, including ''Farmer Giles of Ham'', while the Bodleian holds the ''Silmarillion'' papers and Tolkien's academic work.

''The Lord of the Rings'' became immensely popular in the 1960s and has remained so ever since, ranking as one of the most popular works of fiction of the twentieth century, judged by both sales and reader surveys. In the 2003 "Big Read" survey conducted by the BBC, ''The Lord of the Rings'' was found to be the "Nation's Best-loved Book". Australians voted ''The Lord of the Rings'' "My Favourite Book" in a 2004 survey conducted by the Australian ABC. In a 1999 poll of Amazon.com customers, ''The Lord of the Rings'' was judged to be their favourite "book of the millennium". In 2002 Tolkien was voted the ninety-second "greatest Briton" in a poll conducted by the BBC, and in 2004 he was voted thirty-fifth in the SABC3's Great South Africans, the only person to appear in both lists. His popularity is not limited just to the English-speaking world: in a 2004 poll inspired by the UK’s "Big Read" survey, about 250,000 Germans found ''The Lord of the Rings'' (''Der Herr der Ringe'') to be their favourite work of literature.

== Languages ==
Both Tolkien's academic career and his literary production are inseparable from his love of language and philology. He specialised in Greek philology in college, and in 1915 graduated with Old Icelandic as special subject. He worked for the Oxford English Dictionary from 1918. In 1920, he went to Leeds as Reader in English Language, where he claimed credit for raising the number of students of linguistics from five to twenty. He gave courses in Old English heroic verse, history of English, various Old English and Middle English texts, Old and Middle English philology, introductory Germanic philology, Gothic, Old Icelandic, and Medieval Welsh. When in 1925, aged 33, Tolkien applied for the Rawlinson and Bosworth Professorship of Anglo-Saxon, he boasted that his students of Germanic philology in Leeds had even formed a "Viking Club".

Privately, Tolkien was attracted to "things of racial and linguistic significance", and he entertained notions of an inherited taste of language, which he termed the "native tongue" as opposed to "cradle tongue" in his 1955 lecture ''[[English and Welsh]]'', which is crucial to his understanding of race and language. He considered west-midland Middle English his own "native tongue", and, as he wrote to W.H. Auden in 1955 (''Letters'', no. 163), "I am a West-midlander by blood (and took to early west-midland Middle English as a known tongue as soon as I set eyes on it)".

Parallel to Tolkien's professional work as a philologist, and sometimes overshadowing this work, to the effect that his academic output remained rather thin, was his affection for the construction of artificial languages. The best developed of these are [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]], the etymological connection between which are at the core of much of Tolkien's legendarium. Language and grammar for Tolkien was a matter of aesthetics and euphony, and Quenya in particular was designed from "phonæsthetic" considerations. It was intended as an "Elvenlatin", and was phonologically based on Latin, with ingredients from Finnish and Greek (''Letters'', no. 144). A notable addition came in late 1945 with [[Númenórean]], a language of a "faintly Semitic flavour", connected with Tolkien's Atlantis myth, which by ''The Notion Club Papers'' ties directly into his ideas about inheritability of language, and via the "[[Second Age]]" and the [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]] myth was grounded in the legendarium, thereby providing a link of Tolkien's 20th-century "real primary world" with the mythical past of his Middle-earth.

Tolkien considered languages inseparable from the mythology associated with them, and he consequently took a dim view of auxiliary languages. In 1930 a congress of Esperantists were told as much by him, in his lecture ''[[A Secret Vice]]'', "Your language construction will breed a mythology", but by 1956 he concluded that "Volapük, Esperanto, Ido, Novial, &c &c are dead, far deader than ancient unused languages, because their authors never invented any Esperanto legends" (''Letters'', no. 180).

The popularity of Tolkien's books has had a small but lasting effect on the use of language in fantasy literature in particular, and even on mainstream dictionaries, which today commonly accept Tolkien's revival of the spellings ''dwarves'' and ''elvish'' (instead of ''dwarfs'' and ''elfish''), which had not been in use since the mid-1800s and earlier. Other terms he has coined, like legendarium and [[eucatastrophe]], are mainly used in connection with Tolkien's work.

== Works Inspired by Tolkien ==
In a 1951 letter to Milton Waldman, Tolkien writes about his intentions to create a "body of more or less connected legend", of which:
{{quote|The cycles should be linked to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands, wielding paint and music and drama.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', #131}}

The hands and minds of many artists have indeed been inspired by Tolkien's legends. Personally known to him were [[Pauline Baynes]] (Tolkien's favourite illustrator of ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'' and ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]'') and [[Donald Swann]] (who set the music to ''[[The Road Goes Ever On]]''). Queen [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margrethe_II_of_Denmark Margrethe II of Denmark] created illustrations to ''The Lord of the Rings'' in the early 1970s. She sent them to Tolkien, who was struck by the similarity to the style of his own drawings.

But Tolkien was not fond of all the artistic representation of his works that were produced in his lifetime, and was sometimes harshly disapproving.

In 1946, he rejects suggestions for illustrations by Horus Engels for the German edition of the ''Hobbit'' as ''"too Disnified"'',
{{quote|Bilbo with a dribbling nose, and Gandalf as a figure of vulgar fun rather than the Odinic wanderer that I think of.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', #107}}

He was sceptical of the emerging [[Tolkien fandom|fandom]] in the United States, and in 1954 he returned proposals for the dust jackets of the American edition of ''The Lord of the Rings'':
{{quote|Thank you for sending me the projected 'blurbs', which I return. The Americans are not as a rule at all amenable to criticism or correction; but I think their effort is so poor that I feel constrained to make some effort to improve it.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', #144}}

And in 1958, in an irritated reaction to a proposed movie adaptation of ''The Lord of the Rings'' by Morton Grady Zimmerman:
{{quote|I would ask them to make an effort of imagination sufficient to understand the irritation (and on occasion the resentment) of an author, who finds, increasingly as he proceeds, his work treated as it would seem carelessly in general, in places recklessly, and with no evident signs of any appreciation of what it is all about.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', #207}}

He went on to criticise the script scene by scene ("yet one more scene of screams and rather meaningless slashings"). But Tolkien was in principle open to the idea of a movie adaptation. He sold the film, stage and merchandise rights of ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'' to United Artists in 1968, while, guided by scepticism towards future productions, he forbade Disney should ever be involved:
{{quote|It might be advisable [...] to let the Americans do what seems good to them — as long as it was possible [...] to veto anything from or influenced by the Disney studios (for all whose works I have a heartfelt loathing).|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', #13}}

United Artists never made a film, though at least [[John Boorman]] was planning a film in the early seventies. It would have been a live-action film, which apparently would have been much more to Tolkien's liking than an animated film. In 1976 the rights were sold to [[Tolkien Enterprises]], a [[Saul Zaentz]] company, and the first movie adaptation (an animated rotoscoping film) of ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'' appeared only after Tolkien's death (in 1978, directed by [[Ralph Bakshi]]). The screenplay was written by the fantasy writer [[Peter S. Beagle]]. This first adaptation, however, only contained the first half of the story that is ''The Lord of the Rings''. In 1977 an animated TV production of ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit|The Hobbit]]'' was made by [[Rankin/Bass]], and in 1980 they produced an animated film titled ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'', which covered some of the portion of ''The Lord of the Rings'' that Bakshi was unable to complete. In 2001-3 ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'' was filmed in full and as a live-action film as a ''trilogy of films'' by [[Peter Jackson]].

== Bibliography ==
''See also [[Books|Books by J.R.R. Tolkien]]''
=== Fiction and Poetry ===
* 1936 ''Songs for the Philologists'', with [[E.V. Gordon]] et al.
* 1937 ''[[The Hobbit|The Hobbit or There and Back Again]]'', ISBN 0-618-00221-9 ([[Houghton Mifflin|HM]]).
* 1945 ''[[Leaf by Niggle]]'' (short story)
* 1945 ''[[The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun]]'', published in ''Welsh Review''
* 1949 ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]'' (medieval fable)
* 1953 ''[[The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelm's Son]]'' published with the essay ''Ofermod''
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''
** 1954 ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'': being the first part of ''The Lord of the Rings'', ISBN 0-618-00222-7 (HM).
** 1954 ''[[The Two Towers]]'': being the second part of ''The Lord of the Rings'', ISBN 0-618-00223-5 (HM).
** 1955 ''[[The Return of the King]]'': being the third part of ''The Lord of the Rings'', ISBN 0-618-00224-3 (HM).
* 1962 ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]] and Other Verses from the Red Book''
* 1967 ''[[The Road Goes Ever On]]'', with [[Donald Swann]]
* 1964 ''[[Tree and Leaf]]'' (''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'' and ''[[Leaf by Niggle]]'' in book form)
* 1966 ''The Tolkien Reader'' (''The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorthelm's Son'', ''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'', ''[[Leaf by Niggle]]'', ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]' and ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'')
* 1966 ''Tolkien on Tolkien'' (autobiographical)
* 1967 ''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]''

=== Academic Works ===
* 1922 ''A Middle English Vocabulary''
* 1924 ''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]]'' (with [[E.V. Gordon]])
* 1925 ''Some Contributions to Middle-English Lexicography''
* 1925 ''[[The Devil's Coach Horses]]''
* 1929 ''[[Ancrene Wisse and Hali Meiohad]]''
* 1932 ''The Name 'Nodens' '' (in: ''Report on the Excavation of the Prehistoric, Roman, and Post-Roman Site in Lydney Park, Gloucestershire''.)
* 1932/1935 ''[[Sigelwara Land]]'' parts I and II
* 1934 ''[[The Reeve's Prologue and Tale|The Reeve's Tale]]'' (rediscovery of dialect humour, introducing the Hengwrt manuscript into textual criticism of Chaucer's ''The Canterbury Tales'')
* 1936 ''[[Beowulf: the monsters and the critics|Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics]]'' (lecture on [[Beowulf]] criticism)
* 1939 ''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'' (Tolkien's philosophy on fantasy, given as the 1939 Andrew Lang lecture)
* 1944 ''[[Sir Orfeo]]'' (an edition of the medieval poem)
* 1947 ''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'' (essay, very central for understanding Tolkien's views on fastasy)
* 1953 ''Ofermod'', published with the poem ''The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth, Beorhthelm's Son''
* 1953 ''Middle English "Losenger"''
* 1962 ''[[Ancrene Wisse]]: The English Text of the Ancrene Riwle''
* 1963 ''English and Welsh''
* 1966 ''[[Jerusalem Bible]]'' (contributing translator and lexicographer)

=== Posthumous Publications ===
* 1975 Translations of ''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]]'', ''[[Pearl]]'' and ''[[Sir Orfeo]]''
* 1976 ''[[The Father Christmas Letters]]''
* 1977 ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' ISBN 0-618-12698-8 (HM).
* 1979 ''Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien''
* 1980 ''[[Unfinished Tales]] of Númenor and Middle-earth'' ISBN 0-618-15405-1 (HM).
* 1980 ''Poems and Stories'' (a compilation of ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'', ''The Homecoming of Beorhtnoth Beorhthelm's Son'', ''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'', ''[[Leaf by Niggle]]'', ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]'' and ''[[Smith of Wootton Major]]'')
* 1981 ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' (eds. [[Christopher Tolkien]] and [[Humphrey Carpenter]])
* 1981 ''The Old English Exodus Text''
* 1982 ''[[Finn and Hengest]]: The Fragment and the Episode''
* 1982 ''[[Mr. Bliss]]''
* 1983 ''[[The Monsters and the Critics]]'' (an essay collection)
** ''[[Beowulf: the monsters and the critics|Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics]]'' (1936)
** ''[[On Translating Beowulf]]'' (1940)
** ''[[On Fairy-Stories]]'' (1947)
** ''[[A Secret Vice]]'' (1930)
** ''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]]''
** ''[[English and Welsh]]'' (1955)
* 1983–1996 ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'':<ol type="I"><li>''[[The Book of Lost Tales 1]]'' (1983)</li><li>''[[The Book of Lost Tales 2]]'' (1984)</li><li>''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]'' (1985)</li><li>''[[The Shaping of Middle-earth]]'' (1986)</li><li>''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'' (1987)</li><li>''[[The Return of the Shadow]]'' (The History of ''The Lord of the Rings'' vol. 1) (1988)</li><li>''[[The Treason of Isengard]]'' (The History of ''The Lord of the Rings'' vol. 2) (1989)</li><li>''[[The War of the Ring]]'' (The History of ''The Lord of the Rings'' vol. 3) (1990)</li><li>''[[Sauron Defeated]]'' (The History of ''The Lord of the Rings'' vol. 4, including [[The Notion Club Papers]]) (1992)</li><li>''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'' (The Later Silmarillion vol. 1) (1993)</li><li>''[[The War of the Jewels]]'' (The Later Silmarillion vol. 2) (1994)</li><li>''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'' (1996)</li></ol>
** ''Index'' (2002)
* 1995 ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]'' (a compilation of Tolkien's art)
* 1998 ''[[Roverandom]]''
* 2002 ''Beowulf and the Critics'' ed. Michael D.C. Drout ("Beowulf: the monsters and the critics" together with editions of two drafts of the longer essay from which it was condensed.

=== Audio Recordings ===
* 1967 ''Poems and Songs of Middle-Earth'', Caedmon TC 1231
* 1975 ''J.R.R. Tolkien Reads and Sings his ''The Hobbit'' & ''The Lord of the Rings'', Caedmon TC 1477, TC 1478 (based on an August, 1952 recording by George Sayer)

==Other names==
J, John, Ronald, Tollers, JRsquared, Ruginwaldus Dwalakôneis, Arcastar, "Eisphorides Acribus Polyglotteus, orator Graecorum", N.N, Fisiologvs, Kingston Bagpuize, Oxymore, Raegnold Hraedmoding

== References ==
* ''Biography'': Carpenter, Humphrey (1977). ''J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography'', New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-04-928037-6
* ''Letters'': Carpenter, Humphrey and Tolkien, Christopher (eds.) (1981). ''The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien''. ISBN 0-618-05699-8
* ''HoME'': Tolkien, Christopher (ed.) (12 volumes, 1996-2002), ''The History of Middle-earth''

== Further Reading ==
A small selection of books about Tolkien and his works:
* Anderson, Douglas A., Michael D. C. Drout and Verlyn Flieger (eds.) (2004). ‘’Tolkien Studies’’, Vol 1
* Chance, Jane (ed.) (2003). ''Tolkien the Medievalist'', London, New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-415-28944-0
* Chance, Jane (ed.) (2004). ''Tolkien and the Invention of Myth, a Reader'', Louisville: University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-813-12301-1
* Flieger, Verlyn and Carl F. Hostetter (eds.) (2000). ''Tolkien's Legendarium: Essays on The History of Middle Earth'', Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-30530-7. DDC 823.912. LC PR6039.
* O'Neill, Timothy R. (1979). ''The Individuated Hobbit: Jung, Tolkien and the Archetypes of Middle-earth'', Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-395-28208-X
* Pearce, Joseph (1998). ''Tolkien: Man and Myth'', London: HarperCollinsPublishers. ISBN 000-274018-4
* Shippey, T. A. (2000). ''J.R.R. Tolkien — Author of the Century'', Boston, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0-618-12764-X, ISBN 0-618-25759-4 (pbk)
* Strachey, Barbara (1981). ''Journeys of Frodo: an Atlas of The Lord of the Rings'', London, Boston: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0-049-12016-6
* Tolkien, John & Priscilla (1992). ''The Tolkien Family Album'', London: HarperCollins. ISBN 0-26-110239-7
* White, Michael (2003). ''Tolkien: A Biography'', New American Library. ISBN 0451212428
* ''The Inklings: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams and Their Friends''. Humphrey Carpenter (1979), ISBN 0395276284
* ''The Inklings Handbook: The Lives, Thought and Writings of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Owen Barfield, and Their Friends''. Colin Duriez and David Porter (2001), ISBN 1902694139
* ''Finding God in the Lord of the Rings'''. Kurt D. Bruner and Jim Ware (2003), ISBN 084238555X
* ''Tolkien and C.S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship''. Colin Duriez (2003), ISBN 1587680262

==Notes==
# As described by Christopher Tolkien in ''Hervarar Saga ok Heidreks Konung'' (Oxford University, Trinity College). B. Litt. thesis. 1953/4. [Year uncertain], ''The Battle of the Goths and the Huns'', in: Saga-Book (University College, London, for the Viking Society for Northern Research) 14, part 3 (1955-6). See [http://www.tolkiensociety.org/tolkien/bibl4.html publications by and about Christopher Tolkien]

[[Category:Tolkien Family]]

The Children of Húrin

2007-03-22T23:29:32Z

The Lord Rhys: /* Press Release */

{{book|
title=The Children of Húrin|
image=[[Image:The Children of Hurin cover.jpg|225px]]|
author=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]], with illustrations by [[Alan Lee]]|
isbn=0618894640|
publisher=[[HarperCollins]], [[Houghton Mifflin]]|
date=April 17th, 2007|
format=Hardcover|
pages= 320|
amazon=http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618894640|
amazonprice=$17.16
}}

On September 18th, 2006 '''The Children of Húrin''' was announced. Set to be released on April 17th of 2007, the unfinished work edited by [[Christopher Tolkien]] will finally be released after 30 years of development. It will include 25 new black and white illustrations by [[Alan Lee]].

==Press Release==

'''Date:''' Mon, 18 Sep 2006

'''J.R.R. TOLKIEN'S THE CHILDREN OF HÚRIN TO BE PUBLISHED IN 2007'''

Houghton Mifflin has acquired US rights to publish the first complete book by J.R.R. Tolkien since the posthumous Silmarillion in 1977. HarperCollins UK acquired the project from The Tolkien Estate in a world rights deal. Presented for the first time as a fully continuous and standalone story, the epic tale of The Children of Húrin will reunite fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, dragons and Dwarves, and the rich landscape and characters unique to Tolkien.

The Children of Húrin, begun in 1918, was one of three "Great Tales" J.R.R. Tolkien worked on throughout his life, though he never realized his ambition to see it published. Though familiar to many fans from extracts and references within other Tolkien books, it has long been assumed that the story would forever remain an "unfinished tale". Now reconstructed by Christopher Tolkien, painstakingly editing together the complete work from his father's many drafts, this book is the culmination of a tireless thirty-year endeavor by him to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's vast body of unpublished work to a wide audience.

Christopher Tolkien said: "''It has seemed to me for a long time that there was a good case for presenting my father's long version of the legend of the Children of Húrin as an independent work, between its own covers, with a minimum of editorial presence, and above all in continuous narrative without gaps or interruptions, if this could be done without distortion or invention, despite the unfinished state in which he left some parts of it.''"

[[Image:Alan Lee - Beleg Departs Menegroth.jpg|150px|thumb|left|''Beleg Departs Menegroth'' by [[Alan Lee]].]]
Having drawn the distinctive maps for the original The Lord of the Rings more than 50 years ago, Christopher has also created a detailed new map for this book. In addition, it will include a jacket and color paintings by Alan Lee, illustrator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Centenary Edition and Oscar ® -winning designer of the film trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings was already acclaimed worldwide as the most popular book of the 20th Century before the blockbuster films in 2001-3 broke new ground and inspired millions more to read J.R.R. Tolkien's books -- an additional 50 million copies were sold, leaving new fans wanting more. The Children of Húrin will be published by [[HarperCollins]] UK in April 2007, and on the same day in the United
States by [[Houghton Mifflin]].

[[Image:Children-of-hurin-deluxe-edition-w-stamp.jpg |thumb|right|The Deluxe Edition]]
Victoria Barnsley, CEO and Publisher of HarperCollins Publishers UK said: "''This epic story of adventure, tragedy, fellowship and heroism stands as one of the finest expressions of J.R.R. Tolkien's skills as a storyteller. With a narrative as dramatic and powerful as anything contained within The Lord of the Rings , it can now be read and enjoyed as Tolkien originally intended, and will doubtless be a revelation for millions of fans around the world.'''"

Janet Silver, Vice President and Publisher of Houghton Mifflin, said, "''As J.R.R. Tolkien's original American publisher, dating back to The Hobbit, we are extremely proud to be bringing this project to Tolkien's devoted readership in the United States. Christopher Tolkien has done a great service in realizing his father's vision for The Children of Húrin.''"

==Contents==
:''From a preliminary copy''
* Preface (7)
* Introduction (13)
* Note on Pronunciation (28)
* Narn I Chin Húrin (31)
* The Tale of the Children of Húrin
::# [[The Childhood of Húrin]] (33)
::# [[The Battle of Unnumbered Tears]] (52)
::# [[The words of Húrin and Morgoth]] (61)
::# [[The Departure of Túrin]] (66)
::# [[Túrin in Doriath]] (80)
::# [[Túrin among the Outlaws]] (98)
::# [[Of Mîm the Dwarf]] (121)
::# [[The Land of Bow and Helm]] (141)
::# [[The Death of Beleg]] (151)
::# [[Túrin in Nargothrond]] (159)
::# [[The Fall of Nargothrond]] (171)
::# [[The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin]] (182)
::# [[The Coming of Túrin into Brethil]] (192)
::# [[The Journey of Morwen and Niënor to Nargothrond]] (198)
::# [[Niënor in Brethil]] (213)
::# [[The Coming of Glaurung]] (221)
::# [[The Death of Glaurung]] (234)
::# [[The Death of Túrin]] (248)
* Tables 261
* Genealogies:
::# The House of Hador & the people of Haleth (262)
::# The House of Bëor (263)
::# The princes of the Noldor (264)
* Appendix (265)
::# The Evolution of the Great Tales (267)
::# The Composition of the Text (281)
* List of Names (291)
* Note on the map (319)

==See also==
* [[The Children of Húrin Release Party]]

==External links==
* [http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/Children-of-Hurin-FAQ.htm Children of Húrin FAQ]
* [http://www.lotrplaza.com/forum/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=24&TopicID=207607 Discussion at LotRPlaza.com]
* [http://wormtalk.blogspot.com/2006/09/j.html Blog post by Michael Drout]
* [http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/childrenofhurin.htm Article on TolkienLibrary.com]

==Pre-order==
'''Regular edition'''
* [http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618894640/sr=8-1/qid=1170968587/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-2987979-0667618?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.com]
* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Hurin-Christopher-Tolkien/dp/0007246226 Amazon.co.uk]
* [http://www.amazon.ca/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007246226/sr=11-1/qid=1170986155/ref=sr_11_1/702-1711121-9420851 Amazon.ca]
'''Deluxe Edition'''
* [http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin-Deluxe-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618904417/sr=8-2/qid=1170968587/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-2987979-0667618?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.com]
* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007252234/sr=8-1/qid=1170968778/ref=pd_ka_1/203-1975989-7489551?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.co.uk]
* [http://www.amazon.ca/Children-Hurin-Deluxe-J-Tolkien/dp/0007252234/sr=8-1/qid=1170968875/ref=pd_ka_1/702-4168450-3416061?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.ca]

[[Category:Books by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:Books by Christopher Tolkien]]

The Children of Húrin

2007-03-22T23:27:51Z

The Lord Rhys:

{{book|
title=The Children of Húrin|
image=[[Image:The Children of Hurin cover.jpg|225px]]|
author=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]], with illustrations by [[Alan Lee]]|
isbn=0618894640|
publisher=[[HarperCollins]], [[Houghton Mifflin]]|
date=April 17th, 2007|
format=Hardcover|
pages= 320|
amazon=http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618894640|
amazonprice=$17.16
}}

On September 18th, 2006 '''The Children of Húrin''' was announced. Set to be released on April 17th of 2007, the unfinished work edited by [[Christopher Tolkien]] will finally be released after 30 years of development. It will include 25 new black and white illustrations by [[Alan Lee]].

==Press Release==

'''Date:''' Mon, 18 Sep 2006

'''J.R.R. TOLKIEN'S THE CHILDREN OF HÚRIN TO BE PUBLISHED IN 2007'''

Houghton Mifflin has acquired US rights to publish the first complete book by J.R.R. Tolkien since the posthumous Silmarillion in 1977. HarperCollins UK acquired the project from The Tolkien Estate in a world rights deal. Presented for the first time as a fully continuous and standalone story, the epic tale of The Children of Húrin will reunite fans of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings with Elves and Men, dragons and Dwarves, and the rich landscape and characters unique to Tolkien.

The Children of Húrin, begun in 1918, was one of three "Great Tales" J.R.R. Tolkien worked on throughout his life, though he never realized his ambition to see it published. Though familiar to many fans from extracts and references within other Tolkien books, it has long been assumed that the story would forever remain an "unfinished tale". Now reconstructed by Christopher Tolkien, painstakingly editing together the complete work from his father's many drafts, this book is the culmination of a tireless thirty-year endeavor by him to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's vast body of unpublished work to a wide audience.

Christopher Tolkien said: "''It has seemed to me for a long time that there was a good case for presenting my father's long version of the legend of the Children of Húrin as an independent work, between its own covers, with a minimum of editorial presence, and above all in continuous narrative without gaps or interruptions, if this could be done without distortion or invention, despite the unfinished state in which he left some parts of it.''"

[[Image:Alan Lee - Beleg Departs Menegroth.jpg|150px|thumb|left|''Beleg Departs Menegroth'' by [[Alan Lee]].]]
Having drawn the distinctive maps for the original The Lord of the Rings more than 50 years ago, Christopher has also created a detailed new map for this book. In addition, it will include a jacket and color paintings by Alan Lee, illustrator of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Centenary Edition and Oscar ® -winning designer of the film trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings was already acclaimed worldwide as the most popular book of the 20th Century before the blockbuster films in 2001-3 broke new ground and inspired millions more to read J.R.R. Tolkien's books -- an additional 50 million copies were sold, leaving new fans wanting more. The Children of Húrin will be published by [[HarperCollins]] UK in April 2007, and on the same day in the United
States by [[Houghton Mifflin]].

Victoria Barnsley, CEO and Publisher of HarperCollins Publishers UK said: "''This epic story of adventure, tragedy, fellowship and heroism stands as one of the finest expressions of J.R.R. Tolkien's skills as a storyteller. With a narrative as dramatic and powerful as anything contained within The Lord of the Rings , it can now be read and enjoyed as Tolkien originally intended, and will doubtless be a revelation for millions of fans around the world.'''"

[[Image:Children-of-hurin-deluxe-edition-w-stamp.jpg |thumb|right|The Deluxe Edition]]
Janet Silver, Vice President and Publisher of Houghton Mifflin, said, "''As J.R.R. Tolkien's original American publisher, dating back to The Hobbit, we are extremely proud to be bringing this project to Tolkien's devoted readership in the United States. Christopher Tolkien has done a great service in realizing his father's vision for The Children of Húrin.''"

==Contents==
:''From a preliminary copy''
* Preface (7)
* Introduction (13)
* Note on Pronunciation (28)
* Narn I Chin Húrin (31)
* The Tale of the Children of Húrin
::# [[The Childhood of Húrin]] (33)
::# [[The Battle of Unnumbered Tears]] (52)
::# [[The words of Húrin and Morgoth]] (61)
::# [[The Departure of Túrin]] (66)
::# [[Túrin in Doriath]] (80)
::# [[Túrin among the Outlaws]] (98)
::# [[Of Mîm the Dwarf]] (121)
::# [[The Land of Bow and Helm]] (141)
::# [[The Death of Beleg]] (151)
::# [[Túrin in Nargothrond]] (159)
::# [[The Fall of Nargothrond]] (171)
::# [[The Return of Túrin to Dor-lómin]] (182)
::# [[The Coming of Túrin into Brethil]] (192)
::# [[The Journey of Morwen and Niënor to Nargothrond]] (198)
::# [[Niënor in Brethil]] (213)
::# [[The Coming of Glaurung]] (221)
::# [[The Death of Glaurung]] (234)
::# [[The Death of Túrin]] (248)
* Tables 261
* Genealogies:
::# The House of Hador & the people of Haleth (262)
::# The House of Bëor (263)
::# The princes of the Noldor (264)
* Appendix (265)
::# The Evolution of the Great Tales (267)
::# The Composition of the Text (281)
* List of Names (291)
* Note on the map (319)

==See also==
* [[The Children of Húrin Release Party]]

==External links==
* [http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/Children-of-Hurin-FAQ.htm Children of Húrin FAQ]
* [http://www.lotrplaza.com/forum/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=24&TopicID=207607 Discussion at LotRPlaza.com]
* [http://wormtalk.blogspot.com/2006/09/j.html Blog post by Michael Drout]
* [http://www.tolkienlibrary.com/press/childrenofhurin.htm Article on TolkienLibrary.com]

==Pre-order==
'''Regular edition'''
* [http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618894640/sr=8-1/qid=1170968587/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-2987979-0667618?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.com]
* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Hurin-Christopher-Tolkien/dp/0007246226 Amazon.co.uk]
* [http://www.amazon.ca/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007246226/sr=11-1/qid=1170986155/ref=sr_11_1/702-1711121-9420851 Amazon.ca]
'''Deluxe Edition'''
* [http://www.amazon.com/Children-Hurin-Deluxe-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0618904417/sr=8-2/qid=1170968587/ref=pd_bbs_2/105-2987979-0667618?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.com]
* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Hurin-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0007252234/sr=8-1/qid=1170968778/ref=pd_ka_1/203-1975989-7489551?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.co.uk]
* [http://www.amazon.ca/Children-Hurin-Deluxe-J-Tolkien/dp/0007252234/sr=8-1/qid=1170968875/ref=pd_ka_1/702-4168450-3416061?ie=UTF8&s=books Amazon.ca]

[[Category:Books by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
[[Category:Books by Christopher Tolkien]]

Forums:Pictures

2007-02-15T23:50:26Z

The Lord Rhys:

<div style="background: #eee; border: 1px solid #aaa; padding: 5px">'''[[Main Page|Tolkien Gateway]] > [[Forum:Council|Council]] > {{PAGENAME}}'''</div> [[Category:Council]]


There are some pictures that I think shouldn't be on this website. The anime pictures by Felix Sotomayor are definatly not canon. See "Noldor" where there's pictures of some swords that apparently came out of nowhere. It annoys me. The "Middle-earth" page has an "extended map" which is largely fan-made, and thus I feel not to be appropiate on this webpage. Should they be taken off, or should there be (a) page(s) for fan created items?
--[[User:The Lord Rhys|The Lord Rhys]] 18:50, 15 February 2007 (EST)

Forums:Pictures

2007-02-15T23:50:04Z

The Lord Rhys:

<div style="background: #eee; border: 1px solid #aaa; padding: 5px">'''[[Main Page|Tolkien Gateway]] > [[Forum:Council|Council]] > {{PAGENAME}}'''</div> [[Category:Council]]


There are some pictures that I think shouldn't be on this website. The anime pictures by Felix Sotomayor are definatly not canon. See "Noldor" where there's pictures of some swords that apparently came out of nowhere. It annoys me. The "Middle-earth" page has an "extended map" which is largely fan-made, and thus I feel not to be appropiate on this webpage. Should they be taken off, or should there be (a) page(s) for fan created items?

Túrin Turambar

2007-02-09T16:17:49Z

The Lord Rhys: /* See Also */

''(For other characters see [[Túrin|Túrin (disambiguation)]])''

'''Túrin Turambar''' ([[First Age]] 463 – 499, aged 36 years) was a tragic hero (or anti-hero) of the First Age in the tale called ''[[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]'' ("The Tale of the Children of Húrin"). Unpublished drafts of the story, later edited by [[Christopher Tolkien]] and published in ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'' and ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'' series, tell the story in greater detail.

{{men infobox
|image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Mim Pleads For His Life.jpg|225px|''Mim Pleads For His Life'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
|name=Túrin Turambar
|othernames=Neithan, Gorthol, Agarwaen, Thurin, Adanedhel, Mormegil
|birth=[[First Age]] 463
|death=[[First Age]] 499
|race=[[Men]]
|gender=Male
|height=
|hair=
|eyes=
}}

== History ==
Túrin was the only son of [[Húrin Thalion]] and [[Morwen Eledhwen]]. He had a younger sister ''Urwen'' whom everyone called [[Lalaith, daughter of Húrin|Lalaith]], but she died in childhood of a plague. After Húrin was captured in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] ("Battle of Unnumbered Tears"), Túrin remained with his mother Morwen, who hid him from the [[Easterlings]] that [[Morgoth]] had sent to [[Hithlum]], fearing they would kill Túrin or enslave him. Unknown to Túrin, Morgoth had placed a curse on all of Húrin's family.

When Túrin was seven years old she sent him to [[Doriath]], where he was adopted by King [[Thingol]] as a son. After this Túrin's second sister, [[Nienor]] was born. Túrin was restless, and as soon as he was permitted he joined [[Beleg Cúthalion]] on the marches of Doriath, fighting the [[Orcs]] of Morgoth. He wore the [[Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin]], and the Orcs began to fear him more than any other.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Túrin Reaches the Abandoned Homestead.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''Túrin Reaches the Abandoned Homestead'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
Túrin accidentally caused the death of [[Saeros]], one of Thingol's counsellors who had provoked and attacked him. Before he could be either punished or forgiven he fled, eventually meeting up with a band of outlaws that dwelt south of the [[Forest of Brethil]]. There he identified himself only as '''''Neithan''''' ("The Wronged"). Túrin killed their leader, and became their leader in his place. During his rule he stopped the outlaws from raiding houses of Men, and only hunted Orcs.

In the meantime Beleg Cúthalion obtained leave by Thingol to seek out his friend. Beleg found Túrin's outlaws at Amon Rûdh and when he could not persuade his friend to leave the outlaws, he left to return to Doriath. While they were parted, and after such a long time living in the wild, Túrin's band captured [[Mîm]] the [[Petty-dwarves|Petty-dwarf]]. Mîm was forced to share his halls on [[Amon Rûdh]] with them.

At Doriath, Beleg asked to be able to join his friend. Thingol allowed this and also gave him the black sword [[Anglachel]], and [[Melian]] gave him ''[[lembas]]''. Beleg returned to Túrin that winter, healing those of the band that had become sick with cold. Beleg brought with him the Dragon-helm, and the area around Amon Rûdh became known as '''[[Dor-Cúarthol]]''', the "Land of Bow and Helm" (since Beleg was known as a mighty bowman). There Túrin took the name '''''Gorthol''''', "The Dread Helm". Many warriors joined them, and much of [[West Beleriand]] was freed from evil for a while.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Beleg is Slain.jpg|thumb|''Beleg is Slain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
Eventually Túrin was betrayed by Mîm, and he was captured and all his men slain. Beleg survived and rescued Túrin from the Orcs in [[Taur-nu-Fuin]] with the help of [[Gwindor]], an escaped slave of Morgoth, but Túrin accidentally killed Beleg with Beleg's sword Anglachel. Gwindor led Túrin, dazed, to the [[Pools of Ivrin]], where he came back to his senses.

Gwindor then led Túrin to [[Nargothrond]], where once he had lived. In Nargothrond Túrin hid his name, calling himself '''''Agarwaen, son of Úmarth''''' ("Bloodstained, son of Ill-fate"). He had Anglachel reforged and named it [[Gurthang]] ("Iron of Death"). [[Finduilas of Nargothrond|Finduilas]], daughter of [[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]], fell in love with him, but he avoided her because she had previously been the beloved of his friend Gwindor. Túrin declined to tell her his name, so that she called him '''''Thurin''''' ("The Secret"). He was also called '''''Adanedhel''''' ("Man-Elf") because he was so like an Elf, though he was human.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Túrin Bears Gwindor to Safety.jpg|thumb|250px|left|''Túrin Bears Gwindor to Safety'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
Túrin became a chief counsellor of the weak Orodreth, and was extremely influential in Nargothrond. He encouraged the Nargothrondrim to abandon their practice of secrecy, and they built a great bridge before the gates. Because of his prowess with Gurthang, he himself became known as '''''Mormegil''''' ("Black Sword").

Morgoth sent the [[Dragon]] [[Glaurung]] to Nargothrond. Túrin was caught by the powerful gaze of Glaurung, and stood by idly as Finduilas was dragged away, calling to him, a captive for Morgoth. Glaurung deceived him into believing Morwen and Nienor were suffering in Dor-lómin, and Túrin abandoned Finduilas to seek out his kin. In actuality Morwen and Nienor were safely in Doriath, as Túrin's own efforts had made the way passable.

Once in Dor-lómin, Túrin found his old home empty. He went to the halls of the Easterling lord [[Brodda]], who had taken Húrin's kinswoman [[Aerin]] as a wife and had taken Húrin's lands and possessions. From Aerin, Túrin learned that Morwen had left, and in his rage he killed Brodda, thereby also sealing Aerin's fate. As Túrin left again, Aerin burnt herself alive in her halls, and the remainder of the [[House of Hador]] now was persecuted even more cruelly.

Túrin next tried to find Finduilas, but by the time he picked up the Orc's trail he came too late: the woodsmen of Brethil informed him she had been killed as they had tried to rescue the prisoners of Nargothrond. Túrin collapsed on the mound she was buried in, and was brought to Brethil.

In Brethil Túrin again took up his life, now calling himself '''''Turambar''''' ("Master of Fate") in an act of bravado, deciding that his curse was now finally over. One day he found a naked young woman on Finduilas's grave, and calling her ''[[Níniel]]'' he later took her as his wife.

Túrin's happiness ended when Glaurung came near Brethil. Túrin with two others set out to kill the dragon, but he was the only one to reach the drake. With his black sword he killed Glaurung at [[Cabed-en-Aras]], but was hurt and fell in a swoon. As Níniel came to search for him, Glaurung with his last words revealed to her she was Túrin's sister. Horrified, Nienor Níniel killed herself.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Túrin Prepares to Take His Life.jpg|thumb|200px|''Túrin Prepares to Take His Life'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
When Túrin awoke he was told by [[Brandir]], lord of the [[Haladin]] of Brethil what had happened, and he killed Brandir, refusing to believe. When he learned from [[Mablung of the Heavy Hand|Mablung]] of Doriath who had come to seek him that Brandir had told the truth, he killed himself on Gurthang, his black sword. Túrin is one of the only characters in the [[Middle-earth]] legendarium to have committed suicide and several of the others are connected to his story.

Túrin was buried near Finduilas' grave, and on his tombstone the Haladin wrote in the [[Angerthas Daeron|Cirth of Doriath]]:

<blockquote>TÚRIN TURAMBAR DAGNIR GLAURUNGA<br>(''Túrin, Conqueror of Fate, Slayer of Glaurung'')</blockquote>

Beneath that they also wrote:

<blockquote>NIENOR NÍNIEL</blockquote>

though her body could not be found.

Morwen and Húrin later met at this site for the last time, and Morwen was also buried there. The mound they were buried beneath survived the [[War of Wrath]] and as [[Tol Morwen]] was the westernmost isle off the coast of [[Lindon]] in the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s.

It was prophesied by the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Mandos]] that at the end of time Morgoth would wage a final battle against the [[Valar]], the [[Final Battle]], and that Túrin Turambar would deliver the death blow, exterminating evil forever.

Túrin was a first cousin of [[Tuor]], father of [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]. There are many parallels between the circumstances of their lives (both lost their fathers in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, were raised in part by Elves, spent time as outlaws and as prisoners, and were war-leaders in the greatest [[Noldor|Noldorin]] fortresses), but the outcome of Tuor's life was quite different. (Even Túrin's coloring was dark, enhancing his resemblance to the Noldorin Elves but further setting him apart from his fair-haired cousin.) The two never actually met, but Tuor did once see his cousin in passing (not an everyday occurrence in the wilds of [[Beleriand]]).

Whether the tragedies in Túrin's life were the result of Morgoth's curse or of his own arrogance, or some combination of the two, is a subject of some debate among fans and scholars.

== Literary References ==
The supposed resemblance of Túrin to figures from medieval tales can be confirmed by part of a letter Tolkien wrote to Milton Waldman concerning the publication of his works:
{{quote|There is the ''Children of Húrin'', the tragic tale of Túrin Turambar and his sister Níniel — of which Túrin is the hero: a figure that might be said (by people who like that sort of thing, though it is not very useful) to be derived from elements in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigurd Sigurd the Volsung], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oedipus Oedipus], and the Finnish [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kullervo Kullervo].|[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]}}

== The Many Names of Túrin ==
* ''Neithan'' = "The Wronged"
* ''Gorthol'' = "The Dread Helm"
* ''Agarwaen, son of Úmarth'' = "Bloodstained, son of Ill-fate"
* ''Thurin'' = "The Secret"
* ''Adanedhel'' = "Man-Elf"
* ''Mormegil'' = "Black Sword"
* ''Turambar'' = "Master of Fate"

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Baragund]] [[Galdor of Dor-lómin|Galdor]] = [[Hareth]]
| |
| ______|______
| | |
| | |
[[Morwen Eledhwen|Morwen]] = [[Húrin Thalion|Húrin]] [[Huor]] = [[Rían]]
| |
______|_______ |
| | | |
| [[Lalaith, daughter of Húrin|Lalaith]] | |
| | |
'''TÚRIN''' = [[Nienor]] [[Tuor]] = [[Idril]]
|
|
[[Eärendil the Mariner]]
</code>

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Túrin Turambar|Images of Túrin Turambar]]
* [[The Children of Húrin]]

[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:House of Hador]]

Húrin Thalion

2007-02-09T16:16:45Z

The Lord Rhys: /* See Also */

''(For other characters see [[Húrin|Húrin (disambiguation)]])''
{{Pronounce|Hurin Thalion.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Húrin''' ([[First Age]] 439 – c. 500, aged c. 61 years), known as '''Thalion''' ("Steadfast"), was the eldest son of [[Galdor of Dor-lómin|Galdor]] and [[Hareth]], older brother of [[Huor]], father of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], and [[Lord of Dor-lómin]]. Húrin was captured by [[Morgoth]] at the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] ("Battle of Unnumbered Tears") and he and his kin were cursed by the Dark Lord. The curse led to some of the greatest succeses and tragedies of the First Age. [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] called him the greatest warrior of men in the First Age.

== Early Years ==
The grandson of [[Hador]], founder of the [[House of Hador]], was raised with his younger brother Huor in the forest of Brethil. In 458, the brothers joined a war party but were seperated and trapped in the Vale of Sirion. The Vala [[Ulmo]] caused a mist to rise and the two escaped into [[Dimbar]]. From there, [[Eagles]] flew them to the gates of the hidden city [[Gondolin]]. King [[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]] welcomed the brothers, remembering a prophecy that the children of Hador would aid Gondolin during its darkest hour. They remained with Turgon for a time and, after swearing an oath of secrecy, were returned to Dor-lómin sometime before 462.

== Lord of Dor-lómin ==
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Morgoth Punishes Húrin.jpg|thumb|''Morgoth Punishes Húrin'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
In 462 orcs invaded Hithlim and Galdor was slain defending the wells of [[Eithel Sirion]]. Húrin drove off the Orcs and returned to rule Dor-lómin. Two years later he married [[Morwen]] of the [[House of Bëor]]. Their son Túrin was born shortly thereafter, followed by a daughter, Urwen. Urwen, better known as Lalaith ("Laughter"), died of the plague when she was three.

In 472, the alliance known as [[Union of Maedhros]] led Elves, Dwarves, and Men to assault Morgoth in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] ("The Battle of Unnumbered Tears"). A debacle, High King Fingon and his host were seperated from the other half of the army and Fingon himself was slain by a [[Balrog]]. With their liege lord slain and facing a rout, Húrin and Huor convinced King Turgon to withdraw and keep the secret of Gondolin. To defend his escape, the soldiers of Dor-lómin formed a line across the [[Fen of Serech]] and were slaughtered by the forces of Morgoth. Huor was slain by an arrow through the eye, but Húrin fought on until he was buried under the weight of bodies of orcs and trolls.

Captured, Húrin was brought before Morgoth and tortured for the secret of Gondolin's location. When he would not break, Morgoth cursed him and all his kin. The Dark Lord then chained Húrin to a chair high on the slopes of [[Thangorodrim]] where, through Morgoth's sorcery, he could watch the tragedies that would befall his family.

== The Curse of Morgoth ==
For 28 years, Húrin watched the curse destroy his children. His daughter, [[Nienor Níniel]], was born shortly after his capture and was trapped in the doom of Túrin. Their actions also led to the destruction of [[Nargothrond]], one of the last kingdoms of the Noldor. Now only Gondolin remained.

In 499, after the death of his children, Morgoth freed Húrin. The broken man first returned to Dor-lómin, which was now ruled by Easterlings loyal to Morgoth. Finding none of his kin, he traveled with outlaws to the mountains of [[Echoriath]], searching for the entrance to Gondolin. At first Turgon refused him, but later recanted and sent Eagles to bring him to Gondolin. Húrin had already left for the Forest of Brethil, but Morgoth's curse had already ensnared Gondolin, for the Dark Lord's spies now knew the location of the [[Gondolin|Hidden Kingdom]].
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Húrin Finds Morwen.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Húrin Finds Morwen'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

In the Forest of Brethil he found the graves of his children. His wife, Morwen, arrived shortly thereafter, but died at the mound. After burying his wife, Húrin went to the settlement of [[Ephel Brandir]], the home of the [[People of Haleth]], with whom Túrin lived the last years of his life. Angry and grieving, he turned the People of Haleth against one another and ruined Ephel Brandir.

Taking the outlaws with him, Húrin continued on to the ruins of Nargothrond, where he found the [[Petty-dwarves|Petty-dwarf]] [[Mîm]]. The petty-dwarf had betrayed Túrin years ago and in revenge Húrin slaughtered him. Mîm had claimed the treasure of Nargothrond, and Húrin gathered it to take to [[Doriath]], the last great elvish kingdom.

Húrin was allowed to enter [[Menegroth]], the capital of Doriath, where in anger he threw the treasure before King [[Thingol]] and 'thanked' him for aiding his son. This infuriated the outlaws, who tried to take the gold back and were killed by Thingol's guards. Thingol's wife, [[Melian]], finally pierced through Húrin's madness and grief, and shamed by his actions, he left Menegroth a broken man. Húrin left the treasure, however, and the curse of Morgoth would later consume Doriath as well.

== Death and Legacy ==
Around First Age 500, Húrin reached the [[Great Sea]] and in dispair drowned himself. His life, and the lives of his children would become the ''[[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]'' ("Lay of the Children of Húrin"), one of the stories in the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''. An abbreviated version is also included in [[The Silmarillion]], entitled "Of Túrin Turambar". Yet another version, the "[[Wanderings of Húrin]]", detail the end of Húrin's life. The style, though, is radically different than the other two versions, and so was published separately in ''[[The War of the Jewels]]'', volume 11 of ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'' series.

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Baragund]] [[Galdor of Dor-lómin|Galdor]] = [[Hareth]]
| |
| ______|______
| | |
| | |
[[Morwen Eledhwen|Morwen]] = '''HÚRIN''' [[Huor]] = [[Rían]]
| |
______|_______ |
| | | |
| [[Lalaith, daughter of Húrin|Lalaith]] | |
| | |
[[Túrin Turambar|Túrin]] = [[Nienor]] [[Tuor]] = [[Idril]]
|
|
[[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]
</code>
{{sequence
|prev=[[Galdor of Dor-lómin|Galdor]]
|next=none (abandoned)
|list=3rd [[Lord of Dor-lómin]]<br><code>I</code> 462 – 472
}}
== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Húrin|Images of Húrin]]
* [[The Children of Húrin]]

[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:House of Hador]]

Nandor

2007-02-06T00:17:08Z

The Lord Rhys:

'''Nandor''' (singular '''Nando''') were [[Elves]] of [[Teleri|Telerin]] descent, who left the [[Great Journey]] from [[Cuiviénen]] to [[Valinor]] when the Elves reached the [[Misty Mountains]]. Under their leader [[Lenwë]] (''Dan'' in their own language), a group of Teleri turned south along the [[Anduin|Great River Anduin]], and disappeared from written history. ''Nandor'' eventually became their term for themselves, and meant "People of Dan" in their own language.

