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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 1997-2025. 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 EntrySea-longingA yearning to sail the waters of the Great SeaA powerful sense of longing for the Sea that could be stirred to life in the hearts of Elves and Men alike. Mythologically, at least, it was said to originate from hearing the sound of the Ulumúri, the great seashell horns of the Vala Ulmo. Often the simple sight and sound of the Great Sea would be enough to awaken the Sea-longing, and once awakened it was hard to quell, even in those with no hope of travelling across the Sea. The Sea-longing was said lie in the hearts of all the Elves, and especially those of the Eldar. The High Elves in Middle-earth had at one time dwelt beyond the Great Sea in the bliss of Valinor, and so for them the source and depth of the longing is perhaps most evident. It was not confined to the High Elves, however, and other Elves, too, could experience the longing. Legolas was not one of the High Elves, and had never seen the Sea until he came to Pelargir during the War of the Ring. When he heard the cries of gulls there, the Sea-longing rose within him (and eventually - long afterward - he would make the journey across the Great Sea into the West). |
