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'''Avallónë''' ('Haven near Valinor') was a city on the island of [[Tol Eressëa]], the Haven of the [[Eldar]]. It was founded by the [[Teleri]] during their long stay there. Before moving north on the beaches of [[Valinor]], to escape the light of the trees so they could see the stars.
{{location
 
|image=[[File:Frédéric Bennett - Haven of the Eldar.jpg|250px]]
After the fall of [[Númenor]], Avallónë became the port of arrival for ships that took the [[Straight Road]].
|name=Avallónë
 
|othernames=Haven of the Eldar<ref>{{App|Numenor}}</ref>
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] was apparently evoking the island of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon Avalon] in the legend of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur King Arthur], although the form ''Avallónë'' also has the meaning "Near Valinor" in [[Elvish]].{{vague}}
|etymology=
|type=City and seaport
|location=[[Tol Eressëa]]
|inhabitants=[[Eldar]]
|realms=
|description=Island seaport with a great tower and harbor
|events=
|references=
|}}
'''Avallónë''' was a city and seaport on the eastern shore of the island of [[Tol Eressëa]].  Its name indicated that it was the city nearest to [[Valinor]] and the tower of Avallónë was the first sight that a mariner beheld as he approached the [[Undying Lands]]. The city was described as white-shining with a great harbor with laplit quays.<ref name="Akallabeth">{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> It had a Tower Tower where the [[Master-stone]] abode.
==History==
After the [[War of Wrath]] and the downfall of [[Morgoth]] the [[Valar]] summoned the [[Eldar]] to return to the West. Not all obeyed this new summons but those who did dwelt on Tol Eressëa.
In the [[Second Age]] some of the Men of [[Númenor]], those most far-sighted, could see Avallónë from the summit of the [[Meneltarma]] or from a tall ship that lay off the western coast as far as was lawful to go.  Some thought this far off vision was of Valinor itself but the wise knew it was but Avallónë.  While the [[Númenóreans]] respected the [[Ban of the Valar]] many elves would sail to Númenor; they brought birds, flower, and herbs to the land.
The sight of Avallónë beyond their reach helped to kindle resentment in the hearts of the Númenóreans against the Ban.  As the people of the island turned against the Valar the visits of the Eldar became few and only made in secret to the [[Faithful]].  By the reign of [[Tar-Palantir]] the city of Avallónë was veiled in cloud.<ref name="Akallabeth"/>
After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], the island of Tol Eressëa with Avallónë and the Undying Lands beyond were removed from the world.  Yet in the towers of the [[Emyn Beraid]] was kept the [[Elostirion-stone|Palantir of Elostirion]], which allowed the Elves to see the Tower of Avallónë, where the [[Master-stone]] abode.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>
==Inspiration==
In [[Letter to Milton Waldman|a letter to Milton Waldman]], [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] states that [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] were given an "Arthurian ending".<ref>{{SD|Epilogue}}, p. 132</ref> It has been suggested by [[Wayne G. Hammond|Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull|Scull]] that Tolkien was emphasising this connection in the name Avallónë, echoing the island of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalon Avalon] that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Arthur King Arthur] goes to in order to recover from his wounds.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, 677</ref>


{{references}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Avallone}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Avallone}}
[[Category:Cities in Aman]]
[[Category:Elven Cities]]
[[Category:Tol Eressëa]]
[[Category:Tol Eressëa]]
[[Category:Quenya locations]]
[[Category:Quenya locations]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[de:Avallóne]]
[[de:Avallóne]]
[[fi:Avallónë]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/tol_eressea/avallone]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/tol_eressea/avallone]]
[[fi:Avallónë]]

Revision as of 17:00, 26 June 2015

Avallónë
City and seaport
Frédéric Bennett - Haven of the Eldar.jpg
General Information
Other namesHaven of the Eldar[1]
LocationTol Eressëa
TypeCity and seaport
DescriptionIsland seaport with a great tower and harbor
InhabitantsEldar
GalleryImages of Avallónë

Avallónë was a city and seaport on the eastern shore of the island of Tol Eressëa. Its name indicated that it was the city nearest to Valinor and the tower of Avallónë was the first sight that a mariner beheld as he approached the Undying Lands. The city was described as white-shining with a great harbor with laplit quays.[2] It had a Tower Tower where the Master-stone abode.

History

After the War of Wrath and the downfall of Morgoth the Valar summoned the Eldar to return to the West. Not all obeyed this new summons but those who did dwelt on Tol Eressëa.

In the Second Age some of the Men of Númenor, those most far-sighted, could see Avallónë from the summit of the Meneltarma or from a tall ship that lay off the western coast as far as was lawful to go. Some thought this far off vision was of Valinor itself but the wise knew it was but Avallónë. While the Númenóreans respected the Ban of the Valar many elves would sail to Númenor; they brought birds, flower, and herbs to the land.

The sight of Avallónë beyond their reach helped to kindle resentment in the hearts of the Númenóreans against the Ban. As the people of the island turned against the Valar the visits of the Eldar became few and only made in secret to the Faithful. By the reign of Tar-Palantir the city of Avallónë was veiled in cloud.[2]

After the Downfall of Númenor, the island of Tol Eressëa with Avallónë and the Undying Lands beyond were removed from the world. Yet in the towers of the Emyn Beraid was kept the Palantir of Elostirion, which allowed the Elves to see the Tower of Avallónë, where the Master-stone abode.[3]

Inspiration

In a letter to Milton Waldman, Tolkien states that Frodo and Bilbo were given an "Arthurian ending".[4] It has been suggested by Hammond and Scull that Tolkien was emphasising this connection in the name Avallónë, echoing the island of Avalon that King Arthur goes to in order to recover from his wounds.[5]

References