Interrogating Tolkien on the inspiration for Crickhollow

A newly revealed letter from Tolkien confirms longstanding speculation that ‘Crickhollow’ in Buckland is modelled on ‘Crickhowell’ in Wales. But I want to ask what Tolkien actually meant. Are the good folk of Crickhowell right to claim their town inspired a place in Middle-earth? That’s not at all clear.

Here’s what he wrote to Jenny Hall in the 2 February 1966 letter, up for auction at Christie’s:

I have been in most parts of Wales, but the place names I use are made up from English models or borrowed from books, though Crickhollow was actually meant to resemble Crickhowell.

One sentence, three clauses, two qualifiers, and a great deal of ambiguity.

Tolkien was a master of language, but here he was writing a casual letter – and although we may guess what question he was answering, we don’t know. The fuzzy syntax suggests he was dashing down his thoughts. At any rate, he was writing in 1966 for one person, not for a horde of ravening Tolkien fans in 2026. He had no reason to expect this statement would come under public scrutiny.

Let’s unpack what Tolkien says.

(Abre numa nova janela)