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davem · 02-02-2007, 04:24 PM

It also shares aspects of the medieval college as a place of learning, & as you state, there is a distinct absence of 'religious' practice - of course the earliest Universities were often founded & run by Churchmen. However Rivendell has an aspect which neither Abbeys nor early Universities had - it was, as Tolkien stated, a homely place. I'm sure (now you point it out) that Tolkien drew on the image/ideal of the Abbey, & as well as the University, but also on the Hotels & pensions he would have seen in Switzerland. here

I think, as was usual with Tolkien, a lot of things went into creating the secondary world, & I don't doubt that the Abbey (at least its 'ideal' went into the mix)

02-02-2007, 04:24 PM	#4
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	It also shares aspects of the medieval college as a place of learning, & as you state, there is a distinct absence of 'religious' practice - of course the earliest Universities were often founded & run by Churchmen. However Rivendell has an aspect which neither Abbeys nor early Universities had - it was, as Tolkien stated, a homely place. I'm sure (now you point it out) that Tolkien drew on the image/ideal of the Abbey, & as well as the University, but also on the Hotels & pensions he would have seen in Switzerland. here I think, as was usual with Tolkien, a lot of things went into creating the secondary world, & I don't doubt that the Abbey (at least its 'ideal' went into the mix) __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."