Swords and sky stones - Supernatural properties of Anglachel

Aug 26, 2026

An analysis of Anglachel, the black sword forged from meteoritic iron in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, traces how its “malice” and dark smithing origin shape its fateful role among key figures such as Thingol, Túrin, Beleg, and Maeglin. The study compares Anglachel’s mythic material properties with parallel meteoritic-sword traditions and follows its development across History of Middle-earth, focusing on when the astronomical origin is introduced and what late-1920s/early-1930s influences may have prompted it.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

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Swords and sky stones

Anglachel: origin, warnings, and malice

Túrin’s sword: betrayal, names, and fate

Evolution across History of Middle-earth

Comparative influences and real-world context

# Swords and sky stones Meteoric iron in The Silmarillion Meteorites,or “sky stones”,have a long tradition of inspiring worship and fear alike.One of the mostcurious weapons in Tolkien's Middle-earth is the black sword Anglachel,forged from meteoritic iron byEöl,the Dark Elf.Melian wisely warned that it contained“malice"and "the dark heart of the smith stildwells in it.""Given to Thingol by Eöl as payment for the privilege of dwelling in Nan Elmoth,the swordeventually made its way to the doomed hand of Túrin,and in its time drew much innocent blood. This paper explores the supernatural properties of Anglachel in comparison to similar legends of meteoriticiron,and suggest several real-world events which may have triggered Tolkien's addition of the meteoriticorigin of the sword to his legendarium circa 1930. In the published form of The Silmarillion,Anglachel wasforged by Eöl,the mysterious Dark Elf,husband of Aredhel,Turgon's sister,and father of Maeglin.It was made of “ironthat fell from heaven as a blazing star;it would cleave allearth-delved iron.One other sword only in Middle-earth waslike to it.That sword does not enter into this tale,though itwas made of the same ore by the same smith…”(Tolkien,2001:241).Eöl reluctantly gave Anglachel to Thingol,Kingof Doriath,for permission to live in Nan Elmoth,keepingAnguirel,the other meteoritic sword,for his own use until itwas stolen by Maeglin.The subsequent fate of Anglachel iscarefully laid out by Tolkien.Beleg,faithful friend of Túrin,chose the sword as payment for acting as a liason between thethen outlaw and Thingol.But Melian,with the insight of oneof the Maiar,warned that the sword had “malice”and that the"dark heart of the smith still dwells in it.It will not love thehand it serves;neither will it abide with you long”(Ibid.). True to Melian's ominous word,the sword betrayed Belegby pricking an unconscious Túrin's foot while its well-inten-tioned owner tried to cut Túrin's bindings.Túrin was “arousedinto a sudden wakefulness of rage and fear”and in his confu-sion killed Beleg with his own sword (Tolkien 2001:248).After the death of its owner,Anglachel was said to be “blackand dull and its edges blunt”and it was claimed that it"mourns for Beleg"(Tolkien 2001:250).In Nargothrond itwas reforged for Túrin,and "though ever black its edgesshone with pale fire;and he named it Gurthang,Iron ofDeath”(Tolkien 2001:251).Túrin became known asMormegil(Black Sword),and after many adventures killed mong the many tales that form J.R.R.Tolkien'slegendarium,perhaps none is more tragic than thatof Túrin Turambar.Filled with incest,murder,andsuicide,the life of this largely flawed hero,Tolkienhimself noted,draws from similar elements in the lives of thelegendary "Sigurd the Volsung,Oedipus,and the FinnishKullervo”(Carpenter,2000:150).One of the main charactersin this tale is neither human nor elf,but instead an inanimateobject,namely a curious talking sword named Anglachel,made from meteoritic iron.Interestingly,a survey of theHistory of Middle-earth volumes shows that the astronomicalorigin of Anglachel was not introduced into Tolkien's legen-darium until c.1930.This paper will trace the evolution ofAnglachel in the HoME volumes,compare its properties tothose of similar swords in legend and history,and posit thatTolkien's decision to include such an origin for the sword wasstrongly influenced by real-world events in the late 1920s andearly 1930s. Glaurung the dragon with the blade.Meanwhile,his pregnantwife learned that she was actually his sister and committedsuicide,and when Túrin discovered the truh,killed Brandir,the innocent bearer of that most unpleasant news.Unable tolive with all that he had done,Túrin finally asked the sword totake his life,to which it answered in a “cold voice...'I willdrink thy blood gladly,that so I may forget the blood of Belegmy master,and the blood of Brandir slain unjustly.I will slaythee swiftly'”(Tolkien 2001:271).Túrin then threw himselfupon his

FAQs

What is Anglachel made from, and why is that origin important?

Anglachel is forged from iron that “fell from heaven,” linking it to meteoritic, sky-stone origins. The supernatural material origin is portrayed as central to the sword’s harmful character.

How does Anglachel affect the people who handle it?

Melian warns that the sword contains malice and will not “love the hand it serves.” The text describes it betraying Beleg and later participating in Túrin’s tragic end.

When does Tolkien introduce the astronomical origin of Anglachel, and what does the paper investigate?

A survey of History of Middle-earth suggests the astronomical origin is introduced around c. 1930. The paper traces that evolution and proposes real-world events in the late 1920s and early 1930s may have influenced Tolkien’s addition.

Aug 26, 2026

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