Tar-Ancalimon and the Division of Númenor

The 14th ruler of Númenor was Tar-Ancalimon, "...and in his day the people of Númenor became divided" (p. 266, The Silmarillion). The divisions were known as the King's Men and the Elf-friends. The King's Men, the larger group, sided with Tar-Ancalimon, growing proud and estranging themselves from the Valar and the Elves. The Elf-friends, Elendili, were loyal to the King yet they kept friendship with the Elves and listened to the warnings of the Valar. "Many of the King's Men began to forsake the use of the Elven-tongues, and to teach them no longer to their children. But the royal titles were still given in Quenya, out of ancient custom rather than love, for fear lest the breaking of the old usage should bring ill-fortune" (p. 221, Unfinished Tales).

And though the King's Men did not love the Eldar or Valar they were not so foolish to break the ban of sailing West. Eastward to Middle-earth they went. "But the fear of death grew ever darker upon them, and they delayed it by all means that they could; and they began to build great houses for their dead, while their wise men laboured unceasingly to discover if they might the the secret of recalling life, or at the least prolonging Men's days" (p. 266, The Simarillion). Reminds me a bit of our current society; which seems to do everything it can to avoid aging and the inevitable death that comes with it. Yet we must all realize that we will all die and die with unfulfilled hopes and dreams. No amount of money, plastic surgery, or exercise can stop it. I think from a Biblical world view what the Númenóreans are wrestling with makes sense considering what God has laid in our hearts.

And with what life they had the people turned to revelry and pleasure so that after Tar-Ancalimon's days people seldom went to Meneltarma, the Holy Mountain. The first fruit offerings to Eru were neglected. The Númenórean's sailed in great numbers to Middle-earth coming as lords of the land exacting tribute rather than teachers and servants to the Men they encountered. And so Númenor grew in power and wealth. "In all this the Elf-friends had small part. They alone came now ever to the north and the land of Gil-galad, keeping their friendship with the Elves and lending them aid against Sauron" (p. 267, The Silmarillion).

Sauron hated the Númenórean's for the aid given to Gil-galad when Sauron warred for the the Rings of Power. Still, he feared their ever growing power and did not, for a while, challenge their settlements in Middle-earth. "Yet Sauron was ever guileful, and it is said that among those whom he ensared with the Nine Rings three were great lords of the Númenórean race. And when the Ring-wraiths arose he began his assault on the Númenórean strong places" (p. 267, The Silmarillion). These things took place during the days of Tar-Ancalimon and his 165 years of ruling.

Middle-earth timeline: Second Age, 1986-2386

Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, page 221 and The Silmarillion, pages 266-267