Baldor

From Tolkien Gateway
Baldor
Rohir
Lída Holubová - Angular.jpg
"Angular", depicting the discovery of Baldor, by Lída Holubová
Biographical Information
Other names"the Hapless"
LocationRohan
LanguageRohanese and Westron
BirthBefore T.A. 2544
DeathT.A. 2570 (aged 26+)
Paths of the Dead
Family
HouseHouse of Eorl
ParentageBrego
SiblingsAldor and Eofor
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Baldor

Baldor the Hapless was the prideful son of Brego and grandson of Eorl the Young.

History[edit | edit source]

With his father, Baldor explored Rohan, and came to Harrowdale. They found the Paths of the Dead. Surprised by a riddle from an old man that forbade them passage, he became curious. At the inauguration of Meduseld in T.A. 2569, he vowed to pass the Dark Door. He did so a year later, and was never seen again alive.[1]

Early March T.A. 3019, Aragorn and the Grey Company found the golden-clad knight. His sword was broken and notched, and his legs ruptured.[2]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
 
 
Eorl
2485 - 2545
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brego
2512 - 2570
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BALDOR
d. 2570
 
Aldor
2544 - 2645
 
Eofor
unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
three daughters
unknown
 
Fréa
2570 - 2659
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fréawine
2594 - 2680
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Éomund
d. 3002


Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

Although in the final version there is no confirmation, all the early manuscripts state that the skeleton found in the Paths was Baldor's. In the original drafts, Aragorn recognises Baldor[3][4] and says: "Here lies Baldor, son of Brego".[5]

Then Tolkien himself explains in a note:

The Men of Darkness built temples, some of great size, usually surrounded by dark trees, often in caverns (natural or delved) in secret valleys of mountain-regions; such as the dreadful halls and passages under the Haunted Mountain beyond the Dark Door (Gate of the Dead) in Dunharrow. The special horror of the closed door before which the skeleton of Baldor was found was probably due to the fact that the door was the entrance to an evil temple hall to which Baldor had come, probably without opposition up to that point. But the door was shut in his face, and enemies that had followed him silently came up and broke his legs and left him to die in the darkness, unable to find any way out.
Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, "The Last Debate"


Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1979: The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series):

The Grey Company encounters Baldor's corpse in the Paths of the Dead.

2014: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The remains of Baldor, clad in his golden armour, can be found in the Paths of the Dead, though is slightly off the path as compared to the books.

References