Signum University and the Mythgard Institute are proud to announce LAMoot, the first annual Southern California symposium dedicated to the exploration of speculative fiction, mythology, and medieval literature and languages.
This one-day event will investigate the challenges of adapting literature to other media, including art, film, television, video games, and music. LAMoot will feature a keynote address by Signum President Corey Olsen (The Tolkien Professor), a panel of invited guests, discussion panels, and time for fellowship with like-minded professionals, academics, and enthusiasts.
LAMoot is an inclusive creative space uniting scholarship with creativity. We invite you to participate and are seeking proposals for presentations involving the adaptation of everything from science fiction to fairy tales to Norse mythology. Please visit our website for the call for proposals.
LAMoot will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2018 at the Westwood Gateway at Santa Monica and 405 in the Elite Conference Room located in Suite 150 at 11100 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, California, 90025. Visit our Website for more information
TheOneRing.net will be on hand to discuss recent past Adaptations and what we anticipate for the new Amazon series.
Just a reminder that the incredible Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth exhibition is still on at the Bodleian Library in Oxford. You have until October 28th to see this astonishing collection of manuscripts and artefacts from Tolkien’s work and life. American fans will then have the opportunity to see most of the exhibition, together with some new additions, at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York, from January 2019; and from October 2019 to February 2020, an even bigger collection (which will include some of this current display) will be on show at the Bibliotheque nationale de France. (This will be the first time that the French national library has ever curated an exhibition about a non-French author, and will include items from their own collection, setting Tolkien’s works in the wider context of fantasy literature.)
Earlier this summer, TORn staffer greendragon had the opportunity to sit down with the Bodleian’s Tolkien archivist, Catherine McIlwaine, to find out some more about the behind-the-scenes work which went into creating this exhibition. McIlwaine was already a big fan of Middle-earth herself, so it has been the perfect job for her; as she put it herself, she was in the right place at the right time! Originally hired to create a detailed catalogue of the library’s Tolkien collection – a job which she thought would last for a couple of years – McIlwaine never expected to find herself, fifteen years later, curating such an extensive exposition of the Professor’s life and work.
The Bodleian owns a very large collection of material relating to J.R.R. Tolkien, totaling approximately 500 boxes of manuscript items! Much was donated by the Tolkien family in 1979; though manuscripts for The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and Farmer Giles of Ham had been sold to Marquette University by Tolkien himself in the late 1950s, the rest of his manuscripts, academic and personal papers reside with the Bodleian. The current display features over 200 items, roughly half of which have never been seen by the public before; fascinating doodles on the back of completed crossword puzzles, and scribblings such as the opening lines of Beowulf written in tengwar, are amongst the treasures.
Staffer greendragon with exhibition curator Catherine McIlwaine (left)
Marquette University have been very supportive of the exposition, and have allowed many items from their collection to be included; McIlwaine said that the highlight of planning the exhibition, for her, was the opportunity to travel to Milwaukee twice, and to get to know the staff at Marquette. The ‘Maker of Middle-earth’ show sees some of Tolkien’s manuscripts and original art works being reunited for the first time since the 1950s!
Also featured in the current display are Tolkien’s own writing desk, chair, and some of his pipes, exclusively loaned by the Tolkien family, who have been very supportive of the endeavour. Christopher, Tolkien’s son and the editor of many of his works, was unfortunately not able to travel to visit the show, but his wife attended, and was delighted by it.
This enormous exposition (which still only reveals about three-quarters of the Bodleian’s current Tolkien archive – which is still growing!) was five years in the planning, with 18 months of full-time work in the run up to opening. The release of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit movies was the chief impetus, prompting the Bodleian to think that the time was ripe for such a showing; and the Tolkien Trust were eager to support it, to give something back to the fans. (Tickets to the exhibition are free!) Much of the content on display is usually only available to researchers – and access is closely restricted. Here, fans have the opportunity (in many cases, for the first time) to peer closely at Tolkien’s tengwar scrawl on an academic paper; and to gain an insight, through personal letters, into his family relationships.
