The Lays of Beleriand: The History of Middle-earth - Softcover

Tolkien, J.R.R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0063580195 ISBN 13: 9780063580190

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks, 2026

Synopsis

The third volume of The History of Middle-earth contains the early myths and legends which led to the writing of Tolkien’s epic tale of war, The Silmarillion.

The Lays of Beleriand, the third volume of 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 Turien 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 The first of the poems is the unpublished “Lay of The Children of Húrin,” narrating on a grand scale the tragedy of Túrin Turambar.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 The Leithian” by C. S. Lewis, who read the poem in 1929.

About this title

About the Author

J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973) was a distinguished academic, though he is best known for writing The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion, plus other stories and essays. His books have been translated into over sixty languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.

Edition details

• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0063580195
• ISBN 13: 9780063580190
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 400