Newest References

Húrin Thalion, Part 2 by Melesta

After the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Húrin's heroic life takes a turn for the tragic and illustrates themes of courage, betrayal, and the promises and perils of vision. Although given one of the most inconclusive endings in the legendarium, Húrin retains a heroic reputation that resonates through the ages to follow.

Published on 4 August 2023.

Interview with Artist Ismene by Anérea, Ismene

Ismene is a self-taught artist known for her striking illustrations, most recently the artwork depicting Varda that is featured on the cover of Tolkien and Diversity.

Published on 21 July 2023.

Annael by Silver Trails

Annael was the foster-father of Tuor and a Sindarin Elf who played a minor but important role in his life.

Published on 27 July 2023.

Tar-Míriel by Grundy

A tragic figure of the Second Age, Tar-Míriel should have been the ruling queen but was usurped and forced into marriage by her cousin, leaving her to witness Númenor's fall.

Published on 5 May 2023.

Húrin Thalion, Part 1 by Melesta

A character who remained in the legendarium, largely unchanged, since its earliest writings, Húrin lives an early life defined by valor and heroism. This first part of his biography explores his heroic youth, including connections to ancient and medieval history.

Published on 2 June 2023.

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.

Draugluin by Narya

Though appearing just briefly, the fierce wolf Draugluin is characterized using elements from myth and folklore, leaving him a character memorable for his dread.

Published on 30 June 2023.

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.

Affirmational Fandom, Transformational Fandom, and Two Old Tolkien Fanfics by Dawn Walls-Thumma

The two oldest known Tolkien-based fanfiction works illustrate the concepts of transformational and affirmational fandom and how both approaches are vital to Tolkien fanworks fandom.

Published on 17 June 2023.

Fandom Voices: Defining Canon and Using Canon in Fanworks by Dawn Walls-Thumma

Fan responses show how complex is the understanding of the concept of "canon" within the Tolkien fandom. The first part analyzes responses around how fans navigate the complicated issue of Tolkien's canon. Update: Added responses from three additional fans.

Published on 22 April 2023.

Makar and Meássë by Silver Trails

Heavily inspired by Norse mythology, Makar and Meássë were briefly Valar early in the legendarium.

Published on 1 December 2013.

Caranthir by Silver Trails

The fourth son of Fëanor, Caranthir's character leaves many questions unanswered that invite fan speculation.

Published on 1 November 2009.

Arien by Silver Trails

The story of Arien, the Maia who guides the Sun, changed as the legendarium evolved.

Published on 1 December 2015.

Fandom Voices: Filmverse Fans by Dawn Walls-Thumma

Fans who joined the Tolkien fandom because of the films report that the films inspired them to read the books, encouraged them to join fandom communities, and often resulted in forming lifelong friendships.

Table of Contents

Published on 26 August 2022.

Interview with Artist Busymagpie by Anérea

Interview with fanartist Busymagpie where she shares a bit of her background in art, her motivations and methods, and how she came to create her alter-ego Nastymagpie's spicier images.

Published on 22 April 2023.

Celebrían by Grundy

Celebrían is one of the legion of women in the legendarium whose status suggests she should play a more prominent role in the narrative than she does. This month's biography sifts through the many mentions of Celebrían in various sources to provide a picture of this important—if canonically neglected—woman.

Published on 6 March 2021.

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.

Ulmo, Lord of Waters, Part 1 by Anérea

From the earliest version of the legendarium, Ulmo existed as the Lord of the Waters, although over the decades his character would evolve to fit the changing tone of the "Silmarillion." Part One of his biography considers his domain, his relationships with the other Ainur, and the symbolic significance of the watery element in Tolkien's work.

Published on 3 February 2023.

Who Gets to Say? Canon and Authority by Dawn Walls-Thumma

Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that, when considering who has the authority to define that ever-elusive concept of canon in the Tolkien fandom, fanfiction authors navigate this question in various ways.

Published on 25 March 2023.

Interview with Artist ArlenianChronicles by Anérea

In this interview, Cassandra (ArlenianChronicles) talks about the inspiration and creative process behind her art, which is distinguished by its emotionally rich relationships and often novel AU takes on Silmarillion characters.

Published on 11 March 2023.

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.

Femslash Is a Political Act (and Other Observations of Tolkien Fandom's Genre Non Grata) by Dawn Walls-Thumma

Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that femslash—the Tolkien fandom's youngest genre—has grown in popularity with readers, while authors may use it to share and reflect on experiences of marginalization.

Published on 19 February 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.

The Fall of Gondolin Reflected in History by MirienSilowende

The Fall of Gondolin has historical antecedents in sacks of cities in the ancient and medieval world, all featuring military destruction and a grievous impact on innocent civilian survivors.

Published on 21 January 2023.

Túrin, Part 3 by firstamazon

The final installment of Túrin's biography considers his life in Nargothrond, his return to Dor-lómin and time in Brethil, his fateful marriage to Nienor, his battle with Glaurung, and the ever-disastrous consequences of all of these, culminating in his death by his own hand.

Published on 26 January 2023.