Man behind the Mythology - Page 12 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

**The Saucepan Man** · 12-03-2004, 07:49 PM

Professor Hedgethistle! Are you daring to suggest that I would not have got it without the Cellar Door discussion? Harumph indeed to that!

Actually, it's one of those passages from the Letters that really sticks in my mind. Can't think why ...

Bêthberry · 12-03-2004, 08:24 PM

Oh, SpM, you left out some of the best bits, which I shall quote here before I have to turn the thread over to you.

Quote:

I stood the hot-air they let off as long as I could; but when I head the Yank burbling about 'Feudalism' and its results on English class-distinctions and social behavour, I opened a broadside. The poor boob had not, of course, the very faintest notions about 'Feudalism', or history at all--being a chemical engineer.

I can just imagine the scene.

Bêthberry · 12-16-2004, 08:36 AM

I think SpM has forgotten about this thread too and not only the Musical thread.

A quiz if you please, Mr. SaucepanMan.

**The Saucepan Man** · 12-16-2004, 07:39 PM

Oops. I keep losing track of which Quiz threads I'm on. Must be getting out of practice ...

Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay, together with this early Christmas present:

In what circumstances did Tolkien adopt the title of Member for Longbottom, and in what way was it appropriate to him?

Shouldn't be too difficult, I suspect.

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-04-2005, 02:32 AM

Can you give a little clue to this one, Saucy? I have no idea where to start looking; it sounds like something that could have belonged to the time of his youth and the clubs that were begun then, but must have been after the writing of LotR.

As to the reason it would be appropriate, I assume because of his "love of the Halflings' leaf"...

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-10-2005, 03:17 AM

*Esty pokes Saucy...

**The Saucepan Man** · 01-10-2005, 03:32 AM

I'm sorry. I had overlooked this one.

A hint? Look in the Letters.

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-11-2005, 10:17 AM

Praise Scull and Hammond for an excellent index - praise them with great praise! I was able to find this answer without reading the Letters in their entirety.

Tolkien agreed to an informal association with the Tolkien Society of America and suggested that he would

Quote:

as an inveterate pipe smoker be happy to accept the title of Member for Longbottom...

**The Saucepan Man** · 01-11-2005, 10:53 AM

Indeed. It's one of my favourite Letters for showing Tolkien's gentle humour and, indeed, humility.

And I am surprised no one got it earlier, given that we are here a Tolkien society of sorts, albeit a truly international one.

Have at it, Esty ...

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-11-2005, 01:40 PM

Which hotel was the Tolkiens' home away from home, where Edith especially felt comfortable and found many friends?

Fordim Hedgethistle · 01-11-2005, 01:42 PM

The Green Dragon!

(Had to be said.)

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-11-2005, 01:43 PM

Edith and the Green Dragon??

Hotel - Ho-tel - not pub...

Tuor of Gondolin · 01-16-2005, 06:19 PM

The Hotel Miramar? Along the south coast of England, I believe.

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-17-2005, 01:27 PM

That's the one, Tuor! It's in Bournemouth, which is on the south coast of England, as you state. Go ahead with a new question!

Tuor of Gondolin · 01-17-2005, 01:50 PM

Okay.

What is the significance of Maitland Street for JRRT?

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 01-17-2005, 03:48 PM

Tolkien was born in a house on that street in Bloemfontein S. Africa, I believe.

Tuor of Gondolin · 01-17-2005, 05:19 PM

Correct. Your turn.

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 01-18-2005, 12:22 AM

What was the position JRRT accepted in 1925?

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 01-25-2005, 08:54 PM

takers? no?

Eruanna · 01-27-2005, 04:51 PM

I believe that 1925 was the year that he moved to Oxford to take up the position of Professor of Anglo-Saxon and Fellow of Pembroke College.

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 01-27-2005, 06:11 PM

Indeed, but the professorship he accepted was a specific one, with a specific name...

Eruanna · 01-28-2005, 12:11 PM

He accepted the post of Rawlingson Professor of Anglo-Saxon.
Apologies for not being more specific in my original answer, I've been away from the 'Downs for quite a while

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 01-28-2005, 02:44 PM

It's Rawlinson and Bosworth, technically. But since you're so close you may go, Eruanna.

It is good to see you around... I haven't been re-haunting the downs all that long myself, so I can't tell who's been here all along and who hasn't.

Eruanna · 01-28-2005, 04:50 PM

Good to be back isn't it?

I've had a hard time coming up with a question not previously asked, but here goes:

In 1992, The Tolkien Society and The Mythopoeic Society decided to celebrate the centenary of Professor Tolkien's birth by doing something that Samwise would undoubtedly have approved of. What did they do?

Eruanna · 01-30-2005, 05:43 PM

Oh dear! Have I killed the thread?
I can offer a clue if needed.

Sophia the Thunder Mistress · 01-30-2005, 09:30 PM

I could use a clue

Fordim Hedgethistle · 01-31-2005, 08:16 AM

Wasn't that the first year of the simultaneous, world-wide toast? At something like 18h00 GMT participants from around the world hoisted their choice of libation in honour of the Professor.

