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Eärnur

2025-11-06T17:02:15Z

Valkeyor: /* Angmar */

{{infobox character
| people=[[Gondorians|Gondorian]]
| name=Eärnur
| image=Earnur RotWK.png
| caption=Eärnur from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king]]''
| pronun=[[Quenya|Q]], {{IPA|[eˈarnur]}}
| othernames=
| titles=[[Captain of Gondor]], [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]
| position=
| location=[[Gondor]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth={{TA|1928}}
| birthlocation=
| rule={{TA|2043}} - {{TA|2050|n}} (7 years)
| death={{TA|2050}}
| deathlocation=[[Minas Morgul]]
| age=122
| notablefor=
| house=[[House of Anárion]]
| parentage=[[Eärnil II]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}

{{quote|Eärnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom. He was a man of strong body and hot mood; but he would take no wife, for his only pleasure was in fighting, or in the exercise of arms.|''[[Appendix A]]'', "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"}}

'''Eärnur''' ({{TA|1928|n}}<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, manuscript C, The Southern Line of Gondor: the Anarioni, 33. Eärnur</ref> – {{TA|2050|n}}<ref name="South">{{App|South}}, ''Kings of Gondor'', Eärnur, p. 1039</ref>) was the thirty-third and last [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]<ref name="South" />. He took the throne upon the death of his father [[Eärnil II]] in {{TA|2043}}<ref>{{App|South}}, ''Kings of Gondor'', Eärnil II, p. 1039</ref>, and after his disappearance, the [[Stewards of Gondor]] ruled in his name for many generations<ref name="South" />.

==History==
Eärnur had great courage like his father, but did not possess his father's wisdom. He had a strong body and a hot mood. He did not marry, because fighting was his only pleasure. Nobody in Gondor could defeat him in the weapon-sports in which he took pleasure. Eärnur seemed more like a champion than a captain or king. He retained his vigour and skill to a later age than was then usual.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Eärnur, p. 1052</ref>

===Angmar===
During the [[Angmar War]], what was left of the ancient realm of [[Arnor]] was under attack. While not ignoring the North-Kingdom, King [[Eärnil II]] had trouble of his own, and could not spare any of his troops to send North. Upon learning that the Witch-king was preparing for the final blow in {{TA|1973}}, he sent his son Prince Eärnur north, as [[Captain of Gondor]]. Though his fleet sailed rapidly, he was not in time to save [[Arthedain]] or [[Arvedui]], its last king. His massive fleet - so large it filled [[Grey Havens|Mithlond]], [[Harlond (Lindon)|Harlond]] and [[Forlond]] - was hailed by the Men that had survived the last defeat, and the [[Elves of Lindon|Elves]] also. To Gondor's standards, the expeditionary force was mediocre in size. It did, however, include cavalry from [[Rhovanion]], which would prove useful on the wide lands of the North.

With [[Círdan]], Eärnur travelled East, and cleansed the lands of Orcs and other servants of Angmar. All fled before the might of the [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]], with Eärnur at its head. At the same time, [[Glorfindel]] came west from [[Rivendell]] and they [[Battle of Fornost|fought against Angmar]] at [[Fornost]]. When finally the Witch-king, clad in black, came forth near the site, many of the horses fled in terror. The Witch-king challenged Eärnur directly, but as he charged, his steed also swerved, and it took some time before the Captain of Gondor could regain control. The Witch-king laughed at this seeming retreat, but his victory would not last long. The Elves of Rivendell entered the battlefield, and the Witch-king fled before the [[Light of Valinor|might]] of Glorfindel. Fleeing in despair, Eärnur wanted to pursue him, but Glorfindel spoke against it: "''Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall''".<ref name="Appendix">{{App|A1iv}}</ref>

But nonetheless, Eärnur bore a grudge against the wraith that disgraced him, and so he won the chief hatred of the Witch-king.

===Kingship===
It was soon found out that the Witch-king escaped to [[Mordor]], and set up abode in Minas Ithil, which in consequence was renamed [[Minas Morgul]]. After the death of Eärnil and the coronation of Eärnur, the Witch-king challenged him to single combat, reminding him of the disgrace in the North. The [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward]], [[Mardil|Mardil Voronwë]], persuaded him not to go.<ref name="Appendix" />

Seven years later, the Witch-king renewed his challenge, and this time, Eärnur could not be held back. Before leaving, however, Eärnur left [[Crown of Gondor|his crown]] on the lap of his father in the [[Hallows|Houses of the Dead]].<ref name="Appendix" /> There it was picked up again by [[Faramir]], the last Ruling Steward, for the coronation of [[Aragorn|Elessar]] almost a millennium later.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}</ref> With a small escort of knights, he rode past the gates of Minas Morgul. None were ever seen again.<ref name="Appendix" />

No new king was elected and the rule of Gondor passed to the [[Ruling Stewards]], beginning with Mardil Voronwë. The Stewards were to rule "until the King returns", because it was uncertain at first whether Eärnur had been killed or not. In addition, Eärnur left without an heir, and while many others in Gondor could lay some sort of claim to the kingship, those claims generally had some sort of doubt, and no one wanted to risk another civil war like the [[Kin-strife]].<ref name="Appendix" /><ref>{{S|V}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Eärnur'' is a [[Quenya]] name<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry Q ''Eärnur'', p. 88</ref> that is a shortened form of the name ''[[Eärendur]]''<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entry ''-ndur''</ref><ref>{{PE|Eldarin}}, root '''EL''', p. 152</ref>. It means "(professional) mariner".<ref>{{L|297|118}}</ref> As Paul Strack explains, a more literal translation might be "Servant of the Sea". It is a compound of [[eär]] ("sea") and [[-ndur|-(n)dur]] ("servant").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-2251744941.html|articlename=Q. ''Eärnur'' m.|website=Eldamo|accessed=17 January 2025}}</ref>

==Genealogy==
Eärnur was a member of the "fifth line" of Kings of Gondor, which started with his father after the death [[Ondoher]] and his sons in {{TA|1944}}, and ended with himself a little over a century later.

{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | TEL | | |TEL=[[Telumehtar Umbardacil|Telumehtar]] ''{{TA|1632|n}} - {{TA|1850|n}}''}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NAR | | ARC |NAR=[[Narmacil II]] ''{{TA|1684|n}} - {{TA|1856|n}}''†|ARC=[[Arciryas]] ''unknown''}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | |!| |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | MEH | | MAC |MEH=[[Calimehtar (King of Gondor)|Calimehtar]] ''{{TA|1736|n}} - {{TA|1936|n}}''|MAC=[[Calimmacil]] ''unknown''}}
{{familytree | ARN | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|(| | | |!| |ARN=[[Kings of Arnor|''Kings of Arnor'']]}}
{{familytree | |:| | | | | | | | | | | OND | | DAU | | SIR |OND=[[Ondoher]] ''{{TA|1787|n}} - {{TA|1944|n}}''†|DAU=''Daughter'' ''unknown''|SIR=[[Siriondil (son of Calimmacil)|Siriondil]] ''unknown''}}
{{familytree | |:| | | |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|(| | | |!| | | |!| |}}
{{familytree | ARV |y| FIR | | ART | | FAR | | MIN | | EAR |ARV=[[Arvedui]] ''{{TA|1864|n}} - {{TA|1975|n}}''†|FIR=[[Fíriel]] ''b. {{TA|1896|n}}''|ART=[[Artamir]] ''d. {{TA|1944|n}}''†|FAR=[[Faramir (son of Ondoher)|Faramir]] ''d. {{TA|1944|n}}''†|MIN=[[Minohtar]] ''d. {{TA|1944|n}}''†|EAR=[[Eärnil II]] ''{{TA|1883|n}} - {{TA|2043|n}}''}}
{{familytree | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree | | | ARA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | EAR |ARA=[[Aranarth]] ''{{TA|1938|n}} - {{TA|2106|n}}''|EAR='''EÄRNUR''' ''{{TA|1928|n}} - {{TA|2050|n}}''†}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | ARA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |ARA=[[Aragorn|Elessar]] ''{{TA|2931}} - {{FoA|120}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In an earlier version of what would later become the chapter [[The Window on the West]] the last king of the line of [[Anárion]] was not called ''King Eärnur'', but was called '''King Elessar'''.<ref>{{WR|2|V}}, p. 153</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Eärnur in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Eärnur.jpg|Eärnur during his life in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Mordirith.jpg|Eärnur as Mordirith, the Steward of Angmar
</gallery>
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:While explaining the origin of the [[Oathbreakers|Dead Men]] to [[Gimli]] (and by extension, the audience), [[Legolas]] refers to [[Isildur]] as the "Last King".<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'', "[[Dwimorberg - The Haunted Mountain]]"</ref> Whether Eärnur was omitted on purpose (so not to introduce another name) or simply overlooked is unknown.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Eärnur appeared in the expansion pack, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. He came to Rivendell to aid the Elves and Men of Arnor.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Eärnur plays a major role in the game as the chief antagonist of several story-lines and is also combined with the character of [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]. In the game, in [[Minas Morgul]] he was transformed into a [[Wraiths|wraith]] named '''Mordirith''' in service of the [[Witch-king]], who in mockery of the [[Stewards of Gondor]] made Mordirith his own Steward of [[Carn Dûm]] in [[Angmar]]. Long absent from it, Mordirith returns to Carn Dûm shortly before [[War of the Ring]], launching attacks against the Free Peoples of [[Eriador]]. Mordirith is defeated at the end of the game's original storyline, plunging the other servants of [[Sauron]] into a civil war over his position before he returns and his identity is revealed at the end of ''Volume I''. He is defeated again, but instead of being sent back to the North he is named '''Gothmog''' and is ordered to lead the Witch-King's armies against [[Gondor]].

:During the [[Battle of Pelennor Fields]] Gothmog personally kills the Ranger [[Halbarad]], but afterwards suddenly feels fear again and flees the battlefield before [[Aragorn]]. Gothmog barricades himself inside Minas Morgul, refusing even Sauron's muster to the Black Gate. Though he outlives the Dark Lord's demise, his other surviving servants blame Gothmog for it and combine their forces to assault of the City of the Dead. This gives the players and a group of [[Rangers of Ithilien]] the opportunity to sneak inside and challenge Gothmog, delivering a final defeat to him.

{{references}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=gondorian
| house=[[House of Anárion]] Cadet branch of [[House of Elros]]
| born={{TA|1928}}
| died={{TA|2050}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Eärnil II]]
| list=33rd [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]
| dates={{TA|2043}} – {{TA|2050|n}}
| nvac=Vacant
| next=Next held by: '''[[Aragorn|Elessar]]''', 969 years later
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{southernline}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Earnur}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:House of Anárion]]
[[Category:Mariners]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Earnur]]
[[fi:Eärnur]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:dunedain:gondoriens:earnur]]

Saradoc Brandybuck

2025-09-27T14:56:02Z

Valkeyor: /* Lotho Sackville-Baggins in adaptations */

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Saradoc Brandybuck
| image=Sean Vo - Saradoc, Master of Buckland.jpg
| caption="Saradoc, Master of Buckland" by [[:Category:Art by Sean Vo|Sean Vo]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Scattergold
| titles=[[Master of Buckland]]
| position=
| location=[[Brandy Hall]], [[Buckland]]
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth={{SR|1340}}<ref name="App">{{App|Brandybuck}}, p. 1104</ref>
| birthlocation=
| rule={{SR|1408}} - {{SR|1432|n}}<ref name="App"/>
| death={{SR|1432}}
| deathlocation=
| age=92
| notablefor=
| family=[[Brandybuck Family|Brandybuck]]
| parentage=[[Rorimac Brandybuck]] and [[Menegilda Goold]]
| siblings=[[Merimac Brandybuck|Merimac]]<ref name="App"/>
| spouse=[[Esmeralda Took]]
| children=[[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Meriadoc]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Saradoc "Scattergold" Brandybuck'''<ref name="App" /> was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] and [[Master of Buckland]].

==History==
Saradoc was the son of [[Rorimac Brandybuck]] and [[Menegilda Goold]]. He married [[Esmeralda Took]], and had one child, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Meriadoc]],<ref name="App" /> who joined the [[Fellowship of the Ring|Company of the Ring]]. With his father, wife and son, he was present at [[Bilbo's Farewell Party]].<ref name="App" />

Saradoc became [[Master of Buckland]] after his father's death in {{SR|1408}}.<ref name="App" />

He died twenty-four years later in {{SR|1432}} at the age of 92, and the [[Master of Buckland|Mastership]] was inherited by his son and heir Meriadoc.<ref name="App" />

==Etymology==
The meaning of the name ''Saradoc'' is unknown. [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] noted that the names of the Bucklanders had a vaguely [[Celtic]] style.<ref name="Translation">{{App|Translation}}, p. 1135</ref>

In an earlier version of the family tree for the [[Brandybucks]], the name of [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]]'s father was '''''Caradoc'''''.<ref>{{PM|Trees}}, Brandybuck of Buckland, BR 5</ref> Caradoc is a [[Celtic]] name, which means "kind" or "amiable".<ref name="Allan">{{HM|IE}}, "Giving of Names", p. 204</ref>

In using this name, J.R.R. Tolkien may have been inspired by how in about 1130 AD, a [[Wikipedia:Caradoc of Llancarfan|Caradoc of Llancarfan]] wrote about the life of St. Gildas, the first known text that associated [[King Arthur]] with [[Wikipedia:Glastonbury|Glastonbury]]. A character called Caradoc is the hero in the ''Livre de Caradoc'', which is part of the First Continuation of [[Wikipedia:Chrétien de Troyes|Chretien de Troyes']] ''[[Wikipedia:Perceval, the Story of the Grail|Perceval]]'' from about 1200 AD.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 422</ref>

Caradoc is the name of different characters in Arthurian romance. A ''Caradoc Brecbras'' was apparently a sixth century British ruler with lands in Britain and Brittany. ''Saradoc des Sept Fontaines'' is the name of one of the Knights of the Round Table listed in the 1501 edition of the romance of ''Giron le Courtois''.<ref name="Allan" />

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Saradoc Brandybuck in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Saradoc Brandybuck.jpg|Saradoc Brandybuck in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery>
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Saradoc Brandybuck can be found ouside [[Brandy Hall]] in [[Buckland]]. He sends the player to look for young Doderic Brandybuck in the [[Old Forest]].

{{references}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=hobbit
| house=[[Brandybuck Family]]
| born={{SR|1340}}
| died={{SR|1432}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Rorimac Brandybuck]]
| list=[[Master of Buckland|Master]] of [[Buckland]]
| dates={{SR|1408}} - {{SR|1432|n}}
| next=[[Meriadoc Brandybuck]]
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{masters}}
[[Category:Brandybuck]]
[[Category:Celtic names]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Masters of Buckland]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Saradoc Brandybock]]
[[fi:Saradoc Rankkibuk]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hobbits/brandibouc/saradoc brandibouc]]

Elves

2025-09-26T17:24:42Z

Valkeyor: /* Celtic influence */ Added a link to the Lebor Gabala Erenn

{{sources}}
{{race infobox
| name=Elves
| image = Janka Latečková - Vanyar.jpg
| caption="Vanyar" by [[:Category:Images by Janka Latečková|Janka Latečková]]
| pronun=
| othernames=People of the Stars, Firstborn, Elder Children of Ilúvatar
| origin=Firstborn of the [[Children of Ilúvatar|Children]] of [[Ilúvatar]]
| location=[[Cuiviénen]], [[Tirion]], [[Taniquetil]], [[Formenos]], [[Alqualondë]], [[Tol Eressëa]], [[Doriath]], [[Falas]], [[Hithlum]], [[Ossiriand]], [[Vinyamar]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Gondolin]], [[Edhellond]], [[Mouths of Sirion]], [[Isle of Balar]], [[Lindon]], [[Eldalondë]], [[Eregion]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Rivendell]], [[Mirkwood]], [[Ithilien]]
| affiliation=
| rivalry=[[Orcs]], [[Dwarves]]
| language=Various [[Elvish]] languages, most notably [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]; [[Westron]]
| people=[[Vanyar]], [[Noldor]], [[Teleri]], [[Sindar]], [[Nandor]], [[Silvan Elves|Silvan]], [[Falmari]], [[Avari]]
| members=[[Ingwë]], [[Thingol]], [[Finwë]], [[Fëanor]], [[Fingolfin]], [[Gil-galad]], [[Galadriel]], [[Finrod]], [[Sons of Fëanor]], [[Lúthien]], [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]], [[Idril]], [[Maeglin]], [[Círdan]], [[Celeborn]], [[Celebrimbor]]
| lifespan=[[Arda]]'s existence; near [[immortality]]
| distinctions=
| height=Tall
| skin=Pale, occasionally ruddy
| hair=Black, brown, blond, red, and silver
| clothing=
| weapons=Typically swords and bows
}}
{{quote|But the Quendi shall be the fairest of all earthly creatures, and they shall have and shall conceive and bring forth more beauty than all my Children; and they shall have the greater bliss in this world|[[Ilúvatar]] in ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Beginning of Days]]"}}
The '''Elves''' (''[[Quendi]]'') were the first of the races of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], known also as the [[Firstborn]] for that reason. The Elves are distinguished from the other two races, the [[Men]] and the [[Dwarves]], especially by the fact of their near [[immortality]].

==History==
===Awakening===
{{main|Awakening of the Elves}}

[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Dawn of the Firstborn Elves.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Dawn of the Firstborn Elves'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]] About the same time that [[Varda]], Queen of the [[Valier]], ended her labours in creating the [[Stars]], the Elves awoke beside the lake [[Cuiviénen]]. The first things they saw were the stars, and henceforth they adored them. The first sound they heard was the flowing of water, the noise and splash of water on the stones. And henceforth they loved water as well.

They made speech then, and called themselves the ''[[Quendi]]''. [[Morgoth|Melkor]] was the first to be aware of them, and he caused evil spirits to go about among them. When one or a small group wandered abroad, they would often vanish. It is believed that Melkor may have created [[Orcs]] with the elves he captured.

[[Oromë]], the Huntsman of the [[Valar]], happened upon them when he heard their singing far-off. He was amazed to see them, and called them the ''Eldar'', "People of the Stars".

===Sundering===
{{main|Sundering of the Elves}}

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Oromë espies the first Elves.jpg |thumb|right|250px|''Oromë espies the first Elves'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]] Though at first the Quendi were afraid of Oromë, the noblest among them saw that he was no dark horseman, as the lies of Melkor claimed. He had the light of [[Aman]] in his eyes and face, and they were drawn to him.

After spending a while among the Quendi, Oromë returned to [[Valinor]] and took council with the other Valar and Valier. At the counsel of [[Ilúvatar]], [[Manwë]], King of the Valar, decided that they must go to war against Melkor to protect the Quendi from him, beginning the [[Battle of the Powers]]. After a great battle and a siege against [[Utumno]], which reshaped the earth itself, Melkor was bound and cast into the prison of [[Mandos]]. Then the Valar, pleased with the outcome, summoned the Elves to Valinor, seeking fellowship with them, they were captivated by the beauty of the elves.

At Oromë's urging, many of the Elves (especially the kindreds of [[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and [[Elwë]]) agreed. But others, henceforth called the [[Avari]], declared that they preferred starlight and the wide spaces of [[Middle-earth]]. So the Elves were first sundered. During the journey to [[Belegaer]], gradually the number of the Elves began to lessen as various groups dropped away. Some of the [[Teleri]] (kindred of Elwë) refused to cross the [[Misty Mountains]], and settled in [[Anduin]] under the leadership of [[Lenwë]], to be called later the [[Nandor]]. Elwë then went missing, and in dismay the rest of the Teleri remained behind, while the [[Noldor]] (kindred of Finwë) and [[Vanyar]] (kindred of Ingwë) used an island as a ship, and found at last Aman and Valinor.

After several years, Oromë returned to search for the Teleri. Some, under [[Olwë]], relented and followed. Others remained to continue to search for Elwë. Still others, under [[Círdan]], remained because in that time they had become devoted to [[Ossë]] and the Sea. Those Teleri that chose to remain were called the [[Sindar]]. Elwë, who had fallen asleep due to his enchantment with [[Melian]], returned to claim lordship and establish them in [[Doriath]]. The Noldor and some of the Teleri, however, built the great cities of [[Tirion]] and [[Alqualondë]] (respectively) in Aman. The Vanyar dwelt in [[Valimar]], for they were closest to the Valar of the kindreds.

===Exile of the Noldor===
{{main|Exile of the Noldor}}

[[File:Jenny Dolfen - The Coming of Fingolfin.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Coming of Fingolfin'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]] Melkor, having been released on the promise of good behavior, spread lies about the Valar among the Noldor. [[Fëanor]], the eldest son of Finwë and one of the greatest Elves to have ever lived, hated Melkor more than all the other Noldor, but was paradoxically one of the most influenced by his lies. He forged weapons, and his greatest works, the [[Silmarils]], captured the light of the [[Two Trees]] – and his own heart. After Melkor stole the Silmarils and killed Finwë, Fëanor stirred the Noldor to open disobedience to the Valar. In an epic journey filled with treachery, death, and deceit, the Noldor entered in to Exile, crossing over into [[Beleriand]].

===Battles of Beleriand===
{{main|Battles of Beleriand}}

There were five great battles fought in Beleriand. The [[First Battle]] was the result of an attack by Melkor on Círdan and Elwë (now known as [[Thingol]]). Though the Elves managed to resist the attack successfully, this left Melkor essentially with full reign of Beleriand. Upon the sudden and unanticipated [[Return of the Noldor]], the tables were reversed in the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]]. The third battle (“[[Dagor Aglareb]]”) occurred when Melkor tried unsuccessfully to destroy the Elves, breaking forth from [[Angband]]. This only resulted in the vigilant [[Siege of Angband]]. Morgoth was more successful in the next battle, [[Dagor Bragollach]], which ended in the deaths of many Elven princes, among them [[Fingolfin]], [[High King of the Noldor]]. The siege was broken. Several decades later, [[Maedhros]], eldest son of Fëanor, counterattacked in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. Although at first very successful, the tide turned against the Elves, and ended in the destruction of [[Hithlum]]. It was not half a century later that [[Gondolin]], the last real stronghold of the Noldor, was [[Fall of Gondolin|destroyed]]. [[Doriath]], the centre of the [[Sindar]]in realm, was sacked by [[Dwarves]].[[File:Ted Nasmith - Eärendil and the Battle of Eagles and Dragons.jpg|left|150px|thumb|''Eärendil and The Battle of Eagles and Dragons'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

===Salvation===
{{main|War of Wrath}}

With the near destruction of the Elves, the last survivors were at the [[Mouths of Sirion]] and [[Isle of Balar|Balar]] and were led by Gil-galad and Círdan. Among them was [[Eärendil]], the son of [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]]. Eärendil made a miraculous voyage to [[Valinor]] to beg the pardon of the Valar. His request was granted. The Valar came across the Sea to [[Middle-earth]], and in the [[War of Wrath]] thrust Morgoth into the [[Void]] and purged Beleriand. They offered to let the Elves return with them to Valinor; some accepted, but many others, under [[Gil-galad]], chose to remain.

===Decline===

[[File:Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif|thumb|right|150px|''Celebrimbor'' by [[Angus McBride]]]] Though Morgoth was gone to trouble the world no longer, [[Sauron]], his greatest servant, was still there, and he made war on the remaining Elves who chose not to depart Middle-earth throughout the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s.

During this time the Elves realized how [[Men]] were rising to take their place, and Sauron exploited their longing for the Undying Lands. [[Annatar]] corrupted [[Celebrimbor]], the grandson of Fëanor, to make the [[Rings of Power]], with the [[Three Rings]] being created specifically to preserve the Elves against the ravages of time. Annatar was a guise of Sauron who also forged a ring – [[the One Ring]]. However the Elves realised the deception and defied Sauron, who then [[War of the Elves and Sauron|waged War against them]]. In the following centuries Elves continued to heed the invitation of the Valar, desire the Sea and depart for the Undying Lands. Realms such as [[Dol Amroth]] were deserted and gave their place to Men.

It was not until the end of the Third Age that the One Ring was destroyed, marring the Three Rings at the same time. In the years that followed the last of the Elves departed across the Sea to Valinor, their mission against Sauron complete, never to return.

Well into the [[Fourth Age]] and the [[Dominion of Men]], most Elves apparently had left the [[Westlands]], with most populations remaining at least in [[Mirkwood]] and [[Lindon]]. [[Rivendell]] and [[Lothlórien]] appeared abandoned around the time of [[King Elessar]]'s and [[Arwen]]'s death.<ref name="AppTale">{{App|Tale}}</ref> The [[Last Ship]] of the Elves, carrying [[Cirdan]] and [[Celeborn]],<ref>{{FR|Prologue}}</ref> apparently sailed early in the [[Fourth Age]].<ref name="AppTale" />

The remaining Elves in [[Middle-earth]] eventually faded, as their spirits overwhelmed and consumed their bodies. By the end of the world, all Elves will have become invisible to mortal eyes, known as ''Lingerers'', except to those to whom they wish to manifest themselves.<ref>{{MR|Laws}}</ref> [[Ilúvatar]] had not revealed the role of the Elves after [[the End]].<ref>{{S|1}}</ref>

==Life and customs==
:''Main articles: ''[[Elven characteristics]], [[Elven life cycle]], and [[Elven customs]]

Besides being considered more beautiful than men, Elves were also generally taller. Their hair colour varied; but the basic rules were that the [[Noldor]] generally had dark hair (brown or black), the [[Vanyar]] golden, and the [[Teleri]] silver or dark. Their eyes are usually described as grey or blue.
[[File:Elena Kukanova - A child of the Elder Race.jpg|thumb|''A child of the Elder Race'' by [[Elena Kukanova]]]]
Their lives were counted to begin at conception rather than birth, and though their minds sharpened much earlier in life than in the race of Men, their bodies grew more slowly. They were considered fully-grown at about a century. They married usually only once in their lives, and their children were often few and far-between.

Their most distinguishing characteristic from the [[Mortals|Mortal]] races was the fact that they were invulnerable to age or disease; unless they were killed by sword or sorrow, they would live to the end of the world. Unlike Men whose [[fëar]] (spirits) left Arda when their bodies died, Elves' fëar were bound to Arda until its ending. If an Elf's hröa (body) died, its fëa would be summoned to the [[Halls of Mandos]], where the Valar could re-embody the Elf in a hröa that was identical to the Elf's previous hröa. However, if an Elf committed evil acts during their lifetime and refused to repent, the Valar could delay the Elf's re-embodiment, impose conditions on it, or refuse it altogether.<ref name="P4i">{{MR|P4i}}, p. 339</ref><ref>{{PM|Last}}, pp. 380, 389</ref> An Elf could refuse the summons to Mandos or choose to remain disembodied,<ref name="P4i" /><ref>{{PM|XI2}}, p. 334</ref> but the Elf's houseless fëa would still be unable to leave Arda.

==Arts, crafts, powers and magic==
{{Main|Magic}}
Other races often spoke of 'Elf magic', or of objects made by Elves as if they contained enchantments. It is unclear how accurate it is to call Elvish arts and crafts 'magic' or 'enchanted'. Elves themselves only used these words when attempting to simplify or clarify how elvish-made things seemed to have a special quality that no other races were able to achieve. Powerful Elves seemed to have control over nature and the elements, their clothes seemed to shine with their own light, their blades seemed to never lose their sharpness. Less educated folks could not explain these effects, so they simply called them 'magic'.

Elf-minstrels had the gift to make visions of the things they sung before their audiences.<ref name="AppTale" />

==Major divisions==
{{familytree/start|align=center}}
{{familytree | | | | | | |QUE| | | | | | | | | | | | QUE=[[Quendi]] All Elves }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |)|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| | | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | | | |ELD| | | || AVA| | | | | | ELD=[[Eldar]] West-elves|AVA=[[Avari]] The Unwilling }}
{{familytree | | |,|-|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|.| | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | |VAN| | |NOL| | |TEL| | | | | | | | | VAN=[[Vanyar]] Fair-elves|NOL=[[Noldor]] Deep-elves|TEL=[[Teleri]] The Hindmost }}
{{familytree | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|-|.| |!| | | | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | | | |AMA| | | |EXI|!| | | | | | | | | | | AMA=Amanyar Noldor Noldor of [[Aman]]|EXI=[[Exile of the Noldor|Etyañgoldi]] Exiled Noldor }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|.| | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | | | |FAL| | |SIN| | |NAN| | | | | | FAL=[[Falmari]] Sea-elves of [[Aman]]|SIN=[[Sindar]] Grey-elves of [[Beleriand]]|NAN=[[Nandor]] Followers of [[Lenwë]] }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|-|.| }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | |LAQ| | | |SIL| | LAQ=[[Laiquendi]] Green-elves of [[Ossiriand]]|SIL=[[Silvan Elves]] Wood-elves }}
{{familytree/end}}

When Oromë invited the Elves to Valinor, those who followed him on the Great Journey were called the Eldar,<ref name="B">{{WJ|B}}</ref>{{rp|374}} while those who refused were called the Avari.<ref name="S3">{{S|3}}</ref> The Eldar were divided into three clans−the Vanyar, the Noldor, and the Teleri.<ref name="S3" /> All of the Vanyar and Noldor reached Aman. Two groups of Teleri abandoned the Great Journey: the Nandor, who came to live in the [[Vale of Anduin]],<ref name="S3" /> and the Sindar, who remained in Beleriand.<ref>{{S|4}}</ref> The Nandor eventually split into the Laiquendi, who migrated into Beleriand and settled in [[Ossiriand]], and the Silvan Elves, who established realms in [[Mirkwood]] and [[Lothlórien]]. Those Teleri who completed the Great Journey and settled in Aman were called the Falmari.<ref name="S3" /> Those Noldor who later returned to Middle-earth in exile were called the ''Etyañgoldi''.<ref name="B">{{WJ|B}}</ref>{{rp|374}}

Since they came into the world long before [[Men|Men, the ''Aftercomers'']], it should be noted that the name '''Firstborn''' properly applied as a demonym to all Elves ''as a whole'',<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry "Firstborn"</ref> while the very first 144 Elves, who were awakened by Ilúvatar himself at Cuiviénen, were called the '''[[Eru-begotten]]'''.<ref>{{WJ|Appendix}}, pp. 420-1</ref>

==Languages==
{{main|Elvish}}

[[File:Donato Giancola - Lore.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|''Lore'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
The term ''quendi'' refers to all Elves, meaning "speakers", calling themselves so at Cuiviénen before having contact with any other race<ref name="B">{{WJ|B}}</ref>{{rp|372}} as they were the first speaking beings. Their ancient language was divided in other languages and dialects after their sundering.

The Elves also invented the [[Cirth]] and [[Tengwar]] scripts to write them.
*'''[[Primitive Quendian]]'''
**'''[[Avarin]]'''
***'''Various Avarin languages''' (some later merged with Nandorin)
**'''[[Common Eldarin]]''' (the early language of all the [[Eldar]] of the Great Journey)
***'''[[Quenya]]''' (the language of the [[Noldor]] and the [[Vanyar]])
****''' ''[[Quendya]]'' (also ''Vanyarin Quenya'') ''' (daily tongue of the Vanyar: closest to archaic Quenya)
****''' ''Noldorin Quenya'' (also ''[[Exilic Quenya]]'') ''' (the "Elven Latin" of Middle-earth)
***'''[[Common Telerin]]''' (the early language of all the [[Lindar]])
****'''[[Telerin]]''' (the language of the [[Falmari]] who reached the [[Undying Lands]])
****'''[[Nandorin]]''' (languages of the [[Nandor]] — some were influenced by Avarin)
*****'''Original language of [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]]'''
*****'''Original language of [[Lothlórien|Lórinand]]'''
****'''[[Sindarin]]''' (language of the [[Sindar]])
*****'''[[Doriathrin]]''' (dialect of [[Doriath]])
*****'''[[Falathrin]]''' (dialect of the [[Falas]] and [[Nargothrond]])
*****'''[[North Sindarin]]''' (dialects of [[Dorthonion]] and [[Hithlum]])
******'''[[Gondor Sindarin]]''' (dialect of [[Gondor]])

==Inspiration==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beleg.jpg|thumb|right|Detail of a [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fangorn Forest.jpg|drawing]] with [[Beleg]], a rare depiction of an Elf made by Tolkien]]
===Languages===
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] developed the Elves (and his whole [[legendarium]]) to serve as a setting for his languages that he constructed according to his [[lámatyávë|personal sense of beauty]]. His Elven languages are of special interest to many Tolkien scholars. His most developed are [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]], along with more obscure dialects for which he invented (at best) a small vocabulary, usually in earlier stages of his creation.

===Germanic influence===
In ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', a diminutive fairy-like race of elves had once been a great and mighty people who had "diminished" as Men took over the world.<ref name="bolt1" /><ref>{{HM|LT2}}</ref><ref name="Fimi">[[Dimitra Fimi]], [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2386/is_2_117/ai_n16676591 "Mad" Elves and "elusive beauty": some Celtic strands of Tolkien's mythology] in ''Folklore'', vol. 117, iss. 2, August 2006, pp. 156–170</ref> They were influenced by the [[Wikipedia:Elf|Elves]] of Northern European mythologies, especially the god-like and human-sized ''[[Wikipedia:Light elf|Ljósálfar]]'' of Norse mythology,<ref>[[Tom Shippey]], ''[[The Road to Middle-earth]]''</ref> also appearing in medieval works such as ''[[Sir Orfeo]]'', the Welsh [[Pwyll Prince of Dyved|Mabinogion]], [[The Fall of Arthur|Arthurian romances]] and the legends of the [[Wikipedia:Tuatha Dé Danann|Tuatha Dé Danann]].<ref name="Anderson1">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Douglas A. Anderson]] (ed.), ''[[The Annotated Hobbit]]'', p. 120</ref>

Terry Gunnell also claims that the relationship between beautiful ships and the Elves is reminiscent of Njörðr and Skíðblaðni, Freyr's ship.<ref name="Articles" />

===Celtic influence===
Tolkien expressed a dislike of Celtic legends and denied that his legendarium is "Celtic",<ref>{{HM|Bio}}, p. 26</ref> however it is believed that Celtic Mythology had a great influence on Tolkien's writings on Elves,<ref name="Articles">Terry Gunnell, "[http://www.hi.is/Apps/WebObjects/HI.woa/wa/dp?detail=1004509&name=nordals_en_greinar_og_erindi ''Tívar'' in a Timeless Land: Tolkien's Elves]" conference lecture delivered on 13 September 2002</ref><ref>[[John Garth]], ''[[Tolkien and the Great War]]'', p. 222</ref> and some of the stories Tolkien wrote as their 'legends' are directly influenced by it.<ref name="Fimi" /> For example, the [[Noldor]] are based on the Tuatha Dé Danann in the ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebor_Gab%C3%A1la_%C3%89renn Lebor Gabála Érenn]'', and their migratory nature comes from early Irish/Celtic history.<ref name="Fimi" /> John Garth has also referenced the Tuatha Dé Danann in suggesting Tolkien was essentially rewriting Irish fairy traditions.

Tolkien also retains the usage of the Celtic and popular term 'fairy' for the same creatures.<ref>[[Marjorie J. Burns]], ''[[Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth]]'' ([[2005]]), p. 22</ref> The Elves are also called fair folk based on [[Welsh]] ''Tylwyth teg'' 'the beautiful kindred' = fairies,<ref>{{HM|N}}, entry '''Fair Folk'''p. 757 cf. "Fair folk"</ref> although they are unrelated to fairies.

===Eschatology===
The larger Elves are also inspired by Tolkien's [[Christianity|Christian theology]] — as representing the state of Men in Eden who have not yet "[[Wikipedia:Fall of Man|fallen]]" — similar to humans but fairer and wiser, with greater spiritual powers, keener senses, and a closer empathy with nature, freed from human limitations, immortal, with wills directly effective for the achievement of imagination and desire.<ref name="Carpenter" />

===Fairies===
Traditional "Victorian" dancing [[fairies]] and elves appear in Tolkien's early poetry,<ref name="bolt1">{{HM|LT1}}</ref> and have influence upon his later works<ref>[[Dimitra Fimi]], "[http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/working_with_english/Fimi_31_05_06.pdf Come sing ye light fairy things tripping so gay: Victorian Fairies and the Early Work of J. R. R. Tolkien]". ''Working With English: Medieval and Modern Language, Literature and Drama''. Retrieved 11/01/08</ref> in part due to the influence of a production of J.M. Barrie's ''Peter Pan'' in [[Birmingham]] in 1910<ref name="Carpenter">[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]''</ref> and his familiarity with the work of Catholic mystic poet, Francis Thompson<ref name="Carpenter" /> whose work Tolkien had acquired in 1914.<ref name="bolt1" />

In ''The Book of Lost Tales'' Tolkien includes both the more serious 'medieval' type of elves such as [[Fëanor]] and [[Turgon]] alongside the frivolous, "Jacobean-era" type of elves such as the [[Solosimpi]] and [[Lúthien|Tinúviel]].<ref name="Anderson1" />

Tolkien also developed the idea of children visiting [[Valinor]] in their sleep. Elves would also visit and comfort chided or upset children at night. This theme was largely abandoned.<ref>{{LT1|I}}</ref>

However after the publication of ''The Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien repeatedly expressed his misgivings concerning the undesirable associations of the name "elf" like those of ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'', the Victorian notions of fairies or mischievous imps, the imaginations of Michael Drayton or the fanciful beings with butterfly wings.

