The Grey Havens: A History | Tolkien Explained

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The End of the Age - Ted Nasmith
Grey Havens - Alan Lee
Sending out ships - Anke Eißmann
Aldarion Returns From His First Voyage - Ted Nasmith
The Grey Havens - Ralph Damiani
drakar - david greset
Hyarrostar Coastlands - Peter Xavier Price
The Grey Havens - Aronja Art
Halls of Gil-galad - Ralph Damiani
Cirdan, Lord of the Falathrim - Peter Xavier Price
romenna port numeror - David Greset
elros looking west from numenor - Anke Eissmann
A Royal Wedding in Numenor - Matěj Čadil
men at pool - Turner Mohan
Numenorean - Matthew Stewart
Aldarion and Erendis - Steamey
Andunie (from 'Aldarion and Erendis') - David Greset
Numenor Atlantis - Pete Amachree
Sauron - SoW
celebrimbor and annatar - anotherstranger_me
sauron army - weta
Celebrimbor's Death - Peter Xavier Price
imperial_numenorean_armour - turnermohan
Last Alliance of Elves and Men - Alan Lee
Fall of Numenor - Alan Lee
Last Alliance - Abe Papakhian
Gil-galad, Sauron, Elendil - Tom Romain
Rivendell - Jerry Vanderstelt
Mithlond - Sara Morello
The Grey Havens - Matthew Stewart
Wizards - the Istari - Ivan Cavini
the_blue_wizards - turnermohan
Cirdan - Alystraea
glorfindels arrival - Ralph Damiani
blue wizards - Ralph Damiani
glorfindel finds his grave - alystraea
Grey Havens - John Howe
Ar-Pharazaon's ships - John Howe
Barrowdowns in the Age of Arnor - Peter Xavier Price
Siege of Gondor - Alan_Lee
Shadow of Sauron - Ted Nasmith
Grey Havens - Soni Alcorn-Hender
grey havens - Tolman Cotton
Departure at the Grey Havens - Ted Nasmith
The Shipwright - Antti Autio
Old Bilbo Baggins - Elrodimus Flash
Grey Havens - Kinko White
The Grey Havens - John Howe
The Shores of Valinor - Ted Nasmith
#greyhavens #lordoftherings #tolkien

[@adpirtle]

Something about the fact that a place with such significance to Elvendom, ruled over by one of the oldest elves in Middle-earth, sits so near the Shire without most hobbits being more than vaguely aware of its existence really appeals to me.

[@teleportedbreadfor3days]

The Hobbits hold a special place in Professor Tolkien’s heart

[@deathstroke2697]

Hobbits dont have visa for the elves kingdom

[@thebrowneyesofmandalore]

The departure of Cìrdan to the Undying Lands always gives me goosebumps. It’s such a melancholy moment, taking with him the last remaining knowledge of the Elder Days, that it gives me happy/ sad tears.

[@xavierjenkins2425]

"And all will turn To silver glass A light on the water Grey ships pass Into the West" Bro i'm tearing up all over again

[@ketanhein]

that song on the OST by Annie Lennox hits me every time.

[@typacsk]

@@ketanhein She earned that Oscar :) (I just checked what the other nominees were -- "My Ain True Love" and the "Triplets of Belleville" song were good and all, but they don't compare.)

[@JustDeifyme]

I cannot listen to that song without starting to bawl like a child

[@ketanhein]

@@typacsk agreed, mellon

[@ketanhein]

@@JustDeifyme It makes me tear up too.

[@aletheuo475]

I find the figure of Cirdan intriguing, possibly because he's so shadowy in the main narrative, and it's odd that someone so ancient, wise and powerful is so little mentioned. Yet his patience and steadfastness are admirable.

[@anni.68]

“Take this ring, Master… for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the Sea, and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you.” (Cirdan to Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B)

[@neemz0117]

The only thing I never got was if cirdan knew what was going to happen... howcome he just didn't say... I've had this vision.. and yall will be successful

[@nikkik1109]

The Grey havens was an important strategic port not only for Aid during war but also for safe passage to valinor!!! If it ever fell then quite possibly Evil and darkness would have won out. Another great vid NOTR

[@teleportedbreadfor3days]

The standing of the Grey Havens is what makes true conquest and dominion over Middle Earth impossible for evil, whether they are called Morgoth or Sauron. So long as the fair Valar stood and stood powerfully, the Grey Havens would remain under their protection and all efforts in conquest and warfare would be futile before them. Morgoth was defeated twice by them, leaving whether he ever had a chance of defeating his kin to question. Sauron, however, doubtfully could take on the forces of the Grey Havens with his own and himself, no small reason being he is a former Maia.

