The Lays of Beleriand
The third volume that contains the early myths and legends which led to
the writing of Tolkien’s epic tale of war, The Silmarillion.
This, the third volume of The History of Middle-earth, gives us a priviledged insight into the creation of the mythology of Middle-earth, through the alliterative verse tales of two of the most crucial stories in
Tolkien’s world – those of Turien and Luthien. The first of the poems is the unpublished Lay of The Children of Hurin, narrating on a grand
scale the tragedy of Turin Turambar. The second is the moving Lay of
Leithian, the chief source of the tale of Beren and Luthien in The
Silmarillion, telling of the Quest of the Silmaril and the encounter
with Morgoth in his subterranean fortress. Accompanying the poems are
commentaries on the evolution of the history of the Elder Days. Also
included is the notable criticism of The Lay of The Leithian by C. S.
Lewis, who read the poem in 1929.
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J. R. R. Tolkien
J. R. R. Tolkien, the creator of Middle-earth, was not just a writer; he was a weaver of worlds, a philologist whose deep understanding of language and mythology breathed life into epic landscapes, timeless characters, and legends that still captivate readers around the world. Born in 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Tolkien’s early years were marked by tragedy—his father’s untimely death and the loss of his mother, both of which shaped the tone of his writing. His roots in the English countryside, where he moved as a child, became the fertile ground for the stories that would define an entire genre.
The History of Middle-earth
The History of Middle-earth consists of twelve books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Related series The History of Middle-earth (omnibus editions)
