Divorce in Tolkien's Works

[Eldacar]

I just finished the Unfinished Tales again and in there is the Tale of Aldarion and Erendis, who, after some disagreement over when Sea Voyages are to be undertaken and how long they should last, separated as it was put in the text. When I thought about it, it was the only instance of a divorce in Tolkien's Works that came to my mind. But as stated in NOME
"The Númenóreans were monogamous, as is later said. No one, of whatever rank, could divorce a husband or wife, nor take another spouse in the lifetime of the first." (Lives of the Númenóreans, FN 1)

In context of this quote, how is the separation of Aldarion and Erendis to be interpreted? Husband and Wife by Law, but simply not living together and acting as if divorced even though they weren't? Or is the above statement in NOME to be read as that no one person could divorce the other, but both together could separate? In terms of such separations Nerdanel and Fëanor also came to my mind, but I am unsure if Nerdanel's refusal to accompany her Husband on his crusade and their subsequent separation constitutes a divorce in the truest sense of the word, and I am pretty sure that the rules for marriage between Elves were somewhat different to those of Men. So now I have several questions:

1. Did Nerdanel and Fëanor divorce, or were they even afterwards considered husband and wife?
2. Were Aldarion and Erendis divorced or simply living separately?
3. Do you know about any other instances of Divorces and/or Separations in Tolkien's Works?
4. Did Tolkien state anything (explicitly or implicitly) about Rules Concerning Divorces in his Works apart from the above quote from NOME?

 

[Ricardo]

I never read anything about divorce within the Legendarium.

In Morgoth's ring, it is mentioned that the Eldar's marriages were forever, even if one of the spouses died (since their deaths were not, in general permanent).

The Numenoreans were monogamous, but I don't think there was a law, simply customs.

Tolkien didn't mention divorce, but dissolving a union.

In theory, Nerdanel would still be married to Feanor, but considering that Feanor was unlikely to be re-embodied, it's possible that the Valar granted her a dissolution, however, this not not mentioned anywhere (to my knowledge)

I don't believe that Aldarion and Erendis divorced, just separated.

About other cases, we can mention Aredhel and Eol, where Aredhel fled to Gondolin with Maeglin, obviously with no intentions of remaining with Eol.

There are cases of long separations, but considered temporary, e.g. Galadriel and Celeborn, Elron and Celebrian, Fingolfin and Anaire.

The big exception to the permanent rule is the statute of Finwe and Miriel. Too long and complicated to explain it here but you can read it in Morgoth's ring. Or I I can explain it a little if you want.

The is a chapter in Morgoth's ring, laws and customs among the Eldar that clearly spell out the marriage rules. Elves's marriages are forever, however, it's not clear if those rules apply to marriages between elves and mortals (e.g. Idril and Tuor).

 

[Amalcarin]

There is also this note in the chapter Elvish Ages & Númenórean of NoMe:

As first written, before most of it was struck through, this concluding sentence (after the colon) read: “The following calculation is probable. Celeborn’s wife [?stole] away and left him with a son, Amroth”. In conjunction with this, it appears that the following footnote was supplied:

The Elves did not normally marry again, but after the judgement of Míriel they were permitted lawfully to do [so] if one partner deserted the other. This very seldom occurred; but in such a time of divided feelings as [the] end of [the] First Age this could occur.​

 

[Vardarianna]

Were Aldarion and Erendis divorced or simply living separately?

Pretty sure they were 'separated' as they did not really live together much. They did conceive Ancalimë though so they were together for a little while.

 

[Ricardo]

I am not even sure that divorce was an institution that existed in Numenor. Tar Meneldil was particularly angry at Aldarion for abandoning his wife (and the realm).

I don't think that Tolkien, being a religious person would have contemplated divorce in his works.

 

[Amalcarin]

I am not even sure that divorce was an institution that existed in Numenor. Tar Meneldil was particularly angry at Aldarion for abandoning his wife (and the realm).

I don't think that Tolkien, being a religious person would have contemplated divorce in his works.

We do not need to guess: “The Númenóreans were monogamous, as is later said. No one, of whatever rank, could divorce a husband or wife, nor take another spouse in the lifetime of the first” (NM/318, fn1).

 

[d4rk3lf]

3. Do you know about any other instances of Divorces and/or Separations in Tolkien's Works?

Well, it's a long stretch, but Finwe, father of mighty Feanor, re-maried after a passing of his wife.
So if we think in a terms of "perfect monogamic being", then Finwe is not perfect.
I am sure, Feanor would agree.

However, I am grateful that he wasn't perfect in that sense, because we wouldn't have Fingolfin, Finarfin, Galadriel, Finrod.. etc...

 

[Amalcarin]

However, I am grateful that he wasn't perfect in that sense, because we wouldn't have Fingolfin, Finarfin, Galadriel, Finrod.. etc...

Well, if we consider textual history, it may be interesting to note that before the latest version of the Quenta Silmarillion from 1958 (referred to as LQ2 in Christopher’s discussions) Fingolfin and Finarfin existed, but were full brothers of Fëanor, because the story of Finwë’s second marriage did not exist... And this is the same version of the Quenta Silmarillion where Valinor was domed over by the Dome of Varda and the world outside of it was illuminated by the Sun and Moon from the very beginning 🙂

 

[d4rk3lf]

Yeah...
It's interesting to know... sort of...

 

[Ent]

One should look at the biblical dictates for marriage. They will find Tolkien there..!
Again, he's making his work(s) 'consonant with Christian theology' - as he understood Christian theology to be.

 

[ZehnWaters]

1. Did Nerdanel and Fëanor divorce, or were they even afterwards considered husband and wife?

They're still married.

2. Were Aldarion and Erendis divorced or simply living separately?

I believe they just lived separately.

3. Do you know about any other instances of Divorces and/or Separations in Tolkien's Works?

Yes, but it was briefly speculated as a plot point and then VERY quickly dropped. Tolkien was just too Catholic for it.

4. Did Tolkien state anything (explicitly or implicitly) about Rules Concerning Divorces in his Works apart from the above quote from NOME?

Not to my knowledge. BUT, Tolkien toyed with the idea of CELEBORN being divorced. This would allow him to be Amroth's father (or Amdir, I forget and don't have my books) while keeping Amroth fully Sindar. Basically Celeborn had been married but during the upheavals of the end of the 1st Age the Valar allowed dispensation for the Elves to divorce as the trauma caused meant many had changed hearts (and Celeborn's wife left him).

Well, it's a long stretch, but Finwe, father of mighty Feanor, re-maried after a passing of his wife.
So if we think in a terms of "perfect monogamic being", then Finwe is not perfect.

The statue of Finwë and Míriel is one of my favourite writings.

I am sure, Feanor would agree.

No, he wouldn't.

However, I am grateful that he wasn't perfect in that sense, because we wouldn't have Fingolfin, Finarfin, Galadriel, Finrod.. etc...

And the world would have been in dire straits without Galadriel.

 

[Elthir]

Galadriel would have "got in" no matter what!

"Lord? If Galadriel is alone and is wife to Elrond."
Tolkien, Lothlorien, The Treason of Isengard rejected note



What I think JRRT meant by this rejected note is that: if there is no Lord in Lothlorien, and thus Galadriel is "alone" — the lone ruler there — she could be Elrond's wife.

What I meant is that Galadriel is "in" (the Legendarium) no matter what history (or husband) Tolkien might have given her. And then I winked.