Kinslaying at Alqualondë
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| Kinslaying at Alqualondë | |
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| Conflict: Exile of the Noldor | |
| Date: Y.T. 1495[1] | |
| Place: Alqualondë | |
| Outcome: Stealing of Telerin boats Fall of the Noldor, Doom of Mandos | |
| Combatants | |
|
Houses of Fëanor and of Fingolfin | |
| Commanders | |
The Kinslaying at Alqualondë, also known as the First Kinslaying,[2] was an important event in the history of the Eldar in which the Noldorin Elves of Fëanor killed Telerin Elves in order to gain their ships.
History[edit | edit source]
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 Falmari of Alqualondë, to give him their Swan-ships. However, King Olwë and his people 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 their flight towards Middle-earth were therefore cursed by Mandos.[3]
Legacy[edit | edit source]
In Beleriand, King Thingol hosted the Noldor, but learning about the slaying of his kinsmen, banned their language and refused to participate in the War of the Jewels. He also forbade them to enter Doriath save the House of Finarfin whose dynasts were his closest kin through Eärwen the daughter of his brother Olwë.[4]
During the sixth century of the First Age, the final ruin of Doriath where Dior Eluchíl was killed by the Sons of Fëanor was referred to as the Second Kinslaying in the chronicles of the Elder Days,[5][6] and the attack by the Sons of Fëanor on the Mouths of Sirion where Elwing was attacked was called the Third Kinslaying, the cruellest of all three.[6]
When Earendil sought the help of Valinor, the Teleri agreed to bring ships to Middle-earth, but their role was limited to this, refusing to fight on the side of the Noldor. After the War of Wrath ended, it was stated by Eönwë herald of Manwë that because of these evil deeds the remaining sons of Fëanor, Maedhros and Maglor, had lost all right to the Silmarils.[7]
See also[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "The Annals of Aman": §117-144, pp. 106-115
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: Fifth section of the Annals of Aman", p. 115
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Noldor in Beleriand"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Doriath"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: V. The Tale of Years", p. 346-348
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
| The Kinslayings |
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| First Kinslaying (Alqualondë) · Second Kinslaying (Doriath) · Third Kinslaying (Havens of Sirion) |
