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'''Nerdanel''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈnerdanel]}}) was the daughter of the [[Noldor|Noldorin]] smith [[Mahtan]], and the wife of [[Fëanor]] who was the eldest son of Finwë king of the Ñoldor.  
'''Nerdanel''' ([[Quenya|Q]], pron. {{IPA|[ˈnerdanel]}}) was the daughter of the [[Noldor|Noldorin]] smith [[Mahtan]] and the wife of [[Fëanor]].  


==Background==
== History ==
Nerdanel of the Ńoldor was described as having a ruddy complexion and reddish brown hair which she took after from her father Mahtan. In fact, Nerdanel's family is interesting as the only known Elves with red hair. This was described as a trait "of Nerdanel's kin".<ref>{{VT|41b}}, p. 9</ref> Nerdanel was a noted sculptor of images. She is said to have made statues so lifelike that people thought them real.<ref name=nerdanel>{{S|Feanor}}</ref> In her youth, Nerdanel loved to wander far away from the dwellings of her people going to the shores or the hills in Aman. Eventually, Nerdanel met the Noldorin Prince Fëanor in one of her wanderings and they then became companions on many journeys together.<ref name=ring>{{MR|P3II5}}</ref>
===Early life===
Nerdanel was a skilful sculptor. She made statues so lifelike that people thought they were real at first, and if they did not know her art, tried to speak to them.<ref name=nerdanel>{{S|Feanor}}</ref> She also created sculptures from her own imaginings, which were "strong and strange but beautiful."<ref name=Feanor/> In her youth, Nerdanel loved to wander along the shore or in the hills of [[Aman]]. Whilst wandering, she met Fëanor, and they "were companions in many journeys."<ref name=Feanor>{{MR|P3II5}}</ref>


==Marriage and Motherhood==
Though her father, whose nickname meant 'fox',<ref name=Sons>{{PM|Feanor}}</ref>{{rp|353}} was specifically noted as having an unusual hair colour for a Noldo, auburn or brown hair mixed with copper, her own hair colour is implied as brown or similar to her father's, but it is not explicitly stated in ''[[The Silmarillion]]''. The reddish hair, however, passed through her lineage to her children.
Later when Nerdanel married Fëanor, many of the Ñoldor wondered why for Nerdanel was not among the fairest of their people. But Nerdanel was strong and free of mind being filled with the desire for knowledge.<ref name=ring/> Nerdanel was strong of will but more patient than her husband, desiring to understand minds rather than to master them. Nerdanel, unlike Fëanor, was of a peaceful nature and sought to moderate his fiery temper and pride with her wisdom. For a time, she was able to influence and restrain her husband. However, Fëanor in his later deeds that he had committed grieved Nerdanel deeply. Shortly, Nerdanel and her husband became estranged from one another here after. In the earlier part of her marriage to Fëanor is was said: "Fëanor never sought the aid and council of anyone that dwelt in Aman, great or small, save only a little while of ''Nerdanel the Wise'' his wife."<ref name=nerdanel/>


Nerdanel bore Fëanor seven sons: [[Maedhros]], [[Maglor]], [[Celegorm]], [[Caranthir]], [[Curufin]], [[Amrod]], and [[Amras]] (see [[Sons of Fëanor]]). Of her mood, Nerdanel had passed in part to some of her sons.<ref name=nerdanel/> Only Nerdanel's eldest son Maedhros and her youngest twin sons, Amrod and Amras, had inherited the reddish brown hair from their mother. As for her fifth son Caranthir, he inherited his mother's ruddy complexion.<ref name=sons>{{PM|XI7}}</ref>
===Marriage and Motherhood===
 
When Nerdanel married Fëanor, others wondered at his choice for she was not considered among "the fairest of her people."<ref name=Feanor/>{{rp|272}} But Nerdanel was strong, free of mind, and filled with the desire for knowledge.<ref name=Feanor/> Though she was strong-willed, she was more patient than her husband. She would seek to understand others instead of master them. For a time, since he would seek the counsel of none save her, she was able to influence and restrain her prideful husband.<ref name=nerdanel/> However, Fëanor's later deeds deeply grieved her. She was advised not to become involved in the rebellion. In the end, Nerdanel and her husband became estranged from one another, and she did not follow him to Middle-earth.<ref name=nerdanel/>
==The Unrest and Flight of the Ñoldor==
Soon after, Fëanor was banished from Valinor for a time by the Valar for causing the unrest of the Ñoldor. So with Nerdanel's husband went all of their sons as well as her father-in-law Finwë. In spite of that, Nerdanel did not join Fëanor and their sons into banishment, but instead asked for leave to abide with Indis of the Vanyar (the second wife and queen of Finwë) whom Nerdanel apparently had ever esteemed though little to the liking of Nerdanel's husband.<ref name=ring/>  


Ultimately, Nerdanel returned back to her father's house. Shortly, Nerdanel learned that Fëanor and all of their sons were planning to go into exile for Middle-earth permanently, along with the largest host of the Ñoldor. Nerdanel then came to her husband before the flight of the Ñoldor and she begged Fëanor to leave with her their youngest twin-sons Amrod and Amras, or atleast one of them. Then Nerdanel's husband simply spoke that if she wished to keep all their sons then she should join him and their sons to leave Valinor for Middle-earth. But Nerdanel refused to follow Fëanor being warned by her father the advice that Aulë gave him; thus Mahtan said to his daughter: "It would in the end, only lead your husband and all your children to death." However, Nerdanel's sons were determined to leave with their father and hence Nerdanel was parted from her sons never to see them again.<ref name=sons/> Regardless, Nerdanel ended up alone first, and then a widow, while all of her seven sons perished one by one in Middle-earth. Further, it was said that Nerdanel apparently still lives in [[Aman]].<ref name=nerdanel/>
Nerdanel bore Fëanor seven sons: [[Maedhros]], [[Maglor]], [[Celegorm]], [[Caranthir]], [[Curufin]], [[Amrod]], and [[Amras]] (see [[Sons of Fëanor]]). Elves typically have four children or fewer, so the size of their family was particularly noteworthy.<ref name=NotesB>{{MR|P3II3e}}</ref>{{rp|Note 4}} Nerdanel's calmer temperament had passed to some of her sons while others were fiery more like their father.<ref name=nerdanel/> Only her eldest son Maedhros and her youngest sons, Amrod and Amras, inherited the reddish-brown hair from her line.<ref name=Sons/>


==ETYMOLOGY==
==Other versions of the legendarium==
The name ''Nerdanel'' is given no clear meaning or etymology in the published writings of Tolkien. The original (rejected) version of her name was ''Istarnië''.<ref>{{MR|P3II5}}, p. 273</ref>
Nerdanel was described as having a ruddy complexion and brown hair in ''Vinyar Tengwar''.<ref>{{VT|41b}}</ref>
 
When Fëanor was banished from [[Túna]] for drawing a sword against his brother, Nerdanel did not join her family in banishment, which was not specified in ''[[The Silmarillion]].'' In ''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', she asked for leave to abide with [[Indis]] during that time.<ref name=Unrest>{{MR|P3II6}}</ref>{{rp|279}}
 
When Nerdanel, who had since returned to her father's house, learned that her husband and sons were planning to go into exile to Middle-earth, she begged Fëanor to leave with her their youngest sons, Amrod and Amras, or at least one of them. Fëanor's response was that, if she would not follow him, she was an untrue wife for deserting both her husband and her children.<ref name=Feanor/>{{rp|354}}
 
Regardless, Nerdanel refused to follow because she heeded the warning of Aulë that: "'It [the rebellion] will in the end only lead Fëanor and all your children to death.'"<ref name=Feanor/> All perished, as predicted, in Middle-earth, and she survived her husband and her children in Aman.<ref name=nerdanel/>
 
==Etymology==
 
The name ''Nerdanel'' is given no clear meaning or etymology in the published writings of Tolkien. The original (rejected) version of her name was ''Istarnië''.<ref name=Feanor/>{{rp|273}}


Editor and linguist [[Patrick H. Wynne]] has suggested that the element ''nerd-'' in ''Nerdanel'' perhaps derives from ''nerdo'' ("large, strong man"), noting that the name "''might refer to her strength of body and mind, and her pursuits of crafts more commonly practiced by men.''" Wynne also suggests that ''Istarnië'' derives from Quenya ''[[ista-]]'' ("know"), apparently "''referring to her 'desire for knowledge'''".<ref>{{VT|47a}}, p. 33-4</ref>
Editor and linguist [[Patrick H. Wynne]] has suggested that the element ''nerd-'' in ''Nerdanel'' perhaps derives from ''nerdo'' ("large, strong man"), noting that the name "''might refer to her strength of body and mind, and her pursuits of crafts more commonly practiced by men.''" Wynne also suggests that ''Istarnië'' derives from Quenya ''[[ista-]]'' ("know"), apparently "''referring to her 'desire for knowledge'''".<ref>{{VT|47a}}, p. 33-4</ref>


==GENEOLOGY==
She was known as Nerdanel the wise.<ref name=nerdanel/>
==Geneology==
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Revision as of 21:01, 24 April 2016

Nerdanel
Noldo
Jenny Dolfen - Nerdanel.jpg
Nerdanel by Jenny Dolfen
Biographical Information
Other names"the Wise"
LocationTirion
AffiliationNot Oath of Fëanor
LanguageCommon Eldarin and
Quenya
BirthDuring the Years of the Trees
Family
ParentageMahtan
SpouseFëanor
ChildrenMaedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, and Amras
Physical Description
GenderFemale
Hair colorBrown [note 1]
GalleryImages of Nerdanel

Nerdanel (Q, pron. [ˈnerdanel]) was the daughter of the Noldorin smith Mahtan and the wife of Fëanor.

History

Early life

Nerdanel was a skilful sculptor. She made statues so lifelike that people thought they were real at first, and if they did not know her art, tried to speak to them.[1] She also created sculptures from her own imaginings, which were "strong and strange but beautiful."[2] In her youth, Nerdanel loved to wander along the shore or in the hills of Aman. Whilst wandering, she met Fëanor, and they "were companions in many journeys."[2]

Though her father, whose nickname meant 'fox',[3]:353 was specifically noted as having an unusual hair colour for a Noldo, auburn or brown hair mixed with copper, her own hair colour is implied as brown or similar to her father's, but it is not explicitly stated in The Silmarillion. The reddish hair, however, passed through her lineage to her children.

Marriage and Motherhood

When Nerdanel married Fëanor, others wondered at his choice for she was not considered among "the fairest of her people."[2]:272 But Nerdanel was strong, free of mind, and filled with the desire for knowledge.[2] Though she was strong-willed, she was more patient than her husband. She would seek to understand others instead of master them. For a time, since he would seek the counsel of none save her, she was able to influence and restrain her prideful husband.[1] However, Fëanor's later deeds deeply grieved her. She was advised not to become involved in the rebellion. In the end, Nerdanel and her husband became estranged from one another, and she did not follow him to Middle-earth.[1]

Nerdanel bore Fëanor seven sons: Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, and Amras (see Sons of Fëanor). Elves typically have four children or fewer, so the size of their family was particularly noteworthy.[4]:Note 4 Nerdanel's calmer temperament had passed to some of her sons while others were fiery more like their father.[1] Only her eldest son Maedhros and her youngest sons, Amrod and Amras, inherited the reddish-brown hair from her line.[3]

Other versions of the legendarium

Nerdanel was described as having a ruddy complexion and brown hair in Vinyar Tengwar.[5]

When Fëanor was banished from Túna for drawing a sword against his brother, Nerdanel did not join her family in banishment, which was not specified in The Silmarillion. In Morgoth's Ring, she asked for leave to abide with Indis during that time.[6]:279

When Nerdanel, who had since returned to her father's house, learned that her husband and sons were planning to go into exile to Middle-earth, she begged Fëanor to leave with her their youngest sons, Amrod and Amras, or at least one of them. Fëanor's response was that, if she would not follow him, she was an untrue wife for deserting both her husband and her children.[2]:354

Regardless, Nerdanel refused to follow because she heeded the warning of Aulë that: "'It [the rebellion] will in the end only lead Fëanor and all your children to death.'"[2] All perished, as predicted, in Middle-earth, and she survived her husband and her children in Aman.[1]

Etymology

The name Nerdanel is given no clear meaning or etymology in the published writings of Tolkien. The original (rejected) version of her name was Istarnië.[2]:273

Editor and linguist Patrick H. Wynne has suggested that the element nerd- in Nerdanel perhaps derives from nerdo ("large, strong man"), noting that the name "might refer to her strength of body and mind, and her pursuits of crafts more commonly practiced by men." Wynne also suggests that Istarnië derives from Quenya ista- ("know"), apparently "referring to her 'desire for knowledge'".[7]

She was known as Nerdanel the wise.[1]

Geneology

Mahtan
b. Y.T.
 
Míriel
d. Y.T. 1170
 
Finwë
d. Y.T. 1495
 
Indis
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NERDANEL
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
Fëanor
Y.T. 1169 - 1497
 
Findis
b. Y.T.
 
Fingolfin
Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456
 
Írimë
b. Y.T.
 
Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maedhros
d. F.A. 587
 
Maglor
b. Y.T.
 
Celegorm
d. F.A. 506
 
Caranthir
d. F.A. 506
 
Curufin
d. F.A. 506
 
Amrod
d. Y.T. 1497
 
Amras
d. F.A. 538
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Celebrimbor
d. S.A. 1697
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Notes

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor"
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of the Sons of Fëanor"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar, Notes [to Text B]"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, "From The Shibboleth of Fëanor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 41, July 2000
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals and Related Writings — Part One" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 47, February 2005, p. 33-4

See Also