| ! | This content is considered pre-canon. While the subject of this article is based on official information, it was replaced or emended in later stages of the legendarium. |
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| This article is about the father of Ælfwine. For the other namesakes, see Déor (disambiguation). |
Eoh, also known as Déor or Éadwine, was the father of Ælfwine/Eriol in earlier versions of J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium.
Biography[]
Eoh was a noblemen of Kortirion the Old, a city in Evadrien, in the south of Leithian.[1] He lived in a castle with a great tower, and a river running underneath it.[2] Eoh was an experienced seaman and descended from great mariners, some of whom visited Valinor in their sleep by the Olórë Mallë.[3] Eoh was the son of Heden, and married Éadgifu, with whom he had a son, Ælfwine/Eriol, who inherited a love for the Sea.[2]
When Ælfwine/Eriol was still a child, his parents were slain by his uncle Beorn in a "bitter fight about the walls".[1][2][3]
The death of Eoh was later avenged by Hengest and Horsa, the sons of Ælfwine/Eriol and Cwén.[2]
Etymology[]
In Old English the character is called Eoh, meaning "horse",[3] Déor means "brave, bold",[4] and Éadwine consists of the elements ead ("wealth, fortune") and wine ("friend"). In Gothic, his name was Elvas, likely a form of the Gothic word aílvs ("horse").
In Qenya the character is called Évar or Eqar that means "horse",[5] with Echos being its Gnomish equivalent.
In other versions[]
In another version of the legendarium, the character was not from Kortirion, but instead moved there because he wished to be close to the Elves.
J.R.R. Tolkien wrote different versions of Eoh's death. For example, a more elaborate account of Beorn's attack of Eoh's home was later rejected. In a second version, he was killed by Orm, sea-captain of the Forodwaith of i·Ponōrir, leading a "desperate sally" in the siege of Kortirion.[1] In a third version, the character disappeared in an expedition with his ship Eärendel.[6]
In The Lost Road the character was conceived as a reincarnation of Amandil.[7]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The History of Middle-earth, Vol. II: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, chapter VI: "The History of Eriol or Ælfwine and the End of the Tales"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 The History of Middle-earth, Vol. II: The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, chapter I: "The Tale of Tinúviel"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The History of Middle-earth, Vol. I: The Book of Lost Tales Part One, chapter I: "The Cottage of Lost Play"
- ↑ The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion
- ↑ "Sí Qente Feanor and Other Elvish Writings", Parma Eldalamberon, n. XV
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. IX: Sauron Defeated, Part Two: "The Notion Club Papers"
- ↑ The History of Middle-earth, Vol. V: The Lost Road and Other Writings, chapter III: "The Lost Road"