It still happens every year, I think -- I've not yet partaken of the ritual, although I think that perhaps it's time the Downs makes an effort to promote it!

Eruanna · 01-31-2005, 11:40 AM

The toast sounds a very good idea, but not what I was looking for. Perhaps I should have said that the Forest Elves would also have approved.

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-01-2005, 02:40 AM

Did they plant one or more trees?

Eruanna · 02-01-2005, 11:47 AM

They did, indeed

The Tolkien Society and the Mythopoeic Society bought two trees which were planted in the University Parks, Oxford. A memorial bench was placed nearby. The two trees are named for those other two trees. Telperion is a silver-leafed Maple and Laurelin a False Acacia.

Ask away Estelyn

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-02-2005, 09:18 AM

In which art form was Tolkien less skilled than his wife Edith? As a matter of fact, he claimed to understand little about it, though he enjoyed it.

Fordim Hedgethistle · 02-02-2005, 09:34 AM

Painting! It was painting! Was it painting?

Maybe it was singing. . .

I'm sticking with Painting! Absolutely. Painting Painting Painting.

(But maybe singing.)

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-02-2005, 10:50 AM

No No No. Sorry - and ain't it satisfying to be able to stump you, Fordie?!

It was not painting or a related visual art form. (Think in general terms, not specific performing abilities...)

Eruanna · 02-02-2005, 02:17 PM

Like Fordim, I thought this would be singing or dancing...Tolkien loved to watch Edith dance. She also played piano if I recall correctly.
However, I seem to remember something in his biography about Edith being shy and yet a good practitioner of the art of conversation, better than him in fact... Three guesses in one post...Am I getting warmer?

Tuor of Gondolin · 02-02-2005, 02:53 PM

As a semi-guess, I think I read something to this effect in the HC biography, was it the theater (theatre

)?

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-03-2005, 04:03 AM

Actually, I was taking Tolkien's reference in Letter #260 as the basis for this question, so the general art I meant was simply "music". Eruanna comes closest by stating that Edith played piano, so she's entitled to the win and the next question. Here's the quote:

Quote:

I have little musical knowledge. Though I come of a musical family, owing to defects of education and opportunity as an orphan, such music as was in me was submerged (until I married a musician), or transformed into linguistic terms.

Eruanna · 02-03-2005, 02:17 PM

I think you are being very kind to me Estelyn, thank you

Here's another question:

Quote:

"-------------- seemed incredibly lovely, elvishly lovely--to me like a dream of Old Gondor, or Pelargir of the Numenorean Ships, before the return of the Shadow."

Which European city is Tolkien referring to?

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-04-2005, 11:39 AM

That has to be Venice - I remember reading that in the biography.

Eruanna · 02-05-2005, 02:26 PM

Venice is correct

Estelyn Telcontar · 02-05-2005, 02:37 PM

Which card game did JRRT enjoy, sometimes playing it instead of doing the things he really wanted to accomplish?

12-03-2004, 07:49 PM	#441
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Methinks he doth cry foul too much ... Professor Hedgethistle! Are you daring to suggest that I would not have got it without the Cellar Door discussion? Harumph indeed to that! Actually, it's one of those passages from the Letters that really sticks in my mind. Can't think why ... __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

12-16-2004, 08:36 AM	#443
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,977	We don't have to wait 'til Christmas to open this thread, do we? I think SpM has forgotten about this thread too and not only the Musical thread. A quiz if you please, Mr. SaucepanMan. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-16-2004, 07:39 PM	#444
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Oops. I keep losing track of which Quiz threads I'm on. Must be getting out of practice ... Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay, together with this early Christmas present: *In what circumstances did Tolkien adopt the title of Member for Longbottom, and in what way was it appropriate to him?* Shouldn't be too difficult, I suspect. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

01-04-2005, 02:32 AM	#445
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	Can you give a little clue to this one, Saucy? I have no idea where to start looking; it sounds like something that could have belonged to the time of his youth and the clubs that were begun then, but must have been after the writing of LotR. As to the reason it would be appropriate, I assume because of his "love of the Halflings' leaf"... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

01-10-2005, 03:17 AM	#446
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	Esty pokes Saucy*... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

01-10-2005, 03:32 AM	#447
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	I'm sorry. I had overlooked this one. A hint? Look in the Letters. __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

01-11-2005, 10:53 AM	#449
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,390	Indeed. It's one of my favourite Letters for showing Tolkien's gentle humour and, indeed, humility. And I am surprised no one got it earlier, given that we are here a Tolkien society of sorts, albeit a truly international one. Have at it, Esty ... __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

01-11-2005, 01:40 PM	#450
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	Which hotel was the Tolkiens' home away from home, where Edith especially felt comfortable and found many friends? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

01-11-2005, 01:42 PM	#451
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	The Green Dragon! (Had to be said.) __________________ Scribbling scrabbling.

01-11-2005, 01:43 PM	#452
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	Edith and the Green Dragon?? Hotel - Ho-tel - not pub... __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

01-16-2005, 06:19 PM	#453
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	The Hotel Miramar? Along the south coast of England, I believe. __________________ Aure Entuluva!

