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{{cleanup}}
{{cleanup}}
{{Edain infobox
{{Edain infobox
| name=Beren
| image=[[Image:Tuuliky - Beren.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[Image:Tuuliky - Beren.jpg|250px]]
| name=Beren
| caption="Beren" by [[:Category:Images by Tuuliky|Tuuliky]]
| othernames=Son of [[Barahir]], [[Camlost]], ''Erchamion''
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Camlost]], ''Erchamion''
| titles=[[Lord of Ladros]]<br/>Lord of [[Tol Galen]]
| titles=[[Lord of Ladros]]<br/>Lord of [[Tol Galen]]
| position=
| position=
| realm=[[Dorthonion]]; [[Ossiriand]]
| location=[[Dorthonion]]; [[Ossiriand]]
| affiliation=[[Quest for the Silmaril]]
| affiliation=[[Quest for the Silmaril]]
| language=[[Sindarin]]
| language=[[Sindarin]], [[Taliska]]
| birth={{FA|432}}
| birth={{FA|432}}
| birthlocation=[[Dorthonion]]
| birthlocation=[[Dorthonion]]
| rule={{FA|460}} - {{FA|464|n}} ([[Ladros]])<br/>{{FA|466}} - {{FA|503|n}} ([[Tol Galen]])
| rule=
| death={{FA|466}}
| death={{FA|466}}
| deathlocation=[[Hunting of the Wolf]]<br/>Returned to life, final death: {{FA|503}} (aged 71)<br/>[[Dor Firn-i-Guinar]]
| deathlocation=[[Hunting of the Wolf]]<br/>Returned to life, final death: {{FA|503}} (aged 71)<br/>[[Dor Firn-i-Guinar]]
| age=34
| age=34
| notablefor=retrieving a [[Silmaril]] from [[Morgoth]]'s crown
| house=[[House of Bëor]]
| house=[[House of Bëor]]
| parentage=[[Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]]
| parentage=[[Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]]
| siblings=
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Lúthien]]
| spouse=[[Lúthien]]
| children=[[Dior|Dior Eluchíl]]
| children=[[Dior]]
| gender=Male
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| height=Tall
| hair=Dark
| hair=Golden brown<ref>{{PM|X}}</ref>
| eyes=Blue
| eyes=Grey<ref>{{PM|X}}</ref>
| clothing=
| clothing=
| weapons=Spear and [[Angrist]]
| weapons=Spear and [[Angrist]]; [[Dagmor]] (in the [[Lays of Beleriand]])<ref>{{HM|LB}}; last version of the [[Lay of Leithian]] p. 344 cf. p.350 line 512 </ref>
| steed=[[Huan]]<br/>Unnamed horse (from [[Curufin]])
| steed=[[Huan]]<br/>Unnamed horse (from [[Curufin]])
}}'''Beren''' (c. {{FA|443}} – {{FA|505|n}}, aged approx. 62 years at the time of his final death) was a [[Men|Man]] of [[Middle-earth]], a hero whose romance with the [[Elves|Elf]] [[Lúthien]] was one of the great stories of the [[Elder Days]].
}}'''Beren''' ({{FA|432}} – {{FA|503|n}}), aged approx. 71 years at the time of his final death) was a [[Men|Man]] of [[Middle-earth]], a hero whose romance with the [[Elves|Elf]] [[Lúthien]] was one of the great stories of the [[Elder Days]].
 
The name of Beren's sword was '''[[Dagmor]]'''.