For me (greendragon), highlights of the exhibition included Tolkien’s letters from his mother. I had no idea that she had taught him his beautiful calligraphy – I always assumed it was something he dreamed up himself. When you see the letters from his mother, however, it is very clear whence that unique script originated. Another family touch I loved were the sketches Tolkien created for his son Michael, to help him deal with nightmares. There was a recurring ‘monster’ which tormented Michael, and following his description, his father drew the beast – now named ‘Owlamoo’ – to help Michael confront and defeat his fears. I love the rather cross-looking owl-creature; and this display of fatherly affection is very touching.
Throughout the run of the exhibition, there have been various lectures and events in Oxford. A self-guided walking tour of ‘Tolkien’s Oxford‘ has been very popular, and many of the evening lectures have been sold out. Some exhibition tickets, however, have deliberately been held back for each day, so that there are always some available.
For anyone who can’t make it over to Oxford, I heartily recommend the exhibition catalogue. It is the biggest catalogue the Bodleian has ever produced, and it even includes archival items not seen in the display! As the exhibition website states, the book ‘brings together the largest collection of original Tolkien material ever assembled in a single volume. Drawing on the archives of the Tolkien collections at the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford, and Marquette University, Milwaukee, as well as private collections, this exquisitely produced catalogue draws together the worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien – scholarly, literary, creative and domestic – offering a rich and detailed understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary author.’ Worth every penny; visit the exhibition shop to see some of the other goodies on offer.
Newsweek: J.R.R. Tolkien – Celebrating the Professor’s Greatest Creations[Media Lab Publishing] is on newsstands and store check-out lanes now.
This is a beautiful, high-quality, glossy 100-page issue full of articles, information on both books and films, and many full-page photos. A wonderful collectible opening with an introduction by Shaun Gunner, Chair of the Tolkien Society.
J.R.R. Tolkien and Edith Bratt, soon to be Tolkien
Tolkien fandom finds itself with an embarrassment of riches in 2018. The Tolkien Biopic has wrapped principal photography and is currently in post-production. There will be a new book out featuring Gondolin, edited by Christopher Tolkien. The most recent update about the Amazon Studios’ TV series is now confirmed to be a 5 season commitment. And then word starts to filter through that there are current negotiations for an actual Middle-earth Theme Park.Continue reading “There is a cornucopia of Tolkien stories coming this year”
Welcome to The Great Hall of Poets, our regular monthly feature showcasing the talent of Middle-earth fans. Each month we will feature a small selection of the poems submitted, but we hope you will read all of the poems that we have received here in our Great Hall of Poets.
So come and join us by the hearth and enjoy!
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.netOne poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
Ambarussa
by: Laurelindorenan
I had a dream, little brother
A terror of the night
That when Father burned the swan-ships
In that fire dread and bright
You had crept aboard
To sleep over the waves
And that the flame-lit ocean
Was your grave.
I woke, by icy panic
Robbed of breath
But found you lay beside me, still
In sleep, not death.
Your face, a mask of quiet
That mine lacked
More peaceful than I’d seen
Since fire-words sealed our pact.
I was quick to Father’s oath
You took it slow
Slow to farewell our mother
Or to go.
And when the others left
We swore an oath
That death would take us
Neither one, or both.
Gone is the hope
I clung to when we came
I guess not what downfall
Our breath will claim
Though death will have its due
For our rash curse
We’ll breathe our last
Together, as our first.
~~ * ~~
Thèoden’s passing
by David McG.
As I lay here, body broken, bones shattered
I feel no pain.
I feel calm and strangely satisfied and at peace.
The soft grass comforts me as I feel the the presence of an old friend. Death.
Snowmane.
My most trusted of friends!
How far we have come to reach this, our moment of glory.
Will they remember how you smashed through spear and shield wall ?
Will they see how you never faltered or failed to rise to my demands?
Snowmane.
