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Thain

2008-12-07T16:04:29Z

122.108.55.191: wikilink

For nearly four hundred years after its foundation, the [[the Shire]] had been part of the lands of [[Arthedain]], and under the rule of that land's King. Ultimately, Arthedain fell to the forces of [[Angmar]], and its last King, [[Arvedui]], was lost, leaving the [[Shire-hobbits]] without a ruler. They remedied this by choosing a new leader from among themselves, [[Bucca of the Marish]], who was given the title thain, a word simply meaning 'chief'.

Bucca and his descendants, a family known as the [[Oldbucks]], served as Shire-thain for twelve generations. The twelfth Thain, one [[Gorhendad Oldbuck]], left the Shire and crossed the River [[Brandywine]] to found [[Buckland]]. With his departure, the Thainship passed to a new line, the [[Took family|Tooks]], and specifically to [[Isumbras Took I]].

From Isumbras I, the line of the Took Shire-thains continued unbroken to the time of the [[War of the Ring]] and beyond. The last recorded Thain was [[Faramir Took I]], the thirty-fourth to hold the title of Shire-thain. The fact that both he and his father [[Peregrin Took]] are recorded as the first of that name shows that there must have been more Thains after this time, and the office clearly lasted well into the [[Fourth Age]].

==Line of Thains==
It is known that there were at least thirty-three Shire-thains, from Bucca, who became Thain in III 1979, to Faramir I, who took on the title in IV 63, more than a thousand years later.

* '''I''' [[Bucca of the Marish]] (Thain from III 1979) - The first Thain was given the title in III 1979 (379 by the Shire-reckoning) in a time when the northern lands were recovering from a devastating war in which the old kingdom of Arthedain had come to an end. He was succeeded by Thains of the Oldbuck line.
* '''II-XI''' Ten Thains of the Oldbuck line (Thains for about 300 years to III 2340) - Bucca was followed by Thains whose names are not recorded, but who took the surname 'Oldbuck' in honour of their ancestor.
* '''XII''' [[Gorhendad Oldbuck]] (Thain to III 2340) - The line of the Oldbucks came to an end with Gorhendad, who crossed the River Brandywine and founded Buckland, changing his name to Brandybuck. The Thainship passed from him to the Took family, and Gorhendad was succeeded by the first Thain of the Took line.
* '''XIII''' [[Isumbras Took I|Isumbras I]] (Thain from III 2340) - The thirteenth Thain in line from Bucca, and the first of the Took line. Isumbras' descendants would hold the Thainship for the rest of the recorded history of the Shire.
* '''XIV-XXI''' Eight Thains of the Took line (Thains for about two hundred years to III 2683) - The eight Tooks to hold the Thainship after Isumbras I are nowhere named, but we can infer some of their identities from the names of later holders of the office. Among these eight must have been Isengrim I, Ferumbras I, Paladin I and Isumbras II, but no records of their Thainships are known.
* '''XXII''' [[Isengrim Took II|Isengrim II]] (Thain for 39 years to III 2722) - The twenty-second Thain, and tenth of the Took line. He began the excavation of Great Smials, which would become the seat of the Thains in the Tookland. He became Thain soon after the first pipe-weed was introduced into the Shire by Tobold Hornblower. He was succeeded by his son.
* '''XXIII''' [[Isumbras Took III|Isumbras III]] (Thain for 32 years to III 2759) - His younger son was Bandobras Took1, the famous 'Bullroarer'. In Isumbras' time the Shire was greatly troubled by Orcs, and Bandobras defeated a band of them at the Battle of Greenfields during his Thainship. Bandobras, though, was Isumbras' younger son - the Thainship passed instead to his older brother.
* '''XXIV''' [[Ferumbras Took II|Ferumbras II]] (Thain for 42 years to III 2801) - He was succeeded by his son.
* '''XXV''' [[Fortinbras Took I|Fortinbras I]] (Thain for 47 years to III 2848) - At the beginning of his Thainship, the Shire would have seen much activity as Dwarves of Durin's Folk travelled westward to settle in the Blue Mountains. He was succeeded by his son.
* '''XXVI''' [[Gerontius Took|Gerontius]] (Thain for 72 years to III 2920) - The famous Old Took, who held the office of Thain for a total of seventy-two of his one hundred and thirty years, and had a total of twelve children. During his Thainship, the Shire suffered the dreadful privations of the Fell Winter, and invasions of White Wolves. He was succeeded by the eldest of his many sons.
* '''XXVII''' [[Isengrim Took III|Isengrim III]] (Thain for 10 years to III 2930) - Due to the Old Took's many years in office, his eldest son Isengrim was no less than eighty-eight years old when he inherited the Thainship. He held it for just ten years and died without leaving an heir. He was succeeded by his younger brother.
* '''XXVIII''' [[Isumbras Took IV|Isumbras IV]] (Thain for 9 years to III 2939) - Like his brother Isengrim, Isumbras came old to the Thainship, being ninety-two when he took office. After his short time as the Shire-thain, he was succeeded by his son.
* '''XXIX''' [[Fortinbras Took II|Fortinbras II]] (Thain for 41 years to III 2980) - Early in his time as Thain there was a sensation in Hobbiton, due to the mysterious disappearance into the Wild - and later reappearance - of one Bilbo Baggins of Bag End. Fortinbras was succeeded by his son.
* '''XXX''' [[Ferumbras Took III|Ferumbras III]] (Thain for 35 years to III 3015) - He was Thain at the time of Bilbo Baggins' famous farewell feast and Birthday Party, which indeed he attended. He never married, and so left no heir. The descent of the Thainship passed to the line of Gerontius' fourth son Hildigrim, and specifically to Hildigrim's grandson.
* '''XXXI''' [[Paladin Took II|Paladin II]] (Thain for 19 years to IV 13) - Born in the time that his great uncle Isumbras IV was Thain, Paladin took up a farming life at Whitwell in the Tookland. He was Thain during the War of the Ring, and held the Tookland against the ruffians who invaded the Shire at that time. He was succeeded by his fourth child, but eldest son.
* '''XXXII''' [[Peregrin Took I|Peregrin I]] (Thain for 50 years to IV 63) - Peregrin Took of the Fellowship of the Ring inherited the Thainship some thirteen years after his return from adventuring in the south, and held the title into his old age. At the age of ninety-four, he gave up the office and rode away once again into the countries of the south with his friend Meriadoc Brandybuck; they were never seen in the Shire again. He was succeeded by his son.
* '''XXXIII''' [[Faramir Took I|Faramir I]] (Thain from IV 63) - Named for [[Faramir (son of Denethror II)|Faramir]] the [[Prince of Ithilien]], little is known of Thain Faramir, except that he married [[Sam Gamgee]]'s daughter Goldilocks. Doubtless he was succeeded by further generations of Shire-thains, but of them we have no record.

[[Category:Hobbits]]

[[de:Thain]]
[[fi:Thain]]

Elrond

2008-10-28T20:46:27Z

122.108.55.191: /* Portrayal in Adaptations */

{{half-elf infobox
| image=[[Image:Ana Kusicka - Elrond.jpg|300px]]
| name=Elrond
| quenya=
| titles=Lord of [[Imladris]], Ring Bearer of [[Vilya]], Elrond [[Half-elven]].
| birth=[[First Age 532|F.A. 532]], [[Havens of Sirion]].
| realm=[[Lindon]] and [[Imladris]].
| death=Sailed [[West]] - [[Third Age 3021|T.A. 3021]].
| age=Immortal
| gender=Male
| parentage=[[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]] and [[Elwing]].
| heritage=Half-elven father and mother.
| spouse=[[Celebrían]]
| children=[[Elladan]], [[Elrohir]], [[Arwen]].
| hair=Dark
|}}
{{quote|The face of '''Elrond''' was ageless, neither old nor young, though in it was written the memory of many things both glad and sorrowful. His hair was dark as the shadows of twilight, and upon it was set a circlet of silver; his eyes were grey as a clear evening, and in them was a light like the light of stars. Venerable he seemed as a king crowned with many winters, and yet hale as a tried warrior in the fullness of his strength. He was the Lord of Rivendell and mighty among both Elves and Men.|[[The Fellowship of the Ring]], ''[[Many Meetings]]''}}
'''Elrond Peredhel''' was one of the greatest [[Elves]] in the history of [[Middle-earth]] and one of the few characters to appear in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[The Hobbit]]'', and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. His name means “Star-dome”, which according to one account he received because in his youth he often played in a cave underneath a waterfall. He was also a master of healing in his time. He held the great elven ring [[Vilya]].

