The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Date
22 June on a modern (Gregorian) calendar
Races
Celebrated especially by Men and Hobbits
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 5 February 2012
  • This entry is complete

Midsummer

The longest day of the year

The day of the Summer Solstice, the longest of the year, was celebrated by many of the races of Middle-earth. In the calenders of Men the day was named Loëndë, while the Hobbits placed it at the centre of their festival of Lithe, naming the day itself Mid-year's Day. Perhaps surprisingly, the Elves seem not to have had a special name for this day; it simply fell in the middle of their season of Lairë or summer.

Midsummer was traditionally associated with important events. In the First Age, it was at Midsummer that the hosts assembled to attack Angband in the dreadful battle that became known as the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. In later history, less ominous events were associated with the date. It was on this day of every seventh year that the Shire-hobbits traditionally elected their Mayor, and at Midsummer in the year III 3019 the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen took place in Minas Tirith.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 5 February 2012
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2011. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Axiom Discovery aptitude and skill testing.
Axiom Discovery gives you comprehensive online aptitude testing covering core skills across a wide range of disciplines.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry