The Tolkien Road

In episode 7 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 3, “Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor.” While the Valar and the gods of the Blessed Realm dwell in relative security, Melkor labors ceaselessly to dominate the rest of the world, even as the dawn of the Children of Ilúvatar draws nigh. Join us!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0280SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg06/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/2ZEa5HCYYYAWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122949096Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/62785284Shop 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

In this episode, we find Sauron beginning to unveil his plot by winning over the Elven-smiths of Eregion. All the while, the Númenoreans begin to establish a permanent presence in Middle-earth.Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/cY5EmQrBD2kAd-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/150180402Ad-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/87936350Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0345/Helpful Links:take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF at checkout)listen to TOLKIEN’S WORKS for FREE » https://www.audibletrial.com/everonbuy Tolkien’s Requiem » https://tolkiensrequiem.com/buy Tolkien’s Overture » https://tolkiensoverture.com/read Tolkien's Tragedy » https://tolkienroad.substack.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

In episode 6 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore Chapter 2, “Of Aulë and Yavanna,” wherein we learn the origin stories for the Dwarves, the Ents, and more!LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0279SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg05/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/UbQhz9qR5JAWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122881548Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/62439992Shop 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 this episode, we’re continuing our journey through the Fall of Númenor by exploring the chapter SA1075 Tar-Ancalimë, the first ruling Queen of Númenor, and only child of Tar-Aldarion and Erendis.Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/eIFl6hkEV1AAd-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/149609267Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/84730458Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0344/Helpful Links:take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF at checkout)listen to TOLKIEN’S WORKS for FREE » https://www.audibletrial.com/everonbuy Tolkien’s Requiem » https://tolkiensrequiem.com/buy Tolkien’s Overture » https://tolkiensoverture.com/read Tolkien's Tragedy » https://tolkienroad.substack.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

In episode 5 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore the second half of Chapter 1, “Of The Beginning of Days”.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0278SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg04/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/aoFKAh__wDAWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/122358918Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/62170260Shop 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 this episode, we’re continuing our journey through the Fall of Númenor by exploring the chapter c1000 SAURON CHOOSES MORDER. After our deep dive in to the story of Númenor’s pivotal 6th king, Tar-Aldarion, we return now to Sauron, and take a look at the founding of Mordor and the building of Barad-dûr.Watch On YouTube » https://youtu.be/Lkjvn-3A1SEAd-Free Audio » https://www.patreon.com/posts/87100536Ad-Free Video » https://www.patreon.com/posts/146601196Episode Webpage » https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0343Helpful Links:take 10% OFF Tolkien Road merch at True Myths Press » https://truemythspress.com/discount/TENOFF (enter code TENOFF at checkout)listen to TOLKIEN’S WORKS for FREE » https://www.audibletrial.com/everonbuy Tolkien’s Requiem » https://tolkiensrequiem.com/buy Tolkien’s Overture » https://tolkiensoverture.com/read Tolkien's Tragedy » https://tolkienroad.substack.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tolkien-road--5222755/support.

In this episode, we’ll conclude our journey through Tolkien’s life story as we examine the years from the publication and massive success of The Lord of the Rings to Tolkien’s death in 1973.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0226Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/icLzmq1xdowListen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/46293806Shop 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 4 of our epic, chapter-by-chapter Silmarillion journey, we’ll explore the first half of Chapter 1, “Of The Beginning of Days”.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0277SilmGuide Page: https://www.tolkienroad.com/silmguide/sg04/Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/Xx9zh7c6zyoWatch Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/121803352Listen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/61788044Shop 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 concludes the era of Aldarion, one of the most important kings in the history of Númenor. As we learned in the last episode, his father, Tar-Meneldur, chose to turn the rule of Númenor over to Aldarion earlier than was normal, due to a letter from the Elven High-King Gil-galad. asking for Númenor’s aid amidst the increasingly dire situation in Middle-earth. In this chapter, we’ll explore Aldarion’s reign, as well as what becomes of his wife Erendis and daughter Ancalimë.As with our last few episodes, this is a longer chapter than most of the Fall of Númenor chapters, so we’ll only be hitting the high points.However, if you’d like a more in-depth discussion of the tale of Aldarion and Erendis, to include Greta’s perspective, please check out the notes, or just go back and find episodes 183, 185, 186, and 187.WATCH ON YOUTUBE » https://youtu.be/wOznMB_I9fQDISCUSSION EPISODES ON THE MARINER'S WIFE / ALDARION & ERENDIS:EP183: https://youtu.be/Ey76ckHwROEEP185: https://youtu.be/l83a6Idacg4EP186: h

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 three, as we examine the years from 1937 to 1949, as Tolkien struggles to surpass The Hobbit with a far more ambitious sequel while enduring the uncertainties of World War II in Great Britain.LINKS:Show Notes: https://www.tolkienroad.com/e0225Watch This Episode: https://youtu.be/J98WRSG0fjMListen Ad-Free: https://www.patreon.com/posts/46015573Shop 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.

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/- "