I am a mechanical engineer at present working as project engineer on the Proyecto Pequeña Tierra Media, which aims at reconstructing Professor J.R.R Tolkin´s world of Middle Earth in miniature form in the Sierra Norte de Madrid, as the topography of this area conforms 60% with the maps of Middle Earth. My work involves designing locations and artefacts concerning Middle Earth in such a way that they can actually be built. The designs are such as to allow them to be built by persons and entities of relatively modest means, and to provide employment for craftsmen and others, also to provide young people of the region with an opportunity to learn traditional trades and practice them. Also, the project is intended to assist in developing the tourist industry for this unspoiled area in such a manner as will be sustainable and not damage the area. I must stress that my involvement is purely technical, and I am not involved in the politics or administration of the Project. For answers to, or comments on, technical matters, please contact me via this blogspot, or at Plaza del Tilo 1, Urbanisation Monteclaro, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, España (Spain). e-mail:jolabent27@yahoo.es. Tel. 917159190 and 616718133. For answers to political and administrative questions, please contact Don Agustin Ferrer Salazar, Alcalde (Mayor), Ayuntamiento de Buitrago de Lozoya, Plaza de Picasso 1, 28730, in the Mancommunidad de Madrid. Comments and questions are welcome, and correspondents may write in Spanish, English, French or Catalan.
All of the structures which I have designed are intended to blend in with the landscape of the sites where they are destined to be located, to respect the media ambient, and to follow the precepts and ideas of Professor Tolkien as far as can be possible in the twenty-first century. At the same time, the items designed are all capable of providing viable business and income for their operators. For details of the Proyecto Pequeña Tierra Media I refer the reader to the Prospectus issued by the Consorcio, of which I will be pleased to supply a copy.
THE PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY. The provision of Alternative Energy, such as solar panels and photovoltaic cell-generated electricity to constructions in Little Middle Earth is a matter still to be discussed, and I do not know if, or to what extent, the Consorcio would authorize the use of twenty-first century technology in a Project which is, after all, based firmly in a time and place where these things did not exist. All of the contructions in Little Middle Earth could be supplied with these things quite easily, and the underground Hobbit-holes in Hobbiton could have the benefit solar-tube lighting into those rooms at the back where there cannot be any windows. The same could also apply to Moria, where Professor Tolkien describes natural light coming in through shafts drilled down from the surface in places, notalby the Chamber of Mazarbul. The roofs of the buildings in Rivendell and Lothlorien would accept panels, but only on the roofs of the Royal Palace in Lothlorien could they be made invisible from the outside. Hobbiton is a particularly early Medieval place where such things would stand out badly and ruin the appearance of the Hobbit's village. Even mains electricity would be out of place there, and discourage the "Hobbits" staying there from using the candles and lamps that the original Hobbits would have had to use. These are matters, therefore, which will have to be resolved at the outset of the proposed constructions.
The drawings and designs are all covered by Copyright. I intend to publish a complete Drawing list in this blogspot, and those readers interested to recieve a copy of any of the drawings may do so by post. I feel that I am entitled to charge for the supply of drawings, but the charge will not be excessive. The drawings range from Hobbit-holes, to horse-drawn transport, boats, buildings, and various artefacts.
DRAWING LIST: Dwg.No.1 Hobbit-hole, end elevation, semi-sectioned, scale 1"=1'0" Dwg.No.2 Hobbit-hole, side elevation, section through centre. Scale: 1"=1'0" Dwg.No.3 Hobbit-hole ¨Bag End¨sketches on general layout. Not to scale. Dwg.No.4 Hobbit-hole ¨Bag End¨. Front elevation of ¨Bag End¨. Dwg.No.5 Hobbit-holes, ¨The Hobbiton¨kitchen-range, front elevation semi-sectioned. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.5b Hobbit-holes, ¨The Hobbiton¨kitchen range, aerial elevation. Scale:1"=1'0" Dwg.No.5c Hobbit-holes, ¨The Hobbiton¨kitchen range. Perspective view from the right. Not to scale. Dwg.No.5d Hobbit-holes. ¨The Troll¨triple roasting-spit. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.6a Hobbit-holes, ¨The Smial¨wash-boiler, front elevation, sectioned. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.6b Hobbit-holes, ¨The Smial¨wash-boiler, Aerial elevation, semi-sectioned. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.6c Hobbit-holes,¨The Smial¨wash-boiler, side elevation view from right side, section through middle of unit. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.7a Middle Earth, ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart, side elevation from the left. Scale:3/8"=1'0" Dwg.No.7b Middle Earth, ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart, end elevation, section through centre of barrel. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.7c Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart, rear-end elevation. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.7d Middle Earth "The Aguaton" water-cart, aerial elevation of barrel, sectioned. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.7e Middle Earth, ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart. Details of barrel-fittings in three sketches. Scales:1/2"=1'0" and 3"=1'0". Dwg.No.7f Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨ water-cart, further details of barrel-fittings and also of rear hub. Scale:3"=1'0". Dwg.No.7g Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨ water-cart, general arrangements of brake systems. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.7h Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨ water-cart, aerial elevation of cart frame shewing the geometrical function of the cart frame and the arrangement of the load-bearing system. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.7I Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart, front axle arrangements (semi-sectioned) Scale:1/2"=1'0" Dwg.No.7I (Sketch b) Perspective of Lateral and Trunnion-ring vee-bearing systems. Not to scale. Dwg.No.7I Centre pivot, traction, and drawbar arrangements in three sketches (c,d,e,). Dwg.No.7I Sketch f: general arrangement of the traction system. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg-No.8A Middle Earth, Walking brolly. ¨The Bywater¨combined staff and brolly. Side elevation. Scale:1 and1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.8b Middle Earth, walking brolly, aerial elevation. Scale:1 and 1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.9a Hobbit-holes, dining-table ¨The Belladonna¨table for Bag End. Aerial elevation of table-top. Scale 1"=1'0". Dwg.No.9b Hobbit-holes, dining-table ¨The Belladonna¨table for Bag End. Horizontal elevation of table. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.10 Hobbit-holes, dining chairs ¨The Belladonna¨chair for Bag End, Sketches (a)to (d). Dwg.No.11 Hobbit-holes, garden wheelbarrow. ¨The Gaffer¨wheelbarrow. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.12A Middle Earth: General Merchant´s Cart. ¨The Overhill¨cart, Side elevation of right side. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.12B Middle Earth: General Merchant´s Cart, ¨The Overhill¨cart, aerial elevation of frame. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.13A Middle Earth: Pony trap. ¨The Bilbo¨trap for 4 persons and 1 pony. Side elevation from the right. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.13B Middle Earth: Pony trap. "The Bilbo" trap. Aerial elevation. Scale:12=1'0". Dwg No.13C Middle Earth: Pony trap. ¨The Bilbo¨trap, horizontal elevation from rear end of trap. Dwg.No.14A Hobbit-houses above ground. "The Bolger" Hobbit-house, two sketches (a) 3/8"=1'0". (b) Not to scale. Dwg.No14B Hobbit-houses above ground. Perspective view from the right. Scale: Not to scale. Dwg.No.15A Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Anvil mounted on elm block. Side elevation. Scale:1 and 1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.15B Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Section through forge, horizontal elevation view from left . Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.15C Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Swaging-block. Perspective view. Not to scale. Dwg.No.15D Middle Earth: Forge. Aerial elevation with canopy removed. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.15E Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge; bellows, single-acting, hand-operated. Side elevation, semi-sectioned. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.15F Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Bellows, Double-acting hand operated. Side elevation (semi-sectioned) and end elevation (sketches (a) and (b). Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.15G Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Leg Vise and Ancillary equipment (sketches (a) 1"=1'0" and (b) not to scale. Dwg.No.15H Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. General Layout in plan. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.15I Middle Earth: Blacksmith's Forge. Various Blacksmith's Tools. Scale:3"=1'0". Dwg.No.15J Middle Earth: Blacksmith's Forge. Grindstone and anvil tools. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.17A Middle Earth: The Turnery. The Bodger´s Lathe; ¨Bodgery in Action¨. Scale:3/8"=1'O". Dwg.No.17B Middle Earth: The Turnery. Hand-driven lathe, sketches (a) 3/8"=1'0", and (b) 1"=1'0". Dwg.No.17C Middle Earth: The Turnery. Lathe driven by a horse-wheel. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.18A Middle Earth: Watermill. Mill driven by a double overshot waterwheel. Horizontal section viewed from downstream, of waterwheel, structure, and machinery. Scale:3"=1'0". Dwg.No.18B Middle Earth: Watermill. Horizontal Elevation of the wheel, pier, and sluices. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.18C Middle-Earth: Watermill. General view of the mill, millpond, dam and sluices. Scale: Not to scale. Dwg.No.19A Middle-Earth: Diligence. ¨The Eriador¨Open diligence. Side elevation. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.19B Middle Earth: Diligence. "The Eriador" open diligence, side elevation of the completed vehicle. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.19C Middle Earth: Diligence. ¨The Eriador¨ open diligence. Aerial elevation of frame and brake system. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.19D Middle Earth: Diligence. ¨The Eriador¨open diligence. End elevations of frame with axles and steering, sketches (a) and (b). Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.20A Middle-Earth: Horse Bus. ¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus. Side elevation of frame, suspension and seats. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.20B Middle Earth: Horse Bus. ¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus. Side elevation of the completed vehicle. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.20C Middle Earth: Horse Bus.¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus. Aerial elevation of upper deck. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.20D Middle Earth: Horse Bus.¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus. Aerial elevation of lower deck. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.20E Middle Earth: Horse Bus. ¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus, front and rear elevations, sketches (a) and (b). Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.20F Middle Earth: Horse Bus. ¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus, Aerial elevation of main frame. Scale:3/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.21A Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel Aerial elevation of general arrangements. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.21B Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, horizontal elevation of Port side. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.21C Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, horizontal elevation: Longitudinal Section (of framing) along centreline viewed from Port side. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.21D Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, horizontal elevation: Longitudinal section shewing the general arrangements. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.21E Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, end elevations sketches (a) and (b). Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.21F Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, athwartships sections amidships. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.22A Middle Earth:Lothlorien. ¨Elven¨boat for General Use. Horizontal Elevation of Port side. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.22B Middle Earth; Lothlorien. ¨Elven¨ boat for General Use. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.22C Middle Earth: Lothlorien. ¨Elven¨boat for General Use, section through hull amidships, view for and aft. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.23A Middle Earth: Rivendell.¨The Hall of Fire¨centrepiece, version 1, horizontal elevation. Scale:3/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.23B Middle Earth: Rivendell.¨The Hall of Fire¨centrepiece, version 2, horizontal elevation. Scale:3/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.23C MIddle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Fire¨centrepiece, aerial elevation. Scale:3/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.23D Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Fire¨centrepiece, diagrams of air and water supply systems to firetrough and fountain. Dwg.No.24 Hobbit-holes: Waterbarrow, sketches (a),(b),and (c). ¨The Waterwillow¨barrow. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.25A Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Fire¨, General Design of Hall. Horizontal elevation of external and internal appearance of the Hall. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.25B Middle Earth:Lothlorien. ¨The Hall of Fire¨General ground plan. Aerial Elevation. Dwg.No.25C Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Fire¨" combination chimney and ventilator. Horizontal section and aerial elevation. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.26 Middle Earth: Rivendell. Proposed arrangement of Halls and ancillary buildings. Scale:1/32"=1'0". Dwg.No.27A Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Elrond¨, General plan fo the Hall and ancilliary buildings. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.27B Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Elrond¨, Horizontal elevation of the External appearance of the Hall. Scale:1/8=1`0". Dwg.No.27C Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Elrond¨, end view of the Hall from the High Table end. External appearance. Horizontal elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.27D Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Elrond¨, Perspective view of the internal appearance of the Hall. Not to scale. Dwg.No.28A Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨Elvenhouse¨, Ground plans of ground floor and upper floor of the house. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.28B Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨Elvenhouse¨: Vertical plan of house. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg,No.28C Middle-Earth: Rivendell. ¨Elvenhouse¨: Perspective view of house. Not to scale. Dwg.No.28D Middle Earth: Rivendell. Three types of window. Scale:3/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.29A Middle Earth: Moria. Section through chamber in mountain, horizontal elevation. Scale:3/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.29B Middle Earth: Moria. Section through access tunnel. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.29C Middle Earth: Moria. Details of decoration of stonework. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.29D Middle Earth: Moria. The Western Doors of Khazad-dum Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.29E Middle Earth: Moria. Statue of Durin 1, First Lord of Moria (Khazad-dum). Scale: One-and-a-half inches to one foot. Dwg.No.29F Middle Earth: Moria. General arrangement of the Western access to and from the First Hall. Scale:1/16th"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30A Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Stylised view of a talan complex in a strong tree. Horizontal elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.30B Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The "Freebranch" Hanger to support talans and flets (may be made in various sizes). Scale:3"=1'0". Dwg.No.30C Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The "Freetree" Hanger to support talans and flets (may be made in various sizes). Scale:One-and-one-half inches equals one foot. Dwg.No.30D Middle Earth: Lothlorien. General view in perspective of the tubular frame system of a large talan. Not to scale. Dwg.No.30E Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Some construction details of an Elven tree-house, the "Elftree" house, sketch(a) at one-and-a-half inches equals one foot, and sketch (b), in perspective. Not to scale. Dwg.No.30F Middle Earth: Lothlorien. "Elftree" house for two Elves, general construction, access, and plumbing arrangements. Scale: 1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.30G Middle Earth: Lothlorien. "Elftree" house: floor plan and accomodation. Scale:1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.30H "Elftree" house, view of house in tree. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.30I Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Sketch (b) Spark-arresting chimney. Sketch (a) Draught-inducing chimney pot, horizontal elevation. Sketch (c) Draught-inducing chimney-pot, aerial elevation. Sketch (d) Lifting tackle for water and stores. Sketches (a),(c), and (d) are scaled at 1"=1'0", sketch (b) at 1/2"=1'0". Dwg.No.30J Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The "Tresaf" Wheelchair hoist. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.30K Middle Earth: Lothlorien. the "Tresaf" Wheelchair hoist, Aerial elevation. Scale:1"=1'0". Dwg.No.30L Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Operational view of the "Tresaf" system. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.30M Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Cabin on talan, and access. Horizontal elevation view from front. Scale:1/4"=1'0". Dwg.No.30N Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The Palace of their Elven Majesties. Horizontal elevation of front of Palace. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.30O Middle Earth: Lothlorien. First floor of Palace in Plan. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.30P Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Second floor of Palace in Plan. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg.No.30G Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Attic floor of Palace in Plan. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0". Dwg. No.30S Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Stylised plan of the general layout of the complex of Lothlorien, aerial elevation. Scale:1/32"=1'0". Dwg.No.30T Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Two aspects of the complex of Lothlorien, horizontal elevations. Scale:1/32"=1'0".
