The History of Mirkwood

I always thought Thranduil was just a jerk but now I believe he had severe PTSD.

Robert - your LOTR content and delivery is exceptional. The tone, timing, and timbre of your voice are unique - you could / should do voiceovers & audio books professionally. Your delivery is so pleasantly listenable, people would eagerly take your advice even if you said one plus one was anything but two; or that one’s credit score has absolutely no impact upon one’s ability to obtain a mortgage or finance an automobile purchase. Your content reminds me of my brother who passed away last year (he was a few years older and would discuss / explain Tolkien’s world in the 1980’s when we were young; he had a photographic memory &.could read a book in a day or two, and recollect detail and often even word for word). God bless you my friend. 👊

The ability to integrate The hobbit’s story into Middle Earth. Which, was how much more serious world than the one proposed in The Hobbit originally, is something I always valued Tolkien for. Transitioning from whimsical, elves and spiders to Legolas and Dol Guldur in the same forest is a msaterpiece

I think part of Thranduill’s character was inspired by the appeasement policies in the 1930s leading up to WW2. It has a similar theme of leaders wanting to avoid war at any cost after the horrors of a massive war.

Thanks for telling these stories, Robert. I find them very soothing and interesting to listen to... Sometimes, even the biggest fans find something to learn. I love listening to things I never knew.

To put it in a rather pedestrian manner, Thranduil sucked as a king. PTSD from his last battle not withstanding. Great video, Robert.

I thought this was going to be an interesting but idle history to take in but the story of Mirkwood somehow ties together so many threads in the main story. Fantastic video

Tolkien’s ability to weave real mythological terms for Norse legends and places always makes his creation feel like it could have existed, perhaps in a dark age that became lost to time.

“Let’s not forget how quickly things returned to light and life afterward… Nature and light and hope did prevail.” A message which is as beautiful as it is vital. We must always bear it in our hearts. The shadow will not endure! Wonderful work, Robert! Thank you for all of your efforts over the years. Your videos have brought me immense joy. Looking forward to all those to come. Cheers!

Excellent analysis on the lesson that evil is best dealt with quickly. So many opportunities throughout history where that applies.

My first watch of a new In Deep Geek LOTR video in many months. Still as fantastic and engrossing as ever!

Some wonderful & interesting life messages contained within Tolkien's stories when you consider them in such detail.

Thank you a million times over for this video. The history of Greenwood/Mirkwood, Thranduil, and The Battle Under the Trees are some of my absolute favourite aspects of Tolkien's work. Such an amazing story.

I wish England still had a massive deciduous forest somewhere on our island. It saddens me that to experience such a wood i would have to travel, likely by plane, and probably somewhere like Poland, Russia, USA or Canada. Greenwood the Great is my kind of place.

This is the best lore channel on YouTube. Thanx for another great vid, Rob!

An amazing read. I love how timeless this feels. LOTR is one of these stories one can look forward to getting lost in.

I've always loved this part of middle Earth, Greenwood the Great. A love for the forest elves, the Nandor. Spirits of nature, of song and music. If there was any place I'd dreamed to be it was here in the woodland realm. Playing my Harp by the stream in forests of pale green light. In harmony & peace with myself and all things. One-day I may find myself in such a place of beauty and life. Radagast the Brown must have known these elves well, as he lived just near Mirkwood. Wizard of nature & earth.🌳🌸🍂

"What was Lord of the Rings like from Murkwood's perspective? What did it know, and when did it know it?"

“Why me, why now?” Everyone wants to live in peace and cross their fingers that the darkness has passed

I love these inn depth episodes where you can really enjoy and learn the background of the legendarium of Tolkien I oftentimes end up watching the episode several times because it's just jam-packed whit information that i didn't have any idea of So thank you for giving me/us all this brilliant background information that makes tha books and films so much mor enjoyable ❤❤❤ Just saying 🇧🇻