Tol Withernon[1] might have been an island off the east coast of Tol Eressëa, according to the early version of the legendarium associated with The Book of Lost Tales.[2]
Etymology
The name Tol Withernon is in Gnomish. The first element of the name is tol ("an isle with high-steep coasts")[3]; however, the second part, Withernon, is unclear.[4]
Inspiration
Tol Withernon might have been inspired by the town of Withernsea in Yorkshire, where, not far from it, Tolkien was stationed during World War I.[5] While the town of Withernsea isn't located on an island presently, a local tradition claims that at some point in history it actually was an island.[2]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue", in Parma Eldalamberon XI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), p. 3
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 John Garth, Tolkien and the Great War, "Part three: Tol Withernon and Fladweth Amrod", p. 236
- ↑ Paul Strack, "G. tol", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon, accessed 21 October 2024
- ↑ Paul Strack, "G. Tol Withernon (ar lim gardhin arthi)", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon, accessed 22 April 2022
- ↑ John Garth, Tolkien and the Great War, "Part three: Tol Withernon and Fladweth Amrod", p. 234