What is your favorite sword of Middle-earth? Could be a design from the films, qualities from the books, whatever you want. Let me know your favorite and why!
The genius of Anduril is that it was forges originally by Dwarves, then re-forged by Elves, and wielded by the King of Men; making it a symbol of the combined might of the free peoples of Middle Earth
@@etcetc3800 it's a fictional history of Europe. They were going to be. The whole point of LOTR (as Tolkien saw it) was to give the English a mythos of their origin.
In hindsight, the rediscovery of Glamdring and Orcrist is probably one of the most hilarious moments in the whole saga when you consider the context. I can only imagine how physically painful it was for noted loremaster Elrond to discover that these two legendary blades, lost for six thousand years and change, were found entirely by accident - in a cave about fifty miles west of his house, where they had likely been for hundreds if not thousands of years, and probably within reasonable day-trip range for Elven horses. One would assume that Tolkien left the ensuing scream of anguished nerd-rage, that would no doubt have echoed through the hills and glades of Rivendell, out of The Hobbit to avoid spoiling the mood.
To be fair, the Elves from The Hobbit were probably too busy singing silly songs and writing poems to be bothered. Some probably had found them and were rather angry at Gandalf for "finding" them as they deemed it more fitting for such legendary weapons to be lost in the mist of time. They knew they were there, they just needed the right time to rediscover them so their rediscovery would be worthy of a song epic enough to put even Gandalf to sleep.
@@Hercules0199 the men of Dunharrow. Labeled by Isildur as the Oathbreakers, for not aiding him against Sauron like they had sworn. He cursed them, never to find rest until they fulfilled their oath loyally. That they did for Aragorn, who was Isildur's heir to the throne of Gondor.
These vids are indispensable guides to an in depth understanding of Tolkien. The range of sources that are drawn upon are wide - nay I'd go as far to say comprehensive. I've read so much of the 'edited by Christopher Tolkien' material, but the focus of each of these vids consolidates and clarifies this material. Also, there are numerous inconsistencies in the unpublished material - these are dealt with, for the most part, in agreement with Christopher Tolkien and therefore what generally seems most plausible. I'm so glad this channel was recommended to me. I've loved every vid so far. Love the focus on these swords.
Thank you so, so much! Comments like this truly mean the world to me. My hope is that my love for the world and my attempts to get my facts straight are coming through in these vids. 😊
I concur. Been an avid fan of Tolkien since reading the hobbit in the third grade. His work definitely helped shape who I am as a person. I'm twenty years past my first reading it, and I'm STILL learning new information from your videos. It's nice to have it broken down in such easy terms and illustrated. I didn't retain alot of the silmarilion, it was a rough read for me. I sincerely appreciate your videos, hell I burned my last off day up binging them. No regrets.
I second your comment. I started watching these mid-way through my reading of the Fellowship to try to get a grasp of the magnitude of the legendarium, which, let’s be honest, was almost bigger than Tolkien. I’m into the Two Towers now, and continuing to watch. These videos have been a great help.
Forget about binging the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit Trilogy movies, I went on a Nerd of the Rings binge. I’m so freaking obsessed with this world and everything there is to know about it. Thank you for providing an amazing resource to quench my insatiable thirst!! 😆😆
The glowing feature of the blades of Gondolin isn’t well understood, and most think it is simply meant to warn their wielders. But when I read the books, the visible shine seemed to me just a reflection of the blade’s excitement at killing orcs. Elven blades, like all elven crafts, are imbued with the desires and drives of their makers, and these blades were made to kill creatures of Morgoth, and so they emanate a palpable vengeance toward orcs whenever they draw near, the physical glow just being a side affect of the intense strength of these particular blade’s drive to kill.
This channel has deepened my love for all things Tolkien so much. From the artwork to the lore and thoroughly enjoyable narration it's just class all round, great video!
I was in 5th grade, 39 years ago, that I started reading Fellowship of the Ring. Want a joy to see so many people passionate about what he created. It was a wonderful place to think about through a difficult adolescence. Thanks for filing in all the blanks Matt.
When I was in 7th grade in 1978 my English class had to do oral book reports. One of my friends did his on The Fellowship of the Ring, it had taken him a year to read it. I bought the trilogy on the Friday after his report and read all three books over that weekend.
I find it interesting that no Balrog has been slain except by bearers of swords made in Gondolin. Similarly both Smaug and Glaurung are slain with weapons described specifically as "black".
in a sudden bout of inspiration i made up a headcanon that, since the only weapon known to kill a dragon was made of meteorite iron, the smiths of the later days would make weapons to fight dragons out of it, trying to recreate eol's technique, so they all came out black in color, including girion's black arrows
@@nickpalazzo6585 Imagine being a being of pure terryfing cosmic power and evil. Cloaked in shadow and flame, whose very sight fills all beings of Arda even the Ainur with terror, AND YET getting killed by gravity, has to be dissapointing in some regard
Ultimate nerd fact: Narsil is actually broken in two pieces, not in many shards like depicted in the movies. (This becomes apparent when Aragorn reveals his broken sword to the Hobbits in Bree).
Yeah, Aragorn actually carried Narsil in a scabbard until it was repaired, rather than coming across it in Rivendell. I remember being confused when I first saw the movie! "Why isn't his sword broken?" I thought the movie did a fair job of introducing his character, though.
@@Juiceboxdan72 The fact that his sword is broken in two only makes him look more badass. :D Think about it: He survived decades of dangerous, lonely travels, he killed many orcs, wild animals, etc. without a usable sword. I suppose he has a dagger or something, but it's still quite impressive.
