Gwaith-i-Mírdain: Difference between revisions
m (→Etymology: Italics) |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
The '''Gwaith-i-Mírdain''' was a brotherhood | The '''Gwaith-i-Mírdain''' was a brotherhood of [[Elves|Elven]] master craftsmen of the [[Second Age]] who created the [[Rings of Power]]. | ||
==History== | |||
The Gwaith were founded by [[Celebrimbor]] and settled in [[Eregion]]. Their capital was [[Ost-in-edhil]]. | |||
They stood close to the [[Dwarves]] of [[Khazad-dûm]] and their [[mithril]] mines. They cooperated for about a thousand years, and their rare friendship was the closest between [[Elves]] and Dwarves in history. Celebrimbor helped to construct the famous and magical [[West-gate of Moria]]. They were said to be the most talented artisans to have worked since the time of [[Fëanor]] himself (who was Celebrimbor's grandfather). | |||
[[Sauron]] after failing with [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]], targeted the Gwaith. In the guise of [[Annatar]] the "Lord of Gifts" in {{SA|1200}} he presented himself as an agent of the [[Valar]] and taught them how to forge the [[Rings of Power]]. The Gwaith were easily tempted since they wanted to bring to [[Middle-earth]] the joys of Valinor<ref>{{S|V}}</ref><ref name="L">{{L|131}}</ref>. The Rings would prevent or slow the decay of the mortal world, preserve what is desired or loved and also enhance the natural powers of a possessor even if that would mean disrupting the natural course of the mortal world.<ref name="L"/><ref>{{L|181}}</ref><ref>{{L|154}}</ref> | [[Sauron]] after failing with [[Gil-galad]] and [[Elrond]], targeted the Gwaith. In the guise of [[Annatar]] the "Lord of Gifts" in {{SA|1200}} he presented himself as an agent of the [[Valar]] and taught them how to forge the [[Rings of Power]]. The Gwaith were easily tempted since they wanted to bring to [[Middle-earth]] the joys of Valinor<ref>{{S|V}}</ref><ref name="L">{{L|131}}</ref>. The Rings would prevent or slow the decay of the mortal world, preserve what is desired or loved and also enhance the natural powers of a possessor even if that would mean disrupting the natural course of the mortal world.<ref name="L"/><ref>{{L|181}}</ref><ref>{{L|154}}</ref> | ||
Revision as of 12:40, 4 October 2010
The Gwaith-i-Mírdain was a brotherhood of Elven master craftsmen of the Second Age who created the Rings of Power.
History
The Gwaith were founded by Celebrimbor and settled in Eregion. Their capital was Ost-in-edhil.
They stood close to the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm and their mithril mines. They cooperated for about a thousand years, and their rare friendship was the closest between Elves and Dwarves in history. Celebrimbor helped to construct the famous and magical West-gate of Moria. They were said to be the most talented artisans to have worked since the time of Fëanor himself (who was Celebrimbor's grandfather).
Sauron after failing with Gil-galad and Elrond, targeted the Gwaith. In the guise of Annatar the "Lord of Gifts" in S.A. 1200 he presented himself as an agent of the Valar and taught them how to forge the Rings of Power. The Gwaith were easily tempted since they wanted to bring to Middle-earth the joys of Valinor[1][2]. The Rings would prevent or slow the decay of the mortal world, preserve what is desired or loved and also enhance the natural powers of a possessor even if that would mean disrupting the natural course of the mortal world.[2][3][4]
The Gwaith together with "Annatar" made several rings in S.A. 1500. Celebrimbor presented King Durin III with a Ring of Power. When Annatar had left (actually for Mordor) about S.A. 1590 Celebrimbor made the Three Rings[5] partly using the teachings of "Annatar".
Then Sauron betrayed them and forged the One Ring. However the Gwaith realized his plan and denied to hand him their Rings, resulting in the War of the Elves and Sauron. Eregion was devastated and the survivors of the Gwaith retreated to Rivendell
Etymology
Gwaith-i-Mírdain means "Brotherhood of Jewel-smiths" in Sindarin (from gwaith = "host, people" and mírdan = "jewel-smith").
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 131, (undated, written late 1951)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 181, (undated, written January or February 1956)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 154, (dated 25 September 1954)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Shadow of the Past"
