Ælfwine

AElfwine was formally known by various other names. He was a seafarer who came in the scene when ancient tales were spun out of myths and folklore by J.R.R Tolkien made the scene. He wrote Part I and II of The Book of Lost Tales. He covered a lot of literature in his writing and also includes various aspects of history. His work comprises volumes of books covering The History of Middle-earth. In 2017 AElfine reappeared in the scene by Beren and Luthien's publication. Many stories feature him, which is about works of fiction in prehistoric England. AElfwine brings all these works out by fueling the Lost Tales, which were initially done in the 1910s by J.R.R Tolkien. These preceded The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. AElfine and Elendil both mean 'Elf-friend,' making it a shared name.

AElfwine was an English man who was a seaman. Vaire gave him the name Eriol. He lived during the 'Anglo-Saxon' times. He sailed a long-distance moving westwards until he came to a place called Tol Eressea. This was a Lonely Isle. Elves were living there. They had initially come from 'the Great Lands' later known as 'Middle-earth.' During his time there, he stayed at the Cottage of Lost Play. While there, Veanne, an Elf-maiden, narrated The Tale of Tinuviel. This was the earliest version of the Bren and Luthien story. As the story unfolds, he queries Veanne to get the details of the tale. Erol's curiosity is sparked, and he encourages more tales to be told during his sojourn at the cottage. In addition to Veanne, Rumil, the old, wise man, Gilfano and Lindo, among others, narrated many ancient tales to him. Among the many tales were some on how the world came about, the Elves who existed first, the gods, like Melkor, and the Valar, and on England. Eriol translates those stories and compiles them into one "The Quenta Noldorinwa." 'The brief history of the Noldoli or Gnomes' is its subtitle. It was derived from The Book of the Lost Tales. The Silmarillion which was done later is like "The Quenta Noldorinwa."

This is how the myth unravels. AElfwine is depicted to have lived close to Europe anytime between 500 and 1000 A.D. the way he evolved historically is laid down accurately by Christopher Tolkien. This can be found in The History of Eriol or AElfwine. That is, in chapter 6 of The Book of Lost Tales Part II. Another version of how this history evolved is found in The Lost Road, another of Tolkien's compositions. Its contents are analyzed in The Notion Club Papers and other sources. These bring out the way it is believed AElfwine got to Tol Eressea by sea, or how he was able to visualize the journey in a vision. There is still some literature that adds to the story by saying that when he got to the Isle, he got involved with Penfold.

The leading account of AElfine was before he acquired the name Eriol. It is found in the chapter titled "The Cottage of Lost Play," in The Book of Lost Tales. This is done before the Lost Tales are written. Eriol is called Ottor Waefre, and he is a Danish man in this account. He is purported to have lived around 500 A.D, in the lands that are near the North Sea, to the East. He was a seafarer as his life's occupation. He lived before Britain got invaded, an invasion that took place in the Anglo-Saxon period. His father was called Eoh. He was murdered by Beorn, his brother.

The father of these two brothers was called Heden. His family tree traces back to a god, Woden, just like other heroes found in the Northern legends. Ottor is said to have finally settled in Heligoland island in the North sea. He got married to a woman called Cwen. They had two sons who were named in honor of his father's memory. They were Hengest and Horsa, whose purpose was to avenge their father. So around 500 A.D, they were among those that invaded Britain. He was called Earendel's son, said to be born beneath his beam. The meaning of beam in use here is a 'star-sign.' The star is Earendel. This being so if a beam or star-sign from Earendel comes upon a child, the baby becomes 'a child of Earendel.' He becomes a wanderer.

It, therefore, follows that when Otto's wife Cwen died, the sea called to him. Leaving his children behind, he became a seaman. His sons Horsa and Hengest turned out to be great Chieftains, as the avengers of Eoh. Out at sea, Otto discovered Tol Eressea, an island that had not been known before then. There, he found fairies and elves who gave him many tales of ancient times. They gave him the names AElfwine and Eriol. The former meant 'Elf-friend, and the latter meant 'One Who Dreams Alone.' He agreed to the name Angol, that the Gnomes called him. The name was given about his home area. The Noldor referred to that area called Angol as Eriollo. in the Danish peninsula, it is the area between river Schlei and Flensburg fjord. In modern times, it is the south of the Danish Frontier. It is not far from Heligoland island. AElfwine marries Vaire's niece, Naimi or Eadgifu. They get a son called Heorrenda. Eriol narrates interesting stories to the elves.

They comprise fairies of Woden, Tiw, Punor among others. The elves liken them to Tulkas, Manwe, and many great Valar. After his son is of age, he joins his brothers in invading England. AElfwine's sons become holders of the myths surrounding Britain's history and are identified as the Engle. This happened around the period succeeding, the Fall of Gondolin, and the fall of Melko when the Elves of Kor invaded the Great Lands. After the victory, those Elves went back through the sea to settle in Tol Eressea. This period preceded the time the 'Faring Forth' took place and England taking the place of Tol Eressea geographically.

The discussions on this character in the 11th century A.D is found in The Book of Lost Tales Part II. Here, we find that Erol is depicted as an Englishman. He lived during the Anglo-Saxon times, and he was settled in Wessex, South-West of England. he is related to king Ing of Luthany. The sons of Ing were called Ingwaiwar. They were the ones who invaded Britain during the Anglo-Saxon era. They had connections with Ingwe, whose family tree traces back to Ermon and Elmir. These were the first men. When he was a child, it is said that he loved elves. Specific mention is given of shoreland elves who dwelt in Luthany. He was in a fervent search for Tol Eressea because it was said that the fairies who were retired lived there. He is shown to be learned in Elfin's speeches and ancient English tongues. His parents were killed by pirates of the sea, and he was captured. He gets away, and Normans take him towards the west.

He encounters Ulmo, an ancient seafarer. By his hand, he learns how to get to Tol Eressea. That is the place of retirement for Elves. They are looking to retire away from the war, clamor of men, and noise. He sails through the Atlantic ocean from England, sails past the Magic Islands, and escapes with his life from a shipwreck. He comes around at the Lonely Island. The story goes that he loved the Orion sign and so he made the sign. That is how the fairies came to name him Luthien, meaning Wanderer or a man of Luthany. Luthany is what the Elves referred to his homeland as. And the name means 'friend' and 'friendship,' that is, Eldaros or AElfham. Like Ing, who preceded him, Luthien AElfwine is into drinking the Limpe. But he misses home and returns to Luthany. However, he missed the Elves very much, and so he returned to Tavrobel the Old. There, he stayed in the House of the Hundred Chimneys. During his stay, he penned The Golden Book of Tavrobel.

There is a time when it looks like Tolkien is starting over The Book of Lost Tales Part II. He makes notes and several short drafts to make a revised prologue to them. He calls this "AElfwine of England." He makes two versions out of these. This account of the story seems like it is placing the occurrences aligned to the geography of the Middle-earth. Here England is a place given the name "Luthien" by the Northern land Elves found on the Great sea on Forodwaith coasts. AElfwine or Eldairon's father is prince Deor Elf-friend, and his mother is maiden Eadgifu. England is a realm that is a remnant of lands that were destroyed during a previous war of the gods. On the western side of Tol Eressea is the Isle of Ivren. It is now known as Ireland, which is depicted to have split as the war was taking place. AElfwine goes to Tol Eressea, essentially, accompanied by others. There he gets married to Naimi, and they get a son whom they call Heorrenda. This child grows up, and he joins the company of Horsa and Hengest, and they invade Egland. Heorrenda comes from Tavrobel and later adapts to being a writer of Beowulf and a poet because of the influence he gets from Hengest, his brother. Tolkien creates a connection between Beowulf and Heorrenda when he lectures on the subject at Oxford. AElfwine's sons are identified to be the Engel credited with being the holders of the authentic myths of Britain's history. The story eventually unfolds to mimic the main idea that comes out in "The Cottage of Lost Play."

During this period, there is another version suggesting a different background, put forward by The Notion Club Papers and The Lost Road. Here, AElfwine is depicted as Eadwane's son. There is a strong inclination to 'pre-incarnation.' There are events that happen of shared names between fathers and sons that are originally linked with Amandil meaning 'Bliss-friend,' and Elendil, meaning 'Elf-friend.' These comprise Eadwine-AElfwine from a folk tale of the Anglo-Saxon era and Audoin-Alboin associated with the history of Lombards. Of the current pair, the story goes back to tracing the genesis of these names. Finally, the time of Amandil and Elendil is arrived at. This is also the time of Numenor's downfall or the Akallabeth.

There is witnessed a parallel overlapping of The Notion Club Papers and The Lost Road. This history is narrated with notable character switches. For example, Eadwine can be seen as the father and sometimes the son of AElfwine. In 869 A.D, AElfwine, Oswine's grandson, and Eadwine's son was born. His birth occurred before Saint Edmund's death. One time during his childhood, Eadwine, his father, took his ship and went out to the deep sea from where he never returned. When the Danish raids of 914 happened in the Severn region, AElfwine was 45. He had a son with his wife of Cornwall, who he named Eadwine. During the time of their lives (AElfwine and Eadwine), invasions in Danes start taking place in North Somerset, in the times of Edward the Elder.

The first attack targeted Portloca or Porlock and Waeced in c. 915. Father and son escaped by sea and moved towards Ireland amidst wranglings. When they get there, they face many peculiar events. There is another account of the tale by The Notion Club Papers, where the story starts with AElfwine being accompanied by Treowine. The story follows them as they make their way on the seas accompanied by others. When they got to the 'straight road,' they stopped for a short time on the island. Here, AElfwine starts writing the things he can remember after seeing the Book of Stories. This conjures many memories of notable stories like Numenor's Fall and other tales of Elendil and Voronwe getting away. They unearth such things as AElfwine being Elendil's descendant and of Trewine descending from Veronwe who came from Numenor. To stretch this, descendants of the 20th century like Alwin Arundel Lowdham as well as Wilfrid Trewin Jeremy, dream about the things that take place in the history of their family tree. This unravels another version meant to show the events that took place in history from the view given by The Letters of J.R.R Tolkien (c. 1948) and in The War of the Jewels. In c. 900 A.D AElfwine of England, referred by the Elves as Elves Eriol, found himself on the west of Ireland after he was blown out of his way.

This is where he landed on the 'Straight Road' and discovered the lonely Isle of Tol Eressea. He came back with translations and copies of many compositions. These compositions came from Pengolod, an old wise Elf who lived in Tol Eressea or Eressea. The seaman AElfwine heard many folk tales that comprise The Silmarillion. Tolkien is observed sometimes translating Pengolod's writings, implying that he could have died, and sometimes it seems like he is listening to his stories. There are "Teachings of Pengolod" penned in 1960 of discussions that show Pengolod the Wise of Gondolin, instructing AElfwine the Mariner. The People of Middle-earth are of the idea that among the last of these writings was the Akallabeth. Tolkien came up with it in the '60s. In his earlier publication, The Silmarillion, Christopher Tolkien brings out the notion that the writings are in Pengolod's voice. It is brought out that the story is being narrated to AElfwine by him. The original text begins with the remarks being directly addressed to AElfwine. In the writings, he is being told of how Men came to be. The information is credited to the Eldar. This happened during the Shadow of Morgoth, that is when their presence was first noticed in the world.

The exact geographical placement fluctuates depending on the report of the story at your disposal. On one description, AElfwine travels westward from Europe and arrives at the Lonely Island where he stays. After a while, it gets the name of England. On another account, he moved from England and got to this far-away island that borders Valinor.

The name AElfwine is similar to the Old English name Elendil, meaning "Elf-friend." In modern times, Alvin seems to have descended from it. There is the possible intention of the name being related to Alboin.

Though AElfwine is not mentioned and England does not exist in the original content of The Silmarillion, in his later works, Tolkien shows that he had not completely eliminated the figure. He modified the content of The Silmarillion from it being a tale about AElfwine to one whose content surrounded the character of Bilbo Baggins' Translations from the Elvish. However, for the Akallabeth, the intention is for Pengolod to be the narrator with the recipient being AElfwine. In the last paragraph, 'future mariners" are also addressed, though not as emphatically.

It is observed that AElfwine has been given the responsibility of being the author. Like in the series of The History of Middle-earth [1] written in Old English and laid out in various translations. The only thing that pokes a hole in the authorship is that the writings penned in Old English are in Tolkien's favorite Mercian dialect. On the other hand, AElfwine is said to be from England (north-west). AElfwine is also featured as a possible author in The Teachings of Pengolod. AElfwine was supposed to be the voice introducing Middle-earth and several legends when bringing out the concept of 'new mythology for England.' and so his sons Heorrenda and Hengest make characters in other stories. Tolkien took time to deeply analyze this and delivered lectures on the same at Oxford, even as he went over some authentic theories that were associated with Hengest appearing in Beowulf, and Heorrenda being the unknown poet of Beowulf.

John D. Rateliff notes that Tolkien had almost made Bilbo Baggins take over the place of AElfwine, in The History of The Hobbit. In the story, he refers to Bilbo's recollection of the things the Bladorthin's chief used to do. He mainly concerned himself with organizing adventures for young men and women. The adventures included simple activities like climbing trees, to complex adventures like sailing in ships. However, Bilbo never reaches the other side, though, at the very end, he undertakes a voyage. While writing The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien had the idea of making Bilbo's journey the major event of the tale. Elrond informs him of an island far west, that may as well be Britain. He talks about it as a place where Elves rule. It has a lot to do with taking a dangerous journey to the Elvenhome or Tol Eressea. If this part of the story would have become a part of the composition, the hobbit would have been the hero of the story.

It would have been Bilbo discovering the Lonely Isle that eventually becomes Britain. It would still have been him hearing the stories that end up in the Silmarillion. Tolkien did not intend this for The Hobbit. He picked up on the implication in the passage and dealt with it in his second book. Eriol is the one who gets to hear the tales that are compiled in the Lost Tales. He was a traveler. When Bilbo retired, he found those stories in Elrond's House and collected them for the making of The Silmarillion. In The Hobbit, dreams are not as prominent as in other Tolkien's works. But, there is a little bit of it as Tolkien's signature mark. The aspect of dreaming is pronounced in Tolkien's The Book of Lost Tales. Therein is found The Cottage of Lost Play, a place that men can get through 'the Path of Dreams.' Time-travel starts with The Lost Road when dreaming is taking place. This places Bilbo among Tolkien dreamers, like Eriol, the meaning of his name being, ‘One who dreams alone.’

The compositions have been translated into Esperanto and into Russian. In Esperanto, the title given is Aelfwine.

1. ^The History of Middle-Earth.