| Arnorian | |
| Araval | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Titles | King of Arthedain |
| Location | Arthedain |
| Language | Sindarin, Westron |
| Birth | T.A. 1711 |
| Rule | T.A. 1813 - 1891 |
| Death | T.A. 1891 (aged 180) |
| Family | |
| House | House of Isildur |
| Parentage | Arveleg II |
| Children | Araphant |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
Araval (T.A. 1711 - 1891,[1] died aged 180) was thirteenth king of Arthedain, coming to the throne in 1813 after the death of his father, Arveleg II.[2]
History
When Araval came to the throne Arthedain had been at war with Angmar for 400 years, and the Dúnedain had achieved very little in preventing the power of this old enemy from spreading.
Araval, in coalition with the Elves of Lindon and Rivendell, went to battle with the forces of Angmar in T.A. 1851 and returned victorious. After this victory, Araval attempted to re-occupy Cardolan, but the "evil wights" (likely referring to the Barrow-wights) terrified anyone who attempted to dwell there.[2]
Unfortunately, Araval's victory was of no avail in the long term: under Araphant, Araval's son, Angmar recovered and continued its attacks on Arnor; and under Arvedui, Araval's grandson, Angmar finally defeated Arthedain, laying Arnor to waste and scattering the remnants of the Dúnedain.
Araval ruled Arthedain for seventy-eight years, and was succeeded by his son Araphant upon his death in 1891.[1][2]
Etymology
Araval is Sindarin. Its meaning is not glossed. It means likely "Golden King"[3] or "King of Gold".[4] Paul Strack explains, that the intial element of his name is ara ("noble") and its final element might be the lenited form val of malt ("gold") (as suggested by David Salo).[5] His earlier name Arvallen[6] possibly contains mallen ("golden") and has a similar meaning. It is comparable to Argeleb ("Lord of Silver").
Genealogy
Other versions of the legendarium
In another manuscript, Araval is said to have driven the evil wights north. An early name for Araval was Arvallen.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", pp. 195, 209-210
- ↑ Jim Allan (1978), An Introduction to Elvish, p. 72
- ↑ David Salo, "Re: [S] Provection" 2004-11-20, Elfling, accessed 22 September 2022 and David Salo, "Re: [S] Provection" 2004-11-20, Elfling, accessed 22 September 2022
- ↑ Paul Strack, "S. Araval m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon, accessed 29 July 2021
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", Commentary, commentary to the kings from Argeleb I to Arvedui, 23. p. 209
Born | Araval | Died |
Preceded by | Followed by | |
13th King of Arthedain |