Ulfang

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Ulfang
Easterling
Liz Danforth - Ulfang.png
"Ulfang" by Liz Danforth
Biographical Information
PositionChieftain of one of the Easterling peoples
LocationEast Beleriand (presumably Thargelion[1])
AffiliationCaranthir (feigned)
Morgoth
BirthPossibly F.A. 400NB
East of Ered Luin
DeathPossibly F.A. 470NB (aged 70)
East Beleriand
Family
ChildrenUldor
Ulfast
Ulwarth
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Ulfang

Ulfang the Black was, along Bór, one of the two greatest chieftains of the Easterlings that moved into Beleriand during the late First Age.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

After entering Beleriand at Morgoth's bidding, Ulfang and his sons Uldor, Ulfast, and Ulwarth joined the service of Caranthir. They were given lands to dwell in the East Beleriand.[2]

However, unbeknownst to the sons of Fëanor, Ulfang was secretly in the employ of Morgoth, and his sons betrayed the Eldar and the Edain during the disastrous Battle of Unnumbered Tears.[3]

But though Morgoth was victorious in that battle, all three of Ulfang's sons were killed there.[3]

GenealogyNB[edit | edit source]

 
 
 
 
ULFANG
F.A. 400 - 470
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Uldor
F.A. 425 - 472
 
Ulfast
F.A. 428 - 472
 
Ulwarth
F.A. 430 - 472

Etymology and other names[edit | edit source]

The name Ulfang was probably not the character's true name, as it seems to be Sindarin for "Ugly Beard": ul- ("ugly") + fang ("beard").[4]

An earlier name for the character was Ulband[note 1], which was quickly changed to Ulfand,[5] and then finally to Ulfang.[6]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

Even though Ulfang was the instigator of the betrayal of the Easterlings, he is not mentioned to have taken part in the battle, and it is noted that his son Uldor was the leader of the treason.

In the appendix of The Lost Road and Other Writings in The Genealogies (dating from the early 1930s), it is stated that Ulfand the Swart (an earlier name for Ulfang) was born in the year 100, and died in 170.[7]

When comparing the above dates with its associated text The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Ulfand died two years before the battle which started in 172.[8]

Also, the dates found in The Earliest Annals of Beleriand were by and large moved 300 years into the future in The Grey Annals (c. early 1950s), such that, for example, an event happening in the year 195 in The Earliest Annals now happened in the year 495.[9]

Notes

  1. See also: Ulbandi, the Ogre wife of Melko and the mother of Gothmog in the earliest version of the legendarium.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Two. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beleriand its Realms (Chapter 11)", "Sheet 2: North-east", p. 183
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
  4. Paul Strack, "S. Ulfang m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 21 December 2019)
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand: Notes [to text AB I]", Note 30, p. 311
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion", "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin", Of the Swarthy Men, §151, pp. 286-7
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Appendix: I. The Genealogies", p. 403
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand: [The first version of The Earliest Annals of Beleriand (Text AB I)]", entry year 172, pp. 301-2
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand: Commentary on the Annals of Beleriand (text AB I)", Annals 155 to 157, pp. 319-20