Westernesse is a fictional kingdom in the Middle English romance of King Horn. It also featured in the writings of Tolkien as a translation of Númenor, a realm in Middle-earth.

King Horn

In King Horn, Westernesse can be reached by sea, and is ruled by King Almair. The throne eventually passes to Arnoldin, who is a loyal companion of the narrative's hero, Horn.[1]

Whether or not Westernesse should be identified with one or more real-world locations remains, however, a point of dispute, since the narrative contains little geographic detail, and only vaguely echoes historical events. It has been associated with various regions in the British Isles, among which are the Isle of Man and the Wirral district in Cheshire.[2]

Tolkien

Many people today know "Westernesse" as J. R. R. Tolkien's translation of Númenor, the name which he gave to one of the realms in his fictional world of Middle-earth. Tolkien, who studied Middle English texts professionally, indicated in one of his letters that he had derived his translation from the name as it occurred in King Horn: "I have often used Westernesse as a translation. This is derived from rare Middle English Westernesse (known to me only in MS. C of King Horn) where the meaning is vague, but may be taken to mean 'Western lands' as distinct from the East inhabited by the Paynim and Saracens."[3]

Notes

  1. ↑ Chisholm 1911, pp. 696–697.
  2. ↑ Chisholm 1911, p. 696 cites Cambridge Hist. of Eng Lit., i. 304.
  3. ↑ Tolkien 1981, p. 361, letter 276 (12 September 1965)

References

  • Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Horn (hero)" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 13 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 696–697.
  • Tolkien, J. R. R. (1981). The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. George Allen & Unwin.
  • King Horn: Introduction, Lib.rochester.edu, retrieved 11 April 2013 — Introduction to the TEAMS edition of King Horn
  • Westernesse, TolkienWiki, 24 February 2004, retrieved 11 April 2013 — Tolkien on 'Westernesse' at the Tolkien Wiki
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