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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 EntrySleepless DeadThe Oathbreakers beneath the White MountainsDuring the Second Age, before the founding of Gondor, the people of the White Mountains had worshipped the Dark Lord Sauron. In the closing years of that Age, Isildur and Anárion came out of the west and established the South-kingdom of the Dúnedain in the lands surrounding the mountains. Isildur called on the Men of the Mountains to turn away from Sauron and to ally themselves with his new kingdom, and their King agreed, swearing an oath on the Stone of Erech. In the years that followed, Sauron returned to his Dark Land of Mordor and began to make war on Gondor. Isildur called on the Men of the Mountains to fulfil their oath and aid Gondor against their old master, but instead they hid themselves in their deep glens. Nonetheless, allied with the Elves, the Dúnedain succeeded in defeating the Dark Lord, and Isildur issued a fateful curse against the faithless Men who had broken their vow of fealty. From that time on, they were to know no rest until they had fulfilled their oath. |
