Post by Móreadhiel on Jan 16, 2007 13:13:21 GMT -5
Baldor
King's heir lost on the Paths of the Dead. Baldor was the son of King Brego of Rohan and the grandson of Eorl the Young. He had two younger brothers named Aldor and Eofor.
Brego and Baldor explored the valley of Harrowdale seeking a refuge for their people. There they found the Dark Door leading to the Paths of the Dead. It is said that an ancient man was sitting before the door. When Brego and Baldor tried to pass him, the old man said: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are Dead, and the Dead keep it, until the time comes." Baldor replied, "And when will that time be?" but the old man died without answering. (RotK, p. 71)
At the feast dedicating the newly built hall of Meduseld, Baldor made a rash vow to walk the Paths of the Dead. In 2570, he entered the Dark Door and was never seen alive again. Brego died of grief and Aldor became King of Rohan.
On March 8, 3019, Aragorn and the Grey Company entered the Paths of the Dead. Deep inside the tunnels, they found Baldor's body in front of a locked door. He was still clad in his gilded hauberk, golden helm, and belt of gold and garnets, but his sword was notched and broken and he appeared to have been clawing at the door when he died. Aragorn said that no one would ever know what had befallen Baldor on the Paths of the Dead or what lay behind the locked door. However, in a later note, Tolkien wrote that the Dead had followed Baldor silently through the Paths of the Dead to the door of an evil temple hall, where they broke his legs and left him to die.
Names & Etymology:
In Old English, Baldor is a variation of Bealdor meaning "lord, prince, hero." The word beald means "bold, brave." In Norse mythology, Baldur was the son of Odin.
Also called Baldor the Hapless, no doubt because of his unfortunate end.
Genealogy:
For the family tree of Baldor see Eomer: Genealogy.
Sources:
The Return of the King: "The Passing of the Grey Company," p. 60-61; "The Muster of Rohan," p. 70-71; "Many Partings," p. 255
Appendix A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 349
Appendix B of LotR: "The Tale of Years," p. 368
"The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor," by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Carl F. Hostetter, commentary by Christopher Tolkien, in Vinyar Tengwar #42, July 2001, p. 22 note 6 (on the locked door and Baldor's fate)
Old English Made Easy
King's heir lost on the Paths of the Dead. Baldor was the son of King Brego of Rohan and the grandson of Eorl the Young. He had two younger brothers named Aldor and Eofor.
Brego and Baldor explored the valley of Harrowdale seeking a refuge for their people. There they found the Dark Door leading to the Paths of the Dead. It is said that an ancient man was sitting before the door. When Brego and Baldor tried to pass him, the old man said: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are Dead, and the Dead keep it, until the time comes." Baldor replied, "And when will that time be?" but the old man died without answering. (RotK, p. 71)
At the feast dedicating the newly built hall of Meduseld, Baldor made a rash vow to walk the Paths of the Dead. In 2570, he entered the Dark Door and was never seen alive again. Brego died of grief and Aldor became King of Rohan.
On March 8, 3019, Aragorn and the Grey Company entered the Paths of the Dead. Deep inside the tunnels, they found Baldor's body in front of a locked door. He was still clad in his gilded hauberk, golden helm, and belt of gold and garnets, but his sword was notched and broken and he appeared to have been clawing at the door when he died. Aragorn said that no one would ever know what had befallen Baldor on the Paths of the Dead or what lay behind the locked door. However, in a later note, Tolkien wrote that the Dead had followed Baldor silently through the Paths of the Dead to the door of an evil temple hall, where they broke his legs and left him to die.
Names & Etymology:
In Old English, Baldor is a variation of Bealdor meaning "lord, prince, hero." The word beald means "bold, brave." In Norse mythology, Baldur was the son of Odin.
Also called Baldor the Hapless, no doubt because of his unfortunate end.
Genealogy:
For the family tree of Baldor see Eomer: Genealogy.
Sources:
The Return of the King: "The Passing of the Grey Company," p. 60-61; "The Muster of Rohan," p. 70-71; "Many Partings," p. 255
Appendix A of LotR: "The House of Eorl," p. 349
Appendix B of LotR: "The Tale of Years," p. 368
"The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor," by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Carl F. Hostetter, commentary by Christopher Tolkien, in Vinyar Tengwar #42, July 2001, p. 22 note 6 (on the locked door and Baldor's fate)
Old English Made Easy
