The Life of Eärendil | Tolkien Explained

[@sweeperboy]

A couple of other lovely details. 1. Eärendil was minded to take the Gift of Men, but allowed his wife to make the choice for the two of them and she chose the Immortality of the Elves. 2. While Eärendil sailed the skies at night after the War of Wrath, Elwing did not join him but stayed in Aman, spending her time in nature and learning the tongues of the birds. She retained the ability to turn into a bird at will so when Eärendil returned each dawn, she would fly up from a great tower in the north of Aman that was her home to meet him on Vingilot, and Elves far away could see her doing so if the cast their eyes in that direction.

[@KororaPenguin]

And what happened at the Change of the World, when the ship was replaced in the sky by an inhospitable planet?

[@m.j.5681]

@@KororaPenguin the ship was never replaced, it still exists and sails the skies to this day.

[@sauron3488]

He slayed Ancalagon, the largest winged dragon that ever existed.

[@kody7547]

It is not surprising that Elros and Elrond were such important characters being Earendil was their father and Luthien their great grandmother through their mother Elwing. Earendil and Luthien moved the powers like none other and it is awesome that their families joined and continued to be a powerful light through the ages in both elves and mankind.

[@alanmike6883]

Descendant of great lineages

[@lillyliion]

And their great grandfather Beren... and all of the great lineages that they are descended from.

[@alanmike6883]

@@lillyliion Yes

[@EmblemParade]

Eärendil is obviously a culmination of all the story threads of the Silmarillion, but actually he can be understood as its genesis. Tolkien was writing poems about him reaching "The Shores of Faëry" as early as 1914, long before envisioning the Ñoldor and Morgoth and the rest. In a way, then, the whole of the Silmarillion was worked out backwards to explain that image of Éarendel (early spelling) the Mariner. Why did he sail to the Shores of Faëry. Who was he? The rest is ... legend.

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

"Earendil was a mariner that tarried in Arvernien he built a boat of timber felled in Nimbrethil to journey in..." -- Song of Earendil by Bilbo Baggins

[@HabarudoD]

And beautifully covered by Clamavi de Profundis! Suggest giving it a listen!👍

[@jeromes5183]

"...if I had the cheek to make verses about Earendil in the House of Elrond, it was my affair!" Always loved that line.

[@pfkingb]

Elrond instructed Bilbo to mention a green stone on his breast. I’ve wondered if it might be the same one Galadriel gave Aragorn.

[@alexstewart9747]

I recently listed to this song in the Phil Dragash reading of Fellowship of the Ring.

[@itsatrap1017]

Eärendil: I want to become a movie star! Manwë: Wish Granted. becomes a moving star

[@untruelie2640]

In case someone wants to know: Earendil (as a star in the sky) is basically Venus, the "Morning Star"/"Evening Star". So there are three "light ships" travelling the sky: Vingilot, steered by Earendil with his Silmaril, the ship of the sun (Anar, the last fruit of Laurelin, steered by Arien) and the ship of the moon (Isil, the last blossom of Telperion, steered by Tilion). Sun and moon are more powerful, since they were created by the Valar and are guided by Maiar, but Earendil's light is the light of the last remaining Silmaril, so only his star shines with the uncorrupted light of the two trees.

[@IagobaApellaniz]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHTLmKaOl66amtk

[@Rotisiv]

The heavens in general are beautiful asf

[@robertaldaron4870]

Throughout Tolkien's works there is great sorrow, despair, suffering and strife. But there is also always, a light in the darkness. And a steadfast resolve and determination by those characters destined to weather all, and bring forth that light. "Sink your roots into the rock and face the wind, tho' it may blow all your leaves away." One of my favorite quotes of all time. Well done video. It honors the memory of a truly inspired and inspirational writer.

[@Comando729]

Earendil is the biggest Chad in all of LOTR, man convinced the valar to make war against morgoth and then showed up to turn the tide of the war with his flying boat and a bunch of eagles shooting the biggest baddest dragon out of the sky

[@manicdgr]

I was just thinking about how much I wanted you to upload a video on Earendil! He's probably my favourite character in the legendarium, and you are definitely my favourite Tolkien youtuber

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks so much! I'm glad I could come through for you today. :)

[@TyronMakeka]

The sheer cinematic potential of Eärendil fighting Ancalagon the Black in the sky is beyond amazing.

[@johnquach8821]

This is a fascinating character! I always saw Earendil as one of the coolest characters in The Silmarillion. Sadly one character that could have seen more use is Ancalagon. Flying Godzilla... that gets taken down in a few pages and doesn't really do anything.

[@oldfrend]

exactly. a whole separate book could've and should've been written about the war of wrath. 40 years of the greatest acts of valor and sacrifice in the history of middle earth, reduced to a schoolboy's synopsis.

[@datzfatz2368]

@@oldfrend really gets our imagination going this way tho^^ but yeah i agree i would have loved a mor detailed description of this one.

[@diethster]

No no, I think his character contrasts perfectly well to the proud, martial, magical or vengeful elves of his time. He was one of those who kept faith in the valar and was rewarded for it

[@Ratchet2431]

@@oldfrend It's the only aspect of The Silmarillion that I don't like. I really wish Tolkien had finished it along with the latest version of the Fall of Gondolin.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

I'm surprised on how many greats of The Silmarillion have less pagetime than even lesser LotR folk like Beregond and Farmer Cotton.

[@ashertony1]

Imagine looking up at the sky and seeing your dad with a really bright flashlight just chilling up there

[@alanmike6883]

Hey son.. Hey dad 😁

[@lucialobosvilla]

It’s theorized by some that Elrond has complicated feelings about his father’s choice to not come back for him and Elros. He does call Eärendil his “sire” rather than his father. And he was raised in part by one of the Sons of Feanor that took him prisoner but later took pity and raised Elrond and Elros as his own. Talk about mixed feelings all around for your family situation!

[@ChiaraSiasat]

Another amazing video Matt! Eärendil is an absolutely vital and somewhat underrated character in the First Age. It’s thanks to this famous linage that we get so many important characters later on in the legendarium. It’s thanks to him that Middle Earth finally gets some peace even for a short while. The fact that he was able to take down Ancalagon still amazes me.

[@Swatta637]

Earendil is incredible. The sea longing. The nobility and imagery of him sailing to find Valinor and flying across the sky as the brighest star with a silmarill on his brow against Ancalagon moves me to tears. I wish we knew more about his son Elros and the founding of Numenor.

[@woodearthdvd]

Out of the 4 Great Tales of the First Age this is the one I wished Tolkien had written fully fleshed out and published in his life time.

[@jazzlehazzle]

It seems like Earendil might literally be the main star of Tolkien's works; the first hero he came up with, the inspiration for the Legendarium & its languages, the lynchpin of Iluvatar's Plan, the hero of heroes, present during every story from the 2nd Age on, father to the Line of Kings, whose marriage to Elwing makes that bloodline so special, with all of Arda's most noble in its blood. He brings the First Age all together and sets the stage for how and why The Return of the King works so well as a tale. Earendil, not Manwe, is the anti-Melkor. The Living Light and Savior of the Gods themselves, by literally embodying all Children of Iluvatar... of course! Sheesh... Tolkien... 🤯 Genius.

[@e.m.p.3394]

I pity Elrond and Elros. Even though they were raised with love. Imagine never being able to see your mother and father again. Being able to only see your father looking into the sky. At least they could see him I suppose. But that must have been torturous for Elros. Elrond will see his parents again at the end of the world. Elros? His fate is that of men and into the beyond.

[@ericmcdonald7313]

That is why it was somewhat scandalous for Bilbo to sing a song of Earendil at the Last Homely House….. very painful for Elrond for sure

[@awakened_link1041]

Plus the fact that they were basically kidnapped as children once their parents were gone. Then Elrond had to witness the pain of seeing his brother die and leave Middle-Earth forever as well, then watch his Elros' kingdom, lineage, and legacy crumble throughout the following centuries. Dude had it rough.

[@e.m.p.3394]

@@ericmcdonald7313 Wait he did!? This i forgot about. Damn Bilbo why you gotta rub it in 😭

[@e.m.p.3394]

@@awakened_link1041 Watching his family. His brother's legacy be corrupted and ruined. Only living in Aragorn

[@ericmcdonald7313]

@@e.m.p.3394 AND then have his wife killed by Orcs and his daughter wed to a mortal and sundered from him forever.....man, bad all the way around but what a sacrifice

[@jazzlehazzle]

So many of your videos bring a tear to my eye; so many of Tolkien's stories are so beautiful!

[@AndrewCarlisle11B]

Love the stories of the first age. Others before self is always a lesson we should learn and apply. Great work as always, Matt!

[@untruelie2640]

By the way, when Tolkien was just 20 years old, he stumbled across a sentence from an 8th century anglo-saxon poem: "Eala Earendel engla beorthast | ofer middangeard monnum sended." As far as I know, this was the initial inspiration for him to write a great national epic for England, which would eventually develop into the familiar secondary world of Arda.

[@mtcelticharper]

I am so happy you mentioned this poem! I looked it up and absolutely love it as a liturgical prayer. So beautiful and wild. I will be praying this 9th century prayer often now!

[@Burning-Embers]

These epic character arcs spanning thousands of years are what really makes this legendarium to great to dive into, thanks for the video!

[@Thejericko17]

I love this channel! The passion for the work is evidenced by the attention to detail. Earendil is the linch pin that unites the entirety of the Tolkienverse in the second and third ages.

[@youthinasia4103]

Iv been binge watching your videos recently since I just joined a few days ago. Keep up the great work!

[@Schmierhaar]

Earendil at the gates of the empty city of Tirion is one of the greatest Tolkien related artworks in my opinion.

Wonderful - Thank you 1000 times for that short film about our beloved hero, hope and star.

[@bilofn9740]

Earendil has such a strong line of family, not only his children but his ancestors too. Tolkiens world is so complicated which makes it feel so real. Tokien truely is/was the author of the world.

[@HyperActiv_TTV]

I am nonstop binging on this channel!! Absolutely love the attention to detail and care and love that goes into each and every video! Brilliant work!!

[@Waterdust2000]

Making videos of an about people and places most of us would remain clueless about or less aware of.. for this I thank you. Continue your work here, as it is very much appreciated.

[@visceralhit3721]

Earendil is by far my favourite character of middle earth. Great video!

[@stevesaddler1443]

Great video Matt, Eärendil is one of Middle Earth's greatest and under appreciated characters but never to be forgotten should one look to the heavens at night.

[@VeteranVandal]

Eärendil is the greatest hero in the Silmarillion in my opinion. He's the light of hope. A glimpse of the culmination of Eru's work.

[@TheCinderestBlockAround]

Haven’t been on this channel in a while, its really nice to see it’s still going! I really love the voyage of Eärendil and the war of wrath chapter as written in the Silmarillion, he’s a great character and accomplishment way more than he gets credit for. Also one of the hardest characters for me to explain to anyone

[@NerdoftheRings]

You can bet we are still here going strong! :) Thanks for watching and glad you enjoyed the vid! Eärendil is a pretty awesome character for sure!

[@TheCinderestBlockAround]

@@NerdoftheRings it is really great to see this channel still going after a rough couple months, it’s great to come back to :)

[@michaelthomson8065]

Great presetation.These characters all demonstrate the genius of Tolkien's talent as a master storyteller.

[@jeromebirth2693]

One has to wonder what adventures Earendil had as a space jammer aboard his ship Vingilot while sailing between the stars

[@rubycararedheart9555]

Isthen Celebrindal(Earendil's uncle and godfather + Idril's twin brother): *wipes tears away* My godson is a legend! Irl me: Yep. You got a star dedicated to you too, the Northern Star. Isthen: I'm happy about that too :) (Isthen is my Fall of Gondolin OC btw)

[@williamnelson1538]

Excellent and sussinct telling of this part of the lore. It's always been one of my favourites and to hear and watch it be told so well almost brings a tear to my eye.

[@Aelrandir]

If I could choose any one character to have more in depth writings on, it would be Eärendil without a second thought. I've always been fascinated with him, despite that there's relatively little written about him compared to some other characters. Many a time have I imagined in my head how he might have fought and felled Ancalagon, and what other adventures he may have had before that. He also bears my favorite name out of any character in Tolkien's works.

[@MeadowDweIIer]

One of my absolute favorite stories spanning the Silmarillion

[@meenalkale136]

Earendil deserves more recognition for his deeds. For centuries did the elves fight against the evil and almost all lost hope but Earendil, defied the laws set by the valar and did something no one dared to and finally freed the world from evil ( for sometime atleast)..... and that cost him too. He definitely deserves more. Truly one of the greatest beings from Tolkiens universe.

[@ElwingWhitewing]

Thank you for this wonderful story you shared with us!

[@extendedlimits]

Yes!! I've been waiting for this video, he's definitely one of my favorite characters!

[@TheCradM]

I’ve always held high esteem for most from this tale from all points of view , and it still always hurts me heart. There is so much sadness in every crack of this story. WHY DO HUMANS LOVE THIS

[@stevesminty]

Such great videos. I do recommend you rewatch it with subtitles on for editing, as I had a huge mixup watching it and the first half of the video’s subtitles were plastered on the end of the video.

[@lawrenceburchett7411]

One of my favorite of the tales of the Elder Days, its tie to the War of Wrath is something else.

[@johanabigasova6770]

Eärendil is one of great heroes of Arda, though a little bit overlooked. One must admire his courage and his wife's courage, without her He would fail. Duel Eärendil vs Ancalagon The Black during War of Wrath must have been very interesting and very jäme.

[@shehansenanayaka3046]

I recently read the silmarillon. Brilliant book Also this series is awesome. We always appreciate your hard work and dedication towards these videos.

[@auntlynnonline6206]

NoTR, I have to tell you... whoever does your closed captions is NOT a Tolkien fan! LOL I know the names are difficult for the uninitiated, but they cannot seem to spell that same name the same way twice. 'Mutilation' is the word that springs to mind. Thank God I've read every word of Tolkien's multiple times. I feel sorry for deaf or hearing-impaired people who are not familiar with Tolkien's work. They must be confused AF. I love your channel, though. Thank you for all of your hard work. Much Love.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thanks for the feedback! Are you talking about the list of Patreon names? I definitely wanna check this out.

[@NerdoftheRings]

Also, do you have the user-created subtitles on? Or the auto-generated?

[@auntlynnonline6206]

@@NerdoftheRings Both, actually. I am not deaf, but I am a UX designer... I notice things like this. Continuity of spelling - especially the names of characters - is very important for understanding when the visual is all a person has to go on. Again, I love your channel. The artwork is awesome!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Ok. I’ll look into it. Thanks for the heads-up!

[@auntlynnonline6206]

@@NerdoftheRings ‘Hooked on Phonics’ doesn’t work very well when applied to the Elvish dialects, it seems… 😉

[@BrightlifeMMOs]

Dude watching your videos while playing Lord of the Rings Online is nerdvana for me… love your videos!!

[@TheGeneralGrievous19]

Mae Govannen! 👋 Great lore video! I would really appirciate a video about Eärendil's mother - Idril Celebrindal (maybe with the stuff from The Book of Lost Tales/The Fall of Godnolin). I think her character is quite underrrated even though she is basically the first main female charcter (and my personal favourite) from Tolkien's broad legendarium going back to first fall of Gondolin stories from 1916, but there is no lore video about her on YT yet.