01-17-2005, 01:27 PM	#454
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	That's the one, Tuor! It's in Bournemouth, which is on the south coast of England, as you state. Go ahead with a new question! __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

01-17-2005, 01:50 PM	#455
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	Okay. What is the significance of Maitland Street for JRRT? __________________ Aure Entuluva!

01-17-2005, 03:48 PM	#456
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	Tolkien was born in a house on that street in Bloemfontein S. Africa, I believe. __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me! Last edited by Sophia the Thunder Mistress; 01-17-2005 at 03:49 PM. Reason: specifics

01-17-2005, 05:19 PM	#457
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	Correct. Your turn. __________________ Aure Entuluva!

01-18-2005, 12:22 AM	#458
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	What was the position JRRT accepted in 1925? __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!

01-25-2005, 08:54 PM	#459
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	takers? no? __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!

01-27-2005, 04:51 PM	#460
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,117	I believe that 1925 was the year that he moved to Oxford to take up the position of Professor of Anglo-Saxon and Fellow of Pembroke College. __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

01-27-2005, 06:11 PM	#461
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	*grins fiendishly* Indeed, but the professorship he accepted was a specific one, with a specific name... __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!

01-28-2005, 12:11 PM	#462
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,117	He accepted the post of Rawlingson Professor of Anglo-Saxon. Apologies for not being more specific in my original answer, I've been away from the 'Downs for quite a while __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

01-28-2005, 02:44 PM	#463
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	It's Rawlinson and Bosworth, technically. But since you're so close you may go, Eruanna. It is good to see you around... I haven't been re-haunting the downs all that long myself, so I can't tell who's been here all along and who hasn't. __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!

01-28-2005, 04:50 PM	#464
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,117	Good to be back isn't it? I've had a hard time coming up with a question not previously asked, but here goes: In 1992, The Tolkien Society and The Mythopoeic Society decided to celebrate the centenary of Professor Tolkien's birth by doing something that Samwise would undoubtedly have approved of. What did they do? __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies." Last edited by Eruanna; 01-30-2005 at 05:46 PM.

01-30-2005, 05:43 PM	#465
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,117	Oh dear! Have I killed the thread? I can offer a clue if needed. __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

01-30-2005, 09:30 PM	#466
Sophia the Thunder Mistress Scent of Simbelmynë Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Aboard Highwind, bound for Traverse Town Posts: 1,780	Probably not dead, but hibernating, perhaps. I could use a clue __________________ The seasons fall like silver swords, the years rush ever onward; and soon I sail, to leave this world, these lands where I have wander'd. O Elbereth! O Queen who dwells beyond the Western Seas, spare me yet a little time 'ere white ships come for me!

01-31-2005, 08:16 AM	#467
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Wasn't that the first year of the simultaneous, world-wide toast? At something like 18h00 GMT participants from around the world hoisted their choice of libation in honour of the Professor. It still happens every year, I think -- I've not yet partaken of the ritual, although I think that perhaps it's time the Downs makes an effort to promote it! __________________ Scribbling scrabbling.

01-31-2005, 11:40 AM	#468
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,117	The toast sounds a very good idea, but not what I was looking for. Perhaps I should have said that the Forest Elves would also have approved. __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

02-01-2005, 02:40 AM	#469
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	Did they plant one or more trees? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

02-01-2005, 11:47 AM	#470
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,117	They did, indeed The Tolkien Society and the Mythopoeic Society bought two trees which were planted in the University Parks, Oxford. A memorial bench was placed nearby. The two trees are named for those other two trees. Telperion is a silver-leafed Maple and Laurelin a False Acacia. Ask away Estelyn __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

02-02-2005, 09:18 AM	#471
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	In which art form was Tolkien less skilled than his wife Edith? As a matter of fact, he claimed to understand little about it, though he enjoyed it. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

02-02-2005, 09:34 AM	#472
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Painting! It was painting! Was it painting? Maybe it was singing. . . I'm sticking with Painting! Absolutely. Painting Painting Painting. (But maybe singing.) __________________ Scribbling scrabbling.

02-02-2005, 10:50 AM	#473
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	No No No. Sorry - and ain't it satisfying to be able to stump you, Fordie?! It was not painting or a related visual art form. (Think in general terms, not specific performing abilities...) __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

02-02-2005, 02:17 PM	#474
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,117	Like Fordim, I thought this would be singing or dancing...Tolkien loved to watch Edith dance. She also played piano if I recall correctly. However, I seem to remember something in his biography about Edith being shy and yet a good practitioner of the art of conversation, better than him in fact... Three guesses in one post...Am I getting warmer? __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."

02-02-2005, 02:53 PM	#475
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	As a semi-guess, I think I read something to this effect in the HC biography, was it the theater (theatre )? __________________ Aure Entuluva!

02-04-2005, 11:39 AM	#478
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,499	That has to be Venice - I remember reading that in the biography. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

02-05-2005, 02:26 PM	#479
Eruanna Memento Mori Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Past The Point Of No Return Posts: 1,117	Venice is correct __________________ "Remember, hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies."