December 13, 2002

To Andrew on Barrow-wights
Rune of Mirkwood

In Tolkien’s explanations, a barrow is a grave-mound and a wight means a person or creature.

The Barrow-wights are the evil spirits of Angmar (realm of the Witch King, in the far north of the Misty Mountains) who were sent down to the Barrows-down, east of the Shire. The Barrows-down held the ancient burial grounds of men and evil things came to dwell there. The Barrow-wights remained there long after the realm of Angmar itself, vanquished from the world.