He proposed that in [[translations of The Lord of the Rings|translations]] the "oldest available form of the name" be used for more elevated notions of beings "supposed to possess formidable magical powers in early Teutonic mythology" ([[OED]] viz. the [[Old English]] ''ælf'', from Proto-Germanic ''*albo-z''). Tolkien warned against associations to the debased English notion of ''elfin'' and suggested that Germans would not translate his ''Elves'' as ''Elfen'', which might retain the undesirable images. He rather suggested words such as ''Alp'' or ''Alb'', historically the more normal form and true cognate of English ''elf''.<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 756, s.v. "Elven-smiths".</ref> [[Margaret Carroux]] chose the word ''Elben'' (singular ''Elb'') in her translation.

{{references}}
{{elves}}
[[Category:Elves]]
[[Category:Incarnates]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[de:Elben]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/elfes/elfes]]
[[fi:Haltiat]]

Elves

2025-09-26T17:23:03Z

Valkeyor:

{{sources}}
{{race infobox
| name=Elves
| image = Janka Latečková - Vanyar.jpg
| caption="Vanyar" by [[:Category:Images by Janka Latečková|Janka Latečková]]
| pronun=
| othernames=People of the Stars, Firstborn, Elder Children of Ilúvatar
| origin=Firstborn of the [[Children of Ilúvatar|Children]] of [[Ilúvatar]]
| location=[[Cuiviénen]], [[Tirion]], [[Taniquetil]], [[Formenos]], [[Alqualondë]], [[Tol Eressëa]], [[Doriath]], [[Falas]], [[Hithlum]], [[Ossiriand]], [[Vinyamar]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Gondolin]], [[Edhellond]], [[Mouths of Sirion]], [[Isle of Balar]], [[Lindon]], [[Eldalondë]], [[Eregion]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Rivendell]], [[Mirkwood]], [[Ithilien]]
| affiliation=
| rivalry=[[Orcs]], [[Dwarves]]
| language=Various [[Elvish]] languages, most notably [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]; [[Westron]]
| people=[[Vanyar]], [[Noldor]], [[Teleri]], [[Sindar]], [[Nandor]], [[Silvan Elves|Silvan]], [[Falmari]], [[Avari]]
| members=[[Ingwë]], [[Thingol]], [[Finwë]], [[Fëanor]], [[Fingolfin]], [[Gil-galad]], [[Galadriel]], [[Finrod]], [[Sons of Fëanor]], [[Lúthien]], [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]], [[Idril]], [[Maeglin]], [[Círdan]], [[Celeborn]], [[Celebrimbor]]
| lifespan=[[Arda]]'s existence; near [[immortality]]
| distinctions=
| height=Tall
| skin=Pale, occasionally ruddy
| hair=Black, brown, blond, red, and silver
| clothing=
| weapons=Typically swords and bows
}}
{{quote|But the Quendi shall be the fairest of all earthly creatures, and they shall have and shall conceive and bring forth more beauty than all my Children; and they shall have the greater bliss in this world|[[Ilúvatar]] in ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Beginning of Days]]"}}
The '''Elves''' (''[[Quendi]]'') were the first of the races of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], known also as the [[Firstborn]] for that reason. The Elves are distinguished from the other two races, the [[Men]] and the [[Dwarves]], especially by the fact of their near [[immortality]].

==History==
===Awakening===
{{main|Awakening of the Elves}}

[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Dawn of the Firstborn Elves.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Dawn of the Firstborn Elves'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]] About the same time that [[Varda]], Queen of the [[Valier]], ended her labours in creating the [[Stars]], the Elves awoke beside the lake [[Cuiviénen]]. The first things they saw were the stars, and henceforth they adored them. The first sound they heard was the flowing of water, the noise and splash of water on the stones. And henceforth they loved water as well.

They made speech then, and called themselves the ''[[Quendi]]''. [[Morgoth|Melkor]] was the first to be aware of them, and he caused evil spirits to go about among them. When one or a small group wandered abroad, they would often vanish. It is believed that Melkor may have created [[Orcs]] with the elves he captured.

[[Oromë]], the Huntsman of the [[Valar]], happened upon them when he heard their singing far-off. He was amazed to see them, and called them the ''Eldar'', "People of the Stars".

===Sundering===
{{main|Sundering of the Elves}}

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Oromë espies the first Elves.jpg |thumb|right|250px|''Oromë espies the first Elves'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]] Though at first the Quendi were afraid of Oromë, the noblest among them saw that he was no dark horseman, as the lies of Melkor claimed. He had the light of [[Aman]] in his eyes and face, and they were drawn to him.

After spending a while among the Quendi, Oromë returned to [[Valinor]] and took council with the other Valar and Valier. At the counsel of [[Ilúvatar]], [[Manwë]], King of the Valar, decided that they must go to war against Melkor to protect the Quendi from him, beginning the [[Battle of the Powers]]. After a great battle and a siege against [[Utumno]], which reshaped the earth itself, Melkor was bound and cast into the prison of [[Mandos]]. Then the Valar, pleased with the outcome, summoned the Elves to Valinor, seeking fellowship with them, they were captivated by the beauty of the elves.

At Oromë's urging, many of the Elves (especially the kindreds of [[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and [[Elwë]]) agreed. But others, henceforth called the [[Avari]], declared that they preferred starlight and the wide spaces of [[Middle-earth]]. So the Elves were first sundered. During the journey to [[Belegaer]], gradually the number of the Elves began to lessen as various groups dropped away. Some of the [[Teleri]] (kindred of Elwë) refused to cross the [[Misty Mountains]], and settled in [[Anduin]] under the leadership of [[Lenwë]], to be called later the [[Nandor]]. Elwë then went missing, and in dismay the rest of the Teleri remained behind, while the [[Noldor]] (kindred of Finwë) and [[Vanyar]] (kindred of Ingwë) used an island as a ship, and found at last Aman and Valinor.

After several years, Oromë returned to search for the Teleri. Some, under [[Olwë]], relented and followed. Others remained to continue to search for Elwë. Still others, under [[Círdan]], remained because in that time they had become devoted to [[Ossë]] and the Sea. Those Teleri that chose to remain were called the [[Sindar]]. Elwë, who had fallen asleep due to his enchantment with [[Melian]], returned to claim lordship and establish them in [[Doriath]]. The Noldor and some of the Teleri, however, built the great cities of [[Tirion]] and [[Alqualondë]] (respectively) in Aman. The Vanyar dwelt in [[Valimar]], for they were closest to the Valar of the kindreds.

===Exile of the Noldor===
{{main|Exile of the Noldor}}

[[File:Jenny Dolfen - The Coming of Fingolfin.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''The Coming of Fingolfin'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]] Melkor, having been released on the promise of good behavior, spread lies about the Valar among the Noldor. [[Fëanor]], the eldest son of Finwë and one of the greatest Elves to have ever lived, hated Melkor more than all the other Noldor, but was paradoxically one of the most influenced by his lies. He forged weapons, and his greatest works, the [[Silmarils]], captured the light of the [[Two Trees]] – and his own heart. After Melkor stole the Silmarils and killed Finwë, Fëanor stirred the Noldor to open disobedience to the Valar. In an epic journey filled with treachery, death, and deceit, the Noldor entered in to Exile, crossing over into [[Beleriand]].

===Battles of Beleriand===
{{main|Battles of Beleriand}}

There were five great battles fought in Beleriand. The [[First Battle]] was the result of an attack by Melkor on Círdan and Elwë (now known as [[Thingol]]). Though the Elves managed to resist the attack successfully, this left Melkor essentially with full reign of Beleriand. Upon the sudden and unanticipated [[Return of the Noldor]], the tables were reversed in the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]]. The third battle (“[[Dagor Aglareb]]”) occurred when Melkor tried unsuccessfully to destroy the Elves, breaking forth from [[Angband]]. This only resulted in the vigilant [[Siege of Angband]]. Morgoth was more successful in the next battle, [[Dagor Bragollach]], which ended in the deaths of many Elven princes, among them [[Fingolfin]], [[High King of the Noldor]]. The siege was broken. Several decades later, [[Maedhros]], eldest son of Fëanor, counterattacked in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. Although at first very successful, the tide turned against the Elves, and ended in the destruction of [[Hithlum]]. It was not half a century later that [[Gondolin]], the last real stronghold of the Noldor, was [[Fall of Gondolin|destroyed]]. [[Doriath]], the centre of the [[Sindar]]in realm, was sacked by [[Dwarves]].[[File:Ted Nasmith - Eärendil and the Battle of Eagles and Dragons.jpg|left|150px|thumb|''Eärendil and The Battle of Eagles and Dragons'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

===Salvation===
{{main|War of Wrath}}

With the near destruction of the Elves, the last survivors were at the [[Mouths of Sirion]] and [[Isle of Balar|Balar]] and were led by Gil-galad and Círdan. Among them was [[Eärendil]], the son of [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]]. Eärendil made a miraculous voyage to [[Valinor]] to beg the pardon of the Valar. His request was granted. The Valar came across the Sea to [[Middle-earth]], and in the [[War of Wrath]] thrust Morgoth into the [[Void]] and purged Beleriand. They offered to let the Elves return with them to Valinor; some accepted, but many others, under [[Gil-galad]], chose to remain.

===Decline===

[[File:Angus McBride - Celebrimbor.gif|thumb|right|150px|''Celebrimbor'' by [[Angus McBride]]]] Though Morgoth was gone to trouble the world no longer, [[Sauron]], his greatest servant, was still there, and he made war on the remaining Elves who chose not to depart Middle-earth throughout the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s.

During this time the Elves realized how [[Men]] were rising to take their place, and Sauron exploited their longing for the Undying Lands. [[Annatar]] corrupted [[Celebrimbor]], the grandson of Fëanor, to make the [[Rings of Power]], with the [[Three Rings]] being created specifically to preserve the Elves against the ravages of time. Annatar was a guise of Sauron who also forged a ring – [[the One Ring]]. However the Elves realised the deception and defied Sauron, who then [[War of the Elves and Sauron|waged War against them]]. In the following centuries Elves continued to heed the invitation of the Valar, desire the Sea and depart for the Undying Lands. Realms such as [[Dol Amroth]] were deserted and gave their place to Men.

It was not until the end of the Third Age that the One Ring was destroyed, marring the Three Rings at the same time. In the years that followed the last of the Elves departed across the Sea to Valinor, their mission against Sauron complete, never to return.

Well into the [[Fourth Age]] and the [[Dominion of Men]], most Elves apparently had left the [[Westlands]], with most populations remaining at least in [[Mirkwood]] and [[Lindon]]. [[Rivendell]] and [[Lothlórien]] appeared abandoned around the time of [[King Elessar]]'s and [[Arwen]]'s death.<ref name="AppTale">{{App|Tale}}</ref> The [[Last Ship]] of the Elves, carrying [[Cirdan]] and [[Celeborn]],<ref>{{FR|Prologue}}</ref> apparently sailed early in the [[Fourth Age]].<ref name="AppTale" />

The remaining Elves in [[Middle-earth]] eventually faded, as their spirits overwhelmed and consumed their bodies. By the end of the world, all Elves will have become invisible to mortal eyes, known as ''Lingerers'', except to those to whom they wish to manifest themselves.<ref>{{MR|Laws}}</ref> [[Ilúvatar]] had not revealed the role of the Elves after [[the End]].<ref>{{S|1}}</ref>

==Life and customs==
:''Main articles: ''[[Elven characteristics]], [[Elven life cycle]], and [[Elven customs]]

Besides being considered more beautiful than men, Elves were also generally taller. Their hair colour varied; but the basic rules were that the [[Noldor]] generally had dark hair (brown or black), the [[Vanyar]] golden, and the [[Teleri]] silver or dark. Their eyes are usually described as grey or blue.
[[File:Elena Kukanova - A child of the Elder Race.jpg|thumb|''A child of the Elder Race'' by [[Elena Kukanova]]]]
Their lives were counted to begin at conception rather than birth, and though their minds sharpened much earlier in life than in the race of Men, their bodies grew more slowly. They were considered fully-grown at about a century. They married usually only once in their lives, and their children were often few and far-between.

Their most distinguishing characteristic from the [[Mortals|Mortal]] races was the fact that they were invulnerable to age or disease; unless they were killed by sword or sorrow, they would live to the end of the world. Unlike Men whose [[fëar]] (spirits) left Arda when their bodies died, Elves' fëar were bound to Arda until its ending. If an Elf's hröa (body) died, its fëa would be summoned to the [[Halls of Mandos]], where the Valar could re-embody the Elf in a hröa that was identical to the Elf's previous hröa. However, if an Elf committed evil acts during their lifetime and refused to repent, the Valar could delay the Elf's re-embodiment, impose conditions on it, or refuse it altogether.<ref name="P4i">{{MR|P4i}}, p. 339</ref><ref>{{PM|Last}}, pp. 380, 389</ref> An Elf could refuse the summons to Mandos or choose to remain disembodied,<ref name="P4i" /><ref>{{PM|XI2}}, p. 334</ref> but the Elf's houseless fëa would still be unable to leave Arda.

==Arts, crafts, powers and magic==
{{Main|Magic}}
Other races often spoke of 'Elf magic', or of objects made by Elves as if they contained enchantments. It is unclear how accurate it is to call Elvish arts and crafts 'magic' or 'enchanted'. Elves themselves only used these words when attempting to simplify or clarify how elvish-made things seemed to have a special quality that no other races were able to achieve. Powerful Elves seemed to have control over nature and the elements, their clothes seemed to shine with their own light, their blades seemed to never lose their sharpness. Less educated folks could not explain these effects, so they simply called them 'magic'.

Elf-minstrels had the gift to make visions of the things they sung before their audiences.<ref name="AppTale" />

==Major divisions==
{{familytree/start|align=center}}
{{familytree | | | | | | |QUE| | | | | | | | | | | | QUE=[[Quendi]] All Elves }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |)|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| | | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | | | |ELD| | | || AVA| | | | | | ELD=[[Eldar]] West-elves|AVA=[[Avari]] The Unwilling }}
{{familytree | | |,|-|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|.| | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | |VAN| | |NOL| | |TEL| | | | | | | | | VAN=[[Vanyar]] Fair-elves|NOL=[[Noldor]] Deep-elves|TEL=[[Teleri]] The Hindmost }}
{{familytree | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|-|.| |!| | | | | | | | | }}
{{familytree | | | |AMA| | | |EXI|!| | | | | | | | | | | AMA=Amanyar Noldor Noldor of [[Aman]]|EXI=[[Exile of the Noldor|Etyañgoldi]] Exiled Noldor }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|.| | | | }}
{{familytree | | | | | | |FAL| | |SIN| | |NAN| | | | | | FAL=[[Falmari]] Sea-elves of [[Aman]]|SIN=[[Sindar]] Grey-elves of [[Beleriand]]|NAN=[[Nandor]] Followers of [[Lenwë]] }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|-|.| }}
{{familytree | | | | | | | | | | | | | |LAQ| | | |SIL| | LAQ=[[Laiquendi]] Green-elves of [[Ossiriand]]|SIL=[[Silvan Elves]] Wood-elves }}
{{familytree/end}}

When Oromë invited the Elves to Valinor, those who followed him on the Great Journey were called the Eldar,<ref name="B">{{WJ|B}}</ref>{{rp|374}} while those who refused were called the Avari.<ref name="S3">{{S|3}}</ref> The Eldar were divided into three clans−the Vanyar, the Noldor, and the Teleri.<ref name="S3" /> All of the Vanyar and Noldor reached Aman. Two groups of Teleri abandoned the Great Journey: the Nandor, who came to live in the [[Vale of Anduin]],<ref name="S3" /> and the Sindar, who remained in Beleriand.<ref>{{S|4}}</ref> The Nandor eventually split into the Laiquendi, who migrated into Beleriand and settled in [[Ossiriand]], and the Silvan Elves, who established realms in [[Mirkwood]] and [[Lothlórien]]. Those Teleri who completed the Great Journey and settled in Aman were called the Falmari.<ref name="S3" /> Those Noldor who later returned to Middle-earth in exile were called the ''Etyañgoldi''.<ref name="B">{{WJ|B}}</ref>{{rp|374}}

Since they came into the world long before [[Men|Men, the ''Aftercomers'']], it should be noted that the name '''Firstborn''' properly applied as a demonym to all Elves ''as a whole'',<ref>{{S|Ainu}}</ref><ref>{{S|Index}}, entry "Firstborn"</ref> while the very first 144 Elves, who were awakened by Ilúvatar himself at Cuiviénen, were called the '''[[Eru-begotten]]'''.<ref>{{WJ|Appendix}}, pp. 420-1</ref>

==Languages==
{{main|Elvish}}

[[File:Donato Giancola - Lore.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|''Lore'' by [[Donato Giancola]]]]
The term ''quendi'' refers to all Elves, meaning "speakers", calling themselves so at Cuiviénen before having contact with any other race<ref name="B">{{WJ|B}}</ref>{{rp|372}} as they were the first speaking beings. Their ancient language was divided in other languages and dialects after their sundering.

The Elves also invented the [[Cirth]] and [[Tengwar]] scripts to write them.
*'''[[Primitive Quendian]]'''
**'''[[Avarin]]'''
***'''Various Avarin languages''' (some later merged with Nandorin)
**'''[[Common Eldarin]]''' (the early language of all the [[Eldar]] of the Great Journey)
***'''[[Quenya]]''' (the language of the [[Noldor]] and the [[Vanyar]])
****''' ''[[Quendya]]'' (also ''Vanyarin Quenya'') ''' (daily tongue of the Vanyar: closest to archaic Quenya)
****''' ''Noldorin Quenya'' (also ''[[Exilic Quenya]]'') ''' (the "Elven Latin" of Middle-earth)
***'''[[Common Telerin]]''' (the early language of all the [[Lindar]])
****'''[[Telerin]]''' (the language of the [[Falmari]] who reached the [[Undying Lands]])
****'''[[Nandorin]]''' (languages of the [[Nandor]] — some were influenced by Avarin)
*****'''Original language of [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]]'''
*****'''Original language of [[Lothlórien|Lórinand]]'''
****'''[[Sindarin]]''' (language of the [[Sindar]])
*****'''[[Doriathrin]]''' (dialect of [[Doriath]])
*****'''[[Falathrin]]''' (dialect of the [[Falas]] and [[Nargothrond]])
*****'''[[North Sindarin]]''' (dialects of [[Dorthonion]] and [[Hithlum]])
******'''[[Gondor Sindarin]]''' (dialect of [[Gondor]])

==Inspiration==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beleg.jpg|thumb|right|Detail of a [[:File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fangorn Forest.jpg|drawing]] with [[Beleg]], a rare depiction of an Elf made by Tolkien]]
===Languages===
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] developed the Elves (and his whole [[legendarium]]) to serve as a setting for his languages that he constructed according to his [[lámatyávë|personal sense of beauty]]. His Elven languages are of special interest to many Tolkien scholars. His most developed are [[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]], along with more obscure dialects for which he invented (at best) a small vocabulary, usually in earlier stages of his creation.

