Mesopotamia and the Trilogy - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Kalimac · 11-16-2002, 01:52 AM

Tolkien mentioned, in one of his letters, I believe (I should just give in and buy that book already - but the quote is mentioned in "The Annotated Hobbit") that the name Moria came from a book of Norwegian folktales he had had as a child; the story in question was called "Soria Moria Castle". He mentioned that he didn't remember the story as being particularly good, but the name "Soria Moria" stuck with him and he ended up using part of it later. (I have that Norwegian fairytale book also, as it happens, and to be honest the fairy tale is fairly run of the mill in the sense of after you read it it pretty much blends into a lot of others. Soria Moria is still a cool name, though).

11-16-2002, 01:52 AM	#10
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	Tolkien mentioned, in one of his letters, I believe (I should just give in and buy that book already - but the quote is mentioned in "The Annotated Hobbit") that the name Moria came from a book of Norwegian folktales he had had as a child; the story in question was called "Soria Moria Castle". He mentioned that he didn't remember the story as being particularly good, but the name "Soria Moria" stuck with him and he ended up using part of it later. (I have that Norwegian fairytale book also, as it happens, and to be honest the fairy tale is fairly run of the mill in the sense of after you read it it pretty much blends into a lot of others. Soria Moria is still a cool name, though). __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.