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This article is about the elf of Doriath. For the King of Arnor, see Beleg of Arnor.

Beleg, also known as Beleg Cúthalion or Beleg Strongbow for his good bowmanship, was a Sindarin Elf who served in the army of King Elu Thingol of Doriath as the chief of the Marchwardens[4][9] - and was a predominant companion of Túrin Turambar.

Biography[]

Beleg S Morello

Beleg, by Sara Maria Morello

Beleg "followed no man", and "could not be restrained".

When Melkor's Orcs invaded the forest of Brethil, Halmir, Chieftain of the Haladin, called to Thingol for aid. Thingol sent Beleg with force of Sindar to aid the Haladin, and the two peoples ambushed and destroyed an orc-legion in the deeps of the forest. Afterwards, the Orcs dared not cross the Teiglin for many years, leaving the peoples north of the river in relative peace.[10]

He and his friend Mablung were the only Elves of Doriath to fight with the Union of Maedhros in the Nírnaeth Arnoediad, as King Thingol would have nothing to do with the war.[11]

He and Mablung were great captains of the Sindar, and Beleg was part of the Hunting of the Great Wolf Carcharoth during the trials of Beren and Lúthien.[12]

Alan Lee - Beleg

Beleg receives Anglachel, by Alan Lee

Later, he became a good friend and brother-in-arms of Túrin Turambar, a young Man of Dor-lómin. When Túrin left Doriath, Beleg received permission from Thingol to follow him into exile and bring him the king's pardon, wielding the black sword Anglachel that Eöl had forged and given to Thingol in tribute.[13] Beleg found the band of outlaws Túrin was leading while Túrin was away scouting, and was tortured by some of them until Túrin found and released him. Unable to persuade Túrin to return to Doriath with him, Beleg returned to King Thingol and gained permission to join Túrin in his free exploits, taking with him the Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin as a gift for Túrin.[14] He went into the wilds again and found Túrin on Amon Rûdh.[15] Together with Túrin, 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-Cúarthol in Sindarin.[16]

Ted Nasmith - Beleg is Slain

"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.[9][17]

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.[9][18]

Etymology[]

In Sindarin the name, Beleg means "mighty".[19] His epessë (i.e. surname) Cúthalion means "Strongbow", from the Sindarin cu ("bow") and thalion ("strong, dauntless").[20][21][22]

Weapons[]

He wielded the sword Anglachel, forged by Eöl, and given to Beleg by King Thingol. His bow was called Belthronding[9] and his arrow was Dailir.

Beleg by Filat

Beleg, as depicted by Marya Filatova

Other versions[]

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.[23]

Appearances[]

Translations[]

Foreign Language Translated name
Belarusian Cyrillic Белег
Bulgarian Cyrillic Белег
Chinese (Hong Kong) 畢烈格
Danish Beleg ("Buespænder")
Greek Βελεγ
Hebrew בלג
Korean 벨레그
Macedonian Cyrillic Белег
Persian (Beleg Cúthalion) به‌لگ کوتالیون (Beleg) به‌لگ
Russian Белег
Serbian Белег (Cyrillic) Beleg (Latin)

Gallery[]

Brothers in Arms by WF74
Beleg (left) and Mablung in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, by Wouter Florusse (WF74).

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, IV: "Túrin in Nargothrond", (second paragraph)
  2. The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, IV: "The Fall of Nargothrond", ("Song of the Great Bow")
  3. The Silmarillion, "Index of Names", entry "Beleg"
  4. 4.0 4.1 The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XVIII: "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
  5. The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, IV: "The Departure of Túrin"
  6. The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, VIII: "The Land of Bow and Helm", pg. 141
  7. The History of Middle-earth, Vol. 11: The War of the Jewels, Part One. The Grey Annals
  8. The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, VIII: "The Land of Bow and Helm", pg. 145-6
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XXI: "Of Túrin Turambar"
  10. The Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XVIII: "Of the Ruin of Beleriand"
  11. The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XX: "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
  12. The Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Beren and Lúthien"
  13. The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, V: "Túrin in Doriath"
  14. The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, VI: "Túrin among the Outlaws"
  15. The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, VII: "Of Mîm the Dwarf"
  16. The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, VIII: "The Land of Bow and Helm"
  17. The Children of Húrin, Narn i Chîn Húrin, The Tale of the Children of Húrin, IX: "The Death of Beleg"
  18. The History of Middle-earth, Vol. III: The Lays of Beleriand, I: "The Lay of the Children of Húrin"
  19. The Silmarillion, Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin names
  20. The Silmarillion, Index of Names
  21. The Children of Húrin, List of Names
  22. The History of Middle-earth, Vol. V: The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies"
  23. The History of Middle-earth, Vol. V: The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Two: "Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings"
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