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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 1997-2024. 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 EntrySecond Spring of ArdaThe emergence from the Sleep of YavannaWhen the Valar had completed their labours in the making of Arda, they rested on Almaren as the life of Arda began to grow beneath the light of the Lamps of the Valar in an ancient time of plenty known as the Spring of Arda. When Melkor emerged and overthrew the Lamps, Middle-earth was plunged into darkness, and the Valar departed across the Great Sea to Aman. To protect the abandoned growing things of Middle-earth, Yavanna placed them into a Sleep that would hold them ageless until the time came for their growth to resume. The Sleep of Yavanna lasted across Middle-earth through the long Years of the Trees, a period of nearly fifteen thousand years as time would be measured by the Sun. While Aman was lit by the shining Light of the Trees, Middle-earth lay under permanent starlight. Only in Beleriand, where the Maia Melian dwelt with King Thingol in Doriath, did the Sleep relent and growth resume east of the Great Sea. |
