The Tolkien Road

In episode 3 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Valaquenta, an account and description of the gods of Middle-earth, including the first inklings of Gandalf’s origin story.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0274SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg03/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/wtRxezDytYoWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123937546Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/61210893Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https://tolkiensoverture.com/Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/p/tolkiens-tragedy-pt-1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

This chapter continues the story of Aldarion, destined to be Númenor’s 6th King. While it begins with the wedding, long-expected, of Aldarion and Erendis, it concludes with many events unexpected, including word from Gil-galad to the King of Númenor regarding “ a new shadow arising in the East”.This is a long chapter dense with nuance and character development, perhaps the richest glimpse we get into the various psyches of Númenoreans as individuals, and while I’d love to give it a much more in depth reading, I’m only going to hit the high points as regards this history of Númenor.However, if you’d like a more in-depth discussion of this story between me and Greta, please check out the notes, or just go back and find episodes 183, 185, 186, and 187.WATCH ON YOUTUBE » https://youtu.be/Ega_4eoLio4DISCUSSION EPISODES ON THE MARINER'S WIFE / ALDARION & ERENDIS:EP183: https://youtu.be/Ey76ckHwROEEP185: https://youtu.be/l83a6Idacg4EP186: https://youtu.be/NgcX2-QOmSIEP187: https://youtu.be/8HzR-raLIjc HELPFUL LI

Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, so given we are in his birth month, we’ll be revisiting our four-part series on his life story over the next few Fridays.In this episode, we’ll revisit part two, as we examine Tolkien's adult life immediately following World War I, from 1917 to 1936, leading up to the publication of The Hobbit… LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0220Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/6z71Peu0vr4Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/44712428Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https://tolkiensoverture.com/Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/p/tolkiens-tragedy-pt-1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

In episode 2 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore the creation story of Middle-earth, Ainulindalë, aka The Music of the Ainur. In this chapter, we’ll meet the powers behind the great events of Middle-earth’s history, including Ilúvatar, Manwë, and the ultimate villain, Melkor.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0273SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg02/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/K6k3fwOdGdkWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123937086Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/60901808Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https://tolkiensoverture.com/Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/p/tolkiens-tragedy-pt-1Become a supporter of

Over the next 3 episodes in our Fall of Númenor series, we’ll return to the story of Aldarion, whom we met 2 episodes ago.   Aldarion is the son of Tar-Meneldur and the expectant heir to Númenor’s throne. But as we will learn, he is a man torn between a deep longing for the sea and his destiny as Númenor’s king.   We have in fact covered this story before, in great detail, in episodes 183, 185, 186, and 187. For a more detailed discussion of the story itself, I’ll refer you to to those episodes. Check the show notes for more info.  However, in this episode, I’d like to touch on some of the prevailing themes in this story that relate to the larger story of Númenor, and unpack some key passages from this chapter.WATCH ON YOUTUBE » https://youtu.be/9Fy-Wav5G08DISCUSSION EPISODES ON THE MARINER'S WIFE / ALDARION & ERENDIS:EP183: https://youtu.be/Ey76ckHwROEEP185: https://youtu.be/l83a6Idacg4EP186: https://youtu.be/NgcX2-QOmSIEP187: https://youtu.be/8HzR-raLIjc HELPFUL LINKSEpisode Webpage: https://www.tolkien

Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, so given we are in his birth month, we’ll be revisiting our four-part series on his life story over the next few Fridays.In this episode, we’ll revisit part one, as we explore his early life, from his birth in South Africa to his World War I experience… LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0219Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/b8CZyJc0XQgListen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/146546266Shop True Myths Press: https://truemythspress.com/Join the Fellowship of the Road: https://patreon.com/tolkienroadRead Tolkien's Requiem - Concerning Beren and Lúthien: https://tolkiensrequiem.com/Read Tolkien's Overture - Concerning the Music of the Ainur: https://tolkiensoverture.com/Read Tolkien's Tragedy - Concerning Númenor, the Rings of Power, and the Second Age: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/p/tolkiens-tragedy-pt-1Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