===Germanic influence===
In ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', a diminutive fairy-like race of elves had once been a great and mighty people who had "diminished" as Men took over the world.<ref name="bolt1" /><ref>{{HM|LT2}}</ref><ref name="Fimi">[[Dimitra Fimi]], [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2386/is_2_117/ai_n16676591 "Mad" Elves and "elusive beauty": some Celtic strands of Tolkien's mythology] in ''Folklore'', vol. 117, iss. 2, August 2006, pp. 156–170</ref> They were influenced by the [[Wikipedia:Elf|Elves]] of Northern European mythologies, especially the god-like and human-sized ''[[Wikipedia:Light elf|Ljósálfar]]'' of Norse mythology,<ref>[[Tom Shippey]], ''[[The Road to Middle-earth]]''</ref> also appearing in medieval works such as ''[[Sir Orfeo]]'', the Welsh [[Pwyll Prince of Dyved|Mabinogion]], [[The Fall of Arthur|Arthurian romances]] and the legends of the [[Wikipedia:Tuatha Dé Danann|Tuatha Dé Danann]].<ref name="Anderson1">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Douglas A. Anderson]] (ed.), ''[[The Annotated Hobbit]]'', p. 120</ref>

Terry Gunnell also claims that the relationship between beautiful ships and the Elves is reminiscent of Njörðr and Skíðblaðni, Freyr's ship.<ref name="Articles" />

===Celtic influence===
Tolkien expressed a dislike of Celtic legends and denied that his legendarium is "Celtic",<ref>{{HM|Bio}}, p. 26</ref> however it is believed that Celtic Mythology had a great influence on Tolkien's writings on Elves,<ref name="Articles">Terry Gunnell, "[http://www.hi.is/Apps/WebObjects/HI.woa/wa/dp?detail=1004509&name=nordals_en_greinar_og_erindi ''Tívar'' in a Timeless Land: Tolkien's Elves]" conference lecture delivered on 13 September 2002</ref><ref>[[John Garth]], ''[[Tolkien and the Great War]]'', p. 222</ref> and some of the stories Tolkien wrote as their 'legends' are directly influenced by it.<ref name="Fimi" /> For example, the [[Noldor]] are based on the Tuatha Dé Danann in the ''Lebor Gabála Érenn'', and their migratory nature comes from early Irish/Celtic history.<ref name="Fimi" /> John Garth has also referenced the Tuatha Dé Danann in suggesting Tolkien was essentially rewriting Irish fairy traditions.

Tolkien also retains the usage of the Celtic and popular term 'fairy' for the same creatures.<ref>[[Marjorie J. Burns]], ''[[Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-earth]]'' ([[2005]]), p. 22</ref> The Elves are also called fair folk based on [[Welsh]] ''Tylwyth teg'' 'the beautiful kindred' = fairies,<ref>{{HM|N}}, entry '''Fair Folk'''p. 757 cf. "Fair folk"</ref> although they are unrelated to fairies.

===Eschatology===
The larger Elves are also inspired by Tolkien's [[Christianity|Christian theology]] — as representing the state of Men in Eden who have not yet "[[Wikipedia:Fall of Man|fallen]]" — similar to humans but fairer and wiser, with greater spiritual powers, keener senses, and a closer empathy with nature, freed from human limitations, immortal, with wills directly effective for the achievement of imagination and desire.<ref name="Carpenter" />

===Fairies===
Traditional "Victorian" dancing [[fairies]] and elves appear in Tolkien's early poetry,<ref name="bolt1">{{HM|LT1}}</ref> and have influence upon his later works<ref>[[Dimitra Fimi]], "[http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/english/working_with_english/Fimi_31_05_06.pdf Come sing ye light fairy things tripping so gay: Victorian Fairies and the Early Work of J. R. R. Tolkien]". ''Working With English: Medieval and Modern Language, Literature and Drama''. Retrieved 11/01/08</ref> in part due to the influence of a production of J.M. Barrie's ''Peter Pan'' in [[Birmingham]] in 1910<ref name="Carpenter">[[Humphrey Carpenter]], ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]''</ref> and his familiarity with the work of Catholic mystic poet, Francis Thompson<ref name="Carpenter" /> whose work Tolkien had acquired in 1914.<ref name="bolt1" />

In ''The Book of Lost Tales'' Tolkien includes both the more serious 'medieval' type of elves such as [[Fëanor]] and [[Turgon]] alongside the frivolous, "Jacobean-era" type of elves such as the [[Solosimpi]] and [[Lúthien|Tinúviel]].<ref name="Anderson1" />

Tolkien also developed the idea of children visiting [[Valinor]] in their sleep. Elves would also visit and comfort chided or upset children at night. This theme was largely abandoned.<ref>{{LT1|I}}</ref>

However after the publication of ''The Lord of the Rings'', Tolkien repeatedly expressed his misgivings concerning the undesirable associations of the name "elf" like those of ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'', the Victorian notions of fairies or mischievous imps, the imaginations of Michael Drayton or the fanciful beings with butterfly wings.

He proposed that in [[translations of The Lord of the Rings|translations]] the "oldest available form of the name" be used for more elevated notions of beings "supposed to possess formidable magical powers in early Teutonic mythology" ([[OED]] viz. the [[Old English]] ''ælf'', from Proto-Germanic ''*albo-z''). Tolkien warned against associations to the debased English notion of ''elfin'' and suggested that Germans would not translate his ''Elves'' as ''Elfen'', which might retain the undesirable images. He rather suggested words such as ''Alp'' or ''Alb'', historically the more normal form and true cognate of English ''elf''.<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 756, s.v. "Elven-smiths".</ref> [[Margaret Carroux]] chose the word ''Elben'' (singular ''Elb'') in her translation.

{{references}}
{{elves}}
[[Category:Elves]]
[[Category:Incarnates]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[de:Elben]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/elfes/elfes]]
[[fi:Haltiat]]

Nazgûl

2025-09-26T17:19:57Z

Valkeyor: Spelling corrections

{{race infobox
| name=Nazgûl
| image = John Howe - The Hunt for the Ring.jpg
| caption=''The Hunt for the Ring'' by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Ringwraiths, the Black Riders, the Nine, ''Úlairi'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=[[Men]] who received the [[Nine Rings]]; corrupted by [[Sauron]]
| location=[[Mordor]], [[Angmar]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Minas Morgul]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=
| language=[[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| people=
| members=[[Witch-king]], [[Khamûl]], "[[F]]"
| lifespan=Indefinite
| distinctions=Without physical form
| height=Man-high
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=Black robes
| weapons=[[Morgul-knife]]
}}

<center>{{quote| 'They come from [[Mordor]],' said [[Aragorn|Strider]] in a low voice. 'From Mordor, [[Barliman Butterbur|Barliman]], if that means anything to you.' |''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Strider (chapter)|Strider]]"}}</center>
The '''[[#Etymology|Nazgûl]]''' ([[Black Speech]]: '''Ringwraiths''', sometimes written '''''Ring-wraiths'''''), also known as the '''Nine Riders''' or '''Black Riders''' (or simply '''the Nine'''), were [[Sauron]]'s "most terrible servants" in [[Middle-earth]]. They were mortal [[Men]] who had been turned into wraiths by their [[Nine Rings]] of power.

==History==
===Origins===
Sometime during the [[Second Age]] (after the year {{SA|1697|n}}<ref group="note">Sauron captured the Rings of Power in the [[Sack of Eregion]] around this year, and later distributed the Nine Rings (cf. {{App|B}} and {{UT|Concerning}}).</ref>) Sauron gave [[Nine Rings|nine Rings of Power]] to nine mortal [[Men]]. It is said that three of the Nine were great lords of [[Númenoreans|Númenorean]] race.<ref name="Akallabeth">{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref><ref>{{L|156|39}}, "There were evil Númenoreans: Sauronians, [...] the wicked Kings who had become the Nazgûl or Ringwraiths."</ref>

The bearers of the rings gained great wealth and prestige and became "''mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old''". The rings enabled them to turn invisible and see the [[Unseen]]. Their lives were prolonged so they seemed unending, but life became unendurable to them. Over time, depending on their native strength and their initial good or evil will, they succumbed to the powers of the rings and the domination of the [[The One Ring|One Ring]]. Their bodily forms faded until they became permanently invisible and turned into [[wraiths]].<ref name="Rings" />

Known as the Nazgûl, they first appeared around {{SA|2251}}<ref name="AppB1" /> and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants. However, the circumstances of this appearance are unknown, as are their actions during the [[Dark Years]], during Sauron's capture to [[Númenor]], and in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. When Sauron was overthrown in {{SA|3441}} at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]], the wraiths faded into the shadows.<ref name="AppB1">{{App|B1}}</ref>
===Third Age===
The One Ring which dominated the Nazgûl was taken from Sauron and then it was lost in [[Anduin]] for the following centuries; both Sauron and the wraiths lost their powers and remained hidden.<ref name="Rings" /> However around {{TA|1050|n}} of the [[Third Age]] Sauron returned in the form of a shadow in [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]], triggering also the return of his servants. [[Third Age 1100|About 50 years later]] [[the Wise]] of that Age discovered the [[shadow]] of [[Dol Guldur]] and theorized that it was one of the Nazgûl.<ref name="AppB2" />

But it was around {{TA|1300}} when evil things, like the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]], multiplied again, and the Nazgûl definitely reappeared; it was then when [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] gathered evil [[Men]] and founded the Witch-kingdom of [[Angmar]]. From there he led Sauron's forces against the mannish kingdom of [[Arnor]] in {{TA|1409}}.<ref name="AppB2" />

Meanwhile [[Gondor]] was weakened by the [[Great Plague]] and [[Wainrider/Balchoth War|War]], and it was believed that Sauron's plan was to open the way to [[Mordor]]; indeed as the watch on Mordor stopped and Gondor's borders withdrew, it is believed that the Nazgûl freely re-entered Mordor around {{TA|1856|n}} or later.<ref name="gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

The Witch-king was eventually [[Battle of Fornost|defeated]] in battle in {{TA|1975|n}} and [[Third Age 1980|sometime later]] returned to [[Mordor]], gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm.<ref name="AppB2" /><ref name="gondor" />

In {{TA|2000|}}, they issued by [[Cirith Ungol]], began a two-year siege against [[Minas Ithil]] and [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured it]]. The city thereafter became their stronghold Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring [[Ithil-stone|one of]] the ''[[palantíri]]'' for the Dark Lord.<ref name="AppB2">{{App|B2}}</ref>

During the [[Watchful Peace]], when Sauron hid from the power of the [[White Council]], the Nazgûl also remained hidden in [[Morgul Vale]], allowing some peaceful time for the first [[Ruling Stewards]] of Gondor.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>

But after his defeat in [[Dol Guldur]], Sauron returned to Mordor in {{TA|2942|n}} and declared himself openly in {{TA|2951|n}}. Three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at Dol Guldur to garrison that outpost.<ref name="AppB2" />
[[File:Angus McBride - Rivendell.gif|thumb|''Rivendell'' by [[Angus McBride]]]]
In {{TA|3017|n}} Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover [[the One Ring]] of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term ''Black Riders''), they sought out [[Bilbo Baggins]] who, as [[Gollum]] had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.

The [[Dwarves]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] spoke of a rider who had come to offer Sauron's friendship and ask about [[Hobbits]]. As a token of their friendship he asked for a "trifle", a ring, "the least of rings", that the [[Bilbo Baggins|thief]] had stolen.<ref name="council">{{FR|II2}}</ref><ref group="note">The identity of the messenger is unknown. In [[fandom]] it has been proposed that he was the [[Mouth of Sauron]]. [[Michael Martinez]] [http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2012/01/26/is-the-messenger-sent-to-dain-a-black-rider-or-the-mouth-of-sauron/ considers it more likely] that it was a Nazgûl.</ref>

===War of the Ring===
Sauron decided to assault Gondor directly. In [[Sauron's attack on Osgiliath|attack]] on [[Osgiliath]] he let the Nazgûl lead, causing terror with the [[Black Shadow]] among the [[Gondorians]]<ref name="council" /><ref name="b3">{{app|B3}}</ref> and making them think that they are the vanguard of Sauron's military force. However this was a feigned move of Sauron, who intended them to send them invisible to look for the Ring.<ref name="hunt">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref>

The Nazgûl were given black horses (stolen from [[Rohan]]) for transportation and set off to find "[[the Shire]]", on their way learning from a [[Squint-eyed southerner]] that [[Saruman]] was not a true ally of Sauron. Failing to find it, they returned to the [[Wold]] empty-handed; messengers from Sauron sent them to [[Isengard]]. There they encountered [[Gríma Wormtongue]], who told them of the location of the Shire.<ref name="hunt" />

Crossing the [[Fords of Isen]], they reached [[Sarn Ford]] at evening and drove off the guard of [[Rangers of the North]] and five pursued the Rangers eastward, then returned to guard the [[Greenway]]. The other four entered the Shire before the dawn of [[23 September]]; at nightfall [[Khamûl]] came to [[Hobbiton]] and interrogated [[Hamfast Gamgee]] asking for "[[Baggins]]", not knowing that [[Frodo Baggins]], the [[Ring-bearer]], had left Bag End on his way out of Hobbiton that same day.<ref name="b3" />

On [[24 September]] a Rider approached Frodo and his companions near the [[Woody End]], when a [[Wandering Companies|Wandering Company]] of [[Elves]] approached from [[Emyn Beraid]], chanting the name of "[[Elbereth]]", and the rider fled away.<ref name="Three">{{FR|Three}}</ref>{{rp|78–9}} The [[25 September|next day]] a Rider came to [[Bamfurlong]] and approached [[Farmer Maggot]], asking about Baggins. The farmer directed him to Hobbiton. The Rider said that the individual had already left Hobbiton and offered Maggot gold if he would inform the rider if he saw Baggins. The farmer felt chill and was enraged by his trespassing and threatened him with his [[dogs]], which, however, yelped and ran. The Rider, infuriated by his defiance, hissed and rode away.<ref>{{FR|I4}}</ref>

On [[26 September]], two Riders came to ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' at [[Bree]] and asked [[Nob]] for "Baggins", making the dogs and geese noisy. Nob, terrified, slammed the door on them, and the Riders continued all the way to [[Archet]].<ref name="strid">{{FR|Strider}}</ref>

Three days later, on [[29 September]] at night, the hobbits arrived at the ''Prancing Pony''.<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3018, September 29, p. 1093</ref> On the same day, three Riders arrived in Bree and were informed by a spy from Isengard about the events with the Hobbits that took place at the ''Prancing Pony'' and guessed that the One Ring is present. One Rider was sent to find the Witch-king, but was stopped and driven away by the [[Dúnedain]], so that he only met the Witch-king on the next day.<ref name="PrancingRC">{{HM|RC}}, citing from the manuscript Marquette MSS 4/2/3, p. 166</ref> After [[Frodo]], [[Pippin]], and Sam returned from the big common-room to the parlour of the ''Prancing Pony'', [[Merry]] went outside for a walk, followed a shadow to the last house of the road in the dark, but began to feel terrified. After he had turned around to run back something came behind him and he fell over and became unconscious. However, [[Nob]] saw two men on the road lifting something and shouted.<ref name="strid" /> When he reached the spot on the road<ref name="strid" /> the two Riders had disappeared<ref name="PrancingRC" /> and he only found the unconscious Merry lying there<ref name="strid" />. Merry and Nob returned to the parlour and informed Frodo, Pippin, Sam, and [[Aragorn]] about what had happened. As a result, they decided to not go back to their rooms, but to spend the night in the parlour and to bar its window and door.<ref name="strid" />

In the early hours before dawn of [[30 September]], the two Riders rode through Bree and may have attacked the ''Prancing Pony'' while other Riders attacked [[Crickhollow]].<ref name="PrancingRC" /> When Aragorn and the Hobbits got up and returned to their bedrooms they discovered that the windows had been forced open, the beds had been tossed about, the bolsters had been slashed and the brown mat had been torn to pieces. At around ten o'clock Aragorn and the Hobbits left Bree eastwards on the East Road.<ref name="knife">{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

The Riders pursued [[Gandalf]] from Bree and attacked him at night on [[Weathertop]], where he defended himself with his [[magic]].<ref name="b3" /> Four Riders followed Gandalf as he escaped to the north.<ref name="council" /> The others later attacked [[Aragorn]] and the [[hobbits]] while they were camping under Weathertop, and the Witch-king [[Morgul-wound|wounded]] [[Frodo Baggins]] with a [[Morgul-knife]].<ref name="b3" /><ref name="knife" />

On [[11 October]] {{TA|3018|n}}<ref name="b3" /> three Riders were guarding the [[Last Bridge]] of [[Mitheithel]], expecting [[Aragorn]] and the [[hobbits]] on their journey to [[Rivendell]]. Their plan was foiled by [[Glorfindel]], who drove them away.<ref name="b3" /><ref name="Flight">{{FR|Flight}}</ref> Two days later, some of them pursued Frodo across the [[Ford of Bruinen]].<ref name="b3" /> [[Elrond]] and [[Gandalf]] released a flood and the waters of [[Bruinen]] swept away and drowned the horses of the Riders.<ref name="council" />

[[File:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Nazgûl.jpg|thumb|''The Nazgûl'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]

The Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup.<ref name="Disguises">{{FR|South}}, p. 275</ref> They reappeared later mounted on [[Nazgûl-birds|flying creatures]],<ref name="White" /> at which point they were referred to as '''winged Nazgûl'''.<ref>{{TT|Uruk}}, p. 446</ref>

By the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed. The [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] himself was slain by [[Éowyn]], the niece of King [[Théoden]] (with help from [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]]) during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref>{{RK|Battle}}, 840-2</ref> The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the [[Black Gate]].<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 892</ref> However, when [[Frodo Baggins]] put on the ring in the fires of [[Mount Doom]], Sauron ordered the remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.<ref>{{RK|Doom}}, pp. 946-7</ref>

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
To mortals, the Nazgûl appeared as shadowy Men hidden by black hoods and cloaks that reached down to their boots.<ref name="Three" />{{rp|74}} Without their cloaks, they were shapeless,<ref name="MeetingsTwo">{{FR|Meetings}}, p. 222-3</ref> and invisible to all but the wearer of [[the One Ring]].<ref name="Rings" /> When the Witch-king removed his hood, his crown could be seen, although his head was invisible and the red fires shone through it.<ref name="Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref>{{rp|829}} During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the deadly gleam of his eyes could be seen.<ref name="PelennorPage">{{RK|Battle}}, p. 840</ref>

