Maedhros: Difference between revisions

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(Sindarin softens T to D, not to DH, hence the name is Maedros in Tolkien's later writings where the "Maitimo Russandol" etymology is given.)
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{{disambig-two|the son of [[Fëanor]]|non-canonical grandfather of [[Fëanor]]|[[Maidros (grandfather of Fëanor)|Maidros]]}}
{{disambig-two|the son of [[Fëanor]]|non-canonical grandfather of [[Fëanor]]|[[Maidros (grandfather of Fëanor)|Maidros]]}}
{{noldor infobox
{{noldor infobox
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| image=[[File:Jenny Dolfen - There will be blood.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:Jenny Dolfen - There will be blood.jpg|250px]]
| caption="There will be blood" by [[Jenny Dolfen]]
| caption="There will be blood" by [[Jenny Dolfen]]
| pronun=
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈmaɛðrɔs]}}
| othernames=''[[Nelyafinwë]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Father-name|fn]]),<br/>''[[Maitimo]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Amilessë|mn]]),<br/> ''[[Russandol]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[epessë]]),<br/>"The Tall"
| othernames="the Tall"<br />''Nelyafinwë'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Father-name|fn]]),<br/>''Maitimo'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Amilessë|mn]]),<br/> ''Russandol'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[epessë]]),<br/>
| titles=
| titles=
| position=
| position=
| location=[[Tirion]]; [[Himring]], [[March of Maedhros]]; [[Amon Ereb]]
| location=[[Tirion]]; [[Himring]], [[March of Maedhros]]; [[Amon Ereb]]
| affiliation=[[Oath of Fëanor]], [[Union of Maedhros]]
| affiliation=[[Oath of Fëanor]], [[Union of Maedhros]]
| language=[[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]
| language=[[Fëanorian dialect]] ([[Quenya]]) and [[Sindarin]]
| birth=after {{YT|1190}} and before {{YT|1300}}
| birth=after {{YT|1190}} and before {{YT|1300}}
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
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| house=[[House of Fëanor]]
| house=[[House of Fëanor]]
| parentage=[[Fëanor]] & [[Nerdanel]]
| parentage=[[Fëanor]] & [[Nerdanel]]
| siblings=[[Maglor]], [[Celegorm]], [[Curufin]], [[Caranthir]], [[Amros]] and [[Amarthan]]
| siblings=[[Maglor]], [[Celegorm]], [[Caranthir]], [[Curufin]], [[Amrod]] and [[Amras]]
| spouse=
| spouse=
| children=
| children=
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| weapons=Sword
| weapons=Sword
| steed=
| steed=
}}'''Maedhros''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈmaɛðrɔs]}}) was one of the princes of the [[Noldor]] and was eldest of the [[Sons of Fëanor]].
}}
'''Maedhros''' was one of the princes of the [[Noldor]] and was eldest of the [[Sons of Fëanor]].


==History==
==History==
Maedhros was born in [[Valinor]] during the Time of the [[Two Trees]]. After the banishment of [[Fëanor]] from [[Tirion]] in Valinor he went with his father to [[Formenos]] in exile. When [[Morgoth]] killed Finwë and stole Fëanor's beloved [[Silmarils]], Maedhros was the first son to take the terrible [[Oath of Fëanor]] to recover the jewels.
Maedhros was born in [[Valinor]] during the Time of the [[Two Trees]]. After the banishment of [[Fëanor]] from [[Tirion]] in Valinor, he went with his father to [[Formenos]] in exile.<ref>{{S|7}}</ref> When [[Morgoth]] killed [[Finwë]] and stole Fëanor's beloved [[Silmarils]], Maedhros and his brothers took the terrible [[Oath of Fëanor]] to recover the jewels.<ref name=Flight>{{S|9}}</ref>


Maedhros went with his father to [[Alqualondë]], where the [[First Kinslaying]] broke out, in which he took part. When Fëanor sailed off without the host of [[Fingolfin]], Maedhros thought that he was planning to return and carry across the others. He expected that the first ship would carry [[Fingon]], his best friend. When he learned that in fact, Fëanor planned to abandon them, he was angry and, alone of his brothers, refused to help burn the ships, to prevent Fingolfin from following.  
Maedhros went with his father to [[Alqualondë]], where the [[First Kinslaying]] broke out, in which he took part. When Fëanor sailed off without the host of [[Fingolfin]], Maedhros thought that he was planning to return and carry across the others. He expected that the first ship would carry [[Fingon]], his friend. When he learned that in fact, Fëanor planned to abandon them to prevent Fingolfin from following, he was angry and, alone of his brothers, refused to help burn the ships.<ref name=Flight></ref>


