The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Born c. II 5211
Race
Division
Culture
Family
Married into the House of Elros
Settlements
Pronunciation
e'latan
Meaning
Apparently 'star-man'2
Titles
Elatan's descendants gave rise to the line of the Lords of Andúnië

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  • Updated 5 February 2022
  • This entry is complete

Elatan

Ancestor of the Lords of Andúnië

A nobleman of Andúnië who lived in the early centuries of the Númenórean kingdom. He wedded Silmariën, the daughter and eldest child of Númenor's fourth King Tar-Elendil. Under the later laws of succession, Silmariën would have succeeded her father to become a Ruling Queen, and Elatan's descendants would therefore have been Kings of Númenor. In those early years, however, only the male line could succeed to the Sceptre, and so Silmariën's younger brother Meneldur became King in her place.

Nevertheless, Elatan's descendants were far from forgotten. His son Valandil was the first to use the title 'Lord of Andúnië', a noble line that would survive down through the entire history of Númenor. Even after the Downfall, the last rightful Lord, Elendil, escaped with his sons to Middle-earth and founded Arnor and Gondor there. From this line, through an immensity of time spanning more than five millennia, Elatan was the very distant ancestor of Aragorn Elessar.


Notes

1

We have no dates for Elatan, but we know that he married Silmariën the daughter of Tar-Elendil. Silmariën was born in II 521, so presumably Elatan's birth date would have been similar.

2

The meaning behind Elatan's name is not explained, but the fact that he dwelt in Andúnië on Númenor's western coasts might imply a connection to the Star of Eärendil, which rose into the sky in the West beyond the Great Sea.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 5 February 2022
  • This entry is complete

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