Hey there, Fellowship! Welcome to The Tolkien Road.Every new year brings new resolutions—and for many Tolkien readers, one challenge stands above the rest: The Silmarillion. It’s a book admired, feared, and often postponed. But here at The Tolkien Road, we believe it’s the very heart of Tolkien’s legendarium—and the key to truly understanding Middle-earth.Starting today, and continuing every Wednesday for the next year, we’ll be walking through The Silmarillion one chapter at a time. Join us on this epic journey, and together we’ll earn our Silmarillion badges—one chapter, one story, one adventure at a time!In this episode, we’ll start with Tolkien’s introduction to the First Age of Middle-earth, The Waldman Letter.Alright, let’s dive in!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0272SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg01/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/qTX9Y-FX5zkWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/123936576Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/60605852Shop True

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through The Fall of Númenor by exploring the founding of Eregion, the Elvish city that eventually gives birth to the Rings of Power!750 years into the Second Age, things are relatively peaceful. Númenor’s benevolent influence is extending into the lands once ruled by Morgoth’s minions, and there is little news of war or misery. However, with the shadow of Morgoth now a fading memory, a new power begins to stir, and Elvish craftsmen dream anew of beauty that will influence the fate of Middle-earth.And as a reminder: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behi

Hey there fellow travellers!As we get closer and closer to Christmas, I thought it would be a great time to return to one of my favorite topics: Tolkien's controversial assertion that Lord of the Rings is religious and Catholic! Just what did he mean by that? How much does it matter for deepening our appreciation of Lord of the Rings and of Middle-earth? And how does this all connect to Christmas?To answer that, I put together a brief primer on the profound connection between Lord of the Rings and Christmas itself! So in this episode, you actually get a two for one. Ho ho ho and Merry Christmas!Also, visit TrueMythsPress.com to for Tolkien Road gear like Two Trees coffee mugs, Tolkien Road t-shirts, and signed copies of my books (which are almost gone!).Use promo code XMAS to take 15% off your purchase until Epiphany!- Show Notes » https://tolkienroad.com/e0255- Buy Christmas Gifts » https://truemythspress.com/- Watch the video » https://youtu.be/tnMDGBKCtsU- Watch Ad-Free » https://www.patreon.com/posts/1461

Hey there fellow travellers!This week we'll be revisiting episode 269, which focused on Tolkien's EPIC Christmas poem NOEL. Visit TolkienRoad.com/noel for plenty of resources related to it!Also, visit TrueMythsPress.com to for Tolkien Road gear like Two Trees coffee mugs, Tolkien Road t-shirts, and signed copies of my books (which are almost gone!).Use promo code NOEL20 to take 20% off your purchase until December 14th.- Show Notes » https://tolkienroad.com/noel- Buy Christmas Gifts » https://truemythspress.com/- Watch the video » https://youtu.be/K3dICFZQIec- "Noel" text » http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Noel- listen to "Noel" » https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0_BJSYM874- "Unseen JRR Tolkien poems found in school magazine" (The Guardian) » https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/feb/16/unseen-jrr-tolkien-poems-found-in-school-magazine- Our Lady's Abingdon » https://www.ola.org.uk/- Wayne Hammond & Christina Scull's Blog Entry on Noel » https://wayneandchristina.wordpress.com/2013/06/16/tolkien-notes-8/- "

In this episode, we're concluding our two part journey through Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas, focusing on The Goblin Wars! Join us as we explore how the “Other Fellowship” of Father Nicholas Christmas, the North Polar Bear, the Red Gnomes, and others join forces to save Christmas!  By the way, if you're looking for some fun Tolkien-themed merch, head on over to TrueMythsPress.com. That's where you'll find Tolkien Road t-shirts, coffee mugs, and signed copies of my books! Use the code XMAS15 to take 15% OFF your purchase from now through Epiphany!Alright, without further ado, let's dive into Letters from Father Christmas!Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0268To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/BEK4vr1gXAwWatch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144684774Listen AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/59516764Buy Tolkien Road merch @ True Myths PressBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/pod

