The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Dior lived from I 470 - I 509; Ancalimë lived from II 873 - II 1285
Races
Dior was a Half-elf; Ancalimë belonged to the race of Men
Divisions
Dior descended from the Edain and Sindar; Ancalimë was one of the Dúnedain
Cultures
Settlements
Dior dwelt latterly in Menegroth; Ancalimë was known as Emerwen Aranel during her time dwelling in Emerië
Pronunciation
a'ranel
Meaning
Translated 'royal Elf' (Dior) and 'princess' (Ancalimë)1
Titles of
Dior son of Beren and Lúthien, and Ancalimë daughter of Aldarion and Erendis

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 5 February 2017
  • Updates planned: 1

Aranel

A title of Dior, and of Ancalimë

'Noble Elf', a title of Dior Eluchíl. Translated as 'Princess', it also formed part of Ancalimë's title of Emerwen Aranel, meaning 'Princess Shepherdess'.

Dior Dior was the son of Beren and Lúthien, and thus grandson and heir to King Thingol of Doriath. He was therefore the rightful Lord of Beleriand and truly a 'noble Elf' in the most literal sense. After the death of Thingol and departure of Melian, Dior took up the Kingship of Doriath, but his rule was short-lived. After just a few years the Sons of Fëanor attacked Doriath in an attempt to recover the Silmaril held there. They failed - the Silmaril was carried away by Dior's daughter Elwing - but Dior Aranel himself was slain in the fighting.
Ancalimë The second recorded usage of the title Aranel came centuries after Dior's time, and had a quite different implication. It was given to Ancalimë, the daughter of Aldarion the King's Heir of Númenor. Aldarion and his wife Erendis became estranged, and Erendis took their daughter to dwell in the sheep-country of Emerië. Growing up there in isolation, Ancalimë acquired the unofficial title of Emerwen Aranel, 'Princess Shepherdess'. The -el here is a feminine ending signifying 'lady' rather than 'Elf', so Ancalimë's title Aranel translates as 'noble lady' or 'princess' rather than Dior's 'noble Elf'.

Notes

1

The derivation of this title was slightly different for each of its two holders, though in both cases aran- meant 'noble' or 'royal'. For Dior, the ending -el signified 'Elf', as he was the grandson and royal heir of King Thingol, so Aranel here could be translated 'Elf-prince'. For Ancalimë, the same ending comes from a different source, making her the 'noble lady', 'royal daughter', or simply 'princess'.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 5 February 2017
  • Updates planned: 1

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