Beornings: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
mNo edit summary
m (Bot: Re-linking Letter to Leila Keene and Pat Kirke)
(19 intermediate revisions by 6 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Beornings.jpg|thumb|''Beornings'' by [[Angelo Montanini]]]]
{{people
'''Beornings''' were a people of the upper [[Vales of Anduin]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Great River]].<ref name=AppMen/><ref name=H18/><ref name =FRII1/>
| image=[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Beornings.jpg|250px]]
 
| name=Beornings
| dominions=Upper [[Vales of Anduin]]
| languages=[[Westron|Common Speech]]
| height=
| length=
| skincolor=
| haircolor=
| feathers=
| distinctions=
| lifespan=
| members=[[Beorn]], [[Grimbeorn]]
}}
'''Beornings''' were a people of the upper [[Vales of Anduin]], between [[Mirkwood]] and the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=AppMen/><ref name=H18/><ref name =FRII1/>
==History==
==History==
The Beornings were close kin of the [[Éothéod]], the [[Woodmen]] of Mirkwood and the [[Bardings]].<ref>{{App|A2}}</ref><ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref> Their ancestors were related to the [[Edain]],<ref>{{App|Men}}</ref> perhaps akin to the [[House of Hador|Third House]] of the [[First Age]].<ref>{{UT|8}}</ref>


The Beornings were close kin of the [[Éothéod]], the [[Woodmen]] of Mirkwood and the [[Bardings]].<ref>{{App|A2}}</ref><ref>{{TT|III2}}</ref> They were descendants of the [[Edain]],<ref>{{App|Men}}</ref> and were perhaps akin to the [[House of Hador|Third House]] of the [[First Age]].<ref>{{UT|8}}</ref>
After the [[Battle of Five Armies]] and the decimation of the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]], many [[Northmen]] gathered around [[Beorn]] who became a great chief. It is possible that the Beornings became known as a people through being descendants of [[Beorn]].<ref name=H18>{{H|18}}</ref><ref name=FRII1>{{FR|II1}}</ref> During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Grimbeorn]], son of Beorn, was the leader of the Beornings.<ref name=FRII1/>


It is possible that the Beornings became known as a people through being descendants of [[Beorn]].<ref name=H18>{{H|18}}</ref><ref name=FRII1>{{FR|II1}}</ref> During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Grimbeorn the Old]], son of Beorn, was the leader of the Beornings.<ref name=FRII1/>
The Beornings kept open the passages of the [[Ford of Carrock]] and the [[High Pass]] in return for tolls,<ref name=FRII1/> likely clearing the paths from [[Dale]] to [[Rivendell]] from evil creatures such as [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]].<ref>{{TI|XIII}}, pp. 263-4 (note 15)</ref>


They spoke the [[Common Speech]],<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Leila Keene and Pat Kirke 3 August 1943]]" (cf. ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', p. 72)</ref> and had perhaps also their own dialect of it or tongue.<ref name=AppMen>{{App|Men}}</ref><ref>{{PM|II}}, p. 34 (§14)}}</ref>
In the events leading up to the [[War of the Ring]], the Beornings helped [[Aragorn]], who was tracing [[Gollum]] to Mirkwood, to cross the [[Anduin]].<ref>{{UT|10}}, "(ii) Other Versions of the Story"</ref>  


The Beornings kept open the passages of the [[Ford of Carrock]] and the [[High Pass]] in return for tolls,<ref name=FRII1/> likely clearing the paths from [[Dale]] to [[Rivendell]] from evil creatures such as [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]].<ref>{{HM|TI}}, p. 263-4 (note 15)}}</ref>
During the War of the Ring, while wearing the One Ring upon Amon Hen, Frodo saw the land of the Beornings aflame, hinting that Sauron's forces had attacked them.<ref>{{FR|II10}}</ref>
 
In the events leading up to the War of the Ring, the Beornings helped [[Aragorn]], who was tracing [[Gollum]] to Mirkwood, to cross the [[Anduin]].<ref>{{UT|10}}, "(ii) Other Versions of the Story"</ref>  


After the War of the Ring, the Beornings and the Woodmen were given central [[Eryn Lasgalen]] by [[Thranduil]] and [[Celeborn]].<ref>{{App|B3}}</ref>
After the War of the Ring, the Beornings and the Woodmen were given central [[Eryn Lasgalen]] by [[Thranduil]] and [[Celeborn]].<ref>{{App|B3}}</ref>


==Characteristics==
==Characteristics==
They spoke the [[Westron|Common Speech]],<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Leila Keene and Pat Kirke]]" (cf. ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', p. 72)</ref> and had perhaps also their own dialect of it or tongue.<ref name=AppMen>{{App|Men}}</ref><ref>{{PM|II}}, p. 34 (§14)</ref>


Through many generations, the descendants of Beorn were like him [[skin-changers]], able to take the shape of a [[bears|bear]].<ref name=H18/> Since it is unknown if all Beornings came from the line of Beorn, one can only guess if this was valid for all the Beornings.
Through many generations, the descendants of Beorn were like him [[skin-changers]], able to take the shape of a [[bears|bear]].<ref group=note>Since it is unknown if all Beornings came from the line of Beorn, one can only guess if this was valid for all the Beornings.</ref> Some of Beorn's descendants were grim like him and even "bad", but none of them matched Beorn in size and strength.<ref name=H18/>