[@stephenlackey5852]

Encalagon broke two mountaintops when he fell. That part gets me every time 😌

[@samleroy2964]

Он один из ключевых персонажей в истории Арды, с прекрасной родословной, и с захватывающей судьбой. Чего только стоят его подвиги во время Войны Гнева. Эарандиль - клёвый и очень интересный персонаж. Translation into English: He is one of the key characters in the history of Arda, with an excellent pedigree, and with an exciting fate. What are his exploits during the War of Wrath worth. Earandil is a cool and very interesting character.

[@grant.5345]

Elrond: My Dad turned into a star Zuko: Thats rough buddy

[@michaelandreipalon359]

No, Zuko would have said: "My Nation for your blessed pains."

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Him just sailing away to the West and what is essentially Middle-earth's orbit whilst initially thinking his sons were lost really brings into mind the X-Men spacefaring character Corsair, whose sons became the notable mutants Cyclops and Havok. *A dragonslaying starship.* J.R.R. Tolkien's Legendarium, a well known if somewhat obscure fantasy and mythical epic saga, literally and figuratively has an spacefaring elven STARSHIP even before the golden age led by Arthur C. Clarke, Frank Herbert, George Lucas, Robert Heinlein, and more happened. What more does one need to ask? Also cheeky of Bilbo Baggins to want a song about the guy, whilst in Rivendell in the last years of the Third Age. Do remember that the place is the main haven of said guy's son Elrond, while Aragorn, a distant descendant of Eärendil by blood, had to be the one who fusses about the fact on 3018 TA. Addendum: Wonder if there is a tale about meteor swords somewhere? They're alien enough to be quite fitting a sci-fi theme, but not alien enough that it doesn't feel out of place in any magical fantasy story.

[@lorcankelly8871]

Ooh been waiting on this one for a while. Hoping for Turgon soon

[@demetriuswilliams1796]

Finrod, Fingolfin, Glorfindel an Now this Guy!!! There’s just too many Great characters ppl will never know. LOTR NEEDS TO MAKE AN MCU TIMELINE. That way Everyone would Have Their own Sagas. They Deserve that🤘🏾💯

[@bryanhikes7248]

The whole "he sails the sky with his silmaril and that's the star we marvel at every night" concept mirrors so many real mythological figures around the world and it shows how we humans, and even elves it seems have an ingrained instinct to turn those of great deeds with great renoun into myths and preserve those names and deeds in representations in the natural world. Dude died in battle, he's not sailing in the sky. Cool way to show him homage tho.

[@jamiegregg9211]

wicked awesome vid Matt loved it

[@iamrubenmes]

The story of Ëarendil moves me to tears

[@pipsqueex]

beautiful tale.. and beautifully told. thank you!

[@alanmike6883]

The savior of middle earth who begged before the gods for forgiveness and help. A scion of noble houses and lineages..

[@ethanmietzner5218]

I just read the chapter on Earandil and the War of Wrath for the first time. It is such a captivating chapter and story. Its interesting that Earendil is still sailing the skies while frodo and Sam would make their harrowing journey across Middle Earth.

[@Raz.C]

I could be mistaken on this point: I believe Vingilote is the Quenya name of the ship and it has a diaresis above the "e." It's written "Vingilotë. As such, the "e" needs to be pronounced. It should be read: "Vin-Gilot-Teh," rather than "Vin-Gilot."

[@pmagrin]

Earendil wanted to be counted amongst men but for the sake of his wife chose immortality as an elf.

[@midimusicforever]

Eärendil is one of the chaddest character in all of Tolkien's works!

[@Evangelion0189]

This video is another pearl from this channel! And amazing soundtrack choices: what are the pieces' titles?

[@Moistfroog08]

You know i think it would be a good idea to cover the powers of certain creatures and beings in middle earth history like the powers of the nazgul or powers of the valar and maiar

[@maxa7665]

What is the song called starting at 3:40 ? Im getting chills everytime I hear it on your videos. The way you tell these stories is just something else.. I would love to see you reading tolkiens works with all this illustration. Tbh it would compete with the movies for me even tho it would be just like an illustrated audiobook.

