Tolkien’s books and manuscripts
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel of the War of the Ring, first published in three volumes in 1954–1955. Its six internal books follow the attempt to…
The Tolkien Encyclopedia
THE PUBLIC MIDDLE-EARTH ENCYCLOPEDIA
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Tolkien’s books and manuscripts
The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion is a posthumously published collection of J. R. R. Tolkien’s mythology and historical narratives, edited by Christopher Tolkien and first published in 1977. Its five principal parts extend from the…
Tolkien’s books and manuscripts
The Hobbit
The Hobbit, or There and Back Again is J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel about Bilbo Baggins’s journey with Thorin Oakenshield and his companions. It was first published in Britain by George Allen…
Peoples and creatures
Noldor
The Noldor are one of the principal kindreds of the Eldar, distinguished in Tolkien’s histories by their learning, craftsmanship and central role in the rebellion and wars of the First Age.
Objects and artifacts
Narya
Narya is the Ring of Fire, one of the Three Elven Rings, borne by Gandalf during his mission in Middle-earth. It is distinguished by its red stone and by its association with…
Objects and artifacts
Nenya
Nenya is the Ring of Adamant, also associated with water, and one of the Three Elven Rings. Galadriel bears it during the Third Age, when it helps sustain the preserved character of…
Objects and artifacts
Vilya
Vilya is the Ring of Air, a gold ring bearing a blue stone, and one of the Three Elven Rings. Elrond is its bearer in the later history of the Third Age.
Cosmology and mythology
The Music of the Ainur
The Music of the Ainur is the great music through which Ilúvatar reveals a vision of the world to the Ainur in the Ainulindalë. It precedes the actual existence of Eä and…
Cosmology and mythology
The Flame Imperishable
The Flame Imperishable is associated in the Ainulindalë with Ilúvatar’s power to give true being. Melkor seeks it in the Void, but cannot find it apart from Ilúvatar.
Places and geography
Rivendell
Rivendell, called Imladris in Sindarin, is Elrond’s refuge in a hidden valley west of the Misty Mountains. It is a major centre of Elven memory, healing and counsel in the Second and…
Places and geography
Gondolin
Gondolin is the hidden city founded by Turgon in the enclosed valley of Tumladen during the First Age. Its concealment makes it one of the most enduring refuges of the Noldor in…
Places and geography
Mordor
Mordor is Sauron’s principal realm in southeastern Middle-earth, enclosed on much of its perimeter by mountain ranges. Its most important sites include Barad-dûr, Mount Doom and the fortified northern approaches.
History and events
The Last Alliance
The Last Alliance is the alliance of Elves and Men led by Gil-galad and Elendil against Sauron at the end of the Second Age. Its victory defeats Sauron’s immediate military power but…
Languages and etymology
Sindarin
Sindarin is an Elvish language developed by Tolkien and spoken within the legendarium by the Sindar and many other Elves. It is distinct from Quenya, although the two belong to a related…
Languages and etymology
Tengwar
The Tengwar are a writing system devised by Tolkien, attributed within the legendarium to Fëanor. They are characters that can be used to represent different languages, rather than a language in their…
Peoples and creatures
Hobbits
Hobbits are a small people closely related to Men, best known through the inhabitants of the Shire and Bree. Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin belong to this people; they are not…
Peoples and creatures
Maiar
The Maiar are Ainur of the same broad order of being as the Valar, but of lesser degree. Within the history of Arda they assist the Valar in shaping and governing the…
Characters and biographies
Frodo Baggins
Frodo Baggins is the hobbit entrusted with carrying the One Ring from the Shire towards its destruction in Mordor. He is Bilbo Baggins’s younger cousin and adopted heir, rather than his biological…
Characters and biographies
Bilbo Baggins
Bilbo Baggins is the hobbit protagonist of The Hobbit and the older cousin who adopts Frodo as his heir. His unexpected journey with Thorin Oakenshield’s company brings him into the history of…
Characters and biographies
Galadriel
Galadriel is a great Elf of the Noldor, daughter of Finarfin and Eärwen, and the bearer of Nenya, one of the Three Elven Rings. With Celeborn she governs Lothlórien during the War…
Characters and biographies
Elrond
Elrond is the Half-elven lord of Rivendell, son of Eärendil and Elwing, brother of Elros, and father of Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen. He chooses the fate of the Elves and survives into…
Characters and biographies
Fëanor
Fëanor is the eldest son of Finwë, a prince of the Noldor and the maker of the Silmarils. His exceptional gifts, fierce possessiveness and rebellion shape much of the tragedy of the…