Dates

Uncertain; Shelob probably originated in the First Age; she was known to have survived into the Fourth Age

Location

Shelob's Lair was a maze of tunnels in the pass of Cirith Ungol on the borders of Mordor

Species

Spiders, of the monstrous kind descended from Ungoliant

Settlements

Shelob's Lair lay close to the Tower of Cirith Ungol

Passes

Shelob watched the High Pass of Cirith Ungol

Title of

Shelob

Note

The title 'Watcher' is also used for the creature more fully known as the Watcher in the Water that guarded the West-gate of Moria

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Updated 17 May 2025
Updates planned: 1

The Watcher

A title for the unseen Shelob

Years of the TreesFirst AgeISecond AgeIIThird AgeIIIFourth AgeIV

When Frodo and Sam ventured into the darkness of Shelob's Lair, at first all they encountered of the monstrous creature were her many eyes. At that time they were unaware of her full form, and so she is referred to simply as 'the Watcher'. Soon afterwards, when they encountered her webs, and then Shelob herself, she was revealed to be a descendant of Ungoliant, and thus a vast spider.

Indexes:

About this entry:

Updated 17 May 2025
Updates planned: 1

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

The Watcher

A title for the unseen Shelob

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