When Frodo put on the Ring at Weathertop, he could see the forms of the Nazgûl clearly. They were tall, and beneath their black cloaks, they were robed in grey. Their hair was grey, and they wore silver helms, although the Witch-king wore a crown. Their eyes were merciless and piercing, and their hands were haggard. The Witch-king held a [[Morgul-knife|knife]], and the knife and his hand shone with a pale light.<ref name="Visible">{{FR|Knife}}, pp. 195-6</ref>

===Powers and abilities===
The chief power of the Nazgȗl was the unreasoning fear they struck in living things. Their powers and the fear that they inspired are greatly increased in darkness.<ref name="L210">{{L|210}}, 9.</ref> During the [[Siege of Gondor]], their cries were filled with evil and horror. When the Ringwraiths passed overhead unseen, even the bravest dropped their weapons from their nerveless hands or cowered on the ground due to the fear that overcame them. As a blackness entered their minds, they no longer thought about fighting, and only thought of hiding, crawling away, and death.<ref name="Siege" />{{rp|823}} Even when they could not be seen or heard, their terrible presence could be felt, and those nearby felt a sense of dread.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 886</ref> Animals also feared them, and the only creatures that endured them were horses bred for the service of Sauron<ref name="MeetingsTwo" /> and the [[Fell beasts|winged beasts]] that were given to them when their horses were destroyed.<ref name="White">{{TT|White}}, p. 498</ref> The evil aura that surrounded them was known as the ''[[Black Breath]]'', and those that came under its shadow fell ill and eventually passed into silence and died.<ref name="Houses">{{RK|Houses}}</ref>

The Ringwraiths did not have great physical power against fearless opponents.<ref name="L210" /> The Nazgûl also used physical weapons. At Weathertop, they bore steel swords, and the Witch-king had a knife that he stabbed Frodo with.<ref name="Visible" /> A shard of the [[Morgul-knife]] remained in Frodo's shoulder, and was moving deeper before it was removed by [[Elrond]]. It caused Frodo to begin to fade into the [[Unseen|wraith-world]], but the shard was unable to pierce his heart and bring him completely under the control of the Nazgȗl.<ref name="MeetingsTwo" /> The Ringwraiths were also known to use deadly black darts.<ref name="HousesPage" /> The Witch-king used a black mace during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.<ref name="PelennorPage" />

The Nazgûl could not be slain by arrows,<ref name="White" /> and only weapons endowed with a special power, such as the [[blade of Westernesse]] that Merry used, could do them any great damage.<ref>{{RK|Battle}}, pp. 842-4</ref> Any blades that pierced the Witch-king were destroyed.<ref name="Flight" />{{rp|198}}

[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths.jpg|thumb|''The Attack of the Wraiths'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith-world and required their cloaks to give them form during their interactions with the living.<ref name="MeetingsTwo" /> When their steeds and disguises were destroyed, they were forced to return to Sauron to receive new ones.<ref name="Disguises" />

The Nazgûl had poor vision in the world of light, but they were aware of the presence of other beings, and their perception grew stronger in the dark. They could detect living things by the smell of their blood, and they were drawn by the Ring.<ref name="knife" />{{rp|189}} They could also see beings with a presence in the wraith-world, such as the wearer of the One Ring, as well as certain powerful Elves with control over the Unseen, such as [[Glorfindel]]. Anyone who could see into the wraith-world could see the Nazgûl, as Frodo did on Weathertop<ref name="MeetingsTwo" /> and at the Ford of Bruinen.<ref name="FlightPage">{{FR|Flight}}, p. 214</ref>

The [[Witch-king]] could also affect objects and people with his power, and was able to strike Frodo dumb and shatter the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the [[Barrow-downs]] by raising his hand,<ref name="FlightPage" /> and he also weakened both hearts and stone with terrifying words of power while attacking the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Gate]] of [[Minas Tirith]]. He also caused flames to run along his sword.<ref name="Siege" />{{rp|828–9}} Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.

==Identities==
Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually. Their leader was the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]], and his second in command was named [[Khamûl]]. Khamûl was a lord of [[Easterlings]],<ref name="Black">{{UT|Black}}</ref> and was the only Nazgûl known by his name. Three of them were [[Númenóreans]].<ref name="Akallabeth" />

==Etymology==
''Nazgûl'' means "ringwraiths" in the [[Black Speech]]. It is a compound of ''[[nazg]]'' ("ring") and ''[[gûl]]'' ("[evil] spirit under control of Sauron").<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry B '''Nazgûl''', p. 79</ref>

==Other names==
Among their many names and titles were: the Ringwraiths,<ref name="Shadow">{{FR|Shadow}}, p. 51</ref> the Black Riders,<ref>{{FR|Three}}, p. 80</ref> the Fell Riders,<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 764</ref> the Nine Riders,<ref name="FlightPage" /> the Nine,<ref name="Shadow" /> the Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings,<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}, p. 261</ref> the Black Wings,<ref>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 646</ref> Winged Messenger(s),<ref name="White" /> the Shadows,<ref name="HousesPage">{{RK|Houses}}, p. 864</ref> and the Shriekers.<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, p. 925</ref>

An [[Elvish]] name given for the Ringwraiths is '''''Úlairi'''''.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref><ref>{{PM|Akallabeth}}, p. 153 (§30)</ref> Linguists have remarked that it is a [[Quenya]] plural name of unknown meaning and etymology.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Helge Fauskanger]]|articleurl=http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/eng-quen.rtf|articlename=English-Quenya Wordlist (Quettaparma Quenyanna)|dated=|website=Arda|accessed=25 June 2011}}</ref><ref>[[Ruth S. Noel]], ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]''</ref> [[Michael Martinez]], analysing the word, has tentatively suggested that:

{{blockquote| ''Úlairi'' is a compound formed from ''Ú'' + ''lai'' + ''ri'' with probable meaning of "un (bad or immoral)" + "shadow" + "ones". In other words, the name may mean something like "those who are in/of unnatural shadow".<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Michael Martinez]]|articleurl=http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/08/15/what-is-the-literal-translation-of-ulairi/|articlename=What is the Literal Translation of Úlairi?|dated=15 August 2014|website=[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/ middle-earth.xenite.org]|accessed=16 August 2014}}</ref>}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The first appearance of a Black Rider in Tolkien's drafts was actually a disguised [[Gandalf]] who scared the Hobbits on their way to Rivendell, before revealing himself.<ref>{{RS|Hobbiton}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Nazgûl in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Ringwraiths.jpg|Four of the Nazgûl on horseback in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Ringwraith.jpg|A Ringwraith in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:War in Middle Earth - Nazgul 2.png|A Nazgûl from ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Ringwraiths.jpg|The Nazgûl in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Nazgûl.jpg|The Nine in '[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''<nowiki/>''
File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Nazgûl.jpg|The Nazgûl attack [[Sarn Ford]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''.
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Nine are clad in brown and black, and have red eyes. The attack on ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' is their deed, not that of any accomplices. After the attack, they cast off their hoods, revealing the black armour and hideous masks they wear beneath their cloaks.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]'''
:The Nine are skull headed demons, who ride winged horses. The [[Witch-king]] himself rides a dragon-like creature, and has no face. Only a suspended crown and two red eyes can be seen. The Nazgûl have the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] rather than the emblem of [[Minas Morgul]].

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Nazgûl serve as the main antagonists in the first half of [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|the first film]]. Their dialogue is changed; the conversation with [[Hamfast Gamgee]] is omitted, and the conversation with [[Farmer Maggot]] is reduced. In the [[Unseen]], they are pale white ghostly creatures.

:After the death of the Witch-king in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|the third film]], the other eight are taken out by [[Eagles]] and debris from [[Mount Doom]], however, nothing is told of their individual fates.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Witch-king and the other Ringwraiths were buried in a dungeon in the [[High Fells of Rhudaur]] after the [[Battle of Fornost|fall]] of Angmar. The Witch-king initially appears in Dol Guldur, where he briefly fights [[Radagast]] with his Morgul-blade; he drops it and Radagast takes it, ultimately bringing it to [[Gandalf]], who then shows to the [[White Council]] in [[Rivendell]]. Later, Gandalf, following Galadriel's advice, visits the High Fells and discovers that the Nazgûl's cells were empty, broken open from the inside. Through this investigation, he is convinced that the Necromancer in Dol Guldur is indeed Sauron.

:During the [[Attack on Dol Guldur]] they appeared in armour, ghostly versions of their mortal forms. The Nine do battle with Galadriel, [[Saruman]], and Elrond. During the confrontation between Galadriel and Sauron, their living forms seem to [[Unseen|phase in and out of reality]] as holograms. Eventually they are driven to Mordor, with their master following suit.

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:The Nine are featured in this adaptation through CGI as a passing shadow with their winged steed. They do not speak at all.

===Radio series===
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The role of the Ringwraiths was expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''.

===Games===
'''1977: [[War of the Ring (1977 board game)|''War of the Ring'' (board game)]]:'''
:The Nazgûl are present in this game. The Witch-king is the most powerful character available to the Sauron player. The second most powerful is identified as [[Gothmog]].

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:The name of the eight, other than Khamûl, are given as ''Er-Mûrazôr'' (the [[Witch-king]], of Númenórean race), ''Dendra Dwar of Waw'', ''Jí Indûr Dawndeath'', ''Akhôrahil'' (Númenórean), ''Hôarmûrath of Dír'', ''Adûnaphel'' (female Númenórean), ''Ren the Unclean'' and ''Ûvatha Achef the Horseman''.<ref>{{ICE|Mannish}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|Angus}}</ref>

'''1995: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl appear as hazard cards within ''[[Middle-earth: The Wizards]]''. Their names are identical to those used in Middle-Earth Role Playing, except for the Witch-king, who is referred to only as the Witch-king of Angmar.

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl are portrayed as black figures with red eyes and purple mantle.

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:All the Nazgûl are named - The Witch-king of [[Angmar]], The Dark Marshal, Khamûl The [[Easterlings|Easterling]], The Betrayer, The Shadow Lord, The Undying, The [[Dwimmerlaik]], The Tainted and The Knight of [[Umbar]]. Versions based on their depiction in ''The Hobbit'' trilogy retain the Witch-king and Khamûl; however, the remaining seven are dubbed the Dark Headsman, the Forsaken, the Lingering Shadow, and two pairs known as the Abyssal Knights and the Slayers of Men.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Black Riders form a threat in the Shire-stages of the game, where they need to be avoided by the player (in the persona of [[Frodo Baggins]]), and as the end boss for the game (in the persona of [[Aragorn]]). They are tall and robed in black, and nothing is seen underneath.

'''2001-7: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl, other than the Witch-king, are given [[Neo-Elvish|Neo-Quenya]] titles based on their numbers, and various English titles:
:*Úlairë Attëa (from ''[[atta]]'' = 2); Black Predator, Keeper of [[Dol Guldur]], Second of the Nine Riders, The Easterling.
:*Úlairë Nelya (from ''[[neldë]]'' = 3); Black Hunter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Third of the Nine Riders
:*Úlairë Cantëa (from ''[[canta]]'' = 4); Black Assassin, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur, Fourth of the Nine Riders
:*Úlairë Lemenya (from ''[[lempe]]'' = 5); Black Enemy, Lieutenant of Morgul, Fifth of the Nine Riders
:*Úlairë Enquëa (from ''[[enquë]]'' = 6); Black Threat, Lieutenant of Morgul, Sixth of the Nine Riders
:*Úlairë Ostëa [''sic'', later corrected to Úlairë Otsëa] (from ''[[otso]]'' = 7); Black Specter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Seventh of the Nine Riders
:*Úlairë Toldëa (from ''[[tolto]]'' = 8); Black Shadow, Messenger of Morgul, Eighth of the Nine Riders
:*Úlairë Nertëa (from ''[[nertë]]'' = 9); Black Horseman, Messenger of Dol Guldur, Ninth of the Nine Riders.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=801|articlename=Naming the Nazgul|dated=|website=[http://forum.barrowdowns.com/index.php? Forum.Barrowdowns.com]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tradecardsonline.com/im/selectCard/game_id/1/goal/|articlename=Lord Of The Rings (search function)|dated=|website=[http://www.tradecardsonline.com/ Trade Cards Online]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref>

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The Mordor faction has two different Nazgûl units: "Witch-king on Fell Beast" and "Nazgûl on Fell Beast". They are primarily used for scouting and surprise attacks.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:A new Ringwraith is introduced in the expansion pack, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. Morgomir is the "Lieutenant of Carn-Dûm", the right-hand man of the Witch-king, of [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] descent. The design is similar to that in [[Peter Jackson]]'s films: he is hooded and cloaked when he works for the [[Mordor]] faction, and white and ghostly when he fights for Angmar.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl appear throughout the game. Three are Easterlings: "The Bane of Rhûn", "The Woe of Khand", and "The Cursed Rider"; three are [[Haradrim]]: "The Grim Southron", "The High Sorcerer of Harad", and "The Forsaken Reaver"; and three are of Númenórean origin: "The Black Blade of Lebennin", "The Gloom of Nurn", and the Witch-king of Angmar. The Nazgûl are also given the [[Sindarin]] name "Gwatharan" (pl. "Gwetherain").

:Early in the game one of the Nine wounds a [[Dúnedain]] ranger, Amdir, with a [[Morgul-knife|Morgul blade]], who is later transformed into a Wraith himself, despite the best efforts of Free Peoples. Later, the player attempts to resist the troubles the Nine are spreading in Bree-Land. During the Fellowship's stay in [[Lothlórien]], the [[Galadhrim]] Elves launch a military strike against [[Dol Guldur]], to draw the attention of the Eye from the company departing down the Shores of Anduin. During their travel down the waters of the Great River, Legolas shot and killed a fell shadow in the sky, not knowing it to be a Nazgûl. The player is later able to find the corpse of the fell beast in the [[Brown Lands]] and it becomes clear that a Nazgûl is not far. At night, the Wraith ambushes the player who manages to drive him away with the use of fire.

:During the Battle of the Pelennor, the Witch-king plays the role as described in the books. The High Sorcerer of Harad and the Woe of Khand guard the way to Gothmog in the raid instance "Throne of the Dread Terror", and the Forsaken Reaver is found at the end of the "Quays of the [[Harlond (Gondor)|Harlond]] instance, in which he attempts to prevent Aragorn and his host from joining the battle. The Gloom of Nurn confronts the players at the conclusion of "The Silent Street" instance, as he attempts to reclaim the crown of Eärnur among the tombs of Gondor's kings and stewards.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:In the Evil Campaign, the Eight Nazgûl bring the Witch-King back to life after Sauron reclaims the One Ring.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl appear in a flashback during the prologue of the game, in which they attack the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] at [[Sarn Ford]], the entrance of [[the Shire]]. Later in the flashback their leader, the [[Witch-king]], speaks with [[Agandaûr]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Although the Nazgûl do not appear in the game, they are mentioned many times within it.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl are featured in the game. Besides the [[Witch-king]] and [[Khamûl]] the other Nazgûl include:

:*[[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]], the king of Rohan who fell into darkness after receiving a Ring of Power from Sauron and Celebrimbor, and in his rage he was turned into a Nazgûl.
:*[[Talion]], who succumbed into the power of the Ring.
:*[[Isildur]], whose body was found by Orcs. He was revived by Sauron after receiving a Ring of Power; he was eventually freed by Talion who took his place amongst the Nazgûl.
:*Suladân, an original character, who was once a Númenórean king.
:*The Nazgûl Sisters, also original characters, known as Riya and Yuka, who stole their Rings from the other Nazgûl and took their places.

==See also==
*The [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]
*[[Khamûl]]

==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/01/29/what-is-the-history-of-the-nazgul/ What is the History of the Nazgul?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
*[http://www.zarkanya.net/Tolkien/origins_of_Nazgul.htm Origins of the Nazgûl and the Downfall of Númenor] by Alcuin

{{references|note}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nazgul}}
[[Category:Black Speech words]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[de:Nazgûl]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveet]]

Tom Bombadil

2025-09-26T17:11:26Z

Valkeyor: /* Other names */

{{disambig-more|Tom|[[Tom (disambiguation)]]}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Tom Bombadil/Nature|Unknown]]
| image=John Howe - Tom Bombadil.jpg
| caption="Tom Bombadil" by [[John Howe]]
| name=Tom Bombadil
| pronun=
| othernames=''Iarwain Ben-adar'' ([[Sindarin|S]]) ''Orald'' ([[Old English]]) ''Forn'' ([[Old Norse]])
| titles=The [[Eldest]], [[Master]]
| position=
| location=[[Underhill (house)|Underhill]], [[Old Forest]]
| affiliation=[[Forest-folk]]<ref>{{AB|2}}</ref>
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=saving [[Frodo]], [[Sam]], [[Merry]] and [[Pippin]] from [[Old Man Willow]] and the [[Barrow-wights]]
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Goldberry]]
| children=
| race=[[Tom Bombadil/Nature|Unknown]]
| gender=Male
| height=Short
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=Blue jacket and hat, boots
| weapons=Song
| steed=[[Fatty Lumpkin]]
}}
{{quote|Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... he knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless – before the Dark Lord came from Outside.|Tom Bombadil in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[In the House of Tom Bombadil]]"}}

'''Tom Bombadil''' was an enigmatic figure who lived throughout the history of [[Arda]]. Living a short distance east of the [[Old Forest]], he seemed to possess unequaled power in the land around his dwelling. Although seemingly benevolent, he took no stance against the [[Dark Lord]]s.

==Appearance and traits==
{{quote|Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow; Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow.|Tom Bombadil}}

Tom looked like an old man who was taller and heavier than a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]], but not quite tall enough for a [[Men|man]].<ref name="OldF" />

His face was creased and red as a ripe apple with blue and bright eyes.<ref name="OldF" /> His hands were brown-skinned.<ref name="house" /> He had thick brown hair<ref name="house" /> and a long brown beard.<ref name="OldF" />

Tom wore a blue coat and an old tall hat with a long blue feather and yellow boots.<ref name="OldF" /> Earlier he wore a [[swans|swan]] feather, which he later replaced with a blue one from a [[kingfishers|kingfisher]].<ref>{{AB|2}}</ref>

He lived in a [[Underhill (house)|house]] just outside the eastern edge of the [[Old Forest]] by the river [[Withywindle]],<ref name="OldF" /> together with his lovely wife [[Goldberry]].<ref name="house" /> According to him<ref name="FR|Barrow">{{FR|Barrow}}</ref> and to [[Gandalf]] as well,<ref name="CoE" /> he would not leave his country. The only known location on the border of his country is where he makes that statement, on the south side of the [[East Road]], north of the [[Barrow-downs]] and about four miles northwest of [[Bree]]. His country must have included the Barrow-downs and the [[Old Forest]], and according to the poem "[[Bombadil Goes Boating]]," he visited villages in [[Buckland]] and [[Farmer Maggot]]'s farm in the [[Marish]], which would mean that his country included them as well.