@@untruelie2640 Yeah, as I recall he had been wandering for years with that thing! As a kid, I always wanted a knife like he used in the movie. The movie series really should have shown something about the adventures of Aragorn and Gandalf, like how they captured Gollum and stuff. I always liked the line in the Fellowship book when Aragorn drew the broken sword and said something like "it looks rather useless, don't you think?" I don't recall the exact words...Can you imagine a reboot movie about those two? That would be so cool. Apparently Gandalf and Aragorn were friends and collaborated on several important adventures. I suspect Aragorn was unusually intelligent, to be a wizard's ally like that.
@@Juiceboxdan72In the books didnt Aragon already have the sword reforged (when he and the hobbit made it to Rivendell) and was using it when the fellowship set out?
@@kellswitch Doubtful. The Silmarillion wasn't published until years after the first Elric story. More than likely they shared a similar root in mythology.
I know it's not canonical, but I've always imagined that the elf-knife from Gondolin that Hurin gave to Turin and Turin in turn gave to Sador somehow found its way into a certain troll-hoard.
I discovered your channel roughly a week ago. In that time I have watched maybe 95% of all your content. Love the stuff you do! Thank you for all of it!
Dude, I completely forgot that I once read that story about Turin Turambar and the "cold voice" of the space-sword. This brought back so many memories. This story is cool because it happens within a fantasy universe, so it seems believable; and yet, within that universe itself, it would likely be regarded as myth. At least in Middle Earth and beyond, myth tends to have a lot of truth behind it.
Túrin is based on Kullervo (Kullerwoinen in Crawford's translation) son of Kalervo, who is a character of the Finnish mythology, as recorded in the book Kalevala, a collection of Finnish folk poetry. In the real story, Kullervo is given a magic sword by the high god Ukko, the god of thunder and weather, to slay his enemies and be avenged. At the end of the tale, Kullervo too has a short dialogue with the sword before killing himself with it: Kullerwoinen, wicked wizard, Grasps the handle of his broadsword, Asks the blade this simple question: "Tell me, O my blade of honor, Dost thou wish to drink my life-blood, Drink the blood of Kullerwoinen?" Thus his trusty sword makes answer, Well divining his intentions: Why should I not drink thy life-blood, Blood of guilty Kullerwoinen, Since I feast upon the worthy, Drink the life-blood of the righteous?"
You know. Learning the differences of the adaptations and the story changes between the Tolkien books and the Jackson trilogy made me love and appreciate both of them even more. The movies got me into the books and the books got me interested in world building story telling.
Other way around for me I started with the books and then progressed to the films which is why the adaption The Rings of Power was so bad, it became apparent that the writers had not actually read the source material but created their own and without the sensibilities of language that Tolkien espoused. There is a sequence in the Morgul Tower where Tolkein says he knifed me the dung, instead of a modern writer who would have used the S word, that is what makes the books so good in that the way the language works with the reader to draw them in.
Thank you for the content! The swords even are so cool to learn about. Always am I being drawn deeper into Tolkien’s universe I wonder if I’ll ever get out. Drew Narsil from memory for the first time three days ago or so (I love drawing swords and other oddities from Middle-Earth)
Small difference but Bilbo did not use Sting to cut his way out a spider cocoon save in the films, in the book the spider only got as far as starting to bind him up, mainly his legs and Bilbo at first tries to beat it off with his fists before remembering he has a sword. This explains how he could draw his sword at all, unlike in the film where he shouldnt have been able to move enough as he was completely encased in the cocoon.
@@NerdoftheRings It wasnt intended as any critism, I enjoy your content a great deal, so much as I felt it might be open to folk thinking you were referencing the film scene, rather than book. So more just a small clarification.
Your videos are amazing and show so much care and information it's breathtaking. It only makes me appreciate Tolkien's world so much more due to its scope, complexity and beauty.
Great vid! Another curious fact about Anglachel is that is said in the Second Prophecy of Mandos that " (...) and the black sword of Túrin shall deal unto Morgoth his death and final end; and so shall the children of Húrin and all Men be avenged." You could interpret that as if it is saying that the final doom of Melkor will come from Eru himself, since the metal from the sword came of outside Arda.
This is a really cool point. I know Tolkien kind of went back and forth on the Dagor Dagorath, but it's a really cool sounding ending with revenge for Turin and his family!
That is a really good theory. That Gurthang was made of stuff beyond middle earth, and that it is said that Turin would finally get revenge for the torment of the Hurin fam in the final days... Yeah that's pretty deep. Like the final act of Eru in the revelation style final battle.
Great insight! Of course Turin would use Anglachel. Turin and Anglachel are buried on Tol Morwen. That will be so cool seeing the resurrection of Morgoth victim and sword for the ultimate revenge.
The story of Hurin and Morwen and their children is so tragic. A lot of people have a strong case for wanting to personally kill Morgoth, but Turin is absolutely the best choice.
@@holymolythejabroni9040 I found the entire Silmarillion to be almost unbearably tragic. I felt utterly wrung out and emotionally exhausted by the end of it. I found that even the brighter moments had been so bitterly paid for that there was very little joy to be had from them. Nonetheless, a necessary read for a better understanding of the backdrop to LOTR.
Narsil is the first sword I owned for real, it hangs on my wall to this day. It's also been my gaming nick for as long as I can remember... I love that sword :)
@@mynameismynameyourname6197 Anduril, formerly known as Narsil cut the One Ring From Sauron's hand and killed his physical body, after engaging with him in single combat. After the sword was remade, Aragorn wielded it and with it played a role in defeating Sauron's final army at the Morrannon. Since Sauron's Eye was fixed most of the time on the battle, the Ring was able to be destroyed in time. So, in a manner of speaking, the sword was victorious against Sauron again. Plus, it's unbreakable, thanks to a special scabbard made for it in Lothlorien.
Man what a video, one of the best on the channel, dont know why maybe Im just felling well today, but one of my favorite on the channel, when is the next Tolkien 101 video?
@@NerdoftheRings Ahhh, maybe do the Tolkien elves have pointed ears, or how Sauron look like and explain a little bit all of his forms, and explain maybe if you know why he was portrayted as an eye in the movies? Maybe?
@@NerdoftheRings What is the difference between what you usually do and the Tolkien 101 videos, or is it just the naming of the video. Corey Olsen has actual Tolkien 101 classes at his Signum University online.
@@Enerdhil If I understand right Tolkien 101 series is about some questions that we cant find answers, like it was a video about Balrog's wings...and many more confusing tophic's.
I love that it’s so easy to lose yourself in this world that we talk about it as if something will happen in Middle Earth without the stroke of a pen. It is amazing what Tolkien left for us.
My absolute favorite blade is Andúril it is simply a beautiful weapon (At least as portrayed in LOTR) the power it held to command the oathbreakers, to never stain or be broken even if it's wielder was defeated and the symbolism it invoked. Being forged by Dwarves, reforged by Elves and being wielded by not just Men but kings of the Men of Númenor, men blessed with long life due to their Elven heritage and the noblest of the houses of men. Thus showing the combined strength of all the children of Eru Illuvatar to fight against the twisted creations of Morgoth.
I am-once again reading the Simarillion and after three previous tries, I am finally able to understand what the heck I am reading. This is in no small part due to your many videos. I am forever grateful. 🙏🏾😁
I've always wondered if Sting is the same dagger Glorfindel used to stab The Blarog with when fleeing Gondolin while leading a party of survivors of Morgoths siege upon the city.
Love how Tolkien has an extensive story for almost all of these fantastical blades, but is just like "Ah, this one is cool, I guess?" to the blade that injured Morgoth himself EIGHT TIMES. Well, I guess if we're talking about the personal weapon of one of the, if not the chaddest Elf in all of Arda, then it'll need no further introduction than that.
Glórfindel was disarmed in his fight with the balrog, and drew his dagger. It was with this that he actually killed the evil spirit. Sting is found six thousand years later next to the sword of Turgon and the sword of a noble from Gondolin. When brought to Elrond, he identifies the blades in a strangely curt manner: as if he knows more than he wants to let on about them. It’s not just any weapon which would be able to slay a giant spider, even swords of elven make would mostly be useless against them: especially against one as great as Shelob. These are creatures of primordial darkness, daughters of Ungoliant. They are mightier than the average orc or even troll, so not just any weapon would be effective against them. Finally, there is the hilariously extreme reaction of the goblins to Sting. These are battle-hardened soldiers, normally quite unafraid of combat. The fact that they run away from Orcrist and Sting is quite strange. Unless of course, these are balrog slayers.
I had it tattooed on me a couple months ago and it got deeply infected (it was my 10th tattoo, never had an infection before). Feels like I was kind of asking for it tho haha
Hello, I have only just come by your videos, and I must say, they are brilliant. So well written and so well put together, thank you for bringing me joy.
Black bladed sword imbued with pure *malice* that thirsts for blood- “Gurthang”, approx. translation: “Death Metal”. That’s... pretty metal...🤘 Edit: It also “slew ‘the father of dragons’”. Now that’s a Blind Guardian song waiting to happen. Actually, that may already be a Blind Guardian song. Must listen to “Nightfall on Middle-Earth” again...
I'm not 100% sure which track you are referring to, but you should look up Kyle Preston on Spotify. I license a handful of his stuff, including my closing track "Roaming the Fields".
I love how middle earth was given so much depth and lore by Tolkien, and followed through by his son. I heard that Christopher didn’t care for the movies and am wondering what he would’ve done if he were in the directors chair.
The flaming sword of the Balrog is interesting too. Perhaps little is known about it. Only the Balrog himself may have known it's history & where he received it from. No doubt back in the 1st age.🗡️
Man, look, I love Men of the West YT channel but this is much better and easier to keep track of the narration. Love the maps and character portraits, helps a lot mate.
Thank you so much for these vids, I’m getting ready to co dm a merp game and it’s got a lot of interesting elaboration on lotr that does do a little bit of creative liberty with tolkiens work but it’s really interesting and exciting
That's the most tragic, sad, hearth-crushing history. The most mature book from Tolkien and my favorite history of him AFTER the Hobbit which has a pretty special place in everyone hearth.
10:00 I always thought this was such an epic and heroic moment. I was so disappointed at how they depicted it in the film as a clumsy swing of a scared dork lying on his back in the mud. It made no sense for Sauron to fear the heir of such a man at all. I wish they had filmed it with the awe and grandeur the moment deserved.
This was a great idea for a video! I have a sweet spot for Theoden’s sword. And the blades that the hobbits get from the barrow are pretty cool, especially considering how important they become later in the story. A seemingly minor detail in the first book becomes the end of the second most powerful villain, now that’s some good writing!
What is your favorite sword of Middle-earth? Could be a design from the films, qualities from the books, whatever you want. Let me know your favorite and why!
Bro I need to contact you but how
Orcrist or thranduils sword
Definetely Gurthang- because of its badass kills, fate, colour. It finally slained Morgoth himself
Orcrist
In terms of the movies I liked the broken pieces of Narsil as it symbolized Sauron's strength, but also his defeat at the hand of a mortal.
The genius of Anduril is that it was forges originally by Dwarves, then re-forged by Elves, and wielded by the King of Men; making it a symbol of the combined might of the free peoples of Middle Earth
Such an amazing observation!! Thank you.
But they were all white western folks
@@etcetc3800 Your point?
@@etcetc3800 it's a fictional history of Europe. They were going to be. The whole point of LOTR (as Tolkien saw it) was to give the English a mythos of their origin.
@@etcetc3800 as they should.
In hindsight, the rediscovery of Glamdring and Orcrist is probably one of the most hilarious moments in the whole saga when you consider the context. I can only imagine how physically painful it was for noted loremaster Elrond to discover that these two legendary blades, lost for six thousand years and change, were found entirely by accident - in a cave about fifty miles west of his house, where they had likely been for hundreds if not thousands of years, and probably within reasonable day-trip range for Elven horses. One would assume that Tolkien left the ensuing scream of anguished nerd-rage, that would no doubt have echoed through the hills and glades of Rivendell, out of The Hobbit to avoid spoiling the mood.
Elrond nerd-raging is my new headcanon.
@@andreaniccoli8669 Likewise 😂 this comment was what I didn’t know I was looking for.
To be fair, the Elves from The Hobbit were probably too busy singing silly songs and writing poems to be bothered. Some probably had found them and were rather angry at Gandalf for "finding" them as they deemed it more fitting for such legendary weapons to be lost in the mist of time. They knew they were there, they just needed the right time to rediscover them so their rediscovery would be worthy of a song epic enough to put even Gandalf to sleep.
Sometimes even trashmobs spwn purple loot, I guess ;)
Especially since Glamdring belonged to Elrond’s great grandfather Turgon
And that's how, nearly seven decades into the Fourth Age, Sting ended up as a bread-cutter in the Sackville-Baggins household.
It went into the West with Sam.
And sting would betray them to their deaths!
Maegnas became a bread cutter
@@SvenTviking That's what the Sackville-Bagginses want you to think...
Still glowing blue everytime someone brought a bread baked by orcs or goblins :p
Great video brother! I must say, I am partial to Andúril 😏
Haha! I’m not surprised!
Thanks so much, mellon!
Hey I know this guy!
@@NerdoftheRings Who were those dead people who came to help Aragon and then Aragon freed them from curse. Plz make a video about them.
@@Hercules0199 the men of Dunharrow. Labeled by Isildur as the Oathbreakers, for not aiding him against Sauron like they had sworn. He cursed them, never to find rest until they fulfilled their oath loyally. That they did for Aragorn, who was Isildur's heir to the throne of Gondor.
@@Hercules0199 ua-cam.com/video/WwHmcuwrfCM/v-deo.html
These vids are indispensable guides to an in depth understanding of Tolkien. The range of sources that are drawn upon are wide - nay I'd go as far to say comprehensive. I've read so much of the 'edited by Christopher Tolkien' material, but the focus of each of these vids consolidates and clarifies this material. Also, there are numerous inconsistencies in the unpublished material - these are dealt with, for the most part, in agreement with Christopher Tolkien and therefore what generally seems most plausible. I'm so glad this channel was recommended to me. I've loved every vid so far. Love the focus on these swords.
Thank you so, so much! Comments like this truly mean the world to me. My hope is that my love for the world and my attempts to get my facts straight are coming through in these vids. 😊
I concur.
Been an avid fan of Tolkien since reading the hobbit in the third grade. His work definitely helped shape who I am as a person. I'm twenty years past my first reading it, and I'm STILL learning new information from your videos.
It's nice to have it broken down in such easy terms and illustrated. I didn't retain alot of the silmarilion, it was a rough read for me. I sincerely appreciate your videos, hell I burned my last off day up binging them. No regrets.
I second your comment. I started watching these mid-way through my reading of the Fellowship to try to get a grasp of the magnitude of the legendarium, which, let’s be honest, was almost bigger than Tolkien. I’m into the Two Towers now, and continuing to watch. These videos have been a great help.
@@NerdoftheRings by Far One of my Favorite Videos all The Weapons you cover made me Love Tolkien and Middle Earth Lore even More
Forget about binging the Lord of the Rings/Hobbit Trilogy movies, I went on a Nerd of the Rings binge. I’m so freaking obsessed with this world and everything there is to know about it. Thank you for providing an amazing resource to quench my insatiable thirst!! 😆😆
If you like gaming you should try lord of the rings online, there is a lot of book lore in there as well. And just great for immersion purposes
@@jaapuitroepteke2750 I’ll give it a look, thanks 😊
The glowing feature of the blades of Gondolin isn’t well understood, and most think it is simply meant to warn their wielders. But when I read the books, the visible shine seemed to me just a reflection of the blade’s excitement at killing orcs. Elven blades, like all elven crafts, are imbued with the desires and drives of their makers, and these blades were made to kill creatures of Morgoth, and so they emanate a palpable vengeance toward orcs whenever they draw near, the physical glow just being a side affect of the intense strength of these particular blade’s drive to kill.
my theory is that the glow is used to intimidate orcs by showing you have a magical sword made specifically for killing orcs, so you better run.
Also doesnt light hurt orcs
maybe the glow is an echo of the light of the trees, which burned morgoth and lived on in the elves
I like this idea, it actually makes sense to me.
blue light +30% damage
This channel has deepened my love for all things Tolkien so much. From the artwork to the lore and thoroughly enjoyable narration it's just class all round, great video!
So glad you are enjoying the channel! Thanks so much for watching/subscribing!
I was in 5th grade, 39 years ago, that I started reading Fellowship of the Ring. Want a joy to see so many people passionate about what he created. It was a wonderful place to think about through a difficult adolescence. Thanks for filing in all the blanks Matt.
When I was in 7th grade in 1978 my English class had to do oral book reports. One of my friends did his on The Fellowship of the Ring, it had taken him a year to read it. I bought the trilogy on the Friday after his report and read all three books over that weekend.
The names for those black blades are metal af. Also, "Flame of the West" might be THE coolest name for a sword in all of fiction.
"Stormbringer", while of a different mythos entirely, is still my number one choice for most badass sword name.
Gurthang "Iron of Death" is fucking brutal. Funnily enough a Black/Funeral Doom Metal band has this name \m/
Swords tend to have badass names. Ringil, I think means 'Cold Star' which is pretty epic but 'Flame of the West' is definitely the coolest
@@maxkronader5225 My favorite sword name in all of fiction has gotta be "The Ice Blade of the Monarch"
Ringil basically being translated as Icy Flame or Cold Flame is also tough
I find it interesting that no Balrog has been slain except by bearers of swords made in Gondolin.
Similarly both Smaug and Glaurung are slain with weapons described specifically as "black".
in a sudden bout of inspiration i made up a headcanon that, since the only weapon known to kill a dragon was made of meteorite iron, the smiths of the later days would make weapons to fight dragons out of it, trying to recreate eol's technique, so they all came out black in color, including girion's black arrows
I would wager that Smaug was actually killed by gravity
@@SantomPh Like all three described Balrog deaths.
@@nickpalazzo6585 Imagine being a being of pure terryfing cosmic power and evil. Cloaked in shadow and flame, whose very sight fills all beings of Arda even the Ainur with terror, AND YET getting killed by gravity, has to be dissapointing in some regard
@@tharunsrinivasans4279 they also have those non functional wings to add to that pain
Ultimate nerd fact: Narsil is actually broken in two pieces, not in many shards like depicted in the movies. (This becomes apparent when Aragorn reveals his broken sword to the Hobbits in Bree).
Yeah, Aragorn actually carried Narsil in a scabbard until it was repaired, rather than coming across it in Rivendell. I remember being confused when I first saw the movie! "Why isn't his sword broken?" I thought the movie did a fair job of introducing his character, though.
@@Juiceboxdan72 The fact that his sword is broken in two only makes him look more badass. :D Think about it: He survived decades of dangerous, lonely travels, he killed many orcs, wild animals, etc. without a usable sword. I suppose he has a dagger or something, but it's still quite impressive.
@@untruelie2640 Yeah, as I recall he had been wandering for years with that thing! As a kid, I always wanted a knife like he used in the movie. The movie series really should have shown something about the adventures of Aragorn and Gandalf, like how they captured Gollum and stuff. I always liked the line in the Fellowship book when Aragorn drew the broken sword and said something like "it looks rather useless, don't you think?" I don't recall the exact words...Can you imagine a reboot movie about those two? That would be so cool. Apparently Gandalf and Aragorn were friends and collaborated on several important adventures. I suspect Aragorn was unusually intelligent, to be a wizard's ally like that.
@@Juiceboxdan72In the books didnt Aragon already have the sword reforged (when he and the hobbit made it to Rivendell) and was using it when the fellowship set out?
@@OGKaz I don't remember! Maybe someone can weigh in? It was definitely broken in Bree
Just finished a LOTR/Hobbit extended version marathon. Super happy to find a freshly uploaded vid!
That's a fun way to cap off an epic marathon!
I'm sorry you had to sit through the extended version of an extended version of the Hobbit
I am thinking about doing that, but with only lotr theatrical
Duuuude, same!!!
I'm on the 2 towers of the same marathon
I love your use of quotes and maps. It really helps with understanding how everything is tied together and gives a better view of scale
Every time I see theoden draw his sword again it feels epic af. You can feel the weight of the steel in the sound
Then his eyes turn to Wormtongue. Badass.
That's because those props were real forged steel, not cheap aluminum or plastic.
Eol was always my favorite character in Tolkien's work. The creation of Anglachel, a sentient object, is fascinating.
I haven't done any research into it yet, but I wonder if this was the inspiration for Michael Moorcock's Stormbringer?
Meanwhile in Roshar certain black sword asks: Hello, would you like to slay some evil today?
@@kellswitch Doubtful. The Silmarillion wasn't published until years after the first Elric story. More than likely they shared a similar root in mythology.
@@joshjames582 Thank you!
@@kellswitchthe story of the talking sword is from the Finnish folk epic of Kalevala according to Tolkien’s letter I think but not 100% sure
I know it's not canonical, but I've always imagined that the elf-knife from Gondolin that Hurin gave to Turin and Turin in turn gave to Sador somehow found its way into a certain troll-hoard.
Wow. That would be something wouldn’t it. I like that theory
Weird that that knife is never mentioned again in the children of hurin
I discovered your channel roughly a week ago. In that time I have watched maybe 95% of all your content. Love the stuff you do! Thank you for all of it!
That's impressive! Thanks so much for watching and subscribing. Truly appreciate it!!
❤
Dude, I completely forgot that I once read that story about Turin Turambar and the "cold voice" of the space-sword. This brought back so many memories. This story is cool because it happens within a fantasy universe, so it seems believable; and yet, within that universe itself, it would likely be regarded as myth. At least in Middle Earth and beyond, myth tends to have a lot of truth behind it.
