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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 includes everything you need to examine DISC personalities and roles within a team. |
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Featured EntryJewels of FëanorGreatest of the works of the ElvesThree Great Jewels made by Fëanor, greatest of the craftsmen of the Noldor. Long before the making of the Sun and Moon, he trapped the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor within three brilliant jewels. The jewels, which were said to be spherical in shape, were created from a substance Fëanor had devised himself, silima, and from this they took their more common name, the Silmarils. After the Two Trees were destroyed by Morgoth and Ungoliant, Fëanor's jewels held the last of their Light. It was within the power of the Valar to use this to rekindle the Trees, but Fëanor's jewels would have been destroyed, and in his pride he refused to give them up. Nonetheless, they were lost to him: Morgoth stole them from the fortress of Formenos, and carried them back to Middle-earth. |