I understand that the Consorcio have negotiated with the holders of the Rights to the film set used in the film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" for the purchase in its entirety of the said film set of Edoras and Meduseld (chief town of Rohan and palace of the King), and the right to use it in Middle Earth, and have arranged for its transportation to Spain. This film set was built full-size, and would merely require re-erecting at Patones. It suits the Kingdom of Rohan very well, and is unlikely to require much in the way of modification, if any at all. Therefore I have not done any work on Rohan, as all that appears to be necessary is the re-erection of the buildings on their new site.
NUMENOR, MINAS TIRITH, etcetera:
Unfortunately, I am unable to think of any way to build a big stone city without building a big stone city! This would involve the investment of a huge amount of money (probably several hundreds of millions, even for a smaller version). Professor Tolkien gives a very complete description of Minas Tirith, i.e. that it forms a semi-circle standing out from the mountain, with a great vertical ridge of rock in the centre (looking rather like the front of the great fortress in Haiti which the Emperor Napoleon built for Toussaint l'Ouverture). The semi-circle of the city wall is a mile from end-to-end, and the city rises up from it in seven terraces to the King´s Palace at the summit. It is built entirely of stone. I have not heard of any site in Little Middle Earth which would meet the specifications, and even a modest-sized version would take years to build. Also, while the followers of Professor Tolkien´s works are very numerous, I seriously doubt whether enough of them would be able, or even willing, to take up Numenorean life and live in it to make it economically viable. In any case, it would rank as a highly visible urbanisation in a protected area, no matter how attractive and graceful it may look, and I think that Planning Permission would not be forthcoming for a development of this size. Therefore, I have not attempted to do any work on the design of such a city, as the chances of it being built are clearly minimal, and I am sorry about it.
I would respectfully remind my readers and correspondents that all the designs and descriptions of the works featured in this blog are the Copywright of the author, myself, John Bentley, and, apart from that, I would deem it a courtesy if interested parties would first consult with me before making use of the same. My e-mail address is: jolabent27@yahoo.es My telephone numbers are: 917159190, and 616718133. I thank you all in advance for your co-operation and courtesy.
Yours sincerely,
John Bentley. A hobbit of Monteclaro, Pozuelo, Madrid, ESPAÑA.
p.s. Correspondents may write in: Español, Francaise, English, or Catalan.
Me parece una idea estupenda lo de tener un Blog. deberias poner algun tipo de cuadro opara que s epueda observar la maravillosa reconstrucción que estas haciendo. Gonzalo
Hola John , hay muchas personas que me preguntan si vas a seguir publicando tu trabajo en la en le blog pues están impacientes por ver algo mas de tu trabajo .
At the request of Gonzalo I am going to give details of the designs for the Proyecto Pequeña Tierra Media, proposed for the region North of Madrid. I will commence with Drawings Numbers 1 to 4, and will show pictures of the various designs as and when they can be transferred from paper onto the computer. Drawings 1 to 4, Hobbit-hole: This Hobbit-hole is based on the description of 'Bag End' as given by Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. It is probably a good deal smaller than Bilbo's actual home, which had passages, kitchens, pantries, store.rooms, bedrooms, etcetera, in considerable numbers. However, us lesser persons in the 21st Century are obliged to think in terms of a limited financial budget! Accordingly, I have opted for a Hobbit-hole of three bedrooms, each with it's own bathroom and toilet, a dining-room, kitchen, laundry-room, study, living-room, hall, pantry, wine-cellar, and lobby with toilet. A main passage-way leads off of the hall, and gives access to all of the other rooms. This passage-way, and all rooms lacking windows to the outside, are equipped with ventilators leading to the surface. "Solar-tube" lighting may be incorporated into these if required. There are fireplaces in the dining-room, study, and living-room, and, of course in the kitchen fire-room and laundry-room for cooking and heating water. A "Hobbiton" wood-fired oven is installed in the kitchen fire-room, and a "Smial" boiler in the laundry-room. The principal rooms are on that side of the hole which has direct access to the outside, and have round windows. The hall is the principal entrance, but the kitchen also has it's own door. Only the round windows and doors are visible from the outside, and can have window-boxes and climbing plants. On top of the hole, only the small stone chimneys and ventilator outlets can be seen, and the land above the hole can be left to nature, or used for agriculture or forestry. The ground immediately in front of the Hobbit-hole is used for a garden, where flowers, vegetables and herbs may be grown. Outside the kitchen door is the well or cistern where fresh water is stored. This water is replenished at regular intervals by the water-cart which brings it from the nearest authorised supply-point. Waste-water and sewage are piped underground in separate piped to the public system. The hole is fitted with an underground system of ventilation which conducts fresh air from outside to all rooms, and the stale used air evacuates via the ventilators by means of natural thermal conduction. Fresh air is also ducted to the fire-grates directly in order to avoid inconvenient draughts. The Hobbit-hole is designed to have the minimal visual impact on the landscape. Lighting is by means of candles and colza-oil lamps, and heating and cooking are by means of wood-fires, the wood being mainly gathered from the forest floor, which helps to keep the forests clean of fallen branches and other stuff which constitutes a fire hazard. All chimneys are to be fitted with spark-arresters.
Hobbit-holes: It is envisaged that a small community of Hobbit-holes be created, together with a few Hobbit-houses, one of which should be an inn, and another a Post-office. There should also be a Blacksmith's Forge, A Turnery, a Watermill for the grinding of corn, and a Workshop where Carpentery and Carriage-building and repairs are carried out. The Hobbit-holes may be of various sizes, to suit requirements, and the various workshops can provide training for young people in the skills of the trades. Education in the operation and management of simple agriculture and the care of livestock should also be provided. There is the example of Mr.Joh Seymour to be considered in relation to all this. He bought land in Wales in the 1960's and created an organic farm which was very successful, and numbers of young people went there to study his methods. He also wrote and published some books on the subject, at least one of which I read many years ago. He also applied Alternative Energy to his projects. Unfortunately Mr. Seymour, a pioneer in the field, died some years ago, but his published works can probably be obtained, perhaps via Amazon. Among his projects was the generation of domestic gas by the use of manure from his considerable flock of free-range chickens, and of electricity by means of wind and water power. The creation of Hobbiton as a living village is intended to benefit the region as a whole by maintaining the skills and way of life of traditional agriculture and country life in general, following the teachings of Professor Tolkien and Mr.Seymour. Such a community would incorporate well with the region, and the (mainly underground) village of Hobbiton would not impinge on the landscape, as conventional urbanisations often do.
Drawings Numbers 5A to 5C, "The Hobbiton" kitchen range:
This kitchen range is designed to fit in the fire-room of the Hobbit-hole previously discussed. It has two ovens and three hot-plates, which may used separately or all at the same time, as required by the cook. The fire-space is mounted centrally, and may be used for grilling or roasting (in conjunction with the "Troll" triple roasting-spit shewn in Dg.No.5D) The "Hobbiton" range is designed to fit inside a tunnel of 2 metres in diameter, but may be easily modified to fit tunnels of other diameters. Materials: May be of cast-iron, but this version is with a mainframe of 5/8th inch mild-steel plate. The fire-bars are of temperature-resistant steel. The oven-wrappers and ash-pan are of 3/32 inch mild-steel sheet. The air-supply to the fire-box is ducted under the floor of the tunnel. I had a "Majestic" kitchen range for many years in my house in England, and always found it a marvellously useful thing. I only wish that I had it here in Spain!
Drawings Numbers 6A,B,C. "The Smial" wash-boiler: This boiler is intended for doing the laundry, for heating water for baths and general domestic purposes. Every rural household had a boiler similar to "The Smial" when I was a boy. Apart from the uses described above, the boiler was also used in the brewing of beer, the making of wine, and also for making pork brawn, and for the boiling of Christmas Puddings. For some years I had a gas-fired version of such boiler in my house in England, and did indeed use it for all of these purposes. The "Smial" boiler I have designed to fit into the tunnel-shaped room of a Hobbit-hole. The air-supply to the fire-box is ducted in under the floor, and there is a stone work-top, and a series of shelves to facilitate working. As well as the boiler chimney, there is a ventilator in the laundry-room for carrying away the steam inevitably produced when performing washing, cooking, and brewing activities. The main part of the boiler is of common brick, the fire-box is lined with refractory brick, the fire-bars of heat-resistant steel, the boiler-vessel of copper sheet, with a supporting pillar of heat-resistant steel. The worktop is of stone (or marble, if preferred), and the lid is of wood, with a wooden handle. The fire is controlled by a steel damper incorporated in the removable fire-hole door, which is also of steel. The unit described is intended to fit into a 2-metre tunnel.
Drawings Numbers 8A, 8B. The "Bywater" walking-brolly: This brolly was designed at the request of Gonzalo, who pointed out that the region where Middle Earth is proposed to be is in a mountain region where it rains much more than it does down on the Central Plain, so I designed one which combines the function of a walking-staff (much favoured by Hobbits) and an umbrella, which last has six spokes. It is all made of wood, with a canopy of canvas, leather, or cloth, as preferred. The tip of the shaft has a metal spike to prevent it slipping in soft ground. The opening and closing operation of the umbrella is a simple sliding operation.
Drawing Number11: The "Gaffer" Garden Wheelbarrow: This wooden wheel-barrow is intended for general use in the gardens of Hobbiton. It is all of wood, with the exception of certain fittings, such as the tyre for the wheel, the towbar and catch, the axle, the leg-braces and the mud-scraper, all of which are of steel and made by the blacksmith, and the wheel-bearing, which is of white-metal on a bronze backing, although brass may be used if preferred. Any competent carpenter can make this barrow, or you can make it yourself from the drawing No.11, if you send for it.
Drawings Nos.12A and 12B: The "Overhill" General merchant's cart: This cart is intended for the general transport of goods in the region of Middle Earth. It has a capacity of 15 hundredweight (3/4 of a ton Imperial measure), and may be pulled by one heavy horse or two van-horses. It has a drop tailgate and drop sidegates, and may be fitted with a "tilt" (canopy). It is 15feet 2inches long and 6feet overall width. Hubs,stub-axles,trunnion-ring and brakes are the same types as used for the "Aguaton" water-cart described in the No.7 drawings. The "Overhill" is of wood with iron fittings. All can be built by: A cartwright, a wheelwright, and a blacksmith.
A word on drawings: I will publish more drawings in Benarda blog, but the size and complexity of technical drawings makes their use as published in a blog very limited. People interested in any particular item may write to me and then I can send full-sized copies in the post.
Drawing Number 9, The "Belladonna" Dining-room table for a Hobbit-hole: This table, to seat ten persons, is of wood inlaid with coloured floral designs (as favoured by Hobbits), and stands upon two broad legs. The table has a drawer at each end,and also one on each side in the middle. Each drawer has a silver handle. Each leg is hinged on the inside at the top. By knocking upwards, the wedges may be removed, the longitudinal members withdrawn, and the legs will then fold up to the inside of the table top, thus enabling the table to be stowed away when not required.
Drawing Number 10, The "Belladonna" dining-chairs: These chairs match the table described above. Ten of them will fit around the table. The name "Belladonna" is in honour of Mr. Bilbo Baggins' mother,Belladonna Took.
Drawings Numbers 13A,13B,13C, The "Bilbo" pony-trap: This trap,for one pony or small horse,and to carry four persons, is designed as a general purpose vehicle such as would be used by Hobbits for the same purposes as people to-day would use a general utility vehicle such as a Ford Fiesta hatchback or similar. They would carry themselves,family and friends,or transport their vegetables, tools, and similar things around the Shire. It it a simple, robust cart which is cheap to operate, and may be built by any competent cartwright, with the assistance of a wheelwright, and a blacksmith to make the iron fittings. The seats lift up to provide stowage for the cushions and other things, and may be left open when carrying vegetables and other goods. The ground clearance is high and the tyres broad to facilitate travel over rough ground, and the folding steps will, if left down, yield to any obstructions encountered and return to their normal position when the obstruction has been passed. Because the vehicle is often used for journeys carrying people, it is equipped with leaf springs, which make it more comfortable to ride in. It may be hauled by any good strong pony or small horse. This version for the Proyecto Pequeña Tierra Media is, of course designed to be used by full-sized people, but a smaller version, suitable for children and a small pony such as a Shetland may be obtained by altering the scale from 1inch=1foot to 2inches=1foot. Building to that scale will effectively reduce the size of the cart by 50%, so that it will then be only 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet 2 1/2 inches high at the front, and would suit children up to seven years of age. A drawing of the "Bilbo" pony-trap (Dwg.No.13A) will be found in the other section of this blog.
Drawings Numbers 14A,14B, The "Bolger" Hobbit-house- Drawing Number 14B of this Hobbit-house is displayed in the other section of this blog. The "Bolger" is for use where the site is unsuitable for Hobbit-holes. It can be provided with similar accomodation to that of a Hobbit-hole, although it does not need the ventilation system that a Hobbit-hole does. It is really a Hobbit-hole built above ground of brick and with a thatched roof, being a rounded tunnel in form, with round windows and doors, according to the customs and preferences of Hobbits as explained by Professor Tolkien. It is, of course more visible than is a Hobbit-hole, but with mellow brick-and-wood structure, and having a thatched roof, it blends in well with the rural landscape, particularly if trees are planted around it. It would also serve well as an inn, and if planned out in a "Tee" form there would be ample accomodation for guests. The name "Bolger" is in honour of Fredegar (Fatty) Bolger, who bravely volunteered to stay behind in such a Hobbit-house even though he knew that it was about to be attacked by the Nazgul.
Drawings Numbers 15A,15B,15C,15D,15E,15F,15G,15H.15I,15J. Middle Earth, Blacksmith's Forge: The forging,shaping,and heat-treatment of iron,and later,steel are among the most ancient skills known to men. Without them we would still be in the Stone Age. It all began several thousand years ago, and all Engineering as we know it to-day grew and developed, over many centuries, from the first simple forges. There are still Blacksmiths working to-day, although very few now than in the past. When I was a boy, more than sixty years ago, the local Blacksmith was still at work, making pitchforks,ploughshares,coulters,tines for harrows,scythes and sickles,fittings for harness,and many other things useful to the farmer and local tradesmen,as well as iron tyres for cartwheels. He used,in my day,an electric blower to provide air-blast to the forge, but the old hand-bellows still stood in place, and he and his Striker still used it when Herr Reichmarschall Goering's Luftwaffe bombed the local electricity supply out of action, as sometimes happened. It was an impressive sight when the Blacksmith fitted an iron tyre to a cartwheel. First he would gather a number of local men together in the yard, where the great tyre was keeping hot in a circular fire. The cartwheel was mounted on an iron post driven into the ground. When all was ready, the Blacksmith and his Striker picked up the red-hot tyre with their long tongs and carried it to the carwheel,where they positioned it over the rim of the wheel and started it down with their club-hammers. Then all of the men gathered round it and stamped and jumped on it with their heavy hob-nailed boots all around the rim until the tyre was fitted on,and then threw buckets of water all over the rim in order to shrink the iron tyre firmly onto the wooden rim of the wheel, giving rise to clouds of steam! The spectacle of six men dancing on the great wheel amidst sparks and clouds of steam was unforgettable! After the tyre was fitted, all the group went into the Forge, where they drank beer,cider, and ate sandwiches and rolls provided by the Blacksmith's wife. I got my share of these goodies by reason of my having helped by filling the water-buckets and running errands for the Blacksmith. In the 1970's and 80's I had my own small forge which I used when making prototypes of new equipment for the company I worked for. The technically-based pictures which I have produced for the use of the Project demonstrate the Blacksmith's Forge and some of the tools and equipment used in it. I will be pleased to assist personally in the construction of such a forge, and to instruct students in it's use.
Drawings Numbers 17A,17B,17C, The Turnery: Turning and Drilling are also among the oldest skills known to men. No-one knows when people first found out that by rotating a piece of wood while applying a sharp tool to it, it was possible to form it into a predicted shape, but be assured that it was probably long before the birth of Christ. In the series of technically-based pictures that I have produced under the Drawing Number 17, I begin with the Bodger's Lathe, and in the other part of this Benarda blog you will find a published drawing of one at work (Dwg.No.17A) This is probably the oldest form of lathe known, and the strange thing is that there were still Bodgers working in the Kent and Sussex woodlands even as late as the 1950's. The construction and operation of the Bodger's Lathe was very simple. The Bodger and his mate went out into the forest and cut for themselves the wood which they intended to use. They then selected two trees of a convenient distance apart, and cut two logs, which they implanted vertically into the ground between the two trees, and in line with the trunks thereof. The upright logs were positioned so as to serve as convenient rests for the workpiece. The Bodger then made a small cone-shaped hole in the trunk of each tree at a suitable height, and then sharpened the two ends of the workpiece with his field-knife so that they would fit into the holes. He then bound, with withies, cords, or strips of leather, wooden brackets to the upright logs, which then acted as supporting guides for the workpiece. Also, a stout but flexible branch was cut, and the thicker end buried in the ground. A cord was made fast to the thinner and upper end. The workpiece was then sprung into place between the holes in the two trees, so that it ran between the guides in the upright logs. The cord was then wrapped around the workpiece, and the Bodger¡s Mate pulled upon it, causing the workpiece to rotate. This action also pulled down the flexible branch. While this was being done, the Bodger applied his chisel to the workpiece, cutting it so as to begin to form the desired shape. When the Mate released the cord, the flexible branch rotated the workpiece in the opposite direction, during which the Bodger ceased to work. When the Mate pulled again on the cord, the Bodger re-applied his chisel to the workpiece. It will be clear that both men had to work together in rythmic unison in order to produce the desired result on the workpiece. Bodgers produced turned artefacts such as table legs, chair legs, wooden shafts for tools and lances, - anything rounded in shape - for finishing by the local village carpenter.
In Drawing No.17B I show a lathe much more advanced than the Bodger's Lathe from which it eventually developed. This is a proper lathe, for, although still made out of wood, it has iron or steel parts (made by the Blacksmith), could be installed indoors in a shed, and it features the same essential parts as are found in a Centre-lathe of our times, such as a headstock with mandrel and driving-dog, a toolrest, and a adjustable tailstock with an adjustable and lockable mandrel. It is, however, driven by a hand-operated wheel. It was capable of turning, albeit crudely, in metal.
In Drawing No.17C, I show a much better and advanced lathe which is powered by a horse-driven wheel, and features a belt-operated system for increasing the turning-speed. The body is made of cast-iron, with some steel moving parts running in brass or white-metalled bronze bearings. It could turn in wood or metal, and, if the Master Turner had a good and steady hand, it might achieve an accuracy of 1/64th of an inch. With a lathe like this, many things could be made much better than before, and later developments from this lathe eventually led to the supremely accurate lathes and other machine-tools that we have to-day.
With my Atlas 5" lathe I could work within a accuracy of one and one half thousands of an inch. A Swiss Lorch can turn within 2/10ths of one thousandth of an inch. I will be pleased to instruct students in the skills of Turning.
Drawings Numbers19A,19B,19C,19D,"The Eriador" open diligence: This diligence, to be hauled by two horses (plus a trace-horse in hilly country) has a capacity of twelve passengers plus two more in wheelchairs, and is intended to operate Public Transport Services within the Shire and elsewhere, inclusive of narrow roads and rough tracks. It is, therefore, only five feet six inches wide between the outsides of the wheel rims. Apart from the covered top, there are sidescreens, front screen, and rear screen, which are made of canvas, and may be rolled down in order to protect the passengers and crew in the event of inclement weather. Access by wheelchair is by means of a portable ramp to either side of the vehicle. When not in use, this ramp is stowed between the frames at the rear end of the vehicle. There is a tuck-box to hold refreshments. For details of Wheels, Hubs, Axles, Bearings, Steering, Brakes, etcetera, consult Drawings under Numbers 7 and 12, and adjust the Scales as required.
Drawings Numbers 20A,20B,20C,20D,20E,20F,The "Shire"double-deck horse-bus: This horse-bus is designed to be drawn by six heavy horses (Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron). It has a capacity of 35 passengers and two crew. Length: 28feet 3inches. Width: 6feet 6inches. Height: 11feet 0inches. It is intended to provide a Passenger and Parcels Service both within the Shire, and to other destinations in Middle Earth. Access for wheelchairs is by means of a portable ramp to either side of the vehicle. When not in use, the ramp is stowed upright in the Luggage and Parcels Compartment at the rear, to the left of the stairs. A smaller version, 22feet 8inches in length, to carry 21 passengers, can also be built to the same general design. For details of Wheels,Hubs,Bearings,Steering,Brakes, etcetera, see Drawing Numbers 7 and 12. Adjust Scales as required.
Drawings Numbers 21A,21B,21C,21D,21E,21F.The Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel of Lothlorien: This vessel of 42feet overall length is intended principally as a Royal Barge for the Ruling Elven King and Queen of Lothlorien, for use on the rivers and lakes of the region of Little Middle Earth; but also the vessel may be used for private charter or passenger work. The Barge is propelled by up to eight oarsmen, and also carries a square sail on a single pole-mast. She is fitted with leeboards in the same way as Dutch and Thames sailing-barges are, and steers with a steering-oar over the stern on the Starboard side of the sternpost. She is of shoal-draught, drawing two feet four-and-a-half inches in ballast, and two feet nine-and-a-half inches laden, with a beam of twelve feet six inches and a moulded depth of six feet. The overall dimension from the bottom of the keel to the top of the coachroof of the Great Cabin is eleven feet seven inches. She is of extreme round-bilged form, with a strong tumble-home, and the space between the inside of the hull and a vertical line taken down from the bulwarks is occupied by buoyancy tanks for almost the entire length of the ship, including the lazarette. There is no such thing as an unsinkable ship, but to sink this one would be very difficult. Although she is intended for use on inland waters, she would stand to serve at sea well enough, if required to do so. In any case, big lakes can provide plenty of problems in a gale of wind, and a nasty sea can kick up more quickly in fresh water than it does in salt water. A noticeable feature of the Barge is the Great Cabin, the overall length of which is fifteen feet, of which four feet is taken up by the Galley and the Heads. From the Galley a short companionway leads up to the Steering Platform, from which the vessel is conned. Below the Steering Platform on the Poop is a small cuddy for storage. Below the Great Cabin is the Lazarette, in which are situated the fresh-water tanks and sewage holding tanks. The rest of that space is occupied by stores. The main part of the Great Cabin contains the High Table, with the Royal Throne at the after end. At this table sit the Royal Pair and the principal guests. Immediately forward of the High Table are the two Lower Tables, one Port and one Starboard, at which sit the other guests. The Great Cabin can accomodate for dinner eighteen persons, including the Royal Pair. The reason for the vessel being designed with a shallow draught is that many of the local waters, especially the rivers, are shallow. Also, this construction allows the vessel to be hauled ashore when necessary for painting and other maintenance, without the need for an expensive slipway or dry-dock. The tables and benches, etc., in the Great Cabin are made collapsible, so that they may be replaced by folding chairs in order to accomodate visitors for tours around the lake where the vessel is based, and up-river. Private parties can also be catered for, to include the provision of Dinner served on board while the Barge is under way, all of which provides an income for the vessel and her operators, together with other activities such as private angling parties, during which Luncheon can be provided. The use of the Barge can be incorporated with public and private functions, such as weddings, being held at Rivendell, Moria, and Lothlorien.
Drawings Numbers 22A,22B,22C, The "Elven" boat for general use<. The "Elven" boat is intended for general use on the lakes and rivers of Little Middle Earth. The boat is 16feet six inches overall length, 5feet 3inches beam,3feet 4inches moulded depth,and with a draught of 1foot 7inches aft, and 1foot 5inches forward. She is propelled by Elvish paddles, and steered by means of a steering-paddle over the lute stern. She can accomodate six paddlers and a steersman, but can be propelled by two paddlers in good weather and calm conditions. There are buoyancy tanks throughout her length, and a square sail which can be set on a pole mast stepped just forward of amidships. As with the Royal Barge, she has a figurehead in the form of a swan's head and neck. A number of these boats can be built as hire-boats for visitor's use, either for hire with a Boatman or without, as they are simple boats and easily handled even by persons with little experience. They would be suitable for family excursions. A smaller version of 11feet in length can be also built for use by from one to three people.
Drawings Numbers 23A to 23D, and 25A to 28D concern Rivendell, and consist of designs for halls, houses, and ancillary items. The principal building is the Hall of Fire, which is a social centre for the Elves, and the place where Bilbo Baggins sat and wrote poetry and notes for his book, which formed the basis for his work later known as the Red Book of Westmarch. I have designed this Hall as a circular building with one floor. In the centre of the Hall of Fire stands a Centrepiece, intended to represent Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Growth (see Drawings Numbers 23A,23B,23C,23D). It features a central aboreal column topped by a fountain which discharges water over a pile of blue crystal quartz in a stone basin. Below this basin is another and larger basin containing earth and a bed of growing flowers. Below this is a circular rimshelf of stone, around which is a circular trough of steel containing a circular wood-burning fire. Surrounding this on the outside is a circular stone rimshelf. Below this, the edifice is supported by the root of the central aboreal column. Above the Centrepiece is hung a sheet-steel canopy which collects the smoke from the fire and evacuates it via a combination chimney/ventilator in the roof of the Hall (Drawing Number 25C) The fountain is supplied with water via the system shewn in Drawing Number 23D, which also demonstrates the air-supply system for the fire. The water may be either a closed-circuit system, or supplied by an external source. The Centrepiece is eight feet high overall, and ten feet two inches in diameter overall.
The Hall itself comprises (a) A circular chamber, which is a gathering-place, and contains a stage, two rostrums, and a catering bar. Natural light is supplied by two rows of windows located high up in the walls. (b) It is surrounded by a circular Library, containing bookshelves around it's inner walls, and around the inside of it's outer walls are desks and seats for the purpose of reading and study. There are doors at intervals allowing passage into and out of the Library from both the Hall and the Terrace. (c) The Hall and Library are surrounded on the outside by a circular covered Terrace.
From one side of the Hall leads a covered walkway, off of which are the Rest-rooms and the Kitchen and Pantry/cellar apertaining to the Hall of Elrond. The Hall of Fire is twenty-nine feet six inches high, and ninety feet three inches in diameter.
The Hall of Elrond is a Dining and Banqueting hall which will seat one hundred and eleven persons, and it's wood-fired kitchen will cater for the same. The two long tables will seat one hundred persons, and a raised dais at the far end will seat eleven persons of rank at the High Table. The Hall of Elrond is heated in Winter by four wood-burning stoves, one in each corner. There are also Rest-rooms for the higher-ranking persons. The Hall of Elrond is twenty-three feet six inches high overall,seventy-five feet long overall. The main Hall is twenty-six feet six inches wide, the Kitchen is fourteen feet wide, and the outer Rest-rooms twelve feet wide, giving a total of fifty-two feet six inches overall width of the buildings. The Hall of Elrond is covered by Drawings Numbers 26,27A,27B,27C, and 27D.
Suitable houses for persons involved in study courses in Rivendell are shewn in Drawings Numbers 28A,28B, and 28C, with details of doors and windows shewn in 28D. Elevated floral gardens are a distinctive feature of both Halls.
The Elvenhouses can be constructed in various sizes. I have shewn the larger one, which has two large bedrooms, each with bathroom and toilet, a lounge, dining-room, toilet, fireplace, kitchen, pantry, and log-store. The kitchen-range is a single-oven range, and is wood-fired. There is also a large attic. There are covered terraces on both floors. All of the windows and the French windows are in decorated glass. Major materials of construction are natural stone and wood. The two Halls are connected by the covered walkway mentioned above.
When Professor Tolkien described Moria, he explained that it was a vast underground city comprising eight levels and seven deeps, with many halls, chambers, armouries, workshops, passages, and other facilities. It is clear that it would be impossible to reconstruct such a vast metropolis today, unless it were to be promoted and financed by a multi-millionaire; nor would it be likely that there would be sufficient practical use for it. What I have done, therefore, is to design the West Doors, stairs, access tunnel, and one hall, in order to give people some impression of the original might and grandeur of Khazad-dum, and which can be employed in conjunction with the virtual system proposed by Don Gonzalo Fernandez Amago. The West Door is according to the original drawing by Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, excepting for technical modifications which I have made in order that the Doors can actually be built and used. When the Professor made his original drawing, I am sure that he never envisaged that anyone would actually propose to build the Doors. The Doors open onto "a broad flight of steps leading upwards" as described in Professor Tolkien's text, and these steps lead upwards and debouche into a passageway which, in turn, leads into a large hall which can be used for banquets, conferences, lectures, or for the virtual system. It would be possible to add extensions to the system if required, however, I am aware that mining and tunnelling are expensive operations, and I do not yet know what is the nature of the strata under the mountain where the Consortium propose to build. I have designed the tunnel and hall using an ovoid (egg-shaped) section in order to give strength combined with an impression of height, and have also designed the pillars and buttresses for the same purpose. Under the floor of the Hall is a large drain which also forms a reservoir of water, because there is usually to be found water underground in mountains, which has to be disposed of. The surplus water is evacuated via another drain which flows underneath the access tunnel, down underneath the stairs and entrance chamber, and thence away downhill. The water retained in the upper drain, being fresh from under the mountain and therefore, presumably pure and drinkable, may be used for domestic purposes if any accomodation and catering are proposed for Moria. The West Doors are eight feet high by four feet wide, the arch is nine feet five inches high by six feet nine inches wide. The Stairs are sixty-two feet up at an angle of sixty degrees and lead into the Access Tunnel which has headway of ten feet eleven inches and an inside width of eight feet (see Drawings Numbers 29B and 29F). This tunnel continues for a distance of ninety-one feet before it opens onto a Hall measuring twenty-four feet two inches inside width and thirty-two feet in height (inside measurement). The Hall is reinforced and decorated by standing pillars, buttresses, and rib-pillars at intervals of twelve feet along the length of the Hall, which said length I have left to the Consortium to decide. I have also designed a statue of Durin the First (The Deathless), First Lord of Khazad-dum, to be placed within the Hall. This statue of the Lord, seated upon his Throne, is four feet ten inches high, and three feet four and a half inches wide. These designs are intended to give the visitor some vision of the might of Khazad-dum.
Drawings Numbers 30A,30B,30C,30D,30E,30F,30G,30H,30I,30J,30K,30L,30M,30N,300,30P,30Q,30R,30S,30T,30U. Lothlorien and it's City of Trees:
Lothlorien, the heart of Elvendom in Middle Earth, was entirely built in the great trees of that region, principally Mallorn trees, of great girth, height, and strength. Such trees do not now exist on Earth, at least not in Europe. If we regard the image of Lothlorien as depicted in Mr. Peter Jackson's film trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings", we see that it is a majestic view of the great tree-city of the Elves which, of course, uses the technology of the cinema. However, if we are to re-create this in a form which can be occupied and used by the "Elves" of to-day, we must modify our ideas into a form which can be achieved by modest commercial entities. The same applies to Rivendell and Moria, where, again, the re-creation of these places on the same scale as envisaged by Professor Tolkien and Mr.Peter Jackson would require the injection of so much capital that only people with the financial capability of Mr.Bill Gates or Mr.Rockefeller could hope to achieve it. Accordingly, I have designed all of my work on Little Middle Earth with the view in mind that everything should be within the financial capability of ordinary individuals and modest commercial companies to construct, and which is capable of generating an income sufficient to recuperate the money invested and provide a reasonable and fair profit to the benefit of those investing their capital and energies in the Project.
The "Freetree" and "Freebranch" hangers are designed to support tree-houses and to allow free movement of the houses without abrasion to the trees. In cases where it would not be adviseable to hang supports directly from the trees, I have used pillars, either of bought-in tree-trunks from authorised suppliers, or,alternatively, of reinforced concrete simulated to appear as tree-trunks.
The "Elftree" tree-houses consist of a tubular steel frame clad in wooden planks (outer and inner walls), with fire-proof thermal insulation between the walls and upper and lower floors and roofs. The roofs are shingled with wooden shingles to match the surrounding treescape. The smaller "Elftree" house measures 14 feet by 14 feet inside measurement and contains domestic accomodation for two Elves and an occasional guest. The larger house will suit four or five Elves, having more bedrooms. The larger version will be better sited on pillars, rather than hangers. The complex of Lothlorien is composed of 24 Class "A" (small) tree-houses, 4 Class "B" (large) tree-houses, and 4 Class "C" tree-houses, all arranged in a circular form and surrounding the Palace of Queen Galadriel. The tree-houses are arranged in two circles, inner and outer. The houses are connected one with another, by means of gangway platforms, so that people may walk around the entire circles from house to house. The two circles are connected with each other by means of suspension-bridges (Drawing Number 30S). The Class "C" are for use as small Cafe-bars, Shops, and similar establishments. The Classes "A" and "B" tree-houses have their own private terraces above their roofs. The Class "C" are situated in the middle of their own terraces, for the convenience of customers.
Access to and from the ground is provided by spiral staircases up the trunks of trees. Access for people in wheelchairs is provided by "Tresaf" cabin-hoists in suitable locations around the site (Drawings Numbers 30J and 30K). Stores and water are supplied by means of simple hoists (see Drawing Number30I,Sketch (d)).
In the drawing Number 30S the complex of Lothlorien is shewn as a stylized plan, where it consists of two perfect circles. In practice it may not be as formal as this, because of the location and type of the actual trees at the site. I have not been shewn the site, nor has it been described to me, so I have no way of knowing exactly how it is. However, be that as it may, the general idea of the plan can probably be followed fairly closely.
The Royal Palace of Queen Galadriel and Celeborn: This Palace stands upon sixteen tree-form pillars, each one being 3ft0ins at the base, and tapering to 1ft 2ins at its junction with the attic floor. The height of the first floor above the ground is twenty-five feet, and the ground-space underneath forms the Courtyard. Each of the pillars, between it's base and the First Floor is fitted with three ceramic flower pots around its circumference, which contain flowers and hanging plants. The First Floor contains the Main Hall, Throne and Dais, Kitchen, two Stages for music and entertainment, Public Rest-rooms, and Private Rest-rooms for the Royal Pair. The Kitchen is equipped with a dumb-waiter which conveys such items as stores and food between the Courtyard and all the floors. The Main Hall is 53ft by 53ft (2,809 square feet), and is surrounded by a terrace which is 5ft wide. Each side of the Main Hall is equipped with three glass double-doors giving access to this Public Terrace, and all the length of the sides of the Main Hall, including the doors, is of glass (see Drawing Number 30N). The total outside measurement of the First Floor, including the terrace, is 63ft by 63ft (3,969 square feet). Access from the Courtyard to the Main Hall is by means of two spiral staircases.
The Second Floor contains the Royal Apartments and Royal Guest-rooms; the walls are constructed of wooden planking on outside and inside with fireproof insulation between, in a similar way to that of the "Elftree" tree-houses (Drawing Number 30E). Each wall on each of the four sides has three double doors of decorated glass, and each pair of doors is flanked by a decorated glass window on both sides.
The Royal Apartments are arranged as follows: The Royal Bedchamber, the Royal Study and Sitting-room,the King's Bathroom, the Queen's Bathroom,the Principal Guest-chamber, the Principal Guest's Bathroom, two other Guest-chambers with Bathrooms, the Dining-room, the Royal Library, and the Ladies and Gentlemen's Rest-rooms. Access between the various parts is effected by means of two corridors, and access to-and-from the Main Hall is by means of a spiral staircase in the Vestibule. The Royal Apartments measure 52ft 6ins by 52ft 6 ins., and are surrounded by a terrace which is 4ft wide. The total outside measurement of the Second Floor, including the terrace, is 60ft 10ins by 60ft 10ins (3,700sq.ft.).
The Attic Floor contains the quarters for the Royal Attendants, and these are arranged as follows: Ten servant's bedrooms, menservant's bathroom, womenservant's bathroom, Servant's Hall, storeroom, linen and ironing-room. There are passageways between the three attics which comprise the Attic Floor. Access to-and-from the Second Floor is by means of two spiral staircases. The Attic Floor (Royal Attendant's Quarters) measures 49ft 8ins by 49ft 8ins outside measurement (2,475 square feet).
The High Steward and the Head Cook will probably reside in their own tree-houses outside the Palace. Each of the three attics is equipped with glass windows at each end, and also with Dormer windows in the roof. These roofs (see Drawings Numbers 30N and 30R) are tiled with green ceramic tiles in tongue-form. There are approximately 28,500 of these tiles.
The purpose of the Royal Palace, apart from being the Residence of the Rulers of Lothlorien and the Administrative Centre of the complex and of the surrounding forest, is to serve as a prestigious Banqueting Hall and Entertainment Hall for visitors, particularly VIPs. The Royal Couple, when elected to their place by the Consortium, will not only control and administer Lothlorien, but will be expected to entertain important people in the Main Hall, and to invite the most important of these to stay with them in the Royal Guest-rooms and dine privately in the Royal Apartments. At other times, when the Palace is not occupied by VIPs, visitors from the General Public may visit the Palace and meet the Royal Pair. In pleasant weather one or both of the Royal Pair may invite guests to join in an excursion in the Royal Barge (Drawing Number 21). The Complex of Lothlorien is intended, of course, to be sited in a forest, of which there are a number in Little Middle Earth. All of the tree-houses and the Palace are situated at 25 feet in height from the ground, and at a very short distance away will be invisible (see Drawing 30T). Lothlorien, therefore, will not impinge upon the natural landscape, and will maintain the atmosphere of secrecy as described in "The Lord of the Rings".
Drawing Number 31, Middle Earth: Arms and Artefacts. The "Hammerhead" field-knife:
This field-knife can be used for cutting branches and building rough shelters, as it will serve as a hatchet, hammer, knife or spoke-shave. The broad,flat back can be struck with a log of wood when splitting logs. It is of good general use in camp,forest,or field, and may also be used for fighting, in case of need. The blade may be made from any one of a number of steels. I suggest, for examples: (1) Stainless steel 440C. (2)Steel ATS-34, SK5. (3) Carbon steel 9260, 1080. (4) Molybdomen-Vanadium steel. (5) Damascus steel. The cross-guard and pommel are of bronze or gunmetal, but could also be made of steel, if required. The hammer-head is of blister-steel,as used in hammers. The grip-cheeks are of Ebony,Ironwood,Oak, etcetera, as required.
Drawing Number 32, Middle Earth, Arms and Artefacts. The "Cleaver" two-handed sabre: This sabre may be used on foot or on horse-back, and with one hand or two. The blade may be made, I suggest, in (1) Spring steel, (2) Stainless steel 440C, (3) Carbon steel 8260, (4) Stainless steel CN-33, (5) Damascus steel. The cross-guard, middle ring, and pommel are of bronze or gunmetal, but could be made of steel if required. The grips are of bound strip leather.
I am a Mechanical Engineer born and bred in Britain, but have been living in Spain for many years. I am also a student of Professor Tolkien´s works on Middle Earth, and am at present actuating as a Project Engineer on the Proyecto Pequeña Tierra Media in the Sierra Norte de Madrid. I have designed at present more than 30 items with more than 100 drawings, and will be interested to see comments from other persons interested in the subject.
32 comentarios:
Hi John, I can see you started your own blog.I will visit it again once you have written in it.
Hope
I am the Project Engineer
I am a mechanical engineer at present working as project engineer on the Proyecto Pequeña Tierra Media, which aims at reconstructing Professor J.R.R Tolkin´s world of Middle Earth in miniature form in the Sierra Norte de Madrid, as the topography of this area conforms 60% with the maps of Middle Earth. My work involves designing locations and artefacts concerning Middle Earth in such a way that they can actually be built. The designs are such as to allow them to be built by persons and entities of relatively modest means, and to provide employment for craftsmen and others, also to provide young people of the region with an opportunity to learn traditional trades and practice them.
Also, the project is intended to assist in developing the tourist industry for this unspoiled area in such a manner as will be sustainable and not damage the area.
I must stress that my involvement is purely technical, and I am not involved in the politics or administration of the Project.
For answers to, or comments on, technical matters, please contact me via this blogspot, or at Plaza del Tilo 1, Urbanisation Monteclaro, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcon, Madrid, España (Spain).
e-mail:jolabent27@yahoo.es. Tel. 917159190 and 616718133.
For answers to political and administrative questions, please contact Don Agustin Ferrer Salazar, Alcalde (Mayor), Ayuntamiento de Buitrago de Lozoya, Plaza de Picasso 1, 28730, in the Mancommunidad de Madrid.
Comments and questions are welcome, and correspondents may write in Spanish, English, French or Catalan.
All of the structures which I have designed are intended to blend in with the landscape of the sites where they are destined to be located, to respect the media ambient, and to follow the precepts and ideas of Professor Tolkien as far as can be possible in the twenty-first century.
At the same time, the items designed are all capable of providing viable business and income for their operators.
For details of the Proyecto Pequeña Tierra Media I refer the reader to the Prospectus issued by the Consorcio, of which I will be pleased to supply a copy.
THE PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE ENERGY.
The provision of Alternative Energy, such as solar panels and photovoltaic cell-generated electricity to constructions in Little Middle Earth is a matter still to be discussed, and I do not know if, or to what extent, the Consorcio would authorize the use of twenty-first century technology in a Project which is, after all, based firmly in a time and place where these things did not exist.
All of the contructions in Little Middle Earth could be supplied with these things quite easily, and the underground Hobbit-holes in Hobbiton could have the
benefit solar-tube lighting into those rooms at the back where there cannot be any windows.
The same could also apply to Moria, where Professor Tolkien describes natural light coming in through shafts drilled down from the surface in places, notalby the Chamber of Mazarbul.
The roofs of the buildings in Rivendell and Lothlorien would accept panels, but only on the roofs of the Royal Palace in Lothlorien could they be made invisible from the outside.
Hobbiton is a particularly early Medieval place where such things would stand out badly and ruin the appearance of the Hobbit's village. Even mains electricity would be out of place there, and discourage the "Hobbits" staying there from using the candles and lamps that the original Hobbits would have had to use.
These are matters, therefore, which will have to be resolved at the outset of the proposed constructions.
The drawings and designs are all covered by Copyright. I intend to publish a complete Drawing list in this blogspot, and those readers interested to recieve a copy of any of the drawings may do so by post. I feel that I am entitled to charge for the supply of drawings, but the charge will not be excessive.
The drawings range from Hobbit-holes, to horse-drawn transport, boats, buildings, and various artefacts.
DRAWING LIST:
Dwg.No.1 Hobbit-hole, end elevation, semi-sectioned, scale 1"=1'0"
Dwg.No.2 Hobbit-hole, side elevation, section through centre.
Scale: 1"=1'0"
Dwg.No.3 Hobbit-hole ¨Bag End¨sketches on general layout. Not to scale.
Dwg.No.4 Hobbit-hole ¨Bag End¨.
Front elevation of ¨Bag End¨.
Dwg.No.5 Hobbit-holes, ¨The Hobbiton¨kitchen-range, front elevation semi-sectioned. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.5b Hobbit-holes, ¨The Hobbiton¨kitchen range, aerial elevation. Scale:1"=1'0"
Dwg.No.5c Hobbit-holes, ¨The Hobbiton¨kitchen range. Perspective view from the right. Not to scale.
Dwg.No.5d Hobbit-holes. ¨The Troll¨triple roasting-spit. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.6a Hobbit-holes, ¨The Smial¨wash-boiler, front elevation, sectioned. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.6b Hobbit-holes, ¨The Smial¨wash-boiler, Aerial elevation, semi-sectioned. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.6c Hobbit-holes,¨The Smial¨wash-boiler, side elevation view from right side, section through middle of unit. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.7a Middle Earth, ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart, side elevation from the left. Scale:3/8"=1'0"
Dwg.No.7b Middle Earth, ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart, end elevation, section through centre of barrel. Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.7c Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart, rear-end elevation. Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.7d Middle Earth "The Aguaton" water-cart, aerial elevation of barrel, sectioned. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.7e Middle Earth, ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart. Details of barrel-fittings in three sketches. Scales:1/2"=1'0" and 3"=1'0".
Dwg.No.7f Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨ water-cart, further details of barrel-fittings and also of rear hub. Scale:3"=1'0".
Dwg.No.7g Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨ water-cart, general arrangements of brake systems.
Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.7h Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨ water-cart, aerial elevation of cart frame shewing the geometrical function of the cart frame and the arrangement of the load-bearing system. Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.7I Middle Earth ¨The Aguaton¨water-cart, front axle arrangements (semi-sectioned) Scale:1/2"=1'0"
Dwg.No.7I (Sketch b) Perspective of Lateral and Trunnion-ring vee-bearing systems. Not to scale.
Dwg.No.7I Centre pivot, traction, and drawbar arrangements in three sketches (c,d,e,).
Dwg.No.7I Sketch f: general arrangement of the traction system.
Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg-No.8A Middle Earth, Walking brolly. ¨The Bywater¨combined staff and brolly. Side elevation. Scale:1 and1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.8b Middle Earth, walking brolly, aerial elevation. Scale:1 and 1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.9a Hobbit-holes, dining-table ¨The Belladonna¨table for Bag End. Aerial elevation of table-top. Scale 1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.9b Hobbit-holes, dining-table ¨The Belladonna¨table for Bag End. Horizontal elevation of table. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.10 Hobbit-holes, dining chairs ¨The Belladonna¨chair for Bag End, Sketches (a)to (d).
Dwg.No.11 Hobbit-holes, garden wheelbarrow. ¨The Gaffer¨wheelbarrow. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.12A Middle Earth: General Merchant´s Cart. ¨The Overhill¨cart, Side elevation of right side. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.12B Middle Earth: General Merchant´s Cart, ¨The Overhill¨cart, aerial elevation of frame. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.13A Middle Earth: Pony trap.
¨The Bilbo¨trap for 4 persons and 1 pony. Side elevation from the right. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.13B Middle Earth: Pony trap. "The Bilbo" trap. Aerial elevation. Scale:12=1'0".
Dwg No.13C Middle Earth: Pony trap. ¨The Bilbo¨trap, horizontal elevation from rear end of trap.
Dwg.No.14A Hobbit-houses above ground. "The Bolger" Hobbit-house, two sketches (a) 3/8"=1'0". (b) Not to scale.
Dwg.No14B Hobbit-houses above ground. Perspective view from the right. Scale: Not to scale.
Dwg.No.15A Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Anvil mounted on elm block. Side elevation. Scale:1 and 1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.15B Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Section through forge, horizontal elevation view from left . Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.15C Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Swaging-block. Perspective view. Not to scale.
Dwg.No.15D Middle Earth: Forge. Aerial elevation with canopy removed. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.15E Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge; bellows, single-acting, hand-operated. Side elevation, semi-sectioned. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.15F Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Bellows, Double-acting hand operated. Side elevation (semi-sectioned) and end elevation (sketches (a) and (b). Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.15G Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. Leg Vise and Ancillary equipment (sketches (a) 1"=1'0" and (b) not to scale.
Dwg.No.15H Middle Earth: Blacksmith´s Forge. General Layout in plan. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.15I Middle Earth: Blacksmith's Forge. Various Blacksmith's Tools. Scale:3"=1'0".
Dwg.No.15J Middle Earth: Blacksmith's Forge. Grindstone and anvil tools. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.17A Middle Earth: The Turnery. The Bodger´s Lathe; ¨Bodgery in Action¨. Scale:3/8"=1'O".
Dwg.No.17B Middle Earth: The Turnery. Hand-driven lathe, sketches (a) 3/8"=1'0", and (b) 1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.17C Middle Earth: The Turnery. Lathe driven by a horse-wheel. Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.18A Middle Earth: Watermill. Mill driven by a double overshot waterwheel. Horizontal section viewed from downstream, of waterwheel, structure, and machinery. Scale:3"=1'0".
Dwg.No.18B Middle Earth: Watermill. Horizontal Elevation of the wheel, pier, and sluices. Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.18C Middle-Earth: Watermill. General view of the mill, millpond, dam and sluices. Scale: Not to scale.
Dwg.No.19A Middle-Earth: Diligence. ¨The Eriador¨Open diligence. Side elevation. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.19B Middle Earth: Diligence. "The Eriador" open diligence, side elevation of the completed vehicle. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.19C Middle Earth: Diligence. ¨The Eriador¨ open diligence. Aerial elevation of frame and brake system. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.19D Middle Earth: Diligence. ¨The Eriador¨open diligence. End elevations of frame with axles and steering, sketches (a) and (b). Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.20A Middle-Earth: Horse Bus.
¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus. Side elevation of frame, suspension and seats. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.20B Middle Earth: Horse Bus.
¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus. Side elevation of the completed vehicle. Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.20C Middle Earth: Horse Bus.¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus. Aerial elevation of upper deck. Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.20D Middle Earth: Horse Bus.¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus. Aerial elevation of lower deck. Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.20E Middle Earth: Horse Bus. ¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus, front and rear elevations, sketches (a) and (b). Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.20F Middle Earth: Horse Bus. ¨The Shire¨double-deck horse-bus, Aerial elevation of main frame. Scale:3/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.21A Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel Aerial elevation of general arrangements. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.21B Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, horizontal elevation of Port side. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.21C Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, horizontal elevation: Longitudinal Section (of framing) along centreline viewed from Port side. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.21D Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, horizontal elevation: Longitudinal section shewing the general arrangements. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.21E Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, end elevations sketches (a) and (b). Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.21F Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel, athwartships sections amidships. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.22A Middle Earth:Lothlorien. ¨Elven¨boat for General Use. Horizontal Elevation of Port side. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.22B Middle Earth; Lothlorien. ¨Elven¨ boat for General Use. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.22C Middle Earth: Lothlorien. ¨Elven¨boat for General Use, section through hull amidships, view for and aft. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.23A Middle Earth: Rivendell.¨The Hall of Fire¨centrepiece, version 1, horizontal elevation. Scale:3/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.23B Middle Earth: Rivendell.¨The Hall of Fire¨centrepiece, version 2, horizontal elevation. Scale:3/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.23C MIddle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Fire¨centrepiece, aerial elevation. Scale:3/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.23D Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Fire¨centrepiece, diagrams of air and water supply systems to firetrough and fountain.
Dwg.No.24 Hobbit-holes: Waterbarrow, sketches (a),(b),and (c). ¨The Waterwillow¨barrow. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.25A Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Fire¨, General Design of Hall. Horizontal elevation of external and internal appearance of the Hall. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.25B Middle Earth:Lothlorien. ¨The Hall of Fire¨General ground plan. Aerial Elevation.
Dwg.No.25C Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Fire¨" combination chimney and ventilator. Horizontal section and aerial elevation.
Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.26 Middle Earth: Rivendell. Proposed arrangement of Halls and ancillary buildings. Scale:1/32"=1'0".
Dwg.No.27A Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Elrond¨, General plan fo the Hall and ancilliary buildings. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.27B Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Elrond¨, Horizontal elevation of the External appearance of the Hall. Scale:1/8=1`0".
Dwg.No.27C Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Elrond¨, end view of the Hall from the High Table end. External appearance. Horizontal elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.27D Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨The Hall of Elrond¨, Perspective view of the internal appearance of the Hall. Not to scale.
Dwg.No.28A Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨Elvenhouse¨, Ground plans of ground floor and upper floor of the house. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.28B Middle Earth: Rivendell. ¨Elvenhouse¨: Vertical plan of house. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg,No.28C Middle-Earth: Rivendell. ¨Elvenhouse¨: Perspective view of house. Not to scale.
Dwg.No.28D Middle Earth: Rivendell.
Three types of window. Scale:3/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.29A Middle Earth: Moria.
Section through chamber in mountain, horizontal elevation. Scale:3/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.29B Middle Earth: Moria.
Section through access tunnel. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.29C Middle Earth: Moria.
Details of decoration of stonework.
Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.29D Middle Earth: Moria.
The Western Doors of Khazad-dum
Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.29E Middle Earth: Moria.
Statue of Durin 1, First Lord of Moria (Khazad-dum).
Scale: One-and-a-half inches to one foot.
Dwg.No.29F Middle Earth: Moria.
General arrangement of the Western access to and from the First Hall.
Scale:1/16th"=1'0".
DRAWING LIST:
Dwg.No.30A Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Stylised view of a talan complex in a strong tree. Horizontal elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30B Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The "Freebranch" Hanger to support talans and flets (may be made in various sizes). Scale:3"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30C Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The "Freetree" Hanger to support talans and flets (may be made in various sizes). Scale:One-and-one-half inches equals one foot.
Dwg.No.30D Middle Earth: Lothlorien. General view in perspective of the tubular frame system of a large talan. Not to scale.
Dwg.No.30E Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Some construction details of an Elven tree-house, the "Elftree" house, sketch(a) at one-and-a-half inches equals one foot, and sketch (b), in perspective. Not to scale.
Dwg.No.30F Middle Earth: Lothlorien. "Elftree" house for two Elves, general construction, access, and plumbing arrangements. Scale: 1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30G Middle Earth: Lothlorien. "Elftree" house: floor plan and accomodation. Scale:1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30H "Elftree" house, view of house in tree. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30I Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Sketch (b) Spark-arresting chimney. Sketch (a) Draught-inducing chimney pot, horizontal elevation. Sketch (c) Draught-inducing chimney-pot, aerial elevation. Sketch (d) Lifting tackle for water and stores. Sketches (a),(c), and (d) are scaled at 1"=1'0", sketch (b) at 1/2"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30J Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The "Tresaf" Wheelchair hoist. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30K Middle Earth: Lothlorien. the "Tresaf" Wheelchair hoist, Aerial elevation. Scale:1"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30L Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Operational view of the "Tresaf" system. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30M Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Cabin on talan, and access. Horizontal elevation view from front. Scale:1/4"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30N Middle Earth: Lothlorien. The Palace of their Elven Majesties. Horizontal elevation of front of Palace. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30O Middle Earth: Lothlorien. First floor of Palace in Plan. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30P Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Second floor of Palace in Plan. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30G Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Attic floor of Palace in Plan. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Dwg. No.30S Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Stylised plan of the general layout of the complex of Lothlorien, aerial elevation. Scale:1/32"=1'0".
Dwg.No.30T Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Two aspects of the complex of Lothlorien, horizontal elevations. Scale:1/32"=1'0".
ROHAN, EDORAS, MEDUSELD.
I understand that the Consorcio have negotiated with the holders of the Rights to the film set used in the film trilogy "The Lord of the Rings" for the purchase in its entirety of the said film set of Edoras and Meduseld (chief town of Rohan and palace of the King), and the right to use it in Middle Earth, and have arranged for its transportation to Spain.
This film set was built full-size, and would merely require re-erecting at Patones. It suits the Kingdom of Rohan very well, and is unlikely to require much in the way of modification, if any at all.
Therefore I have not done any work on Rohan, as all that appears to be necessary is the re-erection of the buildings on their new site.
NUMENOR, MINAS TIRITH, etcetera:
Unfortunately, I am unable to think of any way to build a big stone city without building a big stone city!
This would involve the investment of a huge amount of money (probably several hundreds of millions, even for a smaller version). Professor Tolkien gives a very complete description of Minas Tirith, i.e. that it forms a semi-circle standing out from the mountain, with a great vertical ridge of rock in the centre (looking rather like the front of the great fortress in Haiti which the Emperor Napoleon built for Toussaint l'Ouverture). The semi-circle of the city wall is a mile from end-to-end, and the city rises up from it in seven terraces to the King´s Palace at the summit.
It is built entirely of stone.
I have not heard of any site in Little Middle Earth which would meet the specifications, and even a modest-sized version would take years to build.
Also, while the followers of Professor Tolkien´s works are very numerous, I seriously doubt whether enough of them would be able, or even willing, to take up Numenorean life and live in it to make it economically viable.
In any case, it would rank as a highly visible urbanisation in a protected area, no matter how attractive and graceful it may look, and I think that Planning Permission would not be forthcoming for a development of this size.
Therefore, I have not attempted to do any work on the design of such a city, as the chances of it being built are clearly minimal, and I am sorry about it.
I would respectfully remind my readers and correspondents that all the designs and descriptions of the works featured in this blog are the Copywright of the author, myself, John Bentley, and, apart from that, I would deem it a courtesy if interested parties would first consult with me before making use of the same.
My e-mail address is: jolabent27@yahoo.es
My telephone numbers are: 917159190, and 616718133.
I thank you all in advance for your co-operation and courtesy.
Yours sincerely,
John Bentley.
A hobbit of Monteclaro,
Pozuelo, Madrid, ESPAÑA.
p.s. Correspondents may write in: Español, Francaise, English, or Catalan.
ADDENDUM TO DRAWING LIST:
Dwg.No.30R Middle Earth: Lothlorien. Roofs in Plan of Palace of Queen Galadriel. Aerial elevation. Scale:1/8"=1'0".
Me parece una idea estupenda lo de tener un Blog. deberias poner algun tipo de cuadro opara que s epueda observar la maravillosa reconstrucción que estas haciendo.
Gonzalo
@@Add to Drawing List:Dwg Nos.
Dwg.No.31 Middle Earth: Arms and Artefacts: The "Cleaver" Two-handed Sabre.
Dwg.No.32 Middle Earth: Arms and Artefacts: The "Hammerhead" Field-knife.
Dentro de muy poco apareceran dibujos que no te debes perder, querido visitante.
Dentro de muy poco apareceran dibujos que no te debes perder, querido visitante.
Hola John , hay muchas personas que me preguntan si vas a seguir publicando tu trabajo en la en le blog pues están impacientes por ver algo mas de tu trabajo .
Gonzalo
I will publish more within two days, as there has been a problem with the connection with Internet.
At the request of Gonzalo I am going to give details of the designs for the Proyecto Pequeña Tierra Media, proposed for the region North of Madrid. I will commence with Drawings Numbers 1 to 4, and will show pictures of the various designs as and when they can be transferred from paper onto the computer.
Drawings 1 to 4, Hobbit-hole:
This Hobbit-hole is based on the description of 'Bag End' as given by Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. It is probably a good deal smaller than Bilbo's actual home, which had passages, kitchens, pantries, store.rooms, bedrooms, etcetera, in considerable numbers.
However, us lesser persons in the 21st Century are obliged to think in terms of a limited financial budget!
Accordingly, I have opted for a Hobbit-hole of three bedrooms, each with it's own bathroom and toilet, a dining-room, kitchen, laundry-room, study, living-room, hall, pantry, wine-cellar, and lobby with toilet.
A main passage-way leads off of the hall, and gives access to all of the other rooms. This passage-way, and all rooms lacking windows to the outside, are equipped with ventilators leading to the surface.
"Solar-tube" lighting may be incorporated into these if required.
There are fireplaces in the dining-room, study, and living-room, and, of course in the kitchen fire-room and laundry-room for cooking and heating water.
A "Hobbiton" wood-fired oven is installed in the kitchen fire-room, and a "Smial" boiler in the laundry-room.
The principal rooms are on that side of the hole which has direct access to the outside, and have round windows. The hall is the principal entrance, but the kitchen also has it's own door.
Only the round windows and doors are visible from the outside, and can have window-boxes and climbing plants.
On top of the hole, only the small stone chimneys and ventilator outlets can be seen, and the land above the hole can be left to nature, or used for agriculture or forestry.
The ground immediately in front of the Hobbit-hole is used for a garden, where flowers, vegetables and herbs may be grown. Outside the kitchen door is the well or cistern where fresh water is stored. This water is replenished at regular intervals by the water-cart which brings it from the nearest authorised supply-point.
Waste-water and sewage are piped underground in separate piped to the public system.
The hole is fitted with an underground system of ventilation which conducts fresh air from outside to all rooms, and the stale used air evacuates via the ventilators by means of natural thermal conduction. Fresh air is also ducted to the fire-grates directly in order to avoid inconvenient draughts.
The Hobbit-hole is designed to have the minimal visual impact on the landscape.
Lighting is by means of candles and colza-oil lamps, and heating and cooking are by means of wood-fires, the wood being mainly gathered from the forest floor, which helps to keep the forests clean of fallen branches and other stuff which constitutes a fire hazard.
All chimneys are to be fitted with spark-arresters.
Hobbit-holes:
It is envisaged that a small community of Hobbit-holes be created, together with a few Hobbit-houses, one of which should be an inn, and another a Post-office. There should also be a Blacksmith's Forge, A Turnery, a Watermill for the grinding of corn, and a Workshop where Carpentery and Carriage-building and repairs are carried out.
The Hobbit-holes may be of various sizes, to suit requirements, and the various workshops can provide training for young people in the skills of the trades. Education in the operation and management of simple agriculture and the care of livestock should also be provided.
There is the example of Mr.Joh Seymour to be considered in relation to all this. He bought land in Wales in the 1960's and created an organic farm which was very successful, and numbers of young people went there to study his methods. He also wrote and published some books on the subject, at least one of which I read many years ago. He also applied Alternative Energy to his projects.
Unfortunately Mr. Seymour, a pioneer in the field, died some years ago, but his published works can probably be obtained, perhaps via Amazon. Among his projects was the generation of domestic gas by the use of manure from his considerable flock of free-range chickens, and of electricity by means of wind and water power.
The creation of Hobbiton as a living village is intended to benefit the region as a whole by maintaining the skills and way of life of traditional agriculture and country life in general, following the teachings of Professor Tolkien and Mr.Seymour.
Such a community would incorporate well with the region, and the (mainly underground) village of Hobbiton would not impinge on the landscape, as conventional urbanisations often do.
Drawings Numbers 5A to 5C, "The Hobbiton" kitchen range:
This kitchen range is designed to fit in the fire-room of the Hobbit-hole previously discussed.
It has two ovens and three hot-plates, which may used separately or all at the same time, as required by the cook. The fire-space is mounted centrally, and may be used for grilling or roasting (in conjunction with the
"Troll" triple roasting-spit shewn in Dg.No.5D)
The "Hobbiton" range is designed to fit inside a tunnel of 2 metres in diameter, but may be easily modified to fit tunnels of other diameters.
Materials: May be of cast-iron, but this version is with a mainframe of 5/8th inch mild-steel plate. The fire-bars are of temperature-resistant steel. The oven-wrappers and ash-pan are of
3/32 inch mild-steel sheet.
The air-supply to the fire-box is ducted under the floor of the tunnel.
I had a "Majestic" kitchen range for many years in my house in England, and always found it a marvellously useful thing. I only wish that I had it here in Spain!
Drawings Numbers 6A,B,C. "The Smial" wash-boiler:
This boiler is intended for doing the laundry, for heating water for baths and general domestic purposes. Every rural household had a boiler similar to "The Smial" when I was a boy.
Apart from the uses described above, the boiler was also used in the brewing of beer, the making of wine, and also for making pork brawn, and for the boiling of Christmas Puddings. For some years I had a gas-fired version of such boiler in my house in England, and did indeed use it for all of these purposes.
The "Smial" boiler I have designed to fit into the tunnel-shaped room of a Hobbit-hole. The air-supply to the fire-box is ducted in under the floor, and there is a stone work-top, and a series of shelves to facilitate
working. As well as the boiler chimney, there is a ventilator in the laundry-room for carrying away the steam inevitably produced when performing washing, cooking, and brewing activities.
The main part of the boiler is of common brick, the fire-box is lined with refractory brick, the fire-bars of heat-resistant steel, the boiler-vessel of copper sheet, with a supporting pillar of heat-resistant steel. The worktop is of stone (or marble, if preferred), and the lid is of wood, with a wooden handle. The fire is controlled by a steel damper incorporated in the removable fire-hole door, which is also of steel.
The unit described is intended to fit into a 2-metre tunnel.
Drawings Numbers 8A, 8B. The "Bywater" walking-brolly:
This brolly was designed at the request of Gonzalo, who pointed out that the region where Middle Earth is proposed to be is in a mountain region where it rains much more than it does down on the Central Plain, so I designed one which combines the function of a walking-staff (much favoured by Hobbits) and an umbrella, which last has six spokes.
It is all made of wood, with a canopy of canvas, leather, or cloth, as preferred. The tip of the shaft has a metal spike to prevent it slipping in soft ground.
The opening and closing operation of the umbrella is a simple sliding operation.
Drawing Number11: The "Gaffer" Garden Wheelbarrow:
This wooden wheel-barrow is intended for general use in the gardens of Hobbiton. It is all of wood, with the exception of certain fittings, such as the tyre for the wheel, the towbar and catch, the axle, the leg-braces and the mud-scraper, all of which are of steel and made by the blacksmith, and the wheel-bearing, which is of white-metal on a bronze backing, although brass may be used if preferred.
Any competent carpenter can make this barrow, or you can make it yourself from the drawing No.11, if you send for it.
Drawings Nos.12A and 12B: The "Overhill" General merchant's cart:
This cart is intended for the general transport of goods in the region of Middle Earth. It has a capacity of 15 hundredweight (3/4 of a ton Imperial measure), and may be pulled by one heavy horse or two van-horses. It has a drop tailgate and drop sidegates, and may be fitted with a "tilt" (canopy). It is 15feet 2inches long and 6feet overall width.
Hubs,stub-axles,trunnion-ring and brakes are the same types as used for the "Aguaton" water-cart described in the No.7 drawings.
The "Overhill" is of wood with iron fittings.
All can be built by: A cartwright, a wheelwright, and a blacksmith.
A word on drawings: I will publish more drawings in Benarda blog, but the size and complexity of technical drawings makes their
use as published in a blog very limited. People interested in any particular item may write to me and then I can send full-sized copies in the post.
Drawing Number 9, The "Belladonna" Dining-room table for a Hobbit-hole:
This table, to seat ten persons, is of wood inlaid with coloured floral designs (as favoured by Hobbits), and stands upon two broad legs. The table has a drawer at each end,and also one on each side in the middle. Each drawer has a silver handle.
Each leg is hinged on the inside at the top. By knocking upwards, the wedges may be removed, the longitudinal members withdrawn, and the legs will then fold up to the inside of the table top, thus enabling the table to be stowed away when not required.
Drawing Number 10, The "Belladonna" dining-chairs:
These chairs match the table described above. Ten of them will fit around the table.
The name "Belladonna" is in honour of Mr. Bilbo Baggins' mother,Belladonna Took.
Drawings Numbers 13A,13B,13C, The "Bilbo" pony-trap:
This trap,for one pony or small horse,and to carry four persons, is designed as a general purpose vehicle such as would be used by Hobbits for the same purposes as people to-day would use a general utility vehicle such as a Ford Fiesta hatchback or similar.
They would carry themselves,family and friends,or transport their vegetables, tools, and similar things around the Shire.
It it a simple, robust cart which is cheap to operate, and may be built by any competent cartwright, with the assistance of a wheelwright, and a blacksmith to make the iron fittings. The seats lift up to provide stowage for the cushions and other things, and may be left open when carrying vegetables and other goods.
The ground clearance is high and the tyres broad to facilitate travel over rough ground, and the folding steps will, if left down, yield to any obstructions encountered and return to their normal position when the obstruction has been passed.
Because the vehicle is often used for journeys carrying people, it is equipped with leaf springs, which make it more comfortable to ride in.
It may be hauled by any good strong pony or small horse.
This version for the Proyecto Pequeña Tierra Media is, of course designed to be used by full-sized people, but a smaller version, suitable for children and a small pony such as a Shetland may be obtained by altering the scale from 1inch=1foot to 2inches=1foot.
Building to that scale will effectively reduce the size of the cart by 50%, so that it will then be only 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet 2 1/2 inches high at the front, and would suit children up to seven years of age.
A drawing of the "Bilbo" pony-trap (Dwg.No.13A) will be found in the other section of this blog.
Drawings Numbers 14A,14B, The "Bolger" Hobbit-house-
Drawing Number 14B of this Hobbit-house is displayed in the other section of this blog.
The "Bolger" is for use where the site is unsuitable for Hobbit-holes. It can be provided with similar accomodation to that of a Hobbit-hole, although it does not need the ventilation system that a Hobbit-hole does. It is really a Hobbit-hole built above ground of brick and with a thatched roof, being a rounded tunnel in form, with round windows and doors, according to the customs and preferences of Hobbits as explained by Professor Tolkien.
It is, of course more visible than is a Hobbit-hole, but with mellow brick-and-wood structure, and having a thatched roof, it blends in well with the rural landscape, particularly if trees are planted around it. It would also serve well as an inn, and if planned out in a "Tee" form there would be ample accomodation for guests.
The name "Bolger" is in honour of Fredegar (Fatty) Bolger, who bravely volunteered to stay behind in such a Hobbit-house even though he knew that it was about to be attacked by the Nazgul.
Drawings Numbers 15A,15B,15C,15D,15E,15F,15G,15H.15I,15J. Middle Earth, Blacksmith's Forge:
The forging,shaping,and heat-treatment of iron,and later,steel are among the most ancient skills known to men. Without them we would still be in the Stone Age.
It all began several thousand years ago, and all Engineering as we know it to-day grew and developed, over many centuries, from the first simple forges.
There are still Blacksmiths working to-day, although very few now than in the past. When I was a boy, more than sixty years ago, the local Blacksmith was still at work, making pitchforks,ploughshares,coulters,tines for harrows,scythes and sickles,fittings for harness,and many other things useful to the farmer and local tradesmen,as well as iron tyres for cartwheels.
He used,in my day,an electric blower to provide air-blast to the forge, but the old hand-bellows still stood in place, and he and his Striker still used it when Herr Reichmarschall Goering's Luftwaffe bombed the local electricity supply out of action, as sometimes happened.
It was an impressive sight when the Blacksmith fitted an iron tyre to a cartwheel.
First he would gather a number of local men together in the yard, where the great tyre was keeping hot in a circular fire. The cartwheel was mounted on an iron post driven into the ground.
When all was ready, the Blacksmith and his Striker picked up the red-hot tyre with their long tongs and carried it to the carwheel,where they positioned it over the rim of the wheel and started it down with their club-hammers.
Then all of the men gathered round it and stamped and jumped on it with their heavy hob-nailed boots all around the rim until the tyre was fitted on,and then threw buckets of water all over the rim in order to shrink the iron tyre firmly onto the wooden rim of the wheel, giving rise to clouds of steam!
The spectacle of six men dancing on the great wheel amidst sparks and clouds of steam was unforgettable!
After the tyre was fitted, all the group went into the Forge, where they drank beer,cider, and ate sandwiches and rolls provided by the Blacksmith's wife.
I got my share of these goodies by reason of my having helped by filling the water-buckets and running errands for the Blacksmith.
In the 1970's and 80's I had my own small forge which I used when making prototypes of new equipment for the company I worked for.
The technically-based pictures which I have produced for the use of the Project demonstrate the Blacksmith's Forge and some of the tools and equipment used in it.
I will be pleased to assist personally in the construction of such a forge, and to instruct students in it's use.
Drawings Numbers 17A,17B,17C, The Turnery:
Turning and Drilling are also among the oldest skills known to men. No-one knows when people first found out that by rotating a piece of wood while applying a sharp tool to it, it was possible to form it into a predicted shape, but be assured that it was probably long before the birth of Christ.
In the series of technically-based pictures that I have produced under the Drawing Number 17, I begin with the Bodger's Lathe, and in the other part of this Benarda blog you will find a published drawing of one at work (Dwg.No.17A)
This is probably the oldest form of lathe known, and the strange thing is that there were still Bodgers working in the Kent and Sussex woodlands even as late as the 1950's.
The construction and operation of the Bodger's Lathe was very simple. The Bodger and his mate went out into the forest and cut for themselves the wood which they intended to use. They then selected two trees of a convenient distance apart, and cut two logs, which they implanted vertically into the ground between the two trees, and in line with the trunks thereof.
The upright logs were positioned so as to serve as convenient rests for the workpiece. The Bodger then made a small cone-shaped hole in the trunk of each tree at a suitable height, and then sharpened the two ends of the workpiece with his field-knife so that they would fit into the holes.
He then bound, with withies, cords, or strips of leather, wooden brackets to the upright logs, which then acted as supporting guides for the workpiece.
Also, a stout but flexible branch was cut, and the thicker end buried in the ground. A cord was made fast to the thinner and upper end.
The workpiece was then sprung into place between the holes in the two trees, so that it ran between the guides in the upright logs.
The cord was then wrapped around the workpiece, and the Bodger¡s Mate pulled upon it, causing the workpiece to rotate. This action also pulled down the flexible branch.
While this was being done, the Bodger applied his chisel to the workpiece, cutting it so as to begin to form the desired shape.
When the Mate released the cord, the flexible branch rotated the workpiece in the opposite direction, during which the Bodger ceased to work. When the Mate pulled again on the cord, the Bodger re-applied his chisel to the workpiece.
It will be clear that both men had to work together in rythmic unison in order to produce the desired result on the workpiece.
Bodgers produced turned artefacts such as table legs, chair legs, wooden shafts for tools and lances, - anything rounded in shape - for finishing by the local village carpenter.
In Drawing No.17B I show a lathe much more advanced than the Bodger's Lathe from which it eventually developed.
This is a proper lathe, for, although still made out of wood, it has iron or steel parts (made by the Blacksmith), could be installed indoors in a shed, and it features the same essential parts as are found in a Centre-lathe of our times, such as a headstock with mandrel and driving-dog, a toolrest, and a adjustable tailstock with an adjustable and lockable mandrel.
It is, however, driven by a hand-operated wheel.
It was capable of turning, albeit crudely, in metal.
In Drawing No.17C, I show a much better and advanced lathe which is powered by a horse-driven wheel, and features a belt-operated system for increasing the turning-speed. The body is made of cast-iron, with some steel moving parts running in brass or white-metalled bronze bearings. It could turn in wood or metal, and, if the Master Turner had a good and steady hand, it might achieve an accuracy of 1/64th of an inch.
With a lathe like this, many things could be made much better than before, and later developments from this lathe eventually led to the supremely accurate lathes and other machine-tools that we have to-day.
With my Atlas 5" lathe I could work within a accuracy of one and one half thousands of an inch.
A Swiss Lorch can turn within 2/10ths of one thousandth of an inch.
I will be pleased to instruct students in the skills of Turning.
Drawings Numbers19A,19B,19C,19D,"The Eriador" open diligence:
This diligence, to be hauled by two horses (plus a trace-horse in hilly country) has a capacity of twelve passengers plus two more in wheelchairs, and is intended to operate Public Transport Services within the Shire and elsewhere, inclusive of narrow roads and rough tracks. It is, therefore, only five feet six inches wide between the outsides of the wheel rims.
Apart from the covered top, there are sidescreens, front screen, and rear screen, which are made of canvas, and may be rolled down in order to protect the passengers and crew in the event of inclement weather.
Access by wheelchair is by means of a portable ramp to either side of the vehicle. When not in use, this ramp is stowed between the frames at the rear end of the vehicle.
There is a tuck-box to hold refreshments.
For details of Wheels, Hubs, Axles, Bearings, Steering, Brakes, etcetera, consult Drawings under Numbers 7 and 12, and adjust the Scales as required.
Drawings Numbers 20A,20B,20C,20D,20E,20F,The "Shire"double-deck horse-bus:
This horse-bus is designed to be drawn by six heavy horses (Shire, Clydesdale, Percheron).
It has a capacity of 35 passengers and two crew.
Length: 28feet 3inches.
Width: 6feet 6inches.
Height: 11feet 0inches.
It is intended to provide a Passenger and Parcels Service both within the Shire, and to other destinations in Middle Earth.
Access for wheelchairs is by means of a portable ramp to either side of the vehicle. When not in use, the ramp is stowed upright in the Luggage and Parcels Compartment at the rear, to the left of the stairs.
A smaller version, 22feet 8inches in length, to carry 21 passengers, can also be built to the same general design.
For details of Wheels,Hubs,Bearings,Steering,Brakes, etcetera, see Drawing Numbers 7 and 12. Adjust Scales as required.
Drawings Numbers 21A,21B,21C,21D,21E,21F.The Royal Barge of Queen Galadriel of Lothlorien:
This vessel of 42feet overall length is intended principally as a Royal Barge for the Ruling Elven King and Queen of Lothlorien, for use on the rivers and lakes of the region of Little Middle Earth; but also the vessel may be used for private charter or passenger work.
The Barge is propelled by up to eight oarsmen, and also carries a square sail on a single pole-mast. She is fitted with leeboards in the same way as Dutch and Thames sailing-barges are, and steers with a steering-oar over the stern on the Starboard side of the sternpost.
She is of shoal-draught, drawing two feet four-and-a-half inches in ballast, and two feet nine-and-a-half inches laden, with a beam of twelve feet six inches and a moulded depth of six feet. The overall dimension from the bottom of the keel to the top of the coachroof of the Great Cabin is eleven feet seven inches.
She is of extreme round-bilged form, with a strong tumble-home, and the space between the inside of the hull and a vertical line taken down from the bulwarks is occupied by buoyancy tanks for almost the entire length of the ship, including the lazarette.
There is no such thing as an unsinkable ship, but to sink this one would be very difficult.
Although she is intended for use on inland waters, she would stand to serve at sea well enough, if required to do so. In any case, big lakes can provide plenty of problems in a gale of wind, and a nasty sea can kick up more quickly in fresh water than it does in salt water.
A noticeable feature of the Barge is the Great Cabin, the overall length of which is fifteen feet, of which four feet is taken up by the Galley and the Heads.
From the Galley a short companionway leads up to the Steering Platform, from which the vessel is conned.
Below the Steering Platform on the Poop is a small cuddy for storage.
Below the Great Cabin is the Lazarette, in which are situated the fresh-water tanks and sewage holding tanks. The rest of that space is occupied by stores.
The main part of the Great Cabin contains the High Table, with the Royal Throne at the after end. At this table sit the Royal Pair and the principal guests.
Immediately forward of the High Table are the two Lower Tables, one Port and one Starboard, at which sit the other guests.
The Great Cabin can accomodate for dinner eighteen persons, including the Royal Pair.
The reason for the vessel being designed with a shallow draught is that many of the local waters, especially the rivers, are shallow. Also, this construction allows the vessel to be hauled ashore when necessary for painting and other maintenance, without the need for an expensive slipway or dry-dock.
The tables and benches, etc., in the Great Cabin are made collapsible, so that they may be replaced by folding chairs in order to accomodate visitors for tours around the lake where the vessel is based, and up-river.
Private parties can also be catered for, to include the provision of Dinner served on board while the Barge is under way, all of which provides an income for the vessel and her operators, together with other activities such as private angling parties, during which Luncheon can be provided.
The use of the Barge can be incorporated with public and private functions, such as weddings, being held at Rivendell, Moria, and Lothlorien.
Drawings Numbers 22A,22B,22C, The "Elven" boat for general use<.
The "Elven" boat is intended for general use on the lakes and rivers of Little Middle Earth.
The boat is 16feet six inches overall length, 5feet 3inches beam,3feet 4inches moulded depth,and with a draught of 1foot 7inches aft, and 1foot 5inches forward.
She is propelled by Elvish paddles, and steered by means of a steering-paddle over the lute stern. She can accomodate six paddlers and a steersman, but can be propelled by two paddlers in good weather and calm conditions.
There are buoyancy tanks throughout her length, and a square sail which can be set on a pole mast stepped just forward of amidships.
As with the Royal Barge, she has a figurehead in the form of a swan's head and neck.
A number of these boats can be built as hire-boats for visitor's use, either for hire with a Boatman or without, as they are simple boats and easily handled even by persons with little experience. They would be suitable for family excursions.
A smaller version of 11feet in length can be also built for use by from one to three people.
Drawings Numbers 23A to 23D, and 25A to 28D concern Rivendell, and consist of designs for halls, houses, and ancillary items.
The principal building is the Hall of Fire, which is a social centre for the Elves, and the place where Bilbo Baggins sat and wrote poetry and notes for his book, which formed the basis for his work later known as the Red Book of Westmarch.
I have designed this Hall as a circular building with one floor.
In the centre of the Hall of Fire stands a Centrepiece, intended to represent Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Growth (see Drawings Numbers 23A,23B,23C,23D).
It features a central aboreal column topped by a fountain which discharges water over a pile of blue crystal quartz in a stone basin.
Below this basin is another and larger basin containing earth and a bed of growing flowers.
Below this is a circular rimshelf of stone, around which is a circular trough of steel containing a circular wood-burning fire.
Surrounding this on the outside is a circular stone rimshelf.
Below this, the edifice is supported by the root of the central aboreal column.
Above the Centrepiece is hung a sheet-steel canopy which collects the smoke from the fire and evacuates it via a combination chimney/ventilator in the roof of the Hall (Drawing Number 25C)
The fountain is supplied with water via the system shewn in Drawing Number 23D, which also demonstrates the air-supply system for the fire. The water may be either a closed-circuit system, or supplied by an external source.
The Centrepiece is eight feet high overall, and ten feet two inches in diameter overall.
The Hall itself comprises (a) A circular chamber, which is a gathering-place, and contains a stage, two rostrums, and a catering bar.
Natural light is supplied by two rows of windows located high up in the walls.
(b) It is surrounded by a circular Library, containing bookshelves around it's inner walls, and around the inside of it's outer walls are desks and seats for the purpose of reading and study.
There are doors at intervals allowing passage into and out of the Library from both the Hall and the Terrace. (c) The Hall and Library are surrounded on the outside by a circular covered Terrace.
From one side of the Hall leads a covered walkway, off of which are the Rest-rooms and the Kitchen and Pantry/cellar apertaining to the Hall of Elrond.
The Hall of Fire is twenty-nine feet six inches high, and ninety feet three inches in diameter.
The Hall of Elrond is a Dining and Banqueting hall which will seat one hundred and eleven persons, and it's wood-fired kitchen will cater for the same.
The two long tables will seat one hundred persons, and a raised dais at the far end will seat eleven persons of rank at the High Table.
The Hall of Elrond is heated in Winter by four wood-burning stoves, one in each corner. There are also Rest-rooms for the higher-ranking persons.
The Hall of Elrond is twenty-three feet six inches high overall,seventy-five feet long overall.
The main Hall is twenty-six feet six inches wide, the Kitchen is fourteen feet wide, and the outer Rest-rooms twelve feet wide, giving a total of fifty-two feet six inches overall width of the buildings.
The Hall of Elrond is covered by Drawings Numbers 26,27A,27B,27C, and 27D.
Suitable houses for persons involved in study courses in Rivendell are shewn in Drawings Numbers 28A,28B, and 28C, with details of doors and windows shewn in 28D. Elevated floral gardens are a distinctive feature of both Halls.
The Elvenhouses can be constructed in various sizes. I have shewn the larger one, which has two large bedrooms, each with bathroom and toilet, a lounge, dining-room, toilet, fireplace, kitchen, pantry, and log-store.
The kitchen-range is a single-oven range, and is wood-fired. There is also a large attic.
There are covered terraces on both floors.
All of the windows and the French windows are in decorated glass.
Major materials of construction are natural stone and wood.
The two Halls are connected by the covered walkway mentioned above.
Drawings Numbers 29A,29B,29C,29D,29E,29F: MORIA (Khazad-dum):
When Professor Tolkien described Moria, he explained that it was a vast underground city comprising eight levels and seven deeps, with many halls, chambers, armouries, workshops, passages, and other facilities.
It is clear that it would be impossible to reconstruct such a vast metropolis today, unless it were to be promoted and financed by a multi-millionaire; nor would it be likely that there would be sufficient practical use for it.
What I have done, therefore, is to design the West Doors, stairs, access tunnel, and one hall, in order to give people some impression of the original might and grandeur of Khazad-dum, and which can be employed in conjunction with the virtual system proposed by Don Gonzalo Fernandez Amago.
The West Door is according to the original drawing by Professor J.R.R. Tolkien, excepting for technical modifications which I have made in order that the Doors can actually be built and used.
When the Professor made his original drawing, I am sure that he never envisaged that anyone would actually propose to build the Doors.
The Doors open onto "a broad flight of steps leading upwards" as described in Professor Tolkien's text, and these steps lead upwards and debouche into a passageway which, in turn, leads into a large hall which can be used for banquets, conferences, lectures, or for the virtual system.
It would be possible to add extensions to the system if required, however, I am aware that mining and tunnelling are expensive operations, and I do not yet know what is the nature of the strata under the mountain where the Consortium propose to build.
I have designed the tunnel and hall using an ovoid (egg-shaped) section in order to give strength combined with an impression of height, and have also designed the pillars and buttresses for the same purpose.
Under the floor of the Hall is a large drain which also forms a reservoir of water, because there is usually to be found water underground in mountains, which has to be disposed of.
The surplus water is evacuated via another drain which flows underneath the access tunnel, down underneath the stairs and entrance chamber, and thence away downhill.
The water retained in the upper drain, being fresh from under the mountain and therefore, presumably pure and drinkable, may be used for domestic purposes if any accomodation and catering are proposed for Moria.
The West Doors are eight feet high by four feet wide, the arch is nine feet five inches high by six feet nine inches wide.
The Stairs are sixty-two feet up at an angle of sixty degrees and lead into the Access Tunnel which has headway of ten feet eleven inches and an inside width of eight feet (see Drawings Numbers 29B and 29F).
This tunnel continues for a distance of ninety-one feet before it opens onto a Hall measuring twenty-four feet two inches inside width and thirty-two feet in height (inside measurement).
The Hall is reinforced and decorated by standing pillars, buttresses, and rib-pillars at intervals of twelve feet along the length of the Hall, which said length I have left to the Consortium to decide.
I have also designed a statue of Durin the First (The Deathless), First Lord of Khazad-dum, to be placed within the Hall. This statue of the Lord, seated upon his Throne, is four feet ten inches high, and three feet four and a half inches wide.
These designs are intended to give the visitor some vision of the might of Khazad-dum.
Drawings Numbers 30A,30B,30C,30D,30E,30F,30G,30H,30I,30J,30K,30L,30M,30N,300,30P,30Q,30R,30S,30T,30U. Lothlorien and it's City of Trees:
Lothlorien, the heart of Elvendom in Middle Earth, was entirely built in the great trees of that region, principally Mallorn trees, of great girth, height, and strength. Such trees do not now exist on Earth, at least not in Europe.
If we regard the image of Lothlorien as depicted in Mr. Peter Jackson's film trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings", we see that it is a majestic view of the great tree-city of the Elves which, of course, uses the technology of the cinema. However, if we are to re-create this in a form which can be occupied and used by the "Elves" of to-day, we must modify our ideas into a form which can be achieved by modest commercial entities. The same applies to Rivendell and Moria, where, again, the re-creation of these places on the same scale as envisaged by Professor Tolkien and Mr.Peter Jackson would require the injection of so much capital that only people with the financial capability of Mr.Bill Gates or Mr.Rockefeller could hope to achieve it.
Accordingly, I have designed all of my work on Little Middle Earth with the view in mind that everything should be within the financial capability of ordinary individuals and modest commercial companies to construct, and which is capable of generating an income sufficient to recuperate the money invested and provide a reasonable and fair profit to the benefit of those investing their capital and energies in the Project.
The "Freetree" and "Freebranch" hangers are designed to support tree-houses and to allow free movement of the houses without abrasion to the trees.
In cases where it would not be adviseable to hang supports directly from the trees, I have used pillars, either of bought-in tree-trunks from authorised suppliers, or,alternatively, of reinforced concrete simulated to appear as tree-trunks.
The "Elftree" tree-houses consist of a tubular steel frame clad in wooden planks (outer and inner walls), with fire-proof thermal insulation between the walls and upper and lower floors and roofs. The roofs are shingled with wooden shingles to match the surrounding treescape.
The smaller "Elftree" house measures 14 feet by 14 feet inside measurement and contains domestic accomodation for two Elves and an occasional guest.
The larger house will suit four or five Elves, having more bedrooms.
The larger version will be better sited on pillars, rather than hangers.
The complex of Lothlorien is composed of 24 Class "A" (small) tree-houses, 4 Class "B" (large) tree-houses, and 4 Class "C" tree-houses, all arranged in a circular form and surrounding the Palace of Queen Galadriel.
The tree-houses are arranged in two circles, inner and outer. The houses are connected one with another, by means of gangway platforms, so that people may walk around the entire circles from house to house.
The two circles are connected with each other by means of suspension-bridges (Drawing Number 30S).
The Class "C" are for use as small Cafe-bars, Shops, and similar establishments.
The Classes "A" and "B" tree-houses have their own private terraces above their roofs.
The Class "C" are situated in the middle of their own terraces, for the convenience of customers.
Access to and from the ground is provided by spiral staircases up the trunks of trees. Access for people in wheelchairs is provided by "Tresaf" cabin-hoists in suitable locations around the site (Drawings Numbers 30J and 30K).
Stores and water are supplied by means of simple hoists (see Drawing Number30I,Sketch (d)).
In the drawing Number 30S the complex of Lothlorien is shewn as a stylized plan, where it consists of two perfect circles.
In practice it may not be as formal as this, because of the location and type of the actual trees at the site. I have not been shewn the site, nor has it been described to me, so I have no way of knowing exactly how it is. However, be that as it may, the general idea of the plan can probably be followed fairly closely.
The Royal Palace of Queen Galadriel and Celeborn:
This Palace stands upon sixteen tree-form pillars, each one being 3ft0ins at the base, and tapering to 1ft 2ins at its junction with the attic floor.
The height of the first floor above the ground is twenty-five feet, and the ground-space underneath forms the Courtyard. Each of the pillars, between it's base and the First Floor is fitted with three ceramic flower pots around its circumference, which contain flowers and hanging plants.
The First Floor contains the Main Hall, Throne and Dais, Kitchen, two Stages for music and entertainment, Public Rest-rooms, and Private Rest-rooms for the Royal Pair.
The Kitchen is equipped with a dumb-waiter which conveys such items as stores and food between the Courtyard and all the floors.
The Main Hall is 53ft by 53ft (2,809 square feet), and is surrounded by a terrace which is 5ft wide. Each side of the Main Hall is equipped with three glass double-doors giving access to this Public Terrace, and all the length of the sides of the Main Hall, including the doors, is of glass (see Drawing Number 30N).
The total outside measurement of the First Floor, including the terrace, is 63ft by 63ft (3,969 square feet).
Access from the Courtyard to the Main Hall is by means of two spiral staircases.
The Second Floor contains the Royal Apartments and Royal Guest-rooms; the walls are constructed of wooden planking on outside and inside with fireproof insulation between, in a similar way to that of the "Elftree" tree-houses (Drawing Number 30E). Each wall on each of the four sides has three double doors of decorated glass, and each pair of doors is flanked by a decorated glass window on both sides.
The Royal Apartments are arranged as follows: The Royal Bedchamber, the Royal Study and Sitting-room,the King's Bathroom, the Queen's Bathroom,the Principal Guest-chamber, the Principal Guest's Bathroom, two other Guest-chambers with Bathrooms, the Dining-room, the Royal Library, and the Ladies and Gentlemen's Rest-rooms. Access between the various parts is effected by means of two corridors, and access to-and-from the Main Hall is by means of a spiral staircase in the Vestibule.
The Royal Apartments measure 52ft 6ins by 52ft 6 ins., and are surrounded by a terrace which is 4ft wide.
The total outside measurement of the Second Floor, including the terrace, is 60ft 10ins by 60ft 10ins (3,700sq.ft.).
The Attic Floor contains the quarters for the Royal Attendants, and these are arranged as follows: Ten servant's bedrooms, menservant's bathroom, womenservant's bathroom, Servant's Hall, storeroom, linen and ironing-room.
There are passageways between the three attics which comprise the Attic Floor.
Access to-and-from the Second Floor is by means of two spiral staircases.
The Attic Floor (Royal Attendant's Quarters) measures 49ft 8ins by 49ft 8ins outside measurement (2,475 square feet).
The High Steward and the Head Cook will probably reside in their own tree-houses outside the Palace.
Each of the three attics is equipped with glass windows at each end, and also with Dormer windows in the roof.
These roofs (see Drawings Numbers 30N and 30R) are tiled with green ceramic tiles in tongue-form. There are approximately 28,500 of these tiles.
The purpose of the Royal Palace, apart from being the Residence of the Rulers of Lothlorien and the Administrative Centre of the complex and of the surrounding forest, is to serve as a prestigious Banqueting Hall and Entertainment Hall for visitors, particularly VIPs.
The Royal Couple, when elected to their place by the Consortium, will not only control and administer Lothlorien, but will be expected to entertain important people in the Main Hall, and to invite the most important of these to stay with them in the Royal Guest-rooms and dine privately in the Royal Apartments.
At other times, when the Palace is not occupied by VIPs, visitors from the General Public may visit the Palace and meet the Royal Pair.
In pleasant weather one or both of the Royal Pair may invite guests to join in an excursion in the Royal Barge (Drawing Number 21).
The Complex of Lothlorien is intended, of course, to be sited in a forest, of which there are a number in Little Middle Earth. All of the tree-houses and the Palace are situated at 25 feet in height from the ground, and at a very short distance away will be invisible (see Drawing 30T).
Lothlorien, therefore, will not impinge upon the natural landscape, and will maintain the atmosphere of secrecy as described in "The Lord of the Rings".
Drawing Number 31, Middle Earth: Arms and Artefacts. The "Hammerhead" field-knife:
This field-knife can be used for cutting branches and building rough shelters, as it will serve as a hatchet, hammer, knife or spoke-shave. The broad,flat back can be struck with a log of wood when splitting logs.
It is of good general use in camp,forest,or field, and may also be used for fighting, in case of need.
The blade may be made from any one of a number of steels. I suggest, for examples: (1) Stainless steel 440C. (2)Steel ATS-34, SK5. (3) Carbon steel 9260, 1080. (4) Molybdomen-Vanadium steel. (5) Damascus steel.
The cross-guard and pommel are of bronze or gunmetal, but could also be made of steel, if required.
The hammer-head is of blister-steel,as used in hammers.
The grip-cheeks are of Ebony,Ironwood,Oak, etcetera, as required.
Drawing Number 32, Middle Earth, Arms and Artefacts.
The "Cleaver" two-handed sabre:
This sabre may be used on foot or on horse-back, and with one hand or two.
The blade may be made, I suggest, in (1) Spring steel, (2) Stainless steel 440C, (3) Carbon steel 8260, (4) Stainless steel CN-33, (5) Damascus steel.
The cross-guard, middle ring, and pommel are of bronze or gunmetal, but could be made of steel if required.
The grips are of bound strip leather.
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