== First and Second Ages ==
Elrond was born at the [[Havens of Sirion]] late in the [[First Age]]. His parents were [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]] and [[Elwing]]. He was thus [[Half-elven]]: Eärendil was the child of the mortal [[Tuor]] and the elf [[Idril]], while Elwing was the grandchild of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] (a human) and [[Lúthien]] (daughter of the Elf-king [[Thingol]] and the Maia [[Melian]]). Consequently, Elrond was descended from all three tribes of the Elves ([[Vanyar]] and [[Noldor]] through Idril, [[Sindar]] through Luthien), a Maia, and the [[Edain]]. Elrond had a twin brother, [[Elros]], who later became the first king of [[Númenor]].

When the [[Sons of Fëanor]] attacked the Havens of Sirion, Elrond and his brother were taken captive by Maglor, and were subsequently raised by him. Following the [[War of Wrath]], because of his Half-elven heritage the [[Valar]] gave Elrond and his brother a choice whether to be counted among the kindred of Elves or of Men. Elrond chose to belong to the [[Firstborn]], while Elros chose to become mortal. Elrond subsequently remained in [[Lindon]] with [[Gil-galad]], where he became known as a healer and loremaster.

When [[Sauron]] (disguised in his fair form as [[Annatar]]) came seeking entrance to Lindon during the Second Age, Elrond and Gil-galad sensed that he was not what he seemed, and denied him. Later, in Second Age 1697 during the wars of the Elves against Sauron, Elrond founded the refuge of [[Imladris]], also known as [[Rivendell]].

Elrond marched with Gil-galad and [[Elendil]] during the [[War of the Last Alliance]], serving as Gil-galad’s herald. He was present during the last battle of that war, witnessing the deaths of Gil-galad and Elendil. At the conclusion of that battle, when [[Isildur]] cut the [[One Ring]] from Sauron’s hand he and [[Círdan]] advised Isildur to destroy the Ring, but Isildur refused their counsel. Elrond subsequently returned to Rivendell, which prospered the coming years with the aid of the Ring of Air, [[Vilya]], that Elrond had received from Gil-galad. It has been argued that following Gil-galad’s death, Elrond had the right to become High King of the Noldor, but he never claimed the title.

== Third Age ==
Following Isildur’s death, Elrond received the shards of [[Narsil]], which he preserved for many years. He began his long tradition of fostering the heirs of Isildur by helping to raise Isildur’s son [[Valandil]], who had been left in Rivendell during the War of the Last Alliance. Centuries later, when the Northern Kingdom fell, Elrond took the other heirlooms of Arnor (the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]] and the [[Ring of Barahir]]) into his keeping, holding them for the one who would eventually be able to reclaim the throne of [[Arnor]].

In Third Age 109, Elrond married [[Celebrían]], the daughter of [[Galadriel]] and [[Celeborn, Lord of Lórien|Celeborn]]. Their first children, the twins [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], were born in 130, and their daughter [[Arwen]] in 241.

In 2933, Elrond took [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] as his foster-son in Rivendell, naming him ''Estel'' ("Hope") and concealing his heritage from him until he came of age. When Aragorn became an adult, Elrond gave him the Ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil, foreseeing that Aragorn might be the one to claim the thrones of Gondor and Arnor. When Aragorn fell in love with Arwen, Elrond revealed to him that Arwen shared the choice of the Half-elven, and that one or the other of them would ultimately be parted from her forever. Elrond insisted that Arwen could not marry Aragorn until he became king of both Gondor and Arnor.

== ''The Hobbit'' ==
In ''The Hobbit'', Elrond played a minor but significant role. During [[Thorin and Company]]’s stay in Rivendell, Elrond read the runes on the swords [[Orcrist]] and [[Glamdring]], identifying them as coming from [[Gondolin]]. He also read the [[moon-letters]] on Thorin’s [[Thrór's Map]], providing the information the Dwarves and Bilbo need to enter the [[Lonely Mountain]].

