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{{Edain infobox
{{Edain infobox
| name=Beren
| image=[[Image:Tuuliky - Beren.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[Image:Tuuliky - Beren.jpg|250px]]
| name=Beren
| caption="Beren" by [[:Category:Images by Tuuliky|Tuuliky]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Camlost]], ''Erchamion''
| othernames=''[[Camlost]]'', ''Erchamion'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| titles=[[Lord of Ladros]]<br/>Lord of [[Tol Galen]]
| titles=[[Lord of Ladros]]<br/>Lord of [[Tol Galen]]
| position=
| position=
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| deathlocation=[[Hunting of the Wolf]]<br/>Returned to life, final death: {{FA|503}} (aged 71)<br/>[[Dor Firn-i-Guinar]]
| deathlocation=[[Hunting of the Wolf]]<br/>Returned to life, final death: {{FA|503}} (aged 71)<br/>[[Dor Firn-i-Guinar]]
| age=34
| age=34
| notablefor=retrieving a [[Silmaril]] from [[Morgoth]]'s crown
| notablefor=retrieving a [[Silmaril]] from [[Iron Crown|Morgoth's crown]]
| house=[[House of Bëor]]
| house=[[House of Bëor]]
| parentage=[[Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]]
| parentage=[[Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]]
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| children=[[Dior]]
| children=[[Dior]]
| gender=Male
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| height=Taller than most of his House<ref name=n46>{{PM|XNotes}}, note 46</ref>
| hair=Dark
| hair=Golden brown<ref name=n46/>
| eyes=Blue
| eyes=Grey<ref name=n46/>
| clothing=
| clothing=
| weapons=Spear and [[Angrist]]; [[Dagmor]] (in the [[Lays of Beleriand]])<ref>{{HM|LB}}; last version of the [[Lay of Leithian]] p. 344 cf. p.350 line 512 </ref>
| weapons=Spear and [[Angrist]]; [[Dagmor]] (in the [[Lays of Beleriand]])<ref>{{HM|LB}}; last version of the [[Lay of Leithian]] p. 344 cf. p.350 line 512 </ref>
| steed=[[Huan]]<br/>Unnamed horse (from [[Curufin]])
| steed=[[Huan]]<br/>Unnamed horse (from [[Curufin]])
}}'''Beren''' ({{FA|432}} – {{FA|503|n}}), aged approx. 71 years at the time of his final death) was a [[Men|Man]] of [[Middle-earth]], a hero whose romance with the [[Elves|Elf]] [[Lúthien]] was one of the great stories of the [[Elder Days]].
}}
'''Beren the Renowned''' was a [[Men|Man]] of [[Middle-earth]], a hero whose romance with the [[Elves|Elf]] [[Lúthien]] was one of the great stories of the [[Elder Days]].


== History ==
==History==
== Life in Dorthonion ==
===Life in Dorthonion===
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beren Heraldic Device.png|thumb|left|70px|Beren's heraldic device]]
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beren Heraldic Device.png|thumb|left|70px|Beren's heraldic device by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
Beren was the son of [[Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]]. He was a Man of the royal [[House of Bëor]] of [[Dorthonion]]. The [[Dagor Bragollach]] ("Battle of Sudden Flame") befell during his youth, bringing about the ruin of his land. The young Beren lived with his father and ten loyal followers in the highlands of Dorthonion, and the twelve of them performed many acts of bravery, to the great frustration of [[Morgoth]], the Dark Lord of [[Angband]]. After the betrayal and death of the Outlaws of Dorthonion due to the treachery of [[Gorlim the Unhappy]], Beren swore an oath to avenge his father, "but wept not, for his heart was ice". He recovered the [[Ring of Barahir]] from the [[Orcs]], and lived on as an outlaw, whose feats of daring were renown throughout the free world. Eventually he was forced to abandon the land of his birth and the grave of his father. He crossed into [[Doriath]], where he saw and fell in love with [[Lúthien]], princess of the [[Sindar]] and daughter of [[Thingol]] and [[Melian]] when he saw her dancing.
Beren was the son of [[Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]] and was named after [[Beren (son of Belemir)|Beren, his maternal grandfather]]. He was a Man of the royal [[House of Bëor]] of [[Dorthonion]] for his father was most likely the last Chieftain of the House of Bëor. The [[Dagor Bragollach]] ("Battle of Sudden Flame") befell during his youth, bringing about the ruin of his land. The young Beren lived with his father and ten loyal followers in the highlands of Dorthonion, and the twelve of them performed many acts of bravery, to the great frustration of [[Morgoth]], the Dark Lord of [[Angband]]. After the betrayal and death of the [[Barahir's Outlaw Band|Outlaws of Dorthonion]] due to the treachery of [[Gorlim the Unhappy]], Beren swore an oath to avenge his father, "but wept not, for his heart was ice". He recovered the [[Ring of Barahir]] from the [[Orcs]], and lived on as an outlaw, whose feats of daring were renown throughout the free world. Eventually, he was forced to abandon the land of his birth and the grave of his father. He crossed into [[Doriath]], where he saw and fell in love with Lúthien, princess of the [[Sindar]] and daughter of [[Thingol]] and [[Melian]], when he saw her dancing.


