Aarushhh/wikipedia-simple-splitted huggingface dataset:
Changes in 1974 
On 1 April 1974 the Local Government Act 1972 came into force. This abolished the existing local government structure in England and Wales (except in Greater London) and replaced it with a new entirely two-tier system. It abolished the previously existing administrative counties and county boroughs (but not the previous non-administrative 'counties') and created a new set of 46 'counties' in England, 6 of which were metropolitan and 40 of which were non-metropolitan.

Some of the counties established by the Act were entirely new, such as Avon, Cleveland, Cumbria, Hereford and Worcester, and Humberside, along with the new metropolitan counties of Greater Manchester, Merseyside, South Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear, West Midlands, and West Yorkshire. The counties of Cumberland, Herefordshire, Rutland, Westmorland and Worcestershire were abolished and the county boroughs as well.
A further local government reform in the 1990s grouped the counties into regions, created many small unitary authorities with county level status (re-establishing in effect if not in name the old county boroughs), and restored Herefordshire, Rutland and Worcestershire as administrative entities.

There are now 81 county level entities outside Greater London. Of these, 34 are so-called 'shire counties' with both county councils and district councils, and 40 are unitary authorities. Six are metropolitan counties. The remaining one is Berkshire, whose county council has been abolished and its districts have become unitary authorities.
Post-1996 ceremonial counties 
Because of the local government reforms in the 1990s, the distinction between the counties used for local government and those used for Lieutenancy, abolished in 1974, was revived, and a new term, 'ceremonial county', coined. Most unitary authorities remained associated with the same county for Lieutenancy, and in a few areas the old ceremonial counties were restored (Bristol, East Riding of Yorkshire, Herefordshire, Rutland, Worcestershire).

These are also known as the geographic counties and are generally used to describe a place's location in England. They are also taken into consideration by the boundary commission when they draw up boundaries for constituencies, for example.

Postal counties 
The former postal counties as used by the Post Office are no longer required on addresses. They included most of the 1974 changes, but did not acknowledge Greater Manchester or Greater London as postal counties. They went out of official use in 1996.

References
References

Other websites 
 Counties of England, Wales and Scotland prior to the 1974 Boundary Changes
 Administrative Areas of England - gives details of the 1974 changes
The title Lord Lieutenant is given to the British monarch's personal representatives around the United Kingdom, usually in a county, with varying tasks throughout history. Usually a retired local notable, senior military officer, peer or business person is given the post honourarily. Both men and women are eligible for the post.

Origins

England and Wales
In England and Wales and Ireland, the lord lieutenant was the principal officer of his county. His creation dates from the Tudors.

Lieutenants were first appointed to a number of English historic counties by Henry VIII in the 1540s, when the military functions of the sheriff were handed over to him. He raised was responsible for the efficiency of the local militia units of the county, and afterwards of the yeomanry, and volunteers. He was Commander of these forces and appointed their officers.
Lieutenancies became more organised soon, probably in the reign of his successor Edward VI, their establishment being approved by the English parliament in 1550. It was not until the threat of invasion by the forces of Spain in 1585 that lieutenants were appointed to all counties. After the defeat of the Spanish Armada, the need for lieutenants was reduced—and the lieutenancies of some counties were left vacant in the 1590s.

The three ridings (sub-divisions) of Yorkshire each got their own.

The official title of the office at this time was His or Her Majesty's lieutenant for the county, but as almost all office-holders were peers they were referred to as "lord-lieutenant".

The Twentieth Century
The Territorial and Reserve Forces Act 1907 established County Territorial Force Associations, of which the lord-lieutenant was to be head. So the combination of counties and county corporates as lieutenancy counties was restored.
Local Government reform in England in 1965 led to the appointment of lord-lieutenants to Greater London and Huntingdon and Peterborough, and the abolition of those of the County of London, Middlesex and Huntingdonshire.

A more fundamental reform of local government throughout England and Wales (outside Greater London) created a new structure of metropolitan, non-metropolitan and Welsh counties in 1974. Section 218 of the Local Government Act 1972 that established the new system stated: "Her Majesty shall appoint a lord-lieutenant for each county in England and Wales and for Greater London..." The Act appears to be the first statutory use of the term "lord-lieutenant" for lieutenants to counties.
In 1975 counties ceased to be used for local government purposes in Scotland. The Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 replaced the counties with regions, and each region was to have one or more lord-lieutenants appointed. The areas to which they were appointed approximated to the counties and were based and were defined in terms of the new local government districts.

Present-day
In 1996 Scottish regions and districts were abolished on further local government reorganisation, and since that date lord-lieutenants have been appointed to lieutenancy areas.

Partial reform of local government in England since 1995 has led to the creation of so-called ceremonial counties to which lord-lieutenants are now appointed. The Lieutenancies Act 1997 is the most recent piece of primary legislation dealing with Lieutenancies in England and includes the definitive list of the current areas used. Ceremonial counties may be comprised of combinations of county council areas and unitary authorities.
Since the local government re-organisation of 1996 in Wales, lord-lieutenants are now appointed to preserved counties.

The City of London was unaffected by changes introduced since 1882. It has a Commission of Lieutenancy rather than a single Lord-Lieutenant. The Head of the commission is the Lord Mayor of London.
The modern responsibilities of lord-lieutenants include:
 Arranging visits of members of the Royal family and escorting Royal visitors;
 Presentation of medals and awards on behalf of the Sovereign, and advising on Honours nominations;
 Participation in civic, voluntary and social activities with the Lieutenancy;
 Liaison with local units of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, Royal Air Force and their associated cadet forces;
 Leading the local magistracy as Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Justices of the Peace; and
 Chairing the local Advisory Committee for the Appointment of the General Commissioners of Income Tax, a tribunal which hears appeals against decisions made by the HM Revenue and Customs on a variety of different tax related matters.

