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The Tolkien Encyclopedia

Lauterbrunnen valley, Switzerland. Tolkien travelled in the Swiss Alps in 1911.
Lauterbrunnen valley, Switzerland. Tolkien travelled in the Swiss Alps in 1911. Ximonic (Simo Räsänen) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

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.

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117 matching entries · 117 public entries in the encyclopedia. Reset filters

Characters and genealogies

Ornendil

Ornendil (Prior to TA 1330-TA 1437) was the eldest son of King Eldacar of Gondor and the older brother to Aldamir.  During the civil war in Gondor broke out after Castamir usurped…

Cosmology and mythology

Oromë

Oromë was a Vala created by Eru Iluvatar, one of the Aratar, also known as the Huntsman of the Valar as he was a hunter of monsters and fell beasts. Oromë is…

Places and kingdoms

Osgiliath

Osgiliath was the first capital city of Gondor. During the War of the Ring, the abandoned city gained strategic importance as a crossing point over the Anduin, both for the Men of…

Characters and genealogies

Ostoher

Ostoher (TA 222-TA 492) the seventh King of Gondor, took to the throne after the death of his father Anardil in TA 411. In TA 420, he renovated and extended Minas Anor…

Objects and artifacts

Palantirs

Fëanor forged the eight Seeing-stones during the Elder Days. The palantírs are described as perfectly round spheres, varying in diameter, and very heavy. They were mainly used as Seeing-stones since they enabled…

Peoples and creatures

Quendi

Quendi is what the Elves called themselves. Quendë - speaker, the one who speaks with voices.

Languages and etymology

Quenya

Quenya was the language spoken by non-Telerin Elves. It was later adopted by Valar.

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 kingdoms

Rohan

Rohan, or the Riddermark (Rohirric), was a great kingdom of Men located in the land once known as Calenardhon, situated in the plains between the Misty Mountains and the White Mountains. The…

Characters and genealogies

Romendacil I

Romendacil the 1st, born Tarostar (TA 310-TA 541), was the 8th King of Gondor. Son of Ostoher, Tarostar ruled for 49 years from TA 492, after leading Gondor to victory against the invading…

Characters and genealogies

Samwise Gamgee

Sam was a Hobbit of the Shire and the best friend of Frodo. He was a gardener with a peculiar affection for potatoes. Best known for his courage and loyalty, he played…

Characters and genealogies

Scatha

A mighty Long-worm of the Grey Mountain, one of the greatest Dragons. He was slain by Éothéod lord Fram, son of Frungmar.

Places and kingdoms

Shire

Shire is a beautiful and fruitful land inhabited by Hobbits in Eriador. The landscape with downloads and woods is much like the English countryside. The Shire measures 40 leagues (about 120 Numeronan…

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…

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…

Characters and genealogies

Siriondil

Siriondil (TA 570-TA 830) was the eleventh King of Gondor. Father of the first of the four Ship Kings of Gondor, that being Tarannon and another son called Tarciryan. Siriondil’s reign was…

Characters and genealogies

Tarannon

Tarannon (TA 654-TA913) later known as Tarannon Falastur of Gondor was the 12th King of Gondor. He held the title of Captain of Hosts a high honour in the Gondorian army as well…

Characters and genealogies

Tarciryan

Tarciryan (TA some point after 654-TA 913) was the younger son of Sirondil and never sat on the throne of Gondor. However, when his brother Tarannon died without leaving an heir, Tarciryans…

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…

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…

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…

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