The Complete Guide to Middle-earth Tolkien's World in The Lord of the Rings and Beyond

by FOSTER, ROBERT

• ISBN13: 9780345449764
• ISBN10: 0345449762
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-12-04
• Publisher: Del Rey

Summary

For the millions who have already ventured to Middle-earth, and for the countless others who have yet to embark on the journeyhere is the one indispensable A-to-Z guide that brings Tolkien's universe to life. EVERY CHARACTER FromAdaldrida BrandybucktoZaragambaevery Hobbit, Elf, Dwarf, Man, Orc, or other resident of Middle-earth is vividly described and accurately located in proper place and time. EVERY PLACE Colorfully detailed descriptions of geographical entries allow you to pick up the action anywhere in Middle-earth and follow it through all five volumes. EVERY THING From stars and streams to food and flora, everything found in Middle-earth is alphabetically listed and, when necessary, cross-referenced. HERE IS TRULY A MASTER KEY TO TOLKIEN'S MIDDLE-EARTH

Author Biography

<b>John Ronald Reuel Tolkien</b> was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. After serving in the First World War, he embarked upon a distinguished academic career and was recognized as one of the finest philologists in the world. He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. He is, however, beloved throughout the world as the creator of Middle-earth and author of such classic works as <i>The Hobbit</i> and <i>The Lord of the Rings</i>. He died on September 2, 1973, at the age of 81.

Excerpts

A

ABYSS The low places of the Timeless Halls (q.v.) of Ilúvatar. (S 17. B 5.)

ACCURSED YEARS The Dark Years (q.v.). (III 72; '93 ed. 65; '01 ed. 51.)

ADALDRIDA BRANDYBUCK (fl. TA 29th Cent.) Hobbit of the Shire, wife of Marmadoc Brandybuck. She was born a Bolger. (III 476; '93 ed. 437; '01 ed. 423.)

ADALGRIM TOOK (TA 2880-2982) Hobbit of the Shire, son of Hildigrim Took. (III 475; '93 ed. 436; '01 ed. 424.)

ADAMANTA TOOK (fl. TA 29th Cent.) Hobbit of the Shire, wife of Gerontius Took. She was born a Chubb. (III 475; '93 ed. 436; '01 ed. 424.)

ADAN See: Edain.

ADANEDHEL (S.: `man-elf') Name given to Túrin (q.v.) in Nargothrond because of his beauty and the nobility of his speech and bearing. (S 210, 313. B 258, 390.)

ADELARD TOOK (TA 2928-FO 3) Hobbit of the Shire, son of Flambard Took. He was a guest at the Farewell Party, where he was given an umbrella by Bilbo. (I 64; '93 ed. 60; '01 ed. 39. III 475; '93 ed. 436; '01 ed. 424.)

ADORN River in western Rohan, flowing westward from its source in the Ered Nimrais until it joined the Isen. (I 16; '93 ed. 14; '01 ed. xiv. III 431; '93 ed. 393; '01 ed. 381.)

ADRAHIL (fl. TA 30th Cent.) Dúnadan of Gondor, Prince of Dol Amroth. Adrahil was the father of Finduilas and probably the father or grandfather of Imrahil. (III 418; '93 ed. 380; '01 ed. 369.)

ADUIAL (S.) Undómë (q.v.). (III 485; '93 ed. 446; '01 ed. 433.)

ADÛNAIC (Ad.: from adûn 'west') The common language of the Dúnedain of Númenor. In the days of the pride of Númenor (SA 2899-3319) Adûnaic was also used at the royal court.

In origin Adûnaic was the ancestral speech of the House of Hador, and thus it was related to the tongues of the Edain and the Men of the Vales of Anduin. Its development in the First Age was strongly influenced by Elvish as a result of contact with Moriquendi in the East and with the Eldar in Beleriand. In turn, Adûnaic was the major source of the vocabulary and grammar of Westron.

Also called Númenórean. (III 391-92, 507; '93 ed. 353-54, 469; '01 ed. 345, 454. S 141, 142, 148, 262, 267. B 168, 170, 177, 323, 330.)

ADÚNAKHÔR, AR- (Ad.: `west-lord') (fl. SA 2899) Dúnadan, nineteenth King of Númenor (2899-?) and the first to take his royal name in Adúnaic. He persecuted the Faithful and punished the public use of Elvish.

The Quenya form of his name was Herunúmen. (III 390, 391-92, 454; '93 ed. 352, 353, 416; '01 ed. 344, 345, 402. S 267-68. B 330.)

