Jun 29, 2026 · 4 min · 3 segments
From Norse legend to Christian Anglo-Saxon poetry to the skies of Middle-earth, we are taking a look at Earendil the Mariner, the first enduring character of Tolkien's legendarium. Purchase the…
[gentle music] "Hail Eärendil, brightest of angels above the Middle-earth sent unto Men, and true radiance of the Sun bright above the stars! Thou of thy very self illuminest forever and every season." These words of the ninth century Anglo-Saxon poem The Christ of Cynewulf capture Tolkien's imagination and inspired the first enduring character of his legendarium, Eärendil the Mariner.
In the original poem, Eärendil is a light of Christ that illuminates the world with his wisdom and goodness.
In Tolkien's mind, however, the portrayal of this idea of Eärendil had room for development as he envisioned the journeys of this light that gives hope to men under the shadow.
Eärendil, or Morning Star, is a myth-laden name that can be found in Christian Anglo-Saxon literature as well as in Norse tales, as Thor is said to have made a star with the toe of the giant Aurvandil, which is surely part of the same broader mythos of Eärendil.
In the case of Cynewulf, however, this light seems to either be a forerunner of Christ, such as John the Baptist, or perhaps even Christ himself.
In either case, Christ is at the center of this light, and Tolkien's Eärendil can parallel either interpretation, as he bridges seemingly discordant realities and intercedes on behalf of the people of Middle-earth.
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[gentle music] "Hail Eärendil, brightest of angels above the Middle-earth sent unto Men, and true radiance of the Sun bright above the stars! Thou of thy very self illuminest forever and every season." These words of the ninth century Anglo-Saxon poem The Christ of Cynewulf capture Tolkien's imagination and inspired the first enduring character of his legendarium, Eärendil the Mariner.
In the original poem, Eärendil is a light of Christ that illuminates the world with his wisdom and goodness.
In Tolkien's mind, however, the portrayal of this idea of Eärendil had room for development as he envisioned the journeys of this light that gives hope to men under the shadow.
Eärendil, or Morning Star, is a myth-laden name that can be found in Christian Anglo-Saxon literature as well as in Norse tales, as Thor is said to have made a star with the toe of the giant Aurvandil, which is surely part of the same broader mythos of Eärendil.
In the case of Cynewulf, however, this light seems to either be a forerunner of Christ, such as John the Baptist, or perhaps even Christ himself.
In either case, Christ is at the center of this light, and Tolkien's Eärendil can parallel either interpretation, as he bridges seemingly discordant realities and intercedes on behalf of the people of Middle-earth.
