Peoples and creatures
Ainur
Ainur were the mightiest being created by Eru. Divine spirits, the Holy Ones. There are two "orders" of Ainur - Valar and Maia. The Ainur were the offspring of Eru's thoughts.
The Tolkien Encyclopedia
THE PUBLIC MIDDLE-EARTH ENCYCLOPEDIA
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Characters and genealogies
Aldamir
Aldamir (TA 1330-TA 1540) was the 23rd King of Gondor as Castamir was still counted as the 22nd. The younger of son of Eldacar but took the throne after Eldacar’s death as his…
Places and geography
Aman
Aman is the western land associated with the Valar and many of the Eldar. Often called the Blessed Realm or the Undying Lands, it must be distinguished both from Valinor as a…
Characters and genealogies
Anardil
Anardil (TA 136-TA 411) the sixth King of Gondor, son of Earendil. He ruled for 87 years, in what seemed to be an uneventful reign. He is known as the last Gondorian…
Characters and genealogies
Anarion
Anarion (SA 3219-SA 3440) the youngest son of Elendil was part of the 9 faithful that left Numenor after it’s downfall, eventually settling and ruling Gondor with brother Isildur. Anarion settled on…
Creatures and beasts
Ancalagon the Black
Ancalagon the Black is the greatest of the winged dragons released by Morgoth in the final struggle of the War of Wrath. His brief appearance belongs to the catastrophic close of the…
Places and geography
Angband
Angband is Morgoth's great northern stronghold during the wars of Beleriand. Its underground depths, gates and associated peaks make it a centre of imprisonment and military command rather than merely a castle…
Places and kingdoms
Angmar
Angmar is the kingdom of the Witch-king, Sauron's greatest servant. It is barren and rocky, with thick clouds striving to block out the sun.Its capital is Carn Dum, a dread city populated…
Characters and genealogies
Aragorn
Reading this entry: This illustrated legacy entry includes discussion of Peter Jackson’s films as well as Tolkien’s books. Film images and adaptation details should not be treated as evidence for the literary…
ENCYCLOPEDIA
Ararat
The High Ones of Arda. Among Valar nine of them were of chief power and reverence, but when Melkor was removed from their number, the Eight remained: ManwëVardaAulëYavannaUlmoOromëMandosNienna
Places and kingdoms
Arda
The world in which all peoples of Middle-earth and of Valinor lived
Places and kingdoms
Argonath
The Argonath by John Howe The Argonath, also called the Pillars of Kings or the Gates of Argonath. Construction was ordered in TA 1248 by Romendacil the 2nd to commemorate his victory against…
Objects and artifacts
Arkenstone
The Arkenstone was considered to be the greatest treasure of all the Dwarf-hoards. It is also called the Heart of the Mountain, or the Arkenstone of Thráin. The jewel was lost, that…
Characters and biographies
Arwen
Arwen Undómiel is the daughter of Elrond and Celebrían and the wife of Aragorn. Her choice of a mortal life gives the restored kingship a personal cost that extends beyond the public…
Characters and genealogies
Atanatar
Atanatar 1 (TA 480-TA 748) was the tenth King of Gondor. Ruled in the peace accomplished by his father Turambar following the conquest of the Easterlings. Ruled Gondor for 81 years until…
Characters and genealogies
Atanatar II Alcarian
Atanatar II (TA 977-TA 1226) was the 16th King of Gondor, he was also known as Atanatar II Alcarian, meaning ‘glorious’. He took the crown in 1149 of the Third Age after the…
Cosmology and mythology
Aulë
Aulë was an Ainu and a Vala created by Eru Iliuvatar, and his lordship was over all the substances of which Arda was made. He was a Smith and master of all crafts,…
Peoples and creatures
Balrogs
Balrogs, or “Demons of Might” (loose translation in Elvish), are primordial spirits. Originally Maiar, these fiery demons carried swords and whips, moving quickly. Balrogs did have some mastery over magical arts. Most…
Places and geography
Barad-dûr
Barad-dûr is Sauron's great fortress in Mordor, whose foundations are bound to the power of the One Ring. Its history joins the building of a dominion to the hidden condition that prevents…
Characters and biographies
Bard the Bowman
Bard is the archer who kills Smaug during the attack on Lake-town and later restores the kingship of Dale. His emergence changes the outcome of the Dwarves' quest by bringing the needs…
Peoples and creatures
Barrow-wights
Barrow-wights were evil spirits serving the Witch-King that possessed the corpses of the ancient kings and queens of the ancient land of Cardolan that once belonged to the Dunedain. The spirits were…
History and events
Battle of Five Armies
The Battle of Five Armies is the great conflict near Erebor at the end of The Hobbit. The approach of a common enemy interrupts a dispute over Smaug's hoard and compels former…
Places and geography
Beleriand
Beleriand is the region west of the Blue Mountains in which much of the First Age history of The Silmarillion takes place. Its destruction makes the geography of the elder tales fundamentally…
Characters and biographies
Beorn
Beorn is the skin-changer who shelters Gandalf, Bilbo and the Dwarves before their passage through Mirkwood. His capacity to take the form of a great bear makes hospitality and danger inseparable in…