Many years later a group of Nandor under [[Denethor of the Nandor|Denethor]], son of [[Lenwë]], crossed the [[Blue Mountains]] into [[Ossiriand]], which was then called named [[Lindon]], or "Land of the Singers", after these Elves. They became known as the '''Laiquendi''' (singular ''Laiquendë'') or '''Green Elves'''.

The [[Silvan Elves]] of [[Mirkwood]] and [[Lothlórien]] were descended from the Nandor (but most of their lords were not), as were the Elves which dwelt at [[Edhellond]] near [[Dol Amroth]] during the early days of [[Gondor]].

[[Nandorin]], the language of the Nandor, gradually disappeared from [[Middle-earth]] after the end of the [[First Age]], when [[Sindar]]in elves merged with the Silvan folk and were taken as their lords. Nandorin/Silvan gradually became extinct, surviving only in placenames such as ''Laurelindórinan'' and ''Lindórinand'' (old names for [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lórien]]) and proper names such as [[Amroth]]. The daily tongue of the Silvan elves became [[Sindarin]], or Sindarin with some Silvan influences.

[[Category:Elves]]

Denethor (king of the Laiquendi)

2007-02-06T00:16:23Z

The Lord Rhys:

''(For other characters see [[Denethor|Denethor (disambiguation)]])''
{{Pronounce|Denethor.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Denethor''' (lived in the [[Years of the Trees]]) was the son of the [[Nandor]] [[Elf]] leader [[Lenwë]] (also known as Dan).

Centuries before the first rising of the [[Sun]], [[Orcs]] and other foul creatures of [[Morgoth]] began to harass the Nandor east of the [[Blue Mountains]]. Hearing of the power and protection of the Elf King [[Thingol]], Denethor led many of his people over the Blue Mountains into [[Beleriand]]. They settled in [[Ossiriand]], renaming it [[Lindon]], and Denethor became their king. They were called the ''[[Laiquendi]]'' ([[Quenya]] for "Green-elves").

Years later, [[Morgoth]] loosed an army on Beleriand, beginning the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] ("Battle under the Stars"). The lightly-armed Laiquendi were driven back to the great hill of [[Amon Ereb]], where Denethor was slain. While the Laiquendi survived, they became a reclusive people, seldom taking up arms, and never again naming a king.

[[Category:Nandor]]

Orodreth

2007-02-06T00:13:59Z

The Lord Rhys: /* Other Versions of the Legendarium */

''(See also [[Orodreth of Gondor]])''

'''Orodreth''' ([[Years of the Trees]] – [[First Age]] 495) was an [[Elves|Elf]] of the First Age, the son of [[Finarfin]] and younger brother of [[Finrod Felagund]]. [[Finduilas of Nargothrond|Finduilas]] was his daughter. After the death of Finrod, he was ruler of [[Nargothrond]].

His name in [[Quenya]] was '''Artaresto'''. Orodreth was born in [[Valinor]].

Orodreth held the isle of [[Minas Tirith in Beleriand|Minas Tirith]] in the vale of [[Sirion]] until [[Sauron]] overran the isle and turned it into [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Orodreth then fled south to Nargothrond.

When [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] came to Nargothrond, Finrod went with him on his quest for the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]]. However [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]] the [[Sons of Fëanor]] were also at Nargothrond, and forced Finrod to help Beren alone,without his people . Orodreth took up the crown, ruling as regent, but the [[Sons of Fëanor]] held the real power. Curufin called him "a dullard slow" in the [[Lay of Leithian]], and with his brother Celegorm plotted to take over Nargothrond if news came of Finrod's death.

When news came that Finrod had been killed and Sauron's isle destroyed, the Sons of Fëanor lost their power, for the people cried out that a maiden [[Luthien]] had done what the Sons of Fëanor had not (thrown down Sauron). Orodreth, who regained his power, spared their lives but expelled from Nargothrond, and became its leader.

When [[Túrin Turambar]] arrived in Nargothrond he gradually became Orodreth's closest councillor.Turin forced Orodreth and the people of Nargothrond to abandon the secretive warfare and declare open war against [[Morgoth]].However this led to the destruction of Nargothrond. He later died fighting the hosts of [[Morgoth]] and [[Glaurung]] the [[Dragons|Dragon]] in the [[Battle of Tumhalad]] during the [[Sack of Nargothrond]].

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Finarfin]] = [[Eärwen]]
|
_______________|___________________________
| | | | |
| | | | |
[[Finrod]] '''Orodreth''' [[Angrod]] [[Aegnor]] [[Galadriel]]
|
|
|
|
[[Finduilas of Nargothrond|Finduilas]]
</code>

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
In earlier versions of ''[[the Silmarillion]]'' legendarium as detailed in [[the History of Middle-earth]] series, Orodreth was a more important character, and the original king of Nargothrond. However his importance diminished over time.

In the published ''Silmarillion'', Orodreth is a son of Finarfin, with Quenya name '''Artanáro'''. In the earlier version Gil-galad, later High King of the Ñoldor, was his son, but in the published Silmarillion Gil-galad is made into [[Fingon]]'s son instead. An earlier idea was that Orodreth's son was named '''Hallas''', but Gil-galad replaced him.

In his last writings, Tolkien changed Orodreth's name to '''Artaher''' (Quenya) / '''Arothir''' (Sindarin), but it was never introduced in any narratives, so Christopher Tolkien left the name Orodreth unchanged. It is probable the Sindarin name Orodreth would have been retained nonetheless: Tolkien seldom changed names after they had long been used, even if only in unpublished writings.

[[Category:High Elves]]

Bolger family

2007-02-03T20:35:50Z

The Lord Rhys:

A Hobbit family of [[Fallohides|Fallohidish]] origin, associated with the village of [[Budgeford]], on [[The Water]] in the [[Eastfarthing]] of the [[Shire]]. In common with the [[Brandybuck Family|Brandybucks]] and the [[Took Family|Tooks]], the Bolgers had a penchant for heroic names, and so as well as [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar]] (the most important Bolger in Tolkien's work), we find such noble names as [[Fastolph Bolger|Fastolph]], [[Gundabald Bolger|Gundabald]] and [[Odovacar Bolger|Odovacar]].

== Bolger Family Tree ==

Gundolpho Bolger = Alfrida of the Yale
___________|_______________________________________________
| | |
Gundahar = Dina Diggle Rudolph = Cora Goodbody Gundahad
______|_______ | |
| | | |
Adalgar Adaldrida [[Fastolph Bolger|Fastolph]] [[Gundabald Bolger|Gundabald]]
| = = =
| Marmadoc Brandybuck Pansy Baggins Salvia Brandybuck
|_______________________________________ |
| | | |
Rudigar Rudibert Ruby Theobald
= = = =
Belba Baggins Amethyst Hornblower Fosco Baggins Nina Lightfoot
| | |
Hurugar Adalbert = Gerda Boffin Wilibald
= | =
Jessamine Boffin | Prisca Baggins
| | _____|___________
[[Odovacar Bolger|Odovacar]] = Rosamunda Took Filibert = Poppy Chub-Baggins | | |
| | | |
[[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar]] Wilimar Heribald Nora

[[Category:Hobbits]][[Category:Bolger]]

Bolger family

2007-02-03T20:34:53Z

The Lord Rhys:

A Hobbit family of [[Fallohides|Fallohidish]] origin, associated with the village of [[Budgeford]], on [[The Water]] in the [[Eastfarthing]] of the [[Shire]]. In common with the [[Brandybuck Family|Brandybucks]] and the [[Took Family|Tooks]], the Bolgers had a penchant for heroic names, and so as well as [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar]] (the most important Bolger in Tolkien's work), we find such noble names as [[Fastolph Bolger|Fastolph]], [[Gundabald Bolger|Gundabald]] and [[Odovacar Bolger|Odovacar]].

== Bolger Family Tree ==

Gundolpho Bolger = Alfrida of the Yale
___________|_______________________________________________
| | |
Gundahar = Dina Diggle Rudolph = Cora Goodbody Gundahad
______|_______ | |
| | | |
Adalgar Adaldrida [[Fastolph Bolger|Fastolph]] [[Gundabald Bolger|Gundabald]]
| = = =
| Marmadoc Brandybuck Pansy Baggins Salvia Brandybuck
|_______________________________________ |
| | | |
Rudigar Rudibert Ruby Theobald
= = = =
Belba Baggins Amethyst Hornblower Fosco Baggins Nina Lightfoot
| | |
Hurugar Adalbert = Gerda Boffin Wilibald
= | =
Jessamine Boffin | Prisca Baggins
| | _____|___________
[[Odavacar Bolger|Odovacar]] = Rosamunda Took Filibert = Poppy Chub-Baggins | | |
| | | |
[[Fredgar Bolger|Fredegar]] Wilimar Heribald Nora

[[Category:Hobbits]][[Category:Bolger]]

Bolger family

2007-02-03T20:33:19Z

The Lord Rhys:

A Hobbit family of [[Fallohides|Fallohidish]] origin, associated with the village of [[Budgeford]], on [[The Water]] in the [[Eastfarthing]] of the [[Shire]]. In common with the [[Brandybuck Family|Brandybucks]] and the [[Took Family|Tooks]], the Bolgers had a penchant for heroic names, and so as well as [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar]] (the most important Bolger in Tolkien's work), we find such noble names as [[Fastolph Bolger|Fastolph]], [[Gundabald Bolger|Gundabald]] and [[Odovacar Bolger|Odovacar]].

== Bolger Family Tree ==

Gundolpho Bolger = Alfrida of the Yale
___________|_______________________________________________
| | |
Gundahar = Dina Diggle Rudolph = Cora Goodbody Gundahad
______|_______ | |
| | | |
Adalgar Adaldrida [[Fastolph]] [[Gundabald]]
| = = =
| Marmadoc Brandybuck Pansy Baggins Salvia Brandybuck
|_______________________________________ |
| | | |
Rudigar Rudibert Ruby Theobald
= = = =
Belba Baggins Amethyst Hornblower Fosco Baggins Nina Lightfoot
| | |
Hurugar Adalbert = Gerda Boffin Wilibald
= | =
Jessamine Boffin | Prisca Baggins
| | _____|___________
[[Odovacar]] = Rosamunda Took Filibert = Poppy Chub-Baggins | | |
| | | |
[[Fredegar]] Wilimar Heribald Nora

[[Category:Hobbits]][[Category:Bolger]]

Bolger family

2007-02-03T20:31:52Z

The Lord Rhys:

A Hobbit family of [[Fallohides|Fallohidish]] origin, associated with the village of [[Budgeford]], on [[The Water]] in the [[Eastfarthing]] of the [[Shire]]. In common with the [[Brandybuck Family|Brandybucks]] and the [[Took Family|Tooks]], the Bolgers had a penchant for heroic names, and so as well as [[Fredegar Bolger|Fredegar]] (the most important Bolger in Tolkien's work), we find such noble names as [[Fastolph Bolger|Fastolph]], [[Gundabald Bolger|Gundabald]] and [[Odovacar Bolger|Odovacar]].

== Bolger Family Tree ==

Gundolpho Bolger = Alfrida of the Yale
___________|_______________________________________________
| | |
Gundahar = Dina Diggle Rudolph = Cora Goodbody Gundahad
______|_______ | |
| | | |
Adalgar Adaldrida Fastolph Gundabald
| = = =
| Marmadoc Brandybuck Pansy Baggins Salvia Brandybuck
|_______________________________________ |
| | | |
Rudigar Rudibert Ruby Theobald
= = = =
Belba Baggins Amethyst Hornblower Fosco Baggins Nina Lightfoot
| | |
Hurugar Adalbert = Gerda Boffin Wilibald
= | =
Jessamine Boffin | Prisca Baggins
| | _____|___________
Odovacar = Rosamunda Took Filibert = Poppy Chub-Baggins | | |
| | | |
Fredegar Wilimar Heribald Nora

[[Category:Hobbits]][[Category:Bolger]]

Eldarion

2007-02-03T18:59:45Z

The Lord Rhys:

{{royalty infobox
| image=[[Image:Eldarion from Peter Jackson's The Return of the King.jpg|250px]]
| name= Eldarion
| othernames=[[Scion of the Eldar]]
| birth=Possibly around [[Fourth Age 20]]
| rule= IV 120
| death=Possibly around [[Fourth Age 220]]
| age=
| realms= [[Gondor]], [[Arnor]] (the [[Reunited Kingdom]])
| race=[[Men]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
|}}
'''Eldarion''' was the only recorded son of [[Arwen]] and [[Aragorn]]. He was born in the [[Fourth Age]], and became King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] after his father died. He was also recorded to have several sisters.

"Eldarion" means "Scion of Elves".

The unfinished story ''[[The New Shadow]]'' hints at a renewal of [[Morgoth]]-worship during his reign.

In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]], Arwen is on her way to the [[Grey Havens]] to leave Middle-earth and Aragorn when she has a vision of Eldarion (although not named in the film), which persuades her to stay. This is a major departure from the events in the novel. Eldarion is played in the film by [[Sadwyn Brophy]].

== Genealogy ==

[[Eärendil]] = [[Elwing]]
_______|__________________
| |
[[Elrond]] = [[Celebrían]] [[Elros]]
| :
| [[Kings of Númenor]]
| :
| [[Lords of Andúnië]]
| :
| [[Kings of Arnor]]
| :
| [[Aranarth]]
| :---------------
| : :
| [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] :
| : :
| : [[Dírhael]] = [[Ivorwen]]
| : |
| [[Arathorn II]] = [[Gilraen]]
| |
[[Arwen]] = [[Aragorn II]]
|
Eldarion

[[Category:Dúnedain]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Rulers of Arnor]]

Eldarion

2007-02-03T18:56:41Z

The Lord Rhys:

{{royalty infobox
| image=[[Image:Eldarion from Peter Jackson's The Return of the King.jpg|250px]]
| name= Eldarion
| othernames=[[Scion of the Eldar]]
| birth=Possibly around [[Fourth Age 20]]
| rule= IV 120
| death=Possibly around [[Fourth Age 220]]
| age=
| realms= [[Gondor]], [[Arnor]] (the [[Reunited Kingdom]])
| race=[[Men]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
|}}
'''Eldarion''' was the only recorded son of [[Arwen]] and [[Aragorn]]. He was born in the [[Fourth Age]], and became King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] after his father died. He was also recorded to have several sisters.

"Eldarion" means "Scion of Elves".

The unfinished story ''[[The New Shadow]]'' hints at a renewal of [[Morgoth]]-worship during his reign.

In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]], Arwen is on her way to the [[Grey Havens]] to leave Middle-earth and Aragorn when she has a vision of Eldarion (although not named in the film), which persuades her to stay. This is a major departure from the events in the novel. Eldarion is played in the film by [[Sadwyn Brophy]].

== Genealogy ==
Eärendil = Elwing
______|___________________
| |
Elrond = Celebrían Elros
| :
| Kings of Númenor
| :
| Lords of Andúnië
| :
| Kings of Arnor
| :
| Aranarth
| :---------------
| : :
| Chieftains of the Dúnedain :
| : :
| : Dírhael = Ivorwen
| : |
| Arathorn II = Gilraen
| |
Arwen = Aragorn II
|
Eldarion

[[Category:Dúnedain]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Rulers of Arnor]]

King of Eagles

2007-01-31T01:51:03Z

The Lord Rhys:

'''King of Eagles''' was a title given to [[Thorondor]], the gigantic and noble eagle of the [[First Age]], whose talons wounded the face of [[Morgoth]] himself. [[Thorondor]] dwelt among the peaks of the [[Crissaegrim]], guarding [[Turgon]]'s Hidden City of [[Gondolin]] from the forces of Morgoth until that city's Fall, and he came to the aid of the [[Elves]] many times during the First Age.

