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Favourite Gondolin Lord

Konrad S
Lorien

Dec 21 2014, 7:02pm

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Hi I have two things. First, who is your favorite Gondolin house / lord is my Ecthelion and Glorfindel then I'll look who's most well-liked.


And second, could you send pictures as you know the houses and the lords.


The Lords are......


Duilin


The name Duilin refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Duilin (disambiguation).
Duilin was an elf-lord of Gondolin, chief of the House of the Swallow, as is stated in the Fall of Gondolin. He was a master archer, as well as the "swiftest of all men to run and leap". He perished during the Fall upon the walls even as he shot, smitten by a fiery bolt of the Balrogs.


Egalmoth



Egalmoth
Noldo
Biographical Information
Other names "of the Heavenly Arch"
Location Gondolin
Affiliation House of the Heavenly Arch
Death F.A. 538
Mouths of Sirion in the Third Kinslaying[1]
Physical Description
Gender Male
Clothing Blue mantle with crystal stars[2]
Weaponry Curved sword, bow[2]
Egalmoth, who lived during the First Age, was a Noldorin elf of Gondolin, the leader of the Folk of the Heavenly Arch. He wore a blue mantle upon which stars were embroidered in crystal, and his sword was "bent" (none of the other Noldor carried curved swords). However, he trusted more to his bow, for he could shoot high and far.

He survived the Fall of Gondolin, and fled to the Mouths of Sirion. He later died in the attack by the Sons of Fëanor.

Etymology

Egalmoth is formed by a consonant metathesis of the word aegamloth which means "A Spike upon a Flowered Crest" in Sindarin (from aeg = "point" and amloth = "flowered crest, implying a crest on a helmet").



Rog


Rog was the name of an elf-lord of Gondolin.[1]

History

Rog was a blacksmith, and chief of the Folk of the Hammer of Wrath. He was considered the strongest of the Noldor, and was like considered third greatest in valour. He led his people against the balrogs and orcs during the Fall of Gondolin after the Gate was broken. Later during the battle he stirred his kindred against the Balrogs with words of passion, and though many were slain, they slew a number of the fiery creatures "that... was a marvel and dread to the hosts of Morgoth, for ere that day never had any Balrogs been slain by the hand of Elves or Men". But the House of the Hammer of Wrath were hemmed in, and every one of them perished, including Rog.[1]

Etymology

The name Rog, in earlier writings Rôg, seems curious as a name for an elf-lord of Gondolin: no other one-syllable names appear in other writings.

The meaning or etymology of the name is unclear, but in the context of the later works, it means "demon" as an element in Balrog




Galdor



Galdor was a Noldorin Elf, who lived in Gondolin during the First Age, and was the leader of the Folk of the Tree. He was said to be the bravest Elf of Gondolin, save King Turgon himself.[1] He carried either a great club or spear, and wore green. After the Fall of Gondolin he fled southwards to the Mouths of Sirion, after leading the scouts before the exiles on their escape. It is said he later returned to the Undying Lands, and dwelt on Tol Eressëa.[2]
Other versions of the Legendarium

In late writings, Tolkien considered that Galdor of the Trees and Galdor of the Havens may have been the same,[3] but ultimately rejected the notion. If Galdor had remained behind, he would either have completely rejected the call of the Valar, and thus had fallen, or he would have had to leave and then return like Glorfindel did, which would make him a far more powerful person than his appearance in The Lord of the Rings suggests.[4] For this reason Tolkien speculated that "Galdor" was simply a common Sindarin name.





Tuor




Tuor
Tuor
Ted Nasmith - Tuor at Vinyamar.jpg
Tuor
Adan
Biographical Information
Other names Tuor Eladar
Tuor Ulmondil
Tuor the Blessed
Titles Lord of the House of the Wing
Location Dor-lómin; Gondolin; Mouths of Sirion
Language Sindarin
Birth F.A. 472
Dor-lómin
Sailed west F.A. 525 (aged 53)
Mouths of Sirion
Family
House House of Hador
Parentage Huor & Rían
Spouse Idril Celebrindal
Children Eärendil
Physical Description
Gender Male
Height Tall
Hair color Golden
Clothing Elven armour, including shield
Weaponry Dramborleg
Steed Eärrámë
"I am Tuor son of Huor of the House of Hador and the kindred of Húrin, and these names, I am told, are not unknown in the Hidden Kingdom."
― Tuor to Elemmakil, captain of the Outer Guard of Gondolin.[1]
Tuor Eladar (born F.A. 472) was a hero of the Edain in the last years of the First Age, and the father of Eärendil. In spite of being a Man, he was chosen by the Vala Ulmo to be the last hope of the Noldor in the face of annihilation by the forces of Morgoth.

Born in the winter of the 'Year of Lamentation', Tuor's life coincided with the final defeat of the Edain and the Noldor-in-Exile by the forces of Morgoth. He was of the House of Hador,[1][2] but after the deaths of his parents Huor and Rían in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad was fostered by the surviving Elves of Mithrim. He passed his youth a refugee and an outlaw, before being guided by the Vala Ulmo to the hidden city of Gondolin. There he rose high in the favour of the High King Turgon and wedded the elf-maiden Idril, the King's daughter. Escaping the fall of Gondolin, he and his family came to the Mouths of Sirion. After abiding there long enough to see Eärendil to manhood Tuor finally succumbed to his sea-longing and, with Idril, departed Middle-earth for the West. The tradition of the Noldor was that he became the only Man to be accepted as one of the elder kindred and will share with them an immortal life in Valinor as long as Arda will endure.[3][4]

Contents

[hide]
1 Family and heritage
2 History
2.1 Journeys in the Wild
2.2 Life in Gondolin
2.3 The Fall of Gondolin
2.4 Fate
3 Character and traits
4 Genealogy
5 Etymology
6 Other Versions of the Legendarium
6.1 The Fall of Gondolin
7 See Also
8 Notes
9 References
Family and heritage

His father Huor and his elder brother Húrin Thalion, were fostered with their kin in Brethil. They were of the House of Hador, but also descended from the House of Haleth through their mother Hareth. During a battle following the Dagor Bragollach, the brothers escaped the hordes of Morgoth with the aid of Ulmo, and Thorondor brought them to Gondolin. Ulmo counselled Turgon the Hidden King to treat them as guests, as help would come to him from their House. After they learnt much from the Gondolindrim, Turgon reluctantly waived his law and let them leave on a condition of silence.[5]

On his return, Huor married Rían, of the House of Bëor. Thus Tuor was a descendant of all the Three Houses of the Edain. When Tuor was conceived, Huor gave him his name before he was born. Months later Huor fell in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad defending the retreat of Turgon, speaking his last words to the Elven King: "...out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men... from you and from me a new star shall arise".[6]

History

After hearing news of the battle Rían became distraught and left Dor-lómin to wander alone in the wild. She was rescued by the Sindar of Mithrim who took her to their dwelling in the mountains. Before the end of the year Tuor was born and was given to the Elves of Mithrim to be fostered. Rían, having heard from Annael the leader of the Elves the news of Huor's death, made her way to the Haudh-en-Ndengin, where she laid down in grief and died.[7]

Soon after Hithlum was occupied by the Swarthy Men who had joined Morgoth in the Nírnaeth. Annael and his people therefore took refuge in the caves of Androth, where Tuor spent his youth. At the age of sixteen Tuor wished to make war upon the Orcs and the Incomers who oppressed the land of his fathers, but was forbidden by Annael. Rather in F.A. 488 the group resolved to flee Hithlum by the Annon-in-Gelydh and make their way to the Mouths of Sirion. Soon after setting out however they were assailed by Orcs and forced to scatter into the night. Tuor, however, refused to flee, and stood his ground, slaying many enemies before being captured.

Journeys in the Wild

Tuor was thrall in the House of Lorgan, chief of the Easterlings of Dor-lómin, for three years. He was treated harshly because Lorgan knew of his lineage, but nevertheless endured the torment until he found his opportunity to escape. Upon being sent into the woods on an errand he slew his guards and, escaping pursuit, returned to the caves of Androth. For the next four years he dwelt alone there as an outlaw, slaying many Easterlings and accumulating a large price on his head. He was seeking the Annon-in-Gelydh – the 'Gate of the Noldor' through the Ered Lómin, by which Annael had intended to escape Hithlum unnoticed. After years of searching the Vala Ulmo, who already had chosen long ago Tuor as his instrument, sent him a sign that finally led him to the Gate of the Noldor. Upon reaching its entrance Tuor met Gelmir and Arminas, messengers of Círdan who were seeking a way to Gondolin, and they showed him the path through the mountains to Nevrast.



Ted Nasmith - Ulmo Appears before Tuor
In F.A. 495 Tuor passed through Nevrast and became the first Man to reach the shores of Belegaer, the Great Sea, and felt for the first time the sea-longing that would stay with him the rest of his life. He lingered by Belegaer until the autumn, and then after receiving another sign from Ulmo followed seven swans southward. These led him to the abandoned city of Vinyamar where long ago Turgon had dwelt and, at the behest of Ulmo, left a sword, armour and a shield bearing the device of a white swan on a blue field. Tuor took these arms and made his way to the shore. Then during a great storm the Lord of Waters finally appeared to Tuor directly, ordering him to seek the city of Gondolin, and giving him a cloak that had a power to hide him from foes. The next morning he met Voronwë – an elf of Gondolin who had been shipwrecked off the coast of Beleriand and rescued and brought to Vinyamar by Ulmo. After hearing Tuor speak the words of Ulmo Voronwë agreed to guide him to the hidden gate of Gondolin.

Life in Gondolin



Ted Nasmith - Tuor Reaches the Hidden City of Gondolin
Voronwë led Tuor through Núath, a land desolated by the recent passing of Glaurung the Dragon to Nargothrond. At the Pools of Ivrin Tuor caught a brief glimpse of his ill-fated cousin Túrin, son of Hurin, as he cried for Finduilas – the only time their two paths ever crossed. Then after enduring a bitter winter Tuor and Voronwë finally reached the gate of Gondolin. They were taken as prisoners by Elemmakil and brought before Ecthelion of the Fountain who, recognising from his arms that Tuor had been sent by Ulmo, welcomed into the city with honour. Tuor then came before before the High King Turgon and delivered the message of Ulmo: the Doom of Mandos was nearing its fulfilment and Turgon should abandon his city and retreat to the Havens of Sirion.

Turgon however chose not to heed Ulmo's warning, though it did prompt him to block up the hidden door and make Gondolin's isolation complete. Therefore Tuor remained in Gondolin and like his father before him he learned much from the Elves. He fell in love with Idril Celebrindal, the daughter of the King, and she with him, and in F.A. 502 they were married.[8] This union, as well as the favour of the King and the memory of his father, endeared Tuor to the people of Gondolin and he was made the leader of the House of the Wing. Only Maeglin and his followers harboured a secret hatred and jealousy of him.

The Fall of Gondolin



John Howe - The Fall of Gondolin
Soon after their union a Half-elven was born to Tuor and Idril, who was named Eärendil or 'Sea-friend', reflecting the 'sea-longing' Tuor passed to his son[9]. But in F.A. 510 Gondolin's secrecy finally failed. First Húrin, Tuor's uncle, released from Morgoth's long torment and attempting to enter the city, revealed its location in the Encircling Mountains. Still Morgoth would not have found an entrance to the city were it not for the treachery of Maeglin, who having defied the King's order and ventured outside the encircling mountains was captured by Orcs and brought to Angband – there he betrayed Turgon in return for the promise of the lordship of Gondolin and the possession of Idril.

During the subsequent siege Tuor fought valiantly. He rescued Idril from Maeglin, throwing the Dark Elf from the walls of the city to his death. But in the end Gondolin fell and Turgon was killed. Tuor and Idril led the survivors of the sack in a desperate escape through the secret way Idril had prepared and over the mountains. Protected by Ulmo they journeyed down the vale of Sirion to the Havens at its mouth – the last refuge of the Elves of Beleriand. On the way the remnant of Gondolin stopped in Nan-tathren to make a feast in memory of the fallen, and here Tuor composed The Horns of Ylmir for his son Eärendil. Fate

Tuor and Idril dwelt for a while at the Mouths of Sirion. But eventually the sea-longing that had been instilled in him when he first came to the shores of Belegaer grew too strong. In F.A. 525 he built a ship, Eärrámë (Q: 'Sea-wing'), and sailed to the West with Idril, and possibly Voronwë also.[10] It was a tradition under the Eldar and Edain that they arrived in Valinor, and that Tuor alone of Men was counted among the Eldar, immortal as other Elves.[note 1]

However Huor's prophecy on the field of Nírnaeth Arnoediad proved true. In the same year that Tuor and Idril departed Eärendil married Elwing in the third union of Elves and Men. At first seeking after his father, he sailed to Valinor and roused the Valar to the War of Wrath, and so became the prophesied saviour of the Elves and Men of Middle-earth. Through Eärendil Tuor was an ancestor of the Half-elven and the Kings of Númenor.

Character and traits

Tuor was "fair of face" and inherited the golden hair of the House of Hador. As a man he was "strong and tall and valiant" and skilled at arms. But being raised by Elves he also had great lore and skill.[11]

Genealogy

His paternal grandfather Galdor was the Lord of Dor-lómin,[12] so Tuor technically inherited that title after the death of his cousin Túrin Turambar in F.A. 499, though by that time Dor-lómin had long since ceased to exist as a realm of the Edain. In Gondolin he was made the Lord of the House of the Wing




Etymology

The name Tuor was adapted to Sindarin from the language of the Edain.[13][note 2]

In the Etymologies, Noldorin Tuor ("strength-vigour") derives from Common Eldarin tūghor, tū-gor (root TUG-).[14] In the context of this etymology, Tuor can likely be analyzed as tû ("strength") + a derivative of root GOR ("violence, impetus, haste").[15]

Tuor bore the epithets Eladar (Q. 'Starfather'), Ulmondil (Q. 'Friend of Ulmo')[16] and the Blessed.[17]

Other Versions of the Legendarium

Tuor is intimately connected with the tale of 'The Fall of Gondolin', one of the core legends of the Elder Days and the earliest narratives of the legendarium to be composed by Tolkien.[18] A compressed version of the story written between 1926 and 1930 was edited by Christopher Tolkien and included in the published Silmarillion as Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin. There also exists a more substantial but unfinished narrative, started by Tolkien in 1951, which was published in Unfinished Tales under the title Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin.

The Fall of Gondolin

The only 'complete' source on Tuor therefore remains the very early The Fall of Gondolin, written while Tolkien was on sick-leave from the army in 1917 and later incorporated into The Book of Lost Tales. In this version nothing is said about Tuor's early life and lineage, though later he introduces himself to the Gondothlim as "Tuor son of Peleg son of Indor of the house of the Swan of the sons of the Men of the North". He is described as a hermit ("Tuor of the lonely heart") living in the woods of Mithrim who simply happened upon the Gate of the Noldor and so came to live in a cave by the sea. Ulmo—employing swans, which Tuor as in later versions took as his emblem—then guided Tuor from the shores of the sea to a group of Noldor, who took him through the fenland region of Arlisgion and hence to the Land of Willows. Here Tuor would have stayed, but Ulmo appeared to him directly and ordered him to seek Gondolin. In this version he did not receive his arms from Turgon until he reached Gondolin.



Ted Nasmith - Flight of the Doomed
Conversely Tuor's years in Gondolin are described more fully in the Lost Tale than in any subsequent text. He bore an axe called Dramborleg and is said to lived in a house on the southern wall of the city. He is also named as the leader of one of twelve Houses of Gondolin, the House of the Wing, whose emblem was the wing of a swan or gull. Tuor's deeds in the battle for the city are also given. After rescuing Idril and Eärendel from the treacherous Meglin, and leaving Voronwë to guard them, he and his company made their way to the battle at the gate. Here they fought alongside Ecthelion of the Fountain as dragons pulled down the walls of the city and enemies poured in. Tuor is said to have slain three orc-lords: Othrod, Balcmeg and Lug; as well as five balrogs. Eventually however he was forced to retreat bearing the injured Ecthelion. After being rescued by Galdor in the Square of the Folkwell, he rallied what remained of the defenders of the city and made for the King's Square. During its defence Tuor was set upon by Gothmog, lord of Balrogs and would have perished, but Ecthelion came to his aid and slew the Balrog, going to his own death in the attempt. At this point Turgon conceded the city was lost, as Mandos had foretold, and though he himself resolved to stay in the city ordered Tuor to lead the survivors through Idril's secret way. When they emerged onto the plain of Tumladin a miraculous mist, and Tuor rescued Eärendel, who had fled the city earlier with a servant called Hendor, from a pack of wolf-riders. Tuor and the refugees were then attacked once more as they fled over the encircling mountains, by a balrog, but Thorondor and his eagles came to their aid. Glorfindel slew the balrog but was himself killed when its body fell on him.

The Fall of Gondolin ends with Tuor, Idril and Eärendel living at the Mouths of Sirion, however in Tolkien's notes for what was to be the next chapter of The Book of Lost Tales he mentions that Tuor disappeared while at sea.[19]

In the different manuscripts of The Fall of Gondolin Tolkien alternated between Tuor and Tûr, but eventually settled on Tuor in the 1930s Silmarillion.




Maeglin




Maeglin
Maeglin
Lorraine Brevig - Maeglin.jpg
Maeglin
Noldo
Biographical Information
Other names Lómion (Q, mn)
Titles Lord of the House of the Mole
Location Nan Elmoth; Gondolin
Birth F.A. 320
Nan Elmoth
Death F.A. 510 (aged 190)
The Fall of Gondolin
Family
Parentage Eöl & Aredhel
Physical Description
Gender Male
Hair color Black
Eye color Dark
Weaponry Anguirel
"He resembled in face and form rather his kindred of the Noldor, but in mood and mind he was the son of his father. His words were few save in matters that touched him near, and then his voice had a power to move those that heard him and to overthrow those that withstood him."
― The Silmarillion, Of Maeglin
Maeglin was an Elf, the son of Eöl the Dark Elf and Aredhel daughter of Fingolfin. He lived in the First Age of Middle-earth and was a lord of Gondolin, chief of the House of the Mole.

Contents

[hide]
1 History
1.1 Early History
1.2 The Fall of Gondolin
2 Etymology
3 Genealogy
4 References
5 See Also
[edit] History

[edit] Early History

Aredhel had left Gondolin to wander through Beleriand, and in the woods of Nan Elmoth she met Eöl, and stayed with him, eventually giving birth to Maeglin. The child grew up hearing tales of Gondolin, the Hidden City and his uncle, Turgon, most importantly that he had no heir to the throne, thus the idea of leaving the dark places of Nan Elmoth was born in his mind. Years later Aredhel left Eöl and she took her son (who stole his father's sword, Anguirel) with her, both of them returning to Gondolin. Eöl had followed her, and in judgment before Turgon he attempted to kill Maeglin with a poisoned dart, but hit Aredhel instead. She died, and Eöl was cast down to his death from the city walls, under Maeglin's eyes.

He was now an orphan, but Turgon held him in honor, and Maeglin both learned and taught much. He became an elven lord held in high esteem, even leading his own House of the Mole. He found rich lodes of metals in the Echoriath surrounding the city, and forged weapons of steel stronger than had been seen before. His mine in the Echoriath was named Anghabar, Iron-Mine. In the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, "Battle of Unnumbered Tears", Maeglin refused to remain behind as regent, and went forth to battle with Turgon proving valiant at need, though he was wise in council as well. The seventh and final gate of Gondolin, the Gate of Steel, was Maeglin's creation.

Even though he was one of the mighty of Gondolin, he most desired Turgon's daughter Idril who was his first cousin. But there was no hope for him, as the "Eldar wedded not with kin so near". More over, Idril perceived an evil coming from him and for as long as Gondolin existed, she avoided him. Thus the love inside Maeglin's heart turned to darkness and though he had neither her nor the kingship of Gondolin, he endured it in silence, waiting for an opportunity to seize them both.

The Fall of Gondolin

When Tuor came, carrying Ulmo's warning of the danger to Gondolin, Maeglin sat on the right hand of Turgon and argued against Tuor. Tuor's marriage with Idril further incensed Maeglin, who rebelled against Turgon and Tuor. Later, seeking after metals, Maeglin defied Turgon's order to stay within the mountains, and was captured by Orcs and brought to Angband. Morgoth promised both Gondolin and Idril in return for the location of the hidden city, thus luring Maeglin into the greatest treachery done in the Elder Days. He gave him a token that would allegedly keep him safe from the sack.

Maeglin returned to Gondolin saying nothing about his encounter, but many people noticed a change. Most thought it was for the better, though Idril suspected something and began work on Idril's secret way. He managed to turn some of the weaker lords, such as Salgant and the roguish to his side. When the hosts of Morgoth surrounded the city, Maeglin counseled Turgon against flight, and because of his place in the King's heart he swayed him to his advantage. As the battle over Gondolin took place, Maeglin tried to kill Eärendil and take Idril for himself. But Tuor caught up with him and they fought upon the walls of the city. Maeglin lost and he was thrown down to his death.

Etymology

Maeglin means "sharp glance" in Sindarin, a name which he received from his father when he was twelve. It is formed by the union of maeg, which translates as "sharp" or "piercing", "penetrating" and glîn, meaning "gleam", "glint" (of eyes). At birth, Aredhel gave Maeglin the mother-name of Lómion, meaning "Child of Twilight" in Quenya. It comes from lómë, a noun that translates as "dusk", "twilight" and also "night".[1]




Ecthelion



The name Ecthelion refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Ecthelion (disambiguation).
"I shan't call it the end, till we've cleared up the mess." — Sam
This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.
"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Anna Lee - Ecthelion.jpg
Ecthelion
Noldo
Biographical Information
Titles Lord of the House of the Fountain
Position Warden of the Great Gate
Location Gondolin
Language Quenya
Death F.A. 510
The Fall of Gondolin
Family
House House of the Fountain
Physical Description
Gender Male
Clothing Silver-spiked helmet
Weaponry Sword

"And high and noble as was Elemmakil, greater and more lordly was Ecthelion, Lord of the Fountains, at that time Warden of the Great Gate. All in silver was he clad, and upon his shining helm there was set a spike of steel pointed with a diamond; and as his esquire took his shield it shimmered as if it were bedewed with drops of rain, that were indeed a thousand studs of crystal."
― Unfinished Tales, Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin

Ecthelion was an Elf-lord of Gondolin, leader of the People of the Fountain and slayer of Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs. He was also at one point Warden of the Great Gate of Gondolin. Ecthelion had the most beautiful voice and greatest musical talent with the flute of all the people of Gondolin. He led a wing of Gondolin's forces during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, "The Battle of Unnumbered Tears".




Glorfindel




Glorfindel
"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Soni Alcorn-Hender - Glorfindel.jpg
Glorfindel
Noldo
Biographical Information
Other names Laurefindil
Titles Lord of the House of the Golden Flower
Location Aman, Gondolin
Language Quenya and Sindarin
Birth during Years of the Trees
Aman
Death F.A. 510 (aged 6500+)
Gondolin (then re-embodied)
Family
Parentage Unknown. See below
Physical Description
Gender Male
Height Tall
Hair color Long golden[1]
Steed Asfaloth
Sound-icon.png Glorfindel.mp3
By Ardamir. (Help; more articles)
"Glorfindel was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face fair and young and fearless and full of joy; his eyes were bright and keen, and his voice like music; on his brow sat wisdom, and in his hand was strength."
― The Fellowship of the Ring, Many Meetings
Glorfindel (S "golden haired", pron. [ɡlorˈfindel])[2] was one of the mightiest Elves of Middle-earth in the Third Age. He was distinctive because of his return to Middle-earth after death, acting as an emissary of the Valar, on a similar mission to the Istari who were to come several thousand years later.



Early History

Glorfindel was born in Valinor sometime during the Years of the Trees. He was of the host of Turgon, who was one of the most determined and unrepentant followers of Fëanor. Nevertheless Glorfindel himself was reluctant; only for his allegiance and kinship with Turgon did he go, and had no part in the Kinslaying of Alqualond Gondolin

After the Exile of the Noldor Glorfindel’s history is obscure. As a great follower of Turgon he was appointed chief of the House of the Golden Flower, one of the Twelve Houses of Gondolin. He was dearly loved by all the Gondolindrim, and went about in a mantle embroidered in threads of gold, diapered with celandine "as a field in spring". His vambraces were damascened with "cunning gold".



Jenny Dolfen - Glorfindel and Ecthelion
He witnessed the coming of Tuor and later the Fall of Gondolin. During the ensuing battle in the streets, Glorfindel chose (or was ordered) to hold the Great Market from the advancing orcs. He attempted to flank them, taking the enemy by surprise, but was himself ambushed and surrounded. Cut off, the House of the Golden Flower fought on fiercely for hours, until a fire-breathing dragon came and leveled their ranks. Glorfindel, with some of the strongest of his followers, cut his way out, but the survivors of that battle were very few. Even then they were pursued and might have all been killed, but the House of the Harp arrived in time, after rebelling from their treacherous leader Salgant, ambushing their pursuers. The Golden Flower arrived at the Square of the King, one of the last of the Houses to be driven in.
As many of the lords had fallen, Ecthelion was wounded, Galdor was engaged, and Egalmoth had not yet arrived, Glorfindel joined Tuor in leading the defense of the King’s Square. When Egalmoth arrived, bringing with him many women and children, he took over Glorfindel’s job in going from place to place, strengthening the defenses. Glorfindel presumably threw himself once more into the thick of the fight. But even he could not prevent a dragon from coming down from the Alley of Roses, breaking through their lines. The dragon was accompanied by orcs and balrogs, among them Gothmog. Even Tuor was thrown down, but Ecthelion sacrificed himself to kill Gothmog and buy the Gondolindrim a little more time. When the Gondolindrim fled southward, and King Turgon was slain, Glorfindel held the rear manfully, losing many more of his House in the process. After they had escaped Gondolin via Idril's secret way, and passed through the Cirith Thoronath, Glorfindel again held the rear with the largest number of the unwounded.



Ted Nasmith - Glorfindel and the Balrog Above Gondolin
It was at that time that a balrog and a contingent of orcs ambushed their company. Glorfindel there accomplished his greatest deed, for he saved the lives of Tuor, Idril, and all the company when he defied the balrog. They fought long. According to The Fall of Gondolin Glorfindel stabbed it in the belly, but as the balrog fell it reached out and grabbed his long golden hair, pulling him back down over the edge of the cliff. He perished in the fall, but his body was borne up by Thorondor, and buried him with a mound of stones in the pass. On that mound grew yellow flowers (possibly celandine), despite its remote location.
Re-embodiment and Return

Glorfindel’s spirit passed to the Halls of Mandos, where he waited with the spirits of the other Noldor who had died during their war against Morgoth. But because of Glorfindel’s noble actions in life, his reluctance at the Exile, and his furthering of the purposes of the Valar by saving Tuor and Idril, he was re-embodied after only a short time. He had redeemed himself, and was purged of any guilt. Not only did his sacrifice get him an early pardon, it earned him great powers, so that he was almost an equal to the Maiar.[3]

Glorfindel spent several hundred years in Valinor, during which time he became a friend and follower of the Maia Olórin. Eventually, Manwë sent him across the sea to Middle-earth, possibly as early as Second Age 1200, but more likely in 1600 with the Blue Wizards. If the latter date, he arrived just after the One Ring had been forged, Barad-dûr built, and Celebrimbor dead or soon to be so. While the Blue Wizards were sent to the east, Glorfindel’s mission was to aid Gil-galad and Elrond in the struggle against Sauron. He played a prominent behind-the-scenes role in the war in Eriador and the other struggles of the Second Age and Third Age. His part, though great, was mostly overlooked by the histories, because his immense, angelic power was not usually displayed openly.[3]
Third Age




Glorfindel may have greeted his friend Olórin in Mithlond around T.A. 1000, who was on a similar mission to his own. Over time, as the few remaining great Elves of Middle-earth took ship to Aman or fell one by one, only Galadriel, Celeborn, Elrond, and Círdan were left of the Wise. Glorfindel took a more active role, leading the Elven forces in the Battle of Fornost. Upon the humiliation of Eärnur before the Witch-king, Glorfindel bade him not pursue, and prophesied that the wraith would not fall by the hand of man. Not much can be said about his deeds and role in the events and struggles of the Westlands before the War of the Ring.
During the War, he was one of the elves dispatched from Rivendell by Elrond to search for the Ring-bearer. Elrond had chosen him partially because Glorfindel did not fear the Ringwraiths, as he had great presence in both the Seen and Unseen worlds. While on his perilous mission the Ringwraiths avoided him; he met five of them, and they fled at his presence. It was Glorfindel indeed who accomplished his mission and found the Ringbearer, Frodo Baggins, and his friend Aragorn with him. Glorfindel put Frodo on his horse, Asfaloth, and upon the approach of the Ringwraiths ordered him to go on. The white horse bore Frodo to safety across the Ford of Bruinen, but Frodo, in a rash act of attempted heroism, turned around at the other side and defied the Nine. Glorfindel, expecting the flood that protected Rivendell to come down and smite the riders, revealed his power to the Riders, and drove them (willingly or not) into the River, where they were swept away by the ensuing waters.

After this adventure, he helped bear Frodo to Rivendell, where the wounded Ringbearer was tended to. Glorfindel attended the Council of Elrond, playing an active role in the conversation, speaking prophetically of Tom Bombadil and other matters with authority. Glorfindel stood beside Elrond and Gandalf as the backbone of the Council, laying out clearly their options. At first Glorfindel suggested that the Ring would be safe in the depths of the Sea, but the far-sighted Gandalf noted the change of landscapes, and the unforeseen possibilities that could bring the Ring forth once more in a hundred or even a thousand years in the future. He was briefly considered as a member of the Fellowship of the Ring, but as his friend Gandalf said, Glorfindel's power would be of little use against the might of Mordor, on a mission of secrecy.



Ulla Thynell - Glorfindel
During the War of the Ring nothing is said of Glorfindel. Whatever his role, he survived and joined Elrond's company to the Wedding of Elessar. After that no more is said of him. Like Olórin, his task in Middle-earth was done, and the age of the Elves was over. He probably passed West, perhaps with the bearers of the Three Rings and the One Ring. Or he may have remained for a time in Middle-earth to oversee the cleanup after the war.

Attributes

Glorfindel was an elf of great beauty, power, wisdom, and moral courage. He was clearly loved by the people of Gondolin, who mourned his passing greatly. He acted most courageously during the Fall, his House being among those that suffered the greatest losses, and eventually giving his own life for the safety of Tuor and Idril, accomplishing the designs of the Valar, though it was said that he "would have defended them even had they been fugitives of any rank". He was repentant of the rebellion of the Noldor, and took no part in the Kinslaying. His acts in the Third Age also show great presence and authority, as does the very fact that he was sent as an emissary of the Valar.

Etymology

Glorfindel means (S "golden haired", pron. [ɡlorˈfindel]). It is the Sindarin calque of Laurefindil[2] (Q: "golden head of hair", pron. N [ˌlaʊreˈfindil], V [ˌlaʊreˈɸindil]), which is made up of two components; laure means "golden color" and findil or findilë means "head of hair".

Controversy

Some have questioned whether Glorfindel of Gondolin and Glorfindel of Rivendell were the same. While writing the Lord of the Rings Tolkien simply borrowed a name from his earlier legendarium, something he was known to do. The Peoples of Middle-earth, published posthumously, cast some light on this issue. Among the Last Writings published in that volume, there are two long essays, Glorfindel I and Glorfindel II. These were written later in life by Tolkien, and directly addressed whether the two Glorfindels were the same person. Both essays clearly indicated that they were the same person, and included a detailed discussion of 're-embodiment' in Tolkien's mythology.

". . . At any rate what at first sight may seem the simplest solution must be abandoned: sc. that we have merely a reduplication of names, and that Glorfindel of Gondolin and Glorfindel of Rivendell were different persons. This repetition of so striking a name, though possible, would not be credible… Also it may be found that acceptance of the identity of Glorfindel of old and of the Third Age will actually explain what is said of him and improve the story. . ."
― Last Writings, Glorfindel II
". . . After his purging of any guilt that he had incurred in the rebellion, he was released from Mandos, and Manwë restored him… We may then best suppose that Glorfindel returned during the Second Age, before the ‘shadow’ fell on Númenor. . ."
― Ibid.
As Tolkien's legendarium was an evolving work that he constantly updated and revised, there will always be some question of "final intent". Some may note that the above-quoted essays were private and not ever published, and thus should not be taken as decisive. Nevertheless the editors of the Tolkien Gateway believe that these essays, combined with Tolkien's published novels, clearly establish that Glorfindel of Gondolin and Glorfindel of Rivendell were the same person.

Parentage

The narrative doesn't mention Glorfindel's ancestry or parentage, and it is not known whether Tolkien wrote about the subject. Considering his apparent nobility, and his name Glorfindel ("Golden-haired")[2][4] he could be a heritage of a possible Vanyarin intermarriage, as is the case of Finarfin, Finrod, Galadriel and Idril. Robert Foster suggests that he might belong to the House of Finarfin[5] (although Turgon was of the House of Fingolfin).

Finwë’s daughters, Findis and Írimë, are two characters of the royal Noldorin-Vanyarin family tree about whom almost nothing is known, as well as whether they had descendants, leaving thus space for speculation about the ancestry of characters such as Glorfindel.

Earlier Versions of the Legendarium

In a hasty note about the Council of Elrond Tolkien suggested that Glorfindel could tell of his ancestry in Gondolin, but this idea was disbanded.

Glorfindel was originally planned to be part of the Fellowship of the Ring, in a way taking the place of Legolas. Tolkien proposed three dates as to his return to Middle-earth: T.A. 1000, with Gandalf, S.A. 1200 and the years following, or S.A. 1600. He dropped the first one after some thought, and though he declared the second possible, he favored the last as the most probable.




Penlod



Penlod
Noldo
Biographical Information
Other names "the Tall"
Titles Chief of the Houses of the Tower of Snow and the Pillar
Location Gondolin
Affiliation House of the Pillar
House of the Tower of Snow
Death F.A. 510
Gondolin
Physical Description
Gender Male
Height Tall
Penlod (or Penlodh) was a tall elf-lord of Gondolin, mentioned several times in the Fall of Gondolin. He was described as the tallest of the Noldor, and chief of both the House of the Pillar and the House of the Tower of Snow. He perished during the Fall after the death of Rog and the retreat further back into the city, "with his back to the wall." He was one of the possible owners of Orcrist.





Salgant




Salgant
Noldo
Biographical Information
Position Chief of the House of the Harp
Location Gondolin
Physical Description
Gender Male
Salgant was an Elf-lord of Gondolin who is first mentioned in the The Book of Lost Tales Part Two in the The Fall of Gondolin

History

Salgant was the chief of the House of the Harp, who bore the emblem of a golden harp upon a sable field. He was said to be heavy and squat, and he "fawned upon Maeglin".

He and Maeglin alone convinced Turgon to hold the city and guard the treasures, and though Maeglin spoke he backed him up. But later when Maeglin revealed his plots to Salgant, Salgant became frightened, and "lay... aquake on his bed". During the fall Turgon ordered him to the Great Market to reinforce Glorfindel and the House of the Golden Flower. But in his treachery he ordered them to the Lesser Market, though his men rebelled.

It is suggested that he either perished in the Fall or became a buffoon of Morgoth, "an ill fate for a noble of the good race of the Gnomes". It is said later that a young Eärendil mourned him, because he had "told him quaint tales or played drolleries with him at time".

Canonicity

The early character of Salgant appears quite unlike how Tolkien envisioned Elves in his later works. No Elf is described again as heavy and squat. However, as Tolkien did not revise The Fall of Gondolin, it can't be known if Salgant would remain.




High King Turgon



Turgon
Turgon
"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
This article or section needs expansion and/or modification. Please help the wiki by expanding it.
This article is about the Lord of Gondolin. For the the Steward of Gondor, see Turgon (Steward of Gondor).
Antti Autio - Turgon Aran Gondolin.jpg
Turgon
Noldo
Biographical Information
Other names Turukáno
Titles High King of the Noldor,
King of Gondolin
Location Gondolin
Language Quenya, Sindarin
Birth Y.T. 1300
Rule F.A. 472 - 510 (High King)
F.A. 126 - 510 (Gondolin)
Death F.A. 510 (aged 2,426[note 1])
Fall of Gondolin
Family
House House of Fingolfin
Parentage Fingolfin and Anairë
Siblings Fingon, Aredhel and Argon
Spouse Elenwë
Children Idril Celebrindal
Physical Description
Gender Male
Weaponry Glamdring
Turgon (S, pron. [ˈturɡon]) was an Elven king of the Noldor, second son of Fingolfin, brother to Fingon, Aredhel and Argon. He was lord of the Elves of Nevrast, and later of the hidden city of Gondolin.
He is described as tall, wearing white with a gold belt and a crown of garnets, holding the Staff of Doom in his hand. He was often called "the Wise".





Marya Filatova - Turukáno and Elenwe
Although Turgon was originally against the departure of the Ñoldor from Aman, he eventually did set out on the journey. After Fëanor and his sons departed using the only ships, he took his people across the dangerous Helcaraxë with his father Fingolfin. He lost his wife Elenwë in the crossing and settled at Vinyamar in Nevrast.

When he journeyed with his cousin Finrod Felagund along Sirion, Ulmo sent both of them a dream to look for a hidden place where they could be safe from the power of Morgoth. Then in the following year Ulmo appeared directly to Turgon and guided him to the vale of Tumladen in the Encircling Mountains. Initially, Turgon left Tumladen and returned to Vinyamar, keeping his discovery a secret for many years. After the Dagor Aglareb, Turgon began once again to feel the restlessness set in his heart by Ulmo, and his thought turned to Tumladen. He secretly moved many of the most skilled Ñoldor to the valley, and had them build Gondolin. When it was completed, he abandoned Vinyamar with his people and led them to Tumladen in secret, hidden by the power of Ulmo. Before leaving, however, and following Ulmo's prophecy, he left in Vinyamar a sword, mail and helm for one who would come in the hour of direst need of the Noldor and deliver hope. [1]

In Gondolin, Turgon ruled with the Staff of Doom in his right hand, and a coronet of garnets upon his head. At his side was Glamdring[2].

Turgon and his people remained isolated in Gondolin for many years with his daughter Idril, who married Tuor after the man found the secret way and discovered the city.

Turgon reemerged with his host during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and although the battle was still lost, his intervention prevented the rout from completely destroying the armies of the Ñoldor and their allies. He was killed at Gondolin's fall, when his tower fell down over his head.


Turgon is the Sindarized version of his Quenya father-name, Turukáno. The latter contains the element káno ("commander")


squire
Half-elven


Dec 21 2014, 7:22pm

Post #2 of 7 (874 views)
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Glorfindel, I guess [In reply to] Can't Post

He's the only one I really know, thanks to his somewhat dubious reappearance in The Lord of the Rings.

I don't have a lot of investment in the others profiled here, or in the Fall of Gondolin as part of JRRT's legendarium. The only text we have dates back to the earliest "Lost Tales" of the 1910s. Its style consequently is kind of hard to love, and I believe the prof repeatedly expressed disappointment later in his life that he never had time to rewrite it, as he did so many of the earlier tales in that cycle.

As a side note: sure, Tuor married the royal princess and fought in the battle, but does Tolkien really consider his fabulous mortal hero to be a 'Lord of Gondolin' in the same sense as all the actual Elf-lords covered in your extensive post? Or is that just an editorial decision by the source of all this material, the Tolkien Gateway site?



squire online:
RR Discussions: The Valaquenta, A Shortcut to Mushrooms, and Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit
Lights! Action! Discuss on the Movie board!: 'A Journey in the Dark'. and 'Designing The Two Towers'.
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Elthir
Grey Havens

Dec 22 2014, 3:43am

Post #3 of 7 (852 views)
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the name Rog and other sleep aids [In reply to] Can't Post


In Reply To
The name Rog, in earlier writings Rôg, seems curious as a name for an elf-lord of Gondolin: no other one-syllable names appear in other writings. The meaning or etymology of the name is unclear, but in the context of the later works, it means "demon" as an element in Balrog



In the early scenario the speculated meaning of Gnomish Rog was 'doughty, strong' or 'swift, rushing, fleet' (see The Book of Lost Tales II).

And if pressed I would have to guess 'doughty, strong' given the character's description. But again this was devised in Gnomish not Sindarin, and decades before Sindarin existed.

That said, some names were brought into the Sindarin scenario of course, like the famed Glorfindel, which was published in The Lord of the Rings, could not be Quenya, and so had to be explained in a Sindarin context.

A longer look at Glorfindel would go back to the Gnomish scenario, then through Etymologies (Noldorin), but for sake of 'brevity'... ahem... here's what I came up with so far, post-Lord of the Rings...

_____________________________

Jumping ahead to ideas written after The Lord of the Rings was published (thus after 1955): now we are finally dealing with Quenya and Sindarin, and although Tolkien would continue to tinker with his languages, the general history was settled on, as described in The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings.

Words, Phrases and Passages in The Lord of the Rings (WPP):

S Glorfindel = glaur + phin-dela DEL-, thick, dense Q phindele mass of long hair OS findel, later to finnel

The names of the Noldor in legend often contain archaic elements notably retention of nd medially and finally.

JRRT, WPP

This is interesting, as Tolkien seemingly explains why we do not have *Glorfinnel (compare to the 'Noldorin' name of Sam's daughter, Glorfinniel). But it appears JRRT was soon enough disatisfied with part of the derivation above. He next writes:

'The proposed DEL- 'thick, dense' will not, however do: it does not provide suitable Quenya or Sindarin forms outside the proposed *spin-dele 'mass of hairs, head of hair'. This is best explained from SPIN- 'fine thread, filament' distinct (though probably ultimately connected) from PHIN- 'skilful, neat, clever (especially applied to hands and fingers).'

JRRT, WPP

Tolkien will also refer here to the name Finwe 'man of manual skill'. So JRRT then imagines S esbin 'thin thread' find, finn 'single hair' (of man or elf)' *spinde poetic or archaic findel *spindila 'head of hair' (fax), preserved mainly in such old names as Glorfindel.'

But this does not seem to have fully landed either (assuming I have the correct external chronology here), as when Tolkien gets to musing about the name Finrod (which appears later in the books, so that's why I assume the following comments followed the earlier comments above)...

The element Fin- in Nold[orin] names is from PHI/PHINI of which the basic sense seems to have been 'skill, dexterity' (...) Its forms especially in names were however associated with products of SPIN-ID, lock, tress of human/Elvish hair. Q. finde, findele 'tress, lock'. So no doubt in Findis. Cf. Laurefin(de), Laurefindele, Sindarized as Glorfindel. But Findel (so, not to finnel) is prob[ably] an [?adj.] spin-dela, 'having beautiful hair', cf. esbin, a tress. Findel = Fairfax.

JRRT, WPP

And in seeming conjunction with this, WPP also reveals a root or base DEL- 'similar to PHIN but passive delya > lelya, fine, beautiful S. deil. spindela, having fine hair. spindidele > S findel. Findel.' And as for the initial element:

Q laurie laure, poetic or archaic gold (poetic: not the metal, but rather 'golden light,' properly or mythologically the light of Laurelin, one of the two trees in Valinor. S. glawar as in Glewellin ...'

LAW-, LAWAR- (...) the application to gold of this stem was poetic and referred to colour primarily (as especially of laburnum) not to material (malta) S glaw- sunshine Q loar, lavar (golden) blossom, laure (e), golden colour of sunshine or golden flowers. S glawar, glaur-

JRRT, WPP


So we arrive at Glorfindel 'Gold (golden light) + hair (fair hair)'.

Is this the final, 'detailed' meaning of this name? I can't think of anything later at the moment!

So that probably means there is something later Smile


(This post was edited by Elthir on Dec 22 2014, 3:54am)


Konrad S
Lorien

Dec 22 2014, 6:17am

Post #4 of 7 (846 views)
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Answear [In reply to] Can't Post

Squire yes i think Tuor was one of the lords but im not sure. There were twelve house, rich, big family, noble families and Tuor was Leader of one of them The House of the wing. Thats what i know


And elthir
That's what the names mean, I know little about. The thing Glorfindel it's also what I think after having written the first and duilin I noticed that it took too long so I copied and ransacked the lyrics a bit. It was also that I understood what it means to Glorfindel Golden hair does not mettalen golden the color golden although perhaps not being as I wrote it.Unsure And who whas your favourite Glorfindel and Rog i understand this like but idk.


Elthir
Grey Havens

Dec 23 2014, 2:41pm

Post #5 of 7 (811 views)
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My answer... [In reply to] Can't Post

... would be Glorfindel.

But I would asterisk the matter in general, as here we have a very early text and no way to tell if JRRT was going to retain all these names and all the details that go with these names. For example I tend to doubt there would be any Elf named Rog in an updated version, and Christopher Tolkien deleted this name from the constructed Silmarillion. Is it impossible? No...

... but comparing the first few pages of the Fall of Gondolin from The Book of Lost Tales with the abandoned start of The Fall of Gondolin from the early 1950s (published in Unfinished Tales), I get the impression that while some things were to be brought forward (style aside here), other things were to be altered, expanded upon, possibly dropped.

The names for example, were invented in Gnomish not Sindarin. Gnomish doesn't exist internally in Middle-earth, it's a language Tolkien was working with in his early writing. Some names might fit Sindarin well enough, or fit with new meanings, or were ultimately published in a 'Noldorin context' so Tolkien had to deal with them in a Sindarin context...

... but there were plenty of things still open to revision here. I think Tolkien was going to use the old version as a general blueprint, but it's hard for me to treat such an early version as all 'true' within Middle-earth itself.

Do I still think Ecthelion was going to kill Gothmog by impaling him with his helmet, and into the fountain they go?

Yes, largely because Tolkien described the spike on his helmet in the version of the early 1950s. As for the name Ecthelion it had been published in The Lord of the Rings, but we can see Tolkien doing a bit of a 'dance' (in my opinion, if an inventive one, see The War of the Jewels pages 318-319) when he explains its form and meaning in a Sindarin context.


(This post was edited by Elthir on Dec 23 2014, 2:56pm)


swordwhale
Tol Eressea


Dec 24 2014, 1:18am

Post #6 of 7 (786 views)
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........ [In reply to] Can't Post

You folk are amazing...

I thought I was an Elvish geek but...

Shocked

"Judge me by my size, would you?" Max the Hobbit Husky.





Konrad S
Lorien

Dec 24 2014, 6:15am

Post #7 of 7 (824 views)
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answear 2 [In reply to] Can't Post

To elthir okay okay I said I was not knowledgeable in Elvish or gnommish menmåhända is rog not very good alviskt name but now Tolkien wrote it and I think he meant that it is now an elf named Rog to go home to Christopher Tolkien and require to change his orginala text does not feel so good. And in my other thread, I'm over onto ecthelion swing orcrist not someone ordinary captain.

 
 

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