Rangers

[Andrew of the Watch]

Hey All,

I'm trying to research all that Tolkien wrote on Rangers. Of the North and the Ithilian Rangers. What would be the best way to find the references from all his writings?

Thanks,
Andrew

[Ben]

Welcome to the board! :)

Hmm, maybe check out the index to LotR?

[Andrew of the Watch]

did that.
I'm wondering how much is in the HOME, or maybe, Tolkiens letters.
Haven't read the HOME yet.

Andrew

[Ñólendil]

If there's something useful in the HoMe, it'd be in Vol. XII, Peoples of Middle-earth, which contains the history of the Appendices to the Lord of the Ring. Some of that contains information that was omitted from the published Appendices (apprently) by mistake, or because of space, but most are the earlier versions.

The actual Appendices, if you have not yet, should definitely be consulted. I'm sure Unfinished Tales has more for you as well.

Ultimately though it's just about studying what we know and making theories for more. Suite101.com contains the articles of Michael Martinez, celebrated (well, celebrated by the wise I might say, or the understanding and unenvious) Middle-earthian scholar. He's certainly had a few devoted to the Rangers, particularly those of the North.

[ranger]

as you can probly guess by my name i am also trying to find out about ranger.... if you have info please email at

king_ellisar@yahoo.com


!!!~~~GO U.S.ARMED FORCESS~~~!!! i am a ranger....i will protect the weak and the helpless i will fight for right and what i believe( you insult my family, friends hobbies.......i will fight for it ) aragorn (viggo) rocks

[Tuor of Gondolin]

Try this article by Michael Martinez in Suite.101.
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/tolkien/64660

[Snowdog]

The Michael Martinez writings is good, but keep in mind has alot of his personal interpretation written into it. Sort of like Peter Jackson & Fran Walsh's interpretations written into the movie screenplay.

[CrazySquirrel]

I like MM articles, but as I am not at all a Tolkien expert, i.e. I haven't read HOME for instance, it is hard for me to tell what is his conjecture and what is Tolkien. Do you have the same problem with MMartinez?

[Valandil]

I think he's generally pretty careful to delineate how much is actually directly from Tolkien and at what point his conjecture, based on what Tolkien says, begins. For me that has gotten easier to discern as I've read more though. So... hang in there! :)

[Last Child of Ungoliant]

i always prefer olmer's essays :pdon't hit me!

[CrazySquirrel]

Thank you, Valandil for explanations. Still I think there are some difficulties. And with Olmer essays the difficulties are really GREAT!

[Forkbeard]

Thank you, Valandil for explanations. Still I think there are some difficulties. And with Olmer essays the difficulties are really GREAT!
I find MM less careful differentiating his interpretations from what Tolkien actually wrote than Valandil does, but then it depends on the subject matter. In some essays he's very careful, in others, he isn't. Still, not one I would suggest a newbie reading. Before reading either MM or Olmer (and like LCU, I like Olmer's stuff too!), I'd get ahold of Tolkien's Letters and read them, and read the biography by Humphrey Carpenter and Tom Shippey's Road to Middle Earth and a couple of other books before turning to MM. Some of MM's stuff is really good, don't get me wrong. But there's that problem you mentioned.....

[Halbarad of the Dunedain]

Just ask me Andrew, for I am the greatest Ranger Middle-Earth has to offer! :D

[Last Child of Ungoliant]

we do of course realise that this thread is nearly 4 years old?

[Snowdog]

Of course its 4 years old, but a good topic none-the-less! :D

Just ask me Andrew, for I am the greatest Ranger Middle-Earth has to offer! :D You are also quite dead... :p

I think the Rangers were for the most part the closest to a Numenorean you could get.