Watol

From Tolkien Gateway
Watol
Anglo-Saxon
Biographical Information
Other namesWatla (OE)
LocationEngland
LanguageOld English
Family
ChildrenThe Wætlingas
Physical Description
GenderMale

Watol or Watla was an Anglo-Saxon king, according to the early version of the legendarium associated with The Book of Lost Tales.

He commissioned a Man called Íring, the son of an Irish king Ír, to build a road through his lands, which he completed in seven years. However, Watol's sons, the Wætlingas, were angered by Íring's arrogance, and so they wagered that they could build an even better road in only three years.[1]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

The character of Watol is based upon the legendary King Weatla, whose sons, according to the English chronicler Florence of Worcester, built the Watling Street in the year 1013 AD; Florence of Worcester also said that the name Watling Street was afterwards applied to the Milky Way.[2]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Sí Qente Feanor and Other Elvish Writings", in Parma Eldalamberon XV (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden), "Early Runic Documents", ER1d: Fourth page, p. 96
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Sí Qente Feanor and Other Elvish Writings", in Parma Eldalamberon XV (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden), "Early Runic Documents", Commentary on ER1, p. 100