Elvenesse - Círdan

Círdan

Wise elf lord of the Teleri. He never took the journey completely to Aman, instead choosing to remain in Beleriand. He learned much from the Maiar Ossë and Uinen and became an acomplished mariner and shipwright. Círdan's name means 'ship-wright' in Sindarin.

During the First Age, Círdan was Lord of the Falas in West Beleriand. The elves that looked to him were called the Falathrim. The havens of Brithombar and Eglarest prospered under his rule until FA 473 when they were taken by Morgoth during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Battle of Unnumbered Tears). He moved south with a remnant of his people to the Isle of Balar. With him were most notable the elves Gil-Galad and Elwing. It is here that Eärendil's ship, Vingilot, is said to have been built by Círdan.

After the destruction of Beleriand at the end of the First Age, Círdan and Gil-Galad moved their people to the last remaining area of Beleriand called Lindon. There three havens were built and Círdan became the chief lord of one at the end of the Gulf of Lhûn called Mithlond. Initially, he lived in the southern haven of Harlond, but it is not known when he moved permanently to Mithlond.

When the elven smith, Celebrimbor, produced the Three Elven Rings of Power, the ring Narya (Ring of Fire) was given to Círdan by Gil-Galad, as he was one of the wisest elf lords of that time. He possed Narya up until the Istari (wizards) arrived in Middle-earth around TA 1000. Upon meeting Gandalf, Círdan gave the ring to the wizard, perceiving that he was the wisest of the Istari and would be in need of the ring in his work in Middle-earth.

Círdan remained active during the Second and Third Ages. He fought alongside High-elven King Gil-Galad in the battle of the Last Alliance at the end of the Second Age, along with Elrond, and sadly watched his king fall to Sauron. During TA 1974, Círdan led the elves of Lindon in the Battle of Fornost, with the Dúnedain, against the Witch-king of Angmar in the north. He also was a member of the White Council at the end of the Third Age.

Throughout his stay in Middle-earth, Círdan made sure ships were available in Mithlond for those elves that wished to leave Middle-earth. After the War of the Ring at the end of the Third Age, he saw Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, and the Ringbearers, Bilbo and Frodo, off on their journey into the West. Círdan stayed until sometime during the Fourth Age when he sailed the last white ship from Mithlond into the West.

Fast Facts

Basics

Birth unknown, may have awoken at Cuiviénen.
Remained in Middle-earth until sometime during the Fourth Age (FO).
Possibly 21,377 years old at the time of the War of the Ring.