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Welcome to The Encyclopedia of ArdaThe Encyclopedia of Arda is a personal project - a tribute to and a celebration of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. The site is evolving into an illustrated hypertext encyclopedia of Tolkien's realms and peoples. It already contains about four thousand entries, and we're constantly adding new entries and expanding existing ones. Inside the encyclopediaThe Encyclopedia of Arda contains thousands of articles covering topics from J.R.R. Tolkien's world, some brief, some lengthy and some containing detailed essays and discussions. You'll also find a selection of interactive tools, including a chronicle to help you explore Tolkien's fictional history, and calendar to translate dates and events, a lexicon of names, a glossary of old and rare words, and much more. Context and approachThe content of the Encyclopedia is written in the same context as Tolkien himself used; he presented himself simply as a translator, rather than originator of the tales. Hence, we try to describe his world from a 'historical' rather than a literary perspective, though sometimes it's useful to explore ideas in their wider context. Where relevant, therefore, you'll also find a few references to Tolkien's life or opinions, or to real historical or mythological parallels to events in his universe. About the name ArdaArda was the name given by the Elves to their world and all it contained, and so 'Encyclopedia of Arda' seemed a peculiarly apt title for this project. Special thanksThanks to all those who've e-mailed us over the years with their suggestions, corrections, ideas and just general support. But the real Special Thanks, though, belong to the memory of J.R.R. Tolkien for his extraordinary and unparalleled creation. For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page. Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 1997-2025. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ. Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.Discus is a powerful, flexible DISC profile solution - find out much more in our free guide. |
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Featured EntryBerenThe father of Emeldir and grandfather of Beren ErchamionNot to be confused with Beren Erchamion, his famous grandson of the same name, this elder Beren was a descendant of two of the Houses of the Edain. His father was Belemir, a great-grandson of Bëor the Old (through Bëor's younger son Belen, and so Beren was descended from a minor branch of the House of Bëor). His mother was Adanel, a daughter of Malach Aradan, and so Beren could also claim descent from the house later known as the House of Hador. Of Beren's life we know very little, except that he was born in the year I 374, and had at least three children. Among these was Emeldir, who wed Barahir and was the mother of the famous Beren One-hand of the Quest of the Silmaril (who was evidently named for his grandfather). The elder Beren was born in about the time when the House of Bëor were migrating from Estolad to Dorthonion, but Beren's marriage to Adanel suggests that he himself remained in Estolad for some time (because Adanel's grandfather Marach and many of his people remained there). Beren's daughter Emeldir removed to dwell in Dorthonion (where her husband Barahir was lord) and so it is at least possible that Beren and Adanel also removed to that land in later life. |
