Distance Traveled - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thingol · 01-25-2002, 01:04 PM

In The Lord of the Rings they measure distance in leauges for the most part. About how many miles are in a leauge? Also about how large is Middle Earth, not counting the lands east of Mordor? I've always thought that it was a little bit larger than Europe, anyone know for sure?

Rhudladion · 01-25-2002, 01:10 PM

I've often wondered the same thing. Here is something I stumbled across in The Atlas of Middle-Earth.

Fathom = 6 ft.

Ell = 27 to 45 inches

Furlong = 220 yards

League = almost 3 miles (in Numenorean reckoning, found in Unfinished Tales.

Thingol · 01-25-2002, 01:14 PM

Thanks Rhudladion, I should really pick up a copy of The Atlas of Middle Earth, I've always loved the maps at the beginning of each book. Does the Atlas make any reference to how large ME actually is?

Rhudladion · 01-25-2002, 02:09 PM

I own a copy, but can't tell you. Sad, huh.
I believe it does, though. It is fairly detailed.

Are you reading the LOTR for the first time?

If you are, I would recommend waiting to buy the Atlas, as there are certain landmarks and things in the Atlas that may give away some of the story.

Lindolirian · 01-25-2002, 03:26 PM

The Reunited Kingdom in the 4th age takes up most of the area and it is 909,510 square miles according to the Atlas of middle Earth. Rohan is 52,763 sq. miles and the Shire is 21,400 sq. miles. add it all up and ya get most of the West of Middle earth.

Thingol · 01-25-2002, 04:34 PM

Nah, I've read Lord of the Rings about 6 times, the geography and the description of the company's traveles is probably my favorite part, at least from The Fellowship. I've been meaning to buy the Atlas and the HoME series

Elendur · 02-01-2002, 12:37 AM

Just to be picky, an Ell is 45 inches long. I dont know why the 27-45 inches thing is there. I think in parts of England an Ell could mean 27 inches and in other parts it means 45 inches.

The reason I think this is because the Numonereans were infamous (to the orcs) for their long steel bows. In the text it says they "used arrows a full ell long". Because a 27 inch arrow would be a kiddy arrow, I tend to say that the ell is used as its biggest length. A 45 in arrow is actually quite long. I drew it out on my desk at school and it was as long as my leg.

Just imagine a 3 foot long arrow peircing your leg.. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Just asking.. do you think the Numonerean arrows were made of steel or wood? I think most likely they were wood, but a steel arrow would look so cool I have to ask.

01-25-2002, 01:04 PM	#1
Thingol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 259	Distance Traveled In The Lord of the Rings they measure distance in leauges for the most part. About how many miles are in a leauge? Also about how large is Middle Earth, not counting the lands east of Mordor? I've always thought that it was a little bit larger than Europe, anyone know for sure? __________________ Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.

01-25-2002, 01:14 PM	#3
Thingol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 259	Thanks Rhudladion, I should really pick up a copy of The Atlas of Middle Earth, I've always loved the maps at the beginning of each book. Does the Atlas make any reference to how large ME actually is? __________________ Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.

01-25-2002, 03:26 PM	#5
Lindolirian World's Tallest Hobbit Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Where the view is long Posts: 2,117	The Reunited Kingdom in the 4th age takes up most of the area and it is 909,510 square miles according to the Atlas of middle Earth. Rohan is 52,763 sq. miles and the Shire is 21,400 sq. miles. add it all up and ya get most of the West of Middle earth. __________________ 'They say that the One will himself enter into Arda, and heal Men and all the Marring from the beginning to the end."

01-25-2002, 04:34 PM	#6
Thingol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 259	Nah, I've read Lord of the Rings about 6 times, the geography and the description of the company's traveles is probably my favorite part, at least from The Fellowship. I've been meaning to buy the Atlas and the HoME series __________________ Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.

02-01-2002, 12:37 AM	#7
Elendur Wight Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Arnor Posts: 200	Just to be picky, an Ell is 45 inches long. I dont know why the 27-45 inches thing is there. I think in parts of England an Ell could mean 27 inches and in other parts it means 45 inches. The reason I think this is because the Numonereans were infamous (to the orcs) for their long steel bows. In the text it says they "used arrows a full ell long". Because a 27 inch arrow would be a kiddy arrow, I tend to say that the ell is used as its biggest length. A 45 in arrow is actually quite long. I drew it out on my desk at school and it was as long as my leg. Just imagine a 3 foot long arrow peircing your leg.. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Just asking.. do you think the Numonerean arrows were made of steel or wood? I think most likely they were wood, but a steel arrow would look so cool I have to ask. __________________ Son of Isildur.

01-25-2002, 01:10 PM	#2
Rhudladion Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 63	I've often wondered the same thing. Here is something I stumbled across in The Atlas of Middle-Earth. Fathom = 6 ft. Ell = 27 to 45 inches Furlong = 220 yards League = almost 3 miles (in Numenorean reckoning, found in Unfinished Tales.

01-25-2002, 02:09 PM	#4
Rhudladion Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 63	I own a copy, but can't tell you. Sad, huh. I believe it does, though. It is fairly detailed. Are you reading the LOTR for the first time? If you are, I would recommend waiting to buy the Atlas, as there are certain landmarks and things in the Atlas that may give away some of the story.