The Black Squirrel of Mirkwood. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 10-21-2010, 03:17 AM

I am so happy to hear that I cannot be held accountable for inadvertently transporting a black in my luggage and releasing it in the UK.

Black squirrels, like crows, have a bad rep in Lotr. We know that Tolkien had a fear of spiders from an early childhood incident in South Africa. Perhaps that mill in Sarehole harboured black squirrels?

narfforc · 10-21-2010, 04:38 AM

I don't think Tolkien include anything in his works without knowing what he was talking about. The Black Squirrel caused quite a fuss when it was first seen in 1912, the young 20yr old Tolkien would surely have heard of it. By the 1940's it had spread to the Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border, the wandering Tolkien may have seen it on his travels?

Guinevere · 10-21-2010, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Black squirrels, like crows, have a bad rep in Lotr. We know that Tolkien had a fear of spiders from an early childhood incident in South Africa. Perhaps that mill in Sarehole harboured black squirrels?

Well, it's not the topic of this thread, but I'd like to correct the statement about Tolkien's supposed arachnophobia:

Quote:

from letter #163
... the way was guarded by a Spider. And if that has anything to do with my being stung by a tarantula when a small child, people are welcome to the notion (supposing the improbable, that any one is interested). I can only say that I remember nothing about it, should not know it if I had not been told; and I do not dislike spiders particularly, and have no urge to kill them. I usually rescue those whom I find in the bath!

I found the spider rescue particularly endearing.(I do the same, with the help of a glass) That's why I remembered this quote.

Faramir Jones · 10-23-2010, 08:50 AM

In The Guardian newspaper of Sunday, 11th May 2008, there's a squirrel recipe:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...s.foodanddrink

Admittedly, these are grey squirrels, which one commentator said taste like wild boar.

Bêthberry · 10-23-2010, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guinevere

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Black squirrels, like crows, have a bad rep in Lotr. We know that Tolkien had a fear of spiders from an early childhood incident in South Africa. Perhaps that mill in Sarehole harboured black squirrels?

Well, it's not the topic of this thread, but I'd like to correct the statement about Tolkien's supposed arachnophobia:

Quote:

Originally Posted by letter #163

... the way was guarded by a Spider. And if that has anything to do with my being stung by a tarantula when a small child, people are welcome to the notion (supposing the improbable, that any one is interested). I can only say that I remember nothing about it, should not know it if I had not been told; and I do not dislike spiders particularly, and have no urge to kill them. I usually rescue those whom I find in the bath!

I found the spider rescue particularly endearing.(I do the same, with the help of a glass) That's why I remembered this quote.

Even writers can be in denial sometimes, Guinevere.

10-21-2010, 04:38 AM	#2
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	I don't think Tolkien include anything in his works without knowing what he was talking about. The Black Squirrel caused quite a fuss when it was first seen in 1912, the young 20yr old Tolkien would surely have heard of it. By the 1940's it had spread to the Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire border, the wandering Tolkien may have seen it on his travels? __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

10-23-2010, 08:50 AM	#4
Faramir Jones Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lonely Isle Posts: 706	Squirrel recipe In The Guardian newspaper of Sunday, 11th May 2008, there's a squirrel recipe: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandsty...s.foodanddrink Admittedly, these are grey squirrels, which one commentator said taste like wild boar.

10-21-2010, 03:17 AM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	I am so happy to hear that I cannot be held accountable for inadvertently transporting a black in my luggage and releasing it in the UK. Black squirrels, like crows, have a bad rep in Lotr. We know that Tolkien had a fear of spiders from an early childhood incident in South Africa. Perhaps that mill in Sarehole harboured black squirrels? __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.