Túrin is based on Kullervo (Kullerwoinen in Crawford's translation) son of Kalervo, who is a character of the Finnish mythology, as recorded in the book Kalevala, a collection of Finnish folk poetry. In the real story, Kullervo is given a magic sword by the high god Ukko, the god of thunder and weather, to slay his enemies and be avenged. At the end of the tale, Kullervo too has a short dialogue with the sword before killing himself with it:
Kullerwoinen, wicked wizard,
Grasps the handle of his broadsword,
Asks the blade this simple question:
"Tell me, O my blade of honor,
Dost thou wish to drink my life-blood,
Drink the blood of Kullerwoinen?"
Thus his trusty sword makes answer,
Well divining his intentions:
Why should I not drink thy life-blood,
Blood of guilty Kullerwoinen,
Since I feast upon the worthy,
Drink the life-blood of the righteous?"
You know. Learning the differences of the adaptations and the story changes between the Tolkien books and the Jackson trilogy made me love and appreciate both of them even more.
The movies got me into the books and the books got me interested in world building story telling.
Other way around for me I started with the books and then progressed to the films which is why the adaption The Rings of Power was so bad, it became apparent that the writers had not actually read the source material but created their own and without the sensibilities of language that Tolkien espoused.
There is a sequence in the Morgul Tower where Tolkein says he knifed me the dung, instead of a modern writer who would have used the S word, that is what makes the books so good in that the way the language works with the reader to draw them in.
@@darreng745My story was one familiar to our predecessor here.. although yeah nah even Jackson's work had nothing on 99% of Tolkiens work.
Nice job! As someone relatively informed about the history and middle earth, a video devoted to important swords was both new and fascinating. Thanks!
My favorite is Narsil because the sword was forged by a dwarf, and dwarfs are my favorite species.
And it's the sword that cut of sourons finger.
Yes, this sword is forged by the dwarf, by me 🤗
It sure was a SWEET sword to do that
I love your voice, it is just so majestic and wonderful telling the stories of Tolkien. Fantastic work my friend!
You flatter me! Thanks so much for watching/subscribing!
Thank you for the content! The swords even are so cool to learn about. Always am I being drawn deeper into Tolkien’s universe I wonder if I’ll ever get out. Drew Narsil from memory for the first time three days ago or so (I love drawing swords and other oddities from Middle-Earth)
Small difference but Bilbo did not use Sting to cut his way out a spider cocoon save in the films, in the book the spider only got as far as starting to bind him up, mainly his legs and Bilbo at first tries to beat it off with his fists before remembering he has a sword. This explains how he could draw his sword at all, unlike in the film where he shouldnt have been able to move enough as he was completely encased in the cocoon.
You are correct - he wasn't all the way up, but he did cut himself out of a cocoon. As you said, he was only partially bound. :)
Haha you said beat it off
@@NerdoftheRings It wasnt intended as any critism, I enjoy your content a great deal, so much as I felt it might be open to folk thinking you were referencing the film scene, rather than book. So more just a small clarification.
Also a correction the shards of narcil didn't stay in rivendell aragorn was carrying the broken blade when he met the hobbits in brie.
Your videos are amazing and show so much care and information it's breathtaking. It only makes me appreciate Tolkien's world so much more due to its scope, complexity and beauty.
Great vid! Another curious fact about Anglachel is that is said in the Second Prophecy of Mandos that " (...) and the black sword of Túrin shall deal unto Morgoth his death and final end; and so shall the children of Húrin and all Men be avenged." You could interpret that as if it is saying that the final doom of Melkor will come from Eru himself, since the metal from the sword came of outside Arda.
This is a really cool point. I know Tolkien kind of went back and forth on the Dagor Dagorath, but it's a really cool sounding ending with revenge for Turin and his family!
That is a really good theory. That Gurthang was made of stuff beyond middle earth, and that it is said that Turin would finally get revenge for the torment of the Hurin fam in the final days... Yeah that's pretty deep. Like the final act of Eru in the revelation style final battle.
Great insight! Of course Turin would use Anglachel. Turin and Anglachel are buried on Tol Morwen. That will be so cool seeing the resurrection of Morgoth victim and sword for the ultimate revenge.
The story of Hurin and Morwen and their children is so tragic. A lot of people have a strong case for wanting to personally kill Morgoth, but Turin is absolutely the best choice.
@@holymolythejabroni9040 I found the entire Silmarillion to be almost unbearably tragic. I felt utterly wrung out and emotionally exhausted by the end of it. I found that even the brighter moments had been so bitterly paid for that there was very little joy to be had from them. Nonetheless, a necessary read for a better understanding of the backdrop to LOTR.
I cant get enough of these videos
Narsil is the first sword I owned for real, it hangs on my wall to this day. It's also been my gaming nick for as long as I can remember... I love that sword :)
Next week, 100th video whoo! Congrats!
Good work, you deserve way more then 250k subs
Ringil is the GOAT sword.
No. That honor goes to Anduril.
Ringil's name got a ring to it. Hehehe. I'll make myself out now.
Ringil is the GOAT and always will be. Can't think of any other named sword that has done anything to top giving morgoth a permanent injury
@@mynameismynameyourname6197 Anduril, formerly known as Narsil cut the One Ring From Sauron's hand and killed his physical body, after engaging with him in single combat. After the sword was remade, Aragorn wielded it and with it played a role in defeating Sauron's final army at the Morrannon. Since Sauron's Eye was fixed most of the time on the battle, the Ring was able to be destroyed in time. So, in a manner of speaking, the sword was victorious against Sauron again. Plus, it's unbreakable, thanks to a special scabbard made for it in Lothlorien.
@@mynameismynameyourname6197 was it the sword or fingolfin who made it possible to wound Morgoth?
Hearing the history and deeds of these makes me cry. I don’t know why I just love swords.
Man what a video, one of the best on the channel, dont know why maybe Im just felling well today, but one of my favorite on the channel, when is the next Tolkien 101 video?
Great question! Got a couple ideas, but I'm not 100% sure which I'll do next. Any requests?!
@@NerdoftheRings Ahhh, maybe do the Tolkien elves have pointed ears, or how Sauron look like and explain a little bit all of his forms, and explain maybe if you know why he was portrayted as an eye in the movies? Maybe?
Or something about Smaug, Trolls, Dragons size comparisons...??? Only you know what to do with the time that is given to us...
@@NerdoftheRings
What is the difference between what you usually do and the Tolkien 101 videos, or is it just the naming of the video. Corey Olsen has actual Tolkien 101 classes at his Signum University online.
@@Enerdhil If I understand right Tolkien 101 series is about some questions that we cant find answers, like it was a video about Balrog's wings...and many more confusing tophic's.
Wow! I absolutely loved this video. It is so cool that Tolkien gave names to so many swords and daggers.
Honestly bro, your videos are my favourite to watch. Thank you for every one.
Fragments of Gurthang are still buried in Túrin's tomb on the island of Tol Morwen. It can be exhumed and re-forged like Narsil if desired.
Was just thinking about this earlier today actually. Crazy to think about!
@@NerdoftheRings sorry I'm late for this but if you could pick a character who would you pick to wield Gurthang?
Anglachel was a bad sword. One of melkor's tools. Much better to keep it buried forever with his last master
I love that it’s so easy to lose yourself in this world that we talk about it as if something will happen in Middle Earth without the stroke of a pen. It is amazing what Tolkien left for us.
I think the reason for what you say is a mythological history narrative and transfer of information suitable for speculation.@@jagaloon14
All this information about middle earth is incredible!!! Ty ty love ur vids
Congratulations on your 100th video I enjoy your channel.
Just finished the Silmarillion. Perfect video for today.
How about Haleth's, son of Hama sword? It's just a good sword, y'know?
Lol
Maybethey will give it a name when they make the WotR anime movie.
I always hated the part of the movie. That sword looked like a piece of cardboard wrapped in tin foil
The name should be Manmagol, meaning literally “the good sword” in Sindarin
@@nuevaspirit That would be a cool name. "Manmagol" has a nice ring to it
I am absolutely HOOKED on your channel! I've been just binging for days now! Absolutely incredible in every aspect.
My absolute favorite blade is Andúril it is simply a beautiful weapon (At least as portrayed in LOTR) the power it held to command the oathbreakers, to never stain or be broken even if it's wielder was defeated and the symbolism it invoked. Being forged by Dwarves, reforged by Elves and being wielded by not just Men but kings of the Men of Númenor, men blessed with long life due to their Elven heritage and the noblest of the houses of men. Thus showing the combined strength of all the children of Eru Illuvatar to fight against the twisted creations of Morgoth.
Honestly the best channel on UA-cam
cool vid Matt enjoyed it
Turin : would you slay me?
Gurthang : yeay
I am-once again reading the Simarillion and after three previous tries, I am finally able to understand what the heck I am reading. This is in no small part due to your many videos. I am forever grateful. 🙏🏾😁
Congratulations on crossing 250k subscribers! You certainly have earned it.
The name "foe-hammer" is such a great name
I've always wondered if Sting is the same dagger Glorfindel used to stab The Blarog with when fleeing Gondolin while leading a party of survivors of Morgoths siege upon the city.
I love J.R.R Tolkien work so much
Great video as always :)
Wow great history on the swords of Middle Earth it is just amazing to hear about swords as it is to see who wields it.
Best Tolkien channel on UA-cam.
Alternative title: "collectable Tolkien stuff that would cost an "Erebor" of treasures"
Maybe 3 Mithril coat would be enough for the cost 😂😭
@@Gîl-maeril I apprechiate your optimism!
Your videos are amazing! Keep it up friend.
When I went to Comic Con, to meet David Wenham I held Sting and Thranduil's Daggers...they were not cheap!!!
Your knowledge is literally out of this world excellent vid yet again
Huzzah! Fantastic lore sir!
Thanks! Plenty more on the way!
Amazing information and love the artwork supporting it.
Awesome, I waited for this one
Glad you're here to see it nice and early. :)
I LOVE your channel !! Thank you for such amazing and interesting content :) Greetings from Mount Juliet, Tennessee USA
Gurthang is my favorite... the story of turin turambar is a fantastic tragedy.. and the sword is at the center of it all
Tolkien, a true genius storyteller!
Part of what drew me into the movies as a kid were the swords!
They're pretty awesome. Always really enjoyed Theoden's in the films.
Same. I love swords. Too bad I'm too poor to buy them
I was unable to purchase full scale replicas. So I got the Nobel collection letter openers. Glaumdring, Narsil, Sting and Arwen's elvish sword.
The letter openers are pretty awesome! Much lighter to wield as well! 😁
@@NerdoftheRings Yes! They came in nice cases and Nobel collection paperwork. I twirled them in my hands for weeks after they showed up.
Your site is amazing!
Last time I was this early, Melkor was showing discord in the creation of the world.
Love how Tolkien has an extensive story for almost all of these fantastical blades, but is just like "Ah, this one is cool, I guess?" to the blade that injured Morgoth himself EIGHT TIMES. Well, I guess if we're talking about the personal weapon of one of the, if not the chaddest Elf in all of Arda, then it'll need no further introduction than that.