===[[Quest for the Silmaril]]===
===Quest for the Silmaril===
[[File:Felix Sotomayor - Beren at Thingol's Court.jpg|thumb|left|Felix Sotomayor - ''Beren at Thingol's Court'']]
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Beren leaves Menegroth.jpg|thumb|left|''Beren leaves Menegroth'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Thingol refused to give Lúthien's hand in marriage, as Beren was a mortal. He charged Beren that he would allow the marriage to take place only if he brought back a [[Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of Morgoth. The task was intended to be impossible, but Beren was determined. He set out on this impossible quest with the aid of [[Finrod]] of [[Nargothrond]], but was soon captured by [[Sauron]] and imprisoned in [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Lúthien, along with [[Huan]] the great hound, eventually came to their rescue.  
{{Main|Quest for the Silmaril}}
[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_Transformed.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Transformed'']]
Thingol refused to give Lúthien's hand in marriage, as Beren was a mortal. He charged Beren that he would allow the marriage to take place only if he brought back a [[Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of Morgoth. The task was intended to be impossible, but Beren was determined. He set out on this impossible quest with the aid of [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]] of [[Nargothrond]], but was soon captured by [[Sauron]] and imprisoned in [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Lúthien, along with [[Huan]] the great hound, eventually came to their rescue.  
Using Lúthien's powers to place Morgoth's court into a deep sleep, they were able to enter Angband where Beren was able to cut a Silmaril from Morgoth's iron crown. However, as they escaped from Angband, the great wolf [[Carcharoth]], whom Morgoth had personally bred, awoke. Beren held out the Silmaril, hoping that its radiance would avert the beast, but he was mistaken. Carcharoth bit off his hand, swallowing it along with the Silmaril, and proceeded to run rampant through Doriath. Thus Beren was called '''''Erchamion''''', "One-handed". Lúthien and the unconscious Beren were rescued by the Eagles of [[Manwë]]. Beren participated in the hunting of Carcharoth, where the beast was slain and the Silmaril recovered; the quest was accomplished, but in the process Beren was mortally wounded.
[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_Transformed.jpg|thumb|''Transformed'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Using Lúthien's powers to place Morgoth's court into a deep sleep, they were able to enter Angband where Beren cut a Silmaril from Morgoth's iron crown. However, as they escaped from Angband, the great wolf [[Carcharoth]], whom Morgoth had personally bred, awoke. Beren held out the Silmaril, hoping that its radiance would avert the beast, but he was mistaken. Carcharoth bit off his hand, swallowing it along with the Silmaril, and proceeded to run rampant through Doriath. Thus Beren was called '''''Erchamion''''', "[[One-handed]]". Lúthien and the unconscious Beren were rescued by the Eagles of [[Manwë]]. After coming back to Thingol's court, both told him the story of their quest and how Beren had fulfilled Thingol's demand, as he had one Silmaril in his hand. Thus, Thingol accepted that Beren married his daughter, being this the first [[Unions of Elves and Men|union of Elves and Men]].
Beren participated in the hunting of Carcharoth, where the beast was slain and the Silmaril recovered; the quest was accomplished, but in the process Beren was mortally wounded.


