LotR --- Appendix A: II -- The House of Eorl

[davem]

Originally Posted by Aiwendil

Well, the concept seems at least to have existed in Beleriand in the first age (whence, ultimately, Gondorian culture is derived).

Ok, but Numenor was supposed to be the height of 'civilisation' in Middle-earth, & a 'man-price' is a pretty 'primitive' concept. From Faramir's words to Frodo it seems that the ways of Rohan were considered uncivilised by the Gondorians

Why? I don't see how the concept of a weregild would oblige Isildur to do any such thing. If the concept is applied to Sauron's slaying of Elendil, then Sauron owes something to Isildur; but surely Isildur is in no way obliged to accept the gift.

I did say 'almost obliged'. What I meant was, if Isildur is the kind of person who thinks in terms of weregild he would be looking to take something from Sauron. The most interesting thing to me, however, is that by calling the Ring a 'weregild' he is effectively saying it pays the debt Sauron owes to him, & that he gives equal value to the Ring & his father. Further, he openly states this in an official record.