In ''The Hobbit'', it is said of Elrond that he “was an elf-friend — one of those people whose fathers came into the strange stories before the beginning of History, the wars of the evil goblins and the elves and the first men in the North. In those days of our tale there were still some people who had both elves and heroes of the North for ancestors, and Elrond the master of the house was their chief. He was as noble and as fair in face as an elf-lord, as strong as a warrior, as wise as a wizard, as venerable as a king of dwarves, and as kind as summer.” ([[A Short Rest]]) Note that in this description he is not identified as an elf himself, as Tolkien had not at this stage decided that Elrond of Rivendell was the same person as Elrond the son of Earendil.

== ''The Lord of the Rings'' ==
When [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] first leaves the Shire with the One Ring, it is always his intention to go to Rivendell to seek the advice of Elrond. Indeed, in his letter left at Bree, Gandalf counsels him to do so. Elrond’s first role in ''The Lord of the Rings'' is to heal Frodo of his wound sustained at [[Weathertop]]. Elrond then hosts the feast that is held when Frodo recovers. The description given of Elrond at that feast tells us that “the face of Elrond was ageless, neither old nor young, though in it was written the memory of many things both glad and sorrowful. His hair was dark as the shadows of twilight, and upon it was set a circlet of silver; his eyes were grey as a clear evening, and in them was a light like the light of stars. Venerable he seemed as a king crowned with many winters, and yet hale as a tried warrior in the fulness of his strength. He was the Lord of Rivendell and mighty among both Elves and Men.” ([[Many Meetings]])

Elrond’s principal role, of course, is as the leader of the [[Council of Elrond]]. During that meeting, he narrates what he knows of the history of Isildur and the Ring. He identifies Aragorn as [[Isildur’s Heir]], and when Frodo ultimately volunteers to carry the Ring, Elrond affirms that decision as correct. Elrond also appears to have selected the members of the Fellowship other than Frodo and [[Sam]], accepting [[Merry]] and [[Pippin]] only reluctantly.

Later, Elrond sends his sons Elladan and Elrohir to join the [[Dunedain]] Rangers who ride to Rohan to join Aragorn. Through Elrohir, Elrond advises Aragorn to take the [[Paths of the Dead]]. During the [[The Last Debate|Last Debate]], Elrohir supports Aragorn’s decision to attack Mordor as a diversion to allow Frodo time to reach Mount Doom, saying that this was Elrond’s advice. Following the [[War of the Ring]], Elrond escorts Arwen to Minas Tirith for her marriage to Aragorn, and parts from her in great sorrow.

At the end of the story, Elrond is one of the Elves who takes ship to [[Valinor]] along with Frodo and the other Ringbearers. The Third Age is held to have ended with Elrond’s departure.

==Etymology==
The name '''Elrond''' means "Star-dome", though at an earlier stage, it was supposed to mean "Elf of the Cave".

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
Being in both ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'', Elrond has been portrayed many different ways. However, in all but one of his film appearances, he did little else than stay in Rivendell.
[[Image:Elrond from Rankin-Bass' The Hobbit.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Elrond as portrayed in ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]''.]]
'''1968: ''[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:In this adaptation, Elrond is voiced by [[John Pullen]].
'''1977: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit]]'':'''
:Elrond appears in Rivendell, crowned with a ring of stars. He feeds the [[Thorin and Company|Dwarves]], and identifies [[Orcrist]] and [[Glamdring]]. He needs little time to identify the latter. His voice was provided by [[Cyril Ritchard]].
'''1978: ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
[[Image:Elrond from Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Elrond as portrayed in ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]''.]]
:Elrond, voiced by [[André Morell]], appears at the Council of Elrond. He sits on a raised chair, and narrates the scene. Not until the Ring is brought forward does he take an active part.

'''1980: ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]'':'''
:Elrond appears roughly the same as in the first of [[Rankin/Bass]]' films. The premise of the film, a minstrel of Gondor who tells the tale of "Frodo of the Nine Fingers, and the Ring of Doom" at the birthday of Bilbo, allows Elrond to be a member of the audience. Because Ritchard had passed away, Rankin/Bass regular [[Paul Frees]] took over.

