Beards - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Findegil · 02-18-2007, 03:22 AM

Elves grow beards in their "third section of life" in which Círdan was obviously. But we do not hear much baout this matter and can't tell when this elvish sections of life started. We are only told that in some rare expections Elves have beards earlier as in the case of Fëanors father-in-law.

But that does not matter. The note in the "Unfinished Tales" is cristally clear and sayes that Men with an strain of elvish blood do not have beards. This appley surely to Aragorn and Imrahil. It could be true for Denethor and all his family but we do not know for certian. Only the royal stock of Númenor had an strain of elvisch blood and they tended to intermarrige each other after only 5 generations. At this time they had generated only 9 families with male descendants possibly 20 families over all. Out of these stock we new about 2 surviving families after the down fall: The Lords of Andúnië that became Kings of the relams in exil and the Princes of Dor-en-Ernil.
It is also told of the Stewards that they had not been of familie of royal stock.

Respectfully
Findegil

mhagain · 02-18-2007, 03:32 PM

Intermarriage... so should we expect Aragorn playing a banjo then?

On a more serious note, there is a distinction to be made between "pure Numenorean" and "elvish blood", and it would be possible to be the former without having a trace of the latter.

I really must dig out my copy of LoTR, but didn't JRRT describe at least one of the Argonath as bearded in the book? That, for me, rests the case regarding any possibility of beards.

Kuruharan · 02-18-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

didn't JRRT describe at least one of the Argonath as bearded in the book

I'm afraid not.

They just have "blurred eyes" and "crannied brows" and "crumbling helm and crown."

02-18-2007, 03:32 PM	#2
mhagain Wight Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The best seat in the Golden Perch Posts: 219	Intermarriage... so should we expect Aragorn playing a banjo then? On a more serious note, there is a distinction to be made between "pure Numenorean" and "elvish blood", and it would be possible to be the former without having a trace of the latter. I really must dig out my copy of LoTR, but didn't JRRT describe at least one of the Argonath as bearded in the book? That, for me, rests the case regarding any possibility of beards. __________________ Then one appeared among us, in our own form visible, but greater and more beautiful; and he said that he had come out of pity.

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02-18-2007, 03:22 AM	#1
Findegil King's Writer Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,721	Elves grow beards in their "third section of life" in which Círdan was obviously. But we do not hear much baout this matter and can't tell when this elvish sections of life started. We are only told that in some rare expections Elves have beards earlier as in the case of Fëanors father-in-law. But that does not matter. The note in the "Unfinished Tales" is cristally clear and sayes that Men with an strain of elvish blood do not have beards. This appley surely to Aragorn and Imrahil. It could be true for Denethor and all his family but we do not know for certian. Only the royal stock of Númenor had an strain of elvisch blood and they tended to intermarrige each other after only 5 generations. At this time they had generated only 9 families with male descendants possibly 20 families over all. Out of these stock we new about 2 surviving families after the down fall: The Lords of Andúnië that became Kings of the relams in exil and the Princes of Dor-en-Ernil. It is also told of the Stewards that they had not been of familie of royal stock. Respectfully Findegil