We wanted to cover a couple in the fantasy world…but that’s tricky to do when our podcast is only about real-life couples! Thankfully, there is a beautiful love story behind the creator of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit: the story of J.R.R. Tolkien and Edith Bratt. 

Tolkien and Edith’s love story began as star-crossed lovers, and their separation inspired Tolkien to write the story of Beren and Lúthien (and later Aragorn and Arwen). After years apart, they reunited, and endured Tolkien’s enlistment in World War I, which he miraculously survived.  

Throughout their marriage, Tolkien scribbled away at his ‘fairy languages’ and Middle Earth tales in any free time he found. But who was Edith Tolkien? The world knows little about her, and she makes few appearances in biographies about him. But surely that doesn’t mean Tolkien cared more for elves and hanging with C.S. Lewis?

***** 

This is a teaser for a bonus episode— the full episode is 1 hour 49 minutes long! You can listen to it in full ⁠on Patreon⁠. 

About Significant Lovers

Significant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring couples throughout history and pop culture, hosted by cousins Kelly, Melissa, and Kaitlyn. 

Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, listen on YouTube, and contact us at [email protected].

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