Beren Erchamion: Difference between revisions
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'''Beren''' ([[First Age]] circa 443 – c. 505) 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''' ([[First Age]] circa 443 – c. 505) 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 == | |||
== | Beren was the son of [[Barahir son of Bregor|Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]]. He was a Man of the royal [[House of Bëor]] of [[Dorthonion]], and arguably the most accomplished hero and adventurer of the First Age. The [[Dagor Bragollach]] ("Battle of Sudden Flame") befell during his youth, bringing about the ruin of his kingdom. 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 ruin of the Outlaws of Dorthonion, Beren was forced from the land of his birth by [[Sauron]] and [[Draugluin]]. He crossed into [[Doriath]], where he saw and fell in love with [[Lúthien]], princess of the [[Sindar]] and daughter of [[Thingol]] and [[Melian]]. | ||
Beren was the son of [[Barahir son of Bregor|Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]]. He was a Man of the royal [[House of Bëor]] of [[Dorthonion]], and arguably the most accomplished hero and adventurer of the | |||
[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_Transformed.jpg|left|thumb|250px|''Transformed'' by [[Ted Nasmith]], showing Lúthien and Beren in their disguises as vampire and wolf.]] | [[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_Transformed.jpg|left|thumb|250px|''Transformed'' by [[Ted Nasmith]], showing Lúthien and Beren in their disguises as vampire and wolf.]] | ||
Thingol haughtily refused to give Lúthien's hand in marriage. He said that he would allow the marriage to take place only if Beren brought back a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of | Thingol haughtily refused to give Lúthien's hand in marriage. He said that he would allow the marriage to take place only if Beren brought back a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of Morgoth. The task was intended to be impossible, but Beren and Lúthien, with the aid of [[Finrod Felagund|Finrod]] of [[Nargothrond]] and [[Huan]] the Great Hound (both of whom died protecting Beren), braved many perils (even besting Sauron, then Morgoth's most powerful lieutenant) to fulfill the [[Quest for the Silmaril]]. At the last they entered Angband and stole a Silmaril. 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 swallowed it and the Silmaril (thus Beren was called '''''Erchamion''''', "One-handed"), and proceeded to run rampant through Doriath. 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.{{Pronounce|Beren Erchamion.mp3|Ardamir|right}} | ||
Lúthien's love for Beren was so strong that, hearing of his death, she 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. 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; Beren was involved with the events of the [[First Age]] only one further time, when he waylaid a group of [[Dwarves]] who had destroyed Doriath and stolen the [[Nauglamír]] (and the Silmaril with it). | Lúthien's love for Beren was so strong that, hearing of his death, she 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. 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; Beren was involved with the events of the [[First Age]] only one further time, when he waylaid a group of [[Dwarves]] who had destroyed Doriath and stolen the [[Nauglamír]] (and the Silmaril with it). | ||
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Lúthien bore Beren a son, named [[Dior Eluchíl|Dior]], Thingol's heir, 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]]. | Lúthien bore Beren a son, named [[Dior Eluchíl|Dior]], Thingol's heir, 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]]. | ||
The name of Beren's sword was '''Dagmor'''. | The name of Beren's sword was '''[[Dagmor]]'''. | ||
== | == Development == | ||
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" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', 165). 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" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', 165). 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]]''), Beren was a '''Gnome''' (a [[Noldor|Noldorin]] | In the earliest versions of the legendarium (see: ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]''), Beren was a '''Gnome''' (a [[Noldor|Noldorin]] Elf), son of Egnor (which might have been an early name for [[Aegnor]]). | ||
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: | ||
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[[Baragund]] [[Belegund]] '''BEREN''' = [[Lúthien]] | [[Baragund]] [[Belegund]] '''BEREN''' = [[Lúthien]] | ||
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[[Morwen Eledhwen|Morwen]] = [[Húrin Thalion|Húrin]] [[Rían]] = [[Huor]] [[Dior Eluchíl|Dior]] = [[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]] | [[Morwen Eledhwen|Morwen]] = [[Húrin Thalion|Húrin]] [[Rían]] = [[Huor]] [[Dior Eluchíl|Dior]] = [[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]] | ||
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______|_______ | __|____________ | ______|_______ | __|____________ | ||
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[[Túrin Turambar|Túrin]] [[Lalaith]] [[Nienor]] [[Tuor]] = [[Idril]] | | | | [[Túrin Turambar|Túrin]] [[Lalaith]] [[Nienor]] [[Tuor]] = [[Idril]] | | | | ||
| | | | | |||
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[[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]] = [[Elwing]] [[Eluréd]] [[Elurín]] | [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]] = [[Elwing]] [[Eluréd]] [[Elurín]] | ||
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__________________|________________ | __________________|________________ | ||
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[[Elros]] [[Elrond]] = [[Celebrían]] | [[Elros]] [[Elrond]] = [[Celebrían]] | ||
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__________|________ ______|_______ | __________|________ ______|_______ | ||
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[[Kings of Númenor]] [[:Category:Lords of Andúnië|Lords of Andúnië]] | | | | [[Kings of Númenor]] [[:Category:Lords of Andúnië|Lords of Andúnië]] | | | | ||
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[[Elendil]] | | | | [[Elendil]] | | | | ||
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_________|_______ | | | | _________|_______ | | | | ||
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[[Kings of Gondor]] [[Kings of Arnor]] | | | | [[Kings of Gondor]] [[Kings of Arnor]] | | | | ||
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[[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] | | | | [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] | | | | ||
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| | | | | | | | | | ||
[[Aragorn II]] = [[Arwen]] [[Elladan]] [[Elrohir]] | [[Aragorn II]] = [[Arwen]] [[Elladan]] [[Elrohir]] | ||
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____________|_______ | ____________|_______ | ||
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[[Eldarion]] ''numerous daughters'' | [[Eldarion]] ''numerous daughters'' | ||
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</code> | </code> | ||
== | == See Also == | ||
* [[:Category:Images of Beren|Images of Beren]] | |||
[[Category:Edain]] | [[Category:Edain]] | ||
[[Category:House of Bëor]] | |||
[[Category:Quest for the Silmaril]] | [[Category:Quest for the Silmaril]] | ||
Revision as of 07:35, 29 June 2006
| Beren, son of Barahir | |
|---|---|
| Hobbit | |
| File:Anke Eissmann - Beren recovers a Silmaril.jpg | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Erchamion ("One-hand") |
| Birth | First Age c. 443, in Dorthonion |
| Death | First Age c. 505, in the Hunting of the Wolf |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | Tall |
| Hair color | Black |
(For other characters see Beren (disambiguation))
Beren (First Age circa 443 – c. 505) 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
Beren was the son of Barahir and Emeldir. He was a Man of the royal House of Bëor of Dorthonion, and arguably the most accomplished hero and adventurer of the First Age. The Dagor Bragollach ("Battle of Sudden Flame") befell during his youth, bringing about the ruin of his kingdom. 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 ruin of the Outlaws of Dorthonion, Beren was forced from the land of his birth by Sauron and Draugluin. He crossed into Doriath, where he saw and fell in love with Lúthien, princess of the Sindar and daughter of Thingol and Melian.
Thingol haughtily refused to give Lúthien's hand in marriage. He said that he would allow the marriage to take place only if Beren brought back a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. The task was intended to be impossible, but Beren and Lúthien, with the aid of Finrod of Nargothrond and Huan the Great Hound (both of whom died protecting Beren), braved many perils (even besting Sauron, then Morgoth's most powerful lieutenant) to fulfill the Quest for the Silmaril. At the last they entered Angband and stole a Silmaril. 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 swallowed it and the Silmaril (thus Beren was called Erchamion, "One-handed"), and proceeded to run rampant through Doriath. 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.
| right | |
 |
File:Beren Erchamion.mp3 |
| By Ardamir. (Media help) | |
Lúthien's love for Beren was so strong that, hearing of his death, she 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. 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; Beren was involved with the events of the First Age only one further time, when he waylaid a group of Dwarves who had destroyed Doriath and stolen the Nauglamír (and the Silmaril with it).
Lúthien bore Beren a son, named Dior, Thingol's heir, 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.
The name of Beren's sword was Dagmor.
Development
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" (The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, 165). 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), Beren was a Gnome (a Noldorin Elf), son of Egnor (which might have been an early name for Aegnor).
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
Genealogy
Bregor
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______|_______
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Bregolas Barahir = Emeldir
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_______|______ |
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Baragund Belegund BEREN = Lúthien
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Morwen = Húrin Rían = Huor Dior = Nimloth
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______|_______ | __|____________
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Túrin Lalaith Nienor Tuor = Idril | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Eärendil = Elwing Eluréd Elurín
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__________________|________________
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Elros Elrond = Celebrían
| |
__________|________ ______|_______
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Kings of Númenor Lords of Andúnië | | |
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Elendil | | |
| | | |
_________|_______ | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
Kings of Gondor Kings of Arnor | | |
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| | | |
Chieftains of the Dúnedain | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Aragorn II = Arwen Elladan Elrohir
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____________|_______
| |
| |
Eldarion numerous daughters
|
|
Kings of the Reunited Kingdom
