XPost: rec.arts.books.tolkien   
   From: mr@sandman.net   
      
   In article <7redneAG7ueqzcnTnZ2dnUVZ_uqdnZ2d@insightbb.com>,   
    "Chris Hoelscher"  wrote:   
      
   > when Bregolas ( who seemingly was "leader/king" of the House of Beor) died   
   > in 455 First Age, it appears that the leadership/kingship passed to Barahir.   
      
   Well, there are two titles in work here. First it's the "head of the   
   house of Beor" and then there is the Lord of Ladros, a title given to   
   Boromir by Fingolfin.   
      
   A "house" is more or less just a lineage of a family. Being the head   
   of the house usually meant that you were the oldest male of that house   
   still alive. This title would pass from Bregor to Bregolas and then to   
   Barahir after Bregolas death.   
      
   Lord of Ladros wasn't a kingship, but did imply leadership over Ladros   
   of some sort.   
      
   Whether this title passed to Barahir seems to be muddy. It is noted   
   that there were three that held this title; Boromir, Bregor and   
   Bregolas, but I remember reading that Barahir also held this title.   
      
   One can assume that the title passed by default to Bregors oldest son   
   Bregolas upon his death, and then Bregolas died, the implication was   
   that it passed to Barahir.   
      
   But at the time, Ladros was attacked by Angband which is how Bregolas   
   died and following these events, Barahir and Bregolas sons were exiled   
   from these lands, and Ladros was later swallowed by the sea, so the   
   title would have been useless to Barahir either way.   
      
   > My question is: why? Bregolas had two living sones at the time of his death:   
   > Baragund and Belegund - would not the kingship pass from father to son   
   > whenerpossible - and that Barahir would be SOL ? or deid leadership pass to   
   > a younger brother befoe it would pass to a son?   
   >   
   > now obviously - Tolkien needed Barahir to be the leader as to have the ring   
   > to pass to Beren - but is there a story-internal reason to support this?   
      
   I think there is :-D   
      
      
      
      
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