== History ==
== History ==
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beren Heraldic Device.png|left|70px]]Beren was the son of [[Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]]. He was a Man of the royal [[House of Bëor]] of [[Dorthonion]]. The [[Dagor Bragollach]] ("Battle of Sudden Flame") befell during his youth, bringing about the ruin of his land. The young Beren lived with his father and ten loyal followers in the highlands of Dorthonion, and the twelve of them performed many acts of bravery, to the great frustration of [[Morgoth]], the Dark Lord of [[Angband]]. After the betrayal and death of the Outlaws of Dorthonion due to the treachery of [[Gorlim the Unhappy]], Beren swore an oath to avenge his father, "but wept not, for his heart was ice". He recovered the [[Ring of Barahir]] from the [[Orcs]], and lived on as an outlaw, whose feats of daring were renown throughout the free world. Eventually he was forced to abandon the land of his birth and the grave of his father by [[Sauron]] and [[Draugluin]]. He crossed into [[Doriath]], where he saw and fell in love with [[Lúthien]], princess of the [[Sindar]] and daughter of [[Thingol]] and [[Melian]] when he saw her dancing.
== Life in Dorthonion ==
{{Pronounce|Beren Erchamion.mp3|Ardamir}}
[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Beren Heraldic Device.png|thumb|left|70px|Beren's heraldic device]]
Beren was the son of [[Barahir]] and [[Emeldir]]. He was a Man of the royal [[House of Bëor]] of [[Dorthonion]] for his father was most likely the last Chieftian of the House of Bëor. The [[Dagor Bragollach]] ("Battle of Sudden Flame") befell during his youth, bringing about the ruin of his land. The young Beren lived with his father and ten loyal followers in the highlands of Dorthonion, and the twelve of them performed many acts of bravery, to the great frustration of [[Morgoth]], the Dark Lord of [[Angband]]. After the betrayal and death of the Outlaws of Dorthonion due to the treachery of [[Gorlim the Unhappy]], Beren swore an oath to avenge his father, "but wept not, for his heart was ice". He recovered the [[Ring of Barahir]] from the [[Orcs]], and lived on as an outlaw, whose feats of daring were renown throughout the free world. Eventually he was forced to abandon the land of his birth and the grave of his father. He crossed into [[Doriath]], where he saw and fell in love with [[Lúthien]], princess of the [[Sindar]] and daughter of [[Thingol]] and [[Melian]] when he saw her dancing.


===[[Quest for the Silmaril]]===
===[[Quest for the Silmaril]]===
[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_Transformed.jpg|left|thumb|250px|''Transformed'' by [[Ted Nasmith]], showing Lúthien and Beren in their disguises as vampire and wolf.]]
[[File:Felix Sotomayor - Beren at Thingol's Court.jpg|thumb|left|Felix Sotomayor - ''Beren at Thingol's Court'']]
Thingol refused to give Lúthien's hand in marriage, as Beren was a mortal. He charged Beren that he would allow the marriage to take place only if he brought back a [[Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of Morgoth. The task was intended to be impossible, but Beren was determined. He set out on this impossible quest with the aid of [[Finrod]] of [[Nargothrond]], but was soon captured by [[Sauron]] and imprisoned in [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Lúthien, along with [[Huan]] the great hound, eventually came to their rescue.  
Thingol refused to give Lúthien's hand in marriage, as Beren was a mortal. He charged Beren that he would allow the marriage to take place only if he brought back a [[Silmaril]] from the [[Iron Crown]] of Morgoth. The task was intended to be impossible, but Beren was determined. He set out on this impossible quest with the aid of [[Finrod]] of [[Nargothrond]], but was soon captured by [[Sauron]] and imprisoned in [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]]. Lúthien, along with [[Huan]] the great hound, eventually came to their rescue.  
 
[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_Transformed.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Transformed'']]
Using Lúthien's powers to place Morgoth's court into a deep sleep, they were able to enter Angband where Beren was able to cut a Silmaril from Morgoth's iron crown. However, as they escaped from Angband, the great wolf [[Carcharoth]], whom Morgoth had personally bred, awoke. Beren held out the Silmaril, hoping that its radiance would avert the beast, but he was mistaken.  Carcharoth bit off his hand, swallowing it along with the Silmaril, and proceeded to run rampant through Doriath. Thus Beren was called '''''Erchamion''''', "One-handed". Lúthien and the unconscious Beren were rescued by the Eagles of [[Manwë]]. Beren participated in the hunting of Carcharoth, where the beast was slain and the Silmaril recovered; the quest was accomplished, but in the process Beren was mortally wounded.
Using Lúthien's powers to place Morgoth's court into a deep sleep, they were able to enter Angband where Beren was able to cut a Silmaril from Morgoth's iron crown. However, as they escaped from Angband, the great wolf [[Carcharoth]], whom Morgoth had personally bred, awoke. Beren held out the Silmaril, hoping that its radiance would avert the beast, but he was mistaken.  Carcharoth bit off his hand, swallowing it along with the Silmaril, and proceeded to run rampant through Doriath. Thus Beren was called '''''Erchamion''''', "One-handed". Lúthien and the unconscious Beren were rescued by the Eagles of [[Manwë]]. Beren participated in the hunting of Carcharoth, where the beast was slain and the Silmaril recovered; the quest was accomplished, but in the process Beren was mortally wounded.


Line 45: Line 47:


===Later History===
===Later History===
{{Quote|(...) and whether the second span of his life was brief or long is not known to Elves or Men|Draft to ''Quenta Silmarillion''}}
Thus Beren and Lúthien lived again, and dwelt on [[Tol Galen]] in the middle of the [[Adurant|River Adurant]] in [[Ossiriand]]. There they stayed apart from other mortals. Lúthien bore Beren a son, named [[Dior]], Thingol's heir. He was considered to be one of the fairest beings to ever live, for in him flowed the blood of Men, the blood of Elves, and the blood of the [[Ainur]]. Through his descendants, the blood of Beren and of Lúthien was preserved among the [[Eldar]] and the [[Edain]].


Thus Beren and Lúthien lived again, and dwelt on [[Tol Galen]] in the middle of the [[Adurant|River Adurant]] in [[Ossiriand]]. There they stayed apart from other mortals; Beren was involved with the events of the [[First Age]] only one further time, when he waylaid a group of [[Dwarves]] who had destroyed Doriath and stolen the [[Nauglamír]] (and the Silmaril with it).
Beren was involved with the events of the [[First Age]] only one further time. After the murder of Thingol, [[Mablung]] was sent by Melian to warn Beren. He gathered the [[Green-elves]] and with the aid of some [[Ents]]<ref>{{L|248}}</ref> they waylaid a group of the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] who had [[Battle of the Thousand Caves|destroyed]] Doriath and stolen its treasures. They ambushed the Dwarves and vanquished them in the [[Battle of Sarn Athrad]]; because the Lord of Nogrod cursed the treasure, Beren threw it in the river [[Ascar]], but salvaged the [[Nauglamir]] which he brought to his wife. Their son Dior left to restore and rule Menegroth.<ref name=doriath>{{S|Doriath}}</ref>


Lúthien bore Beren a son, named [[Dior]], Thingol's heir. He was considered to be one of the fairest beings to ever live, for in him flowed the blood of Men, the blood of Elves, and the blood of the [[Ainur]]. Through his descendants, the blood of Beren and of Lúthien was preserved among the [[Eldar]] and the [[Edain]].
Beren and Lúthien died together on Tol Galen. Among the Children of [[Ilúvatar]] the final death of Beren and Lúthien is accounted in {{FA|503}} for in the Autumn of that year Dior received the Silmaril in Doriath, and it was taken as a sign of his parents' death. In truth the date of their death is unknown.<ref name=doriath/><ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 306</ref>


At last Beren and Lúthien died together on Tol Galen.
==Etymology==
 
{{Pronounce|Beren Erchamion.mp3|Ardamir}}
== Development ==
Beren is glossed as "bold" in [[Noldorin]] of the ''[[Etymologies]]''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, root [[BER]] p.352</ref>
The story of Beren and Lúthien, though mentioned only briefly in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', was a central part of the [[legendarium]]. Tolkien once referred to it as "the kernel of the mythology".<ref>{{L|165}}</ref> He went on to say that it "arose from a small woodland glade filled with 'hemlocks'", which he visited while serving in the Humber Garrison in 1918 (during [[World War I]]).
 
In the earliest versions of the legendarium (see: ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]''), Beren was a ''[[Gnome]]'' (a [[Noldo]]), son of [[Egnor]] (which might have been an early name for [[Aegnor]]).
 
Tolkien seemed to be somehow connected to this character, and parallels can be drawn with his relationship with [[Edith Tolkien|Edith Bratt]]. Furthermore it is possible that ''Beren'' (meaning 'brave') is a reference to the original meaning of his Germanic surname (Toll kühn) of similar meaning. It is said that, like the story of Luththien dancing in the woods before Beren, that one day while Tolkien and his wife were on a picnic in the woods she danced for him, thus creating another parallel to Beren and Luthien.
 
Tolkien was buried in Wolvercote Cemetery (North Oxford) and this name appears on the stone:
 
:JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN Beren 1892 – 1973
 
The name of Lúthien also appears on the stone:


:EDITH MARY TOLKIEN Lúthien 1889 – 1971
His epithet ''Erchamion'' means "one-handed"<ref>{{HM|WJ}}, pp.51, 231</ref>. It has been suggested that ''Camlost'' means "empty-handed". Both epithets contain [[Sindarin]] ''cam'' "hand".<ref>{{S|Elements}}</ref> 
{{stub}}


== Genealogy ==
== Genealogy ==
Line 99: Line 93:
{{familytree/end}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>
</div>
{{sequence
== Inspiration==
|prev=[[Barahir]]
The story of Beren and Lúthien, though mentioned only briefly in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', was a central part of the [[legendarium]]. Tolkien once referred to it as "the kernel of the mythology".<ref>{{L|165}}</ref> He went on to say that it "arose from a small woodland glade filled with 'hemlocks'", which he visited while serving in the Humber Garrison in 1918 (during [[World War I]]).
|next=none (abandoned)
 
|list=5th [[Lord of Ladros]]<br><code>I</code> 460 – 464
In the earliest versions of the legendarium (see: ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]''), Beren was a ''[[Gnome]]'' (a [[Noldo]]), son of [[Egnor (disambiguation)|Egnor]] (which might have been an early name for [[Aegnor]]).
 
Tolkien seemed to be somehow connected to this character, and parallels can be drawn with his relationship with [[Edith Tolkien|Edith Bratt]]. Furthermore it is possible that ''Beren'' (meaning 'brave') is a reference to the original meaning of his Germanic surname (Toll kühn) of similar meaning. It is said that, like the story of Lúthien dancing in the woods before Beren, that one day while Tolkien and his wife were on a picnic in the woods she danced for him, thus creating another parallel to Beren and Luthien.
 
Tolkien was buried in Wolvercote Cemetery (North Oxford) and this name appears on the stone:
 
:JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN Beren 1892 – 1973
 
The name of Lúthien also appears on the stone:
 
:EDITH MARY TOLKIEN Lúthien 1889 – 1971
 
== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Beren|Images of Beren]].
 
{{references}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=edain
| house=[[House of Bëor]]
| born={{FA|432}}
| died={{FA|466}}; final death: {{FA|503}}
}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Barahir]]
| list=8th Head of the [[House of Bëor]]
| dates={{FA|460}} – {{FA|503|n}}
| next=House of Bëor ceased to exist
| nvac=None
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{Outlaws}}
{{Outlaws}}
== See Also ==
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
* [[:Category:Images of Beren|Images of Beren]].
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:Edain]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:House of Bëor]]
[[Category:House of Bëor]]
[[Category:Quest for the Silmaril]]
[[Category:Quest for the Silmaril]]
Line 114: Line 137:
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:1a:peuple_de_beor:beren]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:1a:peuple_de_beor:beren]]
[[fi:Beren]]
[[fi:Beren]]
{{references}}

