The Grey Havens: A History | Tolkien Explained

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  • Опубликовано: 28 янв 2025

Комментарии • 176

  • @thebrowneyesofmandalore
    @thebrowneyesofmandalore Год назад +14

    The departure of Cìrdan to the Undying Lands always gives me goosebumps. It’s such a melancholy moment, taking with him the last remaining knowledge of the Elder Days, that it gives me happy/ sad tears.

  • @xavierjenkins2425
    @xavierjenkins2425 Год назад +110

    "And all will turn
    To silver glass
    A light on the water
    Grey ships pass
    Into the West"
    Bro i'm tearing up all over again

    • @ketanhein
      @ketanhein Год назад +2

      that song on the OST by Annie Lennox hits me every time.

    • @typacsk
      @typacsk Год назад +3

      @@ketanhein She earned that Oscar :) (I just checked what the other nominees were -- "My Ain True Love" and the "Triplets of Belleville" song were good and all, but they don't compare.)

    • @JustDeifyme
      @JustDeifyme Год назад +3

      I cannot listen to that song without starting to bawl like a child

    • @ketanhein
      @ketanhein Год назад +4

      @@typacsk agreed, mellon

    • @ketanhein
      @ketanhein Год назад

      @@JustDeifyme It makes me tear up too.

  • @nikkik1109
    @nikkik1109 Год назад +47

    The Grey havens was an important strategic port not only for Aid during war but also for safe passage to valinor!!! If it ever fell then quite possibly Evil and darkness would have won out. Another great vid NOTR

    • @teleportedbreadfor3days
      @teleportedbreadfor3days Год назад +1

      The standing of the Grey Havens is what makes true conquest and dominion over Middle Earth impossible for evil, whether they are called Morgoth or Sauron. So long as the fair Valar stood and stood powerfully, the Grey Havens would remain under their protection and all efforts in conquest and warfare would be futile before them. Morgoth was defeated twice by them, leaving whether he ever had a chance of defeating his kin to question. Sauron, however, doubtfully could take on the forces of the Grey Havens with his own and himself, no small reason being he is a former Maia.

  • @anni.68
    @anni.68 Год назад +48

    “Take this ring, Master… for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the Sea, and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.” (Cirdan to Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B)

    • @neemz0117
      @neemz0117 Год назад +3

      The only thing I never got was if cirdan knew what was going to happen... howcome he just didn't say... I've had this vision.. and yall will be successful

  • @aletheuo475
    @aletheuo475 Год назад +63

    I find the figure of Cirdan intriguing, possibly because he's so shadowy in the main narrative, and it's odd that someone so ancient, wise and powerful is so little mentioned. Yet his patience and steadfastness are admirable.

  • @laurahunt2279
    @laurahunt2279 4 месяца назад +1

    Thanks! I’ve loved your astonishingly knowledgeable videos for years, but now I value your perceptive , measured comments on the Rings of Power as well. Your talks and use of beautiful artworks are a great gift to all lovers of Tolkien’s work. Heartfelt thanks for enriching my world.

  • @northernpaladin66
    @northernpaladin66 Год назад +45

    The sailing of Cirdan and Celeborn is the truly sad moment.

    • @heithemb8154
      @heithemb8154 10 месяцев назад +1

      It is sad that the last creatures holding memories of the old age left Middle-earth but it's somehow comforting to imagine they were not alone on this trip 😅

  • @MJC1891
    @MJC1891 Год назад +111

    Everything Tolkien made was beautiful. Love this world

  • @j-dmachado4349
    @j-dmachado4349 Год назад +16

    A beautiful overview of a gorgeous location full of such grandeur and emotion! Thanks again, Matt!
    Also, I’m pretty sure I’m going to ask for that famous quote on my headstone: “the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise.” 💚 We’ll see!

  • @nafisamusah7085
    @nafisamusah7085 Год назад +12

    Instant tearjerker this scene😭😭😭

  • @vitoriol
    @vitoriol Год назад +21

    "Yay! You listened to our request for a video about Aldarion!"

  • @FaidosWorkshop
    @FaidosWorkshop Год назад +5

    I needed this. I always found the gray havens so fascinating, and I could never understand them before.