In [[The Hobbit]], we meet a character who carries the title 'Lord of Eagles', a title that was also borne by Thorondor in the [[Elder Days]]. Whether the title of 'King of Eagles' was also passed down through the Ages like this cannot be known - in [[Tolkien]]'s other writings, it is only ever used of Thorondor himself.

Elros Tar-Minyatur

2006-12-26T23:19:15Z

The Lord Rhys:

{{Royalty infobox
| image=
| name= Tar-Minyatur
| othernames= Elros, Gimilzôr
| birth= [[First Age|I]] 525
| rule= [[Second Age|II]] 32
| death= II 442
| realms= [[Númenor]]
| race= [[Men]] ([[Edain]]/[[Dúnedain]])
| gender= Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
|}}

'''Elros''' was the son [[Eärendil the Mariner]], the great hero of the [[First Age]], and his wife [[Elwing]]. He was the twin brother of [[Elrond]] and both were [[Half-elven]]. The Valar gave Elros and his brother the choice to become mortal [[Men]] or immortal like the [[Elves]]. While Elrond became an Elf, Elros chose to be a Man. He would become a lord of the [[Edain]] and the first [[King of Númenor]], taking the name '''Tar-Minyatur'''.

== History ==
Elros and Elrond were born in the [[Havens of Sirion]] during the darkest days of the First Age, when the forces of [[Morgoth]] controlled most of [[Beleriand]]. When the twins were just four years old, the [[Sons of Fëanor]], bound by their [[Oath of Fëanor|Oath]], assaulted the Havens since they desired the [[Silmaril]] held by Eärendil. Elros' father was at sea, and Elwing barely escaped with the Silmaril, but the twins were captured. [[Maedhros]] and [[Maglor]], the only Sons of Fëanor to repudiate their deeds, protected them through the end of the First Age.

After the [[War of Wrath]] and the destruction of Beleriand, the twins chose their race and fate. Elros, having chosen Manhood, was now by right a lord of the [[Edain]]. He led his people across the [[Great Sea]], guided by [[Star of Eärendil]] his father, to the land the Valar had prepared for the Edain as a reward for their struggle against Morgoth. They arrived at [[Elenna]], a large island in the western part of the [[Great Sea]], soon after the beginning of the [[Second Age]]. Elenna was the closest of mortal lands to the [[Blessed Realm]], though Men were [[Ban of the Valar|forbidden to go]] any further west than Elenna. However, the Valar gave the Edain substantially longer lifespans than most Men had, and Elros and his descendants had the longest lives of all the people.

Elros became the first [[King of Númenor|King]] of the realm of [[Númenor]] in the year 32 of the Second Age. He took a royal name in [[Quenya]], ''Tar-Minyatur'', thus setting a tradition of Quenya being the royal language of the isle, even though the common tongue was [[Adûnaic]]. He brought with him the [[Ring of Barahir]], the [[Dramborleg|Axe of Tuor]], and [[Thingol]]'s sword [[Aranrúth]] as family heirlooms. Throughout his reign the kingdom received gifts from the Elves of [[Tol Eressëa]], including flowers from the gardens of [[Yavanna]] and a seed from [[Celeborn, White Tree|Celeborn]]. This was the beginning of the Númenóreans' long friendship with the Elves of the West, a relationship that would define the future of Númenor.

Tar-Minyatur had four children: three sons, [[Vardamir Nólimon]], [[Manwendil]], and [[Atanalcar]]; and one daughter, [[Tindómiel]]. After living five centuries, and ruling Númenor for 410 years, Tar-Minyatur died and his son Vardamir Nólimon took up the [[Sceptre]] of Númenor as [[Tar-Vardamir]]. But because Elros had lived so long, Tar-Vardamir was already old, and was thus only a titular King: he immediately surrendered the Sceptre to his son, [[Tar-Amandil]].

== Etymology ==
Elros' name may mean "Elf of the Spray", based on a tale from his early childhood. The [[Sons of Fëanor]] abducted Elros and his brother Elrond, but when [[Maedhros]] found them they were playing in a forest waterfall. In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', however, editor [[Christopher Tolkien]] interprets Elros as meaning "Star-foam".

Elros' royal name, Tar-Minyatur, is [[Quenya]] for "High First-Lord" (from ''tar'' "high", ''minya'' "first", ''tur'' "master, lord"). All the Kings after Elros who took their names in Quenya also used the prefix ''tar-'' in their royal names.

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]] = [[Elwing]]
|
____________|____________
| |
| |
'''ELROS TAR-MINYATUR''' [[Elrond]]
|
____________________|_________________
| | | |
| | | |
[[Vardamir Nólimon]] [[Tindómiel]] [[Manwendil]] [[Atanalcar]]
|
|
[[Tar-Amandil]]
</code>
{{sequence
|prev=none
|next=[[Tar-Vardamir]]
|list=1st [[King of Númenor]]<br><code>II</code> 32 – 442
}}

== See Also ==
*Twins

[[Category:Half-elven]]
[[Category:Númenóreans]]
[[Category:Rulers of Númenor]]

Elrond

2006-12-26T23:17:56Z

The Lord Rhys:

{{royalty infobox
| image=[[Image:Elrond.jpg|250px]]
| name= Elrond
| othernames=
| birth=
| rule=
| death= Passed on to [[Valinor]] in III 3021
| realms= [[Rivendell]]
| race=[[Elves|Half-Elf]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Brown
| eyes=
|}}
'''Elrond''' was one of the greatest [[Elves]] in the history of [[Middle-earth]] and one of the few characters to appear in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[The Hobbit]]'', and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. His name means “Star-dome,” which according to one account he received because in his youth he was playing in a cave underneath a waterfall. He was also a master of healing in his time. He held the great elven ring [[Vilya]].

== Elrond in the First and Second Ages ==
Elrond was born at the [[Havens of Sirion]] late in the [[First Age]]. His parents were [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]] and [[Elwing]]. He was thus [[Half-elven]]: Eärendil was the child of the mortal [[Tuor]] and the elf [[Idril]], while Elwing was the grandchild of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] (a human) and [[Lúthien]] (daughter of the Elf-king [[Thingol]] and the Maia [[Melian]]). Consequently, Elrond was descended from all three tribes of the Elves ([[Vanyar]] and [[Noldor]] through Idril, [[Sindar]] through Luthien), a Maia, and the [[Edain]]. Elrond had a twin brother, [[Elros]], who later became the first king of [[Númenor]].

When the [[Sons of Fëanor]] attacked the Havens of Sirion, Elrond and his brother were taken captive by Maglor, and were subsequently raised by him. Following the [[War of Wrath]], because of his Half-elven heritage the [[Valar]] gave Elrond and his brother a choice whether to be counted among the kindred of Elves or of Men. Elrond chose to belong to the Firstborn, while Elros chose to become mortal. Elrond subsequently remained in [[Lindon]] with [[Gil-galad]], where he became known as a healer and loremaster.

When [[Sauron]] (disguised in his fair form as [[Annatar]]) came seeking entrance to Lindon during the Second Age, Elrond and Gil-galad sensed that he was not what he seemed, and denied him. Later, in Second Age 1697 during the wars of the Elves against Sauron, Elrond founded the refuge of [[Imladris]], also known as [[Rivendell]].

Elrond marched with Gil-galad and [[Elendil]] during the [[War of the Last Alliance]], serving as Gil-galad’s herald. He was present during the last battle of that war, witnessing the deaths of Gil-galad and Elendil. At the conclusion of that battle, when [[Isildur]] cut the [[One Ring]] from Sauron’s hand he and [[Círdan]] advised Isildur to destroy the Ring, but Isildur refused their counsel. Elrond subsequently returned to Rivendell, which prospered the coming years with the aid of the Ring of Air, [[Vilya]], that Elrond had received from Gil-galad. It has been argued that following Gil-galad’s death, Elrond had the right to become High King of the Noldor, but he never claimed the title.

== Elrond in the Third Age ==
Following Isildur’s death, Elrond received the shards of [[Narsil]], which he preserved for many years. He began his long tradition of fostering the heirs of Isildur by helping to raise Isildur’s son [[Valandil]], who had been left in Rivendell during the War of the Last Alliance. Centuries later, when the Northern Kingdom fell, Elrond took the other heirlooms of Arnor (the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]] and the [[Ring of Barahir]]) into his keeping, holding them for the one who would eventually be able to reclaim the throne of [[Arnor]].

In Third Age 109, Elrond married [[Celebrían]], the daughter of [[Galadriel]] and [[Celeborn, Lord of Lórien|Celeborn]]. Their first children, the twins [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], were born in 130, and their daughter [[Arwen]] in 241.

In 2933, Elrond took [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] as his foster-son in Rivendell, naming him ''Estel'' ("Hope") and concealing his heritage from him until he came of age. When Aragorn became an adult, Elrond gave him the Ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil, foreseeing that Aragorn might be the one to claim the thrones of Gondor and Arnor. When Aragorn fell in love with Arwen, Elrond revealed to him that Arwen shared the choice of the Half-elven, and that one or the other of them would ultimately be parted from her forever. Elrond insisted that Arwen could not marry Aragorn until he became king of both Gondor and Arnor.

== Elrond in ''The Hobbit'' ==
In ''The Hobbit'', Elrond played a minor but significant role. During [[Thorin and Company]]’s stay in Rivendell, Elrond read the runes on the swords [[Orcrist]] and [[Glamdring]], identifying them as coming from [[Gondolin]]. He also read the [[moon-letters]] on Thorin’s [[Thrór's Map]], providing the information the Dwarves and Bilbo need to enter the [[Lonely Mountain]].

In ''The Hobbit'', it is said of Elrond that he “was an elf-friend — one of those people whose fathers came into the strange stories before the beginning of History, the wars of the evil goblins and the elves and the first men in the North. In those days of our tale there were still some people who had both elves and heroes of the North for ancestors, and Elrond the master of the house was their chief. He was as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer.” ([[A Short Rest]]) Note that in this description he is not identified as an elf himself, as Tolkien had not at this stage decided that Elrond of Rivendell was the same person as Elrond the son of Earendil.

== Elrond in ''The Lord of the Rings'' ==
When [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] first leaves the Shire with the One Ring, it is always his intention to go to Rivendell to seek the advice of Elrond. Indeed, in his letter left at Bree, Gandalf counsels him to do so. Elrond’s first role in ''The Lord of the Rings'' is to heal Frodo of his wound sustained at [[Weathertop]]. Elrond then hosts the feast that is held when Frodo recovers. The description given of Elrond at that feast tells us that “the face of Elrond was ageless, neither old nor young, though in it was written the memory of many things both glad and sorrowful. His hair was dark as the shadows of twilight, and upon it was set a circlet of silver; his eyes were grey as a clear evening, and in them was a light like the light of stars. Venerable he seemed as a king crowned with many winters, and yet hale as a tried warrior in the fulness of his strength. He was the Lord of Rivendell and mighty among both Elves and Men.” ([[Many Meetings]])

Elrond’s principal role, of course, is as the leader of the [[Council of Elrond]]. During that meeting, he narrates what he knows of the history of Isildur and the Ring. He identifies Aragorn as Isildur’s Heir, and when Frodo ultimately volunteers to carry the Ring, Elrond affirms that decision as correct. Elrond also appears to have selected the members of the Fellowship other than Frodo and [[Sam]], accepting [[Merry]] and [[Pippin]] only reluctantly.

Later, Elrond sends his sons Elladan and Elrohir to join the [[Dunedain]] Rangers who ride to Rohan to join Aragorn. Through Elrohir, Elrond advises Aragorn to take the [[Paths of the Dead]]. During the [[The Last Debate|Last Debate]], Elrohir supports Aragorn’s decision to attack Mordor as a diversion to allow Frodo time to reach Mount Doom, saying that this was Elrond’s advice. Following the [[War of the Ring]], Elrond escorts Arwen to Minas Tirith for her marriage to Aragorn, and parts from her in great sorrow.

At the end of the story, Elrond is one of the Elves who takes ship to [[Valinor]] along with Frodo and the other Ringbearers. The Third Age is held to have ended with Elrond’s departure.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
<gallery>
Image:Elrond, Lord of Rivendell.jpg|[[Hugo Weaving]] as Elrond from [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]
Image:Elrond from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg|Elrond as portrayed in [[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]
Image:Elrond from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|Elrond as portrayed in [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]
</gallery>
In the BBC's 1981 radio serialization of [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|The Lord of the Rings]], Elrond is voiced by [[Hugh Dickson]].

In the [[Rankin/Bass]] animated version of [[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit|The Hobbit]], Elrond is voiced by [[Cyril Ritchard]].

[[André Morell]] was the voice of Elrond in [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]], Elrond is played by [[Hugo Weaving]]. His role in the movie is expanded beyond his role in the book, and the character appears in each of the three movies.

In [[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]], Elrond first appears in the Prologue as a commander of the army of Elves in the War of the Last Alliance. A later flashback scene shows him actually taking Isildur into [[Mount Doom]], trying to persuade him to destroy the Ring. This scene is strongly paralleled in [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]] when Frodo attempts to destroy the Ring, with Sam using some of the same words Elrond did in the earlier scene.

As in the book, Elrond heals Frodo’s wound from Weathertop. Elrond then has a conversation with Gandalf, discussing the many challenges that face them. Elrond argues that the Ring cannot remain in Rivendell (in the movie, Frodo appears to have thought that he would be able to leave the Ring there). He also expresses his doubts about the race of Men, and gives the first hints about Aragorn’s real identity. In the Council of Elrond, Elrond himself is the one who argues that the only option is to destroy the Ring. He does not select the Fellowship, but accepts those who volunteer.

Elrond gains two additional scenes in the Extended Edition of the movie. In the first, he talks with Aragorn beside the grave of Aragorn’s mother. Elrond encourages the reluctant Aragorn to accept his fate of becoming king. In the next scene, Elrond blesses the departing Fellowship.

In [[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers|The Two Towers]], Elrond is mainly appears in scenes involving Arwen. In a flashback, Aragorn remembers Elrond telling him to abandon his love for Arwen, allowing her to sail to Valinor. Aragorn attempts to do this, but Arwen denies him. In another scene, Elrond persuades Arwen that she should sail to Valinor, describing what will happen if she remains and Aragorn dies. Elrond then has a telepathic communication with Galadriel discussing the war that is beginning. He apparently suggests that she send an army to [[Helm’s Deep]] to aid the Men there, since when [[Haldir of Lórien|Haldir]] arrives at Helm’s Deep he says that he brings “word from Elrond of Rivendell.”

In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]], Elrond’s first scene is with Arwen, who has decided not to sail after all, but to return. Although he senses that she is dying Elrond acknowledges her choice. At her suggestion, he has the shards of Narsil re-forged, then carries the new sword to Aragorn at [[Dunharrow]]. He finally convinces Aragorn to accept his destiny, and advises him to take the Paths of the Dead. Later, Elrond escorts Arwen to [[Minas Tirith in Gondor|Minas Tirith]] for her wedding, and he finally sails to Valinor with the Ringbearers.

== See Also ==
* '''[[:Category:Images of Elrond|Images of Elrond]]'''
* [[Elrond, Herald of Gil-Galad polystone bust]]
* [[Twins]]

[[Category:Half-elven]]
[[Category:Noldor]]

Samwise Gamgee

2006-11-15T01:17:05Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|thumb|[[Sean Astin]] as Samwise Gamgee in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] trilogy]]
'''Samwise Gamgee''' ([[Third Age]] April 6, 2983 – [[Fourth Age]] 61, [[Shire Reckoning]] 1383 – 1482, aged 99 years when he sailed into the [[West]]) was [[Frodo Baggins]]' servant who proved to be the most loyal of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

== History ==
A gardener by trade, Sam seems to be a simple [[Hobbit]] of plain speech. However, his love for [[Elves]], his gift for poetry, and his belief that the world contains greater wonders than most hobbits are aware of (all nurtured by his tutor [[Bilbo Baggins]]) set him apart from the beginning. It is Sam who first introduces the theme of the Elves' sailing from Middle-earth, a subtle foreshadowing of Bilbo and Frodo's final journey across the Sea. He lives with his father, Hamfast Gamgee, known as "[[The Gaffer]]", on [[Bagshot Row]] in the [[Shire]], close to [[Bag End]]. Sam's mother is [[Bell Goodchild]]; he has five siblings: [[Hamson Gamgee|Hamson]], [[Halfred Gamgee|Halfred]], [[Daisy Gamgee|Daisy]], [[May Gamgee|May]], and [[Marigold Gamgee|Marigold]].

As "punishment" for eavesdropping on [[Gandalf]]'s conversation with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] regarding the dangers of the [[One Ring]], Sam is made Frodo's first companion on his journey to [[Rivendell]] in the beginning of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Sam saves Frodo's life more than once during the quest to destroy the Ring, and he accompanies him all the way to [[Mount Doom]].

After [[Shelob]] attacks and seemingly kills Frodo, Sam takes the Ring, intending to complete the quest. Because he holds the Ring for a time, he is considered one of the [[Ring-bearers]].

After the War of the Ring, he marries [[Rose Cotton|Rose "Rosie" Cotton]] back in the Shire. They have thirteen children: [[Elanor Gardner|Elanor the Fair]], [[Frodo Gardner|Frodo]], [[Rose Gardner|Rose]], [[Merry Gardner|Merry]], [[Pippin Gardner|Pippin]], [[Goldilocks Gardner|Goldilocks]], [[Hamfast Gardner|Hamfast]], [[Daisy Gardner|Daisy]], [[Primrose Gardner|Primrose]], [[Bilbo Gardner|Bilbo]], [[Ruby Gardner|Ruby]], [[Robin Gardner|Robin]], and [[Tolman Gardner|Tolman]]. After [[Will Whitfoot]] resigns his post as [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] (the largest town in the Shire and the "unofficial capital"), in Fourth Age 7, Sam is elected Mayor of the Shire for seven consecutive 7-year terms.

After his wife dies in Fourth Age 61, Sam entrusts the [[Red Book of Westmarch|Red Book]] to Elanor and leaves Middle-earth to sail across the Sea and be reunited with Frodo in the [[Undying Lands]], though they would eventually die a mortal death.

== Name ==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] took the name from ''Gamgee Tissue'', a surgical dressing invented by a 19th century [[Birmingham]] surgeon called Joseph Sampson Gamgee. "Gamgee" became the colloquial name in Birmingham for cotton wool; Tolkien described why he had chosen that name for his character:
{{quote|The choice of Gamgee was primarily directed by alliteration; but I did not invent it. It was caught out of childhood memory, as a comic word or name. It was in fact the name when I was small (in Birmingham) for 'cotton-wool'. (Hence the association of the Gamgees with the Cottons.) I knew nothing of its origin.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

It is possible that Tolkien may have subconsciously recalled Dr. Gamgee (who died in 1886 but is commemorated by a plaque at the Birmingham Medical Institute, only yards from Tolkien's childhood home) but he claimed to be genuinely surprised when, in March 1956, he received a letter from one Sam Gamgee, who had heard that his name was in ''The Lord of the Rings'' but had not read the book. Tolkien replied on March 18:
{{quote|Dear Mr. Gamgee,<p>It was very kind of you to write. You can imagine my astonishment when I saw your signature! I can only say, for your comfort, I hope, that the 'Sam Gamgee' of my story is a most heroic character, now widely beloved by many readers, even though his origins are rustic. So that perhaps you will not be displeased at the coincidence of the name of this imaginary character of supposedly many centuries ago being the same as yours.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

He proceeded to send Mr Gamgee a signed copy of all three volumes of the book. However, the incident sparked a nagging worry in Tolkien's mind, as he recorded in his journal:
{{quote|For some time I lived in fear of receiving a letter signed 'S. Gollum'. That would have been more difficult to deal with.|''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]''}}

In the [[Appendix F]] of ''The Lord of the Rings'', it is mentioned that the [[Westron]] form of Sam's name is '''Banazîr Galbasi''' (''also spelled Galpsi''). ''Banazîr'' comes from elements meaning "halfwise" or "simple". ''Galbasi'' comes from the name of the village ''Galabas''. The name ''Galabas'' uses the elements ''galab-'', meaning "game", and ''bas-'', corresponding somewhat to "-wich" or "-wick". Tolkien's English translation, ''Samwís Gamwich'', could have come to ''Samwise Gamgee'' in modern English.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Rankin-Bass' Samwise Gamgee.jpg|thumb|left|Samwise Gamgee as portrayed in [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]]]
In [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]], released in 1978, [[Michael Scholes]] was the voice for Sam. [[Roddy McDowall]] voiced the character in the 1980 animated short of ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]''.

In the 1981 BBC radio [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|serial of ''The Lord of the Rings'']], Sam is played by [[William Nighy]].

In ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'', Sam is played by [[Sean Astin]]. It is not clear whether Astin had heard Nighy's radio performance, but both actors bring very similar characterisations and accents to the role.

== Commentary ==
Sam Gamgee is by many regarded as the "true hero" of Tolkien's story. Tolkien himself expressed this view in one of his letters: Sam is referred to as the "chief hero", and special emphasis is placed on Sam's "rustic love" for Rosie.<sup>1</sup> The quest to destroy the Ring only succeeds because of Sam, who repeatedly saves Frodo from disaster (such as rescuing him at [[Cirith Ungol]] and carrying him up [[Mount Doom]]). He was one of two Ringbearers strong enough to surrender the Ring voluntarily.

The relationship between Frodo and Sam is, in many respects, at the center of ''The Lord of the Rings''. To the modern reader, it seems archaic, as it is extremely class-oriented. Sam's humbleness and "plain speaking" is frequently emphasised in contrast to Frodo's "gentility", and he often shows deference to Frodo, calling him "Mister Frodo". At the same time, a strong bond of love and trust grows between them, portrayed most poignantly during the events of Cirith Ungol, where Sam vows to return to his (apparently) dead master, to be reunited with Frodo in death.

[[Tolkienists]] regard Sam as Frodo's ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_%28army%29 batman]''. In the British Army, a batman was an orderly who acted as the personal servant of an officer. It was a role with which Tolkien (who served as an Army officer in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I First World War]) would have been extremely familiar. Sam undertakes all of the typical roles of a batman — he runs errands for Frodo, he cooks, he transports him (or at least carries him) and he carries his luggage. Tolkien confirmed this interpretation when he wrote in a private letter that:
{{quote|My Sam Gamgee is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

Compare to the relation between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote Don Quixote] and his squire [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sancho_Panza Sancho Panza], and the gradual "Quixotization" of Sancho.

== Notes ==
# In the long summary-letter sent to Milton Waldman, published in ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' as #131.

{{fellowship}}

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Gamgee]]

Samwise Gamgee

2006-11-15T01:16:33Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|thumb|[[Sean Astin]] as Samwise Gamgee in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] trilogy]]
'''Samwise Gamgee''' ([[Third Age]] April 6, 2983 – [[Fourth Age]] 61, [[Shire Reckoning]] 1383 – 1482, aged 99 years when he sailed into the [[West]]) was [[Frodo Baggins]]' servant who proved to be the most loyal of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

== History ==
A gardener by trade, Sam seems to be a simple [[Hobbit]] of plain speech. However, his love for [[Elves]], his gift for poetry, and his belief that the world contains greater wonders than most hobbits are aware of (all nurtured by his tutor [[Bilbo Baggins]]) set him apart from the beginning. It is Sam who first introduces the theme of the Elves' sailing from Middle-earth, a subtle foreshadowing of Bilbo and Frodo's final journey across the Sea. He lives with his father, Hamfast Gamgee, known as "[[The Gaffer]]", on [[Bagshot Row]] in the [[Shire]], close to [[Bag End]]. Sam's mother is [[Bell Goodchild]]; he has five siblings: [[Hamson Gamgee|Hamson]], [[Halfred Gamgee|Halfred]], [[Daisy Gamgee|Daisy]], [[May Gamgee|May]], and [[Marigold Gamgee|Marigold]].

As "punishment" for eavesdropping on [[Gandalf]]'s conversation with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] regarding the dangers of the [[One Ring]], Sam is made Frodo's first companion on his journey to [[Rivendell]] in the beginning of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Sam saves Frodo's life more than once during the quest to destroy the Ring, and he accompanies him all the way to [[Mount Doom]].

After [[Shelob]] attacks and seemingly kills Frodo, Sam takes the Ring, intending to complete the quest. Because he holds the Ring for a time, he is considered one of the [[Ring-bearers]].

After the War of the Ring, he marries [[Rose Cotton|Rose "Rosie" Cotton]] back in the Shire. They have thirteen children: [[Elanor Gardner|Elanor the Fair]], [[Frodo Gardner|Frodo]], [[Rose Gardner|Rose]], [[Merry Gardner|Merry]], [[Pippin Gardner|Pippin]], [[Goldilocks Gardner|Goldilocks]], [[Hamfast Gardner|Hamfast]], [[Daisy Gardner|Daisy]], [[Primrose Gardner|Primrose]], [[Bilbo Gardner|Bilbo]], [[Ruby Gardner|Ruby]], [[Robin Gardner|Robin]], and [[Tolman Gardner|Tolman]]. After [[Will Whitfoot]] resigns his post as [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] (the largest town in the Shire and the "unofficial capital"), in Fourth Age 7, Sam is elected Mayor of the Shire for seven consecutive 7-year terms.

After his wife dies in Fourth Age 61, Sam entrusts the [[Red Book of Westmarch|Red Book]] to Elanor and leaves Middle-earth to sail across the Sea and be reunited with Frodo in the [[Undying Lands]], though they would eventually die a mortal death.

== Name ==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] took the name from ''Gamgee Tissue'', a surgical dressing invented by a 19th century [[Birmingham]] surgeon called Joseph Sampson Gamgee. "Gamgee" became the colloquial name in Birmingham for cotton wool; Tolkien described why he had chosen that name for his character:
{{quote|The choice of Gamgee was primarily directed by alliteration; but I did not invent it. It was caught out of childhood memory, as a comic word or name. It was in fact the name when I was small (in Birmingham) for 'cotton-wool'. (Hence the association of the Gamgees with the Cottons.) I knew nothing of its origin.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

It is possible that Tolkien may have subconsciously recalled Dr. Gamgee (who died in 1886 but is commemorated by a plaque at the Birmingham Medical Institute, only yards from Tolkien's childhood home) but he claimed to be genuinely surprised when, in March 1956, he received a letter from one Sam Gamgee, who had heard that his name was in ''The Lord of the Rings'' but had not read the book. Tolkien replied on March 18:
{{quote|Dear Mr. Gamgee,<p>It was very kind of you to write. You can imagine my astonishment when I saw your signature! I can only say, for your comfort, I hope, that the 'Sam Gamgee' of my story is a most heroic character, now widely beloved by many readers, even though his origins are rustic. So that perhaps you will not be displeased at the coincidence of the name of this imaginary character of supposedly many centuries ago being the same as yours.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

He proceeded to send Mr Gamgee a signed copy of all three volumes of the book. However, the incident sparked a nagging worry in Tolkien's mind, as he recorded in his journal:
{{quote|For some time I lived in fear of receiving a letter signed 'S. Gollum'. That would have been more difficult to deal with.|''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]''}}

In the [[Appendix F]] of ''The Lord of the Rings'', it is mentioned that the [[Westron]] form of Sam's name is '''Banazîr Galbasi''' (''also spelled Galpsi''). ''Banazîr'' comes from elements meaning "halfwise" or "simple". ''Galbasi'' comes from the name of the village ''Galabas''. The name ''Galabas'' uses the elements ''galab-'', meaning "game", and ''bas-'', corresponding somewhat to "-wich" or "-wick". Tolkien's English translation, ''Samwís Gamwich'', could have come to ''Samwise Gamgee'' in modern English.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Rankin-Bass' Samwise Gamgee.jpg|thumb|left|Samwise Gamgee as portrayed in [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]]]
In [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]], released in 1978, [[Michael Scholes]] was the voice for Sam. [[Roddy McDowall]] voiced the character in the 1980 animated short of ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]''.

In the 1981 BBC radio [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|serial of ''The Lord of the Rings'']], Sam is played by [[William Nighy]].

In ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'', Sam is played by [[Sean Astin]]. It is not clear whether Astin had heard Nighy's radio performance, but both actors bring very similar characterisations and accents to the role.

== Commentary ==
Sam Gamgee is by many regarded as the "true hero" of Tolkien's story. Tolkien himself expressed this view in one of his letters: Sam is referred to as the "chief hero", and special emphasis is placed on Sam's "rustic love" for Rosie.<sup>1</sup> The quest to destroy the Ring only succeeds because of Sam, who repeatedly saves Frodo from disaster (such as rescuing him at [[Cirith Ungol]] and carrying him up [[Mount Doom]]). He was one of two Ringbearers strong enough to surrender the Ring voluntarily.

The relationship between Frodo and Sam is, in many respects, at the center of ''The Lord of the Rings''. To the modern reader, it seems archaic, as it is extremely class-oriented. Sam's humbleness and "plain speaking" is frequently emphasised in contrast to Frodo's "gentility", and he often shows deference to Frodo, calling him "Mister Frodo". At the same time, a strong bond of love and trust grows between them, portrayed most poignantly during the events of Cirith Ungol, where Sam vows to return to his (apparently) dead master, to be reunited with Frodo in death.

[[Tolkienists]] regard Sam as Frodo's ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_%28army%29 batman]''. In the British Army, a batman was an orderly who acted as the personal servant of an officer. It was a role with which Tolkien (who served as an Army officer in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I First World War]) would have been extremely familiar. Sam undertakes all of the typical roles of a batman — he runs errands for Frodo, he cooks, he transports him (or at least carries him) and he carries his luggage. Tolkien confirmed this interpretation when he wrote in a private letter that:
{{quote|My Sam Gamgee is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

Compare to the relation between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote Don Quixote] and his squire [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sancho_Panza Sancho Panza], and the gradual "Quixotization" of Sancho.

== Genealogy ==
<code>
Hamfast Gamgee = Bell GoodChild Tolman Cotton = Lily Brown
| |
Samwise Gamgee = Rose Cotton
________________|___________
| | | |
Elanor Frodo Goldilocks 10 children Peregrin I
= | = |
Fastred of Greenholm | Faramir I ------------------
: |
Holfast Gardener
|
Harding of the Hill

== Notes ==
# In the long summary-letter sent to Milton Waldman, published in ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' as #131.

{{fellowship}}

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Gamgee]]

Samwise Gamgee

2006-11-15T01:15:48Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|thumb|[[Sean Astin]] as Samwise Gamgee in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] trilogy]]
'''Samwise Gamgee''' ([[Third Age]] April 6, 2983 – [[Fourth Age]] 61, [[Shire Reckoning]] 1383 – 1482, aged 99 years when he sailed into the [[West]]) was [[Frodo Baggins]]' servant who proved to be the most loyal of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

== History ==
A gardener by trade, Sam seems to be a simple [[Hobbit]] of plain speech. However, his love for [[Elves]], his gift for poetry, and his belief that the world contains greater wonders than most hobbits are aware of (all nurtured by his tutor [[Bilbo Baggins]]) set him apart from the beginning. It is Sam who first introduces the theme of the Elves' sailing from Middle-earth, a subtle foreshadowing of Bilbo and Frodo's final journey across the Sea. He lives with his father, Hamfast Gamgee, known as "[[The Gaffer]]", on [[Bagshot Row]] in the [[Shire]], close to [[Bag End]]. Sam's mother is [[Bell Goodchild]]; he has five siblings: [[Hamson Gamgee|Hamson]], [[Halfred Gamgee|Halfred]], [[Daisy Gamgee|Daisy]], [[May Gamgee|May]], and [[Marigold Gamgee|Marigold]].

As "punishment" for eavesdropping on [[Gandalf]]'s conversation with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] regarding the dangers of the [[One Ring]], Sam is made Frodo's first companion on his journey to [[Rivendell]] in the beginning of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Sam saves Frodo's life more than once during the quest to destroy the Ring, and he accompanies him all the way to [[Mount Doom]].

After [[Shelob]] attacks and seemingly kills Frodo, Sam takes the Ring, intending to complete the quest. Because he holds the Ring for a time, he is considered one of the [[Ring-bearers]].

After the War of the Ring, he marries [[Rose Cotton|Rose "Rosie" Cotton]] back in the Shire. They have thirteen children: [[Elanor Gardner|Elanor the Fair]], [[Frodo Gardner|Frodo]], [[Rose Gardner|Rose]], [[Merry Gardner|Merry]], [[Pippin Gardner|Pippin]], [[Goldilocks Gardner|Goldilocks]], [[Hamfast Gardner|Hamfast]], [[Daisy Gardner|Daisy]], [[Primrose Gardner|Primrose]], [[Bilbo Gardner|Bilbo]], [[Ruby Gardner|Ruby]], [[Robin Gardner|Robin]], and [[Tolman Gardner|Tolman]]. After [[Will Whitfoot]] resigns his post as [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] (the largest town in the Shire and the "unofficial capital"), in Fourth Age 7, Sam is elected Mayor of the Shire for seven consecutive 7-year terms.

After his wife dies in Fourth Age 61, Sam entrusts the [[Red Book of Westmarch|Red Book]] to Elanor and leaves Middle-earth to sail across the Sea and be reunited with Frodo in the [[Undying Lands]], though they would eventually die a mortal death.

== Name ==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] took the name from ''Gamgee Tissue'', a surgical dressing invented by a 19th century [[Birmingham]] surgeon called Joseph Sampson Gamgee. "Gamgee" became the colloquial name in Birmingham for cotton wool; Tolkien described why he had chosen that name for his character:
{{quote|The choice of Gamgee was primarily directed by alliteration; but I did not invent it. It was caught out of childhood memory, as a comic word or name. It was in fact the name when I was small (in Birmingham) for 'cotton-wool'. (Hence the association of the Gamgees with the Cottons.) I knew nothing of its origin.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

It is possible that Tolkien may have subconsciously recalled Dr. Gamgee (who died in 1886 but is commemorated by a plaque at the Birmingham Medical Institute, only yards from Tolkien's childhood home) but he claimed to be genuinely surprised when, in March 1956, he received a letter from one Sam Gamgee, who had heard that his name was in ''The Lord of the Rings'' but had not read the book. Tolkien replied on March 18:
{{quote|Dear Mr. Gamgee,<p>It was very kind of you to write. You can imagine my astonishment when I saw your signature! I can only say, for your comfort, I hope, that the 'Sam Gamgee' of my story is a most heroic character, now widely beloved by many readers, even though his origins are rustic. So that perhaps you will not be displeased at the coincidence of the name of this imaginary character of supposedly many centuries ago being the same as yours.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

He proceeded to send Mr Gamgee a signed copy of all three volumes of the book. However, the incident sparked a nagging worry in Tolkien's mind, as he recorded in his journal:
{{quote|For some time I lived in fear of receiving a letter signed 'S. Gollum'. That would have been more difficult to deal with.|''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]''}}

In the [[Appendix F]] of ''The Lord of the Rings'', it is mentioned that the [[Westron]] form of Sam's name is '''Banazîr Galbasi''' (''also spelled Galpsi''). ''Banazîr'' comes from elements meaning "halfwise" or "simple". ''Galbasi'' comes from the name of the village ''Galabas''. The name ''Galabas'' uses the elements ''galab-'', meaning "game", and ''bas-'', corresponding somewhat to "-wich" or "-wick". Tolkien's English translation, ''Samwís Gamwich'', could have come to ''Samwise Gamgee'' in modern English.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Rankin-Bass' Samwise Gamgee.jpg|thumb|left|Samwise Gamgee as portrayed in [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]]]
In [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]], released in 1978, [[Michael Scholes]] was the voice for Sam. [[Roddy McDowall]] voiced the character in the 1980 animated short of ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]''.

In the 1981 BBC radio [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|serial of ''The Lord of the Rings'']], Sam is played by [[William Nighy]].

In ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'', Sam is played by [[Sean Astin]]. It is not clear whether Astin had heard Nighy's radio performance, but both actors bring very similar characterisations and accents to the role.

== Commentary ==
Sam Gamgee is by many regarded as the "true hero" of Tolkien's story. Tolkien himself expressed this view in one of his letters: Sam is referred to as the "chief hero", and special emphasis is placed on Sam's "rustic love" for Rosie.<sup>1</sup> The quest to destroy the Ring only succeeds because of Sam, who repeatedly saves Frodo from disaster (such as rescuing him at [[Cirith Ungol]] and carrying him up [[Mount Doom]]). He was one of two Ringbearers strong enough to surrender the Ring voluntarily.

The relationship between Frodo and Sam is, in many respects, at the center of ''The Lord of the Rings''. To the modern reader, it seems archaic, as it is extremely class-oriented. Sam's humbleness and "plain speaking" is frequently emphasised in contrast to Frodo's "gentility", and he often shows deference to Frodo, calling him "Mister Frodo". At the same time, a strong bond of love and trust grows between them, portrayed most poignantly during the events of Cirith Ungol, where Sam vows to return to his (apparently) dead master, to be reunited with Frodo in death.

[[Tolkienists]] regard Sam as Frodo's ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_%28army%29 batman]''. In the British Army, a batman was an orderly who acted as the personal servant of an officer. It was a role with which Tolkien (who served as an Army officer in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I First World War]) would have been extremely familiar. Sam undertakes all of the typical roles of a batman — he runs errands for Frodo, he cooks, he transports him (or at least carries him) and he carries his luggage. Tolkien confirmed this interpretation when he wrote in a private letter that:
{{quote|My Sam Gamgee is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

Compare to the relation between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote Don Quixote] and his squire [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sancho_Panza Sancho Panza], and the gradual "Quixotization" of Sancho.

== Genealogy ==
<code>
Hamfast Gamgee = Bell GoodChild Tolman Cotton = Lily Brown
| |
Samwise Gamgee = Rose Cotton
________________|___________
| | | |
Elanor Frodo Goldilocks 10 children Peregrin I
= | = |
Fastred of Greenholm | Faramir I ------------------
: |
Holfast Gardener
|
Harding of the Hill
<code/>

== Notes ==
# In the long summary-letter sent to Milton Waldman, published in ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' as #131.

{{fellowship}}

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Gamgee]]

Twins

2006-11-10T21:39:10Z

The Lord Rhys:

'''Twins in Middle-earth''' seem to be a common occurance. It is mainly noticed among [[Elves]] and [[Half-elves]], but some have been recorded among [[Men]] and [[Dwarves]]. It is interesting to note that many of these twins are ancestors of, or siblings are ancestors of, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], who were themselves twins.

== Elven and Half-elven Twins ==
As has been said before, twins seem to be common among [[Elves]] unlike the human standard of one in sixty. Elven twins:

*[[Amrod]] and [[Amras]]
*[[Elured]] and [[Elurin]]
*[[Elrond]] and [[Elros]]
*[[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]]

== Mannish Twins ==
*[[Haleth]] and [[Haldar]]

== Dwarvish Twins ==
*[[Fili]] and [[Kili]]

== Genetics ==
Twins run through the female's genes. That means if the father had ancestors that were twins, but the female doesn't, the chances of having twins is very slim. However, if their daughter has children her father's genes affect her chance of having twins.

This means that [[Amras]] and [[Amrod]]'s twin genes came from their mother, not [[Feanor]].

Forums:Twins

2006-11-10T21:38:47Z

The Lord Rhys:

<div style="background: #eee; border: 1px solid #aaa; padding: 5px">'''[[Main Page|Tolkien Gateway]] > [[Forum:Council|Council]] > {{PAGENAME}}'''</div> [[Category:Council]]


I've noticed that there are lots of twins in the world of Arda. All of them are related to each other except Fili and Kili, who are Dwarves. I was hoping that someone who knows something about genetics can make some conclusions about them. {{unsigned|The Lord Rhys}}
[[Image:TWINS_IN_MIDDLE.jpg]]

:Good observation Lord Rhys. I seem to notice at least one mistake in the image however, I believe it is supposed to be [[Haldar]] instead of ''Haldor''. To keep this wiki-related I think it would be a good idea if we write an article about Twins in [[Middle-earth]] since it seems to be a rather popular theme. I am not doctor but I believe having twins is only related to the female partner so descendants of the male twin having twins would only be a coincidence. It's possible twins were simply more common in [[Arda]]. Thanks for bringing this up though and we look forward to your future edits :) --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 14:04, 10 November 2006 (EST)

::Twins is a common feature in mythology and fiction. Probably too common, as the chances of having a twin is one in sixty. I wonder if Tolkien ever commented on the extraordinary frequency among the elves. I don't believe it is referred to in ''[[The Laws and Customs of the Eldar]]''. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 14:16, 10 November 2006 (EST)

:::I started an article on [[Twins in middle-earth]] (I accidently didn't capitalize Middle-earth). It could use some work. Thanks for pointing out my spelling error! --[[User:The Lord Rhys|The Lord Rhys]] 16:36, 10 November 2006 (EST)

Twins

2006-11-10T21:38:00Z

The Lord Rhys:

Forums:Twins

2006-11-10T21:37:12Z

The Lord Rhys:

<div style="background: #eee; border: 1px solid #aaa; padding: 5px">'''[[Main Page|Tolkien Gateway]] > [[Forum:Council|Council]] > {{PAGENAME}}'''</div> [[Category:Council]]


I've noticed that there are lots of twins in the world of Arda. All of them are related to each other except Fili and Kili, who are Dwarves. I was hoping that someone who knows something about genetics can make some conclusions about them. {{unsigned|The Lord Rhys}}
[[Image:TWINS_IN_MIDDLE.jpg]]

:Good observation Lord Rhys. I seem to notice at least one mistake in the image however, I believe it is supposed to be [[Haldar]] instead of ''Haldor''. To keep this wiki-related I think it would be a good idea if we write an article about Twins in [[Middle-earth]] since it seems to be a rather popular theme. I am not doctor but I believe having twins is only related to the female partner so descendants of the male twin having twins would only be a coincidence. It's possible twins were simply more common in [[Arda]]. Thanks for bringing this up though and we look forward to your future edits :) --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 14:04, 10 November 2006 (EST)

::Twins is a common feature in mythology and fiction. Probably too common, as the chances of having a twin is one in sixty. I wonder if Tolkien ever commented on the extraordinary frequency among the elves. I don't believe it is referred to in ''[[The Laws and Customs of the Eldar]]''. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 14:16, 10 November 2006 (EST)

:::I started an article on [[Twins of Middle-earth]]. It could use some work. Thanks for pointing out my spelling error! --[[User:The Lord Rhys|The Lord Rhys]] 16:36, 10 November 2006 (EST)

Forums:Twins

2006-11-10T21:36:29Z

The Lord Rhys:

<div style="background: #eee; border: 1px solid #aaa; padding: 5px">'''[[Main Page|Tolkien Gateway]] > [[Forum:Council|Council]] > {{PAGENAME}}'''</div> [[Category:Council]]


I've noticed that there are lots of twins in the world of Arda. All of them are related to each other except Fili and Kili, who are Dwarves. I was hoping that someone who knows something about genetics can make some conclusions about them. {{unsigned|The Lord Rhys}}
[[Image:TWINS_IN_MIDDLE.jpg]]

:Good observation Lord Rhys. I seem to notice at least one mistake in the image however, I believe it is supposed to be [[Haldar]] instead of ''Haldor''. To keep this wiki-related I think it would be a good idea if we write an article about Twins in [[Middle-earth]] since it seems to be a rather popular theme. I am not doctor but I believe having twins is only related to the female partner so descendants of the male twin having twins would only be a coincidence. It's possible twins were simply more common in [[Arda]]. Thanks for bringing this up though and we look forward to your future edits :) --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 14:04, 10 November 2006 (EST)

::Twins is a common feature in mythology and fiction. Probably too common, as the chances of having a twin is one in sixty. I wonder if Tolkien ever commented on the extraordinary frequency among the elves. I don't believe it is referred to in ''[[The Laws and Customs of the Eldar]]''. --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 14:16, 10 November 2006 (EST)

:::I started an article on [[Twins in Middle-earth]]. It could use some work. Thanks for pointing out my spelling error! --[[User:The Lord Rhys|The Lord Rhys]] 16:36, 10 November 2006 (EST)

Twins

2006-11-10T21:10:11Z

The Lord Rhys:

== Twins in Middle-earth ==
'''Twins in Middle-earth''' seem to be a common occurance. It is mainly noticed among [[Elves]] and [[Half-elves]], but some have been recorded among [[Men]] and [[Dwarves]]. It is interesting to note that many of these twins are ancestors of, or siblings are ancestors of, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], who were themselves twins.

== Elven and Half-elven Twins ==
As has been said before, twins seem to be common among [[Elves]] unlike the human standard of one in sixty. Elven twins:

*[[Amrod]] and [[Amras]]
*[[Elured]] and [[Elurin]]
*[[Elrond]] and [[Elros]]
*[[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]]

== Mannish Twins ==
*[[Haleth]] and [[Haldar]]

== Dwarvish Twins ==
*[[Fili]] and [[Kili]]

== Genetics ==
Twins run through the female's genes. That means if the father had ancestors that were twins, but the female doesn't, the chances of having twins is very slim. However, if their daughter has children her father's genes affect her chance of having twins.

This means that [[Amras]] and [[Amrod]]'s twin genes came from their mother, not [[Feanor]].

--[[User:The Lord Rhys|The Lord Rhys]] 16:08, 10 November 2006 (EST)

Twins

2006-11-10T21:08:46Z

The Lord Rhys:

== Twins in Middle-earth ==
'''Twins in Middle-earth''' seem to be a common occurance. It is mainly noticed among [[Elves]] and [[Half-elves]], but some have been recorded among [[Men]] and [[Dwarves]]. It is interesting to note that many of these twins are ancestors, or siblings are ancestors, of [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], who were themselves twins.

== Elven and Half-elven Twins ==
As has been said before, twins seem to be common among [[Elves]] unlike the human standard of one in sixty. Elven twins:

*[[Amrod]] and [[Amras]]
*[[Elured]] and [[Elurin]]
*[[Elrond]] and [[Elros]]
*[[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]]

== Mannish Twins ==
*[[Haleth]] and [[Haldar]]

== Dwarvish Twins ==
*[[Fili]] and [[Kili]]

== Genetics ==
Twins run through the female's genes. That means if the father had ancestors that were twins, but the female doesn't, the chances of having twins is very slim. However, if their daughter has children her father's genes affect her chance of having twins.

This means that [[Amras]] and [[Amrod]]'s twin genes came from their mother, not [[Feanor]].

--[[User:The Lord Rhys|The Lord Rhys]] 16:08, 10 November 2006 (EST)

Twins

2006-11-10T21:08:17Z

The Lord Rhys:

== Twins in Middle-earth ==
'''Twins in Middle-earth''' seem to be a common occurance. It is mainly noticed among [[Elves]]and [[Half-elves]], but some have been recorded among [[Men]] and [[Dwarves]]. It is interesting to note that many of these twins are ancestors, or siblings are ancestors, of [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], who were themselves twins.

== Elven and Half-elven Twins ==
As has been said before, twins seem to be common among [[Elves]] unlike the human standard of one in sixty. Elven twins:

*[[Amrod]] and [[Amras]]
*[[Elured]] and [[Elurin]]
*[[Elrond]] and [[Elros]]
*[[Elrohir]] and [[Elladan]]

== Mannish Twins ==
*[[Haleth]] and [[Haldar]]

== Dwarvish Twins ==
*[[Fili]] and [[Kili]]

== Genetics ==
Twins run through the female's genes. That means if the father had ancestors that were twins, but the female doesn't, the chances of having twins is very slim. However, if their daughter has children her father's genes affect her chance of having twins.

This means that [[Amras]] and [[Amrod]]'s twin genes came from their mother, not [[Feanor]].