These swords are so cool
Great video! If there are any legendary Dwarf swords or weapons, please make a video and tell their story!
I think Ringil is my fave. I mean it's a blade that wounded Satan. Other than Ringil I love Sting. Just a simple dagger used by a brave Hobbit.
Well it is prophesied that Gurthang will deliver the killing blow on Morgoth, so I like that one more, for the same reason though :)
Glórfindel was disarmed in his fight with the balrog, and drew his dagger. It was with this that he actually killed the evil spirit. Sting is found six thousand years later next to the sword of Turgon and the sword of a noble from Gondolin. When brought to Elrond, he identifies the blades in a strangely curt manner: as if he knows more than he wants to let on about them. It’s not just any weapon which would be able to slay a giant spider, even swords of elven make would mostly be useless against them: especially against one as great as Shelob. These are creatures of primordial darkness, daughters of Ungoliant. They are mightier than the average orc or even troll, so not just any weapon would be effective against them. Finally, there is the hilariously extreme reaction of the goblins to Sting. These are battle-hardened soldiers, normally quite unafraid of combat. The fact that they run away from Orcrist and Sting is quite strange. Unless of course, these are balrog slayers.
You could argue that Glamdring KILLED *a* Satan.
Nice work. You got all of my favorite moments I sometimes think I will die alone with.
Thanks.
Anglachel or Gurthang, has the most intense story around it, the tragedy always gets to me :(
I had it tattooed on me a couple months ago and it got deeply infected (it was my 10th tattoo, never had an infection before). Feels like I was kind of asking for it tho haha
Hello, I have only just come by your videos, and I must say, they are brilliant. So well written and so well put together, thank you for bringing me joy.
100th video dropping soon! :D
We love you Nerd of The Rings!
I love all your vids and you have come so far in the past year
Thanks so much! So glad you’re enjoying the vids. And thank you for being here so long!!
Black bladed sword imbued with pure *malice* that thirsts for blood- “Gurthang”, approx. translation: “Death Metal”.
That’s... pretty metal...🤘
Edit: It also “slew ‘the father of dragons’”. Now that’s a Blind Guardian song waiting to happen. Actually, that may already be a Blind Guardian song. Must listen to “Nightfall on Middle-Earth” again...
Very good short presentation.
great vid i have a great love 4 swords i have a small collection. idk y but i found this on FB b4 YT
I recently bought Herugrim in celebration of 250k. Can't wait to hang it on the wall...and maybe yell some Rohan lines while holding it in the air.
This was very nice. Great work
Hey Matt, what is the music called in the Morgoth video you did. The battle music? Many thanks awesome video!
I'm not 100% sure which track you are referring to, but you should look up Kyle Preston on Spotify. I license a handful of his stuff, including my closing track "Roaming the Fields".
@@NerdoftheRings The music at 8:58 in your Morgoth video Part 2 :)
It’s where Morgoth and Fingolin duel. In the vid
Looking forward to the next video as I recently finished the children of hurin, but it's neat to learn about these famous swords. Keep it up!!!
I love how middle earth was given so much depth and lore by Tolkien, and followed through by his son. I heard that Christopher didn’t care for the movies and am wondering what he would’ve done if he were in the directors chair.
Closer to his father’s vision with minor tweaks of his own I think.
More of these type of videos please!
All Hail Nerd Of The Rings!, the master of great content
No that would be the late JRR Tolkien.
@@goodputin4324 Nop!! Wrong wrong wrong!!! JRR Tolkien is The "Lord" of great Content.
@@Divine_Chareka what a dumb statement
Hey thanks for your knowledge brother
Tolkien died in 1973 3 rings for the elves 7 for the dwarf lords 9 for men and 1 ring to rule them all 1973 backwards
That is interesting
That is fascinating and above all else. That is poetic. fitting for a great man like Tolkien.
I did truly enjoy learning something new today.. Thanx for that..
The flaming sword of the Balrog is interesting too. Perhaps little is known about it. Only the Balrog himself may have known it's history & where he received it from. No doubt back in the 1st age.🗡️
Man, look, I love Men of the West YT channel but this is much better and easier to keep track of the narration. Love the maps and character portraits, helps a lot mate.
Thank you so much for these vids, I’m getting ready to co dm a merp game and it’s got a lot of interesting elaboration on lotr that does do a little bit of creative liberty with tolkiens work but it’s really interesting and exciting
Love the sword from the lord of the rings movie series definitely excited for that anime lord of lord the rings movie
Love your videos! Could you make one on Durin the Deathless?
Man Turin had it rough, poor guy.
The most tragic story of Man.
@@goodputin4324 you've got that right.
That's the most tragic, sad, hearth-crushing history. The most mature book from Tolkien and my favorite history of him AFTER the Hobbit which has a pretty special place in everyone hearth.
10:00 I always thought this was such an epic and heroic moment. I was so disappointed at how they depicted it in the film as a clumsy swing of a scared dork lying on his back in the mud. It made no sense for Sauron to fear the heir of such a man at all. I wish they had filmed it with the awe and grandeur the moment deserved.
You forgot to add that in the Dagor Dagoroth, it is said ,that it is turin, with the black sword ,who will possibly slay morgoth .
Omg I love your channel! So glad I found it.
This was a great idea for a video! I have a sweet spot for Theoden’s sword. And the blades that the hobbits get from the barrow are pretty cool, especially considering how important they become later in the story. A seemingly minor detail in the first book becomes the end of the second most powerful villain, now that’s some good writing!
I love your voice, it is so soothing. Great Video.