Amateur Studies in Tolkien
I was struck by a passage recently in my annual re-read. When Frodo, Sam, and Pippin have their first encounter with a Black Rider, the text refers to the Ring as belonging to Frodo. A sudden unreasoning fear of discovery laid hold of Frodo, and he thought of his Ring. [I, 3, 'Three is Company']... Continue Reading →
Well, in my listening to Serkis' reading of LotR, Frodo has been stabbed and we're mere paragraphs away from meeting Tom, Bert, and William again. This is far enough to allow me to pass some judgement on the overall performance, I think.Short version: I like it very much. I can confidently recommend it.Longer version: Serkis... Continue Reading →
I was re-reading Tolkien's translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight when I came to the description of the chlorophyllic ka-nig-it's weapon of choice. Coming in at the 10th stanza: 10 And yet he had not a helm, nor a hauberk either, not a pisane, not a plate that was proper to arms; not... Continue Reading →
Where did Sauron come from and what was he doing during the Second Age?
Who was Elros and why did he matter? What's he got to do with Elrond or with Aragorn?
What led to Moria becoming such a powerful city for the Dwarves? When did it reach the height of its power? When was its eventual downfall?
Where was Númenor? Who were the Dúnedain and why were they so powerful?
When were the Grey Havens established, and by whom? What were they used for?
A series exploring the events and known information concerning the Second Age of Tolkien's Middle-earth prior to the release of Amazon's TV series.
A listing of Tolkien's works and where they all fit together, with some guidance on reading-order.
The Mathom-house 