Tolkien's Early Life in Edgbaston

J.R.R. Tolkien's early life in Edgbaston was marked by significant changes following the death of his father in South Africa. This loss left the family without a primary income, prompting Tolkien's mother to relocate with him and his brother to live with her parents in Kings Heath, Birmingham. This move was a crucial step in their lives, as it provided them with a temporary support system during a challenging period. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Sarehole, a village that was part of Worcestershire at the time and later became part of Birmingham. This rural setting had a profound influence on Tolkien's imagination and later works, as he often drew inspiration from the landscapes and experiences of his childhood. The natural beauty and the local folklore of Sarehole would later resonate in his writings, particularly in the creation of Middle-earth, where he infused elements of his early environment into his fictional worlds.