The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Uncertain; born approximately III 28801
Race
Division
Culture
Pronunciation
ivo'rwen
Meaning
Uncertain2

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  • Updated 14 October 2010
  • This entry is complete

Ivorwen

Grandmother of Aragorn Elessar

Gilbarad?3
Dírhael
Ivorwen
Gilraen

The wife of Dírhael of the Dúnedain, and mother to Gilraen. When Arathorn son of Arador sought Gilraen's hand in marriage, Dírhael opposed him. Ivorwen, though, who was said to have the gift of foresight, persuaded her husband to allow the marriage. This was a small part to play in the history of Middle-earth, but it had great consequences - the son of Arathorn and Gilraen was Aragorn, who would one day reunite the ancient Kingdoms of the Dúnedain.


Notes

1

We have no direct reference to Ivorwen's dates, but we know that her daughter Gilraen was accounted extremely young to marry Arathorn, which she did in III 2929. Ivorwen was therefore probably born roughly fifty years before that date.

2

The -wen ending of Ivorwen's name means 'maiden', but the initial ivor- is mysterious. It may be connected to vor- 'constant', suggesting 'very faithful maiden' as the meaning of the entire name, but there's no direct evidence to support this.

3

Early versions of Ivorwen's story include a mention of her father, whose name is given as Gilbarad, but this name disappeared by the time the story found its way into the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings.

See also...

Dírhael

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About this entry:

  • Updated 14 October 2010
  • This entry is complete

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