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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 1997-2025. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ. Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.Got a question for us? We are always on hand to help! Why not Tweet us with your queries about Discus or the DISC personality test? |
Latest entries and updates
Featured EntryValley of SarumanThe cleft of Nan CurunírAt the southern end of the Misty Mountains, a wide valley opened into the peaks as they descended toward the Gap of Rohan. From its mouth, the valley ran northward into the mountains for some twenty miles, and near its head the early Gondorians had raised the impregnable Tower of Orthanc within the Circle of Isengard. Streams ran down into the valley from the surrounding heights, filling the young river Isen as it ran out along the vale and out onto the wide plains beyond. Fed by these streams, the valley was originally green and deeply forested. In the year III 2759, nearly three millennia after Orthanc had been raised at the head of the valley, the Wizard Saruman was given leave to dwell there by Steward Beren of Gondor. At the time, Saruman presented himself as a friend to the Gondorians and the Rohirrim, who were recovering from the invasion of their land and the death of King Helm Hammerhand. The valley that held Saruman's tower thus became known as the Valley of Saruman or the Wizard's Vale (Nan Curunír in Elvish, Curunír being Saruman's name among the Elves). |
