Tar-Aldarion

Tar-Aldarion
Biographical information
Other names	Anardil, Aldarion, Anardilya
Titles	The Mariner, The "Great Captain", Lord of the Ships and Havens of Númenor Master of the Forests, and King of Númenor
Birth	SA 700
Rule	SA 883
Death	SA 1098
Realms	Númenor
Spouse	Erendis
Weapon	Aranrúth
Physical description
Race	Men
Gender	Male
Culture	Númenóreans (House of Elros)

Tar-Aldarion was the sixth King of Númenor, and succeeded his father, Tar-Meneldur. Tar-Aldarion was married to Erendis, a Númenórean woman, who was not quite of the same status as Aldarion himself, and therefore had a shorter life-span. Aldarion's love for the sea ultimately caused a rift between the couple and they separated SA 882. The tale of their marriage and estrangement survived the Downfall of Númenor as "Aldarion and Erendis, or The Mariner's Wife".

Biography

Tar-Aldarion was called "The Mariner", and his name signifies "of the trees" because he was a noted tree steward and forester — trees were essential to the construction of his fleets, but he took great care to replenish what was being felled. His first love was the sea, and he was already a great explorer before he became king. He made several journeys to Middle-earth and established contact with Gil-galad in his realm in the Grey Havens making friendship and alliance with him. He also established a vital Númenorean port in Middle-earth, named Vinyalonde. He built the great haven of Lond Daer on the river Gwathló, and under his reign the deforesting of Enedwaith and Minhiriath began.

His only child was a daughter, Tar-Ancalimë, so he changed the rules of succession, replacing the principle of agnatic primogeniture with that of fully equal primogeniture. She became the first ruling Queen of Númenor. If the law hadn't been changed then the throne would have passed to his sister's son Soronto, heir presumptive at the time.

The partial story of Aldarion and Erendis can be found in Tolkien's Unfinished Tales, (ed. Christopher Tolkien). Though the actual story was left incomplete, the book does give some hints on how it continued. The story also contains the first hints of the return of the Shadow, i.e. Sauron, to Middle-earth.

Etymology

Aldarion is Quenya which means "Son of trees" from alda ("trees") and -ion ("son").

House of Elros

Elros Tar-Minyatur

Vardamir

Tindómiel

Manwendil

Atanalcar

Tar-Amandil

Vardilmë

Aulendil

Nolondil

Eärendur

Tar-Elendil

Mairen

Yávien

Oromendil

Axantur

Lindissë

Ardamir

Cemendur

Írildë

Vëantur

Hallatan

Elatan

Silmariën

Isilmë

Tar-Meneldur

Almarian

Valandil

Erendis

Tar-Aldarion

Ailinel

Orchaldor

Almiel

Hallacar

Tar-Ancalimë

Soronto

Tar-Anárion

Tar-Súrion

Two daughters

Tar-Telperiën

Isilmo

Tar-Minastir

Tar-Ciryatan

Tar-Atanamir

Tar-Ancalimon

Unnamed child

Tar-Telemmaitë

Herucalmo

Tar-Vanimeldë

Tar-Alcarin

Tar-Calmacil

Tar-Ardamin

Gimilzagar

Ar-Adûnakhôr

Ar-Zimrathôn

Ar-Sakalthôr

Ar-Gimilzôr

Tar-Palantir

Gimilkhâd

Tar-Míriel

Ar-Pharazôn

King of Númenor
Preceded by Tar-Meneldur	Tar-Aldarion	Succeeded by Tar-Ancalimë
SA 883 - SA 1075

External link

• Tar-Aldarion at Tolkien Gateway