Uruk-Hai

[Beren87]

I have a question. I read in one book that the Uruk-Hai were originally bred by Sauron, and called Hobgoblins. But in other places it says that they were bred by Saruman. Which is the right evildoer?

[Luineglin]

well it is said that all that was invented by sauramon was sent by sauron so u might say that it was sauramon but it wasnt.

[Marileangorifurnimaluim]

The only reference I've seen is from Treebeard, and he wasn't sure, but thought Saruman might be "blending the lines of orcs and men - that would be a black evil." But you're right, Saruman was copying Mordor. Unwittingly. The (re)design of Isengard is referred to being like a child's copy of Mordor, though it's mentioned that he thought it very grand and didn't realize it wasn't his idea.

-Maril

[Elrian]

Uruk-Hai: Strain of Orcs bred by Sauron in the Third Age in Mordor. The Uruk-Hai first appeared about 2475, when they overran Ithilien and took Osgiliath. By the time of the War of the Ring Uruks were used by both Sauron and Saruman. The Complete Guide To Middle Earth.

[Zippo]

That sounds like a dictionary definition, but that explains it! smilies/wink.gif

[Luineglin]

so to put in regular launage it was sauron not saruamon and they were men and orcs mixed.

[Elrian]

It said nothing about being Men and Orcs mixed, and it was plain enough. smilies/rolleyes.gif

[Luineglin]

shhhhhhh he might not know that.

[Mithadan]

Foster's Complete Guide is not always completely accurate and sometimes contains his own interpretations. As I understand it (and I may be wrong) the Uruks were inordinately large orcs bred by Sauron, but the Uruk-Hai were a different breed created by Saruman, likely through careful breeding, maybe including the addition of a human element in the gene pool.

[Elrian]

In the glossary of Unfinished Tales it says that Uruks: Anglicized form of Uruk Hai of the Black Speech; a race of Orcs of great size and strength.