[@MJC1891]

Everything Tolkien made was beautiful. Love this world

[@kokainkalle]

even the incest? 😂

[@bighand1530]

Ever seen the Watchman River channel?

[@F.R.L-ft8bd]

Beautiful and complex

[@northernpaladin66]

The sailing of Cirdan and Celeborn is the truly sad moment.

[@heithemb8154]

It is sad that the last creatures holding memories of the old age left Middle-earth but it's somehow comforting to imagine they were not alone on this trip 😅

[@nafisamusah7085]

Instant tearjerker this scene😭😭😭

[@valentinkambushev4968]

Do you have the slightest idea how little that narrows it down?

[@vitoriol]

"Yay! You listened to our request for a video about Aldarion!"

[@j-dmachado4349]

A beautiful overview of a gorgeous location full of such grandeur and emotion! Thanks again, Matt! Also, I’m pretty sure I’m going to ask for that famous quote on my headstone: “the grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise.” 💚 We’ll see!

[@laurahunt2279]

Thanks! I’ve loved your astonishingly knowledgeable videos for years, but now I value your perceptive , measured comments on the Rings of Power as well. Your talks and use of beautiful artworks are a great gift to all lovers of Tolkien’s work. Heartfelt thanks for enriching my world.

[@MissGimpsAlot]

"Lay down your sweet, and weary head...." 🎶

[@FaidosWorkshop]

I needed this. I always found the gray havens so fascinating, and I could never understand them before.

[@Eowyn3Pride]

I would love a Grey Haven Nautical theme for my room!

[@valentinkambushev4968]

I don't care that you didn't cry on Titanic, but if you didn't cry while reading or watching Gandalf and Frodo's leaving, then I am not mad, but I am disappointed.

[@sunny_froyo]

That's gay

[@zachpugh4768]

Mate it will happen in every certain books. I only cry when pets dies

[@RivenGreivances]

I know now why you cry, but it’s something I can never do.

[@jonbull7363]

While that very emotional, you bow to no one and I can carry you hit me harder.

[@OccasusRaven]

@valentinkambushev4968 i always cry little in the end Lord of the rings return of the king movie when i see ship sail to the West

[@Eowyn3Pride]

This was most welcome! Very informative and enjoyable. Matt you always help us experience a little more "Middle-Earth" with every video!🧝‍♀️🧝‍♂️🧙‍♂️🍻🥔

[@eanandre8774]

I hope you had a great trip to Middle Earth! I’m also a nerd of the rings. I love watching your play through of Return To Moria. You are the reason I bought the game. I just wanted to tell you that I would love it if you did a Return to Moria, delving in the darkest deep, kill the nameless things, and build a massive fort.

[@aboileaumusic]

It would be great to have those episodes in an audio format! 🎧

[@micheleshave323]

This was a wonderful video. And just in time for Weta Workshops release of the grey havens environment 😀🙏. I am wondering if in future videos you might consider listing your source material so that we can go to it for review.

[@drehawkins131]

Man thats emotional. Great work as always

[@zam6877]

Those last lines harking to fleeting dream brought tears to my eyes Long ago, tucked in my mom's bed with the flu ...she started this adventure by reading to me "The Hobbit"

[@Beryllahawk]

Of the places I'd like to actually go in Middle Earth this is right up there. It's hard to say if I'd pick it over Lothlorien but, maybe. And the song from the Peter Jackson films was playing in my head this entire video, by the way, so yeah, a little weepy :D Thank you for another great video!

[@samuellivermore577]

Still never fails to bring me to tears. 20+ times Ive watched ROTK and I can't fight it. Amazing.

[@JonasMarshalChilders-sv3jj]

Ngl, I totally forgot about the Gray Havens until you made a video about it 😂! Thank you!

[@treyowen9213]

I never do

[@Sam-ig2jm]

There is something magical in the tales of first and second ages and all the stuff regarding it.. miss these stories. Hope one day these tales will be adapted in a good way

[@sandal_thong8631]

I think several people have wondered about when Legolas took a ship to the Undying Lands of the West as there seems to be some discrepancy. 6:19 If the quote about Cirdan and Celeborn taking the Last Ship is correct, then Legolas and Gimli would have to leave before that, unless they built their own ship? I think it was said that Arwen went to Lorien after the last ship had left, so there was no means for her to go, even if she wanted to. But if they built their own ship after Arwen's passing, then Cirdan's wasn't really the Last Ship, but perhaps only Cirdan's last ship. I could imagine other elves like Legolas building ships for the passage West, perhaps divinely-inspired. Which also poses the question of whether all the elves have left by this time, or there's still some in Lindon, Mirkwood or Ithilien?

[@chronoscat3371]

I don't have the book handy to check, but I'm pretty sure Legolas and Gimli built their own ship. Also many elves did remain in Middle Earth, but they faded into the background of history over time - and eventually faded physically, to the point that today they are much like ghosts.

[@derekcharlton178]

Hello NOTR. As usual, a wonderful video! Thank you for making quality videos that help to spread appreciation for Tolkien's legendarium. I want to point out that the image appearing at 0:32 wildly exaggerates the scale of Beleriand. Would you please consider finding an alternative overlay image for future videos? Cheers!

[@DiZ_490]

"What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call? Across the Sea, a pale moon rises. The ships have come to carry you home, and all will turn to silver glass, a light on the water, all souls pass into The West."

[@bohemianfapsody9218]

I’ll never forget the tears I shed at age 17 the first time I heard this. I was a senior in high school.

[@LadyAlaina42-c3e]

This is the most informative story I have heard re LOTR beginnings.

[@purefoldnz3070]

these videos are so relaxing to listen to.

[@holgor87]

Im just Ear-Reading through the silmarillion again and this video connected so much for me. Thank you for your work! Made my day

[@annaroselarsen4218]

Awww the ending of return of the king is beautiful

[@freddelarsson4434]

These videos are so well put together

[@nourriadh6976]

I was just reading about Círdan and the Grey Havens when I got the notification. Coincidence? I think not.

[@imraduin]

The description of Valinor is to me the most beautiful line in all of the legendarium. Fills me with with a longing to see it, even when it's not a real place.

[@unlimitedduckgamer]

The final scene of Frodo sailing into the west makes me cry every time. Not many things cause me to tear up, but that very scene is one of them. "I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil" - Gandalf

[@glockparaastra]

The new Weta collectable is stunning!

[@WardenWolf]

To my knowledge, the only people who touched the ring who didn't die in the books or leave Middle Earth on the Elven ships were Tom Bombadil, Aragorn, and Faramir. And they only held it momentarily. I interpret it as the ring's corruption had to be removed from Middle Earth entirely.

[@MatthewBerman-i3j]

Love your vids and explonations, Best LOTR channel 😊

[@Leikjarinn]

Every year i read the trilogy and watch your videos ♥️ from Iceland

[@sprgeorge333]

This is probably the best channel here.

[@jaredhartley]

Cirdan is one of the most insightful elves

[@robinminn271]

There must be a special place in Valinor for him. No one not even Gandalf was as faithful as he. He came into existence beside the lake hear to the depths of his soul the call to go West but stayed to help his brethren destruction after destruction of Middle Earth yearning to go West but staying. A Hero Supreme

[@STMukr]

Thks for video. With warm heart. Alwayd waiting your new videos.❤

[@deanzaZZR]

@6:00 I see you Shadowfax. I have always been curious of the theory that Gandalf took Shadowfax back to the Aman. Has anyone on YT tried to explain why?

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

In the film adaptation of The Return of the King, the Grey Havens makes an appearance in the last major scene. The port city is built on a large natural bay, and its design is quite different to that of Rivendell and Lothlorien, but it is still recognisably Elvish. Unlike the more sedate version of the Third Age portrayed in the film adaptation of The Return of the King, the Grey Havens in The Rings of Power is ruled by Gil-galad as the foremost settlement of High Elves remaining in Middle-earth in the Second Page, and is capital city of the west coastal lands of Lindon.

[@GetWRXT]

You should do a video on why and how many elves left in the 4th age and who remained in middle earth and reasoning.

[@dylansilver9035]

I know little to nothing is known about the “Dark Land” but you should do a video on it Matt

[@kitsune2858]

Your voice and the graphics mix very well together :)

[@wardaddy6595]

Bilbo's uncle, Isengar Took, was said to have "gone to sea" in his youth. I wonder if he wandered over to the Havens, which were only a short journey from the West Farthing.

[@kristenrosales2919]

This scene in both the book and the film always makes me misty eyed.

