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If this video fails, I will set a team member on fire. Let's not allow it to fail, I love our team members.

George R. R. Martin is definitely watching this instead of finishing Winds of Winter

Plot-twist : Bilbo went with Gandalf not for adventure but because the dwarves emptied his month 's supply of food without compensation and he couldn't afford to replenish it, so he had to do the "gig" to earn something

*The world economy collapsing:* "I should educate myself about global economics so I can make sound financial decisions for me and my family in the inevitable harsh foreseeable future." *finds this video instead* ".. For Frodo..! "

I like the part where you quoted Elrond in his article in Half Elf Times Vol 2176 "Eregion's Bane: The consequences of the fall of Khazad-Dum to the weaponsmithies of Imladris and Arthedain in the Late Second Age."

I've been a Kings and Generals fan for a long time and i can say I am absolutely loving the fantasy series here at Wizards and Warriors. Keep up the fantastic work guys! Both history and fantasy :)

economic analysis of fictional settings are genuinely fun because they really reveal a lot of potential stories and (literal or otherwise) sites of conflict in addition to what the author has already come up with

12:00 Sam rose in standing after Frodo left, he became instantly wealthy. So becoming Mayor, ALL things considered, not such a shocker. 19:00 underground caverns with forests and Fields of fungii. Mushrooms must have been a staple diet item, and a trade item.

I put off watching this video for almost a year now. Now that I've seen it, I am amazed at your work and grateful for your creativity and research.

GRRM: Whines Tolkien didn't reveal King Aragorn's tax policy GRRM: Writes a book series featuring 6 kings and counting GRRM: Doesn't reveal anyone's tax policies

Amusing that in order for economics to be interesting to some of us, it requires fantasy creatures, weed and maggoty bread.

You guys should make a 2 or 3 hour video of the history of Beleriand with all of its battles and kingdoms like you did with Middle earth. It would increase your subscription by a 10000 at least.

My biggest disappointment in the otherwise well-made trilogy of Lord of the Rings movies was that Jackson decided to skip the Scouring of the Shire. I think it was a crucial part of the tale.

We finallt will get to know more about Aragorn's tax policy!

I’ve been having trouble sleeping my entire life. I think I finally found what I’ve been searching for. I love your videos. Thank you!! And by no means am I being bored to sleep.

The video is great, I only want to note about illustrations: 1. Elvish swords are all straight (according the book), when orks, easterlings and haradrims has curved swords. 2. Elves humans alike were riding horses, no mooses (movie feature, as well as goatriding dwarws, which as you quote "never kept animals")

There is also evidence of trade on the ford of the carrock, as the books mention tolls, which are often associated with the movement of goods. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings", p. 228 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "XIII. Galadriel", p. 248

This is the kind of quality content I come to youtube for.

The real economic question is this: Where does the Shire get all its tea from? Seriously though. Hobbits have clearly developed a taste for tea, but considering the probable climate of the Shire, it's very unlikely that the Hobbits are growing all their own tea.

I cannot believe that a two hour documentary on fictional geopolitics could keep me interested for the entire video

Nice work dude thanks

Amazing. I didn't know how much I needed two hours on the economy of middle earth, but now I do. It was "a lot".

this is the exact kind of analysis i would expect from a youtube channel called "wizards and warriors"

I just gotta say man, this, and the kings and generals channel. You guys put so much effort in your video’s its so detailed and well informed. I compliment you. 👍🏻👏🏻

This just came to me only bc I wasn't mentioned, but the woodland elves would be in a prime position to be the Main provider of furs in the north, on top of Alchohols fermented from the few wild nuts and berries that would grow in Mirkwood. Along with furs, I don't think leathers and hides would be out of the question either. The Mirkwood Stag hides in particular being of a very high value and beauty

54.27 Given the conflict between Dunland and their neighbours I am imagining trips on the North South Road turning into a medieval version of Mad Max: Fury Road.

I think the Pelanor Fields has more in common with both the 1683 Siege of Vienna and the 717 Siege of Constantinople, both major cities that were holding out against an overwhelming foe of a different religion while also being aided by their mainly mounted allies. Meanwhile I've always thought of the Battle of the Field of Celebrant to be inspired more by the Catalunian Fields as it was a rather despirate battle to turn back a dangerous force that required allies to win the day.

It might be worth noting that Gondor also extracted tribute from defeated enemies, with Hyarmendacil I at the very least taking tribute from the Haradrim.

Great video. Keep it going.

One of the best and most unique Tolkien videos ever made.