Well, Thanksgiving 2025 has come and gone, and now the big lead up to Christmas is upon us!To that end, in the next few episodes, we're taking a look back at our series on Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas, a compilation of Christmas-themed legends he wrote for his young children from 1920 thru 1943.These letters are a ton of fun, so we're excited to revisit them with you. We'll hope you'll join us and get into the Christmas spirit!By the way, if you're looking for some fun Tolkien-themed merch, head on over to TrueMythsPress.com. That's where you'll find Tolkien Road t-shirts, coffee mugs, and signed copies of my books! Use the code XMAS15 to take 15% OFF your purchase from now through Epiphany!Alright, without further ado, let's dive into Letters from Father Christmas!Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0267To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/QG4DH67BcQAWatch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144681756Listen AD-

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through The Fall of Númenor by exploring The Voyages of Aldarion, the grandson of Vëantur, and future King of Númenor. This will begin a multi-episode arc on this important figure in Númenor's history - join us!And as a reminder: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behind-the-scenes insights I only share with my readers.Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0338To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/dq59vV9EOwsWatch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/144183739/Listen AD-F

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through The Fall of Númenor by examining Númenor’s return to Middle-earth in the year 600 of the Second Age, led by the intrepid sea-captain Vëantur. Join us!And as a reminder: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behind-the-scenes insights I only share with my readers.Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0337To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/VumQLI07YW4Watch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/143609372Listen AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/83606794Buy Tolkien

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through The Fall of Númenor by considering the curious case of Silmariën and the origin of the Lords of Andúnië, the forebears of Elendil, Isildur, and eventually Aragorn himself. Join us!And as a reminder: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behind-the-scenes insights I only share with my readers.Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0336To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/UWgGk5hz3xsWatch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/143123936Listen AD-FREE: https://www.patreon

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through The Fall of Númenor by examining the return of Sauron around the year 500 of the Second Age! Join us!And as a reminder: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behind-the-scenes insights I only share with my readers.Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0335/To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/JwxMA3AICiQWatch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142607271Listen AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/83162579Buy Tolkien Road merch @ True Myths PressBecome a supporter

In this episode, we’re continuing our journey through The Fall of Númenor by considering the state of Dwarf-dom at the beginning of the Second Age, the founding of Moria / Khazad-dûm, and well as the death of Númenor’s first king. Join us!And as a reminder: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behind-the-scenes insights I only share with my readers.Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0334/To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/obyO3Q40xqQWatch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/142046559Listen AD-FREE: https://www.p

In this episode, we continue our journey through The Fall of Númenor as we explore “The Life of Númenoreans.” In this section, we’ll learn about the every day life of the men and women of the Star-Land, according to Tolkien! Join us!And as a reminder: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behind-the-scenes insights I only share with my readers.Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0332/To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/sfW8U3uLXOgWatch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/141510058Listen AD-FREE: https://www.patreon

In this episode, we continue our journey through The Fall of Númenor as we explore “The Natural Life of Númenor.” In this section, we’ll learn about the beasts, birds, plants, and other natural phenomena of Númenor, according to Tolkien! Join us!And as a reminder: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behind-the-scenes insights I only share with my readers.Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0331/To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/r1CHGU4gKvgWatch AD-FREE: https://www.patreon.com/posts/140989226Listen AD-FREE: https:

In this episode, we continue our journey through The Fall of Númenor with "The Geography of Númenor". How big was the Land of Gift? What was it like? Did it have any cities? In the latest episode, we’re going to cover everything you ever wanted to know about the Star-Land itself. Join us!And here’s the really exciting part: I’ve got a brand-new book on the way, Tolkien’s Tragedy: Concerning Númenor, The Rings of Power, and the Second Age. It’s the culmination of years of study, and I believe it’ll change the way you look at Tolkien’s legendarium.If you’re enjoying this series, make sure you head over to tolkienroad.substack.com and subscribe.Read Tolkien's Tragedy: https://tolkienroad.substack.com/That’s where you’ll get early chapters of Tolkien’s Tragedy and all the behind-the-scenes insights I only share with my readers.Episode Link: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0330/To support our work here, please visit Patreon.com/TolkienRoad.OTHER LINKS:Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/MXVNVJvm-FwWatch AD-FREE: