Characters and biographies
Radagast
Radagast the Brown is one of the Istari, the emissaries sent to assist the peoples of Middle-earth against Sauron. He is especially associated with birds, beasts and the lands near Mirkwood.
The Tolkien Encyclopedia
THE PUBLIC MIDDLE-EARTH ENCYCLOPEDIA
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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 biographies
Saruman
Saruman is the chief of the Istari and, for a time, head of the White Council. His study of Sauron's methods becomes a desire to imitate them, turning a mission of resistance…
Characters and biographies
Sauron
Sauron is the principal adversary of the Free Peoples in the Second and Third Ages. Originally a Maia, he serves Morgoth before pursuing his own project of domination, most decisively through the…
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.
Creatures and beasts
Shelob
Shelob is the ancient spider-like creature whose lair guards the passage of Cirith Ungol above Minas Morgul. She serves her own appetite rather than functioning simply as an obedient soldier in Sauron's…
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…
Creatures and beasts
Smaug
Smaug is the dragon who drives the Dwarves from Erebor, destroys Dale and occupies the treasure of the Lonely Mountain. His confrontation with Bilbo makes intelligence, suspicion and verbal manipulation as important…
Objects and artifacts
Sting
Sting is the small Elven blade found by Bilbo in the trolls' hoard and later carried by Frodo and Sam. Its size for a hobbit makes it a sword, even though a…
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…
Places and geography
Thangorodrim
Thangorodrim is the group of three great peaks raised above Angband by Morgoth. It marks his northern dominion on the landscape and becomes the setting for captivity, rescue and the final collapse…
Tolkien’s books and manuscripts
The Children of Húrin
The Children of Húrin is the continuous prose presentation of the tragedy of Túrin and Niënor, prepared by Christopher Tolkien from his father's writings. It expands a central First Age tale into…
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.
Tolkien’s books and manuscripts
The History of Middle-earth
The History of Middle-earth is Christopher Tolkien's twelve-volume edition of his father's developing legendarium. It documents composition and revision through manuscripts, poems, outlines, annals and commentary, rather than continuing the narrative after…
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…