Beleriand

Beleriand

topon. -.

Beleriand

noun. the land of Balar

Balar (the name of the island, from PQ *balāre) + iand (-and commonly used suffix in the names of regions and countries)

beleriand

place name. Country of Balar

The land in northwest Middle Earth where the Sindar dwelled, named after the island and bay of Balar (S/54). It ends with the archaic suffix †-ian(d) “land” (PE17/29, 37, 42), hence: “Country of Balar” (SI/Beleriand).

Conceptual Development: The first name for this region in Tolkien’s writings was ᴱN. Broceliand >> Broseliand, an indication that Tolkien was inspired by the legendary forest of Brocéliande in France (LB/160). He then considered a wild variety of possible names before settling on ᴱN. Beleriand (LB/157, 160). The name N. Beleriand appeared in Silmarillion drafts and The Etymologies from the 1930s, already with the derivation given above (LR/404, Ety/BAL).

* Beleriand

The Country of Balar

Beleriand translates to "The Country of Balar" with the ending -ian(d) for places and countries. The OS form could have been *Balariande (a slid to e because of the following i).

In the The Book of Lost Tales Part One, there is also the Quenya name "Valariandë".

* Beleriand

Beleriand

Beleriand translates to "The Country of Balar" with the ending -ian(d) for places and countries. The OS form could have been *Balariande (a slid to e because of the following i). The element Beler/Balar is believed to refer to the Maia Ossë, who often dwelt at the shores of the island. In the The Book of Lost Tales Part One, there is also the Quenya name "Valariandë".