[@mokarokas-1727]

Thanks for another awesome video! The subtitles have been messed up though, hope this can be fixed.

[@borsalino177]

easily one of my favs characters

[@michaelnuzzo5698]

Something is up with the subtitles - the autogenerated subtitles remain until about 10 minutes in then the correct subtitles start scrolling by from the beginning.

[@TheMeneltarma]

Interesting fact: the furthest observed star in the universe was named Eärendil

[@michealdargue2985]

Amazing work as always. Very cool. I loved it.

[@alexrocky9147]

You’re such an amazing narrator, I get goosebumps from listening to you. I’d pay for having you read me stories while tucking me to bed lol

[@mariapazgonzalezlesme]

I just realized that Earendil is an astronaut, an "sailor of the stars."

[@michaelshen2803]

Elrond: I "succeeded" Gil-Galad and ruled over the rest of the Noldor! Elros: Hey there! I established Numenor, the most fantastic city of men! Eärendil: You two naughty boys! Don't you dare challenge the slyer of the greatest dragon!!!

[@mingthan7028]

Lord Eru personally sponsored the House of Earendil

[@rubordinado]

My favorite finally, nice video!!

[@DMBlade4]

Eärendil is my favorite character in all of LotR

[@AmmiV2]

Earendil was mvp in the first age

[@TheCradM]

Such an over looked character. Like most. Thank you as always for showing us the way.

[@davidmiddleton7958]

I think the sacking of Gondolin means that there were many Balrogs. No firm numbers were given on how many Balrogs were commamded by Morgoth by Tolkien. But I think we can safely say several dozen were around in the First Age.

[@zackaryzhelyeznov]

crying with every video 😢 so beautiful

[@RazorFang18]

My only complaint is that this video should be longer, nearly twelve minutes is not enough. x'D

[@hybridbg731]

Next video idea: Ectilion of Gondolin

[@scrubvision5652]

i really enjoyed this video so well made the music and the art work over all vibe of the video was magical a youtube content creator can do this but i dont understand why the big hollywood studios are failing to deliver with so much money and personal behind them

[@CaveMan72]

I've been waiting on this video

[@retrospectgaming8754]

im not sure if you have or not but could you do a what if the balrog took the ring if they would even desire it at all. it would be interesting to hear a theory on a creature that is considered equal to sauron to use the ring for their own ambition or if it would choose to return it (which id rather doubt) and the most likely strategy and steps that would be taken for it to do either. i admit i dont know alot about the lore and silmarillions but if youd make a video or explaination id appreciate it.

[@danielannett1019]

And you Frodo Baggins I give you the Light Earandil are most beloved star... may it be a light for you in dark places when all other lights go out- Galadriel to Fodo Baggins

[@dannyv161]

What is but love can create such a high quality video?

[@yingqingzhao3165]

Earendil must be pissed to see his son Elrond not even permitted to a Council meeting after all he's done

[@joejames007]

Beautiful video. Thank you! Feel silly that it made me a bit emotional. Just me?

[@The_Bearded_Critic]

One of my favorites

[@Reyn272]

I recon a video on the history of the silmarills would be good 👍

[@Rivershield]

What a beautiful history. I wish I was reborn in Middle Earth, even if as the lowest of men.

[@ghin1091]

Im glad someone from the media is finally talking about elf on elf crime.

[@erikpearson5310]

THIS is Tolkien! Unlike some more recent 2022 productions...

[@wilfriedvercammen620]

Again a good video

[@CybershamanX]

(1:21) Along with giant living armored personel carriers. 😎🤘 I can't remember if they were in the Silmarillian or in the extended battle scene in the fairly recent Fall of Gondolin book, though. Going to have to read those parts again... 😉

[@captainvalourous6668]

Kinda off topic theory: The main reason why Elros chose the lives of Men in contrast to his family's choices its because he formed a of huge Camaraderie and mutual understanding with the surviving Men of Edain by standing side by side with them during the Great War of Wrath.