Episode 90: Lesser-trod Histories 11: Sauron Defeated
Episode Summary
In this episode, Jude and Stef discuss History of Middle-earth Volume 9: Sauron Defeated, the final book in the History of the Lord of the Rings. Jude introduces The Drowning of Anadûnê, discussing the different versions of the tale of the Drowning of Númenor and the cultural traditions for which they were written. Jude also talks about the importance of adaptation and fan fiction in relation to Tolkien's works. Later, Stef presents the omitted Epilogue to the Lord of the Rings, which gives us a glimpse of Sam’s life and family after the event of the Lord of the Rings.
Citations
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Tolkien, J. R. R. Sauron Defeated. Ed. Christopher Tolkien. The History of Middle-earth: Vol. 9. HarperCollins, London, 1992.
Tolkien, J. R.R. Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien: Revised and Expanded Edition. Ed. Humphrey Carpenter with Christopher Tolkien. HarperCollins Publishers Inc., New York. “Digital Edition NOVEMBER 2023 ISBN: 978-0-06-337435-5, Version 09282023, Print ISBN: 978-0-35-865298-4” (Accessed Dec 31, 2025).
Fliss, William M, and Schaefer, Sarah C., J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Manuscript. The Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University, August 19-December 23, 2022. ISBN 978-0-945366-36-2. Images 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34.
Tolkien Gateway entry for “King’s Letter”
https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/King%27s_Letter (Accessed Dec 31, 2025)
Tolkien Gateway entry for “Sauron Defeated”
https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Sauron_Defeated (Accessed 10/1/25)
Tolkien Gateway entry for “Vinyar Tengwar 29”
https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Vinyar_Tengwar_29 (Accessed Dec 31, 2025)
Reddit post, “Where can I find the unpublished epilogue to Lord of the Rings?” by user “mammothman64”
https://www.reddit.com/r/tolkienfans/comments/ydejtq/where_can_i_find_the_unpublished_epilogue_to_lord/ (Accessed Dec 31, 2025)
-Response from “gynnis-scholasticus”
Mentioned in the episode:
Lee Knox Ostertag, 2021 (username is mollyknox)
On AO3: “Sam and Frodo Comics, Chapter 5: The Unpublished Epilogue”
https://archiveofourown.org/works/27478819/chapters/72409524 (Accessed Dec 31, 2025)
Miriam Ellis, “The Importance of The Epilogue to The Lord of the Rings” (posted April 29, 2024)
https://www.miriamellis.com/post/the-importance-of-the-epilogue-to-the-lord-of-the-rings (Accessed Dec 31, 2025)
“Tolkien’s Unpublished Epilogue to The Lord of the Rings” by In Deep Geek, published Dec 23, 2023, https://youtu.be/H2yRW4xmZFY?si=iZNDS8MaItSA8PFL (Accessed Dec 31, 2025)
Episode URL
https://athrabeth.simplecast.com/episodes/episode-90