The Dagor Bragollach

The Dagor Bragollach

Author: Alex Holmgren July 31, 2026 Duration: 15:36

On a winter's night, Morgoth sent out rivers of flame from Thangorodrim, and the Mountains of Iron spewed fires and deadly fumes. The flames consumed the plain of Ard-galen, which was renamed Anfauglith. Many Elves perished as they tried to escape the fire, and the confusion caused by the flame and smoke hindered the defenders that watched Angband. Then Morgoth sent forth his armies, led by Glaurung, first of the Urulóki. Behind Glaurung came Balrogs and multitudes of Orcs, and they slaughtered anyone they came across. After a year of fighting, when Fingolfin, the High King of the Noldor, saw what he believed to be the utter ruin of the Noldor, he rode in anger across the dust of Anfauglith and challenged Morgoth to single combat. At the doors of Angband itself they fought a great duel. Fingolfin's sword, Ringil, wounded Morgoth seven times. Yet he was felled by Morgoth's hammer, Grond, and crushed by Morgoth's mighty foot. Fingolfin's body was saved by Thorondor King of Eagles and brought into the mountaintops north of Gondolin. There Turgon his son built a cairn over his body.


Join Alex Holmgren for A Leisurely Stroll Through Middle-Earth, a series designed for those who love to dwell in the rich details of Tolkien's world rather than rush through it. Think of it as a companionable walk with a fellow enthusiast, where the pace is slow enough to appreciate the scenery. Each episode immerses you in the text, treating chapters like an audio play to savor the language and atmosphere. Along the way, Alex pauses to discuss the themes, characters, and lingering questions that arise, turning a solitary read into a shared conversation. The podcast also keeps an ear on the wider world of Middle-earth, touching on relevant news and adaptations, ensuring the discussion feels connected to both the timeless books and our current moment. It’s a welcoming space for both seasoned scholars and first-time visitors to the Shire, built on the idea that the greatest stories reveal more with every return. This isn't a lecture or a recap, but an invitation to experience the legendarium with fresh eyes and a curious mind, one deliberate step at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

A Leisurely Stroll Through Middle-Earth
Podcast Episodes
The Seige of Gondor prt 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:56
The Board is set and the pieces are moving.....
The Seige of Gondor prt 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:56
We come to it at last....the great battle of our time. Here the hammer stroke will fall the hardest...
Seige of Gondor prt 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:49
Now we are back with Pippin and Gandalf in the besieged city of Minas Tirith- however they may at last hear word of their friends far afield....
Muster of Rohan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:52
Now we are back with Merry and the Rohirrim- Theoden, Eomer and Eoywn have important decisions that will change the course of middle earth.
The Passing of the Grey Company prt 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:34
Now we rewind back to Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Meriadoc Brandybuck. They are still with the company of King Theoden- we see how events lead them on the path to Minas Tirith...and war....
Minas Tirith prt 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:53
Resuming our introduction to the largest kingdom of men in the third age- Pippin has been brought before the seat of Denethor, son of Ecthelion Lord and Steward of Gondor and also the father of Boromir.....
Minas Tirith prt 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:46
Gandalf and Pippin are riding away from Theoden's company after the winged shadow passed over their camp- now they are at last on their way to the city that Boromir hailed from, Minas Tirith- City of Kings and Tower of G…