Tag Archives: Dragons

Tanks at Gondolin

Posted on 9 December 2016 by

Here’s an excerpt from my book Tolkien and the Great War to mark the centenary of Tolkien’s discharge on 9 December 1916 from military hospital, where he had begun writing his first ‘lost tale’ of Middle-earth, ‘The Fall of Gondolin’. … Continue reading →

Posted in 100 years of Middle-earth, Tolkien in the First World War, Tolkien’s creative spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Dragon scale: Why it’s impossible to size up Tolkien’s Middle-earth

Posted on 18 January 2015 by

A piece of fan art illustrating the relative size of Tolkien’s dragons raises a far more interesting issue than how big was Smaug or Glaurung or Ancalagon the Black. It’s an issue that should give pause for thought in any … Continue reading →

Posted in Tolkien’s creative spirit | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Tolkien’s death of Smaug: American inspiration revealed

Posted on 9 December 2014 by

My latest article for the Guardian: As well as its familiar roots in Icelandic mythology, this Middle-earth story also has some surprising transatlantic sources The dragon soars overhead, its underside armoured with gems from its hoard. The bowman has one … Continue reading →

Posted in 100 years of Middle-earth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments