The Real Middle Earth: Exploring the Magic and Mystery of the Middle Ages, J.R.R. Tolkien, and "The Lord of the Rings"

974 Pages·2015·1.84 MB·English

by  Brian Bates

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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Acknowledgements
Maps
REDISCOVERING THE REAL MIDDLE-EARTH
1. The Real Middle-earth
2. The People of Middle-earth
3. How They Lived
4. The Magic of the Forest
THE DOOM OF DRAGONS
5. Towers of Doom
6. The Dragon’s Lair
7. A Hoard of Treasure
THE ENCHANTED EARTH
8. Elves’ Arrows
9. Plant Magic
10. Spirit Nights
11. Wells of Wisdom
MAGICAL BEASTS
12. The Raven’s Omen
13. Shapeshifters
14. The Wizard’s Wild Ride
WIZARDS OF WYRD
15. The Web of Destiny
16. The Seeress
DWARVES, GIANTS AND MONSTERS
17. Ents
18. The Dwarves’ Forge
19. Spellbinding
20. The Spider Monster
VOYAGE TO THE OTHERWORLD
21. Journey to the Edge of Middle-earth
Notes
Index
Copyright
Acknowledgements
The Real Middle-earth is a subject that rambles like the roots of a great oak –
well beyond the boundaries of conventional disciplines. Over the decades spent
researching this fascinating topic I have benefited from the generous help of
people who have each, in their ways, explored the territory. It started with that
great British writer on Zen and Tao, Alan Watts, who, from his retreat on Mount
Tamalpais, encouraged me to rediscover the magic and mystery of ancient
England. And then I was fortunate to have the advice, wisdom and Glaswegian
humour of the eminent psychiatrist R. D. Laing. Both these men are long gone to
the Otherworld, but I still honour their wit, their shapeshifting, and our many
discussions into the wee hours.
Much more recently, friends and colleagues who advised me are legion; they
know who they are, and I thank them all. I have space to mention a few, starting
with anthropologist Dr Susan Greenwood, who teaches Shamanic Consciousness
with me at the University of Sussex. I am grateful for her informed views on
imaginal states of mind, and for her letting me read the draft of her forthcoming
book Nature, Religion, and Magical Consciousness. Historian John Russell
engaged with me in many lively and humorous discussions on the nature of
historical evidence, the powers of wizards, and perspectives on Tolkien’s
Middle-earth. Romani spiritual teacher (chovihano) Jasper Lee, and Lizzie Gotts,
introduced me to the ‘little folk’ of the Jal tradition, and I am also grateful for
Jasper’s healing presence after the car accident. Oneida tribal elder Professor
Apela Colorado shared with me her profound understanding of the spiritual
worlds of indigenous peoples and provided inspiring and practical support for
my work in rediscovering knowledge from ancient Europe; stained-glass artist
and sacred landscapes researcher Kathy Shaw kindly took me to visit the ancient
yew of Ankerwyke and outlined her fascinating insights into the imagination-
charged environment of ancient times; architect Susanne Nessensohn shared
with me her visions of the Celtic Otherworld, and also her sensitive insights into
King Redwald; and anthropologist Dr Merete Jakobsen provided invariably
stimulating discussions of her research into shamans, the implications of magic –
and the enchantment of stories.
For sustaining me throughout the writing I am grateful to Rachel Turner for
her superb coaching; my literary agent Ed Victor, and my editors at Macmillan,
Gordon Wise and Ingrid Connell, for knowledgeable advice and encouragement
throughout. Also thanks to Jacqui Butler for her resourceful picture research.
Last but not least, my family; Beth, Pearl and Robin unfailingly provided me
with great ideas and loving support.

REDISCOVERING THE REAL
MIDDLE-EARTH