[@WalkSkyWalker]

Congrats on 1M!

[@WalkSkyWalker]

Huge especially for a LOTR KZbinr, super awesome man inspirational

[@dansuciu733]

You need to make a video about the last days of the elves who did not went with the last ship.

[@CrazyNights1015]

Love the ending to your videos.

[@paulmcleod8370]

Thank you Matt for more enlightenment 👍👍🤛🏼

[@kanealoha]

Thank you for this most excellent video.

[@scoobysnacker1999]

So, have the ships and sailors bringing the Istari East ever been described or discussed? Was this how Glorfindel returned? It's seemingly overlooked, but those Elves must have been a wonder to the denizens of Middle Earth. Surely any remaining Noldor from Valinor would have been interested in them... Or did Ulmo or Osse simply transport them?

[@VoiceoftheRings]

My Favorite!!! Thanks for the video! :D

[@rottenroads1982]

The Scene where Gandalf and Frodo leave Middle Earth, that is where I have to hold in the tears.

[@mtgemperor]

Unless my ears deceive me, your voice is sounding deeper and lower than usual. Hope you are fine, friend. BTW, thanks for the video! Excellent work as always.

[@valentinkambushev4968]

Maybe he is using a different mic.

[@Nagy.Patrik]

@@valentinkambushev4968 I hope his voice will sound the same as usual, i liked it better.

[@treyowen9213]

0:05 and the radio drama

[@matthiasarran270]

I cannot wait for LOTRO to develop this region!

[@dominiclusetti546]

do a video on Eomer

[@kirandeepchakraborty7921]

Nice, sweet, and short. ❤

[@sergio_botero]

The blue wizards arrived in the grey havens to thwart Sauron's influence in the east, around the same time he forged the one ring, the Nazgul appeared, and the high men began turning envious of the elves and greedy during Tar-Ciryatan's rule, which does not seem like a coincidence at all.

[@ryancruz1876]

We don’t know how the (or even necessarily when) the Blue Wizards arrived in Middle-earth.

[@Freedmoon44]

Well we know they arrived first at least so relatively speaking they came before the other 3​@@ryancruz1876

[@stevesminty]

I love when artists remember that Shadowfax is also supposed to be on the ship with Gandalf and the rest XD

[@BITSANDBYTES927]

I think it's interesting that Frodo mentions Bombadil's house when they are arriving in valinor. I think bombadil might be from there or something

[@David.Bowman.]

Aaaah Aberystwyth, maybe my favourite town in Wales

[@raphaelargus2984]

Right before Aragorn died, he said to Arwen she might choose to go to the Havens, but she said it's too late, she already made her choice, and regardless, there were no longer any ships that would bear her hence. So by year 122 of the Fourth Age, Cirdan must have already left with the last ship.

[@Pengalen]

Every time I hear about the elves leaving middle earth, it makes me sad.

[@luudest]

Cirdan was a Teleri?

[@ryancruz1876]

Yup. A Teler of the Falmari to be specific.

[@colinbaldwin313]

What exactly is the significance of the color "Grey" in "Grey Havens"?

[@colinbaldwin313]

@@anni.68 That's great. Thank you so much!

[@someguy8443]

All this fascinating lore from the (literally) amazing books and other writings is (literally) awesome, as in the details of lore inspire awe and the overall writings are an achievement that is amazing. The movies, particularly the original trilogy, are also literally awesome and amazing but weighted for the medium. I don't know how movies or even series could ever convey such depth and magnificent detail as the books. Ultimately, this implies strongly that well written books will always be "better" than any derived visual product almost by definition. So, if a book is truly well written it will be better than the movie and thus it -should- go without saying that book "X" is better than movie "X". I find that funny given how contentious it can be to make such statements, and the humor I found in that realization is both the point of this post and why I shared.

[@nemanjakuzmic6165]

Hope they hire you to do research on lore for future films and series

[@twiceborn_by_grace]

I always smile/laugh when you say TomDaBombadil19. That is such a cool username.

[@i_DONT_get_IT]

Next video idea: “What if Frodo had left the ring in Rivendell with the Elves?”

[@chandlermorris2219]

Hey I have always wondered what would happen if Unguliant ate the silmarils.

[@davidmiddleton7958]

The Grey Havens, for the Elves, a last bastion & the way to Valinor. Those representing The Noldor & Sindarian elves recognised it as there last hope to flee Middle Earth.

[@Freedmoon44]

Because it was de Facto, both the Grey Havens and Cirdans are litteraly the last hope to leave middle earth. The Havens as the point where we enter the straight road, and Cirdan to build the ship that will send you there. Should either have fallen they wouldve been lost, with only a possible path from Valinor to the havens possible should they choose to, as none would be able to leave middle earth anymore

[@briangarrow448]

I will not say, do not cry, for not all tears are an evil…

[@JAB6322]

Everytime I hear the "Grey Havens", the scene in the LOTR movie where Frodo and Sam witness the Passing of the Elves leaving Middle Earth while they sang a sombre and angelic song of worship to Varda always pops up in my mind. 🥲

[@TheAlkhemiaStudio]

I do wonder know, does frodo ages/gets old in the undying lands? It would be weird for frodo to have gone after the war of the ring and stayed with his "mature" look and see many years later the arrival of old-man sam. Also I do wonder what happend to Bilbo too. Did he die on those lands or did he became an immortal? 🤔

[@RenaudBOCLET]

Many thanks for your hard and inspired work as an exegete to Tolkien's world. I am struggling writing this thru emotion, as it is so rare to meet someone who is smart and good enough (cause that's what it's about really, you great soul

[@magicllama9614]

Were Cirdan and Celeborn the LAST elves in Middle Earth? I think they were, but does anyone have any confirmation?

[@stephen9609]

why did it seem so empty at the end of ROTK?

[@heithemb8154]

Hey Mat, what about Thranduil? He is from the Noldor or Teleri right, did he take a ship to west too? When?

[@colinleat8309]

Anyone who didn't cry at this moment book or movie is dead inside 🤣

[@Dannywise527]

Please help me with a video on the three numenoran Kings that were decieved by Sauron into accepting the rings of Power forged by him.

[@tymcfadden8496]

I've always thought of The Grey Havens as akin to the gateway between Heaven and Earth.

[@4Bobay]

Can anyone help me out regarding as to why the Noldor mostly lived in Forlindon while the Sindar chose Harlindon? Is there a source from Tolkien to explain this? Thank you in advance.

[@deborahmertens9219]

So, anyone who had worn the ring & was of good heart(?) was allowed to go to the ‘Undying Lands?’ Why is that? Is it because their bodies had a sliver of the power of the ring and therefore could be used to corrupt something?

[@andrejadame5233]

Hey there, nie video as always. I want to buy all the main books from J.R.R. Tolkien. Want to buy the whole set. Is there any set or specific "type" you would recommend. Want to have it also as a nice memory so the books looks nice and are from the same "author" or "company". thanks a lot.

[@phoule76]

So Legolas's ship that carried him and Gimli left before Cirdan and Celeborn?

[@michaelward3428]

Our weather is gloomy as I write, Thank You for warmth of your vid.!

[@Lord-Emperor-Vader]

I have a question I was thinking about how many people would have died in the various wars of the First Age and estimated about 4 trillion. I based this off of a high estimate of about 2.5 million deaths a year (about how how many died a year in WW2) and a low end of 100 thousand a year (felt that is a low but reasonable number) multiplied by the years of the first age and got the average of those two which is where I got the number. Is this too high or does this sound reasonable.

[@istari0]

4 trillion is not possible. Estimates of the total number of humans that have ever lived are 110-120 billion. There was no way enough food could be provided to support massive populations back in the First Age. The wars of that time were not continuous; most of the time, such as during the siege of Angband, there was little fighting going on. Even the War of Wrath was less than 50 years. The vast majority of the combatants were fighting with weapons like swords, axes, and bows, which are nowhere near as efficient at killing as contemporary firearms.

[@slippery_yeti4779]

After the elves left, who was left in middle earth? Was that the beginning of the age of men? The leaving of the elves seems so sad.

[@TheDJMeyer85]

When did Legolas and Gimli leave for Valinor because I thought they were the last ship 🤔

[@paulmcleod8370]

Would it not be possible to have a game whereby you could build some of the wonderful cities of LOTR and then go on to create your own

[@DuckinCommissar]

Reminder of Sam coming to Valinor made me shed a tear.

[@ryancruz1876]

Sam didn’t go to Valinor. He went to Tol Eressëa.

[@dragonsized]

Not a new video but I must've missed it somehow. Pelvic thrust. Pelvic thrust. Pelvic thrust.

[@ישראלפרידמן-ר7ל]

Legolas and Gimli will also sail from there on many days

[@DavidCodyPeppers.]

🕊️