Before the Lord of the Rings: Mythology of Tolkien’s World

Overview

​Most people know The Lord of the Rings from the films. But that story is just the final chapter of a much larger tale. Tolkien created an entire mythology to give his world a sense of real, lived depth, filled with myths, epic wars, doomed romances, and the rise and fall of elven, dwarven, and human kingdoms.

​This three-session course is a friendly, story-driven introduction to those deeper legends. You’ll meet characters whose choices shaped the events of the films, discover where Sauron came from, and see why the Elves feel their time in Middle-earth is ending.

​We’ll explore:

• ​The creation of the world and the different kinds of beings who shaped it and live within it.
• ​The First Age, when the Elves fought Morgoth, the original Dark Lord, and when love between an Elf and a Man changed the fate of the world.
• ​The Second Age, with the glory and downfall of Númenor, the forging of the Rings of Power, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.

​By the end, you’ll be able to watch The Lord of the Rings as someone who knows the lore, recognising the echoes of ancient events and understanding the characters and their choices with a deeper appreciation of what is at stake.

​Prerequisites

No need to have read The Silmarillion or any of the books! We do suggest you’ve watched at least one The Lord of the Rings film (or read one of the books) so that the world feels familiar.

Location

The course's location, the Westminster Quaker Meeting House, is close to the Leicester Square tube station.

Price

The price is £35 and it includes all three sessions. If the cost is a challenge, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at x@shoshincollege.org. We want this offering to be accessible.

Session Dates

Week 1: Before the World Began

Thu 16 Oct 2025, 6:45 pm

Long before hobbits, kings, and wizards, Tolkien imagined how his world came to be. In this session, you’ll hear the story of the great Music that shaped mountains, seas, and skies, meet the angelic Valar who guided its making, and see the first light that shone on Middle-earth. The session ends with the awakening of the Elves under the stars, and the first hints of danger.

Week 2: The War for the Silmarils

Thu 23 Oct 2025, 6:45 pm

In the early ages, the Elves faced a dark enemy who wanted to rule all of Middle-earth. We’ll follow the making of the Silmarils, jewels so beautiful they sparked rebellion, betrayal, and wars. And you’ll hear the tale of Beren and Lúthien, a mortal man and an Elf whose love defied death.

Week 3: From Númenor to the War of the Ring

Thu 30 Oct 2025, 6:45 pm

This session covers the rise and fall of Númenor, the greatest kingdom of Men (mortal humans), and how its downfall gave Sauron the chance to forge the One Ring. We’ll see why Elves and Men fought side by side in the Last Alliance, and how these events lead directly into the opening of The Lord of the Rings.