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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 EntryElu ThingolGreatest of the lords of the SindarThe mighty Elf originally known as Elwë Singollo was born among the first generations of the Elves in Middle-earth. Said to have been the tallest of the all the Children of Ilúvatar, and the greatest of all the Elves other than Fëanor, he had long silver-grey hair and piercing eyes that shone like stars. At Cuiviénen in the earliest days of the Elves, Elwë and his brother Olwë jointly led the numerous people who would become known as the Teleri. Elwë was among the Elves when they were first discovered by the Vala Oromë, and was one of three chosen to form an embassy to Valinor. Transported into the West with his fellow lords Ingwë and Finwë, he beheld the Two Trees in their shimmering glory before returning to his people. Awed by what they had seen beyond the Great Sea, Elwë and his fellow ambassadors urged their people to abandon Cuiviénen and embark on a Great Journey into the West. Elwë and his brother Olwë led the largest and slowest of the hosts to set out on the Journey, and it was because of their slowness that this people gained their name, Teleri, 'those who come last'. |