The [[Bucklanders]] had little understanding of his powers and nature. They saw him as mysterious and unpredictable, but benevolent and comic, more or less as the [[Shire-folk]] thought of [[Gandalf]].<ref name="Adv" />

==History==
===Origins===
[[Image:Olanda Fong-Surdenas - Tom Bombadil.jpg|thumb|left|''Tom Bombadil'' by [[Olanda Fong-Surdenas]]]]
{{quote|He is a strange creature.|[[Elrond]], ''[[The Council of Elrond]]''}}
The origins and [[Tom Bombadil/Nature|nature of Tom Bombadil]] are unknown. He claims to have existed when the [[Morgoth|Dark Lord]] came "from the Outside",<ref name="house">{{FR|Bombadil}}</ref>{{rp|131}} perhaps meaning he was alive at least as far back as the [[Spring of Arda]].<ref>{{RS|Tom}}, p. 122</ref> Bombadil calls himself the "Eldest", [[Glorfindel]] calls him the "First", and his Sindarin name ''Iarwain Ben-adar'' means "Oldest and fatherless."

His role and nature in the [[Elder Days]] and later is unknown. He was in Arda "before the river and the trees" and before the first rain. He "made paths" before the [[Great March]] of the [[Eldar]], and saw the [[Middle Men]] and their [[Barrow Downs|tombs]]. He witnessed the [[Changing of the World]], the reducing of the great forests that covered all [[Middle-earth]], the arrival of the [[Exiles of Númenor]] and of the [[Barrow-wights]].<ref name="house" /><ref name="CoE" />

The nature of his interactions with the outside world is unclear. He had contact with the [[Bucklanders]] throughout the [[Third Age]].<ref name="Adv" /> He was familiar with Frodo, his companions and their families when they visit him. He attributed most of this knowledge to [[Farmer Maggot]].<ref name="house" /> He had names among the Elves, Dwarves and Northern Men. [[Elrond]] knew of him when he ventured in his lands. However, most of the [[Council of Elrond]] were unfamiliar with him, and Elrond admitted to having forgotten about him from long ago.<ref name="CoE" /><ref name="Adv">{{AB|Preface}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Willow Man is Tamed.jpg|thumb|''The Willow Man is Tamed'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
On [[26 September]], {{TA|3018}}, he encountered [[travellers|four hobbits]] while he was searching for water-lilies for his wife. Two of those Hobbits, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had been captured by [[Old Man Willow]]. Tom, who was the master of the Old Forest, rescued them, and took all four of them to his house.<ref name="OldF">{{FR|Forest}}</ref>

The four hobbits stayed two nights, and he told them many tales and songs. With cunning questions, he made [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] tell him of the [[The One Ring|Ring]]. When Tom tried it on, nothing happened, but he then took it off and flipped it in the air and made the ring itself disappear, showing that indeed within his realm Tom was master. However, when Frodo put the ring on, Tom could still see him. He bade the Hobbit to come back and sit down; his hand was fairer without the ring.

Before his guests went to sleep, Tom warned them of the [[Barrow-downs]], and advised them to pass any barrow on the western side. He also taught them a song, should they come to peril.<ref name="house" />{{rp|134}}

And they did come to peril. Tom chased off a [[Barrow-wights|wight]] with song, and broke the spells on the barrow in which the four hobbits were captured. While he sent the Hobbits to calm down, he went for provisions. He also brought the ponies that had belonged to Merry. After that, he broke the spells of the barrow. From the barrow's mighty hoard, he took a blue-jewelled brooch for Goldberry (probably belonging to the spouse of the [[last prince of Cardolan]] he seemingly met long ago),<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 146-7</ref><ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 127-8</ref> and gave a [[Daggers of Westernesse|dagger]] to each of the hobbits. He then advised them to make for ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' in [[Bree]].<ref name="FR|Barrow" />

The peril of the hobbits was not over; an attack on their lives was carried out, and their ponies were set loose. The ponies apparently remembered the care they were given in the house of Tom Bombadil, and returned to stay beside Tom's own pony, [[Fatty Lumpkin]]. He returned them to [[Barliman Butterbur]], the proprietor of ''The Prancing Pony''. Since he had paid eighteen pence as compensation for the loss, he was now the owner of five fine ponies.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

As he was merry and benevolent, some of the [[Free Peoples]] considered him a potential ally against [[Sauron]] during the [[War of the Ring]]. [[Elrond]] and [[Erestor]] considered that he should be present at the [[Council of Elrond]]. However, according to [[Gandalf]], Tom Bombadil was perhaps not fully aware of the struggle of Light and Darkness and could not prove useful to their causes.<ref name="CoE" />

After the [[fall of Sauron]] at the end of the War, the [[Travelers]] returned to the Shire, but Gandalf left them and went to talk to Tom.<ref>{{RK|Homeward}}</ref>{{rp|996}}

Eventually the defeat of Sauron the victory of the [[West]] allowed Tom to continue and "survive" in the [[later Ages]].<ref>{{L|144}}</ref>

===Legacy===
Tom Bombadil’s existence passed into Hobbit lore and was referenced in poems such as ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'' and ''[[Bombadil Goes Boating]]''. The Hobbit, [[Samwise Gamgee]], based and modeled his protagonist in ''[[The Stone Troll]]'', [[Tom (The Stone Troll)|Tom]], after Bombadil, considering that Sam composed the poem soon after their meeting.<ref name="RF">{{HM|Guide}}, p. 385</ref> In the poem, Tom encounters an old [[Stone-trolls|troll]], gnawing for years on the shinbone of Tim, his [[Unusual words|nuncle]], and Tom demands for the troll to let it down.<ref>{{FR|I12}}</ref><ref>{{AB|7}}</ref> It is likely that Tim was only an invention by Sam rather than actually being Tom Bombadil's nuncle.<ref name="RF" />

==Other names==
He also went by other names:
*The [[Elves]] called him '''''[[iaur|Iar]]<nowiki/>wain [[penadar|Ben-adar]]'''''<ref name="CoE">{{FR|Council}}, p. 265</ref> in [[Sindarin]]<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''pen-'', p. 34</ref>, which translates to "Oldest and Fatherless"<ref name="CoE" />. ''Iarwain'' literally means "Old-young", presumably because he had always appeared to be much the same: "old, but very vigorous"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 128; quoting an unpublished letter from late 1968 by J.R.R. Tolkien from a private collection</ref>
*The "[[Northmen|Northern Men]]" gave him the name '''''Orald'''''.<ref name="CoE" /> ''Orald'' is an [[Old English]] word meaning "very ancient". Old English represents "the [[Rohanese|language of the Rohirrim and their kin]]".<ref name="nomen">{{HM|N}}, entry '''Orald''', p. 761</ref>
*The Dwarves gave him the name '''''Forn'''''.<ref name="CoE" /> ''Forn'' is [[North Germanic languages|Scandinavian]] for "(belonging to) ancient (days)".<ref name="nomen" /> Since all the dwarf names are in Old Norse, which represents "a [[Northern Mannish|northern language of Men]]"<ref name="nomen" /> and the Dwarves from the region of Dale took their "outer" names in the [[language of Dale]]<ref>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1137</ref>, it is possible that the name ''Forn'' came from the [[language of Dale]]. In some imprints of ''[[The History of Middle-earth Index]]'', this name was accidentally spelled with a "P" as the first letter: {{HM|IX}}, "Tom Bombadil (VII)", p. 435<nowiki></ref></nowiki>

==Etymology==
The name ''Bombadil'' is [[Bucklandish]] in form. It is probable that the [[Bucklanders|Hobbits from Buckland]] gave him this name.<ref name="Adv" />

[[Paula Marmor]] notes that ''bobadil'' is an archaic word meaning "braggart", as seen in the character "Captain Bobadill" in the English play ''[[Wikipedia:Every Man in His Humour|Every Man in His Humour]]''. Because of its Bucklandish form, ''[[An Introduction to Elvish]]'' lists the name ''Bombadil'' under the "[[Celtic]]-sounding names". However, it is said that the word derives from '''[[Wikipedia:Boabdil|Boabdil]]''', the Spaniard name of [[Wikipedia:Muhammad XII of Granada|'''Abu Abdillah''' Muhammad XII]], the last Moorish ruler of Granada.<ref>{{HM|IE}}, Giving of Names</ref>

==Inspiration==
Tom Bombadil was inspired primarily from a [[Wikipedia:Peg wooden doll|dutch doll]] Tolkien's child(ren) toyed with.<ref name="intro" /> The doll had a feathered hat. One time they found it in the lavatory, being stuffed there by little [[John Tolkien]], who perhaps didn't like it much.<ref>{{HM|Bio}}, p. 165</ref>

Tolkien began (probably in the 1920s) writing a story entitled ''Tom Bombadil'' set during the reign of "King Bonhedig" in the British prehistory, far before any recorded events or invasions. The protagonist Tombombadil is mentioned as one of the oldest inhabitants of Bonhedig's kingdom, which spanned many miles on either side of the Thames. Only the 3 opening paragraphs survive of the shortly-abandoned, story, and the fragment ends at the description of Tombombadil who "wore a tall hat with a blue feather; his jacket was blue, and his boots were yellow".<ref>{{AB|Prose}}</ref>

Around the 1930s or earlier Tolkien wrote a poem about some Tom Bombadil rowing down a River, a poem which Tolkien later identified as his "germ of Tom Bombadil".<ref>{{RS|1VT}}</ref> Later in [[1934]] he put him into [[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (poem)|a poem]], again described according to the appearance of the aforementioned doll (something that he did with other toys of his children, like [[Rover]]).<ref name="intro">{{AB|Intro}}</ref> At one time he described him as a "spirit of the (vanishing) [[Oxford]] and Berkshire countryside"<ref name="L19">{{L|19}}</ref>

When asked to make a sequel for ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Tolkien briefly considered making that figure of his poem the central character.<ref name="L19" /> Although it didn't happen, he eventually [[The Old Forest|appeared]] in the narrative as a supporting character. Tolkien wrote Bombadil as a direct contrast to the artistry and (sub)creative force of the [[Elves]]; whereas they seek to create, devise, alter and control, Bombadil only observes and contemplates the world outside him and takes joy in it. He is the fearless theoretical study of the world, and history.<ref name="coghill">[[Letter to Nevill Coghill]] (Excerpt reproduced [http://wayneandchristina.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/tom-bombadil-addenda-corrigenda/ here])</ref>

Justin Noetzel in his paper "Beorn and Tom Bombadil: Mythology, Narrative, and The Most (Non) Essential Characters in Middle-earth", suggests an association of Tom Bombadil with the [[Wikipedia:Celtic Otherworld|Celtic Otherworld]] and tales of the [[Wikipedia:Tuatha Dé Danann|Tuatha Dé Danann]].<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John D. Rateliff]]|articleurl=http://sacnoths.blogspot.se/2013/03/valparaiso-day-three.html|articlename=Valparaiso, Day Three|dated=12 March 2013|website=Sac|accessed=14 March 2013}}</ref>

David Elton Gay compares Tom to the demigod [[Wikipedia:Väinämöinen|Väinämöinen]] from the ''[[Kalevala]]'': both are extremely old and powerful immortal figures who express their power in rhymes, and both have control over their small forested country.<ref>Gay, David Elton (2004). Chance, Jane (ed.). ''J.R.R. Tolkien and the Kalevala. Tolkien and the invention of myth : a reader''. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 295–304.</ref>

==Outside the legendarium==
In addition to the aforementioned earlier works written independently to the [[Legendarium]], a figure that hints at Bombadil appears in the much later poem ''[[Once upon a Time]]''. Tolkien wrote it around [[1964]] and reused the names of "Tom" and "Goldberry" (although the epithet "Bombadil" is not mentioned, the association can be made as he appears with Goldberry). Hammond & Scull note that in this poem Tom appears less omnipotent; while he is known to talk to all creatures, who always obey him, the mysterious ''[[lintips]]'' are the only ones who refuse to talk to him and hide away.<ref>{{AB|Once}}, p. 283</ref> No specific events are mentioned that can connect it to Tom Bombadil or the legendarium of Arda.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
Because he is left out of the three major adaptations ([[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|Ralph Bakshi]], [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC's 1981 series]] and [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|Peter Jackson's]]), Tom Bombadil's main role (providing the [[Daggers of Westernesse|Barrow-blades]]) is omitted. He does have several appearances in other adaptations, though.

===Tom Bombadil in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200" heights="150">
File:Sagan om Ringen - Tom Bombadil.png|''[[Sagan om Ringen (1971 film)|Sagan om Ringen]]''
File:War in Middle Earth - Tom Bombadil.png|''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
File:Hobitit - Tom Bombadillo.png|Esko Hukkanen in ''[[Hobitit]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game - Tom Bombadil, The Master.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Tom Bombadil.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
File:BFME2 - Tom Bombadil 03.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Tom Bombadil.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power.jpeg|[[Rory Michael Kinnear]] as Tom Bombadil in [[Rhûn]] within [[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]
</gallery>
'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Norman Shelley]] voiced Bombadil, and Tolkien thought his portrayal "dreadful". [[Goldberry]] was portrayed as his daughter, rather than his wife.<ref>{{L|175}}</ref>

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:In this series, Tom was voiced by [[Bernard Mayes]]. Like Norman Shelley before him, he also voiced [[Gandalf]].

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Tom Bombadil can be found outside his house in the Old Forest.

'''1990: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I (1990 video game)|J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I]]'':'''
:Tom Bombadil rescues the party from the Willow Man, and provides information, supplies, shelter, and side-quests for the party. He later rescues the party from the Barrow Wights, and very briefly joins as a temporary playable character while inside the barrow. His role runs almost directly parallel to the original, with some related passages of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' quoted directly. However, [[Goldberry]]'s role is significantly changed to provide a quest for the party.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Tom Bombadil is played by Peter Ehrlich.

'''1992: [[Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series)|''Tales from the Perilous Realm'' (1992 radio series)]]:'''
:When he adapted the 1981 [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|radio series]], [[Brian Sibley]] deeply regretted cutting Bombadil from the radio series.<ref>[[Brian Sibley]], ''[http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-page-is-still-under-construction_23.html The Ring Goes Ever On]''</ref> When he made ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]'' into a radio series, he decided to change the section "[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]". Rather than several (unadaptable) Hobbitish poems, Sibley adapted the chapters from ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. Bombadil is voiced by [[Ian Hogg]].

'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Tom Bombadil is portrayed by Esko Hukkanen. It is the only screen adaptation that featured him before 2024.

'''2001-2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
:Although Tom Bombadil does not appear in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]], Decipher produced a card for the character. He was portrayed by Harry Weller-Chew.

'''2001–present: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:Despite not appearing in the films the game is based on, Tom Bombadil and Goldberry were given several models by [[Games Workshop]], which has held rights for tabletop games since 1980.

'''2001: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Tom Bombadil is provided by Milan Lasica. He appears in the final third of the first episode, helping the four hobbits with Old Man Willow, guiding them to his house and taking them in as his guests for the night, along with his wife Goldberry. After they depart and get lost on the Barrow Downs, he once again aids in their rescue, and provides them with barrow-blades from the barrow of the defeated barrow-wight.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:[[Daran Norris]] portrayed Bombadil with a Scottish accent. His role is much like that in the book, and as one of the few characters in this video game, he keeps most of his songs.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|extended edition]], some of Bombadil's poems are transferred to [[Treebeard]], and so is his encounter with [[Old Man Willow]].

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Bombadil is a summonable power. Once summoned, he can plow through enemy lines. His most powerful weapon is a "Sonic Song". As soon as [[Electronic Arts|EA]] secured the rights to the books, it was decided that Tom Bombadil should be in it; his appearance is kept close to his description in the book.<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/battleformiddleearth2/news.html?sid=6139678 The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II Q&A - Enter Tom Bombadil], [http://www.gamespot.com/ GameSpot.com]</ref>

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Tom can be found either inside or outside his house in the Old Forest. He helps the player track down crebain scouts possessing important information, and later arrives to rescue the player from the Barrow-Downs when (s)he gets himself in more than (s)he is prepared for, much like the Hobbits in the Book. He later aids the player against agents of the Barrow-downs when the latter attempts to corrupt Old Man Willow with a [[Morgul-blade]].

'''2012: ''[[Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game]]'':'''
:Bombadil is a playable character. He uses a trowel as a weapon and for digging in certain spots. Tom can be found in his house on the road to the north of [[Bucklebury Ferry]] in the forested area between [[Bree]] and the Shire. It is unclear if this forest is meant to be the Old Forest or not; it is in the right location, but the game never specifically names it and its physical appearance does not fit the book's description.

'''2014: ''[[Lego The Hobbit: The Video Game]]'':'''
:Bombadil also appears as a playable character, and again wields a trowel. This time, Tom is found in a forest southwest of Bree, near a house atop a hill (likely his house in the Old Forest).

'''2024: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:Tom Bombadil will be portrayed by [[Rory Michael Kinnear]], whose headwear and outfit was made by costume designer Luca Mosca to look similar to J.R.R. Tolkien's description of Tom Bombadil. The production designer of the show, [[Kristian Milstead]], incorporated a star map on the ceiling of Tom's cottage to imply that Bombadil "has been watching the constellations for signs—and for the Stranger’s arrival", thereby connecting Tom to the larger story. The showrunners mention that they have given him a second home besides [[Underhill (house)|Underhill]] which he uses as a "summer cottage" on the outskirts of the once "green and beautiful" [[Rhûn]] "which...now is...a dead wasteland". At the time of the show, Bombadil "has gone out to...Rhûn...to see what's happened" to the region in order to prevent the desolation from spreading westwards.<ref>{{webcite|author=Anthony Breznican|articleurl=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/tom-bombadil-the-rings-of-power-first-look|articlename=Tom Bombadil Finally Steps Forth in ''The Rings of Power'' - An Exclusive First Look|dated=29 May 2024|website=[https://www.vanityfair.com Vanity Fair]|accessed=29 May 2024}}</ref>

===Collectibles===
In [[April]] [[2008]], [[Gentle Giant]] released the Tom Bombadil Mini Bust.

