The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Built during the Years of the Trees; presumably still extant
Location
On the eastern shore of the Lonely Isle of Tol Eressëa
Race
Division
Culture
Pronunciation
avallo'neh
Meaning
Named for its proximity to Valinor1

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About this entry:

  • Updated 22 April 2015
  • Updates planned: 2

Avallónë

The haven of Eressëa

The haven of the Elves who lived on the isle of Tol Eressëa, off the eastern shores of Aman.


Notes

1

According to Akallabêth, Avallónë gained its name because it was 'of all cities the nearest to Valinor'. Actually the entire name comes from the older form Avallóna, the 'island near to Valinor' (originally an alternative to Tol Eressëa for the whole island, only later applied to its haven city). It should be noted that later texts imply that the name came instead from Avallondë, where londë means 'haven', but this appears to be a later rationalisation rather than the actual origin of the name.

It should be noted that in Tolkien's earliest tales, there was a layer of Arthurian myth to certain elements of the nomenclature, and Avallónë is apparently a remnant of this phase. Its similarity to Avalon, the distant and mysterious isle of Arthurian myth, can hardly be coincidence (as indeed Tolkien indirectly hints in his correspondence).

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 22 April 2015
  • Updates planned: 2

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