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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 EntryNoldor of EregionThe craftsmen of HollinThe origins of Eregion are not entirely clear, but it seems to have been originally settled by Galadriel and Celeborn during the eighth century of the Second Age. There were Elves other than the Noldor in that land, but it was that people who had the deepest interest in the crafts of making, and a great friendship grew between the Noldor of Eregion and the Dwarves of nearby Khazad-dûm. For more than six hundred years the new land remained at peace in the western shadows of the Misty Mountains. After that time a powerful figure naming himself Annatar came to Eregion. Galadriel rejected his friendship, but he had immense knowledge, and his influence over the jewel-smiths grew, and especially over one Celebrimbor, a grandson of Fëanor. Galadriel and Celeborn passed into the east at this time, to settle in the land that would become Lórien, leaving Celebrimbor to become Lord of Eregion. |
