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Welcome to The Encyclopedia of ArdaThe Encyclopedia of Arda is a personal project - a tribute to and a celebration of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. The site is evolving into an illustrated hypertext encyclopedia of Tolkien's realms and peoples. It already contains about four thousand entries, and we're constantly adding new entries and expanding existing ones. Inside the encyclopediaThe Encyclopedia of Arda contains thousands of articles covering topics from J.R.R. Tolkien's world, some brief, some lengthy and some containing detailed essays and discussions. You'll also find a selection of interactive tools, including a chronicle to help you explore Tolkien's fictional history, and calendar to translate dates and events, a lexicon of names, a glossary of old and rare words, and much more. Context and approachThe content of the Encyclopedia is written in the same context as Tolkien himself used; he presented himself simply as a translator, rather than originator of the tales. Hence, we try to describe his world from a 'historical' rather than a literary perspective, though sometimes it's useful to explore ideas in their wider context. Where relevant, therefore, you'll also find a few references to Tolkien's life or opinions, or to real historical or mythological parallels to events in his universe. About the name ArdaArda was the name given by the Elves to their world and all it contained, and so 'Encyclopedia of Arda' seemed a peculiarly apt title for this project. Special thanksThanks to all those who've e-mailed us over the years with their suggestions, corrections, ideas and just general support. But the real Special Thanks, though, belong to the memory of J.R.R. Tolkien for his extraordinary and unparalleled creation. For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page. Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 1997-2024. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ. Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.Discus is a powerful, flexible DISC profile solution - find out much more in our free guide. |
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Featured EntryThird GateThe Gate of Bronze in the Orfalch EchorThe third of the Seven Gates of Gondolin that guarded the high and narrow pass of the Orfalch Echor leading through the Encircling Mountains to Turgon's Hidden City. The first two Gates were of Wood and Stone, so the Third Gate was the first to be made of metal (as indeed were all of the following Gates). It stood only a short way along the Orfalch from the Second Gate, the Gate of Stone, and led through a high wall. The Gate itself was made of bronze, heavily hung with bronze plates and shields, marked with strange signs. Above the Third Gate, surmounting its wall, stood three towers, each roofed in copper that shone with a strange red light, reflecting lamps set along the wall's top. Like each of the other Gates, the Third Gate had its own dedicated company of guards, in this case taken mostly from the native Sindar of Nevrast who had joined Turgon's Noldor when they removed to Gondolin. It was traditional for the Sindar to bear axes, and these were the weapons borne by the guards of the Gate of Bronze. |
