Morgoth's Ring
Morgoth's Ring is the 10th volume of Christopher Tolkien's 12-volume series The History of Middle-earth in which he analyses the unpublished manuscripts of his father J. R. R. Tolkien. It is the first part of a two volume set (The War of the Jewels being the second), and is an essential work to any serious Tolkien historian, showing the evolution of J.R.R.Tolkien's conception of his cosmology (flat versus round Earth).Morgoth's Ring concentrates on the following:
- Later 1951 revisions of The Silmarillion. These often show Tolkien's drastic revisiting and rewriting of his legends.
- Detailed chronology from the creation of the world through the end of the First Age, including an explanation of Valian Years vs mortal years.
- Several essays and legends on the Eldar. In particular, a great deal of information on the mating and naming customs of the Elves, the matter of Finwë and Miriel (Marriage among the Eldar was intended by Eru to last for eternity, and special dispensation was required for Finwe to remarry after Miriel refused to leave the Halls of Mandos after Fëanor's birth), Tolkien's conceptions of the soul and body.
- A long story between Finrod Felagund and a human woman of the house of Hador, discussing the differences between Man and Elf, mortality and immortality, and love between Elf and Man.
- Several short snippets on Morgoth, Sauron, and the origin of the Orcs.
