Summary
The world of Middle-earth that Tolkien created is so intricate and far-reaching that even the most die-hard fans often don’t know or remember every piece of the lore. It doesn’t help that much of it wasn’t actually in the main storyline of the books and can only be found in appendices or in Tolkien’s supplementary writing. There are many fans who knowThe Lord of the Ringsinside and out, but who still might not know about various lands and people groups that can be found throughout Middle-earth.
Each of these groups often has an extensive history that doesn’t get touched on in the main story, if those people even get mentioned at all. A lot of the information about these more ancillary topics is found in Tolkien’s assorted notes that have been compiled and published in various collections. Middle-earth is more than justthe main locations seen inLOTRandThe Hobbit, and Tolkien’s imaginative creations prove that. One of those people groups that doesn’t get a lot of attention is the Lossoth.
Who Are The Lossoth?
The Lossoth had adapted to the lifestyle needed to survive the permanently cold conditions and were a hardy people. They lived in houses that were constructed with snow (likely similar to real-life igloos) and got around using primitive skates made out of animal bones and sleds. In general, the Lossoth lived a very primitive existence, mostly due to their sheer isolation from the rest of the world. They were unfamiliar with most ofthe weapons that came from other parts of Middle-earthand did not value wealth or jewels. They also didn’t understand the concept of sailing boats, as they had never traveled that way before (again, due to the water being entirely frozen in their lands).
What Happened To The Lossoth?
The Lossoth do not feature heavily in Tolkien’s works, save for a period in the Third Age when they gave refuge to King Arvedui, the exiled King of Arnor. Arvedui was the last king of Arnor, and was forced to flee his homeland in Arthedain by the forces of Angmar commanded by the Witch-king. The Lossoth harbored Arvedui and some of his men, albeit reluctantly, until Círdan the Shipwright - thehighest and most noble of the Sindar Elvesand Master of the Grey Havens - sent ships to rescue him. The chief of the Lossoth warned Arvedui that traveling by ship would be dangerous in the harsh northern winter, but Arvedui ignored this advice and went anyway.
In exchange for allowing him to stay with them, Arvedui gifted the Lossoth the Ring of Barahir (a ring given to Barahir by the Elven king Finrod Felagund that became an heirloom of Barahir’s kin). In the end, the Lossoth chief had been correct in asserting that the winter conditions would be too harsh for the King, as he perished at sea, ending the line of the Kings of Arnor - though their legacy continued on as the Chieftains of the Dúnedain of Arnor,aka Rangers. In the Third Age, these Rangers met the Lossoth and learned what had happened to Arvedui’s ship, and they also bought back the Ring of Barahir from the Lossoth at this time.
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most iconic names in entertainment. The franchise started with novels from J. R. R. Tolkien before being adapted onto the big screen by Peter Jackson in one of the most critically-acclaimed film trilogies of all time. There have also been numerous The Lord of the Rings video games of varying quality.
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