The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Between 23 December and 21 January on a modern (Gregorian) calendar
Location
In common use in the Bree-land
Race
Culture
Pronunciation
fre'ry
Meaning
From Old English frēorig, 'freezing'1
Other names
Afteryule; the Mannish months of Narvinyë or Narwain also corresponded with Frery, without being directly related

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About this entry:

  • Updated 19 October 2022
  • This entry is complete

Frery

The first month of the calendar of Bree

Months of the year

The first of the twelve months of the year was known throughout most of Middle-earth as Narvinyë, but the calendars used in the Shire and in Bree had their own traditional names for the months. In most of the Shire, Narvinyë was known as 'Afteryule', but in parts of the Eastfarthing, and especially in Bree, the name 'Frery' was used. This old form seems to be derived from the word for 'cold', an appropriate name for the month following midwinter.


Notes

1

The Bree-landers' month-name 'Frery' seems reminiscent of modern 'February', which is also a cold month at the beginning of the year, and perhaps Tolkien intended this connection on a phonetic level. The names themselves, however, have quite different origins. Modern 'February' derives from Latin februarius mensis, the 'month of purification', and has no etymological connection to the Old English roots of 'Frery'.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 19 October 2022
  • This entry is complete

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