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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.Discus is a powerful, flexible DISC profile solution - find out much more in our free guide. |
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Featured EntrySindar of NevrastThe Grey-elves who followed TurgonA part of the Teleri who had remained behind in Beleriand while their kin passed across the Great Sea into the West. Like all the Sindar of Beleriand, they took Elu Thingol as their lord, but these Sindar settled beyond the northern mountains in the land of Nevrast by the Sea. Their settlements were along the coasts of that land, and especially at Mount Taras that stood out into the Sea on the promontory of Taras-ness. These Sindar remained in Nevrast under the stars that shone on Middle-earth during the Years of the Trees, until the Noldor returned out of the West, settling throughout the lands that bordered Beleriand. One of these Noldorin lords, Turgon son of Fingolfin, took Nevrast as his domain, and built the new city of Vinyamar beneath Mount Taras. The Sindar who lived in this region accepted their long-lost fellow Eldar, and the two peoples began to merge into one. |
