A mighty horse of Rohan, the chief of the Mearas, tamed by Gandalf and reluctantly granted as a gift to him by King Théoden of the Rohirrim. Shadowfax is thought to have passed West over the Sea with his master.
Notes
1 |
Tolkien never states explicitly that Shadowfax sailed into the West. In his Letters, though, he gives such a wealth of clues and hints, we can state with near-certainty that the great horse sailed on the White Ship with his master Gandalf. (See The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, No. 268, dated 1965). |
2 |
Fax is an extinct word for 'hair' or 'coat', now only surviving in a few place- and family-names, like 'Fairfax'. In fact, Tolkien has anglicised the name 'Shadowfax' somewhat from its original form; in the Old English language representing the tongue of the Rohirrim who bred him, he would have been called Sceadufax or Scadufax. |
See also...
East Anórien, Ernil i Pheriannath, Felaróf, Horsebreeders, Horsemen of Rohan, Horses, Huntsman of the Valar, Lightfoot, Mearas, Meduseld, Seventh Gate, The Great, White Mountains, White Rider, White Ship
Indexes:
About this entry:
- Updated 15 September 2001
- Updates planned: 10
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