Note: In this section you will find a brief summary and a representative quote for each chapter of The Silmarillion, along with a ‘To Remember’ list. These lists feature the most important places, characters and objects/concepts featured in each chapter. However, for the sake of saving space, this list is not a list of *all* key names in the chapter; it only features the new ones. The author presumes you to already be familiar with the names from the previous ‘To Remember’ lists. Therefore while e.g. the characters of Húrin and Morgoth feature predominantly in the chapter ‘Of the Fifth Battle’, they were mentioned in the previous ‘To Remember’ lists and as such are not featured in the list for this chapter.

AINULINDALË

– Eru Ilúvatar creates the Ainur; they play the Great Music to him concerning the shape and history of the world; Melkor the mightiest Ainu turns to power-thirst and evil; he corrupts some of the Ainur; Ilúvatar creates the world and many Ainur enter it and start shaping it; the most powerful ones become the Valar.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Eru Ilúvatar, Melkor (Morgoth), Manwë
Places: Arda
Other: the Great Music (Music of the Ainur); Children of Ilúvatar (Elves and Men); Ainur; Valar

QUOTE:
“And it is said by the Eldar that in water there lives yet the echo of the Music of the Ainur more than in any substance else that is in this Earth; and many of the Children of Ilúvatar hearken still unsated to the voices of the Sea, and yet know not for what they listen.”

————–

VALAQUENTA

– list of the Valar and the most important Maiar, both uncorrupted and evil.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Varda, Aulë, Yavanna, Mandos, Oromë, Ulmo, Melian
Places: Taniquetil, Halls of Mandos
Other: Maiar

QUOTE:
“Last of all is set the name of Melkor, He who arises in Might. But that name he has forfeited; and the Noldor, who among the Elves suffered most from his malice, will not utter it, and they name him Morgoth, the Dark Enemy of the World.”

—————

OF THE BEGINNING OF DAYS

– Melkor destroys the Two Lamps and the Valar set up their realm in Valinor; the Two Trees of Valinor are created.

TO REMEMBER:
Places: Valinor / Aman, Utumno
Other: the Two Trees- Laurelin and Telperion, Spring of Arda

QUOTE:
“And as they watched, upon the mound there came forth two slender shoots; and silence was all over the world in that hour, nor was there any other sound save the chanting of Yavanna.”

———–

OF AULË AND YAVANNA

– Aulë creates the Dwarves and Yavanna gets her wish granted to have trees protected by Shepherds of the Trees.

QUOTE:
“But Ilúvatar had compassion upon Aulë and his desire, because of his humility; and the Dwarves shrank from the hammer and were afraid, and they bowed down their heads and begged for mercy.”
———–

OF THE COMING OF THE ELVES AND THE CAPTIVITY OF MELKOR

– the Elves awaken; Morgoth creates the first Orcs; the Valar defeat and imprison Morgoth and invite the Elves to Valinor; the Great Journey begins.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Ingwë, Finwë, Elwë (Thingol)
Places: Cuiviénen, Angband, Beleriand
Other: Eldar, Vanyar, Noldor, Teleri, Great Journey

QUOTE:
“And deep in their dark hearts the Orcs loathed the Master whom they served in fear, the maker only of their misery.”

———–

OF THINGOL AND MELIAN

– Thingol meets the Maia Melian in Middle-earth and remains there with her and his host, while others continue to Valinor.

TO REMEMBER:
Places: Nan Elmoth, Doriath
Other: Sindar

QUOTE:
“But he came at last to a glade open to the stars, and there Melian stood; and out of the darkness he looked at her, and the light of Aman was in her face.”

———-

OF ELDAMAR AND THE PRINCES OF THE ELDALIË

– Vanyar, Noldor and eventually a part of the Teleri reach Valinor; the cities of Tirion and Alqualondë are built; the members of the royal house of Finwë are introduced.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Finarfin, Sons of Fëanor
Places: Tirion, Alqualondë, Tol Eressëa

QUOTE:
“[…] and of pearl were the mansions of Olwë at Alqualondë, the Haven of Swans, lit with many lamps. For that was their city, and the haven of their ships; and those were made in the likeness of swans, with beaks of gold and eyes of gold and jet.”

———

OF FËANOR AND THE UNCHAINING OF MELKOR

– Melkor/Morgoth is released from prison; Fëanor son of Finwë is born but his mother dies and his father remarries.

TO REMEMBER:
Places: gardens of Lórien

QUOTE:
“Then [Melkor] looked upon their glory and their bliss, and envy was in his heart; he looked upon the Children of Ilúvatar that sat at the feet of the Mighty, and hatred filled him; he looked upon the wealth of bright gems, and lusted for them; but he hid his thoughts, and postponed his vengeance.”

———–

OF THE SILMARILS AND THE UNREST OF THE NOLDOR

– the jewels Silmarils are made; Melkor/Morgoth starts spreading lies and the Noldor start desiring to leave Valinor; the strife between Finwë’s sons begins.

TO REMEMBER:
Other: Silmarils

QUOTE:
“King and father, wilt thou not restrain the pride of our brother, Curufinwë, who is called the Spirit of Fire, all too truly? By what right does he speak for all our people, as if he were King?”

————

OF THE DARKENING OF VALINOR

– Melkor destroys the Two Trees and escapes to Middle-earth.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Ungoliant

QUOTE:
“In a ravine [Ungoliant] lived, and took shape as a spider of monstrous form, weaving her black webs in a cleft of the mountains. There she sucked up all light that she could find, and spun it forth again in dark nets of strangling gloom, until no light more could come to her abode; and she was famished.”

———–

OF THE FLIGHT OF THE NOLDOR

– Morgoth returns to Angband with the Silmarils; the Noldor, enraged by the death of their king Finwë and theft of the Silmarils at Morgoth’s hand, set out for Middle-earth to take vengeance; the First Kinslaying follows when the Sea Elves refuse to lend their ships for the passage; Finarfin returns to Valinor; Valinor is closed to the rest of the Noldor; Fëanor sails to Middle-earth, but Fingolfin is forced to journey across the Grinding Ice.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Maedhros, Fingon, Turgon
Places: Helcaraxë (the Grinding Ice)
Other: Oath of Fëanor, Kinslaying at Alqualondë, Doom of the Noldor (Curse of Mandos)

QUOTE:
“After Morgoth to the ends of the Earth! War shall he have and hatred undying.”

———

OF THE SINDAR

– the Dwarves awaken and meet the Elves of Beleriand; the realm of Doriath is introduced; Morgoth’s orcs harry the Elven settlements.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Lúthien
Places: Menegroth, Thangorodrim, Ossiriand
Other: Naugrim (Dwarves), Girdle of Melian

QUOTE:
“[Menegroth] was the fairest dwelling of any king that has ever been east of the Sea.”
———–

OF THE SUN AND MOON AND THE HIDING OF VALINOR

– the Sun and the Moon are made; the Enchanted Isles are set about Valinor to prevent anyone from reaching it.

TO REMEMBER:
Places: Enchanted Isles

QUOTE:
“The servants of Morgoth were filled with amazement, but the Elves of the Outer Lands looked up in delight; and even as the Moon rose above the darkness in the west, Fingolfin let blow his silver trumpets and began his march into Middle-earth, and the shadows of his host went long and black before them.”

———

OF MEN
– Men awaken and their nature is introduced.

QUOTE:
“But Men were more frail, more easily slain by weapon or mischance, and less easily healed; subject to sickness and many ills; and they grew old and died. What may befall their spirits after death the Elves know not.”

———–

OF THE RETURN OF THE NOLDOR

– Fëanor’s host disembarks in Middle-earth and engages in battle with Orcs; death of Fëanor and captivity of Maedhros; Fingolfin’s host arrives across the Grinding Ice and gains kingship of all Noldor in Middle-earth; Siege of Angband begins.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Finrod Felagund, Glaurung, Thorondor
Places: Nargothrond
Other: Siege of Angband, Nauglamír

QUOTE:
“Galadriel [Finrod’s] sister went not with him to Nargothrond, for in Doriath dwelt Celeborn, kinsman of Thingol, and there was great love between them.”

———-

OF BELERIAND AND ITS REALMS

– all regions and realms of Beleriand are introduced, most notably the newly established Nargothrond and Hithlum / Dor-lómin.

