Werewolves of Middle-earth

Werewolves in Tolkien's First Age aren't men who change shape. The Silmarillion calls them fell beasts inhabited by dreadful spirits that Sauron imprisoned in their bodies, and Sauron, lord of werewolves, kept them on Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the Isle of Werewolves, where Finrod Felagund died in a pit killing one with his bare hands. Against them stands Huan, the Hound of Valinor, Oromë's gift to Celegorm, fated to die only when he meets the mightiest wolf that would ever walk the world. Sauron sends Draugluin, sire of the werewolves of Angband, then takes wolf shape himself, and loses. Beren and Lúthien reach Angband disguised in Draugluin's skin and Thuringwethil's bat-wings, until Carcharoth, the Red Maw, bites off Beren's hand with the Silmaril in it. The burning jewel drives Carcharoth into Doriath, where the Hunting of the Wolf ends with Huan and Carcharoth killing each other. The Third Age keeps wargs, the strange wolves of Hollin, and Beorn the skin-changer.

Published

27 October 2026

Runtime

30 min 53 sec