quenta noldorinwa

proper name. the History of the Noldor

Another title for the Quenta Silmarillion (WJ/27). It is a combination of quenta “tale” and the possessive form of Noldorin. As Noldorin is itself already an adjective, this name is best understood as the “Tale of the Noldorin (People)”.

Conceptual Development: The name ᴹQ. Qenta Noldorinwa was Tolkien’s original title of the cycle of tales that eventually became The Silmarillion (SM/77). Later, Tolkien introduced the name ᴹQ. Qenta Silmarillion which became the full title of the tales, while Quenta Noldorinwa became an alternate title (LR/202).

In later writings, this name appeared with a number of variations. In some cases its final element was the genitive plural of Noldo: Noldoron (VT39/16) or Noldorion (PM/30). Sometimes its initial element was quentalë “history” (VT39/16). This entry uses Quenta Noldorinwa for consistency with its earlier form.

Changes

• Quenta Noldorion → Quenta Silmarillion ✧ PMI/Quenta Silmarillion

Elements

Word	Gloss
quenta	“story, narrative, account, history, story, narrative, account, history, [ᴹQ.] tale”
Noldorin	“of the Noldo; the Noldor language”

Variations

• Quenta Noldorion ✧ PM/030; PM/062; PMI/Quenta Silmarillion (Quenta Noldorion)
• quentale Ñoldoron ✧ VT39/16
• quentale Ñoldorinwa ✧ VT39/16