Broken now as am I and yet, in death, still my shield.
Tirelessly you rode through feared wood and plain to bear me here.
We broke the Haridrim ranks and took their Black Serpent banner.
My friend, my companion, my protector.
Èomer
Sister-son and blood of my blood.
I have led you to this place of death and destruction.
You have not faltered or strayed to the whispers of false allies as did I!
True and fearless you are, as befits a Lord of the Riddermark.
Èomer
Tall in the saddle you ride to lead the First Èored.
Fierce and proud you have honoured our Kin and fulfilled our pledges and oaths.
Kingly you are and King you will be, my beloved Sister-son.
Aragorn
Arisen we are, we riders of Théoden!
Fell deeds have been awoken to fire and slaughter.
Spear shaken and shield splintered,
A sword-day and a red day and the sun has risen!
Now at Gondor’s gate I lay here.
Aragorn
My eyes grow dim and Death stands over me.
I believe in you and kept faith with you, though you have yet to come.
But come you will, though we parted in doubt at the Dwimorberg were you sought the Dark Door.
Théodred
I see you there my son. Tall and proud and unscathed by the White Hand.
Yes I will willingly walk with you to the Golden Hall of Meduseld to join our fore fathers.
For I have killed the Black Serpent and regained my honour.
Thèodred
We go now in glory to join Bèma and Nahar in the everlasting hunt .
There we shall ride in the warm sun and oceans of green grass and forever watch over our people and lands.
I am ready now.
Èowyn
………………………Èowyn?
~~ * ~~
The Lay of King Brian
from the heart and hand of Veracity O’M.
As Bilbo, so Brian
A man of comfort, conversation, and culinary interests
He would of frequent occasion gather to himself
those who were of like mind and likes
And on such times he told tales vere and feign
Tales of heroes, of maidens, of imps and animals
He sang oft of the fairy realm whence he journeyed
Many miles, many days, hardships and heartwarmings
Filled his time and his travel—of those he sang
To brothers, sisters, their children and his
And upon a magic fiddle he put forth his music
Music to conjour dreams, images fair and fantastic
Music to move the heart, well the eye, enchant the mind
Music, it is said, to coax animals of skills fantastic
To come close for conversation and company
Dragons, unicorns, pegacorns, and pegapigs
Hazirim that would dance and swoop in the heavens
And on the right note, would light close at hand
And listen, and look, and laugh
At his friends and at his tales
It (the fiddle!) has come to this humble brother of his
And from his hand it was set among the most valuable things
Found on earth or in heaven
Come if you would, and try your hand
And see if from the sky you could coax to your side
Dragons, unicorns, pegacorns and pegapigs
But, if you can, make sure you have tales fantastic to tell
As King Brian, whom we all miss so well.
~~ * ~~
A Legend from Times Forgotten
by: Quimey DA
Neither sword nor bow
Could tell the fate
Of those lands that
Where under moon, and under spell.
The brightest steel, of mighty spears
Could not undone, what had been made.
The kingdoms there, they felt the doom
And fear then, filled all their souls.
For It was made with malice great
The heart so dark, in turmoil burned.
The other one deceived and slain
His name preserved, beyond the times of mortal lands.
He looked for it, no rest no sleep
His army bound to the oath they took
To fear the One and to serve Him
Behind the walls, and towers dim.
It called him loud, He could not hear
But swift as wind, nine horses sped
To lands unknown, in quest for it
To look for him who stole the fire
And wields the wicked, almighty power.
~~ * ~~
If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.
The Silmarillion is J.R.R. Tolkien’s first and last book.
Professor Tolkien’s notes first dated to 1917 as he began developing the characters, stories and ideas for what was to become a Middle-earth mythology while recovering in a WWI military hospital from trench fever. Continue reading “The Silmarillion reaches its 40-year Anniversary!”
Signum University and the Mythgard Institute are proud to announce LAMoot, the first annual Southern California symposium dedicated to the exploration of speculative fiction, mythology, and medieval literature and languages.