==See also==
*'''[[Tom Bombadil/Nature|The Nature of Tom Bombadil]]'''

==External links==
*[http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/t/tombombadil.html Entry in the Encyclopedia of Arda] (a concise overview of the discussion)
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2012/08/27/count-count-weigh-divide/ Count, Count, Weigh, Divide] by [[Michael Martinez]] (discusses Tom Bombadil's moral aspects at length)
*[http://www.whoistombombadil.blogspot.com/2013/01/tom-bombadil-as-music-of-ainur_9.html Tom as the Music of the Ainur] discusses the major theories of Tom's origins and proposes a new theory.
*[http://www.cas.unt.edu/~hargrove/tombomb.html Who Is Tom Bombadil?] (an essay by Gene Hargrove)

{{references|notes}}
{{ringbearers}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Enigmas]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Forest-folk]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Spirits]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Tom Bombadil]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/tom bombadil]]
[[fi:Tom Bombadil]]

Tom Bombadil

2025-09-26T17:10:34Z

Valkeyor: /* Other names */

{{disambig-more|Tom|[[Tom (disambiguation)]]}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Tom Bombadil/Nature|Unknown]]
| image=John Howe - Tom Bombadil.jpg
| caption="Tom Bombadil" by [[John Howe]]
| name=Tom Bombadil
| pronun=
| othernames=''Iarwain Ben-adar'' ([[Sindarin|S]]) ''Orald'' ([[Old English]]) ''Forn'' ([[Old Norse]])
| titles=The [[Eldest]], [[Master]]
| position=
| location=[[Underhill (house)|Underhill]], [[Old Forest]]
| affiliation=[[Forest-folk]]<ref>{{AB|2}}</ref>
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=saving [[Frodo]], [[Sam]], [[Merry]] and [[Pippin]] from [[Old Man Willow]] and the [[Barrow-wights]]
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Goldberry]]
| children=
| race=[[Tom Bombadil/Nature|Unknown]]
| gender=Male
| height=Short
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=Blue jacket and hat, boots
| weapons=Song
| steed=[[Fatty Lumpkin]]
}}
{{quote|Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... he knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless – before the Dark Lord came from Outside.|Tom Bombadil in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[In the House of Tom Bombadil]]"}}

'''Tom Bombadil''' was an enigmatic figure who lived throughout the history of [[Arda]]. Living a short distance east of the [[Old Forest]], he seemed to possess unequaled power in the land around his dwelling. Although seemingly benevolent, he took no stance against the [[Dark Lord]]s.

==Appearance and traits==
{{quote|Old Tom Bombadil is a merry fellow; Bright blue his jacket is, and his boots are yellow.|Tom Bombadil}}

Tom looked like an old man who was taller and heavier than a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]], but not quite tall enough for a [[Men|man]].<ref name="OldF" />

His face was creased and red as a ripe apple with blue and bright eyes.<ref name="OldF" /> His hands were brown-skinned.<ref name="house" /> He had thick brown hair<ref name="house" /> and a long brown beard.<ref name="OldF" />

Tom wore a blue coat and an old tall hat with a long blue feather and yellow boots.<ref name="OldF" /> Earlier he wore a [[swans|swan]] feather, which he later replaced with a blue one from a [[kingfishers|kingfisher]].<ref>{{AB|2}}</ref>

He lived in a [[Underhill (house)|house]] just outside the eastern edge of the [[Old Forest]] by the river [[Withywindle]],<ref name="OldF" /> together with his lovely wife [[Goldberry]].<ref name="house" /> According to him<ref name="FR|Barrow">{{FR|Barrow}}</ref> and to [[Gandalf]] as well,<ref name="CoE" /> he would not leave his country. The only known location on the border of his country is where he makes that statement, on the south side of the [[East Road]], north of the [[Barrow-downs]] and about four miles northwest of [[Bree]]. His country must have included the Barrow-downs and the [[Old Forest]], and according to the poem "[[Bombadil Goes Boating]]," he visited villages in [[Buckland]] and [[Farmer Maggot]]'s farm in the [[Marish]], which would mean that his country included them as well.

The [[Bucklanders]] had little understanding of his powers and nature. They saw him as mysterious and unpredictable, but benevolent and comic, more or less as the [[Shire-folk]] thought of [[Gandalf]].<ref name="Adv" />

==History==
===Origins===
[[Image:Olanda Fong-Surdenas - Tom Bombadil.jpg|thumb|left|''Tom Bombadil'' by [[Olanda Fong-Surdenas]]]]
{{quote|He is a strange creature.|[[Elrond]], ''[[The Council of Elrond]]''}}
The origins and [[Tom Bombadil/Nature|nature of Tom Bombadil]] are unknown. He claims to have existed when the [[Morgoth|Dark Lord]] came "from the Outside",<ref name="house">{{FR|Bombadil}}</ref>{{rp|131}} perhaps meaning he was alive at least as far back as the [[Spring of Arda]].<ref>{{RS|Tom}}, p. 122</ref> Bombadil calls himself the "Eldest", [[Glorfindel]] calls him the "First", and his Sindarin name ''Iarwain Ben-adar'' means "Oldest and fatherless."

His role and nature in the [[Elder Days]] and later is unknown. He was in Arda "before the river and the trees" and before the first rain. He "made paths" before the [[Great March]] of the [[Eldar]], and saw the [[Middle Men]] and their [[Barrow Downs|tombs]]. He witnessed the [[Changing of the World]], the reducing of the great forests that covered all [[Middle-earth]], the arrival of the [[Exiles of Númenor]] and of the [[Barrow-wights]].<ref name="house" /><ref name="CoE" />

The nature of his interactions with the outside world is unclear. He had contact with the [[Bucklanders]] throughout the [[Third Age]].<ref name="Adv" /> He was familiar with Frodo, his companions and their families when they visit him. He attributed most of this knowledge to [[Farmer Maggot]].<ref name="house" /> He had names among the Elves, Dwarves and Northern Men. [[Elrond]] knew of him when he ventured in his lands. However, most of the [[Council of Elrond]] were unfamiliar with him, and Elrond admitted to having forgotten about him from long ago.<ref name="CoE" /><ref name="Adv">{{AB|Preface}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Willow Man is Tamed.jpg|thumb|''The Willow Man is Tamed'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
On [[26 September]], {{TA|3018}}, he encountered [[travellers|four hobbits]] while he was searching for water-lilies for his wife. Two of those Hobbits, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], had been captured by [[Old Man Willow]]. Tom, who was the master of the Old Forest, rescued them, and took all four of them to his house.<ref name="OldF">{{FR|Forest}}</ref>

The four hobbits stayed two nights, and he told them many tales and songs. With cunning questions, he made [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] tell him of the [[The One Ring|Ring]]. When Tom tried it on, nothing happened, but he then took it off and flipped it in the air and made the ring itself disappear, showing that indeed within his realm Tom was master. However, when Frodo put the ring on, Tom could still see him. He bade the Hobbit to come back and sit down; his hand was fairer without the ring.

Before his guests went to sleep, Tom warned them of the [[Barrow-downs]], and advised them to pass any barrow on the western side. He also taught them a song, should they come to peril.<ref name="house" />{{rp|134}}

And they did come to peril. Tom chased off a [[Barrow-wights|wight]] with song, and broke the spells on the barrow in which the four hobbits were captured. While he sent the Hobbits to calm down, he went for provisions. He also brought the ponies that had belonged to Merry. After that, he broke the spells of the barrow. From the barrow's mighty hoard, he took a blue-jewelled brooch for Goldberry (probably belonging to the spouse of the [[last prince of Cardolan]] he seemingly met long ago),<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 146-7</ref><ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 127-8</ref> and gave a [[Daggers of Westernesse|dagger]] to each of the hobbits. He then advised them to make for ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' in [[Bree]].<ref name="FR|Barrow" />

The peril of the hobbits was not over; an attack on their lives was carried out, and their ponies were set loose. The ponies apparently remembered the care they were given in the house of Tom Bombadil, and returned to stay beside Tom's own pony, [[Fatty Lumpkin]]. He returned them to [[Barliman Butterbur]], the proprietor of ''The Prancing Pony''. Since he had paid eighteen pence as compensation for the loss, he was now the owner of five fine ponies.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

As he was merry and benevolent, some of the [[Free Peoples]] considered him a potential ally against [[Sauron]] during the [[War of the Ring]]. [[Elrond]] and [[Erestor]] considered that he should be present at the [[Council of Elrond]]. However, according to [[Gandalf]], Tom Bombadil was perhaps not fully aware of the struggle of Light and Darkness and could not prove useful to their causes.<ref name="CoE" />

After the [[fall of Sauron]] at the end of the War, the [[Travelers]] returned to the Shire, but Gandalf left them and went to talk to Tom.<ref>{{RK|Homeward}}</ref>{{rp|996}}

Eventually the defeat of Sauron the victory of the [[West]] allowed Tom to continue and "survive" in the [[later Ages]].<ref>{{L|144}}</ref>

===Legacy===
Tom Bombadil’s existence passed into Hobbit lore and was referenced in poems such as ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'' and ''[[Bombadil Goes Boating]]''. The Hobbit, [[Samwise Gamgee]], based and modeled his protagonist in ''[[The Stone Troll]]'', [[Tom (The Stone Troll)|Tom]], after Bombadil, considering that Sam composed the poem soon after their meeting.<ref name="RF">{{HM|Guide}}, p. 385</ref> In the poem, Tom encounters an old [[Stone-trolls|troll]], gnawing for years on the shinbone of Tim, his [[Unusual words|nuncle]], and Tom demands for the troll to let it down.<ref>{{FR|I12}}</ref><ref>{{AB|7}}</ref> It is likely that Tim was only an invention by Sam rather than actually being Tom Bombadil's nuncle.<ref name="RF" />

==Other names==
He also went by other names:
*The [[Elves]] called him '''''[[iaur|Iar]][[wain]] [[penadar|Ben-adar]]'''''<ref name="CoE">{{FR|Council}}, p. 265</ref> in [[Sindarin]]<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry S ''pen-'', p. 34</ref>, which translates to "Oldest and Fatherless"<ref name="CoE" />. ''Iarwain'' literally means "Old-young", presumably because he had always appeared to be much the same: "old, but very vigorous"<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 128; quoting an unpublished letter from late 1968 by J.R.R. Tolkien from a private collection</ref>
*The "[[Northmen|Northern Men]]" gave him the name '''''Orald'''''.<ref name="CoE" /> ''Orald'' is an [[Old English]] word meaning "very ancient". Old English represents "the [[Rohanese|language of the Rohirrim and their kin]]".<ref name="nomen">{{HM|N}}, entry '''Orald''', p. 761</ref>
*The Dwarves gave him the name '''''Forn'''''.<ref name="CoE" /> ''Forn'' is [[North Germanic languages|Scandinavian]] for "(belonging to) ancient (days)".<ref name="nomen" /> Since all the dwarf names are in Old Norse, which represents "a [[Northern Mannish|northern language of Men]]"<ref name="nomen" /> and the Dwarves from the region of Dale took their "outer" names in the [[language of Dale]]<ref>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1137</ref>, it is possible that the name ''Forn'' came from the [[language of Dale]]. In some imprints of ''[[The History of Middle-earth Index]]'', this name was accidentally spelled with a "P" as the first letter: {{HM|IX}}, "Tom Bombadil (VII)", p. 435<nowiki></ref></nowiki>

==Etymology==
The name ''Bombadil'' is [[Bucklandish]] in form. It is probable that the [[Bucklanders|Hobbits from Buckland]] gave him this name.<ref name="Adv" />

[[Paula Marmor]] notes that ''bobadil'' is an archaic word meaning "braggart", as seen in the character "Captain Bobadill" in the English play ''[[Wikipedia:Every Man in His Humour|Every Man in His Humour]]''. Because of its Bucklandish form, ''[[An Introduction to Elvish]]'' lists the name ''Bombadil'' under the "[[Celtic]]-sounding names". However, it is said that the word derives from '''[[Wikipedia:Boabdil|Boabdil]]''', the Spaniard name of [[Wikipedia:Muhammad XII of Granada|'''Abu Abdillah''' Muhammad XII]], the last Moorish ruler of Granada.<ref>{{HM|IE}}, Giving of Names</ref>

==Inspiration==
Tom Bombadil was inspired primarily from a [[Wikipedia:Peg wooden doll|dutch doll]] Tolkien's child(ren) toyed with.<ref name="intro" /> The doll had a feathered hat. One time they found it in the lavatory, being stuffed there by little [[John Tolkien]], who perhaps didn't like it much.<ref>{{HM|Bio}}, p. 165</ref>

Tolkien began (probably in the 1920s) writing a story entitled ''Tom Bombadil'' set during the reign of "King Bonhedig" in the British prehistory, far before any recorded events or invasions. The protagonist Tombombadil is mentioned as one of the oldest inhabitants of Bonhedig's kingdom, which spanned many miles on either side of the Thames. Only the 3 opening paragraphs survive of the shortly-abandoned, story, and the fragment ends at the description of Tombombadil who "wore a tall hat with a blue feather; his jacket was blue, and his boots were yellow".<ref>{{AB|Prose}}</ref>

Around the 1930s or earlier Tolkien wrote a poem about some Tom Bombadil rowing down a River, a poem which Tolkien later identified as his "germ of Tom Bombadil".<ref>{{RS|1VT}}</ref> Later in [[1934]] he put him into [[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil (poem)|a poem]], again described according to the appearance of the aforementioned doll (something that he did with other toys of his children, like [[Rover]]).<ref name="intro">{{AB|Intro}}</ref> At one time he described him as a "spirit of the (vanishing) [[Oxford]] and Berkshire countryside"<ref name="L19">{{L|19}}</ref>

When asked to make a sequel for ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Tolkien briefly considered making that figure of his poem the central character.<ref name="L19" /> Although it didn't happen, he eventually [[The Old Forest|appeared]] in the narrative as a supporting character. Tolkien wrote Bombadil as a direct contrast to the artistry and (sub)creative force of the [[Elves]]; whereas they seek to create, devise, alter and control, Bombadil only observes and contemplates the world outside him and takes joy in it. He is the fearless theoretical study of the world, and history.<ref name="coghill">[[Letter to Nevill Coghill]] (Excerpt reproduced [http://wayneandchristina.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/tom-bombadil-addenda-corrigenda/ here])</ref>

Justin Noetzel in his paper "Beorn and Tom Bombadil: Mythology, Narrative, and The Most (Non) Essential Characters in Middle-earth", suggests an association of Tom Bombadil with the [[Wikipedia:Celtic Otherworld|Celtic Otherworld]] and tales of the [[Wikipedia:Tuatha Dé Danann|Tuatha Dé Danann]].<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John D. Rateliff]]|articleurl=http://sacnoths.blogspot.se/2013/03/valparaiso-day-three.html|articlename=Valparaiso, Day Three|dated=12 March 2013|website=Sac|accessed=14 March 2013}}</ref>

David Elton Gay compares Tom to the demigod [[Wikipedia:Väinämöinen|Väinämöinen]] from the ''[[Kalevala]]'': both are extremely old and powerful immortal figures who express their power in rhymes, and both have control over their small forested country.<ref>Gay, David Elton (2004). Chance, Jane (ed.). ''J.R.R. Tolkien and the Kalevala. Tolkien and the invention of myth : a reader''. University Press of Kentucky. pp. 295–304.</ref>

==Outside the legendarium==
In addition to the aforementioned earlier works written independently to the [[Legendarium]], a figure that hints at Bombadil appears in the much later poem ''[[Once upon a Time]]''. Tolkien wrote it around [[1964]] and reused the names of "Tom" and "Goldberry" (although the epithet "Bombadil" is not mentioned, the association can be made as he appears with Goldberry). Hammond & Scull note that in this poem Tom appears less omnipotent; while he is known to talk to all creatures, who always obey him, the mysterious ''[[lintips]]'' are the only ones who refuse to talk to him and hide away.<ref>{{AB|Once}}, p. 283</ref> No specific events are mentioned that can connect it to Tom Bombadil or the legendarium of Arda.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
Because he is left out of the three major adaptations ([[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|Ralph Bakshi]], [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC's 1981 series]] and [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|Peter Jackson's]]), Tom Bombadil's main role (providing the [[Daggers of Westernesse|Barrow-blades]]) is omitted. He does have several appearances in other adaptations, though.

===Tom Bombadil in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200" heights="150">
File:Sagan om Ringen - Tom Bombadil.png|''[[Sagan om Ringen (1971 film)|Sagan om Ringen]]''
File:War in Middle Earth - Tom Bombadil.png|''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
File:Hobitit - Tom Bombadillo.png|Esko Hukkanen in ''[[Hobitit]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game - Tom Bombadil, The Master.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Tom Bombadil.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
File:BFME2 - Tom Bombadil 03.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Tom Bombadil.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power.jpeg|[[Rory Michael Kinnear]] as Tom Bombadil in [[Rhûn]] within [[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]
</gallery>
'''1955: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Norman Shelley]] voiced Bombadil, and Tolkien thought his portrayal "dreadful". [[Goldberry]] was portrayed as his daughter, rather than his wife.<ref>{{L|175}}</ref>

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:In this series, Tom was voiced by [[Bernard Mayes]]. Like Norman Shelley before him, he also voiced [[Gandalf]].

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Tom Bombadil can be found outside his house in the Old Forest.

'''1990: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I (1990 video game)|J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Vol. I]]'':'''
:Tom Bombadil rescues the party from the Willow Man, and provides information, supplies, shelter, and side-quests for the party. He later rescues the party from the Barrow Wights, and very briefly joins as a temporary playable character while inside the barrow. His role runs almost directly parallel to the original, with some related passages of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' quoted directly. However, [[Goldberry]]'s role is significantly changed to provide a quest for the party.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Tom Bombadil is played by Peter Ehrlich.

'''1992: [[Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series)|''Tales from the Perilous Realm'' (1992 radio series)]]:'''
:When he adapted the 1981 [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|radio series]], [[Brian Sibley]] deeply regretted cutting Bombadil from the radio series.<ref>[[Brian Sibley]], ''[http://briansibleytheworks.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-page-is-still-under-construction_23.html The Ring Goes Ever On]''</ref> When he made ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm]]'' into a radio series, he decided to change the section "[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]". Rather than several (unadaptable) Hobbitish poems, Sibley adapted the chapters from ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. Bombadil is voiced by [[Ian Hogg]].

'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Tom Bombadil is portrayed by Esko Hukkanen. It is the only screen adaptation that featured him before 2024.

'''2001-2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
:Although Tom Bombadil does not appear in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]], Decipher produced a card for the character. He was portrayed by Harry Weller-Chew.

'''2001–present: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:Despite not appearing in the films the game is based on, Tom Bombadil and Goldberry were given several models by [[Games Workshop]], which has held rights for tabletop games since 1980.

'''2001: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Tom Bombadil is provided by Milan Lasica. He appears in the final third of the first episode, helping the four hobbits with Old Man Willow, guiding them to his house and taking them in as his guests for the night, along with his wife Goldberry. After they depart and get lost on the Barrow Downs, he once again aids in their rescue, and provides them with barrow-blades from the barrow of the defeated barrow-wight.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:[[Daran Norris]] portrayed Bombadil with a Scottish accent. His role is much like that in the book, and as one of the few characters in this video game, he keeps most of his songs.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|extended edition]], some of Bombadil's poems are transferred to [[Treebeard]], and so is his encounter with [[Old Man Willow]].

