Newest References

Morwen by oshun

The mother of the doomed Túrin, Morwen Eledhwen is the quintessential strong, tragic female character of Tolkien’s history of the Men and Elves of the First Age.

Published on 1 June 2008.

Míriel Þerindë by oshun

Míriel Þerindë is one of the most significant women characters in The Silmarillion. Her importance is not limited to marrying Finwë, the first King of the Noldor, and giving birth to the incomparable Fëanor. What makes Míriel memorable among Tolkien's female characters is that she not only managed to determine her fate against the wishes of the powerful man in her life and even the initial preferences of the Valar, but that her choices profoundly affected the destiny of her people throughout the history of Arda.

Published on 1 July 2010.

Melian by oshun

One of the Maiar, Melian is to credit for the safety and subsequent ascendancy of Doriath under her guardianship. Although often depicted as otherworldly and distant, Melian's role in The Silmarillion is heavily defined by her roles as a mother, mentor, and advocate for various characters.

Table of Contents

Published on 1 August 2020.

Maedhros (Seven in '07) by Dawn Felagund

In a brief biography written for the Seven in '07 event, Maedhros is characterized as one of Tolkien's most tragic characters, but one whose kind and cooperative nature often seems contrary to his ruthless actions.

Published on 1 July 2007.

Maglor (Seven in '07) by Dawn Felagund

In a brief biography written for the Seven in '07 event, Maglor's reputation as one of the gentler sons of Fëanor is contrasted to his martial nature.

Published on 2 July 2007.

Mahtan by Dawn Felagund

The story of Mahtan, the father of Nerdanel, is one among many tales that illustrates the potential of knowledge to corrupt and lead to evil.

Published on 1 February 2013.

Mablung of Doriath by oshun

Mablung of Doriath is one of a small number of named Sindarin Elves who, while pledging their allegiance and fealty directly to Elu Thingol, either under instruction from their King or at his sufferance, actually traveled extensively outside of the protected enclave of Doriath.

Published on 8 October 2008.

Lúthien Tinúviel by oshun

Lúthien Tinúviel stands at the center of the legendarium, a character whose influence reaches past the Third Age and introduces, perhaps more than any other tale, the element of fairy-story into Tolkien's work. Yet Lúthien, who is "nobody's victim or reward," defies fairy-tale tropes in notable ways.

Table of Contents

Published on 1 December 2019.

Lenwë by oshun

Living in Middle-earth during the Years of the Trees, Lenwë was an Elf of Telerin origin who helped lead the march from Cuiviénen.

Published on 1 March 2018.

Legolas of Gondolin by oshun

Everyone knows Legolas. Far fewer will remember much, if anything, about an Elf of Gondolin also named Legolas.

Published on 1 May 2013.

Lalaith (Urwen) by oshun

Lalaith, the second child of Húrin and Morwen, stands out within the narrative threads woven together into the lengthy tale of the children of Húrin as a singular bright light, though, sadly, swiftly and tragically extinguished.

Published on 1 November 2013.

Ithryn Luin (Blue Wizards) by oshun

Alatar and Pallando of the Ithryn Luin passed into the east of Middle-earth and are subject to much speculation as to their intentions and fate.

Published on 1 January 2017.

Isildur by Marta

Isildur is one of those characters from The Silmarillion whose name is just as recognizable to those only familiar with later ages as it is to Silmarillion aficionados.

Published on 1 August 2008.

Irmo/Lórien by oshun

Irmo is the Vala who is the master of visions and dreams.

Published on 1 August 2007.

Írimë (Lalwen) by oshun

The youngest of Finwë's daughters, Írimë (like her sister) did not make it into the published text.

Published on 1 April 2015.

Indis by oshun

Indis is remarkable in that, as far as is written in any of the published works of Tolkien, she is the only second wife named for any major figure within the Eldar. Her story ensnares her, for better or worse, with the dramatic tale of the Finwean Noldor.

Published on 1 July 2013.

Huor by Robinka

Huor's deeds in the text reveal a man of heroic temperament and passionate love.

Published on 1 March 2015.

Huan the Hound of Valinor by oshun

The famed hound, Huan is one of the most if not the most truly noble beasts in The Silmarillion and a hero by the standards of almost any reader.

Published on 1 April 2011.

Hareth by oshun

On the surface, Hareth of the Haladin is yet another woman defined primarily by her [male] relations but who, with a closer look at the details of the text, begins to come to life and ask for a story of her own.

Published on 1 April 2019.

Haleth by oshun, Hrymfaxe

Among the women of the legendarium, Haleth is heroic and a leader of her people, the Haladin.

Published on 1 February 2008.

Haldad by oshun

The first known leader of the Haladin, Haldad was succeeded by his heroic daughter Haleth, the best-known person from his house.

Published on 1 August 2017.

Gwindor of Nargothrond by Lotrfan

Given a richer and more nuanced characterization in The Children of Húrin, Gwindor is a tenacious character who gives us insight into the lives of captives of Morgoth. The effects of his captivity haunt him as he becomes a pawn in the tragic tale of Túrin.

Published on 1 June 2018.

Guilin of Nargothrond by oshun

What we know of Guilin of Nargothrond occurs only through inference, as his personal history is never described in any of Tolkien's writings.

Published on 1 September 2016.

Gorlim the Unhappy by Robinka

Before he was the Unhappy, he was one of the nine faithful servants of Barahir and deeply in love: an oft-overlooked but tragic figure from The Silmarillion.

Published on 1 August 2019.

Glorfindel of Gondolin and Glorfindel of Rivendell by oshun

Glorfindel is one of several among Tolkien’s notable heroes who have provoked a substantial amount of controversy, most notably in the appearance of two essential Glorfindels and the ensuing debate over whether they are the same character.

Table of Contents

Published on 1 January 2010.