ADURANT (S.: `double-course') River in Beleriand flowing west from Ered Luin, the southernmost tributary of Gelion and southern boundary of Ossiriand. Tol Galen lay in the Adurant. (S 123, 188, 313. B 147, 229, 390.)

ADVENTURES OF TOM BOMBADIL, THE A Buckland poem about Tom Bombadil, written probably before the WR. (TB 8-9, 11-16.)

AEGLOS (S.: `point-snow' or `icicle') The spear of Gilgalad, a famous weapon used by him in the Battle of Dagorlad.

Also spelled Aiglos. (I 319; '93 ed. 293; '01 ed. 273. RHM III 437. S 294, 313. B 364, 390.)

AEGNOR (S.: `fell fire') (d. FA 455) Noldorin Elf of the House of Finrod, fourth son of Finarfin. He returned to Middle-earth with the host of Fingolfin because of his friendship with Fingon, and he settled on the northern slopes of Dorthonion with his brother Angrod. Aegnor was slain by the fires from Thangorodrim during Dagor Bragollach.

The Quenya form of his name was Aikanáro. (S 61, 84, 120, 150, 151, 305, 306, 314, 362. B 64, 94, 141, 180, 182, 379, 380, 390, 454.)

A ELBERETH GILTHONIEL Elven-chant sung in Rivendell, of which only the first stanza is recorded. Each line is written in iambic tetrameter; the seven-line stanza rhymes aababcc . The song is a hymn of praise and a prayer for aid, addressed to Varda.

It is subtitled aerlinn in Edhil o Imladris , `aerlinn of the Elves of Imladris'; aerlinn may be the mode of composition. (I 312; '93 ed. 286; '01 ed. 266. R 62-67.)

AELIN-UIAL (S.: `lake-twilight') Region of Doriath, the stretch of the River Sirion between the inflow of Aros and the Falls. The river here branched into many marshes and pools, through which the border guard of Doriath ran ferries.

Also called the Meres of Twilight and the Twilight Meres. (S 114, 122, 168, 217, 355. B 134, 145, 203, 267, 445.)

AELUIN (S.) Tarn in eastern Dorthonion, the headquarters of Barahir's outlaw band. It was said that its clear waters were hallowed by Melian. (S 162, 163, Map. B 195, 197.)

AERANDIR (S.: `sea-wanderer') (fl. FA 600) Mariner, companion of Eärendil on his voyages. (S 248, 250. B 307, 309.)

AERIE Supposedly an Elven-realm, in Bilbo's poem Errantry . The name is merely an imitation of Elvish, and thus probably bears no meaning in terms of the geography of Arda. (TB 8, 25.)

AERIN (S.) (fl. FA 473-96) Adan of the House of Hador. She lived in Dor-lómin and was married (probably after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad) to an Easterling named Brodda. Aerin aided Morwen and Túrin after the battle. (S 198, 215. B 243, 264.)

AERLINN (S.: `sea-song'?) See: A Elbereth Gilthoniel . (R 62.)

AFTERCOMERS Men (q.v.). (S 83, 99. B 92, 114.)

AFTERLITHE The seventh month of the Shire Reckoning (q.v.), coming after Lithe, and thus corresponding roughly to our July.

Afterlithe was called Mede by the inhabitants of Bree. (III 478, 483; '93 ed. 439, 444; '01 ed. 426, 431.)

AFTERYULE The first month of the Shire Reckoning (q.v.), coming after Yule, and thus corresponding roughly to our January.

In Bree the name was Frery. (III 478, 483; '93 ed. 439, 445; '01 ed. 426, 431.)

AGARWAEN (S.: `bloodstained') Pseudonym used by Túrin (q.v.) in Nargothrond. (S 210. B 257.)

AGLAROND (S.: `glittering caves') The caverns of Helm's Deep, first worked by the Númenoreans and later used as a refuge and storage-place by the Rohirrim. During the Battle of the Hornburg, Gimli fought in the Aglarond and discovered their great beauty. After the WR, he settled in the caves with some Dwarves of Erebor and became the Lord of the Glittering Caves. The new gates of Minas Tirith were probably forged here, and the Dwarves of Aglarond did many great works for Gondor and Rohan.

Called by the Rohirrim the Caverns of Helm's Deep and in Westron the Glittering Caves; the Glittering Caves of Aglarond was a bilingual (and redundant) name. (II 193-5; '93 ed. 179-81; '01 ed. 165-67. III 451; '93 ed. 411; '01 ed. 397, 399. S 291. B 361.)