[[File:Ted Nasmith - Maedhros’s Rescue from Thangorodrim.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - Maedhros's Rescue from Thangorodrim]]
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Maedhros’s Rescue from Thangorodrim.jpg|thumb|left|''Maedhros's rescue from Thangorodrim'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
When Fëanor was killed in the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]], Maedhros became the [[High King of the Noldor]]. However, this position was held briefly, as [[Morgoth]] sent an embassy, feigning the surrender of a Silmaril. The Oath driving him, Maedhros also feigned to treat with Morgoth, but instead he was captured by Morgoth's embassy and hung by the wrist of his right hand upon the face of a precipice of [[Thangorodrim]], for about thirty years. In a daring rescue, his cousin [[Fingon]], helped by [[Thorondor]] the King of Eagles, saved him from torment, but he was forced to cut off Maedhros's hand to release him from the shackle. In gratitude for this, and in atonement for Fëanor's desertion of Fingon's house, Maedhros relinquished all claim as the heir of Finwë and gave up his position as High King of the Noldor, passing it over to his uncle [[Fingolfin]], Fingon's father, something his brothers did not approve of.
When Fëanor was killed in the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]], Maedhros became the [[High King of the Noldor]]. However, this position was held briefly, as Morgoth sent an embassy, feigning the surrender of a Silmaril. The Oath driving him, Maedhros also feigned to treat with Morgoth, but instead he was captured by Morgoth's embassy and hung by the wrist of his right hand upon the face of a precipice of [[Thangorodrim]] for about thirty years. In a daring rescue, his cousin Fingon, helped by [[Thorondor]] the King of Eagles, saved him from torment, but he was forced to cut off Maedhros' hand to release him from the shackle. In gratitude for this, and in atonement for Fëanor's desertion of Fingon's house, Maedhros relinquished all claim as the heir of Finwë and gave up his position as High King of the Noldor, passing it over to his uncle [[Fingolfin]], Fingon's father, a decision his brothers did not approve of.<ref name=Return>{{S|13}}</ref>


Seeing that his brothers were likely to cause feuds with their kinsmen, Maedhros moved them out of [[Hithlum]], and later ruled the lands around the [[Hill of Himring]], which became known as the [[March of Maedhros]]. Allied with Fingolfin, he won the battle of [[Dagor Aglareb]], and, thanks to his daring deeds during the [[Dagor Bragollach]], [[Himring]] stood while many other elven realms fell.  
Seeing that his brothers were likely to cause feuds with their kinsmen, Maedhros moved them out of [[Hithlum]], and later ruled the lands around the [[Hill of Himring]], which became known as the [[March of Maedhros]]. Allied with Fingolfin, he won the battle of [[Dagor Aglareb]], and, thanks to his daring deeds during the [[Dagor Bragollach]], [[Himring]] stood while many other elven realms fell.<ref name=Return></ref>


Hearing word of the deeds of [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]], he took hope and gathered his brothers and united with other Elven Houses to create the [[Union of Maedhros]], an alliance to lay siege to Morgoth's fortress of [[Angband]]. However, no support came from [[Thingol]] or [[Nargothrond]], due to the deeds of [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], Maedhros' brothers. The Union and the siege was utterly broken after the defeat in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. Himring was garrisoned by [[Orcs]]. Maedhros and his brothers lived in [[Ossiriand]], consorting with the [[Laiquendi]].
Hearing word of the deeds of [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]], he took hope and gathered his brothers and united with other Elven Houses to create the [[Union of Maedhros]], an alliance to lay siege to Morgoth's fortress of [[Angband]]. However, no support came from [[Thingol]] or [[Nargothrond]], due to the deeds of [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], Maedhros' brothers. The Union and the siege was utterly broken after the defeat in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. Himring was garrisoned by [[Orcs]]. Maedhros and his brothers lived in [[Ossiriand]], consorting with the [[Laiquendi]].<ref>{{S|20}}</ref>


Maedhros learned that [[Dior]], son of Beren and Lúthien, had inherited the Silmaril that they had recovered from Morgoth. Still driven by the Oath, he allowed his brother [[Celegorm]] to convince him to attack Doriath. Celegorm, [[Caranthir]], and [[Curufin]] were slain by [[Dior|Dior Eluchíl]], the King of Doriath, who was in turn slain by them. Dior's sons, [[Eluréd]] and [[Elurín]], were captured and abandoned by Celegorm's servants in the forest, leading Maedhros to search for the innocent youths, but to no avail. After learning that [[Elwing]], Dior's daughter, had survived, he and his surviving brothers descended with an army upon the remnants of the people of Doriath living in the [[Havens of Sirion]]. The Noldorin princes killed many Elves and captured Elwing's sons [[Elrond]] and [[Elros]] in the sack, but Elwing escaped with the Silmaril, jumping off a cliff.
Maedhros learned that [[Dior]], son of Beren and Lúthien, had inherited the Silmaril that they had recovered from Morgoth. Still driven by the Oath, he was convinced by his brother [[Celegorm]] to attack Doriath. Celegorm, [[Caranthir]], andCurufin were slain by Dior Eluchíl, the King of Doriath, who was in turn slain by them. Dior's sons, [[Eluréd]] and [[Elurín]], were captured and abandoned by Celegorm's servants in the forest, leading Maedhros to search for the innocent youths, but to no avail. After learning that [[Elwing]], Dior's daughter, had survived, he and his surviving brothers descended with an army upon the remnants of the people of Doriath living in the [[Havens of Sirion]]. The Noldorin princes killed many Elves and captured Elwing's sons [[Elrond]] and [[Elros]] in the sack, but Elwing escaped with the Silmaril, jumping off a cliff and into the ocean.<ref>{{S|22}}</ref>
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Maedhros Casts Himself into a Chasm.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Maedhros Casts Himself into a Chasm'']]
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Maedhros Casts Himself into a Chasm.jpg|thumb|''Maedhros casts himself into a chasm'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
After the [[War of Wrath]], he and his last surviving brother, [[Maglor]] stole the two remaining Silmarils taken by the [[Valar]] from Morgoth. But because of the evil deeds committed by the brothers to regain the jewels, they burned in Maglor's and Maedhros's hands. Unable to bear the suffering, Maedhros cast himself and the Silmaril he carried into a fiery chasm in the Earth. He is the only known [[Elf]] to have committed suicide. It is uncertain whether he was eventually released from [[Mandos]], or whether he still remains there with his father.
After the [[War of Wrath]], he and his last surviving brother, [[Maglor]], stole the two remaining Silmarils taken by the [[Valar]] from Morgoth. But because of the evil deeds committed by the brothers to regain the jewels, they burned the hands of Maglor and Maedhros. Unable to bear the suffering, Maedhros cast himself and the Silmaril he carried into a fiery chasm in the Earth.<ref>{{S|24}}</ref> It is uncertain whether he was eventually released from [[Mandos]], or whether he still remains there with his father till the [[Dagor Dagorath|End of the World]].


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
Maedhros' [[father-name]] was '''[[Nelyafinwë]]''', meaning "Finwë the Third",  shorter form '''Nelyo''', as his grandfather and father both shared the name ''Finwë''. ''[[Nelya]]'' is a [[Quenya]] adjective that means "third". His [[Amilessë|mother-name]] was '''[[Maitimo]]''', "Well-shaped One", for he was noted for his comeliness. His [[epessë]] was '''[[Russandol]]''', "Copper-top", referring to the dark red hair he inherited from his grandfather [[Mahtan]]. It is derived from ''[[russa]]'', a Quenya adjective meaning "red-haired".
''Maedhros'' is [[Sindarin]], a compound of ''maed'' ("shapely") + ''ross'' ("red-haired"), which are [[Sindarized]] elements of his names '''''Mai'''timo'' and '''''Russ'''andol'' (both explained below).<ref name=Notes>{{PM|XINotes}}, p. 366</ref> Thus this name would be properly spelled ''Maedros''.<ref name=Feanor>{{PM|Feanor}}, pp. 352-353</ref>


In ''[[The Shibboleth of Fëanor]]'', note# 65, it is said that the names Maitimo and Russandol are the base for the [[Sindarization|Sindarized]] name Maedros (derived from a contraction of ''Mait-'' + ''Rus-'').  
In the earlier [[Noldorin]] phase of the language, the name ''Maidhros''/''Maedhros'' is said to mean "Pale-glitter". It is formed by the adding up ''[[maidh]]'' ("pale", "fallow" or "fawn") and "archaic" ''[[rhoss]]'' ("flash", "glitter of metal").<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries "MAD", "RUS-"</ref>


In the earlier work ''[[The Etymologies]]'', the name Maedhros is original [[Noldorin]], and is said to mean "Pale-glitter". It is formed by the adding up ''[[maidh]]'' ("pale", "fallow" or "fawn") and "archaic" ''[[rhoss]]'' ("flash", "glitter of metal").
==Other names==
Maedhros' [[father-name]] was '''''Nelyafinwë''''' ("Finwë third"), shorter form '''''Nelyo''''', as his grandfather and father both shared the name ''Finwë''.<ref name=Feanor>{{PM|Feanor}}, pp. 352-353</ref> ''[[Nelya]]'' is a [[Quenya]] adjective that means "third".
 
His [[Amilessë|mother-name]] was '''''Maitimo''''' ("Well-shaped One"), for he was noted for his bodily comeliness.<ref name=Feanor></ref>
 
His brothers and other kin gave him the [[epessë]] '''''Russandol''''' ("Copper-top"), referring to the dark red hair he inherited from his grandfather [[Mahtan]].<ref name=Feanor></ref> It is clearly derived from ''[[russa]]'' ("red-haired"). In relation with this name, it is also notable that Maedhros also wore a copper circlet.<ref name=Notes></ref>


== Genealogy ==
== Genealogy ==
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== See also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Maedhros|Images of Maedhros]]
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Sons of Fëanor]]
[[Category:Sons of Fëanor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[de:Maedhros]]
[[de:Maedhros]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/maedhros]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/maedhros]]
[[fi:Maedhros]]
[[fi:Maedhros]]

Revision as of 17:49, 6 May 2021

This article is about the son of Fëanor. For the non-canonical grandfather of Fëanor, see Maidros.
Maedhros
Noldo
Jenny Dolfen - There will be blood.jpg
"There will be blood" by Jenny Dolfen
Biographical Information
PronunciationS, [ˈmaɛðrɔs]
Other names"the Tall"
Nelyafinwë (Q, fn),
Maitimo (Q, mn),
Russandol (Q, epessë),
LocationTirion; Himring, March of Maedhros; Amon Ereb
AffiliationOath of Fëanor, Union of Maedhros
LanguageFëanorian dialect (Quenya) and Sindarin
Birthafter Y.T. 1190 and before Y.T. 1300
Tirion
DeathF.A. 587
Into fiery chasm
Family
HouseHouse of Fëanor
ParentageFëanor & Nerdanel
SiblingsMaglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod and Amras
Physical Description
GenderMale
HeightTall
Hair colorCopper red
WeaponrySword
GalleryImages of Maedhros

Maedhros was one of the princes of the Noldor and was eldest of the Sons of Fëanor.

History

Maedhros was born in Valinor during the Time of the Two Trees. After the banishment of Fëanor from Tirion in Valinor, he went with his father to Formenos in exile.[1] When Morgoth killed Finwë and stole Fëanor's beloved Silmarils, Maedhros and his brothers took the terrible Oath of Fëanor to recover the jewels.[2]

Maedhros went with his father to Alqualondë, where the First Kinslaying broke out, in which he took part. When Fëanor sailed off without the host of Fingolfin, Maedhros thought that he was planning to return and carry across the others. He expected that the first ship would carry Fingon, his friend. When he learned that in fact, Fëanor planned to abandon them to prevent Fingolfin from following, he was angry and, alone of his brothers, refused to help burn the ships.[2]

Maedhros's rescue from Thangorodrim by Ted Nasmith

When Fëanor was killed in the Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Maedhros became the High King of the Noldor. However, this position was held briefly, as Morgoth sent an embassy, feigning the surrender of a Silmaril. The Oath driving him, Maedhros also feigned to treat with Morgoth, but instead he was captured by Morgoth's embassy and hung by the wrist of his right hand upon the face of a precipice of Thangorodrim for about thirty years. In a daring rescue, his cousin Fingon, helped by Thorondor the King of Eagles, saved him from torment, but he was forced to cut off Maedhros' hand to release him from the shackle. In gratitude for this, and in atonement for Fëanor's desertion of Fingon's house, Maedhros relinquished all claim as the heir of Finwë and gave up his position as High King of the Noldor, passing it over to his uncle Fingolfin, Fingon's father, a decision his brothers did not approve of.[3]

