Lisl Reads Tolkien

This blog will display my production related to the Tolkien Read Along. Little crafts, poems and recipes inspired by Tolkien's books. My main blog as creator is byLislBR and FandomLisl is my side blog

[lislreadstolkien]

Telperion and Laurelin for my Ungoliant Halloween costume

[fandomlisl]

Éomer – a man between ethics and politics

Tolkien introduces Éomer as a tall man; the leader of a military unit (éored – a group of 120 riders from his household) from a country currently under attack, on the verge of open war. He faces an extraordinary challenge upon meeting Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli; armed strangers, intruders. Are they friend or foe?

Displays of military power, misunderstandings and threats are seen from both sides (at times there were more than two sides) before a satisfactory answer to this question can be found. It was an extremely delicate situation that, as Tolkien describes himself, “might have gone ill” if it weren’t for diplomacy.

There are clear rules for dealing with trespassers in Rohan; they must be brought before the King. The policy is given and Éomer must carry it out. Despite the initial animosity, the leader of the Rohirrim does not resort to force as his first choice. Accepting Aragorn’s invitation to diplomacy he suggests the strangers join him voluntarily. His men press him; they are clearly on the upper hand, in larger numbers and having the law on their side.

It is not the first time he is cornered between politics and ethics, faced with the decision between what seems to be correct and what feels right. It was not the first time he followed his heart against his orders. He left the house with little guard to fight a small group of orcs because in doing so he believed to be avoiding the alliance of the Two Towers (“Indeed in this riding north I went without the king’s leave”).

“Men of the Mark do not lie, and therefore are not easily deceived.” Éomer listens to Aragorn, but above all he listens to his own judgment. He goes against politics and acts upon his personal ethics. Not only does he allow the three to go, but he aids them with horses and information. His generosity and benevolence towards Aragorn earned him a powerful allied and a friend.

Through Aragorn and Éomer Tolkien presents his view on foreign policy, armed conflict and diplomacy; a hopeful, optimistic one where powerful men can be true, good-hearted and trust worthy.

[fandomlisl]

Ok, so the Halls of Mandos swell up with thousands of Elves and Men coming in in just a couple of days and what does Námo do? Nothing!?

I mean, he must have known this is a major battle and it doesn’t seem like the Children of Ilúvatar are winning… maybe he should have dropped Manwë a call? I get it that he knows a lot of what is to come and he probably is chilled about it because it’s all still unfolding and all, but really?! Turgon is sending ship after ship into the West to ask for help and Ossë is wrecking them all, but news is reaching Aman via Mandos for sure!

We know that Elves can talk about what they’ve been through before death once they get to Mandos because Lúthien did. I wonder what it was like… maybe they were too hurt or unconscious, but it’s likely they were able to report of the struggles and losses, of the valour in battle and the horror… I wonder…

I wonder if Nienna knew about all this and if her tears were bitter because of the treachery of the easterlings. But above all I wonder if in Taniquentil they got word of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

[vestidosdalisl]

[lislreadstolkien]

Weninquë of Alqualondë

[lislreadstolkien]

Happy Hobbit Day!

Here is a little second breakfast recipe: whole grain cookies, apples, honey and yogurt. Also tea, obvs.

[bylislbr]

Bookmark Workshop - this weekend I held a workshop at the @germantolksoc Tolkien Thing and these are the bookmarks the ladies made based on my design ideas.

[lislreadstolkien]

Bookmarks of Middle-earth - a couple of design ideas for an upcoming workshop

[lislreadstolkien]

[lislreadstolkien]

Thus glory endeth, and gold fadeth, on noise and clamours the night falleth. Lift up your hearts, lords and maidens for the song of sorrow that was sung of old.

Stanza 166 of The Lay of Gudrún, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún - J.R.R. Tolkien. These are the last lines of this story and they do the whole work justice. It’s a beautiful poem (or several) and one can tell how much Tolkien loved these sagas. He was incredibly talented as a poet.

[lislreadstolkien]

In came Gudrún gleaming-robéd, as flower unfolded fair at morning. Sigurd wondered, silent gazing; his mind was glamoured, mood confounded.

Gudrún makes an entrance. Sigurd had drunk a potion made by her mother, Grímhild, and is now under her spell. Stanza 39 of The Lay of the Völsungs, The Legend of Sigurd & Gudrún - J.R.R. Tolkien.

[lislreadstolkien]

The son of Sigmund, Sigurd Völsung, a king's son cometh to kingly house. Fame of Niflungs far is rumoured, not yet hath faded fame of Völsung.

Sigurd introduces himself to the Borgund Lords (also knowns as Niflungs). Stanza 12 of The Lay of The Völsungs, The Legend of Sigurd & Gudrún - J.R.R. Tolkien

[lislreadstolkien]

Old norse poetry lesson from Christopher Tolkien.

Reading The Legend of Sigur and Gudrún in preparation for Tolkien Reading Day.

[lislreadstolkien]

Preparing myself for Tolkien Reading Day 2017

[germantolksoc-deactivated202211]

Happy Birthday!

125 years J.R.R. Tolkien

The Professor!

#jrr #jrrt #tolkien #jrrtolkien #tolkienist #history #birthday #somme #britisharmy #tolkien125years #TheProfessor #tolkienite #tolkienfan #tolkienverse #middleearth #lordoftherings #lotr #thehobbit #silmarillion #author #books #johnronaldrueltolkien #thehobbit #hobbit #fotr #lotr #ttt #rotk #lordoftherings #thetwotowers #returnofthekings

[lislreadstolkien]

The Prancing Pony Podcast

I’ve been listening to The Prancing Pony Podcast lately and I strongly recommend it! The hosts are gentlemen who really do know their Tolkien and if anyone wants to re-read The Silmarillion they should start listening from Episode 1.

Do look them up!

[germantolksoc-deactivated202211]

We all love Tolkien, or not ;) Give us a heart if you also love him ;) #tolkien #forevertolkien #tolkienlover #jrrtolkien #love #LordoftheRings #TheHobbit #tolkienlover #theonering #HerrderRinge #TolkienFans #tolkienbooks #tolkiensworld

[bylislbr]

Tolkien themed t-shirt I hand painted at a textile painting workshop this past weekend.

[lislreadstolkien]

Spent the weekend @germantolksoc 's Tolkien Thing and got crafty