Dates
Race
Divisions
Cultures
Family
Multiple, but in patrilinear terms, Elrond was descended from the House of Hador2
Settlements
Raised at the Havens of Sirion, but later dwelt in Lindon before founding Rivendell, where he remained until the end of the Third AgeMeaning
'Elf of the cave'3
Pronunciation
e'lrond
Titles
Indexes:
About this entry:
- Updated 1 September 2004
- Updates planned: 36
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(Aragorn was a descendant of Elrond's brother
Elros through many generations of Men)
One of the greatest Elves in the history of Middle-earth, Elrond was born at the Havens of Sirion late in the First Age. During their sack, he and his brother Elros were taken captive by the Sons of Fëanor, but Maglor took pity on them and released them. When they were rescued, Elrond was found playing in a cave beneath a waterfall, and so received his name.
Both of Elrond's parents were half-elven, and after the War of Wrath he was given a choice; whether to be counted amongst the kindred of Elves or of Men. He chose the Firstborn, and remained in Lindon with High King Gil-galad.
After the invasion of Eriador by Sauron in the mid-Second Age, Elrond founded a refuge there in a deep hidden valley; this was named Imladris, or Rivendell in the Common Speech. After Sauron's defeat by Tar-Minastir of Númenor, Elrond remained in Rivendell, where he prospered with the aid of the Great Ring, Vilya.
Elrond played a great part in the histories of the Second and Third Ages; he marched with Gil-galad and Elendil to the War of the Last Alliance, and was a leading member of the White Council. At the time of the Council of Elrond in III 3018, he had dwelt in Middle-earth for some 6,500 years.
Notes
1 |
Though he is known as 'Half-elven', Elrond's lineage is much more complicated than that title suggests. He could claim descent from all the main branches of the Eldar, each of the Three Houses of the Edain, and even from the Maiar. To be completely correct, he was slightly more than half-elven: actually nine sixteenths of his ancestors were Elves. A full breakdown of his descent works out like this:
- Three eighths Edain, through two lines: his grandfather Tuor of the House of Hador, and his great-grandfather Beren of the House of Bëor. He was also descended from the third House of the Edain, the Haladin, through Tuor's grandmother Hareth.
- Five sixteenths Sindar, again through two lines: his grandmother Nimloth and his great-great-grandfather Thingol.
- Five thirty-seconds Vanyar, through his great-grandmother Elenwë, and also through his great-great-great-grandmother, Indis the second wife of Finwë.
- Three thirty-seconds Noldor, through his great-grandfather, Turgon (who himself had only three-quarters Noldorin blood).
- One sixteenth Maiar, through his great-great-grandmother Melian.
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2 |
Elrond could claim descent from various great houses and families, but tracing back his patrilinear line takes us through his father Eärendil, his grandfather Tuor, and so through Huor and Galdor to Elrond's great-great-great-grandfather Hador Lórindol, founder of the House of Hador. On his mother's side, Elrond could reckon his descent from King Turgon of Gondolin, and thus from the House of Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor.
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3 |
In a letter of 1958, Tolkien gives a very detailed derivation of Elrond. When the Sons of Fëanor attacked the Exiles of Gondolin, Elrond and his brother Elros (both at that time small children) were carried off, but later found near a waterfall; Elrond was discovered in a cave behind the fall - hence 'Elf of the Cave'. However, in a much later letter (1972), Tolkien interprets the name 'Vault of Stars', and Christopher Tolkien gives the similar 'Star-dome' in his Appendix to The Silmarillion. Whether it was Tolkien's intention to change the derivation of Elrond, or whether the older story simply slipped his mind, cannot now be known. |
See also...
Ainur, Angmar, Annatar, Annúminas, Aragorn Elessar, Aragost, Arahael, Arassuil, Arathorn II, Arwen Evenstar, Bëorians, Black Riders, Blue Ring, Celebrían, Chieftain of the Dúnedain, [See the full list...]Círdan the Shipwright, Company of the Ring, Cordial of Imladris, Council of Elrond, Deep Elves, Eärendil, Eärendil, Eldarion, Elladan, Elmo, Elrohir, Elros Tar-Minyatur, Elu Thingol, Elven-rings, Elves of Eregion, Elves of Lindon, Elves of Lórinand, Ereinion Gil-galad, Erestor, Evening Star, First Homely House, Foam-flower, Ford of Bruinen, Ford of Rivendell, Free Lords, Frodo Baggins, Galadriel, Galathil, Galdor, Gandalf, Gilraen, Glamdring, Glóin, Guardian of the Third Ring, Half-elven, Half-elven, Half-elves, Hall of Fire, Haudh-en-Ndengin, Heir of Eärendil, High King of the Noldor, High Moor, Hope, House of Elrond, House of Elros, House of Fingolfin, Iarwain Ben-adar, Imladris, Isildur, Isle of Kings, Keepers of the Three Rings, Khamûl, King of Gondor, King of Númenor, King of the Númenóreans, Lady of Rivendell, Last Bridge, Last Homely House, Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings, Legolas Greenleaf, Lord of Rivendell, Lord of the Nazgûl, Manwendil, Master, Meneldil, Mistress of Magic, Misty Mountains, Narya, Nine Walkers, Northern Sceptre, Númenor, Orodruin, Pale King, Peredhil, Queen of Gondor, Rhosgobel, Ring of Adamant, Ring of Air, Ring of Barahir, Ring of Isildur, Ring of Sapphire, Ring-bearers, Rings of Power, Rivendell, Sceptre of Arnor, Second Age, Sons of Elrond, Star of the North Kingdom, Stock Road, The Fair, The Free, The South, The Star, The Wilderness, The Wise, Three Keepers, Three Rings, Tom Bombadil, Vice-regent of Eriador, Vilya, War of the Last Alliance, White Council, White Ship, White Tree of Tol Eressëa, Winged Nazgûl, Younger Days
Indexes:
About this entry:
- Updated 1 September 2004
- Updates planned: 36
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