Shadowfax: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf and Shadowfax.jpg|thumb|275px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Gandalf and Shadowfax'']] | [[Image:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf and Shadowfax.jpg|thumb|275px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Gandalf and Shadowfax'']] | ||
'''Shadowfax''' was a mighty [[Horses|horse]] of [[Rohan]], the chief of the [[Mearas]], | '''Shadowfax''' was a mighty [[Horses|horse]] of [[Rohan]], the chief of the [[Mearas]], noted for its speed, "like an arrow".<ref name=siege>{{RK|Siege}}</ref> | ||
==History== | |||
When [[Gandalf]] was in [[Rohan]] [[Théoden]] reluctantly gave him any horse of his choosing and he tamed it. It carried him throughout the [[War of the Ring]] without bridle or saddle. | |||
He was able to run from [[Edoras]] to [[Minas Tirith]] almost without stopping, and his ground speed rivalled the flying speed of the [[fell beasts]] of the [[Nazgûl]]. | |||
Shadowfax also possessed extraordinary courage. He was the only free horse in the world<ref group=note>This reference excludes horses used by the forces of Sauron such as the horses ridden by the Nine Riders.</ref> capable of standing before the [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] during the [[Siege of Gondor]] instead of fleeing.<ref name=siege/> | |||
Shadowfax was at the [[Grey Havens]] with [[Gandalf]] when he sailed on the [[White Ship]].<ref>{{RK|Havens}}</ref> Shadowfax, as one of the line of [[Nahar]] presumably was with him when sailing for the West.<ref>{{L|268}}</ref> | |||
Shadowfax was at the [[Grey Havens]] with [[Gandalf]] when he sailed on the [[White Ship]]. Shadowfax, as one of the line of [[Nahar]] presumably was with him when sailing for the West.<ref>{{L|268}}</ref> | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
It is an anglicized form of [[ | It is an anglicized form of [[Old English]] ''Sceadu-faex'' 'having shadow-grey mane (and coat)'. It does not actually occur in Old English. Fax is an obsolete English word.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, pp. 762-3</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[:Category:Images of Shadowfax|Images of Shadowfax]] | * [[:Category:Images of Shadowfax|Images of Shadowfax]] | ||
Revision as of 19:14, 22 November 2014
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Ted Nasmith - Gandalf and Shadowfax
Shadowfax was a mighty horse of Rohan, the chief of the Mearas, noted for its speed, "like an arrow".[1]
History
When Gandalf was in Rohan Théoden reluctantly gave him any horse of his choosing and he tamed it. It carried him throughout the War of the Ring without bridle or saddle.
He was able to run from Edoras to Minas Tirith almost without stopping, and his ground speed rivalled the flying speed of the fell beasts of the Nazgûl.
Shadowfax also possessed extraordinary courage. He was the only free horse in the world[note 1] capable of standing before the Lord of the Nazgûl during the Siege of Gondor instead of fleeing.[1]
Shadowfax was at the Grey Havens with Gandalf when he sailed on the White Ship.[2] Shadowfax, as one of the line of Nahar presumably was with him when sailing for the West.[3]
Etymology
It is an anglicized form of Old English Sceadu-faex 'having shadow-grey mane (and coat)'. It does not actually occur in Old English. Fax is an obsolete English word.[4]
See also
- ↑ This reference excludes horses used by the forces of Sauron such as the horses ridden by the Nine Riders.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Siege of Gondor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 268, (dated 19 January 1965)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, pp. 762-3