Unable to deal with the death of her beloved, Lúthien, overcome with grief, laid down and died. Her soul went to the Halls of [[Mandos]], where she managed to move Mandos so that he granted her a wish. Both she and Beren were restored to life, but both of them would die the death of Men, and go beyond the walls of [[Arda]] to a place unknown.
Unable to deal with the death of her beloved, Lúthien, overcome with grief, laid down and died. Her soul went to the [[Halls of Mandos]], where she managed to move [[Mandos]] so that he granted her and Beren another life. Both she and Beren were restored to life, but both of them would die the death of Men, and go beyond the walls of [[Arda]] to a place unknown.


===Later History===
===Aftermath===
{{Quote|(...) and whether the second span of his life was brief or long is not known to Elves or Men|Draft to ''Quenta Silmarillion''}}
{{Quote|(...) and whether the second span of his life was brief or long is not known to Elves or Men|Draft to ''[[Quenta Silmarillion (Lost Road)|Quenta Silmarillion]]''}}
Thus Beren and Lúthien lived again, and dwelt on [[Tol Galen]] in the middle of the [[Adurant|River Adurant]] in [[Ossiriand]]. There they stayed apart from other mortals. Lúthien bore Beren a son, named [[Dior]], Thingol's heir. He was considered to be one of the fairest beings to ever live, for in him flowed the blood of Men, the blood of Elves, and the blood of the [[Ainur]]. Through his descendants, the blood of Beren and of Lúthien was preserved among the [[Eldar]] and the [[Edain]].
Thus Beren and Lúthien lived again, and dwelt on [[Tol Galen]] in the middle of the [[Adurant|River Adurant]] in [[Ossiriand]]. There they stayed apart from other mortals. Lúthien bore Beren a son, named [[Dior]], Thingol's heir. He was considered to be one of the fairest beings to ever live, for in him flowed the blood of Men, the blood of Elves, and the blood of the [[Ainur]]. Through his descendants, the blood of Beren and of Lúthien was preserved among the [[Eldar]] and the [[Edain]].
[[File:Turner Mohan - Beren and Luthien.jpg|thumb|''Beren and Luthien'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]
Beren was involved with the events of the [[First Age]] only one further time. After the murder of Thingol, [[Mablung]] was sent by Melian to warn Beren. He gathered the [[Green-elves]], and with the aid of some [[Ents]]<ref>{{L|248}}</ref> they waylaid a group of the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] who had [[Battle of the Thousand Caves|destroyed]] Doriath and stolen its treasures. They ambushed the Dwarves and vanquished them in the [[Battle of Sarn Athrad]]. Because the [[Naugladur|Lord of Nogrod]] cursed the treasure, Beren threw it in the river [[Ascar]], but salvaged the [[Nauglamir]] which he brought to his wife. Their son Dior left to restore and rule [[Menegroth]].<ref name=doriath>{{S|Doriath}}</ref>


Beren was involved with the events of the [[First Age]] only one further time. After the murder of Thingol, [[Mablung]] was sent by Melian to warn Beren. He gathered the [[Green-elves]] and with the aid of some [[Ents]]<ref>{{L|248}}</ref> they waylaid a group of the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] who had [[Battle of the Thousand Caves|destroyed]] Doriath and stolen its treasures. They ambushed the Dwarves and vanquished them in the [[Battle of Sarn Athrad]]; because the Lord of Nogrod cursed the treasure, Beren threw it in the river [[Ascar]], but salvaged the [[Nauglamir]] which he brought to his wife. Their son Dior left to restore and rule Menegroth.<ref name=doriath>{{S|Doriath}}</ref>  
Beren and Lúthien died together on Tol Galen. Among the [[Children of Ilúvatar]] the final death of Beren and Lúthien is accounted in {{FA|503}}, for in the Autumn of that year Dior received the Silmaril in Doriath, and it was taken as a sign of his parents' death. In truth the date of their death is unknown.<ref name=doriath/><ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 306</ref>
 
==Description==
Beren had golden-brown hair and grey eyes. He was taller than most of his kinsmen, but (according to the trait of his House) he was broad-shouldered, and his limbs were very strong.<ref name=n46/>


Beren and Lúthien died together on Tol Galen. Among the Children of [[Ilúvatar]] the final death of Beren and Lúthien is accounted in {{FA|503}} for in the Autumn of that year Dior received the Silmaril in Doriath, and it was taken as a sign of his parents' death. In truth the date of their death is unknown.<ref name=doriath/><ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 306</ref>
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Beren Erchamion.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Beren Erchamion.mp3|Ardamir}}
Beren is glossed as "bold" in [[Noldorin]] of the ''[[Etymologies]]''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, root [[BER]] p.352</ref>
''Beren'' is glossed as "bold" in [[Noldorin]] of ''[[The Etymologies]]''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, root "[[BER]]"</ref>


