Avallónë
| Avallónë | |
|---|---|
| City and port | |
 | |
| "Haven of the Eldar" by Frédéric Bennett | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | Haven of the Eldar[1] |
| Location | Eastern shore of Tol Eressëa |
| Type | City and port |
| Description | Island port with a great tower and harbour |
| Inhabitants | Eldar |
| Gallery | Images 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 harbour with lamplit quays.[2] It had a tower where the Master-stone abode.
History[edit]
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]
Etymology[edit]
Avallónë seems to be a compound of ava ("outer") and lónë ("island"),[4] as in The Etymologies the Middle-Quenya Avalóna is given that meaning.[5]
Other versions of the legendarium[edit]
The name Avalon is given for first time to Tol Eressea in the second version of The Fall of Númenor, and it was so named "for it is hard by Valinor", so perhaps it included an abbreviation of Valinor. In later texts a main city of Tol Eressëa is named Avallon(de) ("Haven of the Gods"),[6] probably containing the elements Vala (or their Adûnaic name Avalô).[4]
In The later Quenta Silmarillion, the name appeared as Avallónë in a footnote, again as a name of Tol Eressëa "signifying the isle that lies nighest unto the Valar in Valinor".[7] However, the texts used by Christopher for his Silmarillion were those that corrected Avallónë as a city of the Isle.[8]
Inspiration[edit]
In a letter to Milton Waldman, Tolkien states that Frodo and Bilbo were given an "Arthurian ending".[9] 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.[10]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Númenor"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Paul Strack, "Q. Avallóne loc.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 26 September 2019)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", p. 370, entry "LONO-"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part Three: The Drowning of Anadûnê: (ii) The original text", p. 344
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (I) The First Phase: 5. Of Eldanor and the Princes of the Eldalië", p. 175
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "V. The History of the Akallabêth", p. 146-147
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part One: The End of the Third Age: XI. The Epilogue", p. 132
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 677
