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
Explore Tolkien’s people, places, histories and ideas. Definitions remain free to read. Use a name or keyword, choose a topic, or browse by initial letter.
117 matching entries · 117 public entries in the encyclopedia. Reset filters
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
Characters and genealogies
Beruthiel
Beruthiel (Unknown) was the wife of Tarannon Falastur 12th King of Gondor. She was described as “nefarious, solitary and loveless” it is not known why they get married, it could be a diplomatic…
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…
Places and kingdoms
Bree
Bree is a village, East of The Shire and was inhabited by both Men and Hobbits. The word “Bree” is derived from the Celtic and Welsh words for “hills” and indeed Tolkien…
Characters and genealogies
Calimehtar
Calimehtar (after TA 1126-TA NA) was the youngest son of Calmacil, and younger brother to Minalcar. There is next to no information about his life. Even the names of his children are…
Characters and genealogies
Calmacil
Calmacil (TA 1058-TA 1304) was the 18th King of Gondor, however only served as ruler for 10 years till his death. As the younger brother of Namacil’s he was only able to take…
Places and kingdoms
Carn Dûm
Witch-King's fortress in Angmar, the dread city populated by beasts and necromancers in service to the Lord of Angmar.
Characters and genealogies
Castamir the Usurper
Castamir “The Usurper” (TA 1259-TA 1447) was the 22nd King of Gondor. As the grandson of Calimehtar he had a legitimate claim to the throne, so rose up and usurped Eldacar from the…
Characters and genealogies
Cemendur
Cemendur (SA 3399-TA 238) son of Anarion, grandson of Elendil and fourth king of Gondor. Information is scarce about his reign, the only real knowleged is that it is said that it…
Characters and genealogies
Ciryaher
Ciryaher (TA 899-TA 1149) later becoming known as Hyarmendacil the 1st, was the 15th King of Gondor and 4th and final Ship-King. He held the second longest reign of the line of Anarion. Gondor…