Sleighs and other winter transport? And fur jackets

[Darnokthemage]

As im from Northern sweden i have access to some sleighs from the 1800s, and my family happen to have horses. So ive been thinking about sleighs in Middle Earth, are they mentioned anywhere? I can't seem to remember any, but you people maybe know?

Ive also come in possesion of an old 1800s dog(yes, dog)fur pelt. It is heavy and reaches down to my knees.
It is similar to this one:


Does Tolkien ever mention fur jackets?

[Taurinor]

I’m not sure about fur jackets, but he did mention fur-LINED garments:

From The Lord of the Rings, Book II The Ring Goes South, Chapter 3 The Ring Goes South - “All were well furnished by Elrond with thick warm clothes, and they had jackets and cloaks lined with fur.”

[Darnokthemage]

Hmm, yeah i was hoping there was more. The lack of fur coats and jackets in medieval europe is also interesting. Might seem to have carried over to middle earth...

[Harper]

Appendix A and B have brief descriptions of the Lossoth and how they aided King Arvedui.

They built homes in the snow and used both sleds and bone skates.

There is not a lot there though.

[Iodo]

As im from Northern sweden i have access to some sleighs from the 1800s, and my family happen to have horses. So ive been thinking about sleighs in Middle Earth, are they mentioned anywhere? I can't seem to remember any, but you people maybe know?

A kit including this kind of thing would be fascinating to see and I'm going to quote Taurinor when I say "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, so just because there’s no mention of something doesn’t necessarily mean it isn't there"

In a cold and snowy region in the north of Middle Earth, where there would be need for such things, I would expect people would use them, I guess the next question to ask is who would use them?

[Darnokthemage]

I would say that it is likely that the Dalesmen used them, as dale and northern sweden have a lot in common.

The sleigh would be a useful and practical asset for all dalish homeasteaders. It is most likely used for going to dale in the winter months, to sell the summer and fall produce, such as furs, barley and butter. With a strong horse you can take wmthe family with you, and still have space for tools, cloth or toys that is bought there.

In a middle earth setting the dog-fur coat is likely made from warg fur, maybe made after the battle of five armies?

The usage of this type of clothing was to keep warm on long journies on sleigh or sled, maybe to sell charcoal to dwarven merchants, or timber to the shipcrafters in Esgaroth.

It was usually worn (in real life) with a knitted or woven belt, broad and wrapped in an X on the chest.

[Iodo]

I would say that it is likely that the Dalesmen used them, as dale and northern sweden have a lot in common.

The sleigh would be a useful and practical asset for all dalish homeasteaders. It is most likely used for going to dale in the winter months, to sell the summer and fall produce, such as furs, barley and butter. With a strong horse you can take wmthe family with you, and still have space for tools, cloth or toys that is bought there.

The usage of this type of clothing was to keep warm on long journies on sleigh or sled, maybe to sell charcoal to dwarven merchants, or timber to the shipcrafters in Esgaroth.

It was usually worn (in real life) with a knitted or woven belt, broad and wrapped in an X on the chest.

Nice analysis, it sounds very plausible for the traveling trader, something like this would make for an interesting persona

In a middle earth setting the dog-fur coat is likely made from warg fur, maybe made after the battle of five armies?

an impressive war trophy indeed

[Taurinor]

Hmm, yeah i was hoping there was more. The lack of fur coats and jackets in medieval europe is also interesting. Might seem to have carried over to middle earth...

The lack of fur coats and jackets in medieval Europe (especially the High Middle Ages in England and I think France) in in part due to sumptuary laws and Forest law. Only certain people were allowed to wear certain furs by law. I wouldn't expect that to be the case in Middle-earth, and some folks on the forum (I think Greg and Elleth, but I can't find the threads at the moment) have suggested that leather would be a more commonly used resource among the Dunedain, clothing and gear-wise, than it would have been among medieval Europeans. It's definitely a read-between-the-lines sort of interpretation, though; compelling and well thought out, but not something where we can point to clear examples in the text.

A kit including this kind of thing would be fascinating to see and I'm going to quote Taurinor when I say "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, so just because there’s no mention of something doesn’t necessarily mean it isn't there"

Just as a note, that is a line of logic meant to be used extremely sparingly - it turns into "orcs carried automatic firearms because Tolkien didn't say they didn't" really quite quickly (see the Uzi Rule). Not to say that it's not appropriate here, but it's something to be careful with.

[Iodo]

A kit including this kind of thing would be fascinating to see and I'm going to quote Taurinor when I say "Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, so just because there’s no mention of something doesn’t necessarily mean it isn't there"

Just as a note, that is a line of logic meant to be used extremely sparingly - it turns into "orcs carried automatic firearms because Tolkien didn't say they didn't" really quite quickly (see the Uzi Rule). Not to say that it's not appropriate here, but it's something to be careful with.

that's a good point I didn't think to add, thanks

[Darnokthemage]

Orc machine guns? I thought that was for the Numenoreans only...

[Iodo]

Orc machine guns? I thought that was for the Numenoreans only...

lol

[Darnokthemage]

foton online

Took the time to draw a dalish farmer going on a trading journey to Dale. The horse is a bit weird. I dont have a sleigh like this, as this one is a fantasy creation.

[Iodo]

Nice work

[SierraStrider]

I've been wanting to make some traditional wooden skis for winter trekking, along with a travois or pulk. Unfortunately, the snow in the Sierra is too warm for most traditional ski waxes--this is the land for scales and skins. I know that the Altai people of China use actual skins for their ski skins--fur-on and attached so that the direction of the fur keeps them from sliding backward, just like modern skins.

Alternately, I wonder about cutting scales into wooden skis. I worry that the abrasive snow would wear them down rather quckly, but perhaps another material laid into the base--bone, or horn, or merely a harder wood such as our native Manzanita.

An even bigger concern is the bindings. Hide thongs may do in the rolling hills of inland Scandinavia, but here snow is rarely found away from steep slopes. I'm shaky enough with good steel Telemark bindings and space-age glass composite boots--anything floppier doesn't bear thinking about.

I think snowshoes may be more what's required, clumsy and inefficient as they are compared to skis. I've seen examples made by the native inhabitants of this area in local museums.

In either case, steam-bending wood is a daunting undertaking. From videos I've seen online, I can't really tell if it's easier or harder than it looks.

[Ruinar Hrafnakveðja]

foton online

Took the time to draw a dalish farmer going on a trading journey to Dale. The horse is a bit weird. I dont have a sleigh like this, as this one is a fantasy creation.

I love the detail you have put into the sleigh Darnokthemage! Especially the image of Smaug and Erebor! Your sled screams Swedish/Saami aesthetics and I love it!

In the novel-style back story I’m writing about my persona there comes a time when Ruinar is pursued through the Ered Mithrin and is pushed into the Forodwaith. Here he meets the Lossoth. It is my belief that the Lossoth would have similar technology to Northern Inuit peoples. With their same kinds of sleds pulled by teams of dogs (or in some cases reindeer in Saami/Evenk style). With the extreme difference inmaterials and technology it makes sense that the men of Dale and the Lossoth would have different styles of sled. But being united by similar environments and perhaps even some manner of cultural exchange it makes sense that they would both use sled technology.