Newest References

Brandir by Himring

Brandir was the leader of the Haladin when he became ensnared in the downfall of Túrin.

Published on 1 October 2015.

Beren by oshun

Following up on our three-part biography of Lúthien Tinúviel, this month's biography of Beren discusses his early life, the evolution of his character in the legendarium, and his particular importance as a prototype for Aragorn and the small, simple heroes who would come to characterize Tolkien's later work.

Table of Contents

Published on 1 June 2020.

Beregar of Númenor by oshun

The father of Erendis and grandfather of Tar-Ancalimë, Beregar is one of the few men in the legendarium who is defined primarily by his relationship to important women.

Published on 1 May 2015.

Bëor by oshun

As the first Mortal to encounter the Noldor in the legendarium, Bëor and his story establish a pattern that will be followed in the relations between Elves and Mortals in the millennia to come.

Published on 1 July 2015.

Beleg Cúthalion by oshun

Beleg Cúthalion is one of the most storied of the Sindarin characters in The Silmarillion.

Published on 1 July 2008.

Barahir by oshun

Barahir in many ways embodies the unrelenting and inescapable tragedy that plagues The Silmarillion. But through his son Beren and a legacy that passes through to the Third Age, Barahir also fits into Tolkien's essential concept of eucatastrophe.

Published on 1 May 2017.

Azaghâl by oshun

The leader of the renowned Dwarven army that saved the lives of the Elven host at the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Azaghâl appears only briefly in the published material but in scenes of cinematic scope. This biography reviews what we know of Azaghâl and what remains open for fans to explore.

Published on 1 November 2014.

Aulë by oshun

One of the Ainur, the demi-gods of Tolkien legendarium, Aulë is said to have been created by the thought of Eru Ilúvatar. He ranks third in importance among the Valar, following only Manwë and Ulmo. Usually referred to in The Silmarillion as Aulë the Smith or Aulë the Maker, he is given the name Mahal by the Dwarves.

Published on 1 May 2008.

Asfaloth by oshun

The glorious mount of Glorfindel appears to be more than a mere horse, recalling other famous steeds in the legendarium.

Published on 1 January 2019.

Arwen Undómiel by oshun

Largely relegated to the margins of the story, Arwen nonetheless represents a strength that is "intellectual, psychological, and spiritual," as well as serving as a symbol of the simultaneous waning of one people and rise of another. Arwen presents the usual thorny questions of how women are presented in the legendarium, compounded by a well-known film depiction that stretches the bounds of the canon.

Published on 1 October 2014.

Arvedui by oshun

A character who bridges the stories of The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, Arvedui was the Dúnedain king who first attempted to unite Arnor and Gondor under a single crown.

Published on 1 October 2014.

Arthad by oshun

One of Barahir's twelve companions, Arthad embodies the stoic bravery that characterizes the House of Bëor.

Published on 1 December 2019.

Ar-Gimilzôr by oshun

In Ar-Gimilzôr, we see the first signs of the divisiveness and decline of Númenor into two factions. This month's biography details this prequel to Númenor's cataclysmic fall.

Published on 1 December 2020.

Aredhel by oshun

One of the few named women to follow the Noldor into exile, the willful Aredhel plays an essential role in the history of the First Age.

Published on 1 September 2008.

Aranwë by oshun

Father of Voronwë of Gondolin, we know almost nothing about Aranwë aside from tantalizing textual and linguistic clues that might reveal his identity.

Published on 1 September 2015.

Arakáno by oshun

J.R.R. Tolkien never fully communicated how he intended Arakáno to fit into the Silmarillion, but his notes provide us with some clues about this fourth child of Fingolfin.

Published on 1 May 2011.

Angrod by oshun

Angrod, the golden son of Finarfin and frequent companion of Aegnor, helped unravel peace among the Noldor.

Published on 1 October 2010.

Angrim by oshun

As the father of the tragic Gorlim, Angrim embodies both the nobility and the tragedy of the early houses of the Edain.

Published on 1 February 2019.

Ancalagon the Black by oshun

Ancalagon is the "darkest and most powerful weapon of Morgoth" and this biography explores what we know of this greatest of dragons, Tolkien's fascination with dragons, and the story's role in providing rare eucatastrophe in The Silmarillion.

Published on 1 November 2017.

Anárion Son of Elendil by oshun

Anárion is one of the characters that acts as a direct link between the histories of The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. This biography considers his role in Tolkien's larger themes, his place in the legendarium, and thorny fannish questions about his status related to Isildur.

Published on 1 September 2017.

Anairë by oshun

Anairë, the wife of Fingolfin, is named only in the auxillary texts to The Silmarillion, yet this character offers fruitful possibilities for exploration.

Published on 1 May 2014.

Amrod and Amras by Dawn Felagund

Although Amrod and Amras appeared early in Tolkien's work on the legendarium, their characters unwent significant shifts as he worked on the Silmarillion materials of which they were part.

Published on 1 February 2021.

Amrod and Amras (Seven in '07) by Dawn Felagund

In a brief biography written for the Seven in '07 event, Amrod and Amras are assigned roles that changed and evolved over the course of Tolkien's work on the legendarium.

Published on 6 July 2007.

Amdir by oshun

King of Lórien in the Second Age, Amdír invites questions of how the Light, Dark, and Grey Elves interacted in the early history of Middle-earth.

Published on 1 March 2013.

Amárië of the Vanyar by oshun

Who was this briefly mentioned woman, the beloved of Finrod Felagund? Much of what we know about Amárië must be inferred from the texts.

Published on 1 April 2009.