Angainor
Angainor was the chain used to contain Melkor in the Halls of Mandos. It was forged by the Vala Aulë and held Melkor for three ages (around 2,900 solar years).[1] At the end of the First Age, Melkor was again bound with Angainor, and his Iron Crown was made into a collar.[2]
Etymology
The name Angainor contains Quenya anga ("iron").[3]
Other versions of the legendarium
In The Book of Lost Tales, the chain is called Angaino ("the oppressor") and its making by Aulë is more detailed: he first made a special metal called tilkal, and mixing it with six metals he forged the chain Angaino, the two manacles Vorotemnar and the four fetters Ilterendi. Aulë put Vorotemnar on Melkos hands and two Ilterendi on each of his ankles.[4]
Inspiration
In Norse Mythology, Gleipnir is the binding that holds the mighty wolf Fenrir, which was forged by dwarves with six different materials.[5]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entry anga
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "IV. The Chaining of Melko", pp. 100-101
- ↑ Prose Edda, "Gylfaginning", §34