His epithet ''Erchamion'' means "one-handed"<ref>{{HM|WJ}}, pp.51, 231</ref>. It has been suggested that ''Camlost'' means "empty-handed". Both epithets contain [[Sindarin]] ''cam'' "hand".<ref>{{S|Elements}}</ref>   
==Other names==
{{stub}}
His epithet '''''Erchamion''''' means "one-handed".<ref>{{HM|WJ}}, pp. 51, 231</ref> It has been suggested that '''''Camlost''''' means "empty-handed". Both epithets contain [[Sindarin]] ''cam'' ("hand").<ref>{{S|Elements}}, entry ''cam''</ref>   


== Genealogy ==
== Genealogy ==
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==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the first pencilled draft of the story of the Beren and Lúthien, Beren was a mortal Man; but when Tolkien erased it and wrote the "[[Tale of Tinúviel]]" of the ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', he became an Elf: one of the [[Gnomes]] of [[Dor-lómin]], the son of [[Egnor]] the Forester. The displeasure of King [[Tinwelint]] against him was because the [[Dark Elves]] of [[Artanor]] considered those Elves treacherous.<ref>{{BL|Introduction}}</ref>
== Inspiration==
== Inspiration==
The story of Beren and Lúthien, though mentioned only briefly in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', was a central part of the [[legendarium]]. Tolkien once referred to it as "the kernel of the mythology".<ref>{{L|165}}</ref> He went on to say that it "arose from a small woodland glade filled with 'hemlocks'", which he visited while serving in the Humber Garrison in 1918 (during [[World War I]]).
The story of Beren and Lúthien, though mentioned only briefly in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', was a central part of the [[Legendarium]]. Tolkien once referred to it as "the kernel of the mythology".<ref>{{L|165}}</ref> He went on to say that it "arose from a small woodland glade filled with 'hemlocks'", which he visited while serving in the Humber Garrison in 1918 (during [[World War I]]).  
 
In the earliest versions of the legendarium (see: ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]''), Beren was a ''[[Gnome]]'' (a [[Noldo]]), son of [[Egnor (disambiguation)|Egnor]] (which might have been an early name for [[Aegnor]]).


Tolkien seemed to be somehow connected to this character, and parallels can be drawn with his relationship with [[Edith Tolkien|Edith Bratt]]. Furthermore it is possible that ''Beren'' (meaning 'brave') is a reference to the original meaning of his Germanic surname (Toll kühn) of similar meaning. It is said that, like the story of Lúthien dancing in the woods before Beren, that one day while Tolkien and his wife were on a picnic in the woods she danced for him, thus creating another parallel to Beren and Luthien.  
Tolkien seemed to be somehow connected to this character, and parallels can be drawn with his relationship with [[Edith Tolkien|Edith Bratt]]. Furthermore it is possible that ''Beren'' (meaning 'brave') is a reference to the original meaning of his Germanic surname (Toll kühn) of similar meaning. It is said that, like the story of Lúthien dancing in the woods before Beren, that one day while Tolkien and his wife were on a picnic in the woods she danced for him, thus creating another parallel to Beren and Luthien.  


Tolkien was buried in Wolvercote Cemetery (North Oxford) and this name appears on the stone:
Tolkien was buried in [[Wolvercote Cemetery]] (North [[Oxford]]) and this name appears on the stone:


:JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN Beren 1892 – 1973
:JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN Beren 1892 – 1973
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:EDITH MARY TOLKIEN Lúthien 1889 – 1971
:EDITH MARY TOLKIEN Lúthien 1889 – 1971
{{Outlaws}}
== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Beren|Images of Beren]].
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:House of Bëor]]
[[Category:Quest for the Silmaril]]
[[de:Beren Erchamion]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:1a:peuple_de_beor:beren]]
[[fi:Beren]]


{{references}}
{{references}}
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}}
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{seq-end}}
{{Outlaws}}
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Gnomish names]]
[[Category:House of Bëor]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[de:Beren Erchamion]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:1a:peuple_de_beor:beren]]
[[fi:Beren]]

