Tolkien Gleanings #414
* The Pints with Aquinas podcast settles in for a long two-hour chat with Malcolm Guite. Includes his thoughts on “Who is is Tom Bombadil?” among much else.
* The Tolkien Pop podcast interviews the Rev. Dr. Tom Emanuel, discussing…
“his recently completed PhD work on the religiosity of Tolkien fandom in a post-religious world. We also discuss his Tolkien experience, progressive theology and religious studies in Tolkien Studies”.
* In Italy, a talk on Tolkien and AI on 22nd May 2026, in advance of a new book…
“Philosopher Rick DuFer’s new essay, published in March by Bompiani, offers an original reflection on the thought of J.R.R. Tolkien and the surprising relevance of his works. [Via Tolkien] the philosopher addresses contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence, war, the fear of death, and the very meaning of existence. [His public talk relates to his forthcoming book] Il pensiero speronte. Tolkien in difesa del presente (‘An Encouraging Thought: Tolkien in defence of the present’). [He is] now one of the most popular philosophers in Italy […] co-founder of the Cogito Academy, an organization dedicated to practical philosophy and cultural dissemination.”
* Tom Shippey’s Uppsala Books imprint has announced another book for later in 2026. Hoarded Gold: A Book of Old English Wisdom. New translations of the ‘wisdom poems’, offering…
“everything from wry sayings about money and mead-drinking to guidance on psychological and emotional growth, as well as profound meditations on how human beings can acquire and use wisdom.”
* The Birmingham Mail local daily newspaper covers The Tolkien Society’s Sarehole Mill festival in the south of the city on 31st May 2026, including details of ticket prices and travel.
* A signed copy of The Hobbit has just dinged an auctioneer’s cash-register for $450,000. The book was a Christmas gift to his housekeeper Phoebe Coles at Christmas 1937.
* And finally, some choice free commercial-use fonts. Which some may find of use…
— Peter Baker’s Eadui, based on the hand of an 11th century scribe.
— William Boyd’s Carolingia, based on Carolingian Minuscule.
— Kevin King’s Kingthings Exeter.
— Brian J. Bonislawsky’s Fondamento.
— Paul Lloyd’s Radaern.
Italic and bold versions had via clicking Photoshop’s ‘Fake Italics’ / ‘Fake Bold’ buttons. The examples here are all on dead-straight baselines, but know that there’s a Photoshop script to jitter the baseline and more. Alternatively set up a ‘lined-paper page’ with lines from the pen tool, then wave the lines slightly, then run text along them.