TO REMEMBER:
Places: Hithlum / Dor-lómin, Tol Sirion, Sirion

QUOTE:
“The woodcraft of the Elves of Ossiriand was such that a stranger might pass through their land from end to end and see none of them. They were clad in green in spring and summer, and the sound of their singing could be heard even across the waters of Gelion; wherefore the Noldor named that country Lindon, the land of music, […].”

———

OF THE NOLDOR IN BELERIAND

– the hidden realm / city of Gondolin is built; the elves of Beleriand are confronted with the tale of the kinslaying at Alqualondë.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Idril
Places: Gondolin

QUOTE:
“[…] and [Turgon’s people] passed away, company by company, secretly, under the shadows of Ered Wethrin, and they came unseen to Gondolin, and none knew whither they had gone. And last of all Turgon arose, and went with his household silently through the hills, and passed the gates in the mountains, and they were shut behind him.”

———-

OF MAEGLIN
– life of Maeglin from his birth in the forest of Nan Elmoth to the death of his parents and his sojourn in Gondolin as the king’s nephew.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Maeglin

QUOTE:
“Suddenly, swift as serpent, he seized a javelin that he held hid beneath his cloak and cast it at Maeglin, crying: ‘The second choice I take and for my son also! You shall not hold what is mine!’ ”

———-

OF THE COMING OF MEN INTO THE WEST
– the first Men come into Beleriand and befriend the Noldor; some settle in their realms; the chieftains of the Three Houses of Men are introduced.

TO REMEMBER:
Places: forest of Brethil
Other: Edain, Three Houses of the Edain: House of Hador, House of Bëor, Haladin (House of Haleth)

QUOTE:
“Melian said nothing to [Thingol] at that time, but afterwards she said to Galadriel: ‘Now the world runs on swiftly to great tidings. And one of Men, even of Bëor’s house, shall indeed come, and the Girdle of Melian shall not restrain him, for doom greater than my power shall send him; and the songs that shall spring from that coming shall endure when all Middle-earth is changed.’ ”

———

OF THE RUIN OF BELERIAND AND THE FALL OF FINGOLFIN

– the Battle of the Sudden Flame takes the Elves and Men by surprise; many of them flee and Orcs plunder their lands; Easterlings enter Beleriand; the combat of Fingolfin and Morgoth takes place; Húrin and Huor briefly sojourn in Gondolin, then return to their homeland and become mighty warriors.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Húrin, Huor, Barahir
Places: Isle of Werewolves (Tol-in-Gaurhoth)
Other: Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame), Ring of Barahir

QUOTE:
“Thrice [Fingolfin] was crushed to his knees, and thrice arose again and bore up his broken shield and stricken helm. But the earth was all rent and pitted about him, and he stumbled and fell backward before the feet of Morgoth;[…]”

———–

OF BEREN AND LÚTHIEN
– after the slaughter of all his remaining kin, Beren wanders in the wilds and strays into Doriath; he meets Lúthien and they fall in love; her father Thingol sets the Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown as bride-price; the couple manage to gain one Silmaril despite hardships, treacheries, and death; they get married and shortly afterwards both tragically die, but are released from death and live a mortal life in a secluded forest in Middle-earth; the Silmaril gets to Doriath.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Beren, Carcharoth, Celegorm, Curufin

QUOTE:
“I sell not to Elves or Men those whom I love and cherish above all treasure. And if there were hope or fear that Beren should come ever back alive to Menegroth, he should not have looked again upon the light of heaven, though I had sworn it.”

———–

OF THE FIFTH BATTLE: NIRNAETH ARNOEDIAD

– Maedhros son of Fëanor plans a decisive assault on Morgoth, assisted by Dwarves and Men; but the battle turns into a disaster for the allies, mainly because of treason; Morgoth conquers most of Beleriand; Húrin is taken captive, defies Morgoth, and Morgoth curses his family.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Voronwë
Other: Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Battle of Unnumbered Tears)

QUOTE:
“Last of all Húrin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew Húrin cried: ‘[i]Aurë entuluva[/i] ! Day shall come again!”

———

OF TÚRIN TURAMBAR

– the unhappy life of Túrin son of Húrin under Morgoth’s curse; contains the Fall of Nargothrond where he stays for a time, the death of Glaurung the dragon at Túrin’s hand, and the deaths of Túrin and almost everyone he holds dear.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Túrin Turambar, Beleg, Nienor, Mîm
Other: Anglachel, Fall of Nargothrond

QUOTE:
” ‘And a curse too upon your errand!’ [Túrin] cried. ‘This only was wanting. Now comes the night.’ Then he fled from [Elves of Doriath] like the wind, and they were amazed, wondering what madness seized him; and they followed after him.”

