Middle-Earth Archives - Stephen J Bedard

The Elves of Middle-earth: Understanding Tolkien’s Many Elven Peoples

June 18, 2026June 18, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

Among all the races of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, none are more fascinating or complex than the Elves. Unlike the simplified portrayals often found in fantasy literature, Tolkien’s Elves are divided into numerous branches, clans, and cultures, each with its own history, language, traditions, and relationship to the other Elven peoples. The divisions among the Elves … Read More “The Elves of Middle-earth: Understanding Tolkien’s Many Elven Peoples” »

The Palantíri of Middle-Earth: Tolkien’s Seeing Stones

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

C.S. Lewis and Friends Blog

In the mythology of J. R. R. Tolkien, few objects are as mysterious and influential as the palantíri, the ancient “seeing stones” that appear in The Lord of the Rings. These powerful artifacts allowed communication and vision across vast distances and played a major role in the political and military struggles of Middle-earth during the Third Age. Although … Read More “The Palantíri of Middle-Earth: Tolkien’s Seeing Stones” »

What We Know About the Blue Wizards of Middle-Earth

April 28, 2026April 28, 2026 Stephen Bedard No Comments

C.S. Lewis and Friends Blog

Among the many mysteries in the legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, few are as intriguing as the enigmatic Blue Wizards. Unlike their better-known counterparts, these figures remain shadowy, their fate uncertain and their purpose only partially revealed. Yet, by piecing together Tolkien’s writings, we can form a fascinating picture of who they were—and what role they may … Read More “What We Know About the Blue Wizards of Middle-Earth” »

Rings of Power: Season Two – Review

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024 Stephen Bedard No Comments

C.S. Lewis and Friends Blog, Comic Book Geek

The second season of Rings of Power has been very divisive. There were people who didn’t like the first season but it seems that with the second season, certain people disliked it even more and others absolutely loved it. The main problem, from what I can see, is that this is not based on a … Read More “Rings of Power: Season Two – Review” »

The Rings of Power – First Thoughts

September 3, 2022September 3, 2022 Stephen Bedard 1 Comment

C.S. Lewis and Friends Blog, Comic Book Geek

At the time I am writing this, the first two episodes of The Rings of Power series have been released. This Amazon series is based in the world of Middle-earth, created by J.R.R. Tolkien. First, I want to say that I am a huge Tolkien fan. I have read Lord of the Rings about a … Read More “The Rings of Power – First Thoughts” »

What About the Blue Wizards?

September 29, 2020September 29, 2020 Stephen Bedard No Comments

C.S. Lewis and Friends Blog

I have always been intrigued by the wizards in Tolkien’s world of Middle-earth. Unlike other fantasy worlds, wizards for Tolkien are not humans who have learned sorcery. They are basically angels who have been incarnated in human bodies. There are not a lot of wizards, in fact there are only five. Two play an important … Read More “What About the Blue Wizards?” »

Who is Tom Bombadil?

August 11, 2020August 11, 2020 Stephen Bedard No Comments

C.S. Lewis and Friends Blog

One of the strangest and yet most intriguing figures in the Lord of the Rings is Tom Bombadil. Those who have only read LOTR might not think much of him. Bur if you read more of J.R.R. Tolkien and his Middle-earth mythology you know everything has its place. Is Tom a spirit like Gandalf? But … Read More “Who is Tom Bombadil?” »

The Unfinished Sequel to the Lord of the Rings

August 1, 2020August 1, 2020 Stephen Bedard No Comments

C.S. Lewis and Friends Blog

I love the mythology of Middle-earth that J.R.R. Tolkien created. The Hobbit was great and the Lord of the Rings was better. If only the Lord of the Rings had a sequel. There almost was. In this video he find out about the general outline of what Tolkien’s sequel was to look like. It sounds … Read More “The Unfinished Sequel to the Lord of the Rings” »

Thoughts on Unfinished Tales

November 25, 2017April 26, 2019 Stephen Bedard No Comments

C.S. Lewis and Friends Blog

When most people think about J.R.R. Tolkien, they think of the Hobbit and the Lord of Rings. While those are his most popular books, there are others, even others set in the same Middle-earth. The next one I would recommend is the Silmarillion. But after that, I would recommend Unfinished Tales. Tolkien’s son, Christopher Tolkien … Read More “Thoughts on Unfinished Tales” »