Revision as of 13:11, 21 September 2016

The name Beren refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Beren (disambiguation).
"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
Beren
Adan
Tuuliky - Beren.jpg
"Beren" by Tuuliky
Biographical Information
Other namesCamlost, Erchamion
TitlesLord of Ladros
Lord of Tol Galen
LocationDorthonion; Ossiriand
AffiliationQuest for the Silmaril
LanguageSindarin, Taliska
BirthF.A. 432
Dorthonion
DeathF.A. 466 (aged 34)
Hunting of the Wolf
Returned to life, final death: F.A. 503 (aged 71)
Dor Firn-i-Guinar
Notable forretrieving a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown
Family
HouseHouse of Bëor
ParentageBarahir and Emeldir
SpouseLúthien
ChildrenDior
Physical Description
GenderMale
HeightTall
Hair colorGolden brown[1]
Eye colorGrey[2]
WeaponrySpear and Angrist; Dagmor (in the Lays of Beleriand)[3]
SteedHuan
Unnamed horse (from Curufin)
GalleryImages of Beren

Beren (F.A. 432503), aged approx. 71 years at the time of his final death) was a Man of Middle-earth, a hero whose romance with the Elf Lúthien was one of the great stories of the Elder Days.

History

Life in Dorthonion

Beren was the son of Barahir and Emeldir. He was a Man of the royal House of Bëor of Dorthonion for his father was most likely the last Chieftian of the House of Bëor. The Dagor Bragollach ("Battle of Sudden Flame") befell during his youth, bringing about the ruin of his land. The young Beren lived with his father and ten loyal followers in the highlands of Dorthonion, and the twelve of them performed many acts of bravery, to the great frustration of Morgoth, the Dark Lord of Angband. After the betrayal and death of the Outlaws of Dorthonion due to the treachery of Gorlim the Unhappy, Beren swore an oath to avenge his father, "but wept not, for his heart was ice". He recovered the Ring of Barahir from the Orcs, and lived on as an outlaw, whose feats of daring were renown throughout the free world. Eventually he was forced to abandon the land of his birth and the grave of his father. He crossed into Doriath, where he saw and fell in love with Lúthien, princess of the Sindar and daughter of Thingol and Melian when he saw her dancing.

Quest for the Silmaril

Felix Sotomayor - Beren at Thingol's Court

Thingol refused to give Lúthien's hand in marriage, as Beren was a mortal. He charged Beren that he would allow the marriage to take place only if he brought back a Silmaril from the Iron Crown of Morgoth. The task was intended to be impossible, but Beren was determined. He set out on this impossible quest with the aid of Finrod of Nargothrond, but was soon captured by Sauron and imprisoned in Tol-in-Gaurhoth. Lúthien, along with Huan the great hound, eventually came to their rescue.

Ted Nasmith - Transformed

Using Lúthien's powers to place Morgoth's court into a deep sleep, they were able to enter Angband where Beren was able to cut a Silmaril from Morgoth's iron crown. However, as they escaped from Angband, the great wolf Carcharoth, whom Morgoth had personally bred, awoke. Beren held out the Silmaril, hoping that its radiance would avert the beast, but he was mistaken. Carcharoth bit off his hand, swallowing it along with the Silmaril, and proceeded to run rampant through Doriath. Thus Beren was called Erchamion, "One-handed". Lúthien and the unconscious Beren were rescued by the Eagles of Manwë. Beren participated in the hunting of Carcharoth, where the beast was slain and the Silmaril recovered; the quest was accomplished, but in the process Beren was mortally wounded.

Unable to deal with the death of her beloved, Lúthien, overcome with grief, laid down and died. Her soul went to the Halls of Mandos, where she managed to move Mandos so that he granted her a wish. Both she and Beren were restored to life, but both of them would die the death of Men, and go beyond the walls of Arda to a place unknown.