'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
:[[Hugh Dickson]] provided the voice of Elrond in this radio series. He appears only in the episode containing the [[Council of Elrond]], and appears unintroduced. Dickson showcases great trouble with pronouncing Elvish, and especially diphtongs. Gimli is the son of "[[Glóin son of Gróin|Gloo-in]]", who fought the dragon "[[Smaug|Sma-oog]]". Legolas is the son of "[[Thranduil|Thrandoo-uhl]]".

'''2001: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Elrond, played by [[Hugo Weaving]], first appears in the prologue as a commander of the army of Gil-galad in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. A later flashback scene shows him actually taking [[Isildur]] into [[Mount Doom]], trying to persuade him to destroy the Ring. [[Círdan]] is omitted.
[[Image:Elrond, Lord of Rivendell.jpg||thumb|150px|right|[[Hugo Weaving]] as Elrond in ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'']]
:As in the book, Elrond heals Frodo's wound from Weathertop. Elrond then has a conversation with Gandalf, discussing the many challenges that face them. Elrond argues that the Ring cannot remain in Rivendell (in the film, Frodo appears to have thought that he would be able to leave the Ring there). He also expresses his doubts about the race of Men, and gives the first hints about Aragorn's real identity. In the Council of Elrond, Elrond himself is the one who argues that the only option is to destroy the Ring. He does not select the Fellowship, but accepts those who volunteer.

:Elrond gains two additional scenes in the Extended Edition of the movie. In the first, he talks with Aragorn beside the grave of Aragorn’s mother. Elrond encourages the reluctant Aragorn to accept his fate of becoming king. In the next scene, Elrond blesses the departing Fellowship.

'''2002: ''[[Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring (game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Like his predecessor Hugh Dickson, [[Jim Piddock]] shows incredible difficulty with diphtongs. "Glau-win" and "Thrandool" dislike eachother, so too their sons.

'''2002: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Though he had no scenes in the book, Elrond appears mainly in conversations with [[Arwen]], whose role is also greatly expanded. In a flashback, Aragorn remembers Elrond telling him to abandon his love for Arwen, allowing her to sail to [[Valinor]]. Aragorn attempts to do this, but Arwen denies him. In another scene, Elrond persuades Arwen that she should sail to Valinor, describing what will happen if she remains and Aragorn dies. Elrond then has a telepathic communication with [[Galadriel]] discussing the [[War of the Ring|war]] that is about to start. He apparently suggests that she send an army to [[Helm's Deep]] to aid the [[Rohirrim|Men]] there, since when [[Haldir of Lórien|Haldir]] arrives at Helm's Deep he says that he brings "word from Elrond of Rivendell".

'''2003: ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]]'':'''
:In the final installemnt of Jackson's film series, Elrond's first scene is with Arwen, who has decided not to sail after all, but to return. Although he senses that she is dying, Elrond acknowledges her choice. At her suggestion, he has the shards of Narsil re-forged, then carries the new sword to Aragorn at [[Dunharrow]]. He finally convinces Aragorn to accept his destiny, and advises him to take the [[Paths of the Dead]]. Later, Elrond escorts Arwen to [[Minas Tirith (Gondor)|Minas Tirith]] for her wedding, and he finally sails to Valinor with the Ringbearers.

'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit]]'':'''
:In a short cutscene between the levels "Roast Mutton" and "Over Hill and Under Hill", Elrond is briefly mentioned. An artful image on a manuscript can be seen, while the [[Tom Kane|narrator]] explains Elrond examined the map and the swords.

'''2006: ''[[EA's The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:In an alternative, northern War of the Ring, Rivendell is the main base of operations for Glóin and Glorfindel. As such, Elrond is the source of missions and advice, and serves as the narrator throughout the game. Elrond is a playable character in the assault on [[Dol Guldur]].

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Elrond|Images of Elrond]].
* [[Twins]]
* [[Elrond, Herald of Gil-Galad polystone bust]].
* [[Royal Sindarin/Teleri Relations]]

[[Category:Half-elven]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]