Thrór's Map: Difference between revisions
(Added a couple references. Article still has no gallery or infobox) |
No edit summary |
||
Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
[[File:Audrey Corman - Thror's Map.jpg|thumb|250px|left|''Thror's Map'' by [[Audrey Corman]].]] | [[File:Audrey Corman - Thror's Map.jpg|thumb|250px|left|''Thror's Map'' by [[Audrey Corman]].]] | ||
The [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] attacked and destroyed the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]] in {{TA|2770}}.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> [[Thrór]] went into exile with his kin and sometime until, old and desperate, he went to [[Moria]] in {{TA|2790}}<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref> he drew this Map, and wrote the [[moon-letters]] on a day of [[1 Lithe]], when the moon was "a silver broad crescent". When [[Elrond]] read the letters in {{TA|2941|n}}<ref name="TA"/> he stated that they had to have been written under a moon in the same phase on the same date in some past year.<ref>{{H|Rest}}</ref> | |||
In his old age, Thrór set out to wander the lands of [[Middle-earth]], but before departing he gave the heirlooms of his house to his son Thráin, including his Map. Years later, Thráin too set out into Middle-earth, seeking to recover Erebor himself, and taking with him the Map to guide his way. He was captured in the Wild by the servants of [[Sauron]], but Sauron captured Thráin for one of the [[Seven Rings|Seven]] [[Rings of Power]] he bore, and so overlooked the Map he carried too. This proved to be a serious oversight, because [[Gandalf]] secretly entered Sauron's lair at [[Dol Guldur]] while Thráin was a prisoner there, and managed to escape with the Map and the key that opened the secret door.<ref name=Party>{{H|1}}</ref> | In his old age, Thrór set out to wander the lands of [[Middle-earth]], but before departing he gave the heirlooms of his house to his son Thráin, including his Map. Years later, Thráin too set out into Middle-earth, seeking to recover Erebor himself, and taking with him the Map to guide his way. He was captured in the Wild by the servants of [[Sauron]], but Sauron captured Thráin for one of the [[Seven Rings|Seven]] [[Rings of Power]] he bore, and so overlooked the Map he carried too. This proved to be a serious oversight, because [[Gandalf]] secretly entered Sauron's lair at [[Dol Guldur]] while Thráin was a prisoner there, and managed to escape with the Map and the key that opened the secret door.<ref name=Party>{{H|1}}</ref> | ||
Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
Using Thrór's Map, his grandson [[Thorin]] was able to lead [[Thorin and Company|a small group of Dwarves]] (and one [[Hobbits|Hobbit]], a certain [[Bilbo Baggins]]) on his own quest to refound the ancient Dwarf-realm.<ref name=Party></ref> Through many adventures, they were able to recover Erebor and bring about the destruction of Smaug, dealing Sauron a serious reverse.<ref>{{H|14}}</ref> | Using Thrór's Map, his grandson [[Thorin]] was able to lead [[Thorin and Company|a small group of Dwarves]] (and one [[Hobbits|Hobbit]], a certain [[Bilbo Baggins]]) on his own quest to refound the ancient Dwarf-realm.<ref name=Party></ref> Through many adventures, they were able to recover Erebor and bring about the destruction of Smaug, dealing Sauron a serious reverse.<ref>{{H|14}}</ref> | ||
== | ==Description== | ||
As was traditional among the [[Dwarves]], it was drawn with East at the top of the map and showed the [[Lonely Mountain]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], the [[River Running|Running]] River that flowed from it, and the lands about. It also contained mention of a [[Back Door|secret entrance]] to the Mountain, and (written in secret [[Moon-letters]]) instructions as to how it might be opened. | |||
The Map is decorated with [[Old English]] [[Runes]] which read a modern English text; this displays [[Westron]] of the [[Third Age]] written in [[cirth]] ([[Angerthas Erebor]]) as used by the [[Dwarves of Erebor]]. | The Map is decorated with [[Old English]] [[Runes]] which read a modern English text; this displays [[Westron]] of the [[Third Age]] written in [[cirth]] ([[Angerthas Erebor]]) as used by the [[Dwarves of Erebor]]. | ||
Line 24: | Line 26: | ||
Th. Th | Th. Th | ||
The [[moon-letters]] read by Elrond are visible in the sketch | The [[moon-letters]] read by Elrond are visible in the sketch and read: | ||
Stand by the grey s<br> | Stand by the grey s<br> | ||
Line 36: | Line 38: | ||
