References by Title

Quennar i Onótimo by Himring

One among Tolkien's several fictional loremasters, Quennar was briefly an intermediary between Rúmil and Pengolodh and later attested as the loremaster who wrote on the reckoning of time by the Elves, a role that overlaps with the medieval historiography familiar to Tolkien.

Published on 1 September 2018.

Radagast the Brown by oshun

One of the Istari or Wizards, Radagast is a blink-or-you-miss-him character with particular connections to animals and nature.

Published on 1 August 2016.

Review of "The Battle of Maldon" by Narya

The most recent posthumous volume of Tolkien's work contains some of his translations, lectures, and fanfiction of Old English texts.

Published on 23 June 2023.

Review of "The Fall of Númenor" by Lyra

The Fall of Númenor conveniently compiles the majority of Tolkien's Second Age materials in a single volume alongside delightful new art from Alan Lee, making it an immensely useful publication.

Published on 16 February 2023.

Review of "The Great Tales Never End: Essays in Memory of Christopher Tolkien" by Grundy

The Great Tales Never End: Essays in Memory of Christopher Tolkien is a collection that pays homage not only to the extraordinary achievement of Christopher Tolkien's work on the legendarium but that acknowledges him as a person and scholar whose impact ranged beyond the borders of Middle-earth.

Published on 15 July 2022.

Review of "Tolkien and Diversity" by daughterofshadows

The recent Tolkien Society Seminar proceedings "Tolkien and Diversity" explore both cultural identity and the international fan community and how Tolkien's fanworks and fandom represent marginalized identities.

Published on 8 July 2023.

Rían by Robinka

Having a name does not guarantee having a role in the legendarium, let alone being an important character. Representing that assemblage of characters, our heroine here today is Rían – the wife of Huor and the mother of Tuor.

Published on 1 January 2016.

Rochallor by oshun

Rochallor is the great warhorse of Fingolfin High King of the Noldor who carried his master to his final, desperate confrontation with Morgoth.

Published on 1 February 2012.

Rúmil of Tirion by oshun

Rúmil of Tirion is a Noldorin loremaster of great repute, notable among a people recognized for their creativity, avidity for knowledge, and love of words.

Published on 1 April 2013.

Saeros by Robinka

As one of the very few negatively portrayed Elves in the entire legendarium, Saeros was responsible for the outcome that became another twist in Túrin’s complicated fate and another factor of his impending catastrophe.

Published on 1 February 2017.

Salmar-Noldorin by Dawn Walls-Thumma

Salmar appeared early in the legendarium in a muddled variety of roles only to disappear swiftly, known in the published text as the artificer of the horns of Ulmo, the Ulumúri.

Published on 8 April 2023.

Samwise Gardner's Birthday by Lindariel

A two-part series about holidays celebrated on April 6, these articles discuss canonical foods that might have been used to celebrate Sam's birthday, investigates their history, and offers recipes to try at home.

Table of Contents

Published on 1 August 2020.

Sauron by Marta

At first glance Sauron does not appear to have much depth as a character. He works rather well as a villain, but we are rarely given a reason to think of him as more than that. As with many of Tolkien's characters, however, they really come into their own in Tolkien's so-called minor works.

Published on 1 August 2008.

Seafaring Heroes and Villains: The Role of the Sea in Tolkien's Legendarium by oshun

Tolkien's seafarers and shipbuilders explore, challenge, define, and reframe his world throughout its fictional history, and Tolkien's use of the sea and sea-longing in particular hearkens to Germanic themes of exile and longing.

Published on 17 May 2018.

Seeing Stones in Dark Towers by Simon J. Cook

As inscribed above the western doors of the Mines of Moria, that magical illustration of Elf-Dwarf collaboration, the name of the game is treachery. From Frodo’s far-seeing dream of Orthanc in his first night in the house of Tom Bombadil, the post draws in the person of Frodo Baggins the image of the Stone by which the will of the Necromancer enters a Tower.

Published on 7 March 2024.

Shelob by Lindariel

The daughter of the monstrous Ungoliant, Shelob is one of the myriad links between the First and Third Ages. This biography considers her origins, appearance, evolution, and uniquely sinister ability to spin darkness.

Published on 1 January 2020.

Sieges in the First and Second Ages by S.R. Westvik

From ancient times to the present, siege warfare has been used to wear down an enemy through time and deprivation. Siege tactics, defense against a siege, and humanitarian concerns from real-world sieges have analogues in sieges in Middle-earth.

Published on 18 November 2022.

Sindarin vs Quenya: RELEVANCE FIGHT! by darthfingon

So you're working on a fanfiction ... what Elvish language should you use for names and snippets of dialogue? Here is a handy guide to choosing between Quenya and Sindarin.

Published on 1 September 2009.

So You Want to Present at a Tolkien Conference? Writing the Proposal by SWG Newsletter Staff

Video and materials from our session on how to write a proposal for a Tolkien conference. The session covers how conferences work, the different types of sessions, and how to structure and write a proposal.

Published on 1 January 2025.

Spiral Staircase by Simon J. Cook

The Anglo-Saxon poet looks on the sea from the highest point of the tower and then, without saying all that was seen, begins a descent. The way of the poem traces a spiral staircase. Ultimately, the plan of this staircase follows an Elvish design. The staircase is a picture of the descent of mortal generations in history, drawn from the perspective of those who do not die.

Published on 5 September 2024.

Stars Less Strange: An Analysis of Fanfiction and Representation within the Tolkien Fan Community by Dawn Walls-Thumma

Originally presented at the 2021 Tolkien Society Seminar "Tolkien and Diversity," this paper considers the historical and current use of fanfiction to address issues of representation in Tolkien’s canon.

Published on 27 July 2021.

Straight Road by Simon J. Cook

The Fall of Númenor offers the evidence used to arrive at Tolkien's reading of the exordium to Beowulf.

Published on 10 August 2024.

Talking amongst Ourselves: Tolkien Fanfiction and Fanon by Dawn Walls-Thumma

Fan-generated details and theories, also called fanon, are a conversation among fans about Tolkien's world. Although fanon has a fraught history in many corners of the fandom, it is growing in acceptance.

Published on 16 September 2023.

Tar-Aldarion by oshun

Tar-Aldarion, the sixth King of Númenor, is best known for his penchant for sea voyages.

Published on 1 September 2012.

Tar-Meneldur by oshun

Tar-Meneldur, the fifth king of Númenor, was known for his interest in astronomy.

Published on 1 August 2015.