Kinslaying at Alqualondë

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The name Kinslaying refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Kinslaying (disambiguation).

Kinslaying at Alqualondë
Conflict: Exile of the Noldor
Date: Y.T. 1495
Place: Alqualondë
Outcome: Stealing of Telerin boats Fall of the Noldor, Doom of Mandos
Combatants
Houses of Fëanor and of Fingolfin	Teleri
Commanders
Fëanor, Fingon	Unknown

The Kinslaying at Alqualondë, or the First Kinslaying, was an important event in the history of the Eldar in which the Noldorin Elves of Fëanor killed Teleri Elves in order to gain their ships.

History

When Fëanor decided to leave Valinor he needed ships to travel to Middle-earth, but the Noldor possessed no ships, and Fëanor feared that any delay in their departure would cause the Noldor to reconsider. The Noldor, led by Fëanor and his sons, tried to persuade the Teleri of Alqualondë, to give him their ships. However, the Teleri would not help them, since it was against the will of the Valar, and in fact attempted to persuade their friends to reconsider their decision to leave. Displeased with the Teleri's answer, the Noldor started taking the ships by force. This angered the Teleri, and they threatened the Noldor with rocks and arrows, and they threw many of Fëanor's Noldor out of the ships into the harbour. They also attempted to block the harbour.

Then the Noldor drew swords, and the Teleri their bows, and there was a bitter fight that seemed evenly matched, until the second Host of the Noldor, led by Fingon, arrived together with some of Fingolfin's people. Misunderstanding the situation, they assumed the Teleri had attacked the Noldor under orders of the Valar, and they joined the fight. In the end, many Teleri were slain and the ships were taken. The Noldor that continued towards Middle-earth were therefore cursed by Mandos.

Later Kinslayings

The Second Kinslaying where Dior Eluchíl was killed by the Sons of Fëanor is referred to as the Second Kinslaying in The Silmarillion, and the attack by the Sons of Fëanor on the Mouths of Sirion where Elwing was attacked is called the Third Kinslaying. It was stated by Eönwë herald of Manwë that because of these evil deeds the remaining Sons of Fëanor had lost all right to the Silmarils.

See also

• Images of the Kinslaying at Alqualondë