Arms and Armour in Tolkien: An Arguement for Creativity

[IronHills Dwarf]

Just wanted to let all WotR members know that I have an article published in the Tolkien journal 'In Fellowship', put out by the good folks behind 'The Gathering' events (you know, the huge event that'll be in Toronto in 2006 :)) with the article title being one and the same with this thread's title. ;) For details on how to obtain a copy if you want to give my work a shot, visit;

http://gatheringofthefellowship.org/community/journal.html

I'm afraid I can't post the article since the journal is a paid publication and I don't want to cut them out, but I can tell you there's lots of good material inside this first issue (my stuff not withstanding lol). If you guys really need a teaser of my article I could arrange to post the first paragraph or something. :grin:

[Elfdaughter]

Ooh, please do! I know how knowledgeable you are, but the first paragraph or so would just give us a little taster...;)

[IronHills Dwarf]

Sure thing. :)

"An oft-heard complaint by the older members of the Tolkien community, learned in arms and armour, is tha the current crop of fantasy illustrators and writers, who are often heavily influenced by the Peter Jackson film trilogy, do not conform their weaponry and armour to what Tolkien intended when he wrote his epics. They argue for an arms culture ver derivative of what they view as the counterparts in our world to Tolkien's races. For example, the swords of men and elves should be straight-bladed and there should be very heavy Norse and Celtic influence throughout. This, they argue, is only correct because this is what influenced Tolkien in the first place; thus one can assume that this is what he imangined and therefore intended. I humbly beg to differ with this viewpoint, seeing it as unsubstantiated and lacking on numerous levels. I do not offer my argument as anything more than an opposing opinion. I can no more argue for the authentitcity of my thought in terms of Tolkien purity than any other Tolkien scholar -except in logic. Tolkien should be different for every individual, not to be digested in an absolute form. Firstly, it is entirely flawed to try and represent any viewpoint as Tolkien's without clear, substantiated proof. We have no idea what the good professor intended for all point of his work. This argument fo derivatives ignores a key factor in the creative process of Tolkien."

[Lynx]

For all the Warringers interested in Arms and Armour - IHD's article is a great read! ;0

[Periantari Andruil]

I think this post/thread is also appropriate in the Armoury, IHD. ;)
Sounds really interesting so far, IHD! :thumbs:

[Elfdaughter]

Sounds brilliant so far! Thanks, IHD!

[Cassandria]

Oh, sounds very interesting IHD! :thumbs: I ordered mine! :stomper: Hey by the way, what books did you use for sources?

[IronHills Dwarf]

Sources? Well Tolkien... lol LotR the Sil and the letters. For the rest my brain and collected weaponry knowledge.

[Cassandria]

Ah well, I'm so glad you used Tolkien's then...that is what I was getting at. I have seen other weaponry books in regards to Tolkien. I was just curious if you used them, or Tolkien's books as your source! Makes alot of difference in my opinion. :p

[IronHills Dwarf]

I've always been a fan of going to the source, I really in some ways could care less about the opinions of others on this particular subject, since it's so subjective it may as well be my subjectivity. If that makes any sense. :-/ :blush: :grin:

[IronHills Dwarf]

Full article now here:

http://www.warofthering.net/forums/vbulletin225/upload/showthread.php?t=9086

[Periantari Andruil]

Thanks IronHIllsDwarf! :thumbs: :thumbs: will read it when i can. :) :thumbs: