What is the elvish form of goverment in lord of the rings?

Question

I mean is it just a monarchy... ? We're studying it in class and this is part of a project.

Answer 1

In LOTR Tolkien's elves were governed by several kings and queens. They were from differant regions and/or tribes. You get a clearer picture of elvish royal houses from an earlier work (which was strangely enough published after his death) titled "The Silmarilion".

That work gives the history of the FIRST age of Middle Earth as well as some information on the Second. For example, Aragorn was descended from Elrond's twin brother Elros, who chose a mortal life.

The song that Aragorn was singing in "The Fellowship of the Ring" about Beren and Luthien was actually part of his OWN family history as they were the great-grandparents of Elrond and Elros.....

Answer 2

Tolken did not form out the Elven Governments very well in the original books. What we are left with is a loose fitting government similar to the government of Great Britian. Their is an Elven Royal Family with a King and a Queen. Their is an Elven Court which sit the Elven Lords (House of Lords) and, presumably, an elected coucil of Elven representatives of lesser standing (House of Commons). That is very loose fitting since it was not detailed by Tolken to any elaberate degree, but what was mentioned seems to fit what has been in place in Great Britian for some time.

Answer 3

There are references in the books to a High Council which would indicate a ruling body similar to the Roman form of government.

On the other hand, Elves seem to do what is natural for them i.e. the best suited or wisest make the major decisions or lead, by consent from the others.

In reality, I don't think Tolkien developed their government to a definable degree.

Answer 4

Each High Elven Lord (by the Time of the LotR) is one who bears one of the Three Elven Rings. Don't forget that these Rings have the power to govern their subjects. Galadriel bears Nenya, Elrond bears Vilya, and Gandalf bears Narya, given to him by Cirdan. The Rings also have the ability to forestall the effects of Time in a Realm - therefore the timelessness and grandeur of Rivendell and Lothlorien. Had Cirdan not given Varya to Gandalf, then the Grey Havens would have been a Realm similiar to the other two. Also there is the fact that those three Elves are the oldest living Elves in Middle Earth - and two of them, Galadriel and Cirdan, were born in Valinor in the Elder Days before the making of the Sun and Moon and before the First Age. With estimates of those times being what they are, Galadriel herself could be over two million years old by the LotR.
The Light of the Two Trees still shines in her face, and by the power of her ancient wisdom does every Elf in Middle-Earth revere her as the only one worthy of the title Queen. Elrond Half-Elven is her son in-law, having married Galadriels' daughter Celebrian, and is therefore heir to her authority and power, as well as being the heir of the High Elven King Gil-Galad, who died fighting Sauron on the slopes of Mount Doom, and is also the son of Earendil and Elwing. Earendil was a mortal mariner who sailed to Valinor bearing the last surviving Silmaril in a plea to the Valar to intercede and vanquish Morgoth. They did so, but laid on Earendil this doom: to forever sail the heavens with the Silmaril, as a star visible in Middle-Earth. The Light of Earendil is what Galadriel gave to Frodo in the Phial. Elwing lives still, in a watchtower on the northern beaches of Valinor where Earendil rests every day. Gil-Galad gave Vilya to Elrond before he joined Elendil in their combat with Sauron. It is no wonder that all they have to do is say jump, and every Elf in Middle-Earth says how high?

Answer 5

there wasnt just one elf leader, so it cant be a monarchy. Elrond, Galadriel and her partner ( i forget his name) are just a few of several elf lords that are in the LOTR. It might be like a collection of village elders, I belive that every area governs itself. not sure what u call that