Seeing that his brothers were likely to cause feuds with their kinsmen, Maedhros moved them out of Hithlum, and later ruled the lands around the Hill of Himring, which became known as the March of Maedhros. Allied with Fingolfin, he won the battle of Dagor Aglareb, and, thanks to his daring deeds during the Dagor Bragollach, Himring stood while many other elven realms fell.[3]

Hearing word of the deeds of Beren and Lúthien, he took hope and gathered his brothers and united with other Elven Houses to create the Union of Maedhros, an alliance to lay siege to Morgoth's fortress of Angband. However, no support came from Thingol or Nargothrond, due to the deeds of Celegorm and Curufin, Maedhros' brothers. The Union and the siege was utterly broken after the defeat in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad. Himring was garrisoned by Orcs. Maedhros and his brothers lived in Ossiriand, consorting with the Laiquendi.[4]

Maedhros learned that Dior, son of Beren and Lúthien, had inherited the Silmaril that they had recovered from Morgoth. Still driven by the Oath, he was convinced by his brother Celegorm to attack Doriath. Celegorm, Caranthir, andCurufin were slain by Dior Eluchíl, the King of Doriath, who was in turn slain by them. Dior's sons, Eluréd and Elurín, were captured and abandoned by Celegorm's servants in the forest, leading Maedhros to search for the innocent youths, but to no avail. After learning that Elwing, Dior's daughter, had survived, he and his surviving brothers descended with an army upon the remnants of the people of Doriath living in the Havens of Sirion. The Noldorin princes killed many Elves and captured Elwing's sons Elrond and Elros in the sack, but Elwing escaped with the Silmaril, jumping off a cliff and into the ocean.[5]

Maedhros casts himself into a chasm by Ted Nasmith

After the War of Wrath, he and his last surviving brother, Maglor, stole the two remaining Silmarils taken by the Valar from Morgoth. But because of the evil deeds committed by the brothers to regain the jewels, they burned the hands of Maglor and Maedhros. Unable to bear the suffering, Maedhros cast himself and the Silmaril he carried into a fiery chasm in the Earth.[6] It is uncertain whether he was eventually released from Mandos, or whether he still remains there with his father till the End of the World.

Etymology

Maedhros is Sindarin, a compound of maed ("shapely") + ross ("red-haired"), which are Sindarized elements of his names Maitimo and Russandol (both explained below).[7] Thus this name would be properly spelled Maedros.[8]

In the earlier Noldorin phase of the language, the name Maidhros/Maedhros is said to mean "Pale-glitter". It is formed by the adding up maidh ("pale", "fallow" or "fawn") and "archaic" rhoss ("flash", "glitter of metal").[9]

Other names

Maedhros' father-name was Nelyafinwë ("Finwë third"), shorter form Nelyo, as his grandfather and father both shared the name Finwë.[8] Nelya is a Quenya adjective that means "third".

His mother-name was Maitimo ("Well-shaped One"), for he was noted for his bodily comeliness.[8]

His brothers and other kin gave him the epessë Russandol ("Copper-top"), referring to the dark red hair he inherited from his grandfather Mahtan.[8] It is clearly derived from russa ("red-haired"). In relation with this name, it is also notable that Maedhros also wore a copper circlet.[7]

Genealogy

Mahtan
b. Y.T.
 
Míriel
d. Y.T. 1170
 
Finwë
d. Y.T. 1495
 
Indis
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nerdanel
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
Fëanor
Y.T. 1169 - 1497
 
Findis
b. Y.T.
 
Fingolfin
Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456
 
Írimë
b. Y.T.
 
Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MAEDHROS
d. F.A. 587
 
Maglor
b. Y.T.
 
Celegorm
d. F.A. 506
 
Caranthir
d. F.A. 506
 
Curufin
d. F.A. 506
 
Amrod
d. F.A. 538
 
Amras
d. F.A. 538
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Celebrimbor
d. S.A. 1697
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

References