Werewolves were servants of Morgoth Bauglir, bred from wolves and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser Maiar or fëar of Orcs) imprisoned in their wolfish forms by Sauron.

They inhabited Tol-in-Gaurhoth which became known as the Isle of Werewolves.

Contents 1 Origins 2 History 3 Characteristics 4 External link

Origins Edit

The name werewolf appears to have been chosen because they were in essence sentient (but evil), and thus had a status similar to men rather than beasts — the word "were" in the word werewolf being from the Anglo-Saxon were, meaning man.

History Edit

The first werewolf was Draugluin, and the greatest wolf was Carcharoth, the guardian of Angband, a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were. Huan the Hound of Valinor, while also sentient, was not a werewolf. Werewolves were thought of by Sauron, who was their lord, and took the shape of a great wolf himself at least once.

Gandalf suggests in his talks with Frodo after the Ford of Bruinen that werewolves survived into the Third Age, and makes a distinction between them and Wargs. The latter though might simply be descended from werewolves, as they could speak, suggesting they had fëar.

Characteristics Edit

Werewolves were not shapeshifters, and were always in the form of beasts. The fangs of Carcharoth had venom on them, though it is not known if all werewolves had venomous fangs.

External link Edit

• Werewolves at Tolkien Gateway