A general term for those peoples of Middle-earth during the late Third Age who had not fallen under the yoke of Sauron. The term is rarely used, and its precise definition is open to question, but it clearly included at least the Dúnedain and the Eldar who remained in Middle-earth. A reference by Boromir to the 'Free Lords of the Free'1 might be taken to imply that the Free were those who followed lords opposed to Sauron. Elsewhere, however, Elrond gives a broader and more inclusive definition: after discussing Hobbits, he then refers to '...the other Free Peoples of the World: Elves, Dwarves, and Men'.2 Even that is open to question, however, and we can take it that Elrond meant to exclude those Men explicitly under the power of Sauron.
Notes
1 |
The Fellowship of the Ring II 2, The Council of Elrond |
2 |
The Fellowship of the Ring II 3, The Ring Goes South |
Indexes:
About this entry:
- Updated 22 June 2016
- This entry is complete
For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.
Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 1998, 2001, 2014, 2016. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.
SHARE
