Equinii and Solsticsesss, m'preciousss - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 08-23-2004, 07:00 AM

Its in Mallorn 42 (Journal of the Tolkien Society. Available through the TS). His approach is to relate Middle earth to the history of this world. He states that the Second Agebegan in 9563BC, the Third Age in 6122 BC & the Fourth Age in 3102 BC.

mark12_30 · 08-25-2004, 11:02 AM

Perky Ent gets credit for this one! He quoted Gandalf's letter, in the 'chapter by chapter' thread on Strider. Gandalf wrote to Frodo on Midsummer's day! I find this quite exciting. Gandalf, in essence, tries to start Frodo's quest a quarter-year earlier (writing the letter on Midsummer's Day, although Frodo wouldn't get it for at least five days, I think.) Check this out:

Quote:

THE PRANCING PONY, BREE. Midyear's Day, Shire Year, 1418.

Dear Frodo,

*** Bad news has reached me here. I must go off at once. You had better leave Bag End soon, and get out of the Shire before the end of July at latest. I will return as soon as I can; and I will follow you, if I find that you are gone. Leave a message for me here, if you pass through Bree. You can trust the landlord (Butterbur). You may meet a friend of mine on the Road: a man, lean, dark, tall, by some called Strider. He knows our business and will help you. Make for Rivendell. There I hope we may meet again. If I do not come, Elrond will advise you.

Yours in haste
** Gandalf.

PS. Do Not use It again, not for any reason whatever! Do not travel by night!

PPS. Make sure that it is the real Strider. There are many strange men on the roads. His true name is Aragorn.

All That is gold does not glitter,
not all those who wander are lost;
the old that is strong does not wither,
deep roots are not reached by the frost.
from the ashes a fire shall be woken,
a light from the shadows shall spring;
renewed shall be blade that was broken,
the crownless again shall be king.

PPPS. I hope Butterbur sends this promptly. A worthy man, but his memory is like a lumber-room: thing wanted always buried. If he forgets, I shall roast him.

Fare Well!

Intriguing point: it is exactly one year from the writing of this letter that Strider marries Arwen, and his entire quest is fulfilled.

davem · 08-25-2004, 12:30 PM

Don't know how relevant it is, but I always like the fact that Aragorn meets Gandalf in Fangorn on his birthday (1st March)!

Lhunardawen · 08-25-2004, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davem

Don't know how relevant it is, but I always like the fact that Aragorn meets Gandalf in Fangorn on his birthday (1st March)!

I also find it intriguing that Aragorn died on his birthday (March 1)...

davem · 08-26-2004, 06:59 AM

Regarding March 1st, I found this:

Quote:

Saint David's Day
Historically, March 1st was considered to be the beginning of the year. The names of some months reflect this. (September = Seventh, October = Eighth, November = Ninth, December = Tenth). (see New Year) If the days of the year were counted from March 1, till the next March 1, each date of the year would have the same number every year, unlike counting from January 1.

Fordim Hedgethistle · 08-26-2004, 07:01 AM

The concurrence of events on Aragorn’s birthday is wonderful! I think that there is tremendous significance in the fact that he met Gandalf again on his birthday, for that is the day he put aside his obligations to the Fellowship (Merry and Pippin) and began, finally, focusing on his struggle to save his kingdom and reclaim his throne. That he dies on his birthday re-enforces this I think – he came ‘full circle’ in his life as the King: from his “birth” as King with Gandalf in Fangorn (and I wonder if there is any significance in that location?) to his death with Arwen in Minas Tirith.

Out of interest I looked up March 1 in a Saints Day Calendar, and while there are several saints listed there, the following two (both of whom were widely known and regarded in the Middle Ages) jumped out at me:

St. David who “was endowed with substantial qualities of spiritual leadership. What is more, many monasteries flourished as a result of his leadership and good example.” David is also, of course, the patron saint of Wales, and thus the spiritual embodiment of a nation.

Rudesind “distinguished himself with his military skills by leading armies in the field against invading Norsemen and Moors.” He was also the son of a noble family.

EDIT -- cross posted with davem, who apparently had the same idea that I did. Smart fellow.

08-23-2004, 07:00 AM	#1
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	Its in Mallorn 42 (Journal of the Tolkien Society. Available through the TS). His approach is to relate Middle earth to the history of this world. He states that the Second Agebegan in 9563BC, the Third Age in 6122 BC & the Fourth Age in 3102 BC. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

08-25-2004, 12:30 PM	#3
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	Don't know how relevant it is, but I always like the fact that Aragorn meets Gandalf in Fangorn on his birthday (1st March)! __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

08-26-2004, 07:01 AM	#6
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	The concurrence of events on Aragorn’s birthday is wonderful! I think that there is tremendous significance in the fact that he met Gandalf again on his birthday, for that is the day he put aside his obligations to the Fellowship (Merry and Pippin) and began, finally, focusing on his struggle to save his kingdom and reclaim his throne. That he dies on his birthday re-enforces this I think – he came ‘full circle’ in his life as the King: from his “birth” as King with Gandalf in Fangorn (and I wonder if there is any significance in that location?) to his death with Arwen in Minas Tirith. Out of interest I looked up March 1 in a Saints Day Calendar, and while there are several saints listed there, the following two (both of whom were widely known and regarded in the Middle Ages) jumped out at me: St. David who “was endowed with substantial qualities of spiritual leadership. What is more, many monasteries flourished as a result of his leadership and good example.” David is also, of course, the patron saint of Wales, and thus the spiritual embodiment of a nation. Rudesind “distinguished himself with his military skills by leading armies in the field against invading Norsemen and Moors.” He was also the son of a noble family. EDIT -- cross posted with davem, who apparently had the same idea that I did. Smart fellow. __________________ Scribbling scrabbling.