Revision as of 17:13, 11 March 2021

The name Beren refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Beren (disambiguation).
"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
Beren
Adan
Tuuliky - Beren.jpg
"Beren" by Tuuliky
Biographical Information
Other namesCamlost, Erchamion (S)
TitlesLord of Ladros
Lord of Tol Galen
LocationDorthonion; Ossiriand
AffiliationQuest for the Silmaril
LanguageSindarin, Taliska
BirthF.A. 432
Dorthonion
DeathF.A. 466 (aged 34)
Hunting of the Wolf
Returned to life, final death: F.A. 503 (aged 71)
Dor Firn-i-Guinar
Notable forretrieving a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown
Family
HouseHouse of Bëor
ParentageBarahir and Emeldir
SpouseLúthien
ChildrenDior
Physical Description
GenderMale
HeightTaller than most of his House[1]
Hair colorGolden brown[1]
Eye colorGrey[1]
WeaponrySpear and Angrist; Dagmor (in the Lays of Beleriand)[2]
SteedHuan
Unnamed horse (from Curufin)
GalleryImages of Beren

Beren the Renowned was a Man of Middle-earth, a hero whose romance with the Elf Lúthien was one of the great stories of the Elder Days.

History

Life in Dorthonion

Beren was the son of Barahir and Emeldir and was named after Beren, his maternal grandfather. He was a Man of the royal House of Bëor of Dorthonion for his father was most likely the last Chieftain of the House of Bëor. The Dagor Bragollach ("Battle of Sudden Flame") befell during his youth, bringing about the ruin of his land. The young Beren lived with his father and ten loyal followers in the highlands of Dorthonion, and the twelve of them performed many acts of bravery, to the great frustration of Morgoth, the Dark Lord of Angband. After the betrayal and death of the Outlaws of Dorthonion due to the treachery of Gorlim the Unhappy, Beren swore an oath to avenge his father, "but wept not, for his heart was ice". He recovered the Ring of Barahir from the Orcs, and lived on as an outlaw, whose feats of daring were renown throughout the free world. Eventually, he was forced to abandon the land of his birth and the grave of his father. He crossed into Doriath, where he saw and fell in love with Lúthien, princess of the Sindar and daughter of Thingol and Melian, when he saw her dancing.

Quest for the Silmaril

Beren leaves Menegroth by Peter Xavier Price
Main article: Quest for the Silmaril

Thingol refused to give Lúthien's hand in marriage, as Beren was a mortal. He charged Beren that he would allow the marriage to take place only if he brought back a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. The task was intended to be impossible, but Beren was determined. He set out on this impossible quest with the aid of Finrod Felagund of Nargothrond, but was soon captured by Sauron and imprisoned in Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Lúthien, along with Huan the great hound, eventually came to their rescue.

Transformed by Ted Nasmith

Using Lúthien's powers to place Morgoth's court into a deep sleep, they were able to enter Angband where Beren cut a Silmaril from Morgoth's iron crown. However, as they escaped from Angband, the great wolf Carcharoth, whom Morgoth had personally bred, awoke. Beren held out the Silmaril, hoping that its radiance would avert the beast, but he was mistaken. Carcharoth bit off his hand, swallowing it along with the Silmaril, and proceeded to run rampant through Doriath. Thus Beren was called Erchamion, "One-handed". Lúthien and the unconscious Beren were rescued by the Eagles of Manwë. After coming back to Thingol's court, both told him the story of their quest and how Beren had fulfilled Thingol's demand, as he had one Silmaril in his hand. Thus, Thingol accepted that Beren married his daughter, being this the first union of Elves and Men. Beren participated in the hunting of Carcharoth, where the beast was slain and the Silmaril recovered; the quest was accomplished, but in the process Beren was mortally wounded.

Unable to deal with the death of her beloved, Lúthien, overcome with grief, laid down and died. Her soul went to the Halls of Mandos, where she managed to move Mandos so that he granted her and Beren another life. Both she and Beren were restored to life, but both of them would die the death of Men, and go beyond the walls of Arda to a place unknown.

