Hierachy of the Elvenkings - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lost One · 09-03-2003, 03:20 PM

As far as Valinor is concerned, it all depends on the nature of elven kingship there. Originally, elven kingship was not perhaps dynastic as we think it, since the incumbent king was, of course, immortal, so a line of succession wasn't part of the concept. The original leaders from Cuivienen, who became kings, were chosen by the three elven groups to lead them. When Elwe/Thingol disappeared, his group chose his brother ('they took Olwe... to be their king') to replace him - he didn't automatically succeed by hereditary right. Thus, the elven kings in Valinor were chosen by their people and ruled with their consent. So, when Finwe was killed, there was no king of the Noldor, until they themselves chose one, which could not happen in the immediate chaos (Feanor was Finwe's heir in terms of his personal possessions and perhaps allegiances of some sort, but he didn't just inherit the throne). When all this settled down, Finarfin became king in Tirion, presumably by consent of the remaining Noldor. Any 'king' returning from Mandos couldn't simply resume a former station, and in any case the titles assumed in Beleriand had no status or authority in Tirion, so there is only Finwe to be considered at all.

Over in Middle-Earth was another matter, and dynasticism developed out of necessity in Beleriand as elven princes fell thick and fast..

09-03-2003, 03:20 PM	#1
Lost One Haunting Spirit Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 67	As far as Valinor is concerned, it all depends on the nature of elven kingship there. Originally, elven kingship was not perhaps dynastic as we think it, since the incumbent king was, of course, immortal, so a line of succession wasn't part of the concept. The original leaders from Cuivienen, who became kings, were chosen by the three elven groups to lead them. When Elwe/Thingol disappeared, his group chose his brother ('they took Olwe... to be their king') to replace him - he didn't automatically succeed by hereditary right. Thus, the elven kings in Valinor were chosen by their people and ruled with their consent. So, when Finwe was killed, there was no king of the Noldor, until they themselves chose one, which could not happen in the immediate chaos (Feanor was Finwe's heir in terms of his personal possessions and perhaps allegiances of some sort, but he didn't just inherit the throne). When all this settled down, Finarfin became king in Tirion, presumably by consent of the remaining Noldor. Any 'king' returning from Mandos couldn't simply resume a former station, and in any case the titles assumed in Beleriand had no status or authority in Tirion, so there is only Finwe to be considered at all. Over in Middle-Earth was another matter, and dynasticism developed out of necessity in Beleriand as elven princes fell thick and fast..