The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Born II 700
Race
Division
Culture
Family
A descendant of the House of Elros through a minor branch
Pronunciation
eeri'ldeh
Meaning
Uncertain1

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About this entry:

  • Updated 27 August 2024
  • This entry is complete

Írildë

A distant descendant of Vardamir Nólimon

Cemendur
Írildë
Hallatan

A noble lady of Númenor, who could claim descent from that land's second King, Vardamir, through his youngest son Nolondil. Írildë was the eldest child and only daughter of Cemendur of Hyarastorni, who was Nolondil's grandson. She was born in the year II 700 during the reign of King Tar-Elendil, and was thus an exact contemporary of her famed distant cousin Aldarion, who was born in the same year.

Aldarion was the grandson of Tar-Elendil, who would go on to sail the Great Sea and explore Middle-earth, and whose life was recorded in the tragic romance of Aldarion and Erendis. Írildë would therefore have lived through the events of that story, and presumably knew many of those involved in the tale, though she is not directly mentioned within the narrative. Though Írildë came from a minor branch of the royal house, her younger brother was the lord Hallatan, whose son Hallacar (Írildë's nephew) would wed Queen Tar-Ancalimë and give rise to the line of Kings and Queens that followed.


Notes

1

The name Írildë has a long history in Tolkien's works, though its meaning and application changed considerably over time. In its earlier uses, it represented a Quenya form of the name Idril, and was translated as 'mortal maiden'. In later texts, the connection with Idril was lost, and the meaning changed entirely. As applied to this noblewoman of Númenor, it seems to combine a word for 'desire' with a feminine agental ending, so in full Írildë could be interpreted as something like 'she who desires'.

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About this entry:

  • Updated 27 August 2024
  • This entry is complete

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