Later History

"(...) and whether the second span of his life was brief or long is not known to Elves or Men"
― Draft to Quenta Silmarillion

Thus Beren and Lúthien lived again, and dwelt on Tol Galen in the middle of the River Adurant in Ossiriand. There they stayed apart from other mortals. Lúthien bore Beren a son, named Dior, Thingol's heir. He was considered to be one of the fairest beings to ever live, for in him flowed the blood of Men, the blood of Elves, and the blood of the Ainur. Through his descendants, the blood of Beren and of Lúthien was preserved among the Eldar and the Edain.

Beren was involved with the events of the First Age only one further time. After the murder of Thingol, Mablung was sent by Melian to warn Beren. He gathered the Green-elves and with the aid of some Ents[4] they waylaid a group of the Dwarves of Nogrod who had destroyed Doriath and stolen its treasures. They ambushed the Dwarves and vanquished them in the Battle of Sarn Athrad; because the Lord of Nogrod cursed the treasure, Beren threw it in the river Ascar, but salvaged the Nauglamir which he brought to his wife. Their son Dior left to restore and rule Menegroth.[5]

Beren and Lúthien died together on Tol Galen. Among the Children of Ilúvatar the final death of Beren and Lúthien is accounted in F.A. 503 for in the Autumn of that year Dior received the Silmaril in Doriath, and it was taken as a sign of his parents' death. In truth the date of their death is unknown.[5][6]

Etymology

Beren is glossed as "bold" in Noldorin of the Etymologies.[7]

His epithet Erchamion means "one-handed"[8]. It has been suggested that Camlost means "empty-handed". Both epithets contain Sindarin cam "hand".[9]

"...there is much else that may be told." — Glóin
This article or section is a stub. Please help Tolkien Gateway by expanding it.


Genealogy

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bregor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bregolas
 
 
 
Barahir
 
Emeldir
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Baragund
 
Belegund
 
 
 
BEREN
 
Lúthien
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Húrin
 
Morwen
 
Rían
 
Huor
 
Dior
 
Nimloth
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Túrin
 
Lalaith
 
Nienor
 
Tuor
 
Idril
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eärendil
 
Elwing
 
Eluréd
 
Elurín
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elros
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elrond
 
Celebrían
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of Númenor
 
Lords of Andúnië
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elendil
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of Gondor
 
Kings of Arnor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chieftains of
the Dúnedain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aragorn II
 
Arwen
 
Elladan
 
Elrohir
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eldarion
 
Daughters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of the
Reunited Kingdom
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Inspiration

The story of Beren and Lúthien, though mentioned only briefly in The Lord of the Rings, was a central part of the legendarium. Tolkien once referred to it as "the kernel of the mythology".[10] He went on to say that it "arose from a small woodland glade filled with 'hemlocks'", which he visited while serving in the Humber Garrison in 1918 (during World War I).

In the earliest versions of the legendarium (see: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two), Beren was a Gnome (a Noldo), son of Egnor (which might have been an early name for Aegnor).

Tolkien seemed to be somehow connected to this character, and parallels can be drawn with his relationship with Edith Bratt. Furthermore it is possible that Beren (meaning 'brave') is a reference to the original meaning of his Germanic surname (Toll kühn) of similar meaning. It is said that, like the story of Lúthien dancing in the woods before Beren, that one day while Tolkien and his wife were on a picnic in the woods she danced for him, thus creating another parallel to Beren and Luthien.

Tolkien was buried in Wolvercote Cemetery (North Oxford) and this name appears on the stone:

JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN Beren 1892 – 1973

The name of Lúthien also appears on the stone:

EDITH MARY TOLKIEN Lúthien 1889 – 1971

See Also

References

Beren
House of Bëor
Born: F.A. 432 Died: F.A. 466; final death: F.A. 503
Preceded by:
Barahir
8th Head of the House of Bëor
F.A. 460503
None
House of Bëor ceased to exist


Barahir's Outlaw Band
Barahir · Beren · Gildor · Belegund · Baragund · Gorlim · Urthel · Dagnir · Ragnor · Radhruin · Dairuin · Arthad · Hathaldir