As the sovereign's representative in his or her county, the Lord-Lieutenant remains non-political and holds no office in any political party. The usual age of retirement is 75. They are appointed for life, although the sovereign may remove them.
The Lord-Lieutenant is supported by a Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants which he or she appoints.
They are unpaid, but receive minimal allowances for secretarial help, mileage allowance and a driver. Male Lord-Lieutenants receive an allowance for the ceremonial uniform, worn when receiving members of the royal family and on other formal occasions.

There is no uniform for a female Lord-Lieutenant, but there is a badge which can be worn on ceremonial occasions. Male Lord-Lieutenants wear a dark blue uniform in the style of an Army No. 1 dress along with a cap and sword with a steel scabbard. The uniform for a male Vice Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenants is of a similar style, but with features to distinguish it from a Lord-Lieutenant.

Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was the head of the British administration in Ireland until the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922.
Correct forms of address for the Lord-Lieutenant 
 Written: '(Title and name), Lord-Lieutenant'
 Salutation: 'Dear Lord-Lieutenant'
 In a Speech: 'My Lord-Lieutenant'
 In conversation: '(Title and name)' or 'Lord-Lieutenant'.

Related pages
 Ceremonial counties of England

References

Sources and Other websites
 
 Royal website on Lord-Lieutenant
 Website of the Lord Lieutenant of South Yorkshire
is the main character of the Metroid games.  She's a bounty hunter, and helps the Galactic Federation. She has many enemies, including Mother Brain, Ridley, Kraid, Dark Samus, and the Metroids. Because she does not remove her suit or talk much, people thought she was a boy until they saw the secret ending of Metroid, which shows Samus without her suit.

Creation 
The makers said that the Metroid series is supposed to be like the 1979 film, Alien, and Samus was like one of the film's characters, Ellen Ripley. Players thought Samus was a boy until the end of the original Metroid game. One of the makers said that it would be "kind of cool if it turned out that this person inside the suit was a woman". The rest of the makers liked it so it happened.

Suit 
Samus' suit is orange and red, and runs on Energy Tanks. It was made by creatures called Chozos, and can gain new powers and abilities. She has lots of other suits as well.

Appearances 
Metroid series 
Metroid Prime series
The Metroid Prime series takes place in between Metroid and Metroid II: Return of Samus.

In Metroid Prime, Samus has to go to the Frigate Orpheon, and meets Meta Ridley, the revived form of an enemy from Metroid. She loses her powers on the frigate through an accident, and escapes to the planet Tallon IV. She eventually has to do battle with the final boss, Metroid Prime.

In Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, Samus meets a creature called Dark Samus, which is Metroid Prime fused with a suit Samus got on Tallon IV.

In Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Samus and three other bounty hunters

Other appearances
Other appearances 

Samus was the first female character to appear in the Super Smash Bros. series, and has been in Super Smash Bros., Super Smash Bros. Melee, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. She's only in her suit in the first two, but in the third and fourth, she can be in Zero Suit Samus form, which comes from Metroid: Zero Mission. In the fourth game, Samus in her power suit and her zero suit are listed as two separate characters. She takes many moves from the Metroid series, including the Charge Beam, Bombs, Screw Attack, and Missiles.

References 

Fictional characters introduced in 1986
Video game characters
Metroid
Nintendo video game characters
Characters
The main character in the series is Samus Aran.  She always wears a very powerful space suit. This suit lets her do things that normal humans cannot do, such as jump very high and fall long ways without being hurt. The right arm on Samus' suit has a large gun built into it. She is seen in this space suit almost all of the time. In many of the games, if the player finishes the game fast enough or collects enough items, they can see her without the suit on. When this happens, she is either wearing a tight jumpsuit, or something resembling a bikini.

The main enemies of the Metroid games are the Space Pirates. They are tall creatures who look like lizards that walk on two legs. The Space Pirate commander is a dragon named Ridley, who is Samus' worst enemy.
Gameplay
In most Metroid games, the player explores far away planets or space stations. The player, as Samus, starts the game with very few powers, and not many places to go. The player must explore to find items and powers that let him or her get to new areas. In the first Metroid; Samus had to defeat Ridley; a giant monster named Kraid; and then destroy the Space Pirate's computer, Mother Brain. In all Metroid games, there are different goals to achieve, but nearly all of them involve looking for items and exploring.

Other websites
Official English website
Wikitroid, the Metroid wiki
The Michelson–Morley experiment was a scientific experiment to test for the presence and properties of a substance called aether. This was thought hypothetically to fill empty space. The experiment showed the substance did not exist.

The experiment was done by Albert A. Michelson and Edward Morley in 1887.

Since waves in water need something to move in (water) and sound waves do as well (air), it was believed that light also needed something to move in. Scientists in the 18th century named this substance "aether", after the Greek god of light. They believed that aether was all around us and that it also filled the vacuum of space. Michelson and Morley created this experiment to try and prove the theory that aether existed. They did this with a device called an interferometer. This experiment is a test of Einstein's special relativity theory.

The experiment
The experiment 

The Earth travels very quickly (more than 100,000 km per hour) around the Sun. If aether exists, the Earth moving through it would cause a "wind" in the same way that there seems to be a wind outside a moving car. To a person in the car, the air outside the car would seem like a moving substance. In the same way, aether should seem like a moving substance to things on Earth. 

The interferometer was designed to measure the speed and direction of the "aether wind" by measuring the difference between the speed of light traveling in different directions. It measured this difference by shining a beam of light into a mirror that was only partially coated in silver. Part of the beam would be reflected one way, and the rest would go the other. Those two parts would then be reflected back to where they were split apart, and recombined. By looking at interference patterns in the recombined beam of light, any changes in speed because of the aether wind could be seen.
They found that there was, in fact, no substantial difference in the measurements. This was puzzling to the scientific community at the time, and led to the creation of various new theories to explain the result. The most important was the Lorentz factor, which is used in Albert Einstein's special theory of relativity.

Other websites 

 Early Experiments
 Modern Michelson–Morley Experiment improves the best previous result by two orders of magnitude, from 2003
 Michelson Morley Experiment & Null Results
 Ed Notes & Books For All Semesters In PDF 1st Year, 2nd Year

References

Physics experiments
Relativity
Hydrogen sulfide  (British English: hydrogen sulphide) is the chemical compound with the formula , is a colorless, toxic, flammable gas that is responsible for the foul smell of rotten eggs and flatulence. It often results when bacteria break down organic matter if there is no oxygen. This happens in swamps, and sewers (alongside the process of anaerobic digestion). It also happens in volcanic gases, natural gas and some well waters. This is the smell that people often think to be that of sulfur. But sulfur itself does not smell.

Hydrogen sulfide is also known as sulfane, sulfur hydride, sour gas, sulfurated hydrogen, hydrosulfuric acid, sewer gas and stink damp. IUPAC accepts the names "hydrogen sulfide" and "sulfane". When people speak of more complicated compounds they always use the term "sulfane".

Occurrence
Occurrence 

Small amounts of hydrogen sulfide can be found in crude petroleum. Sour natural gas can contain up to 28%. But, sour natural gas must be cleaned before it can enter a long distance pipeline. Pipelines limit hydrogen sulfide to 3 grains per thousand cubic feet of natural gas. Volcanoes and hot springs give off some H2S, where it probably is made by the hydrolysis of sulfide minerals, i.e. MS + H2O to give MO + H2S.

Normal average concentration in clean air is about 0.0001-0.0002 ppm.

Safety 
Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic and flammable gas. Because it is heavier than air it tends to accumulate at the bottom of poorly ventilated spaces.

Toxicity 
Hydrogen sulfide is considered a broad-spectrum poison, meaning that it can poison several different systems in the body, although the nervous system is most affected. The toxicity of H2S is comparable with that of hydrogen cyanide.

References
References 

 "Hydrogen Sulfide", Committee on Medical and Biological Effects of Environmental Pollutants, University Park Press, 1979, Baltimore.

Other websites 
 International Chemical Safety Card 0165
 Concise International Chemical Assessment Document 53
 National Pollutant Inventory - Hydrogen sulfide fact sheet 
 NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
 MSDS safety data sheet 
 Abstract of survey article on H2S as used by the body, by P. Kamoun
 Computational Chemistry Wiki 

Sulfur compounds
William Petty, 1st Marquess of Lansdowne, KG, PC (2 May 1737–7 May 1805) was a British Whig statesman and Prime Minister of Great Britain. He was born William FitzMaurice in Dublin in Ireland. Petty was known historically as The Earl of Shelburne.

Titles from birth to death 
Mr William FitzMaurice (1737-1751)
Mr William Petty (1751)
The Hon William Petty (1751-1753)
Viscount FitzMaurice (1753-1760)
Viscount FitzMaurice, MP (1760-1761)
The Rt Hon The Earl of Shelburne (1761-1763)
The Rt Hon The Earl of Shelburne, PC (1763-1782)
The Rt Hon The Earl of Shelburne, KG, PC (1782-1784)
The Most Hon The Marquess of Lansdowne, KG, PC (1784-1805)

1737 births
1805 deaths
Irish politicians
British Marquesses
People from Dublin
Whig party (UK) politicians
William Henry Cavendish Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, (14 April 1738 – 30 October 1809) was a British Whig and Tory statesman and twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. After his first time as prime minister, the kingdom of Ireland joined Great Britain to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. In the new Parliament of the United Kingdom, he again became prime minister in 1807. 

1739 births
1809 deaths
English Dukes
Politicians from Nottinghamshire
Newbie is a slang term for a new person in a community, group, or video game, and especially on the internet.  "Newb" is short for newbie and another slang term that comes from the word "new". Another similar word is 'noob'. A noob usually means a bad player in a game, or someone who does not know the rules of a community yet. Being called a noob is usually not a good thing especially if it is told by an "Epic Gamer".

History  
The use of the word "newbie" originated in World War II. It was a word veterans used to describe new recruits. 

In recent years, however, the term has been used more often in Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG)s or other internet based games. It can also mean someone who has a high level in a game, but is not a skilled player. A person new to a game or a younger player can be referred to as a newbie.
Noobs are usually referred to by the 1337 (pronounced "leet") or skilled players, who have marginally higher experience in the game.  When a leet soundly defeats a noob, he is said to be "pawning noobs". Recently "noob" is used mainly just as a name to refer to other players in various online games.  It's usually a derogatory term, but can be exchanged as a friendly greeting. A noob is sometimes confused with a "choob" (a low skilled person in a game, but having acquired nice things as a result of playing).

References 

Internet slang
A bodhisattva is a Buddhist who is on their way to become a Buddha. They have attained a certain level of enlightenment, but decide not to enter Nirvana so that they can continue helping living beings in the world. 

The word Bodhisattva can also refer to certain specific bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri and Vajrapani.

Many bodhisattvas made a special vow that defines their personality or method of helping people. For example, Kshitigarbha vowed not to attain enlightenment until there were no more beings in hell. Some Buddhas, such as Amitabha, made certain vows when they were bodhisattvas. He became a Buddha when these vows were fulfilled.

Related pages
Buddha
Tackey & Tsubasa (タッキー&翼) is a Japanese pop duo from Johnny & Associates. Its two members are Hideaki Takizawa (Japanese: 滝沢秀明, Takizawa Hideaki) and Tsubasa Imai (今井翼, Imai Tsubasa). They are known for their Japanese television dramas and they have been successful with numerous hit singles, especially "Kamen" and "Venus". Their records are produced by Avex Trax.

Discography

Singles 

 (26.02.2003) To be, To be, Ten made To be
 (12.11.2003) Yume Monogatari (夢物語)
 (11.02.2004) One Day, One Dream
 (03.11.2004) Serenade (愛想曲(セレナーデ))
 (04.05.2005) Kamen/Mirai Koukai (仮面/未来航海)
 (18.01.2006) Venus
 (09.08.2006) Ho! Summer (Ho! サマー)
 (04.18.2007) x ~Dame~ / Crazy Rainbow (x～ダメ～ / Crazy Rainbow)
 (08.08.2007) SAMURAI

Albums 

 (11.09.2002) Hatachi
 (28.04.2005) Twenty Two
 (15.11.2006) Two You Four You

Compilations 

 (17.10.2007) Tackey & Tsubasa BEST Album

Other websites 
 Tackey & Tsubasa Official Website
 Tackey & Tsubasa Oricon Page
 Takizawa Hideaki fansite 
 Imai Tsubasa fansite

Japanese boy bands
Fruits Basket(フルーツバスケット) is a Japanese manga and anime series about an eponymous student. The manga series ran from 1999 to 2006. An anime television series adaptation aired in 2001.

Plot 
Tohru Honda comes to live with the mysterious Sohma family. She discovers a terrible secret about them - 13 members of the family turn into twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac, and the cat who was left out of the Chinese Zodiac. Whenever they are hugged by members of the opposite sex or become weak, they turn into each animals.

Characters
Momiji Sohma – He is born in the year of the Rabbit. Momiji is a cute, strange boy who acts like an elementary school student, when he is a freshman in high school.

References

Other websites 

 TokyoPop's Fruits Basket Site  (manga)
 FUNimation's Fruits Basket Site  (anime)
  TV Tokyo's Fruits Basket Site (anime)

1998 manga
2010s anime
Anime series based on manga
This article is about the fictional characters from J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth universe.

Ainur

Valar

Manwë 
Manwë Súlimo is the leader of the Valar. He is the lord of air and sky. His wife is Varda. He lives on the mountain of Taniquetil in Valinor, which is far west of Middle-earth.

Morgoth 
Melkor was originally the most powerful of the Valar, but he became evil. He was then named Morgoth (Sindarin: "Black Enemy"), and Morgoth Bauglir (Sindarin: "Oppressor"). Morgoth was the greatest enemy of all the peoples of Middle-earth during the First Age. He is the main villain of The Silmarillion.

Maiar
Maiar

Sauron 
Sauron is a Maia who became evil. He became the Dark Lord Morgoth's chief lieutenant. In the Second Age he disguised himself as Annatar and told the elves how to make the Rings of Power. He created the One Ring in the volcano Mount Doom, in his land Mordor. Since then he is the Lord of the Rings. 
He was killed in the Downfall of Númenor, but again took form in Mordor. He was again defeated by the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Later in the Third Age, Sauron again came to life, searching for the Ring, and starting the War of the Ring. Sauron was later defeated when the One Ring fell to the fires of Mount Doom with Gollum. Sauron is mentioned as the Necromancer in The Hobbit.
Istari 
The Istari (Quenya: "Wise Ones"; singular: Istar) are a group of five Maiar. They came to Middle-earth in the Third Age, in the form of old human men. The names of the Istari are (in order of rank) Saruman the White, Gandalf the Grey, Radagast the Brown, Alatar the Blue and Pallando the Blue. The peoples of Middle-earth gave them many names, and called them "wizards".
Gandalf 
Gandalf the Grey is a main character in the books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In the Third Age Gandalf came to Middle-earth as one of the Istari (or wizards). He worked much to help in the destruction of the One Ring, and in the War of the Ring. Later in the Third Age during the War of the Ring, he was later reborn as Gandalf the White and succeeded Saruman as the head of the Istari order. Gandalf is also known by other names: Olórin, Mithrandir, Tharkûn, Incánus, Gandalf Stormcrow, Gandalf Greyhame, Láthspell, White Rider, The Grey Pilgrim, Old Greybeard, Gandalf the Wandering Wizard. Círdan gave Gandalf the Elven Ring Narya, the Ring of Fire, which he had been given by Gil-galad. At the end of the Third Age, Gandalf left Middle-earth for Valinor, together with the bearers of the other two Elven Rings and the Ring-bearers of the One Ring.
Saruman the White is a character in the book The Lord of the Rings. In the Third Age Saruman came to Middle-earth as one of the Istari. Saruman is also known as Curumo, Sharkey, Curunír, Saruman of Many Colours, The White Wizard and Saruman the Wise by Gandalf the Grey. Saruman was the leader of the wizards and the White Council that opposed the Dark Lord Sauron. Saruman allied Isengard with Mordor and created an army of 10,000 Uruk-hai and many Isengard who bore his white hand on their faces and armories. Saruman was later expelled from the Order of Istari as its head by Gandalf who broke his black staff of power leaving him powerless. He later managed to convince the Ents who held him captive into letting him leave Isengard after he met the conditions of handing over the Keys of Orthanc. He then went to the Shire, which his ally Lotho Sackville-Baggins had brought under control
. He spent his final days as a small-time criminal master in Hobbiton known as Sharkey (from the Orkish Sharkû, meaning "old man"), until he was overthrown in the Battle of Bywater. In the aftermath of that battle Frodo confronted Saruman and exiled him from the Shire, but before he could leave, Gríma killed him by slitting his throat with a dagger, on the very doorstep of Bag End.
Radagast the Brown is a character in the book The Lord of the Rings. In the Third Age Radagast came to Middle-earth as one of the Istari. Radagast is also known as Aiwendil, Bird-Friend, Tender of Beasts, "the Birdtamer", "the Simple", and "the Fool". Radagast was a dweller in Rhosgobel with his animal friends. But, by the time of the War of the Ring, he was not a Rhosgobel dweller anymore. Later on Midsummer's Day, Radagast was sitting on the side of the Greenway with his horse near Bree when Gandalf found him on his way to the village. Radagast warned Gandalf that the Nazgûl were abroad, disguised as riders in black, and that they were seeking news of the Shire. He also gave him Saruman's invitation and agreed to help Gandalf by getting beasts and birds to send news to Orthanc. With that he rode away back towards Mirkwood. By sending Gandalf to Orthanc, Radagast unwittingly had him captured
. Saruman's message proved to be a trap for Gandalf who was imprisoned in Orthanc, but still he did not believe that Radagast was also a part of Saruman's plans. Indeed, it was thanks to Radagast that Gandalf was able to escape from the pinnacle of Orthanc upon the wings of Gwaihir. Radagast's actions during and after the rest of the War are not recorded. After the Council of Elrond, many scouts were sent out from Rivendell to many different locations. Some passed over the Misty Mountains and eventually came to Rhosgobel, but they found that Radagast was not there.[6] His fate after the War of the Ring is not known.
Alatar the Blue and Pallando the Blue are the Blue Wizards. They went into the east of Middle-earth. Little is known about them. Alatar was originally a Maia of Oromë the Huntsman named Morinehtar, and presumably lived in his forests on the continent of Aman, west of Middle-earth. The other servants of Oromë included Rómestámo (later Pallando), who was a friend of Morinehtar's, and whom he later chose to journey with him. At some point in the Second Age, around the forging of the Rings of Power, Mohrinehtar and Rómestámo were chosen to become the first of the Istari, and were sent to the East of Middle-earth to stir up rebellion against Sauron and assist the few tribes of Men who had refused to worship Morgoth in the First Age. Before he came to Middle-earth, Pallando was a Maia of Oromë the Huntsman. He was taken to Middle-earth at the bidding of Alatar, another Istar who took him as a friend
. During the Third Age, the Valar selected Morinehtar, renamed Alatar, meaning "after-comer", and Pallando to be two of the five Maiar to travel from the Undying Lands to Middle-earth and serve as Istari wizards. Alatar, Curumo (Saruman the White) and Olórin (Gandalf the Grey) were assigned the objective of encouraging the peoples of Middle-earth to oppose Sauron. However, two more joined the original three Wizards and they became five. Aiwendil (Radagast the Brown) was chosen by Yavanna to travel with Curumo, and Alatar took Pallando the Blue as a companion. Upon arrival in Middle-earth, Alatar and Pallando were dressed in robes of sea-blue. Due to this, they were called the Blue Wizards (or Ithryn Luin, in Sindarin). With Saruman, they travelled east in an attempt to help free the last Men of Númenor, who were now Haradrim and Easterlings. Later, Saruman came back to the west alone. However, Alatar and Pallando were never seen again, and their ultimate fates are unknown
. Pallando and Alatar (known as the Blue Wizards for their sea-blue robes) traveled to the east of Middle-earth with Curumo (Saruman the White) to aid some men and subdue others, primarily the Easterlings and Southrons who worshiped Sauron, and whose numbers were steadily increasing. Saruman later returned to the West, but Pallando along with Alatar stayed behind. Pallando and Alatar (known as the Blue Wizards for their sea-blue robes) traveled to the east of Middle-earth with Curumo (Saruman the White) to aid some men and subdue others, primarily the Easterlings and Southrons who worshiped Sauron, and whose numbers were steadily increasing. Saruman later returned to the West, but Pallando along with Alatar stayed behind.
Elves

Celeborn 
Celeborn was the husband of Galadriel and father of Celebrían. Together with his wife he ruled as Lord over the elven realm Lothlórien.

Celebrían 
Celebrían was the daughter of Galadriel and Celeborn. At the beginning of the Third Age she married Elrond Half-elven, and they had the twin sons Elladan and Elrohir, and their daughter Arwen. In 2509 T.A. Celebrían was captured by orcs, but she was rescued by her sons. The year after she left Middle-earth for Valinor.

Galadriel 
Galadriel was the youngest child of Finarfin and Eärwen. She married Celeborn, and they had a daughter named Celebrían. In the Second and Third Age she ruled as Lady over the elven realm Lothlórien. Gil-galad gave Galadriel the Elven Ring Nenya, the Ring of Water. At the end of the Third Age, Galadriel left Middle-earth for Valinor, together with the bearers of the other two Elven Rings and the Ring-bearers of the One Ring.
Gil-galad 
Ereinion Gil-galad was the last High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth. He was the leader of the elves in the Last Alliance against Sauron, but was killed in the war at the end of the Second Age.

Haldir of Lórien 
Haldir was an Elf of Lothlórien; he was guarding its northern borders. When the Fellowship of the Ring arrived in Lothlórien they met Haldir and his companions. Haldir then led the Fellowship to the city Caras Galadhon.

Legolas 
Legolas, son of Thranduil, is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. He is an elf from Mirkwood. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. He is sometimes also called Legolas Greenleaf. During the Fellowship's journey, he made friends with the dwarf Gimli, despite the fact that dwarves and elves do not usually get along.
Thranduil 
Thranduil, son of Oropher, was king of the elves of Mirkwood during the Third Age. He fought under the command of his father in the Last Alliance, but when Oropher was killed, Thranduil became king. Thranduil is the father of Legolas. In the book The Hobbit, Thranduil is only called the Elvenking. Thranduil also appears in The Lord of the Rings.

Elrond 
Elrond Peredhel ("Elrond Half-elven"), is the son of Eärendil and Elwing. In the Third Age, Elrond is the Lord of Rivendell, and an important and wise leader among the elves. Elrond appears in the books The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion.
Elrond was a Half-Elf born at the end of the First Age, as the son of Eärendil and Elwing. His brother was Elros Tar-Minyatur, who chose to become a mortal human. 
In the Second Age Elrond founded Rivendell. Under the command of Gil-galad he fought in the Last Alliance against Sauron. 
At the beginning of the Third Age he married Celebrían, daughter of Galadriel, and they had the twin sons Elladan and Elrohir, and their daughter Arwen. Gil-galad gave Elrond the Elven Ring Vilya, the Ring of Air. At the end of the Third Age, Elrond left Middle-earth for Valinor, together with the bearers of the other two Elven Rings and the Ring-bearers of the One Ring.
Elros 
Elros was the son of Eärendil and Elwing, and brother of Elrond. Elros and his brother were born at the end of the First Age. They were Half-Elven, and Elrond chose to be an elf, while Elros chose to become a mortal human. Elros became the first King of Númenor, and took the ruling name Tar-Minyatur. He died in 442 in the Second Age, at age 500. His son Vardamir Nólimon and his grandson Tar-Amandil became Kings after him.

Elladan and Elrohir 
Elladan and Elrohir are the twin sons of Elrond Half-elven and Celebrían. They are of the Half-elven who lived during the Third Age.
Arwen 
Arwen Undómiel ("Arwen Evenstar"), is the daughter of Elrond and Celebrían, granddaughter of Celeborn and Galadriel, youngest of Elrond and Celebrian's three half-Elven children and is one of the Half-Elven who lived during the Third Age. She is a character in The Lord of the Rings. At the end of the Third Age she falls in love with the human Aragorn. They marry after the War of the Ring. Arwen becomes Queen of Arnor and Gondor, and gives birth to her son Eldarion, and several daughters.

Men (Humans)

Dúnedain
Dúnedain

Elendil 
Elendil, son of Amandil, was the last Lord of Andúnië, and founder of Arnor. He was also known as Elendil the Tall and Elendil the Faithful. 
Elendil was born in Númenor, and became Lord of Andúnië after his father. He had two sons, Isildur and Anárion. After the destruction of Númenor, Elendil fled to Middle-earth. He and his ships landed in the northern part of Middle-earth, where he founded the realm of Arnor. Elendil led the humans in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men to fight Sauron. Elendil was killed by Sauron. His son Isildur and grandson Valandil became Kings of Arnor after him.
Isildur 
Isildur, son of Elendil, was the co-founder of Gondor. 
After the destruction of Númenor, Isildur and his brother Anárion fled to Middle-earth. They and their ships landed in the southern part of Middle-earth, where they founded the realm of Gondor. Isildur fought in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men under the command of his father Elendil. Isildur cut off the One Ring from Sauron's hand. Elrond and Círdan told Isildur to destroy the One Ring, but Isildur did not want to and kept it. It was decided that Isildur would rule the northern kingdom Arnor afer his father. When Isildur journeyed north, he and his company were attacked by Orcs. Isildur was killed and the One Ring was lost. His oldest sons Elendur, Aratan, and Ciryon were also killed. Isildur's youngest son Valandil became King of Arnor after him.
Anárion 
Anárion, son of Elendil, was the co-founder of Gondor. 
After the destruction of Númenor, the brothers Isildur and Anárion fled to Middle-earth. They and their ships landed in the southern part of Middle-earth, where they founded the realm of Gondor. Anárion fought in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men under the command of his father Elendil, and was killed. His son Meneldil became king of Gondor after him, while Isildur went to rule the northern kingdom Arnor.

Aragorn 
Aragorn II, son of Arathorn, is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. He is the son of Arathorn II and Gilraen. After his father's death he becomes Chieftain of the Dúnedain. 
He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. After the War of the Ring, at the end of the book, Aragorn becomes King Elessar Telcontar of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor. Aragorn marries Arwen, and becomes the father of a son named Eldarion, and several daughters. His son Eldarion becomes king after him.
Boromir 
Boromir is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. Boromir is the son of Denethor II, the Steward of Gondor. Boromir led Gondor's soldiers in the fight against Sauron, before he went to Rivendell. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. At Amon Hen, he goes slightly insane over the Ring. He dies after protecting Merry and Pippin from Saruman's Orcs.

Denethor 
Denethor II is the Steward of Gondor, and rules Gondor at the time of the War of the Ring. He married Finduilas of Dol Amroth, and is the father of Boromir and Faramir. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields he goes insane and burns himself, thinking they would lose the war and get killed anyway.

Eldarion 
Eldarion is the son of Aragorn II and Arwen Undómiel. After his father's death he becomes King of Arnor and Gondor.

Faramir
Faramir 

Faramir son of Denethor II, brother of Boromir. Faramir also led Gondor's soldiers in the fight against Sauron's Orcs and Men, and did so often in Ithilien. He became Steward of Gondor after his father's death. After the War of the Ring, Aragorn made him Prince of Ithilien. He married Éowyn.

Rohirrim

Théoden 
Théoden was King of Rohan at the time of the War of the Ring. He died at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. His nephew Éomer became king after him.

Éomer 
Éomer, son of Éomund, brother of Éowyn, was the nephew of King Théoden. In the War of the Ring, Éomer fought in the Battle of the Hornburg, the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and the Battle of the Morannon. Éomer became the next King of the Rohirrim after Théoden.
Éowyn 
Éowyn, daughter of Éomund, sister of Éomer, was the niece of King Théoden. With the help of the hobbit Meriadoc Brandybuck, she killed the Witch-king of Angmar in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. After the War of the Ring she married Faramir, and became the Lady of Ithilien.

Gríma Wormtongue 
Gríma, son of Galmod, called Wormtongue, was at first servant of King Théoden. But then he secretly worked for Saruman. Gríma became Théoden's advisor, and worked to weaken him. When Gandalf made the King better, Gríma fled to Isengard. In the end, he goes with Saruman to the Shire. After the hobbit uprising, Gríma kills Saruman; Gríma is killed by hobbit archers.

In The Lord of the Rings movie series, Gríma kills Saruman in Isegard, then he is shot and killed by Legolas.

Other humans
Other humans

Bard the Bowman 
Bard the Bowman was a man from Lake-town. He was an archer. In The Hobbit he shoots the dragon Smaug and kills him. Afterwards, Bard becomes King of Dale, and old city at the foot of the Lonely Mountain that had been abandoned because of the dragon.

Dwarves

Balin son of Fundin 
Balin son of Fundin is one of the dwarves in Thorin Oakenshield's company during the Quest of Erebor. He is the elder brother of Dwalin.

Dáin II Ironfoot 
Dáin II Ironfoot was King under the Mountain in the dwarven realm Erebor after Thorin Oakenshield. Dáin was killed during the War of the Ring. His son, Thorin III Stonehelm, became king after him.

Gimli 
Gimli son of Glóin, is a main character in The Lord of the Rings. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring.

Glóin son of Gróin 
Glóin son of Gróin is one of the dwarves in Thorin Oakenshield's company during the Quest of Erebor. He is the younger brother of Óin. Glóin's son is Gimli.
Fíli and  Kíli 
Fíli and Kíli were the nephews of Thorin Oakenshield. They were the sons of Dís, Thorin's sister. They went with their uncle on the Quest of the Lonely Mountain, told in The Hobbit. They were killed in the Battle of Five Armies, while they were defending Thorin.

Thorin II Oakenshield 
Thorin II Oakenshield, son of Thráin II, was leader of Durin's folk and King under the Mountain. He is the leader of the group that tries to take back the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug in The Hobbit. He is wounded in the Battle of Five Armies and dies. Dáin II Ironfoot becomes King under the Mountain after him. Thorin has a sister, Dís, who has two sons Fíli and Kíli.

Hobbits 
See also: Hobbit
Bilbo Baggins 
Bilbo Baggins is a main character in the books The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Bilbo goes on an adventure with the dwarves, the Quest of Erebor. During this journey he finds the One Ring. He also gets a small sword which he names Sting, and a small Mithril-shirt. Bilbo later adopts Frodo Baggins. On his 111th birthday, Bilbo leaves the Shire and goes to Rivendell, giving the Ring to Frodo. 
At the end of the Third Age, Bilbo left Middle-earth for Valinor, together with Frodo and the bearers of the Elven Rings.

Frodo Baggins 
Frodo Baggins is a main character in the book The Lord of the Rings. Frodo is adopted by his uncle Bilbo Baggins. He inherits Bilbo's home Bag End and the One Ring from Bilbo. Frodo is the Ring-Bearer and a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. With the Fellowship, Frodo goes on the quest to destroy the One Ring. 
At the end of the Third Age, Frodo left Middle-earth for the Undying Lands, together with Bilbo and the bearers of the Elven Rings.
Meriadoc Brandybuck 
Meriadoc Brandybuck, called Merry, is a main character in the book The Lord of the Rings. He is Frodo's cousin. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields he helps Éowyn kill the Witch-king of Angmar. He becomes a Knight of Rohan. After the war he marries Estella Bolger, and becomes Master of Buckland.

Samwise Gamgee 
Samwise Gamgee, called Sam, is a main character in the book The Lord of the Rings. He is Frodo's gardener and servant. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. 
When the Fellowship breaks at Amon Hen, Sam is the only one who goes on with Frodo on their journey to Mordor. If not for Samwise Gamgee, Frodo would not have made it into Mordor or destroyed the Ring. After the War of the Ring, Sam marries Rose Cotton and lives in Bag End.
Peregrin Took 
Peregrin Took, called Pippin, is a main character in the book The Lord of the Rings. He is Frodo's cousin. He is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring. Pippin is a very crucial part in saving middle earth. For without his "small" mistakes the ring could not have been destroyed.

Gollum/Smeagol 
Gollum is an important character in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Originally he was a river folk (similar to a hobbit) named Sméagol, who found the One Ring after Isildur lost it. Gollum went to live under the Misty Mountains; there he kept the Ring for over 500 years, and in that time the Ring changed him to look less like river folk. He often called the Ring his "precious". Gollum lost the One Ring, which was then found by Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit.
In The Lord of the Rings, it is told that after this Gollum left the Misty Mountains to search for the "thief Baggins" who had stolen his Ring. Sauron learned from Gollum that the One Ring was in the Shire and owned by a Baggins. Gollum was released by Sauron. Gollum then again went to search for his Ring. Gollum found the Fellowship in Moria and followed them. Frodo and Sam captured Gollum, and Gollum promised to lead them into Mordor. He later tried to trick them, leaving them with the spider Shelob. Gollum attacked Frodo on Mount Doom, and took back the Ring. But Gollum was careless and fell into the volcano, which killed him and destroyed the One Ring.

Dragons

Ancalagon 
Ancalagon the Black is a dragon. He appears in the Silmarillion. Ancalagon was made by Morgoth, and was the biggest and most powerful of all dragons. He was killed by Eärendil, in the War of Wrath in the First Age. When he fell, he crushed the Towers of Thangodrim, heralding the end of Morgoth's tyranny.
Glaurung 
Glaurung is a dragon. He appears in the Silmarillion. Glaurung  was a dragon made by Morgoth. He was the first dragon ever created, and he was extremely powerful. He was killed in the First Age by Túrin Turambar.

Smaug 
Smaug is a dragon. He appears in The Hobbit. Smaug attacked the Lonely Mountain, killed the dwarves living there, and took their treasure and home. Later in the book Smaug was killed by Bard the Bowman.

Other

Beorn 
Beorn is a shape-shifter. He usually is like a big man, but he can change to become a bear. He lives between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood. He helped at the Battle of the Five Armies.
Nazgûl 
The Nazgûl, Ringwraiths or Úlairi are servants of Sauron. They were human kings and leaders in the Second Age. Sauron gave to them nine of the Rings of Power. With time they became like undead ghosts. They are invisible, but their eyes can sometimes be seen as a red light. They wear black cloaks, and usually ride black horses. Later in the Lord of the Rings they ride winged creatures called "fell beasts". When riding a fell beast they are also called Winged Nazgûl.

Witch-king of Angmar 
The Witch-king of Angmar, also known as Lord of the Nazgûl or the Black Captain is the leader of the Nazgûl. He was the commander of Minas Morgul. He was killed in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields by Éowyn and Meriadoc Brandybuck.

Khamûl 
Khamûl is one of the Ringwraiths, and the only Ringwraith whose name is given by Tolkien. He was called the Black Easterling, and was the commander of the fortress Dol Guldur.
Shelob 
Shelob is a giant spider-like creature. She appears in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Shelob stings Frodo Baggins, but is wounded by Samwise Gamgee.

Treebeard 
Treebeard is an Ent, a tree-like being. He and other Ents live in the forest Fangorn. In the War of the Ring Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took come to Fangorn and meet Treebeard. This causes the Ents to go out and fight against the wizard Saruman in his fortress Isengard. The Ents are accompanied by an army of Huorns (normal trees that have come alive). After Isengard is conquered, the Huorns go to Helm's Deep, to help the Rohirrim there fight and win against Saruman's army.

Characters from adaptations 
There have been many adaptations of Tolkien's books, for example films like The Lord of the Rings movie series. In them characters appear that were newly created and are not in Tolkien's works.

Tauriel 

Tauriel is an elf from Mirkwood that appears in The Hobbit movie series.

Related pages

Middle-earth
Middle-earth

Characters
Characters in written fiction
Feudalism was a social and political system. It existed in Europe during the Middle Ages, between the 9th and 15th centuries. Under feudalism, the king owned all of the land in his kingdom. However, the king would give gifts of land (called fiefs) to the lords or nobles and they would enter into an agreement with a vassal. Vassals would allow peasants called serfs to live on parts of their land.  Vassals would also protect serfs from violence. In return, a serf had to pay taxes and work without pay in the vassal’s fields.

Characteristics
Characteristics 

Under feudalism, taxes were not paid with money. Instead, they were paid in services (like free labor) and products (like crops). A serf had to pay taxes of grain to their vassal. A vassal had to pay taxes of grain to their lord. They had to use the lord’s granaries to grind the grain. A vassal also had to give other taxes and gifts to their lord. When a vassal killed animals for food, they gave part of the meat to their lord. When a vassal fished on the lord’s land, they gave some of the fish to the lord. 

In return, the lords promised to give their vassals protection, peace, and safety.

Nobles 
Nobles owned and governed manors. Each manor had its own church, village, mill, wine press, and pasture lands. Lords allowed many people to live and work on their manors. These people got food and housing, but did not get paid in money.

Manors were given from one generation to another. When a noble died, his firstborn son got everything his father owned.