    • @Eowyn3Pride
      @Eowyn3Pride Год назад +1

      I would love a Grey Haven Nautical theme for my room!

  • @eanandre8774
    @eanandre8774 Год назад +6

    I hope you had a great trip to Middle Earth! I’m also a nerd of the rings. I love watching your play through of Return To Moria. You are the reason I bought the game. I just wanted to tell you that I would love it if you did a Return to Moria, delving in the darkest deep, kill the nameless things, and build a massive fort.

  • @Eowyn3Pride
    @Eowyn3Pride Год назад +14

    This was most welcome! Very informative and enjoyable. Matt you always help us experience a little more "Middle-Earth" with every video!🧝‍♀️🧝‍♂️🧙‍♂️🍻🥔

  • @MissGimpsAlot
    @MissGimpsAlot Год назад +10

    "Lay down your sweet, and weary head...." 🎶

  • @micheleshave323
    @micheleshave323 Год назад +3

    This was a wonderful video. And just in time for Weta Workshops release of the grey havens environment 😀🙏. I am wondering if in future videos you might consider listing your source material so that we can go to it for review.

  • @drehawkins131
    @drehawkins131 Год назад +2

    Man thats emotional.
    Great work as always

  • @derekcharlton178
    @derekcharlton178 Год назад +3

    Hello NOTR. As usual, a wonderful video! Thank you for making quality videos that help to spread appreciation for Tolkien's legendarium. I want to point out that the image appearing at 0:32 wildly exaggerates the scale of Beleriand. Would you please consider finding an alternative overlay image for future videos? Cheers!

  • @DiZ_490
    @DiZ_490 Год назад +16

    "What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the Sea, a pale moon rises. The ships have come to carry you home, and all will turn to silver glass, a light on the water, all souls pass into The West."

    • @bohemianfapsody9218
      @bohemianfapsody9218 Год назад +1

      I’ll never forget the tears I shed at age 17 the first time I heard this. I was a senior in high school.

  • @aboileaumusic
    @aboileaumusic Год назад +6

    It would be great to have those episodes in an audio format! 🎧

  • @Sam-ig2jm
    @Sam-ig2jm Год назад

    There is something magical in the tales of first and second ages and all the stuff regarding it.. miss these stories.
    Hope one day these tales will be adapted in a good way

  • @valentinkambushev4968
    @valentinkambushev4968 Год назад +373

    I don't care that you didn't cry on Titanic, but if you didn't cry while reading or watching Gandalf and Frodo's leaving, then I am not mad, but I am disappointed.

    • @sunny_froyo
      @sunny_froyo Год назад +8

      That's gay

    • @zachpugh4768
      @zachpugh4768 Год назад

      Mate it will happen in every certain books. I only cry when pets dies

    • @RivenGreivances
      @RivenGreivances Год назад +7

      I know now why you cry, but it’s something I can never do.

    • @jonbull7363
      @jonbull7363 Год назад +6

      While that very emotional, you bow to no one and I can carry you hit me harder.

    • @OccasusRaven
      @OccasusRaven Год назад +5

      @valentinkambushev4968 i always cry little in the end Lord of the rings return of the king movie when i see ship sail to the West

  • @Beryllahawk
    @Beryllahawk Год назад +5

    Of the places I'd like to actually go in Middle Earth this is right up there. It's hard to say if I'd pick it over Lothlorien but, maybe.
    And the song from the Peter Jackson films was playing in my head this entire video, by the way, so yeah, a little weepy :D
    Thank you for another great video!

  • @purefoldnz3070
    @purefoldnz3070 Год назад +1

    these videos are so relaxing to listen to.

  • @freddelarsson4434
    @freddelarsson4434 Год назад +1

    These videos are so well put together

  • @samuellivermore577
    @samuellivermore577 Год назад

    Still never fails to bring me to tears. 20+ times Ive watched ROTK and I can't fight it. Amazing.

  • @zam6877
    @zam6877 Год назад +5

    Those last lines harking to fleeting dream brought tears to my eyes
    Long ago, tucked in my mom's bed with the flu ...she started this adventure by reading to me "The Hobbit"

  • @holgor87
    @holgor87 Год назад

    Im just Ear-Reading through the silmarillion again and this video connected so much for me. Thank you for your work! Made my day

  • @JonasMarshalChilders-sv3jj
    @JonasMarshalChilders-sv3jj Год назад +4

    Ngl, I totally forgot about the Gray Havens until you made a video about it 😂! Thank you!

  • @MatthewBerman-i3j
    @MatthewBerman-i3j Год назад +1

    Love your vids and explonations, Best LOTR channel 😊

  • @deanzaZZR
    @deanzaZZR Год назад +3

    @6:00 I see you Shadowfax. I have always been curious of the theory that Gandalf took Shadowfax back to the Aman. Has anyone on YT tried to explain why?

  • @andrewthomas891
    @andrewthomas891 2 месяца назад

    Matt this was a Masterpiece Sir!

  • @sprgeorge333
    @sprgeorge333 Год назад

    This is probably the best channel here.

  • @imraduin
    @imraduin Год назад

    The description of Valinor is to me the most beautiful line in all of the legendarium. Fills me with with a longing to see it, even when it's not a real place.

  • @kitsune2858
    @kitsune2858 Год назад

    Your voice and the graphics mix very well together :)

  • @WalkSkyWalker
    @WalkSkyWalker Год назад

    Congrats on 1M!

    • @WalkSkyWalker
      @WalkSkyWalker Год назад

      Huge especially for a LOTR RUclipsr, super awesome man inspirational

  • @LadyAlaina42-c3e
    @LadyAlaina42-c3e 5 месяцев назад

    This is the most informative story I have heard re LOTR beginnings.

  • @STMukr
    @STMukr Год назад

    Thks for video. With warm heart. Alwayd waiting your new videos.❤

  • @unlimitedduckgamer
    @unlimitedduckgamer 10 месяцев назад

    The final scene of Frodo sailing into the west makes me cry every time. Not many things cause me to tear up, but that very scene is one of them. "I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil" - Gandalf

  • @nourriadh6976
    @nourriadh6976 Год назад +10

    I was just reading about Círdan and the Grey Havens when I got the notification. Coincidence? I think not.

  • @dansuciu733
    @dansuciu733 Год назад +2

    You need to make a video about the last days of the elves who did not went with the last ship.

  • @VoiceoftheRings
    @VoiceoftheRings Год назад

    My Favorite!!! Thanks for the video! :D

  • @glockparaastra
    @glockparaastra Год назад

    The new Weta collectable is stunning!

  • @GetWRXT
    @GetWRXT 10 месяцев назад

    You should do a video on why and how many elves left in the 4th age and who remained in middle earth and reasoning.

  • @annaroselarsen4218
    @annaroselarsen4218 Год назад +3

    Awww the ending of return of the king is beautiful

  • @dylansilver9035
    @dylansilver9035 Год назад

    I know little to nothing is known about the “Dark Land” but you should do a video on it Matt

  • @paulmcleod8370
    @paulmcleod8370 Год назад

    Thank you Matt for more enlightenment 👍👍🤛🏼

  • @kanealoha
    @kanealoha Год назад

    Thank you for this most excellent video.

  • @CrazyNights1015
    @CrazyNights1015 11 месяцев назад

    Love the ending to your videos.

  • @Leikjarinn
    @Leikjarinn 11 месяцев назад

    Every year i read the trilogy and watch your videos ♥️ from Iceland

  • @mtgemperor
    @mtgemperor Год назад +4

    Unless my ears deceive me, your voice is sounding deeper and lower than usual. Hope you are fine, friend.
    BTW, thanks for the video! Excellent work as always.

    • @valentinkambushev4968
      @valentinkambushev4968 Год назад

      Maybe he is using a different mic.

    • @Nagy.Patrik
      @Nagy.Patrik Год назад

      @@valentinkambushev4968 I hope his voice will sound the same as usual, i liked it better.

  • @Jayjay-qe6um
    @Jayjay-qe6um Год назад +2

    In the film adaptation of The Return of the King, the Grey Havens makes an appearance in the last major scene. The port city is built on a large natural bay, and its design is quite different to that of Rivendell and Lothlorien, but it is still recognisably Elvish.
    Unlike the more sedate version of the Third Age portrayed in the film adaptation of The Return of the King, the Grey Havens in The Rings of Power is ruled by Gil-galad as the foremost settlement of High Elves remaining in Middle-earth in the Second Page, and is capital city of the west coastal lands of Lindon.

  • @WardenWolf
    @WardenWolf 11 месяцев назад +2

    To my knowledge, the only people who touched the ring who didn't die in the books or leave Middle Earth on the Elven ships were Tom Bombadil, Aragorn, and Faramir. And they only held it momentarily. I interpret it as the ring's corruption had to be removed from Middle Earth entirely.

  • @wardaddy6595
    @wardaddy6595 Год назад +1

    Bilbo's uncle, Isengar Took, was said to have "gone to sea" in his youth. I wonder if he wandered over to the Havens, which were only a short journey from the West Farthing.

  • @kristenrosales2919
    @kristenrosales2919 Год назад +1

    This scene in both the book and the film always makes me misty eyed.

  • @sandal_thong
    @sandal_thong Год назад +5

    I think several people have wondered about when Legolas took a ship to the Undying Lands of the West as there seems to be some discrepancy. 6:19 If the quote about Cirdan and Celeborn taking the Last Ship is correct, then Legolas and Gimli would have to leave before that, unless they built their own ship? I think it was said that Arwen went to Lorien after the last ship had left, so there was no means for her to go, even if she wanted to. But if they built their own ship after Arwen's passing, then Cirdan's wasn't really the Last Ship, but perhaps only Cirdan's last ship. I could imagine other elves like Legolas building ships for the passage West, perhaps divinely-inspired.
    Which also poses the question of whether all the elves have left by this time, or there's still some in Lindon, Mirkwood or Ithilien?

    • @chronoscat3371
      @chronoscat3371 Год назад

      I don't have the book handy to check, but I'm pretty sure Legolas and Gimli built their own ship. Also many elves did remain in Middle Earth, but they faded into the background of history over time - and eventually faded physically, to the point that today they are much like ghosts.

  • @scoobysnacker1999
    @scoobysnacker1999 Год назад +1

    So, have the ships and sailors bringing the Istari East ever been described or discussed? Was this how Glorfindel returned? It's seemingly overlooked, but those Elves must have been a wonder to the denizens of Middle Earth. Surely any remaining Noldor from Valinor would have been interested in them...
    Or did Ulmo or Osse simply transport them?

  • @treyowen9213
    @treyowen9213 Год назад +2

    0:05 and the radio drama

  • @heithemb8154
    @heithemb8154 10 месяцев назад

    Hey Mat, what about Thranduil? He is from the Noldor or Teleri right, did he take a ship to west too? When?

  • @andrejadame5233
    @andrejadame5233 Год назад

    Hey there, nie video as always. I want to buy all the main books from J.R.R. Tolkien. Want to buy the whole set. Is there any set or specific "type" you would recommend. Want to have it also as a nice memory so the books looks nice and are from the same "author" or "company". thanks a lot.

  • @jaredhartley
    @jaredhartley Год назад +13

    Cirdan is one of the most insightful elves

    • @robinminn271
      @robinminn271 Год назад

      There must be a special place in Valinor for him. No one not even Gandalf was as faithful as he. He came into existence beside the lake hear to the depths of his soul the call to go West but stayed to help his brethren destruction after destruction of Middle Earth yearning to go West but staying.
      A Hero Supreme

  • @kirandeepchakraborty7921
    @kirandeepchakraborty7921 Год назад

    Nice, sweet, and short. ❤

  • @rottenroads1982
    @rottenroads1982 6 месяцев назад

    The Scene where Gandalf and Frodo leave Middle Earth, that is where I have to hold in the tears.

  • @Dom-z4b
    @Dom-z4b Год назад

    do a video on Eomer

  • @nemanjakuzmic6165
    @nemanjakuzmic6165 11 месяцев назад

    Hope they hire you to do research on lore for future films and series

  • @BITSANDBYTES927
    @BITSANDBYTES927 Год назад

    I think it's interesting that Frodo mentions Bombadil's house when they are arriving in valinor. I think bombadil might be from there or something

  • @Pengalen
    @Pengalen Год назад +1

    Every time I hear about the elves leaving middle earth, it makes me sad.

  • @colinbaldwin313
    @colinbaldwin313 Год назад +2

    What exactly is the significance of the color "Grey" in "Grey Havens"?

  • @someguy8443
    @someguy8443 Год назад

    All this fascinating lore from the (literally) amazing books and other writings is (literally) awesome, as in the details of lore inspire awe and the overall writings are an achievement that is amazing. The movies, particularly the original trilogy, are also literally awesome and amazing but weighted for the medium.
    I don't know how movies or even series could ever convey such depth and magnificent detail as the books. Ultimately, this implies strongly that well written books will always be "better" than any derived visual product almost by definition.
    So, if a book is truly well written it will be better than the movie and thus it -should- go without saying that book "X" is better than movie "X". I find that funny given how contentious it can be to make such statements, and the humor I found in that realization is both the point of this post and why I shared.

  • @raphaelargus2984
    @raphaelargus2984 Год назад

    Right before Aragorn died, he said to Arwen she might choose to go to the Havens, but she said it's too late, she already made her choice, and regardless, there were no longer any ships that would bear her hence. So by year 122 of the Fourth Age, Cirdan must have already left with the last ship.

  • @luudest
    @luudest Год назад +3

    Cirdan was a Teleri?

    • @ryancruz1876
      @ryancruz1876 Год назад +3

      Yup. A Teler of the Falmari to be specific.

  • @stevesminty
    @stevesminty Год назад

    I love when artists remember that Shadowfax is also supposed to be on the ship with Gandalf and the rest XD

  • @Twiceborn_by_grace
    @Twiceborn_by_grace Год назад

    I always smile/laugh when you say TomDaBombadil19. That is such a cool username.

  • @stephen9609
    @stephen9609 Год назад +1

    why did it seem so empty at the end of ROTK?

  • @matthiasarran270
    @matthiasarran270 Год назад +3

    I cannot wait for LOTRO to develop this region!

  • @TheAlkhemiaStudio
    @TheAlkhemiaStudio Год назад

    I do wonder know, does frodo ages/gets old in the undying lands? It would be weird for frodo to have gone after the war of the ring and stayed with his "mature" look and see many years later the arrival of old-man sam. Also I do wonder what happend to Bilbo too. Did he die on those lands or did he became an immortal? 🤔

  • @i_DONT_get_IT
    @i_DONT_get_IT 11 месяцев назад

    Next video idea: “What if Frodo had left the ring in Rivendell with the Elves?”

  • @chandlermorris2219
    @chandlermorris2219 Год назад

    Hey I have always wondered what would happen if Unguliant ate the silmarils.

  • @4Bobay
    @4Bobay Год назад

    Can anyone help me out regarding as to why the Noldor mostly lived in Forlindon while the Sindar chose Harlindon? Is there a source from Tolkien to explain this? Thank you in advance.

  • @davidmiddleton7958
    @davidmiddleton7958 11 месяцев назад

    The Grey Havens, for the Elves, a last bastion & the way to Valinor. Those representing The Noldor & Sindarian elves recognised it as there last hope to flee Middle Earth.

    • @Freedmoon44
      @Freedmoon44 6 месяцев назад

      Because it was de Facto, both the Grey Havens and Cirdans are litteraly the last hope to leave middle earth. The Havens as the point where we enter the straight road, and Cirdan to build the ship that will send you there.
      Should either have fallen they wouldve been lost, with only a possible path from Valinor to the havens possible should they choose to, as none would be able to leave middle earth anymore

  • @briangarrow448
    @briangarrow448 Год назад +1

    I will not say, do not cry, for not all tears are an evil…

  • @Dannywise527
    @Dannywise527 Год назад

    Please help me with a video on the three numenoran Kings that were decieved by Sauron into accepting the rings of Power forged by him.

  • @David.Bowman.
    @David.Bowman. Год назад

    Aaaah Aberystwyth, maybe my favourite town in Wales

  • @RenaudBOCLET
    @RenaudBOCLET 11 месяцев назад

    Many thanks for your hard and inspired work as an exegete to Tolkien's world. I am struggling writing this thru emotion, as it is so rare to meet someone who is smart and good enough (cause that's what it's about really, you great soul

  • @sergio_botero
    @sergio_botero Год назад +7

    The blue wizards arrived in the grey havens to thwart Sauron's influence in the east, around the same time he forged the one ring, the Nazgul appeared, and the high men began turning envious of the elves and greedy during Tar-Ciryatan's rule, which does not seem like a coincidence at all.

    • @ryancruz1876
      @ryancruz1876 Год назад +2

      We don’t know how the (or even necessarily when) the Blue Wizards arrived in Middle-earth.

    • @Freedmoon44
      @Freedmoon44 6 месяцев назад

      Well we know they arrived first at least so relatively speaking they came before the other 3​@@ryancruz1876

  • @magicllama9614
    @magicllama9614 Год назад +1

    Were Cirdan and Celeborn the LAST elves in Middle Earth? I think they were, but does anyone have any confirmation?

  • @colinleat8309
    @colinleat8309 Год назад +2

    Anyone who didn't cry at this moment book or movie is dead inside 🤣

  • @MK-gainz
    @MK-gainz Год назад +2

    Great story! Would like to make a video of ecthelion??

  • @deborahmertens9219
    @deborahmertens9219 11 месяцев назад

    So, anyone who had worn the ring & was of good heart(?) was allowed to go to the ‘Undying Lands?’
    Why is that? Is it because their bodies had a sliver of the power of the ring and therefore could be used to corrupt something?

  • @Lord-Emperor-Vader
    @Lord-Emperor-Vader Год назад

    I have a question I was thinking about how many people would have died in the various wars of the First Age and estimated about 4 trillion. I based this off of a high estimate of about 2.5 million deaths a year (about how how many died a year in WW2) and a low end of 100 thousand a year (felt that is a low but reasonable number) multiplied by the years of the first age and got the average of those two which is where I got the number. Is this too high or does this sound reasonable.

    • @istari0
      @istari0 Год назад +1

      4 trillion is not possible. Estimates of the total number of humans that have ever lived are 110-120 billion. There was no way enough food could be provided to support massive populations back in the First Age. The wars of that time were not continuous; most of the time, such as during the siege of Angband, there was little fighting going on. Even the War of Wrath was less than 50 years. The vast majority of the combatants were fighting with weapons like swords, axes, and bows, which are nowhere near as efficient at killing as contemporary firearms.

  • @tymcfadden8496
    @tymcfadden8496 9 месяцев назад

    I've always thought of The Grey Havens as akin to the gateway between Heaven and Earth.

  • @slippery_yeti4779
    @slippery_yeti4779 Год назад

    After the elves left, who was left in middle earth? Was that the beginning of the age of men? The leaving of the elves seems so sad.

  • @scorpion19142001
    @scorpion19142001 2 месяца назад

    Was this a movie or part of a novel?

  • @JAB6322
    @JAB6322 Год назад +1

    Everytime I hear the "Grey Havens", the scene in the LOTR movie where Frodo and Sam witness the Passing of the Elves leaving Middle Earth while they sang a sombre and angelic song of worship to Varda always pops up in my mind. 🥲

  • @MC-810
    @MC-810 Год назад

    6:57
    How do we know what Frodo experienced? We, the reader, are supposed to believe that this was all passed down in the Red Book, how did this information get in the Red Book once they passed over the sea? They didn’t have WhatsApp!

  • @TheDJMeyer85
    @TheDJMeyer85 Год назад

    When did Legolas and Gimli leave for Valinor because I thought they were the last ship 🤔

  • @phoule76
    @phoule76 Год назад

    So Legolas's ship that carried him and Gimli left before Cirdan and Celeborn?

  • @paulmcleod8370
    @paulmcleod8370 Год назад

    Would it not be possible to have a game whereby you could build some of the wonderful cities of LOTR and then go on to create your own

  • @ישראלפרידמן-ר7ל
    @ישראלפרידמן-ר7ל 10 месяцев назад

    Legolas and Gimli will also sail from there on many days

  • @pohordebbarma4505
    @pohordebbarma4505 Год назад

    So no Elves were left in Middle Earth, Very Sad the very land they once ruled now it is in memory