363 – Til You Find Your… Ancient & Military Historian?

The Man of the West bids farewell to The Nerd of the Rings, as they welcome everyone’s favorite ancient and military historian back to the PPP: Dr. Bret Devereaux, author of A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry returns to answer an absurd number of questions that Alan and Matt have come up with from their last ten episodes. We get our 40k references out of the way early, discover Bret doesn’t read Old Norse, get an expert explanation of weregild, and have our eyes opened to Helm Hammerhand’s missteps. We also discuss peace through Black Death, wonder what the Quenya would be for “It’s all yours, buddy”, and lament the fact that the tales, they are so unfinished. Also, the emperor’s name is spelled Pupienus, just to be clear.

Recommended Reading


The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of the Lord of the Rings
Tolkien, J. R. R. (William Morrow, paperback)

Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth 
Tolkien, J. R. R. (Christopher Tolkien, ed.) (Mariner Books, paperback)

The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Carpenter, Humphrey ed. (William Morrow, paperback)

The Lord of the Rings: A Reader’s Companion
Scull, Christina & Wayne Hammond (William Morrow, hardcover)

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1 comment
  • My envisioning of the Battle of Celebrandt is that the Eotheod was marching south along the left (eastern) bank of Anduin- we are told as much during their magical passage past Lorien. I then see them crossing Anduin at the Undeeps, where the river was fordable, which would put them to the south of Limlight in the enemy rear.

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