The Palantíri: Seeing Stones of Middle-earth | Tolkien Explained

Since it was first revealed that Saruman was using a palantír in The Lord of the Rings, fans have wondered where these seeing stones came from and where they were located. Today, we will not only cover their likely creation by the greatest craftsman in Tolkien's mythology, but also how they ended up in Middle-earth and where they were placed! We know that Saruman, Denethor, Sauron, and Aragorn all use various palantíri during the events of the War of the Ring, but there were originally seven in Middle-earth (plus one in Valinor). Check out the video to see where each was stationed, how they were lost, and how Sauron came to possess on himself!

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Palantir of Amon SUl - Donato Giancola
Palantir - Donato Giancola
Saruman the White - Matt DeMino
Feanor and the Silmarils - Bella Bergolts
Haven of the Eldar - Frederic Bennett
Amandil - Turner Mohan
Ar-Pharazon - Steamey
Armenellos - SkullB**tard
Beleriand Map - Lamaarcana
Fall of Numenor - Darrell Sweet
Ships of the Faithful - Ted Nasmith
The Palantir of Elostirion - Matej Cadil
The Tower Hills - Ted Nasmith
Gildor, Sam, Pippin, Frodo, and the Elves - Steamey
Annuminas - Ted Nasmith
Across Middle-earth: Weathertop - Ralph Damiani
Arvedui - Lida Holubova
Blue Palantir - Aitor Fernandez
Aragorn and Palantir - Magali Villeneuve
Red Palantir - Aitor Fernandez
The Seeing Stones of Old Numenor - Beregond
Osgiliath - Abe Papakhian
Pyre of Denethor - Anke Eissmann
The Dark Lord and the Palantir - TheBabyDragons
Minas Ithil - Shadow of War
Minas Morgul - Shadow of War
The Shadow of Sauron - Ted Nasmith
Denethor - Daniel Di
Orthanc in the Second Age - Ted Nasmith
Saruman - Angus McBride
Isengard - Ivan Cavini
Pippin Steals the Palantir - Anke Eissmann
Pippin Looks in the Palantir - Peter Xavier Price
The White Rider - Ralph Damiani
The White Tree - Ted Nasmith
The Arkenstone - Ted Nasmith
Feanor's Last Stand - Jenny Dolfen

#palantir #tolkien #lordoftherings

[NerdoftheRings]

What other objects, weapons, or items from Middle-earth would you like me to cover? Also, please hit Subscribe & the Bell! It really helps grow the channel!

[Scott_]

Really feel like Denethor using the stone should've been in the movie. It was such an important part of his character

[chazk]

I love how completly Tolkien formed his world that we talk about it as seriously as real history. I wonder what Tolkien would think about a video like this. I think he'd approve. Your lore is almost impeccable.

[shmooveyea]

That's a rich history for 7 Facetime machines

[Keijspermeister]

Denethor is the most underrated person in the entirety of tolkiens works. He resisted the malice and dread by Sauron, but all het got was a sick burn

[Mikedegot]

Saruman: "I'm in the bathroom!"
Sauron: "Oh, uh, sorry. I'll call back later."

[Rombizio]

It is like a smartphone. But instead of being tracked by Facebook, Google or Apple you are being tracked by Sauron.

[ChiaraSiasat]

The history of the Palantíri is so interesting. The fact that a person who has significant power could manipulate the Stone to show or hide what a person wants the others to see. And those who had less significant power could see into the Stone but not know what they were seeing being it the past, present or the future.

[vhrenzhefcharlbutel]

What surprised me is that how Saruman was corrupted and how Denethor managed to stand firm. I did not like Denethor for I purely rely on the movies, but after watching this, and as what Boromir said and I quote, "He is a Noble Man."

[lizzies]

One of my favorite things about Middle Earth and Tolkien is there is SO much to explore. So many characters, locations, and items like the Palantiri that have their own rich histories to discuss. It feels like we'll never run out of things to talk about in Middle Earth. Great video as always! Never even considered this topic.

[lucasfamily]

😂😂😂 I love how all the Patreon contributers have all these wild ass names and then there's just "Debbie." Hell yes Debbie.

[colmortimer]

You are one of the best channels for proper Tolkien videos, you seem to tailor them to where the casual fans can learn and understand yet, yet still offer a lot to help us more in depth readers of Tolkien to review what we read and offer your point of view of it, that maybe be a slightly different take than the one we had. I am sure these are harder than baseless rehashing of a chapter, or movie topic, but I think the quality is great enough to justify the hard work it takes to make these.

[JacquesHsu]

The story of Palantiri is interesting, and strictly speaking, they play a key role for the destruction of The Ring and downfall of Sauron. Thanks for sharing this great video.

[tegandrenth]

More knowledge on LOTR. It still boggles my mind how in depth this story is.

[cicknobb]

I had no idea about the stone having to be facing the right direction or orientation. How cool. It really makes the part with Pippin that much deeper. Thanks again Matt.

[fredischilling]

Last time I was this early Morgoth was still the Dark Lord.

[brunoventura]

Nerd of the Rings, Men of the West and CivilizationEx, the best of the best Tolkien channels.

[qfytidw]

How to deal with unwanted Palantir calls, a tutorial by Sauron

Aragorn: Here's is the sword of Elendil!
Sauron: Here is your dead wife!
[dialtone]

[LordArmageddon]

I love the use of the image of the Mirari from Magic: the Gathering. Like the Palantir, it is a powerful relic. Very fitting

[Plepple]

>Sauron gets a call
>After a brief chat he turns around to his expectant army of orcs
"Is there an Al Kaholic here?"