The Fantasy Review’s brief history of Círdan.
Círdan the Shipwright, one of the most ancient and wisest of the Elves in Middle-earth, played a crucial yet often overlooked role in Tolkien’s legendarium. Here is a brief history of Círdan:
Origins of Círdan
Círdan, known as Nowë and Círdan the Shipwright (the name Círdan means “shipwright” in Sindarin, so he’s sort of known as “Shipwright the Shipwright”), was born during the Years of the Trees, long before the First Age of Middle-earth. By the Second Age he was the oldest known elf in Middle-earth.
He was one of the Teleri, the third clan of Elves who made the Great Journey from Cuiviénen to Valinor. However, Círdan chose to remain in Middle-earth, settling in the Falas on the western coast of Beleriand.
Círdan was born between 1050 and 1105 in the Years of the Trees in Cuiviénen. His parentage is unknown, but he was kin to Thingol (Elu/Elwë) and Olwë, and was related to the mother of Voronwë.
Círdan was described as being very tall, with silver hair and eyes as “keen as stars”. Towards the end of the Third Age, he was described as looking older, with a long beard.
The Years of the Trees and The First Age
Círdan, then known as Nowë, was one of the best ship builders among the Elves and built many for the Great Journey. He and his followers pushed westward from the Sea of Rhûn, seeking to go to Valinor.
Nowë missed his first chance at going to Valinor as he searched for Elwë when the latter disappeared. From this point, he was known as Círdan, due to his obsession with shipbuilding, with traveling to Valinor being his “greatest desire”.
At a moment of impatience, Círdan pushed himself and his ship as close as he could to Valinor, but the Valor spoke to him and told him his ship would never make it. He was to make his work of the utmost worth. He obeyed and saw a vision of the ship he was to create.
Círdan became the lord of the remaining Teleri and his folk became known as the Falathrim, after the Falas where they lived. They founded the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest.
It was in the Years of the Trees (YT) 1497 that Morgoth struck against the Elves in the First Battle of Beleriand. Thingol (who was once known as Elwë) was cut off from Círdan and Morgoth laid siege to the Falas. It was only when the Ñoldor returned and Fëanor battled against Morgorth from the North that the Orcs abandoned their siege of the Falas.
It was at this time Círdan became close friends with Finrod and an advisor to the Ñoldor.
It was not long before Morgoth attacked once again, and the Fall of the Falas came. Círdan escaped, along with Gil-galad, and founded a new kingdom on the Isle of Balar.
As Lord of Balar, Ulmo delivered a message to Círdan for Orodreth, warning of the doom of Nargothrond. The message was not heeded and the Fall of Nargothrond occurred in FA 495. Then came the Fall of Gondolin.
It was around this time Círdan befriended Eärendil son of Tuor and Idril. Together they built the ship Vingilot, the ship from his vision from the Valar so long ago. Upon that ship, Eärendil came to Valinor and found the forgiveness of the Valar, and the Valar gifted upon Círdan foresight surpassing that of any of the Elves.
The Second and Third Ages
After the War of Wrath and the reshaping of Middle-earth, Círdan founded the Grey Havens in Lindon. From here, he continued his role as a shipwright, building vessels for Elves who wished to sail to Valinor.
In the Second Age, he was gifted Narya by Celebrimbor, one of the Three Elven Rings, which he later passed to Gandalf. Círdan, like Galadriel, was initially against the creation of the Rings of Power, but when they were ignored, he received Narya, the Ring of Fire, and used it in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
During the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, Círdan fought as the lieutenant of Gil-galad. After the battle, he was with Elrond, urging Isildur to destroy the One Ring, but Isildur refused.
The War of the Ring
Círdan ruled over Lindon for over 1000 years without any bloodshed, until TA 1050 when Sauron began to return. He sent Galdor as his representative to the Council of Elrond, but did not fight in the coming War of the Ring.
Círdan did, however, much earlier in the Third Age, support the Dúnedain of Arnor in fighting the armies from Fornost and the North Downs in TA 1409. They were joined by Elrond’s armies from Rivendell and the Galadhrim and Angmar was kept at bay for the time beijing.
That was until TA 3018 with the War of the Ring. Círdan was not involved in the war, but he did greet the Ringbearers at the gates of Mithlond and provide the ships that they, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel and the other Elves used to go to the Undying Lands.
He remained in the haven until the Fourth Age, but when no more Elves wished to travel, he eventually set sail with the last High Elves and left Middle-earth.
