MORE GONDOR, MORE PROBLEMS! So, in the previous entry Gondor went from a nation that covered basically half the map to a little stub of its former self, with its former capital ruined, its biggest military base captured by the … Continue reading →
GONDOR: A PRETTY SAD HISTORY The Appendix A history of Gondor follows, and it’s… not dull, exactly. Gondor has a long history of wars internal and external, expansion and contraction. But in general it just seems less directly related to … Continue reading →
THE HISTORY OF THE PART OF THE WORLD WITH THE SHIRE IN IT So there’s this kingdom in the North, called Arnor, and geographically it includes the Shire and all the lands around it, from the Grey Havens (on the … Continue reading →
THE SECOND AGE II: MORE SECONDER Ar-Pharazon’s first big act as king was to conquer Mordor, Operation DESTROY ALL EVIL FOREVER. He assembled a big army of Edain and allied Men (Elves were not invited to participate) and invaded Mordor … Continue reading →
THE SECOND AGE Earendil had two sons, Elrond Halfelven and Elros Halfelven. Elros chose to become mortal and was a bigtime king of Men, and Elrond of course was immortal and hung out in Rivendell for thousands of years. Elros … Continue reading →
If you’re like me, you’ve read the Return of the King more than once, but never made it all the way through the appendices. There are six appendices, but the one we’re going to be spending the bulk of our time … Continue reading →
It’s Christmas! Merry Christmas! Thoughts on Book VII: 1) So Sir Gareth is seven feet tall. This is really clearly established early on; he’s a very tall dude. People comment on it, until Malory I guess forgets he mentioned … Continue reading →
Most of this section feels like padding, which, coming as it does on the tail of three chapters of wall-to-wall jousting action, is saying something. Gareth wanders around overnight and comes to a castle. He knocks on the door, … Continue reading →
Now we turn back to Castle Perilous, where Lionesse and Gareth are all shacked up and living in sin, and also Sir Gringamore and Dame Linet are there too. Arthur’s messenger arrives with the invitation to Camelot, and Lionesse is … Continue reading →
Now we turn from the crazy sitcom of Gareth and his gal pal Lionesse and her shrewish sister Linet and their milquetoast brother Gringamore, back to Camelot. Or Carlion, this chapter Malory puts Arthur’s court at Carilon. It’s Pentecost again, … Continue reading →
