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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 1997-2024. 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 EntryMound of the RidersThe burial mound at the Fords of IsenIn the days leading up the great Battle of the Hornburg in Rohan, the forces of Saruman tested the western defences of the land. At the Fords of Isen, Théoden's son Théodred commanded the defence of Rohan, but he fell in battle. Afterward the enemy withdrew from that engagement, known as the First Battle of the Fords of Isen. In the middle of the Fords, the river Isen split into two branches and ran round an eyot or river island, and on that island Théodred's body was placed within a burial mound beneath his own banner. Eight days later a more determined force came against the Fords of Isen, and this time they could not be driven off. In this Second Battle of the Fords of Isen, many of the defending Rohirrim were slain, and the survivors were forced to flee. This left the Fords in the power of Saruman, and the way into Rohan open to his soldiers. Thus the Men and Orcs gathered at Isengard were able to cross the Fords unchallenged, and pass on to Helm's Deep where the Battle of the Hornburg would be fought. |
