April 14, 2002

Who Was First? Good Question
John R.

Tomas B. asks who was the eldest, Bombadil or Treebeard, noting references that both are the eldest.

Good question. This is one of those nagging inconsistencies in the book which isn't explained satisfactorily.

The best explanation is that Treebeard is the oldest of the Ents, while Bombadil is the oldest . . . I don't know, maybe the first Maiar or Valar to take up residence in Middle-Earth.