Araval

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Araval
Arnorian
Biographical Information
TitlesKing of Arthedain
LocationArthedain
LanguageSindarin, Westron
BirthT.A. 1711
RuleT.A. 1813 - 1891
DeathT.A. 1891 (aged 180)
Family
HouseHouse of Isildur
ParentageArveleg II
ChildrenAraphant
Physical Description
GenderMale

Araval (T.A. 1711 - 1891,[1] died aged 180) was thirteenth king of Arthedain, coming to the throne in 1813 after the death of his father, Arveleg II.[2]

History

When Araval came to the throne Arthedain had been at war with Angmar for 400 years, and the Dúnedain had achieved very little in preventing the power of this old enemy from spreading.

Araval, in coalition with the Elves of Lindon and Rivendell, went to battle with the forces of Angmar in T.A. 1851 and returned victorious. After this victory, Araval attempted to re-occupy Cardolan, but the "evil wights" (likely referring to the Barrow-wights) terrified anyone who attempted to dwell there.[2]

Unfortunately, Araval's victory was of no avail in the long term: under Araphant, Araval's son, Angmar recovered and continued its attacks on Arnor; and under Arvedui, Araval's grandson, Angmar finally defeated Arthedain, laying Arnor to waste and scattering the remnants of the Dúnedain.

Araval ruled Arthedain for seventy-eight years, and was succeeded by his son Araphant upon his death in 1891.[2][1]

Etymology

There are two suggested etymologies for Araval's name:

  1. Sindarin for "Lord of Power" from ara- meaning "royal, king", and bal meaning "power".[3]
  2. Sindarin for "Golden King"[4] or "King of Gold"[5] from ara- meaning "royal, king", and mal meaning "gold".

In both cases, b and m are lenited to v.

Considering his earlier name Arvallen (mallen, "golden"), the second interpretation is more likely.

Other versions of the legendarium

In another manuscript, Araval is said to have driven the evil wights north. An early name for Araval was Arvallen.[2]

Genealogy

Arvegil
1553 - 1743
 
 
 
 
Arveleg II
1633 - 1813
 
 
 
 
ARAVAL
1711 - 1891
 
 
 
 
Araphant
1789 - 1964
 
 
 
 
Arvedui
1864 - 1975

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", pp. 195, 209-210
  3. Ruth S. Noel, The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth
  4. Jim Allan, An Introduction to Elvish, p. 72
  5. David Salo, Elfling message 30680 (20 November 2004) and 30687 (20 November 2004); the guess is supported by noting the similarity with Argeleb, "Lord of Silver"
Araval
House of Isildur
Cadet branch of House of Elros
Born: T.A. 1711 Died: T.A. 1891
Preceded by:
Arveleg II
21st Heir of Isildur
T.A. 1813 - 1891
Followed by:
Araphant
13th King of Arthedain
T.A. 1813 - 1891


The Northern Line and the Heirs of Isildur
Kings of Arnor: Elendil (S.A. 3320 - 3441) · Isildur (S.A. 3441 - T.A. 2) · Valandil (T.A. 2 - 249) · Eldacar (249 - 339) · Arantar (339 - 435) · Tarcil (435 - 515) · Tarondor (515 - 602) · Valandur (602 - 652) · Elendur (652 - 777) · Eärendur (777 - 861)
Kings of Arthedain: Amlaith (861 - 946) · Beleg (946 - 1029) · Mallor (1029 - 1110) · Celepharn (1110 - 1191) · Celebrindor (1191 - 1272) · Malvegil (1272 - 1349) · Argeleb I (1349 - 1356) · Arveleg I (1356 - 1409) · Araphor (1409 - 1589) · Argeleb II (1589 - 1670) · Arvegil (1670 - 1743) · Arveleg II (1743 - 1813) · Araval (1813 - 1891) · Araphant (1891 - 1964) · Arvedui (1964 - 1975) ·
Chieftains of the Dúnedain: Aranarth (1975 - 2106) · Arahael (2106 - 2177) · Aranuir (2177 - 2247) · Aravir (2247 - 2319) · Aragorn I (2319 - 2327) · Araglas (2327 - 2455) · Arahad I (2455 - 2523) · Aragost (2523 - 2588) · Aravorn (2588 - 2654) · Arahad II (2654 - 2719) · Arassuil (2719 - 2784) · Arathorn I (2784 - 2848) · Argonui (2848 - 2912) · Arador (2912 - 2930) · Arathorn II (2930 - 2933) · Aragorn II (2933 - 3019)
Kings of Arnor: Elessar (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 120) · Eldarion (Fo.A. 120 onwards)