Q: How Much Do the Istari Remember about Their Previous Lives as Maiar? ANSWER: I received this question in September 2023, exactly as written above. […]
Continue readingCan We Estimate Eriador’s Historical Populations?
Q: Can We Estimate Eriador’s Historical Populations? ANSWER: Population estimates for any period or region of Middle-earth are both popular and complete fantasy. I received […]
Continue readingHow Well Did the Istari Honor the Supposed Restrictions Placed on Them?
Q: How Well Did the Istari Honor the Supposed Restrictions Placed on Them? ANSWER: The Istari and the limitations supposedly placed on them should have […]
Continue readingDid J.R.R. Tolkien Know about Music Inspired by His Works?
Q: Did J.R.R. Tolkien Know about Music Inspired by His Works? ANSWER: I received this question in June of 2023: …I’m wondering if JRRT ever […]
Continue readingWhat Happened to the Nazgûl When the One Ring Was Destroyed?
Q: What Happened to the Nazgûl When the One Ring Was Destroyed? ANSWER: A reader submitted this question in January 2023: Sauron has his ring […]
Continue readingWhere Were the Permanent Havens the Númenóreans Built after S.A. 1200?
Q: Where Were the Permanent Havens the Númenóreans Built in the 1200? ANSWER: In November 2022 a reader asked: Where were the permanent havens the […]
Continue readingWhy Did Elven Populations Not Explode?
Q: Why Did Elven Populations Not Explode? ANSWER: I received the following comments and question about Elvish population growth in September 2022: Why did Elven […]
Continue readingHow Would J.R.R. Tolkien Have Revised the Middle-earth Mythology?
Q: How Would J.R.R. Tolkien Have Revised the Middle-earth Mythology? ANSWER: A reader submitted this question in August 2022: I have seen some people online […]
Continue readingCould Gandalf Have Visited Middle-earth in the Second Age?
Q: Could Gandalf Have Visited Middle-earth in the Second Age? ANSWER: Yes. Of course. Why not? He was one of the Maiar, free to come […]
Continue readingWhat Is the Precise Scope of ‘Spirit’ in Tolkien’s Works?
Q: What Is the Precise Scope of ‘Spirit’ in Tolkien’s Works? ANSWER: I received the following questions in October 2023: What is the precise scope […]
Continue readingWhy Would Sauron Question Gollum In Person?
Q: Why Would Sauron Question Gollum In Person? ANSWER: I received this question in January 2024: In “The Shadow of the Past”, Gandalf summarises what […]
Continue readingWhat Special Talents or Powers Are Attributed To the Elves?
#middleearth #tolkien #fantasy Q: What Special Talents or Powers Are Attributed To the Elves? ANSWER: I received this question in February 2023, exactly as you […]
Continue readingWould Gandalf Have Worn Narya When Confronting Sauron?
Q: Would Gandalf Have Worn Narya When Confronting Sauron? ANSWER: I received this question in followup to the previous article: Do you think Gandalf had […]
Continue readingWhy Did Sauron Retreat from Dol Guldur in 2941?
#middleearth #fantasy #tolkien Q: Why Did Sauron Retreat from Dol Guldur in 2951? ANSWER: I received the following questions in March 2022: In TA 2941 […]
Continue readingWhat Would An Eldarin Victory against Morgoth Have Looked Like?
Q: What Would An Eldarin Victory against Morgoth Have Looked Like? ANSWER: If the Eldar had won the battle that became known as the Nirnaeth […]
Continue readingWhy Did Aragorn Have the Greatest Claim on the Palantíri?
Q: Why Did Aragorn Have the Greatest Claim on the Palantíri? ANSWER: I received these questions in December 2022: If Fëanor (or other Elves in […]
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