Wednesday Words: Legendarium
(This was a reader favorite, and one of mine. Freshly dusted off from the Archive, and polished off!)
A legendarium is a term often used to refer to a body of mythological or legendary stories associated with a particular fictional world or universe. It's commonly used in the context of fantasy literature, particularly when discussing the extensive mythologies and histories created by authors like J.R.R. Tolkien in his Middle-earth legendarium, which includes "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Silmarillion". Essentially, it's a collection of interconnected myths, legends, histories, and lore that form the background of a fictional world.
George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" series, which includes "Game of Thrones," features a richly detailed world with its own history, legends, and mythologies, and gained immense popularity through its television adaptation "Game of Thrones." The world of Westeros and Essos is filled with intricate political intrigue, complex characters, and a deep history.
Robert Jordan's “Wheel of Time” fantasy series spans fourteen volumes and is set in a world with its own elaborate history and mythology. The series delves into prophecies, legends, and the cyclical nature of time, and the fate of the universe is influenced by the struggle between Light and Shadow. Jordan's legendarium is rich with diverse cultures, prophecies, and a deep magic system known as the One Power. The series explores themes of destiny, free will, and the nature of power.
Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere encompasses multiple series and standalone novels, all set within the same universe but on different worlds with unique magic systems and histories, all tied together by overarching cosmological principles and a shared mythology. Sanderson has said a grand narrative is at play, gradually unfolding across different series as readers uncover connections between seemingly disparate stories.
Ursula K. Le Guin's Hainish Cycle consists of several novels and short stories set in a future where humans and other humanoid species populate various planets. Each work explores different aspects of society, culture, and history within this universe. The series is set in a future where the planets of the Hainish universe are connected through a loose alliance called the Ekumen, while also providing glimpses into the shared history of the Hainish worlds.
Tolkien's legendarium builds an extensive fictional universe that encompasses the interconnected stories, mythologies, languages, and histories found in Tolkien's works, primarily "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings", "The Silmarillion", and various posthumously published materials. This legendarium is known for its depth, complexity, and meticulous world-building. "The Silmarillion" provides a mythological history of Tolkien's fictional world, Arda, from its creation by divine beings to the events of "The Lord of the Rings." Tolkien’s body of work explored themes of heroism, friendship, the corrupting influence of power, the battle between good and evil, and the passing of ages, and often drew on real-world mythological and historical sources for inspiration.
Tolkien's Legendarium has had a profound and enduring influence on the fantasy genre. It laid the foundation for many of the tropes and conventions found in modern fantasy literature and inspired generations of writers, filmmakers, and artists.
While there are numerous examples throughout the fantasy genre, and its many sub-genres, these legendariums offer readers a rich tapestry of worlds to explore, each with its own unique history, mythology, and themes. They have captivated audiences with their depth and complexity, inspiring generations of fans and fellow writers alike. What’s your favorite fictional world?