Beleg, also known as Beleg Cúthalion or Beleg Strongbow, dubbed for his good bowmanship, was a Sindarin elf who served in the army of King Elu Thingol of Doriath as Chief Marchwarden [2][3] - and was a predominant companion of Turin Turambar's.
Biography
Beleg Departs Menegroth, by Alan Lee
Beleg "followed no man", and "could not be restrained". Beleg and his friend Mablung were the only Elves of Doriath to fight with the Union of Maedhros in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, as King Thingol would have nothing to do with the war.[4]
Together with Mablung he was one of the great captains of the Sindar, and he was part of the Hunting of the Great Wolf Carcharoth during the trials of Beren and Lúthien.[5]
Later, he became a good friend and brother-in-arms of Túrin Turambar. When Túrin left Doriath, Beleg got permission from Thingol to follow him into exile and bring him the kings pardon, wielding the black sword Anglachel that Eöl had forged and given to Thingol in tribute.[6] Beleg found the band of outlaws Turin was leading while Turin was away scouting, and was tortured by the outlaws until Turin found and released him. Unable to persuade Turin to return to Doriath with him, Beleg returned to King Thingol and gained permission to join Turin.[7] He went into the wilds again and found Turin on Amon Rûdh.[8] Together with Túrin, wearing the Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin, he became for a while a captain against Morgoth, and the land they dwelt in became known as the Land of Bow and Helm or Dor-Cuarthol in Sindarin.[9]
Beleg is Slain, by Ted Nasmith
When Túrin was captured by the Orcs, Beleg was grievously wounded, yet with the knowledge and strength of an elite elven warrior, he recovered and followed the Orcs. He met the escaped thrall Gwindor in Taur-nu-Fuin and together they rescued Túrin, but as Beleg cut the bonds from Túrin's wrists and ankles he slipped, accidentally cutting Túrin with his sword. Túrin awoke and did not recognize Beleg in the darkness, assuming the shape bent over him with a blade was an orc and that he was to be tortured again. In a sudden rage of self-defense, he wrested the sword from Beleg and killed him.[10][11]
After his death Túrin made the song Laer Cú Beleg, The Song of the Great Bow, and was known to sing it at times of grief and pain, in honor of his fallen friend and comrade.[11][12]
Etymology
In Sindarin, Beleg means "mighty".[13] His epessë Cúthalion means "Strongbow", from the Sindarin cu ("bow") and thalion ("strong, dauntless").[14][15][16]
Weapons
He wielded the sword Anglachel, forged by Eol, and given to Beleg by King Thingol. His bow was called Belthronding[11] and his arrow was Dailir.
Other versions of the legendarium
In early writings, Beleg was not immediately killed by Túrin. After an ambush, Túrin was taken alive and Beleg was left for dead. He was eventually healed of his wounds by Melian, which allowed him to continue in search for his friend. He came upon Gwindor in Taur-nu-Fuin, and together they rescued Túrin. However, Túrin slew Beleg by misadventure.[17]
Appearances
Translations around the World
| Foreign Language | Translated name |
|---|---|
| Chinese (Hong Kong) | 畢烈格 |
| Russian | Белег |
Gallery
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References
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels, Part One. The Grey Annals
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XVIII: "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XXI: "Of Túrin Turambar"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XX: "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
- ↑ The Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Beren and Lúthien"
- ↑ The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, V: "Túrin in Doriath"
- ↑ The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, VI: "Túrin among the Outlaws"
- ↑ The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, VII: "Of Mîm the Dwarf"
- ↑ The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, VIII: "The Land of Bow and Helm"
- ↑ The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, IX: "The Death of Beleg"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XXI: "Of Túrin Turambar" Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "turin" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "turin" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. 3: The Lays of Beleriand, I: "The Lay of the Children of Húrin"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin names
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Index of Names
- ↑ The Children of Húrin, List of Names
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. 5: The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies"
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. 5: The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Two: "Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings"
