THE HISTORY OF MIDDLE-EARTH :

THE LAYS OF BELERIAND
First published in 1985, by George Allen & Unwin. Volume 3 of The History of Middle-earth series.

"The power of Tolkien's central characters—tragic, cursed Túrin; the lovers Beren and Lúthien—shines through."

~ Library Journal

The third volume to "The History of Middle-earth," gives us a privileged insight into the creation of the mythology of Middle-earth, through the alliterative verse tales of two of the most crucial stories in Tolkien's world—those of Túrin and Lúthien. The first of the poems is the unpublished "Lay of the Children of Húrin," narrating on a grand scale the tragedy of Túrin Turambar. The second is the moving "Lay of Leithian," the chief source of the tale of Beren and Lúthien in "The Silmarillion," telling of the Quest of the Silmaril and the encounter with Morgoth in his subterranean fortress.

Accompanying the poems are commentaries on the evolution of the history of the Elder Days. Also included is the notable criticism of "The Lay of Leithian" by C.S. Lewis, who read the poem in 1929.

PAGE NOTES:

• Learn more about "The Lays of Beleriand," by reading the 'Wikipedia Entry' for this book.