—————

OF THE RUIN OF DORIATH
– Húrin is freed and unwittingly aids Morgoth’s plans in his wanderings; eventually he dies; Thingol obtains the Nauglamír necklace and assigns the Dwarves to set his Silmaril in it; he is killed by Dwarves, Queen Melian leaves Middle-earth and Doriath is left unprotected; Dior son of Beren and Lúthien becomes king of Doriath; the Second Kinslaying and Fall of Doriath occur; Elwing Dior’s daughter escapes to the Havens of Sirion with the Silmaril.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Dior, Elwing
Other: Second Kinslaying, Fall of Doriath

QUOTE:
“For while Lúthien wore the Necklace of the Dwarves no Elf would dare to assail her; but now hearing of the renewal of Doriath and of Dior’s pride the seven [sons of Fëanor] gathered again from wandering, and they sent to him to claim their own.”

———–

OF TUOR AND THE FALL OF GONDOLIN

– Ulmo sends the Man Tuor to Gondolin to warn its people to leave the city; Tuor remains there and marries the king’s daughter Idril; their son Eärendil is born; Maeglin betrays Gondolin to Morgoth; Fall of Gondolin and escape of the refugees to the Havens of Sirion where they join the refugees from Doriath.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Eärendil, Glorfindel
Places: Havens of Sirion
Other: Fall of Gondolin

QUOTE:
“But Morgoth sent him back to Gondolin, lest any should suspect the betrayal, and so that Maeglin should aid the assault from within, when the hour came; and he abode in the halls of the King with smiling face and evil in his heart, while darkness gathered ever deeper upon Idril.”

———

OF EÄRENDIL AND THE WAR OF WRATH

– the Third Kinslaying occurs in the Havens of Sirion; Elwing escapes with the Silmaril and joins Eärendil on his voyage to Valinor; Eärendil moves the Valar to pity for Elves and Men and the armies of Valinor assault Morgoth; Morgoth defeated and cast into the Void, Beleriand is destroyed and sinks into the sea; the remaining two Silmarils end up in water and fiery chasm; Eärendil sails with the third in the heaven as a star; Elros and Elrond make their choice of kindred.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Elros
Other: Third Kinslaying

QUOTE:
“Then Eönwë as herald of the Elder King summoned the Elves of Beleriand to depart from Middle-earth. But Maedhros and Maglor would not hearken, and they prepared, though now with weariness and loathing, to attempt in despair the fulfilment of their oath; for they would have given battle for the Silmarils, were they withheld, even against the victorious host of Valinor, even though they stood alone against all the world.”

———

AKALLABÊTH

– brief history of the island kingdom of Númenor from its first kings to Sauron’s stay in Númenor and the last King’s assault on Valinor followed by the drowning of Númenor; Elendil’s people are saved and their ships land in Middle-earth; Valinor is removed from the Earth which is made round.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Ar-Pharazôn; lords of Andúnië: Elendil, Isildur, Anárion
Places: Númenor

QUOTE:
“But the Temple itself was unshaken, and Sauron stood there upon the pinnacle and defied the lightning and was unharmed; and in that hour men called him a god and did all that he would.”

———–

OF THE RINGS OF POWER AND THE THIRD AGE

– tells of the shape of Middle-earth after the defeat of Morgoth, the forging of the Rings of Power and Sauron’s growing power, of the coming of Elendil’s people to Middle-earth and the War of the Last Alliance, of Isildur’s death and the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor; ends with a brief account of the War of the Ring, the tale of Mithrandir/Gandalf, and the departure of the Ringbearers.

TO REMEMBER:
Characters: Gil-galad
Places: Lindon

QUOTE:
“And latest of all the Keepers of the Three Rings rode to the Sea, and Master Elrond took there the ship that Círdan had made ready. In the twilight of autumn it sailed out of Mithlond, until the seas of the Bent World fell away beneath it, and the winds of the round sky troubled it no more, and borne upon the high airs above the mists of the world it passed into the Ancient West, […]”

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