The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Haleth was born in I 341, and became leader of her House in I 375; as rulers of the Men of Brethil, the house came to an end at the close of the First Age
Location
Haleth became leader of her house in southern Thargelion, but she and her folk are most usually connected with the Forest of Brethil where they later settled
Origins
Haleth took command of her people after her father Haldad was slain by Orcs
Race
Division
Culture
Settlements
Pronunciation
Haleth is pronounced 'ha'leth'
Meaning
The meaning of Haleth is uncertain2

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About this entry:

  • Updated 6 March 2015
  • Updates planned: 1

House of Haleth

The descendants of Haldad

Haldad
Haleth
Haldar
Haldan
Halmir
Haldir
Glóredhel
Hareth
Handir
Brandir

The descent of the House of Haleth from her father Haldad down to the time of Brandir the Lame. Names shown in bold text were accounted Lords of Brethil.

The Three Houses of the Edain

Second of the Three Houses of the Edain; the descendants of Haldad; the House was named for Haldad's daughter Haleth, who led the Haladin (as these people were known) from East Beleriand into the Forest of Brethil.


Notes

1

Ephel Brandir, the stockade at the heart of the Forest of Brethil, was not built in Haleth's time, or indeed for generations afterward. It was the custom of Haleth's people to live in scattered and isolated homesteads, rather than gather into large settlements, and other than Ephel Brandir we have no record of any other major settlement or seat for the descendants of the House of Haleth.

2

There is an Old English name Hæleþ meaning 'warrior' or 'hero' (or simply 'man') that Tolkien modernises as 'Haleth' for the name of one of Helm Hammerhand's sons. That origin is appropriate in that context, but the same etymology is much more difficult to assign to Haleth of Brethil. It may be that Tolkien was inspired by this Old English term (in the first tellings of the story, the character of Haleth was indeed a heroic Man). Internally within the story this cannot be the name's origin, however, and so all we can realistically say is that the meaning of the name is unknown.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 6 March 2015
  • Updates planned: 1

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