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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 1997-2026. 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 EntryPass of AglonThe narrow pass west of the March of MaedhrosAt the far eastern end of the heights of Dorthonion, the mountains of that land sloped swiftly downward, and fell into a string of hills running onward to the east. Where the mountains of Dorthonion came to an end and the line of eastern hills began there ran a narrow gorge, known as the Pass of Aglon. This gorge had high, steep walls, especially on its cliff-like western side. It provided a way through the highlands from the plain of Lothlann in the north through to the land of Himlad in the south. After the Noldor returned to Middle-earth, the Pass of Aglon fell within the lands claimed by the Sons of Fëanor. It lay under the shadow of Maedhros' fortified Hill of Himring, though the gorge itself was under the control of Maedhros' younger brothers Celegorm and Curufin. As a possible way through the guarded March of Maedhros, the pass was heavily fortified and strongly guarded against any possible incursion by Morgoth's forces from his northern domains. The guards of Aglon also kept watch on the lands of Himlad southward of the pass, and the fords of the Arossiach that ran into those lands from the west. |
