The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Date of origin uncertain, but probably made approximately 1,600 years before the first rising of the Sun;1 lost at the time of the Downfall of Númenor in II 3319
Races
Created for an Elf, but later held by Men
Divisions
Cultures
Elves of Doriath, and afterward held by the Númenóreans
Family
Held by Thingol and his heirs, notably those of the House of Elros
Settlements
Menegroth in Doriath, and later Armenelos in Númenor Other names
Pronunciation
ara'nrooth
Meaning
'King's Ire'
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 4 July 2014
  • This entry is complete

Aranrúth

The sword of Thingol of Doriath

The sword of Thingol, King of Doriath and overlord of the Sindar. We know little of its origins or history, except that its name Aranrúth means 'King's Ire'. After Thingol's fall, it was rescued from the sack of Menegroth and taken south by the survivors in the keeping of Thingol's great-granddaughter Elwing. Elwing in turn gave it to her son Elros, who would become the first King of Númenor, and Aranrúth remained the sword of the Kings of Númenor after his time. The sword's final fate is uncertain: it may have been lost in the Downfall of Númenor, or Ar-Pharazôn may have taken it with him to Aman, in which case it still lies within the Caves of the Forgotten.


Notes

1

We have no specific information about the origins of Aranrúth, but we do know that there was a particular point in time when Thingol set about arming his people. This was the time when Orcs and other creatures of Morgoth were first seen in Beleriand, and we're told that at this point '...Thingol took thought for arms, which before his people had not needed...' (Quenta Silmarillion 10, Of the Sindar). This would seem to be the most likely moment for Thingol to acquire his sword (and from what we're told in that source, it was likely of Dwarf-make). The events that led to the arming of Doriath are dated as Valian Year 1330, placing them a little more than 1,600 years before the first rising of the Sun.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 4 July 2014
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 1998, 2001, 2013-2014. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by myDISCprofile, the free online personality test.
How do your personal strengths fit in with career matching? How can you identify them? Try a free personality test from myDISCprofile.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry