LotR - Prologue

[HerenIstarion]

Nice rounded up summary, SpM, thank you. And though it seems very much a post with which the discussion can be closed, I can not stand the temptation to pick up a little portion of your thread (so that is the way of collective discussion, one participant's thoughts being effect of another poster's argument)

So

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

I love the reference to “wild folk and wicked things” having “not heard of the King”

So do I. And, is with many things else in Tolkien, the great skill applied to this phrase here too. It is perfectly fitting in its proper sense, that is, indeed, around Shire there is a wilderness, and scoundrels out there haven't heard of the King (since there is no King present whatsoeverl). Indeed, this is confirmed by ruffians later on in the "Scouring of the Shire", when they daunt Pippin with mockery about King's messanger.

But does not King with capital K and wild folk who know Him not ring any other bells on other levels?