AGLON (S.: `narrow pass') Pass into Beleriand from Lothlann between the hills of Dorthonion and Himring. Aglon was fortified by Celegorm and Curufin, but the pass was forced by Morgoth's armies during Dagor Bragollach. Maedhros soon retook Aglon, but when he fled from the north after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad the pass was left undefended. (S 123, 152-53, 314. B 147, 183-84, 390.)

AHA (Q.: `rage') The later name for the tengwa [Text unreadable in original source.] (number 11), adopted when this letter came to represent initial breath h and medial and terminal ch .

See: harma. (III 500; '93 ed. 462; '01 ed. 447.)

AIGLOS Aeglos (q.v.). (I 319; '93 ed. 293; '01 ed. 273.)

AIKANÁRO (Q.: `sharp or fell flame') The original name of Aegnor (q.v.). (S 362. B 454.)

AINULINDALË (Q.: 'Ainu-song-') The Great Music sung by the Ainur, the development of the three themes of Ilúvatar and thus an expression of the divine order. The first theme, created by Ilúvatar but developed by the Ainur, presented the form of Eä. This theme was marred by the discord of Melkor, but the second theme, probably indicating the shaping of Arda, defeated this discord and incorporated it into itself. The third theme, in which the Ainur did not participate, dealt with the creation of the Children of Ilúvatar and their history up to the Dominion of Men.

Also called the Music of the Ainur, the Great Music, the Music, and the Song. (S 15-20, 28, 41, 45-46, 68, 105. B 3-9, 21, 38, 43-44, 74, 121.)

AINULINDALË Account of the Creation of Eä, said to have been written by Rúmil of Tirion in the First Age. This is probably the ultimate source of the Creation account in the Red Book of Westmarch. (S 314. B 390.)

AINULINDALË Account of the Creation of Eä by Ilúvatar, the rebellion of Melkor, and the preparation of Arda by the Valar for the Children of Ilúvatar. Closely associated with Quenta Silmarillion, Ainulindalë was probably based on the account by Rúmil of Tirion and brought to Middle-earth by the Noldorin Exiles. It was preserved through Bilbo's Translations from the Elvish in the Red Book of Westmarch. (S 8, 15-22. B xiii, 3-13.)

AINUR (Q.: `holy ones') Angelic spirits, offspring of the thought of Ilúvatar. Most of the Ainur dwell with Ilúvatar, but some, the Valar and Maiar (qq.v.), have come to Eä to fulfill the Ainulindalë. Others, including Ungoliant and the Balrogs, came to Eä to hinder the Ainulindalë and conquer or destroy the Light; of these, some, notably Melkor and Sauron, have been cast out into the Void.

The Ainur have no innate forms, and the names by which the Valar and Maiar are known were probably given them within Eä. Although beings of spirit, they have kinship with each other and gender.

Also called the Holy Ones and the Great Ones. (S 15-22, 25-26, 314, 355. B 3-13, 17-18, 390, 445.)

AINUR OF THE GREAT SONG Those of the Ainur who participated in the Ainulindalë. (S 205. B 251.)

AKALLABÊTH (Ad.: `the downfallen') Name given to Númenor (q.v.) by the Dúnedain after its destruction.

The Quenya equivalent is Atalantë, whence the Greek Atlantis. (K 23. S 281. B 347.)

AKALLABÊTH The history of the founding and downfall of Númenor, probably composed by the Dúnedain early in the Third Age and preserved through a Gondorian manuscript copied for the Tooks and kept at Great Smials. (I 39; '93 ed. 36-37; '01 ed. 17-18. S 8, 259-81. B xiii, 319-49.)

ALATÁRIEL Altariel (q.v.). (S 360. B 451-52.)

ALCARIN, TAR- (Q.: `the glorious') (fl. SA 28th Cent.) Dúnadan, seventeenth King of Númenor. (III 390; '93 ed. 352; '01 ed. 344.)

ALCARINQUË (Q.: 'glorious') A star, wrought by Varda in preparation for the awakening of the Elves. (S 48, 314. B 48, 391.)

ALCARONDAS The flagship of Ar-Pharazôn, destroyed with the rest of the Númenórean fleet that sailed to Valinor.

Also called Castle of the Sea. The name should be Adûnaic, but its form seems Quenya. (S 278. B 343.)

ALDA (Q.: 'tree') Name of the tengwa [Text unreadable in original source.] (number 28), used in Quenya for ld but in Sindarin and Westron frequently representing lh . (III 500; '93 ed. 462; '01 ed. 447.)

ALDALÓMË (Q.: `tree-shadow') A term used by Fangorn the Ent to refer to Fangorn Forest, perhaps part of the long name of the Forest. (II 91; '93 ed. 85; '01 ed. 71.)

ALDAMIR (Q.: `tree-jewel') (d. TA 1540) Dúnadan, twenty-third King of Gondor (1490-1540). He died a violent death. (III 395; '93 ed. 357; '01 ed. 348.)

ALDARION, TAR- (Q.: `of trees') (d. SA 1075) Dúnadan, sixth King of Númenor. He had tragic relations with his father, Tar-Meneldur, and with his wife, perhaps related to the fact that he left no male heirs. (III 390, 391; '93 ed. 352, 353; '01 ed. 344. RP 9/12/66.)

ALDARON (Q.: `lord of trees') A title of Oromë (q.v.). (S 29, 314. B 22, 391.)

ALDËA (Q.: `tree-day') Quenya form of the Númenórean and Westron names for the fourth day of the enquië, named in honor of the White Tree. The Sindarin form was Orgaladh, and the Hobbitish Trewesdei.

See also: Aldúya. (III 484; '93 ed. 445; '01 ed. 431.)

ALDOR (tr. Roh.: `prince, old') (TA 2544-2645) Man, third King of Rohan (2570-2645). Aldor reigned for seventy-five years and completed the conquest of Rohan east of the Isen. In his time Harrowdale and other valleys in the Ered Nimrais were settled.

Aldor was known as the Old because of his long life and reign. (III 434; '93 ed. 396; '01 ed. 384.)

ALDUDÉNIË (Q.: `two trees lament') Account of the destruction of the Two Trees, composed by Elemmírë the Vana soon after the event and known to all the Eldar. (S 76, 314. B 84, 391.)

ALDÚYA (Q.: `trees-day') Quenya form of the Eldarin name for the fourth day of the enquië, named for the Two Trees. The Sindarin form was Orgaladhad. (III 484; '93 ed. 445; '01 ed. 431.)

ALFIRIN (S.) A golden flower that grew, among other places, in the fields of Lebennin. (III 185; '93 ed. 167; '01 ed. 156.)

ALMAREN (Q.) Island in the Great Lake of Middle-earth, dwelling-place of the Valar in the time of the Two Lamps. Almaren, and the dwellings of the Valar, were destroyed when Melkor cast down the Two Lamps.

Also called the Isle of Almaren. (S 35, 36, 37. B 30, 32.)

ALPHABET OF DAERON The Angerthas Daeron (q.v.). (III 493; '93 ed. 455; '01 ed. 441.)

ALQUALONDË (Q.: `swan-haven') City and port in Eldamar on the coast north of the Calacirya, built by the Teleri when they came to Aman. Olwë was its lord. The harbor of Alqualondë was entered through a great natural arch.

Also called the Haven of the Swans and the Haven. (I 309; '93 ed. 283; '01 ed. 263. S 61, 86-87. B 65, 97-98.)

ALTARIEL (Q.: alata `radiance' + riel 'garlanded maiden') The original name of Galadriel, referring to her golden hair.

Also spelled Altáriel and Alatáriel. (R. 58. S 360. B 451-52.)

AMAN (Q.: `blessed, free from evil') The great western continent lying between Belegaer and Ekkaia. Valinor lay in central Aman west of the great curve of the Pelóri. Eldamar comprised the narrow coastal strip east of the Pelóri near the Calacirya, while to the north and south stretched the great wastes of Araman and Avathar. Aman and Tol Eressëa were removed from Arda when Arda was made round at the destruction of Númenor.

Frequently called Aman the Blessed and the Blessed Realm. Also called the Ancient West. See also: the Undying Lands. (III 392; '93 ed. 354; '01 ed. 346. L 179. S 37, 51, 57, 62, 73, 74, 80, 101, 264, 279-80, 314. B 32, 51-52, 59, 66, 80, 81, 88, 116, 326, 346, 391.)

AMANDIL, TAR- (Q.: `lover of Aman') (fl. SA 6th Cent.) Dúnadan, third King of Númenor. (III 390; '93 ed. 352; '01 ed. 344.)

AMANDIL (d. SA 3319) Dúnadan, last lord of Andúnië and the father of Elendil. He was the leader of the Faithful and resisted the seductions of Sauron, but at last, seeing that doom was fast approaching, he counseled his followers to take to their ships. Amandil himself sailed to Aman to beg the Valar for mercy; he was never heard from again.

Continues...

Excerpted from THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO MIDDLE-EARTH by Robert Foster Copyright © 1978 by Robert Foster
Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.