Holy Jesus, this is all animated on just economics. This is such a great video.

Phew so much economic activity to write about! Was a blast =)!

This was such incredible content! One must wonder what could lead to Sauron to commit so many resources to gathering mithril. I wonder if it was to build him a suit of armor to inhabit, virtually impervious to harm. Especially given how he was defeated before.

Man this is fantastic, thank you for working hard and putting this visually and grammatically(?) beautiful piece together. Sitting down with a dry loaf of italian bread, a bowl of half and half to dip it in, and a bottle of choc syrup to pour on that while I listen to ye talk about hobbits, dwarves, elves, and how they get THEIR food 😂 Pleasant, peaceful, 2 in the mornin when everyone else is asleep and it's quiet.

This is such a well-detailed video. Make more like this, please.

A compilation is always fun to watch! Getting a refresher of everything we've seen in the previous videos. :D

man i love these economy society videos i can't get enough!

These were a fantastic series of video! The art work was fantastic as well as the amount of work and effort that went into everything else.

This makes me want an official LOTR Total War game. Soooo badly.

On the agriculture of Mordor, there is one aspect that I feel you forgot: That the lands of Nurn were the most fertile in Middle-Earth, if not Arda, and that is because of its geographical location: Set between the Lake of Nurnen and ironically, Mt. Doom. Volcanic soil has proven to be the most fertile soil in the world, thanks to mostly the ash a volcano produces and the minerals it releases into the earth. A geologist would know more about this than I do. I would, however, like to describe Italy and Java as references. Italy has at least two volcanoes, if not more, and much of the rich produce it made during the Roman Republic/Empire is a testament to the population Rome could sustain for its wars. Java, meanwhile, is one of the largest exporters of rice in the world right now, and that is due to the many active volcanoes that are on the island. Thus, Mt. Doom was not merely a symbol of the ever-lasting presence of Mordor and Sauron's influence; it was also a great benefactor to Sauron's population growth and sustenance for such numbers. Sauron had made Mordor his stronghold not just for the strategic benefit of having vast mountain ranges as natural walls but also for the agricultural benefits it offered him. And that probably made him the finest strategist in Middle-Earth alone. And Tolkien comes across as having put even more thought into the geography and subsequent economy even more for this.

The Shire definitely had internal and some external trade going on! The Shire would have traded with Bree-land for sure (as the example of the pipe-weed shows, the Bree-land produced their own Southlinch, but they got the better quality from Shire) and then there are the Dwarves! Tolkien wrote in a letter that they were important factor in economic relations of the Hobbits! "Yours is the only comment that I have seen that, besides treating the book as 'literature', at least in intent, and even taking it seriously (and praising or ridiculing it accordingly), also sees it as an elaborate form of the game of inventing a country - an endless one, because even a committee of experts in different branches could not complete the overall picture. I am more conscious of my sketchiness in the archaeology and realien than in the economics: clothes, agricultural implements, metal-working, pottery, architecture and the like. Not to mention music and its apparatus. I am not incapable of or unaware of economic thought; and I think as far as the 'mortals' go. Men, Hobbits, and Dwarfs, that the situations are so devised that economic likelihood is there and could be worked out: Gondor has sufficient 'townlands' and fiefs with a good water and road approach to provide for its population; and clearly has many industries though these are hardly alluded to. The Shire is placed in a water and mountain situation and a distance from the sea and a latitude that would give it a natural fertility, quite apart from the stated fact that it was a well-tended region when they took it over (no doubt with a good deal of older ans and crafts). The Shire-hobbits have no very great need of metals, but the Dwarfs are agents; and in the east of the Mountains of Lune are some of their mines (as shown in the earlier legends) : no doubt, the reason, or one of them, for their often crossing the Shire." Then there are numerous references at the beginning of Fellowship, when we hear of the economic activities going on before the famous birthday party: “The purchase of provisions fell almost to nothing throughout the district in the ensuing weeks; but as Bilbo’s catering had depleted the stocks of most stores, cellars and warehouses for miles around, that did not matter much.” … “The next day more carts rolled up the Hill, and still more carts. There might have been some grumbling about ‘dealing locally’, but that very week orders began to pour out of Bag End for every kind of provision, commodity, or luxury that could be obtained in Hobbiton or Bywater or anywhere in the neighbourhood.” So that paints a picture of rather thriving internal trade, wiht occassional contacts with outside forces like Dwarves, Bree-landers etc. We hear a lot about various hobbit craftsmen, smiths and so on: “The poorest went on living in burrows of the most primitive kind, mere holes indeed, with only one window or none; while the well-to-do still constructed more luxurious versions of the simple diggings of old. But suitable sites for these large and ramifying tunnels (or smials as they called them) were not everywhere to be found; and in the flats and the low-lying districts the Hobbits, as they multiplied, began to build above ground. Indeed, even in the hilly regions and the older villages, such as Hobbiton or Tuckborough, or in the chief township of the Shire, Michel Delving on the White Downs, there were now many houses of wood, brick, or stone. These were specially favoured by millers, smiths, ropers, and cartwrights, and others of that sort; for even when they had holes to live in. Hobbits had long been accustomed to build sheds and workshops.” Local craftsmen, as well as occassional outsiders like the Dwarves offering their goods and services would be more than enough to see the economic activity of the Shire. Then there are hints like The Hobbit mentioned that Bilbo sometimes borrowed money: "“All the same, I should like it all plain and clear," said he obstinately, putting on his business manner (usually reserved for people who tried to borrow money off him), and doing his best to appear wise and prudent and professional and live up to Gandalf's recommendation." So one can assume that Bilbo had some small dealings in borrowing money, and probably had some revenue from property, the Baggins family seems to have some possessions, though Bungo, Bilbo's father build the Bag End largely using the money of his wife from the Tooks :). The money lending seems to exist in some form, even the Dwarves might have been doing that. "Altogether those were good days for us, and the poorest of us had money to spend and to lend, and leisure to make beautiful things just for the. fun of it, not to speak of the most marvellous and magical toys, the like of which is not to be found in the world now-a-days."

So good, loved watching this! Thanks so much for putting all parts into one

Tolkien must have been a Cottagecore Anarchist.

awesome work, i just finished the 30 + hours audio books, and still much new information and context from this video

great video thank you for creating it! I watched it all the way to the end. Don't forget to finish where start and start where you finish.

what a great analysis, I really enjoyed this! Thank you for the hard work you put into this!!

About trade of Woodland Realm: Fur trade was major and lucrative business in northern Europe and Russia with trade creating great demand for all sort of fur articles; hats, hoods, cloaks, scarves, and muffs, and fur coats and luxury furs. Squirrel pelts even served as currency back in the day. Blond mink, marten, ermine, otter, sable, beaver, lynx, bobcat, white rabbit, silver striped fox, red fox, and less so pelts of wolf, squirrel, deer, would all be in high demand by the rest of Middle-Earth. The northern reaches of Mirkwood's wilderness would provide these animals in overwhelming abundance, and who is better versed or more untiring hunter than a wood-elf? No doubt Elvenking would demand tithe of all the furs his people hunted, and trade these for foodstuffs or luxury goods. Elvenking might even have something of a monopoly on luxury furs, making him wealthy and powerful man indeed.

Thank you for increasing our knowledge!

loved the lore video great channel

Lmfao "Though Saruman had fallen on economic hard times..." @ 1:46:48. That's just good writing.

One of my favorite series is Tony Robinson's The Worst Jobs in History, where the man explores, and tries out, the toughest, messiest and most terrifying jobs in Britain, which were essential in building up the England of ages past and present. Truly fascinating and definitely worth recommending. I imagine some of those worst jobs you could find in Middle Earth if you traveled there.

best video ever :D a simple but important question of every fantasy setting, how do they feed themselves?? great job.

53:40 In those days, nickels had picture of Bumblebees on them. "Give me fives bees for a quarter" they used to say...

"But what was Elesar's tax policy"?

1:18:00 - I grew up in the West Midlands, one of the epicentres of Tolkien's dislike; major industries; so much smog and smoke, the area's actually called 'The Black Country'! Though I now live in the Shire..... Shropshire; in fact I think my neighbours could pass for hobbits, only growing out not up... and have (in my firm belief) on occasion given mathoms as Xmas presents!! :/ :) 1:21:00 - What, don't Orc's [Ork's] use teeth for currency!?! :D Come on, we all know the Elves are all old money; see how much money you get from many thousands yrs of interest; to say nothing of dying, collecting the life insurance; and then being resurrected with said fortune in a non-extradition country- sneaky little Elveses's >XD

Great narration and Tolkien lore and history enjoyed and listened to the whole reaction. Take care

Very well presented and researched video. Even gave me puse, to think back... (Im a prolific Tolkien fan). Very well done.

Very glad the algorithm guided me here. Solid content, new subscriber!

Love your work! Keep it up. I appreciate the love for Tolkien’s works despite the minute infractions (they mean nothing haha but us Tolkien nerds and our incessant compulsion for language) ELENDIL!!!