==The illustration of the Map== | ==The illustration of the Map== | ||
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Thrór's Map.jpg|thumb|Sketch of ''Thrór's Map'']] | [[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Thrór's Map.jpg|thumb|Sketch of ''Thrór's Map'']] | ||
"Thrór's Map" is reproduced in facsimile in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' (and as plate No. 86 in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and | "Thrór's Map" is reproduced in facsimile in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' (and as plate No. 86 in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator]]''). The map was drawn by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], and a preliminary version of the map appears as plate No. 85 in ''Artist & Illustrator''.<ref name=AI>{{HM|AI}}, pp. 90-5</ref> | ||
In [[1979]] a coloured version by [[H.E. Riddett]] was published as a poster by [[Allen and Unwin|Allen & Unwin]] (together with the "[[Map of Wilderland|Wilderland]]" map).<ref name=AH>{{HM|AH}}, p. 399</ref> | In [[1979]] a coloured version by [[H.E. Riddett]] was published as a poster by [[Allen and Unwin|Allen & Unwin]] (together with the "[[Map of Wilderland|Wilderland]]" map).<ref name=AH>{{HM|AH}}, p. 399</ref> | ||
{{references}} | {{references}} |
Revision as of 13:02, 25 December 2020
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made. |
Thrór's Map is a map that proved important in the retaking of Erebor.
History
The Dragon Smaug attacked and destroyed the Kingdom under the Mountain in T.A. 2770.[1] Thrór went into exile with his kin and sometime until, old and desperate, he went to Moria in T.A. 2790[2] he drew this Map, and wrote the moon-letters on a day of 1 Lithe, when the moon was "a silver broad crescent". When Elrond read the letters in 2941[1] he stated that they had to have been written under a moon in the same phase on the same date in some past year.[3]
In his old age, Thrór set out to wander the lands of Middle-earth, but before departing he gave the heirlooms of his house to his son Thráin, including his Map. Years later, Thráin too set out into Middle-earth, seeking to recover Erebor himself, and taking with him the Map to guide his way. He was captured in the Wild by the servants of Sauron, but Sauron captured Thráin for one of the Seven Rings of Power he bore, and so overlooked the Map he carried too. This proved to be a serious oversight, because Gandalf secretly entered Sauron's lair at Dol Guldur while Thráin was a prisoner there, and managed to escape with the Map and the key that opened the secret door.[4]
Using Thrór's Map, his grandson Thorin was able to lead a small group of Dwarves (and one Hobbit, a certain Bilbo Baggins) on his own quest to refound the ancient Dwarf-realm.[4] Through many adventures, they were able to recover Erebor and bring about the destruction of Smaug, dealing Sauron a serious reverse.[5]
Description
As was traditional among the Dwarves, it was drawn with East at the top of the map and showed the Lonely Mountain of Erebor, the Running River that flowed from it, and the lands about. It also contained mention of a secret entrance to the Mountain, and (written in secret Moon-letters) instructions as to how it might be opened.
The Map is decorated with Old English Runes which read a modern English text; this displays Westron of the Third Age written in cirth (Angerthas Erebor) as used by the Dwarves of Erebor.
The small text on the left, below the hand, reads.
five
feet high
the door an
d three may
walk abre
ast.
Th. Th
The moon-letters read by Elrond are visible in the sketch and read:
Stand by the grey s
tone when the thrush kn
ocks and the setting s
un with the last light
of Durin's day will sh
ine upon the keyhole
Th.
The illustration of the Map
"Thrór's Map" is reproduced in facsimile in The Hobbit (and as plate No. 86 in J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator). The map was drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien, and a preliminary version of the map appears as plate No. 85 in Artist & Illustrator.[6]
In 1979 a coloured version by H.E. Riddett was published as a poster by Allen & Unwin (together with the "Wilderland" map).[7]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "A Short Rest"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Fire and Water"
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist & Illustrator, pp. 90-5
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Douglas A. Anderson, (ed.), (2002) The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition, p. 399