--[[User:The Lord Rhys|The Lord Rhys]] 16:08, 10 November 2006 (EST)

Forums:Twins

2006-11-10T18:40:41Z

The Lord Rhys:

Forums:Twins

2006-11-10T18:40:21Z

The Lord Rhys:

Forums:Twins

2006-11-10T18:37:28Z

The Lord Rhys:

Smith of Wootton Major

2006-10-28T19:30:07Z

The Lord Rhys:

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

== Background ==
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 most recent (2005) edition, edited by Verlyn Flieger, includes a previously unpublished essay by Tolkien, explaining the background and just why the elf-king spent so long in Wootton Major. It also explains how the story grew from this first idea into the published version.

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.

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.

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 [[Lorien]].

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 story ==

{{spoiler}}

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.

This year the magic star hidden inside the Great Cake was eaten by a 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.

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.

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.

== Genealogy ==
There is a surprising amount of genealogical information in the story.

<code>
Master Cook Rider
|
Smith = <:> __________________
| | |
Smith Smithson = Nell <:> = Master Cook Nokes
__________________________|________ |
| | |
Tom = Nan Ned Smithson Nokes of Townsend
| |
Tomling Tim of Townsend

[[Category:Books]]

Smith of Wootton Major

2006-10-28T19:29:47Z

The Lord Rhys:

Smith of Wootton Major

2006-10-28T19:28:43Z

The Lord Rhys:

Smith of Wootton Major

2006-10-28T19:28:31Z

The Lord Rhys:

Smith of Wootton Major

2006-10-28T19:25:56Z

The Lord Rhys:

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

== Background ==
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 most recent (2005) edition, edited by Verlyn Flieger, includes a previously unpublished essay by Tolkien, explaining the background and just why the elf-king spent so long in Wootton Major. It also explains how the story grew from this first idea into the published version.

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.

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.

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 [[Lorien]].

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 story ==

{{spoiler}}

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.

This year the magic star hidden inside the Great Cake was eaten by a 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.

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.

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.

== Genealogy ==
There is a surprising amount of genealogical information in the story.

<code>
Master Cook Rider
|
Smith = <:> __________________
| | |
Smith Smithson = Nell <:> = Master Cook Nokes
__________________________|________ |
| | Nokes of Townsend
Tom = Nan Ned Smithson |
| Tim of Townsend
Tomling
<code>

[[Category:Books]]

The Wanderings of Húrin

2006-10-26T15:02:52Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Húrin]] and the tragedy of his children is referred to as [[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]. "The Wanderings of Húrin" is the conclusion to the "Narn". It is found in [[The War of the Jewels]], the eleventh book in [[The History of Middle-earth]]. This was not included in the final [[Silmarillion]] because [[Christopher Tolkien]] feared that the heavy compression which would have been necessary to make it a stylistic match with the rest of the book would have been too difficult and would have made the story overly complex and difficult to read.

== Summary ==
'''WARNING SPOILER(S) AHEAD!'''

The text starts with [[Húrin]] being realeased by [[Morgoth]]. Húrin gathers some outlaws together, led by Asgorn, and went to the halls of [[Lorgan]]. Lorgan finds out that Húrin wasn't with Morgoth as Lorgan hoped. Húrin seeks Gondolin, but fails to find it. All he manages is to reveal to Morgoth where abouts Gondolin is, and to seperate himself from his men.

Asgon and the outlaws expect to find Húrin in the [[Forest of Brethil]]. They were brought before [[Hardang]] but then sent out because they were ruled by the [[House of Hador]] of which Túrin was of also.

Meanwhile, Húrin travels along the Taeglin were he meets [[Morwen]], his wife. He talks and Morwen dies. He goes back to the Ford of Taeglin and collapses. A man named Manthor brings Húrin to the house of Hardang. Hardang is rude, so Húrin throws a stool at his head. He is put into prison.

Manthor becomes a friend of Húrin, and they find that they are cousins. The next day the people have a moot to decide the fate of Húrin. Manthor is for him, while Hardang and Avranc, son of [[Dorlas]], are against him. Manthor succeds in convincing the people that Húrin should be let free by telling them about his hardships and how his food was drugged. Húrin convinces them by saying that Hardang had thrust Morwen out to die.

The people become crazy. They want Manthor to be Cheiftan so they chase Hardang and Avranc, with some loyal ones, into the Hall of the Haladin. The people set it on fire. Hardang and Avranc escape by a back door. Avranc gets through, but Hardang is killed by a spear.

Húrin and Manthor go to find Morwen's body. They bury her. Later, when they stop, Avranc apears then shoots Manthor, then runs away. Manthor dies. Húrin, and his son Túrin manage to destroy the [[House of Haleth]].

The Wanderings of Húrin

2006-10-26T15:02:06Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Húrin]] and the tragedy of his children is referred to as [[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]. "The Wanderings of Húrin" is the conclusion to the "Narn". It is found in [[''The War of the Jewels'']], the eleventh book in [[The History of Middle-earth]]. This was not included in the final [[Silmarillion]] because [[Christopher Tolkien]] feared that the heavy compression which would have been necessary to make it a stylistic match with the rest of the book would have been too difficult and would have made the story overly complex and difficult to read.

== Summary ==
'''WARNING SPOILER(S) AHEAD!'''

The text starts with [[Húrin]] being realeased by [[Morgoth]]. Húrin gathers some outlaws together, led by Asgorn, and went to the halls of [[Lorgan]]. Lorgan finds out that Húrin wasn't with Morgoth as Lorgan hoped. Húrin seeks Gondolin, but fails to find it. All he manages is to reveal to Morgoth where abouts Gondolin is, and to seperate himself from his men.

Asgon and the outlaws expect to find Húrin in the [[Forest of Brethil]]. They were brought before [[Hardang]] but then sent out because they were ruled by the [[House of Hador]] of which Túrin was of also.

Meanwhile, Húrin travels along the Taeglin were he meets [[Morwen]], his wife. He talks and Morwen dies. He goes back to the Ford of Taeglin and collapses. A man named Manthor brings Húrin to the house of Hardang. Hardang is rude, so Húrin throws a stool at his head. He is put into prison.

Manthor becomes a friend of Húrin, and they find that they are cousins. The next day the people have a moot to decide the fate of Húrin. Manthor is for him, while Hardang and Avranc, son of [[Dorlas]], are against him. Manthor succeds in convincing the people that Húrin should be let free by telling them about his hardships and how his food was drugged. Húrin convinces them by saying that Hardang had thrust Morwen out to die.

The people become crazy. They want Manthor to be Cheiftan so they chase Hardang and Avranc, with some loyal ones, into the Hall of the Haladin. The people set it on fire. Hardang and Avranc escape by a back door. Avranc gets through, but Hardang is killed by a spear.

Húrin and Manthor go to find Morwen's body. They bury her. Later, when they stop, Avranc apears then shoots Manthor, then runs away. Manthor dies. Húrin, and his son Túrin manage to destroy the [[House of Haleth]].

The Wanderings of Húrin

2006-10-26T15:01:35Z

The Lord Rhys:

The Wanderings of Húrin

2006-10-26T15:00:55Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Húrin]] and the tragedy of his children is referred to as [[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]. "The Wanderings of Húrin" is the conclusion to the "Narn". It is found in [[''The War of the Jewels'']], the eleventh book in [[The History of Middle-Earth]]. This was not included in the final [[Silmarillion]] because [[Christopher Tolkien]] feared that the heavy compression which would have been necessary to make it a stylistic match with the rest of the book would have been too difficult and would have made the story overly complex and difficult to read.

== Summary ==
'''WARNING SPOILER(S) AHEAD!'''

The text starts with [[Húrin]] being realeased by [[Morgoth]]. Húrin gathers some outlaws together, led by Asgorn, and went to the halls of [[Lorgan]]. Lorgan finds out that Húrin wasn't with Morgoth as Lorgan hoped. Húrin seeks Gondolin, but fails to find it. All he manages is to reveal to Morgoth where abouts Gondolin is, and to seperate himself from his men.

Asgon and the outlaws expect to find Húrin in the [[Forest of Brethil]]. They were brought before [[Hardang]] but then sent out because they were ruled by the [[House of Hador]] of which Túrin was of also.

Meanwhile, Húrin travels along the Taeglin were he meets [[Morwen]], his wife. He talks and Morwen dies. He goes back to the Ford of Taeglin and collapses. A man named Manthor brings Húrin to the house of Hardang. Hardang is rude, so Húrin throws a stool at his head. He is put into prison.

Manthor becomes a friend of Húrin, and they find that they are cousins. The next day the people have a moot to decide the fate of Húrin. Manthor is for him, while Hardang and Avranc, son of [[Dorlas]], are against him. Manthor succeds in convincing the people that Húrin should be let free by telling them about his hardships and how his food was drugged. Húrin convinces them by saying that Hardang had thrust Morwen out to die.

The people become crazy. They want Manthor to be Cheiftan so they chase Hardang and Avranc, with some loyal ones, into the Hall of the Haladin. The people set it on fire. Hardang and Avranc escape by a back door. Avranc gets through, but Hardang is killed by a spear.

Húrin and Manthor go to find Morwen's body. They bury her. Later, when they stop, Avranc apears then shoots Manthor, then runs away. Manthor dies. Húrin, and his son Túrin manage to destroy the House of [[Haleth]].

The Wanderings of Húrin

2006-10-26T15:00:39Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Húrin]] and the tragedy of his children is referred to as [[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]. "The Wanderings of Húrin" is the conclusion to the "Narn". It is found in [[''The War of the Jewels'']], the eleventh book in The [[History of Middle-Earth]]. This was not included in the final [[Silmarillion]] because [[Christopher Tolkien]] feared that the heavy compression which would have been necessary to make it a stylistic match with the rest of the book would have been too difficult and would have made the story overly complex and difficult to read.

== Summary ==
'''WARNING SPOILER(S) AHEAD!'''

The text starts with [[Húrin]] being realeased by [[Morgoth]]. Húrin gathers some outlaws together, led by Asgorn, and went to the halls of [[Lorgan]]. Lorgan finds out that Húrin wasn't with Morgoth as Lorgan hoped. Húrin seeks Gondolin, but fails to find it. All he manages is to reveal to Morgoth where abouts Gondolin is, and to seperate himself from his men.

Asgon and the outlaws expect to find Húrin in the [[Forest of Brethil]]. They were brought before [[Hardang]] but then sent out because they were ruled by the [[House of Hador]] of which Túrin was of also.

Meanwhile, Húrin travels along the Taeglin were he meets [[Morwen]], his wife. He talks and Morwen dies. He goes back to the Ford of Taeglin and collapses. A man named Manthor brings Húrin to the house of Hardang. Hardang is rude, so Húrin throws a stool at his head. He is put into prison.

Manthor becomes a friend of Húrin, and they find that they are cousins. The next day the people have a moot to decide the fate of Húrin. Manthor is for him, while Hardang and Avranc, son of [[Dorlas]], are against him. Manthor succeds in convincing the people that Húrin should be let free by telling them about his hardships and how his food was drugged. Húrin convinces them by saying that Hardang had thrust Morwen out to die.

The people become crazy. They want Manthor to be Cheiftan so they chase Hardang and Avranc, with some loyal ones, into the Hall of the Haladin. The people set it on fire. Hardang and Avranc escape by a back door. Avranc gets through, but Hardang is killed by a spear.

Húrin and Manthor go to find Morwen's body. They bury her. Later, when they stop, Avranc apears then shoots Manthor, then runs away. Manthor dies. Húrin, and his son Túrin manage to destroy the House of [[Haleth]].

The Wanderings of Húrin

2006-10-26T15:00:08Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Húrin]] and the tragedy of his children is referred to as [[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]. "The Wanderings of Húrin" is the conclusion to the "Narn". It is found in [[''The War of the Jewels'']], the eleventh book in The [[History of Middle Earth]]. This was not included in the final [[Silmarillion]] because [[Christopher Tolkien]] feared that the heavy compression which would have been necessary to make it a stylistic match with the rest of the book would have been too difficult and would have made the story overly complex and difficult to read.

== Summary ==
'''WARNING SPOILER(S) AHEAD!'''

The text starts with [[Húrin]] being realeased by [[Morgoth]]. Húrin gathers some outlaws together, led by Asgorn, and went to the halls of [[Lorgan]]. Lorgan finds out that Húrin wasn't with Morgoth as Lorgan hoped. Húrin seeks Gondolin, but fails to find it. All he manages is to reveal to Morgoth where abouts Gondolin is, and to seperate himself from his men.

Asgon and the outlaws expect to find Húrin in the [[Forest of Brethil]]. They were brought before [[Hardang]] but then sent out because they were ruled by the [[House of Hador]] of which Túrin was of also.

Meanwhile, Húrin travels along the Taeglin were he meets [[Morwen]], his wife. He talks and Morwen dies. He goes back to the Ford of Taeglin and collapses. A man named Manthor brings Húrin to the house of Hardang. Hardang is rude, so Húrin throws a stool at his head. He is put into prison.

Manthor becomes a friend of Húrin, and they find that they are cousins. The next day the people have a moot to decide the fate of Húrin. Manthor is for him, while Hardang and Avranc, son of [[Dorlas]], are against him. Manthor succeds in convincing the people that Húrin should be let free by telling them about his hardships and how his food was drugged. Húrin convinces them by saying that Hardang had thrust Morwen out to die.

The people become crazy. They want Manthor to be Cheiftan so they chase Hardang and Avranc, with some loyal ones, into the Hall of the Haladin. The people set it on fire. Hardang and Avranc escape by a back door. Avranc gets through, but Hardang is killed by a spear.

Húrin and Manthor go to find Morwen's body. They bury her. Later, when they stop, Avranc apears then shoots Manthor, then runs away. Manthor dies. Húrin, and his son Túrin manage to destroy the House of [[Haleth]].

The Wanderings of Húrin

2006-10-26T14:59:42Z

The Lord Rhys:

[[Húrin]] and the tragedy of his children is referred to as [[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]. "The Wanderings of Húrin" is the conclusion to the "Narn". It is found in [[''The War of the Jewels'']], the eleventh book in [[The History of Middle Earth]]. This was not included in the final [[Silmarillion]] because [[Christopher Tolkien]] feared that the heavy compression which would have been necessary to make it a stylistic match with the rest of the book would have been too difficult and would have made the story overly complex and difficult to read.

== Summary ==
'''WARNING SPOILER(S) AHEAD!'''

The text starts with [[Húrin]] being realeased by [[Morgoth]]. Húrin gathers some outlaws together, led by Asgorn, and went to the halls of [[Lorgan]]. Lorgan finds out that Húrin wasn't with Morgoth as Lorgan hoped. Húrin seeks Gondolin, but fails to find it. All he manages is to reveal to Morgoth where abouts Gondolin is, and to seperate himself from his men.

Asgon and the outlaws expect to find Húrin in the [[Forest of Brethil]]. They were brought before [[Hardang]] but then sent out because they were ruled by the [[House of Hador]] of which Túrin was of also.

Meanwhile, Húrin travels along the Taeglin were he meets [[Morwen]], his wife. He talks and Morwen dies. He goes back to the Ford of Taeglin and collapses. A man named Manthor brings Húrin to the house of Hardang. Hardang is rude, so Húrin throws a stool at his head. He is put into prison.

Manthor becomes a friend of Húrin, and they find that they are cousins. The next day the people have a moot to decide the fate of Húrin. Manthor is for him, while Hardang and Avranc, son of [[Dorlas]], are against him. Manthor succeds in convincing the people that Húrin should be let free by telling them about his hardships and how his food was drugged. Húrin convinces them by saying that Hardang had thrust Morwen out to die.

The people become crazy. They want Manthor to be Cheiftan so they chase Hardang and Avranc, with some loyal ones, into the Hall of the Haladin. The people set it on fire. Hardang and Avranc escape by a back door. Avranc gets through, but Hardang is killed by a spear.

Húrin and Manthor go to find Morwen's body. They bury her. Later, when they stop, Avranc apears then shoots Manthor, then runs away. Manthor dies. Húrin, and his son Túrin manage to destroy the House of [[Haleth]].

The Wanderings of Húrin

2006-10-26T01:04:46Z

The Lord Rhys: