Lesser rings

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.

”

In Eregion long ago many Elven-rings were made, magic rings as you call them, and they were, of course, of various kinds: some more potent and some less. The lesser rings were only essays in the craft before it was full-grown, and to the Elven-smiths they were but trifles – yet still to my mind dangerous for mortals.

Gandalf in The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Shadow of the Past"

The lesser rings were magic rings, forged before the Rings of Power, by the elves as essays in the craft of ring-making.

History

The lesser rings were made sometime between S.A. 1200, when Sauron came in disguise to Eregion, and 1500, when they began crafting the greater Rings of Power.^[1] Unlike the greater rings, these were round and unadorned, without gems, much like the One Ring.^[2]

During the Third Age, the Hobbits of the Shire had old tales of magic rings that turned people invisible. When Bilbo Baggins found the One Ring in the tunnels near Gollum's lake, he believed that it was one of them.^[3]

In the year T.A. 3018, Gandalf mentioned these rings to Frodo when recounting the origins of the Rings of Power.^[4] Supposedly, the lesser rings were also mentioned by a messenger of Sauron, who asked Dáin Ironfoot to find and return to Sauron "a little ring, the least of rings", that is, the ring of Bilbo Baggins.^[2]

During his conversation with Gandalf in Orthanc, Saruman wore a ring on his finger and claimed himself the 'Ring-maker'.^[2] It was possible that he indeed forged one of the lesser rings.^[5]

Portrayal in adaptations

1995-1997: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game

Several cards describing and depicting lesser rings were released, for example "The Oracle's Ring", "Wizard's Ring", and "Magic Rings" of different power (lore, stealth, courage, etc.).

2007-: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Narchuil was one of the lesser rings forged by the elven-smiths. It was worn by Amarthiel.

External links

Where Did the Power in the Minor Rings Come From? by Michael Martinez

References

↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Riddles in the Dark"
↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Shadow of the Past"
↑ FAQ of the Rings by Stan Brown, see entry A10

[1] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"

[Rivendell-2] 2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"

[3] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Riddles in the Dark"

[4] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Shadow of the Past"

[5] FAQ of the Rings by Stan Brown, see entry A10

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