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Bombadil is a summonable power. Once summoned, he can plow through enemy lines. His most powerful weapon is a "Sonic Song". As soon as [[Electronic Arts|EA]] secured the rights to the books, it was decided that Tom Bombadil should be in it; his appearance is kept close to his description in the book.<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/battleformiddleearth2/news.html?sid=6139678 The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II Q&A - Enter Tom Bombadil], [http://www.gamespot.com/ GameSpot.com]</ref>

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Tom can be found either inside or outside his house in the Old Forest. He helps the player track down crebain scouts possessing important information, and later arrives to rescue the player from the Barrow-Downs when (s)he gets himself in more than (s)he is prepared for, much like the Hobbits in the Book. He later aids the player against agents of the Barrow-downs when the latter attempts to corrupt Old Man Willow with a [[Morgul-blade]].

'''2012: ''[[Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game]]'':'''
:Bombadil is a playable character. He uses a trowel as a weapon and for digging in certain spots. Tom can be found in his house on the road to the north of [[Bucklebury Ferry]] in the forested area between [[Bree]] and the Shire. It is unclear if this forest is meant to be the Old Forest or not; it is in the right location, but the game never specifically names it and its physical appearance does not fit the book's description.

'''2014: ''[[Lego The Hobbit: The Video Game]]'':'''
:Bombadil also appears as a playable character, and again wields a trowel. This time, Tom is found in a forest southwest of Bree, near a house atop a hill (likely his house in the Old Forest).

'''2024: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:Tom Bombadil will be portrayed by [[Rory Michael Kinnear]], whose headwear and outfit was made by costume designer Luca Mosca to look similar to J.R.R. Tolkien's description of Tom Bombadil. The production designer of the show, [[Kristian Milstead]], incorporated a star map on the ceiling of Tom's cottage to imply that Bombadil "has been watching the constellations for signs—and for the Stranger’s arrival", thereby connecting Tom to the larger story. The showrunners mention that they have given him a second home besides [[Underhill (house)|Underhill]] which he uses as a "summer cottage" on the outskirts of the once "green and beautiful" [[Rhûn]] "which...now is...a dead wasteland". At the time of the show, Bombadil "has gone out to...Rhûn...to see what's happened" to the region in order to prevent the desolation from spreading westwards.<ref>{{webcite|author=Anthony Breznican|articleurl=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/tom-bombadil-the-rings-of-power-first-look|articlename=Tom Bombadil Finally Steps Forth in ''The Rings of Power'' - An Exclusive First Look|dated=29 May 2024|website=[https://www.vanityfair.com Vanity Fair]|accessed=29 May 2024}}</ref>

===Collectibles===
In [[April]] [[2008]], [[Gentle Giant]] released the Tom Bombadil Mini Bust.

==See also==
*'''[[Tom Bombadil/Nature|The Nature of Tom Bombadil]]'''

==External links==
*[http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/t/tombombadil.html Entry in the Encyclopedia of Arda] (a concise overview of the discussion)
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2012/08/27/count-count-weigh-divide/ Count, Count, Weigh, Divide] by [[Michael Martinez]] (discusses Tom Bombadil's moral aspects at length)
*[http://www.whoistombombadil.blogspot.com/2013/01/tom-bombadil-as-music-of-ainur_9.html Tom as the Music of the Ainur] discusses the major theories of Tom's origins and proposes a new theory.
*[http://www.cas.unt.edu/~hargrove/tombomb.html Who Is Tom Bombadil?] (an essay by Gene Hargrove)

{{references|notes}}
{{ringbearers}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Enigmas]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Forest-folk]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Spirits]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Tom Bombadil]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/tom bombadil]]
[[fi:Tom Bombadil]]

Old Man Willow

2025-09-26T17:08:44Z

Valkeyor: /* History */

{{infobox character
| people=Unknown (possibly a [[Huorns|Huorn]])
| image=J.R.R. Tolkien - Old Man Willow.jpg
| caption="Old Man Willow" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| name=Old Man Willow
| pronun=
| othernames=The Great Willow; "Old grey Willow-man"
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Old Forest|The Old Forest]]
| affiliation=[[Forest-folk]]<ref>{{AB|2}}</ref>
| language=
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=almost crushing [[Merry]] and [[Pippin]] to death
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=Unknown (possibly a [[Huorn]])
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=Spells
| steed=
}}
'''Old Man Willow''', also known as the '''Great Willow''', was a [[willows|willow tree]] in the [[Old Forest]] that stood near the [[Withywindle]].

==History==
The origins of Old Man Willow are vague. He might have been an [[Ents|Ent]] who had become tree-like, or possibly a [[Huorns|Huorn]], as the Old Forest was originally part of the same primordial forest as [[Fangorn Forest|Fangorn]].

The Great Willow was evil-hearted and from it much of the Forest's hatred of walking things came.<ref name="OMW">{{FR|I6}}</ref> Despite his power, [[Tom Bombadil]], who called him '''Old grey Willow-man''', had power over him, and checked the evil as much as he could, or was willing.

On [[26 September]] {{TA|3018}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> Old Man Willow cast a spell on the [[Hobbits]], [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], causing them to feel sleepy. Merry and Pippin leaned against the trunk and fell asleep, while Frodo sat on a root to dangle his feet in the water, before also falling asleep. The tree trapped Merry and Pippin in cracks in the trunk, and tipped Frodo into the stream.

Sam managed to fight off the spell and rescued Frodo from the stream. Together they attempted to save Merry and Pippin by lighting a fire at the tree's base, but this only served to infuriate Old Man Willow, who threatened to kill the trapped hobbits. They were saved by the timely arrival of Tom Bombadil who knew "the tune for him".<ref name="OMW" />

===Legacy===
In a fictitious [[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil|poem]] originating from [[Buckland]],<ref>{{AB|Preface}}</ref> Old Man Willow sings Tom Bombadil to sleep and traps him in a crack. He then speaks to Tom, chastising him for spying on him and tickling him with his feather. Tom orders Old Man Willow to release him, which he does immediately.<ref>{{AB|1}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In ''[[The Return of the Shadow]]'', in the early text for ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', the incident with Old Man Willow has [[Frodo Baggins|Bingo Bolger-Baggins]] and [[Peregrin Took|Odo]] lying against the tree. [[Samwise Gamgee|Frodo]] is the one pushed into the river while [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Marmaduke Brandybuck]] is the one who resists the spell.<ref>{{RS|Forest}}</ref>

Later, in Tom Bombadil's house, Tom relates the lore concerning Old Man Willow. He is described as a "grey thirsty earth-bound spirit" that had "become imprisoned in the greatest Willow of the Forest".<ref>{{RS|Tom}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
Tolkien said that his inspiration perhaps was sparked by the specifically gnarled trees in the illustrations of famed British fantasy artist [[wikipedia:Arthur Rackham|Arthur Rackham]].<ref>{{AB|Comm}}</ref>

==Portrayals in adaptations==
'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:Old Man Willow is portrayed as in league with Mordor. This upset [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]], who wrote "Cannot people imagine things hostile to men and hobbits who prey on them without being in league with the Devil!" in a [[Letter 175|letter to Molly Waldron]].<ref>{{L|175}}</ref>
'''1994: [[The Lord of the Rings: Volume 1]]:'''
:In this game, Old Man Willow is shown to be capable of speech, as shown when he swallows not only Merry and Pippin, but also Sam. He gloats to Frodo about how tasty Hobbits are, and also threatens to crush his friends if he tries attacking him. Strangely, he also has some skill in penmanship, as he wrote and left a note on the ground, inviting the Hobbits to sleep near him before he traps them in his jaws.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:In the console and PC versions, Old Man Willow appears as a boss in the Withywindle Valley region of the Old Forest, who Frodo must defeat by crippling his arm-like branches, while dodging roots that rise up from the ground. Attempting to strike Old Man Willow's trunk will only injure Merry and Pippin, who are trapped inside. Attacking the trunk too many times will kill them, resulting in a Game Over.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]:'''
:Although he did not appear in the 2001 [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|movie adaptation]], a very similar episode with [[Hobbits]] being swallowed by a tree was included in the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|extended edition]], where Merry and Pippin are swallowed by a Huorn in [[Fangorn Forest]], to be saved by [[Treebeard]].

'''2007: [[The Lord of the Rings Online]]:'''
:Old Man Willow rests on his small island in the middle of the [[Withywindle]], where he slowly drains nearby players of energy and power.

{{References}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Enigmas]]
[[Category:Forest-folk]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Trees]]
[[de:Alter Weidenmann]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/vieil homme-saule]]
[[fi:Vanha Halavaukko]]

Tolkien Gateway:Featured articles/Nominations

2024-05-10T13:21:34Z

Valkeyor: /* Eriol */

{{shortcut|TG:FA/N}}Current '''nominations''' for '''featured article''' status are listed here. Former nominations (successful and unsuccessful) are listed at [[Tolkien Gateway:Featured articles/Archive]].

In considering an article, please review the nomination criteria below to judge for yourself whether the article meets the criteria. If you are satisfied, then create a new section at the bottom of the page, titled with the name of the article, with your rationale for nomination. Should the nomination prove successful, the article could soon be featured on the [[Main Page]].

==Nomination criteria==
Any registered user can nominate an article for '''featured''' status. It should be well-written, complete, illustrated, and referenced and meet these specific criteria:

:::#The text is ''entirely'' written by TG editors with correct English spelling, grammar and punctuation;
:::#There are no outstanding [[:Category:Maintenance templates|maintenance templates]] on the article;
:::#The article is well-referenced throughout, leaving the reader under no illusions as to where to source information themselves;
:::#The article conforms to TG's [[Tolkien Gateway:Manual of Style|Standards]], as well as those laid out in the relevant [[Tolkien Gateway:Projects|Project]];
:::#The text is sprinkled with ''relevant'' [[Help:Images|images]] (including captions) of appropriate size - if necessary, including a gallery;
:::#Articles are at least 5,000 bytes long;
:::#Where applicable, contains complete sections of "History", "Portrayal in adaptations", "Other versions of the legendarium", "See also", "Genealogy", "Etymology", "Other names", etc;
:::#Where applicable, ''full use'' has been made of relevant templates, e.g.: [[:Category:Disambiguation and redirection templates|disambiguation]], [[Template:Seealso|see also]], [[Template:Main|main]], [[Template:Navigation|navigation]], [[Template:Pronounce|pronounce]], [[Template:Familytree|familytree]], [[Template:Seq|sequence]];
:::#Where applicable, contains interwiki links;
:::#Preferably no red-links, but no more than half-a-dozen.

After nomination, an article should receive five votes with with no objections within a month or so; each user being able to cast one vote. Each entry should begin with '''Agree''', '''Disagree''' or '''Undecided''' and be signed by the user, and, if they choose, an explanation of their vote.

==Current nominations==
===[[Gandalf]]===
It's a pretty impressive article, and well deserved for my favourite character and such an interesting character.--{{User:KingAragorn/sig}} 07:14, 6 June 2008 (EDT)

* '''Agree'''. If I'm not mistaking, Gandalf has already been FA once. That doesn't mean it can't be again, but it's near the end of the queue. Oh, '''agree''', btw. but the sourcing needs to be a bit better. -- [[User:Ederchil|Ederchil]] 08:01, 6 June 2008 (EDT)

* '''Agree'''. This article is extensive, appears complete, well-referenced, and lavishly illustrated. It is a prime example of what an FA should be.--[[User:Theoden1|Theoden1]] 13:31, 7 June 2008 (EDT)

*'''Agree'''. Yes, quite well done. Excellent, in fact.--Ingwe

* '''Agree'''. Nice long article, good information, plus good introduction into Tolkien. {{unsigned|ZehnWaters}}

*'''Agree''' A Middle Earth without Gandalf, is not a true Middle Eearth at all.--{{User:Breragor/sig}}

*'''Agree'''. After reading it, I have to admit it is the best article we have.--<tt>[[User:Odysseas-spartan-53|Odysseas]]-[[User talk:Odysseas-spartan-53|Spartan]][[Special:Contributions/Odysseas-spartan-53|53]]</tt> 10:50, 23 May 2009 (UTC)

*'''Agree'''. Olorin, Mithrandir, Gandalf, conjurer, istar, mighty maiar, there is so much to be told of my favourite immortal. Elvenshieldmaiden

*'''Agree'''. Exellent Article! Besides, Gandalf is the heart of Tolkien's work. His article deserves to be featured. [[User:Mthomas|mthomas]] 12:30, 7 June 2009 (UTC)

*'''Agree'''. The first thing new users see is the main page, and generally people are most familiar with Gandalf. --Yurpee

*'''Agree'''. A central character in the LoTR trilogy. Everyone knows who he is and he deserves a good moment in the spotlight. -- Naruvir

*'''Disagree''' - I think it's a big cluttered in its structure and severely lacks sources required to make it worthy of the title. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 14:23, 4 January 2011 (UTC)

*'''Agree'''. It definitely deserves to be featured, but I think later, after the revisions are done because of the Hobbit movies coming. {{Unsigned|Lilybell}}

*'''Agree'''. It is a well written article, the main picture is appropriate, and there are very little red links. This article gives a great introduction to Gandalf for someone who is new to Tolkien's works. Plus, the character is just all-around amazing. --[[User:Joszyboom|Joszyboom]]

*'''Agree'''. I think it is an important fact that Gandalf is a Miar, and not just a human with powers. I don't think that many people would know that, but it is important and this will help. -- quark

*'''Agree'''. I remember when I was just getting into Tolkien's works in 6th grade with The Hobbit and had no idea who Gandalf was then I went to LOTR and Gandalf with the "You Shall Not Pass" I was amazed and started to delve deeper but that was my own initiative if this article goes on the home page then any new Tolkien reader would go and read it learning a substantial amount of knowledge. -- Aragorn is Awesome

*'''Agree'''. But, people get so excited about editing his article that they forget the citations...--[[User:Erónèhire|Erónèhire]] 02:33, 10 March 2021 (UTC)

*'''Agree'''. It's a pretty big article and includes all information like detailed history as well as many images.--Shivam 07:38, 9 April 2021 (UTC)

*'''Disagree'''. Needs more references and the matter of his names is a mess. When this is solved, I'll give Gandalf priority to be featured. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 11:00, 13 April 2022 (UTC)

===[[Dwalin]]===
As Smaug has been featured for almost nine months now I think it is time to look for a new featured article. Personally I think [[Dwalin]] might be a good choice. It is well-writen, sourced, no maintaince templates and only one red link. Although Dwalin isn't as long as previous featured articles, it covers (almost) all information that can be found in the books. And, with [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]] coming this year people will search for more information about the Hobbit and characters/locations. Therefore it would be good if an article related to The Hobbit will appear on the main page. --[[User:Amroth|Amroth]] 19:57, 9 March 2012 (UTC)

:+1.--[[User:Morgan|Morgan]] 20:07, 9 March 2012 (UTC)

:Any other opinions? --[[User:Amroth|Amroth]] 14:53, 21 March 2012 (UTC)

::I don't like the main image.--{{User:KingAragorn/sig}} 15:20, 21 March 2012 (UTC)

:::I kind of agree, but we don't have many other images of him. The only other suitable image seems to be [[:File:New Line Cinema - Dwalin 2.png|this one]]. --[[User:Amroth|Amroth]] 19:55, 21 March 2012 (UTC)

::::Why not an image from The Hobbit film?--[[User:Erónèhire|Erónèhire]] 02:31, 10 March 2021 (UTC)

===[[Bard]]===
Although Gondolin has only been featured for just over 3 months, I think that the featured article should be updated more often. I feel that [[Bard]] is a great option, because sometimes i think he's underappreciated. He played a big part in The Battle of the Five Armies, and was the King of [[Dale]] for quite some time. --[[User:BrandonEchols|BrandonEchols]] 00:01, 10 April 2023 (UTC)

*'''Agree'''. It's a good article. However, I disagree with updating things more often. I've taken the resolution to update the whole Main Page exactly twice a year, in due dates.--[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] ([[User talk:LorenzoCB|talk]]) 12:07, 11 April 2023 (UTC)

*'''Agree'''. I think it would be a good choice, because he is '''truly''' underappreciated.--[[User:MEGRIMLOCK|MEGRIMLOCK]] ([[User talk:MEGRIMLOCK|talk]]) 13:01, 2 May 2023 (UTC)

*'''Disagree'''. While the article is interesting and while he is an important character in [[The Hobbit]], the article does not fullfill the criteria for nomination yet. It lacked references for the dates of his rule, the dates of his death and his minimum age at the time of his death. In addition, there were errors in the article. I corrected errors and added references, but the article is not finished yet. --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhorahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 15:36, 2 May 2023 (UTC)

:True, I will help work on his page.--[[User:MEGRIMLOCK|MEGRIMLOCK]] ([[User talk:MEGRIMLOCK|talk]]) 16:40, 2 May 2023 (UTC)

=== [[Eriol]] ===
Not to toot my own horn, but I've spent days upon days trying to perfect that article since 2022. It's been sourced to death, and I think that a featured article dealing with the material from ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' and the early legendarium in general would be a refreshing change of pace on the main page. It would also expose more people to the absolute wonders of the ''Lost Tales''.

But, of course, folks here should be the judge of how good that article is. - [[User:IvarTheBoneless|IvarTheBoneless]] ([[User talk:IvarTheBoneless|talk]]) 17:11, 14 October 2023 (UTC)

*'''Agree'''. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] ([[User talk:LorenzoCB|talk]]) 11:35, 16 December 2023 (UTC)
*'''Agree'''. --[[User:Valkeyor]] I think it would be refreshing to put the early legendarium work on the page. 1:20, 10 May 2024 (UTC)

Lord of Emyn Arnen

2024-05-09T23:21:08Z

Valkeyor: Cleaned the sentence structure and condensed two incomplete paragraphs into one paragraph. Will need further editing and citations.

{{Rewrite}}
The '''Lord of Emyn Arnen''' was a title bestowed upon [[Faramir]] by [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]]. The lordship included the hills of [[Emyn Arnen]] within [[South Ithilien]] as the primary residence for the [[Prince of Ithilien]].<ref>{{App|A1iiS}}, p. 1360</ref> Emyn Arnen were [[Gondor]]'s lands east of the [[Anduin|Great River]] and the homeland of [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward]] [[Húrin of Emyn Arnen]], the patriarch of the [[House of Húrin|House of the Stewards]] and ancestor of Faramir.

{{References}}

[[Category:Mannish titles]]

[[fi:Emyn Arnenin ruhtinas]]

User:Valkeyor

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Valkeyor: Created page with "{{user lore-3}}"