Belfalas: Difference between revisions

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(→‎History: Added information about the Númenórean settlers from NM; deleted that the Princes of Belfalas were descended from the Lord of Andunie and from the House of Elros, UT only says kinship with Elendil)
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In the late [[First Age]], [[Sindar]] refugees from [[Beleriand]]<ref>{{UT|Amroth}}</ref> settled the area and established an Elven settlement about 50 miles north of the later-named [[Dol Amroth]], at [[Edhellond]]<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}, note 18</ref>
In the late [[First Age]], [[Sindar]] refugees from [[Beleriand]]<ref>{{UT|Amroth}}</ref> settled the area and established an Elven settlement about 50 miles north of the later-named [[Dol Amroth]], at [[Edhellond]]<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}, note 18</ref>


The Númenóreans established settlements in Belfalas before their division into the party of the [[Faithful]] and the party of the [[King's Men]].<ref name=Beards>{{NM|P2v}}, p. 189</ref> A family of [[Faithful]] from [[Númenor]] had ruled over the land of Belfalas since the [[Second Age]]. This family of [[Númenóreans]] were related to [[Elendil]]. After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] they had been granted the hereditary title "Prince of Belfalas" by [[Elendil]]<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, Note 39</ref> and their land, now a fief<ref>{{UT|Linear}}</ref> of [[Gondor]], was called [[Dor-en-Ernil]] ("Land of the Prince").<ref>{{UT|Amorth}}, note 14</ref>
In the [[Second Age]], the [[Númenóreans]] established settlements in Belfalas already before {{SA|2221}}, which was their division into the party of the [[Faithful]] and the party of the [[King's Men]] on [[Númenor]].<ref name=Beards>{{NM|P2v}}, p. 189</ref> A family of [[Faithful]] related to [[Elendil]] ruled over the land of Belfalas ever since. After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] they had been granted the hereditary title "Prince of Belfalas" by [[Elendil]]<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, Note 39</ref> and their land, now a fief<ref>{{UT|Linear}}</ref> of [[Gondor]], was called [[Dor-en-Ernil]] ("Land of the Prince").<ref>{{UT|Amorth}}, note 14</ref>


Amroth, [[King of Lórien]] from the beginning of the Third Age,<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref> left his [[Lothlórien|realm]] behind in {{TA|1981}} in search of his beloved [[Nimrodel]], who had fled from the [[Balrog|horror]] unleashed by the [[Dwarves]] in [[Moria]], along with numerous [[Galadhrim]].  He waited for her at Edhellond, for their final voyage together into the West. But Nimrodel, who loved [[Middle-earth]] as much as she did Amroth, failed to join him.  When the ship was blown prematurely out to sea, he jumped overboard in a futile attempt to reach the shore to search for her, and drowned in the bay.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}, p. 240-242, 245.</ref> When [[Amroth]] was lost at sea in {{TA|1981}} the last of these Elves left the region.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>  
Amroth, [[King of Lórien]] from the beginning of the Third Age,<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref> left his [[Lothlórien|realm]] behind in {{TA|1981}} in search of his beloved [[Nimrodel]], who had fled from the [[Balrog|horror]] unleashed by the [[Dwarves]] in [[Moria]], along with numerous [[Galadhrim]].  He waited for her at Edhellond, for their final voyage together into the West. But Nimrodel, who loved [[Middle-earth]] as much as she did Amroth, failed to join him.  When the ship was blown prematurely out to sea, he jumped overboard in a futile attempt to reach the shore to search for her, and drowned in the bay.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}, p. 240-242, 245.</ref> When [[Amroth]] was lost at sea in {{TA|1981}} the last of these Elves left the region.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref>  

Revision as of 19:02, 26 April 2022

Belfalas
Region/fief
General Information
Other namesPossibly equivalent to, or at least related to, Dor-en-ernil, the Land of the Prince
LocationA wide promontory extending into the Bay of Belfalas northwestward of the Mouths of Anduin
TypeRegion/fief
DescriptionA shoreland fief of Southern Gondor
People and History
InhabitantsGondorians[1]
Sindar
Silvan Elves
EventsLoss of Amroth

Belfalas was a region of southern Gondor, encompassing the coast from the mouth of the Anduin to Dol Amroth.[2] South of the Belfalas lay a great Bay, which was named after it: the Bay of Belfalas.

History

In the late First Age, Sindar refugees from Beleriand[3] settled the area and established an Elven settlement about 50 miles north of the later-named Dol Amroth, at Edhellond[4]

In the Second Age, the Númenóreans established settlements in Belfalas already before S.A. 2221, which was their division into the party of the Faithful and the party of the King's Men on Númenor.[5] A family of Faithful related to Elendil ruled over the land of Belfalas ever since. After the Downfall of Númenor they had been granted the hereditary title "Prince of Belfalas" by Elendil[6] and their land, now a fief[7] of Gondor, was called Dor-en-Ernil ("Land of the Prince").[8]

Amroth, King of Lórien from the beginning of the Third Age,[9] left his realm behind in T.A. 1981 in search of his beloved Nimrodel, who had fled from the horror unleashed by the Dwarves in Moria, along with numerous Galadhrim. He waited for her at Edhellond, for their final voyage together into the West. But Nimrodel, who loved Middle-earth as much as she did Amroth, failed to join him. When the ship was blown prematurely out to sea, he jumped overboard in a futile attempt to reach the shore to search for her, and drowned in the bay.[10] When Amroth was lost at sea in T.A. 1981 the last of these Elves left the region.[11]

It was from the name of this king that Dol Amroth (the "Hill of Amroth") took its name. The first Prince of Dol Amroth was Galador, the son of Imrazôr. According to legend, Imrazôr had married the Elven-lady Mithrellas, a companion of Nimrodel.[12]

During the War of the Ring, the nearby city of Linhir was attacked by the Corsairs of Umbar and the Haradrim and Men of Lamedon under Angbor tried to keep them off, until the Grey Company with the wraiths of the Oathbreakers arrived and ended the conflict.[13]

Population

The people of Belefalas were mostly descendents of Númenórean settlers. They frequently used Adûnaic names out of tradition, because their Númenórean ancestors had settled in Befalas before the division of the Númenóreans into the Faithful and the King's Men and the use of Adûnaic was at that time not connected with a rebellion against the Valar.[5]

Etymology

The name Belfalas consists of bel (a Pre-Númenórean element of unknown meaning) + Sindarin falas ("shore").[2]

Portrayal in adaptations

2014: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Havens of Belfalas were an area in the region of Western Gondor. They were located south of the Blackroot Vale via "Tarlang's Crown" and south-west of Lamedon. The "Emyn Ernil" lay to the east, dividing Belfalas from Dor-en-Ernil. A later update added the Cape of Belfalas, a location for Gondor-themed player homes along the coast between the Havens and Dor-en-Ernil. The capital was Dol Amroth and other settlements included "Tadrent" and "Ost Lontir". There were two beacons in Belfalas, on the north edges of the Emyn Ernil: "Amon Lontir" and "Nendath". The small island "Tol Aduial" was in the bay north of Dol Amroth and the larger island "Tol Fennas" was west of Dol Amroth. A reclusive group of Elves, the "Avorrim", kept watch upon the abandoned haven of Edhellond in secret.

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, p. 15
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Amroth and Nimrodel"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", note 18
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: V. Beards", p. 189
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", Note 39
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields", "Appendix: Númenórean Linear Measures"
  8. ↑ , note 14
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", p. 240-242, 245.
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", Note 39, p. 316
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Last Debate"
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