We need more of lotr content this is too fascinating, i love it

I just found your channel, incredible and entertaining analysis of this fictional world, it gives mor life to it than it already had. Thank you.

Sauron lost not because of the destruction of his One Ring, but because he raised taxes in Mordor

Its criminal this doesny have a million views. Deepdives like this are fabulous XD

Thank you the Video and the English subtitle.

This is pure gold and my 2nd watch through

Our other long-form videos: War of the Ring - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eNOhfruF1r7LnIE.html Rise and Fall of the Targaryens - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m9Jyg8p9uLyrm2Q.html Elder Scrolls - History of the Septim Empire - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/hrqdo89lmJ2rlmQ.html Nilfgardian Wars - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/buBlnNyWr6jWg6s.html Life and Battles of Sigmar - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fNKnbJyXxtOodZc.html

Amazing video fr I love it

Im surprised you didnt mention Lembas bread. While not widely produced or distributed, it is a foodstuff that the elves cultivate, that is much more nourishing. They didnt trade it, but it would have supplimented the crops that they do trade for, as well as the meat they hunt. So in hard times, elves were more than capable of feeding themselves, without trade. For the elves, trade was probably done mostly for luxury items

awesome artwork!

This is all well and good. A lot of interesting information you mined across all the tidy bits of data in the books. Tolking clearly did a good job setting up his network of economic activity. My problem with the world building of middle earth is with the scale of things, about demographics. Vast swaths of land seem to be barely populated. The protagonists basically only stumble upon capital cities, bree and the shire being the exception. The story never arrives or pass through the little rural communities. Also, the land seems so dangerous and desolated it is hard to imagine much trade is going on through the longer roads, with orcs, goblins and savage men ambushing from every hill. As for Orcs, it seems very unlikely that they can exists in the numbers that they did. At least the ones living in the misty mountains and Khazad-dûm. It is also hard to believe the hobbits could support the dwarven population of the blue mountains (unless they are a very small community), since the hobbits seem to get all they need from themselves and big tabbaco trade.

I loved the video!!! , economics is a true and valuable component of world building, I hope the algorithm Gods shine its light on this Quality work, especially for the sake of the team members survival chances.

I love this breakdown!

This video is great! It's something I've thought about a lot.

If all of Western philosophy is said to be but a series of footnotes on Plato's writings, then I think it can be similarly asserted that all of Western fantasy is footnotes on Tolkien.

Finally! A video about Aragorn's tax policy.

I just watched this production for an hour and fifty mins..that is about one hour and thirty mins longer than i watched rings of power

Wow. Honestly brilliant.

a truly beautiful achievement this video, albeit not flawless of course. one criticism i cannot withhold: your onscreen quotations should really have their sources stated, considering the huge wealth of writing you are drawing from. anyhow, thank you so much for this unique content!

The absolute best video to listen to before bed

1:50 “where there is labor, there is wages” Oh you sweet summer child

"If you make an order over 50dollars" I just saw the prices..... EVERY order will be over 50dollars lol... the products do look sick though

This needs more recognition

Wow great job!!!

Nitpick but when you say “Durin’s Folk,” that refers to a specific set of Dwarves, of whom literally all of the famous ones of the third age belong. The Dwarves had seven fathers, the most famous being Durin, and his descendants were the long beards AKA Durin’s Folk. The Dwarves that crafted the Nauglamír were of a different clan.

This is Fantastic!

ok, now i need a LOTR Economy game.

This was fantastic

Wow this explains a lot - Saruman was driven by his smoking habit all along!

Long video but incredibly interesting.

amazing job

Awesome stuff

Tolkien's response about the Jews is so classic! What a legend!

Tolkien loved the English countryside. It is beautiful, the older I get the more I realise this - the way it changes throughout the year, birth, growth, death and rebirth again the cycle of life. Its early summer at the moment, it has been raining a fair bit and everywhere is bursting with bright greens and when the sun comes out the greens against a clear blue sky are stunning. I often walk my dogs early evening as the sun is setting, it can feel magical and mystical I can see how Tolkien was inspired. If i get up early enough, the mists across the fields feel as if I’m in the Barrow Downs lol, the sun then replacing the mist with a golden shine - love it!

Actually, I asked for a video on the world of Nosgoth in the Legacy of Kain series. But yeah, this is cool too.

Great video ❤

another amazing video

This channel was a good idea 👍

Commenting to help the algorithm. Keep it up

Love it!❤️