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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 EntryDor CaranthirThe wide lands of Caranthir the DarkA later name given to the wide lands eastward of the river Gelion and northward of the river Ascar during the First Age. This region at the feet of the Blue Mountains had originally been known to the Sindar simply as Talath Rhúnen, the East Vale, but when the Noldor returned to Middle-earth, they gave it new names, including Thargelion, the 'land beyond Gelion'. When Fëanor's fourth son Caranthir chose this land as his dwelling-place, it acquired another new name: Dor Caranthir, the Land of Caranthir. Caranthir's people settled primarily in the northern parts of the land. In that part of Thargelion, a spur of the Blue Mountains extended westward, forming the height of Mount Rerir before the land descended into Maglor's Gap. Caranthir had his fortified halls on the western flanks of Mount Rerir, overlooking Lake Helevorn. That cold lake formed in the angle between the Blue Mountains and their western spur, and Caranthir's people settled around its shores and in the surrounding lands. |