Aftermath

"(...) and whether the second span of his life was brief or long is not known to Elves or Men"
― Draft to Quenta Silmarillion

Thus Beren and Lúthien lived again, and dwelt on Tol Galen in the middle of the River Adurant in Ossiriand. There they stayed apart from other mortals. Lúthien bore Beren a son, named Dior, Thingol's heir. He was considered to be one of the fairest beings to ever live, for in him flowed the blood of Men, the blood of Elves, and the blood of the Ainur. Through his descendants, the blood of Beren and of Lúthien was preserved among the Eldar and the Edain.

Beren and Luthien by Turner Mohan

Beren was involved with the events of the First Age only one further time. After the murder of Thingol, Mablung was sent by Melian to warn Beren. He gathered the Green-elves, and with the aid of some Ents[3] they waylaid a group of the Dwarves of Nogrod who had destroyed Doriath and stolen its treasures. They ambushed the Dwarves and vanquished them in the Battle of Sarn Athrad. Because the Lord of Nogrod cursed the treasure, Beren threw it in the river Ascar, but salvaged the Nauglamir which he brought to his wife. Their son Dior left to restore and rule Menegroth.[4]

Beren and Lúthien died together on Tol Galen. Among the Children of Ilúvatar the final death of Beren and Lúthien is accounted in F.A. 503, for in the Autumn of that year Dior received the Silmaril in Doriath, and it was taken as a sign of his parents' death. In truth the date of their death is unknown.[4][5]

Description

Beren had golden-brown hair and grey eyes. He was taller than most of his kinsmen, but (according to the trait of his House) he was broad-shouldered, and his limbs were very strong.[1]

Etymology

Beren is glossed as "bold" in Noldorin of The Etymologies.[6]

Other names

His epithet Erchamion means "one-handed".[7] It has been suggested that Camlost means "empty-handed". Both epithets contain Sindarin cam ("hand").[8]

Genealogy

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bregor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bregolas
 
 
 
Barahir
 
Emeldir
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baragund
 
Belegund
 
 
 
BEREN
 
Lúthien
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Húrin
 
Morwen
 
Rían
 
Huor
 
Dior
 
Nimloth
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Túrin
 
Lalaith
 
Nienor
 
Tuor
 
Idril
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eärendil
 
Elwing
 
Eluréd
 
Elurín
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elros
 
 
 
 
 
Elrond
 
Celebrían
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of Númenor
 
Lords of Andúnië
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elendil
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of Gondor
 
Kings of Arnor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chieftains of
the Dúnedain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aragorn II
 
Arwen
 
Elladan
 
Elrohir
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eldarion
 
Daughters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of the
Reunited Kingdom
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Other versions of the legendarium

In the first pencilled draft of the story of the Beren and Lúthien, Beren was a mortal Man; but when Tolkien erased it and wrote the "Tale of Tinúviel" of the The Book of Lost Tales, he became an Elf: one of the Gnomes of Dor-lómin, the son of Egnor the Forester. The displeasure of King Tinwelint against him was because the Dark Elves of Artanor considered those Elves treacherous.[9]

Inspiration

The story of Beren and Lúthien, though mentioned only briefly in The Lord of the Rings, was a central part of the Legendarium. Tolkien once referred to it as "the kernel of the mythology".[10] He went on to say that it "arose from a small woodland glade filled with 'hemlocks'", which he visited while serving in the Humber Garrison in 1918 (during World War I).

Tolkien seemed to be somehow connected to this character, and parallels can be drawn with his relationship with Edith Bratt. Furthermore it is possible that Beren (meaning 'brave') is a reference to the original meaning of his Germanic surname (Toll kühn) of similar meaning. It is said that, like the story of Lúthien dancing in the woods before Beren, that one day while Tolkien and his wife were on a picnic in the woods she danced for him, thus creating another parallel to Beren and Luthien.

Tolkien was buried in Wolvercote Cemetery (North Oxford) and this name appears on the stone:

JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN Beren 1892 – 1973

The name of Lúthien also appears on the stone:

EDITH MARY TOLKIEN Lúthien 1889 – 1971

References

Beren
House of Bëor
Born: F.A. 432 Died: F.A. 466; final death: F.A. 503
Preceded by:
Barahir
8th Head of the House of Bëor
F.A. 460503
None
House of Bëor ceased to exist


Barahir's Outlaw Band
Barahir · Beren · Gildor · Belegund · Baragund · Gorlim · Urthel · Dagnir · Ragnor · Radhruin · Dairuin · Arthad · Hathaldir