The Real Middle Earth; Exploring the Magic and Mystery of the Middle Ages, J.R.R. Tolkien, and "The Lord of the Rings"

by Brian Bates

• ISBN13: 9781403963192
• ISBN10: 1403963193
• Format: Trade Book
• Copyright: 2003-11-15
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan

Summary

J.R.R. Tolkien claimed that he based the land of Middle Earth on a real place.The Real Middle Earthbrings alive, for the first time, the very real civilization in which those who lived had a vision of life animated by beings beyond the material world. Magic was real to them and they believed their universe was held together by an interlaced web of golden threads visible only to wizards. At its center was Middle Earth, a place peopled by humans, but imbued with spiritual power. It was a real realm that stretched from Old England to Scandinavia and across to western Europe, encompassing Celts, Anglo Saxons and Vikings. Looking first at the rich and varied tribes who made up the populace of this mystical land, Bates looks at how the people lived their daily lives in a world of magic and mystery. Using archaeological, historical, and psychological research, Brian Bates breathes life into this civilization of two thousand years ago in a book that every Tolkien fan will want.

Author Biography

Brian Bates is a Professor at the University of Brighton. He is the author of the bestselling novel, The Way of the Wyrd. His most recent book is The Human Face, co-written with John Cleese.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii
Maps	ix
REDISCOVERING THE REAL MIDDLE-EARTH
1. The Real Middle-earth	3	(9)
2. The People of Middle-earth	12	(19)
3. How They Lived	31	(10)
4. The Magic of the Forest	41	(24)
THE DOOM OF DRAGONS
5. Towers of Doom	65	(14)
6. The Dragon's Lair	79	(9)
7. A Hoard of Treasure	88	(13)
THE ENCHANTED EARTH
8. Elves' Arrows	101	(11)
9. Plant Magic	112	(8)
10. Spirit Nights	120	(9)
11. Wells of Wisdom	129	(16)
MAGICAL BEASTS
12. The Raven's Omen	145	(10)
13. Shapeshifters	155	(10)
14. The Wizard's Wild Ride	165	(10)
WIZARDS OF WYRD
15. The Web of Destiny	175	(11)
16. The Seeress	186	(21)
DWARVES, GIANTS AND MONSTERS
17. Ents	207	(9)
18. The Dwarves' Forge	216	(6)
19. Spellbinding	222	(10)
20. The Spider Monster	232	(13)
VOYAGE TO THE OTHERWORLD
21. Journey to the Edge of Middle-earth	245	(12)
Notes	257	(28)
Index	285