The Beornings seemed to have shared a dislike for [[Dwarves]],<ref name=FRII1/><ref>{{H|7}}: [Beorn speaking:] "''I am not over fond of dwarves''"</ref> perhaps related to the latters' praise of metals and the formers' disinterest in it.<ref>{{H|7}}: "''[The Dwarves] spoke most of gold and silver and jewels and the making of things by smith-craft, and Beorn did not appear to care for such things: there were no things of gold or silver in his hall, and few save the knives were made of metal at all.</ref>
The Beornings seemed to have shared a dislike for [[Dwarves]],<ref name=FRII1/><ref>{{H|7}}: [Beorn speaking:] "''I am not over fond of dwarves''"</ref> perhaps related to the latters' praise of metals and the formers' disinterest in it.<ref>{{H|7}}: "''[The Dwarves] spoke most of gold and silver and jewels and the making of things by smith-craft, and Beorn did not appear to care for such things: there were no things of gold or silver in his hall, and few save the knives were made of metal at all.</ref>
Line 24: Line 36:
They were known as great bakers, famous for their honey-cakes (which could feed travellers similarly to the ''[[lembas]]'').<ref>{{FR|II8}}</ref>
They were known as great bakers, famous for their honey-cakes (which could feed travellers similarly to the ''[[lembas]]'').<ref>{{FR|II8}}</ref>


{{references}}
==Etymology==
 
*''[[Beorn#Etymology|beorn]]'' + ''[[-ings]]''
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Beornings in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:The One Ring (role-playing game) - Beorning.jpg|A Beorning in ''[[The One Ring (role-playing game)|The One Ring]]''
}}
'''2011-: [[The One Ring (role-playing game)|''The One Ring'' (role-playing game)]]:'''
 
:Beornings are one of the playable cultures. The game describes them as rough Men, sometimes outlaws, gathered under the banner of Beorn. One of their cultural Virtues is the ability to take control of a 'spirit animal' whilst sleeping, a talent taught to some Beornings by Beorn himself.<ref>{{TOR|Adventures}}, pp. 41-6</ref>
 
==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Beornings|Images of Beornings]]
{{references|n}}
[[Category:Beornings| ]]
[[Category:Beornings| ]]
[[Category:Demonyms]]
[[Category:Demonyms]]

Revision as of 23:25, 28 May 2014

Beornings
People
Angelo Montanini - Beornings.jpg
General Information
MembersBeorn, Grimbeorn
GalleryImages of Beornings

Beornings were a people of the upper Vales of Anduin, between Mirkwood and the Misty Mountains.[1][2][3]

History

The Beornings were close kin of the Éothéod, the Woodmen of Mirkwood and the Bardings.[4][5] Their ancestors were related to the Edain,[6] perhaps akin to the Third House of the First Age.[7]

After the Battle of Five Armies and the decimation of the Orcs of the Misty Mountains, many Northmen gathered around Beorn who became a great chief. It is possible that the Beornings became known as a people through being descendants of Beorn.[2][3] During the War of the Ring, Grimbeorn, son of Beorn, was the leader of the Beornings.[3]

The Beornings kept open the passages of the Ford of Carrock and the High Pass in return for tolls,[3] likely clearing the paths from Dale to Rivendell from evil creatures such as Orcs and Wargs.[8]

In the events leading up to the War of the Ring, the Beornings helped Aragorn, who was tracing Gollum to Mirkwood, to cross the Anduin.[9]

During the War of the Ring, while wearing the One Ring upon Amon Hen, Frodo saw the land of the Beornings aflame, hinting that Sauron's forces had attacked them.[10]

After the War of the Ring, the Beornings and the Woodmen were given central Eryn Lasgalen by Thranduil and Celeborn.[11]

Characteristics

They spoke the Common Speech,[12] and had perhaps also their own dialect of it or tongue.[1][13]

Through many generations, the descendants of Beorn were like him skin-changers, able to take the shape of a bear.[note 1] Some of Beorn's descendants were grim like him and even "bad", but none of them matched Beorn in size and strength.[2]

The Beornings seemed to have shared a dislike for Dwarves,[3][14] perhaps related to the latters' praise of metals and the formers' disinterest in it.[15]

They were known as great bakers, famous for their honey-cakes (which could feed travellers similarly to the lembas).[16]

Etymology

Portrayal in adaptations

Beornings in adaptations
A Beorning in The One Ring  

2011-: The One Ring (role-playing game):

Beornings are one of the playable cultures. The game describes them as rough Men, sometimes outlaws, gathered under the banner of Beorn. One of their cultural Virtues is the ability to take control of a 'spirit animal' whilst sleeping, a talent taught to some Beornings by Beorn himself.[17]

See also

Notes

  1. Since it is unknown if all Beornings came from the line of Beorn, one can only guess if this was valid for all the Beornings.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of Men"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Return Journey"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Riders of Rohan"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of Men"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "XIII. Galadriel", pp. 263-4 (note 15)
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Hunt for the Ring", "(ii) Other Versions of the Story"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Breaking of the Fellowship"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Letter to Leila Keene and Pat Kirke" (cf. The Peoples of Middle-earth, p. 72)
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "II. The Appendix on Languages", p. 34 (§14)
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Queer Lodgings": [Beorn speaking:] "I am not over fond of dwarves"
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Queer Lodgings": "[The Dwarves] spoke most of gold and silver and jewels and the making of things by smith-craft, and Beorn did not appear to care for such things: there were no things of gold or silver in his hall, and few save the knives were made of metal at all.
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Farewell to Lórien"
  17. Francesco Nepitello (2011), The One Ring: Adventures over the Edge of the Wild, pp. 41-6