Fingolfin: Difference between revisions

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{{sources}}
{{noldor infobox
{{noldor infobox
| name=Fingolfin
| name=Fingolfin
| image=[[File:Alice Falto - Fingolfin marching.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:Jenny Dolfen - Fingolfin.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Fingolfin marching" by [[:Category:Images by Alice Falto|Alice Falto]]
| caption="Fingolfin" by [[Jenny Dolfen]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames='''Ñolofinwë''' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Father-name|fn]])<br/>'''Aracáno''' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Amilessë|mn]])
| othernames=''Ñolofinwë'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Father-name|fn]]),<br/>''Aracáno'' ([[Quenya|Q]], [[Amilessë|mn]])
| titles=[[High King of the Noldor]]
| titles=[[High King of the Noldor]]<br/>King of the North
| position=
| position=
| location=[[Tirion]]</br>[[Hithlum]]
| location=[[Tirion]]; [[Hithlum]]
| affiliation=
| affiliation=
| language=[[Quenya]]</br>[[Sindarin]]
| language=[[Quenya]] and [[Sindarin]]
| birth={{YT|1190}}
| birth={{YT|1190}}
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
| birthlocation=[[Tirion]]
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| death={{FA|456}}
| death={{FA|456}}
| deathlocation=[[Anfauglith]]
| deathlocation=[[Anfauglith]]
| age=c. 45,096
| age=3426
| notablefor=
| notablefor=
| house=[[House of Finwë]]
| house=[[House of Finwë]], founded the [[House of Fingolfin]]
| parentage=[[Finwë]] (father)</br>[[Indis]] (mother)
| parentage=[[Finwë]] and [[Indis]]
| siblings=[[Fëanor]] (half-brother)</br>[[Findis]] (sister)</br>[[Lalwen]] (sister)</br>[[Finarfin]] (brother)
| siblings=[[Fëanor]] (half-brother), [[Findis]], [[Írimë]] and [[Finarfin]]
| spouse=[[Anairë]] (wife)
| spouse=[[Anairë]]
| children=[[Fingon]] (son)</br>[[Turgon]] (son)</br>[[Aredhel]] (daughter)</br>[[Argon]] (son)
| children=[[Fingon]], [[Turgon]], [[Aredhel]] and [[Argon]]
| gender=Male
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| height=Tall
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| steed=[[Rochallor]]
| steed=[[Rochallor]]
}}
}}
<center>{{quote|In that vast shadow once of yore<br>Fingolfin stood: his shield he bore<br>with field of heaven’s blue and star<br>of crystal shining pale afar.<br>In overmastering wrath and hate<br>desperate he smote upon that gate,<br>the Elven king, there standing lone,<br>while endless fortresses of stone<br>engulfed the thin clear ringing keen<br>of silver horn and baldric green.|''[[Lay of Leithian|The Lay of Leithian]]'', [[Lay of Leithian Canto XII|Canto XII]], lines 3538-3547}}</center>


'''Fingolfin''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[fiŋˈɡolfin]}}) was a [[High King of the Noldor]] in [[Beleriand]], eldest son of [[Finwë]] and [[Indis]], younger brother of [[Findis]], older brother of [[Lalwen]] and [[Finarfin]], and the younger half-brother of [[Fëanor]].
'''Fingolfin''' ([[Sindarin|S]], pron. {{IPA|[fiŋˈɡolfin]}}) was a [[High King of the Noldor]] in [[Beleriand]], eldest son of [[Finwë]] and [[Indis]], younger brother of [[Findis]], older brother of [[Írimë]] and [[Finarfin]], and the younger half-brother of [[Fëanor]]. His wife was [[Anairë]] and his children were [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]], [[Aredhel]], and [[Argon]].


== History ==
==History==
=== Life in Valinor ===
Fingolfin was the strongest and most valiant of the sons of Finwë. <ref>{{S|5}}</ref> Having different mothers, he and his older half-brother Fëanor never felt a close bond with each other. This lack of affinity developed into rivalry when [[Morgoth|Melkor]] secretly told each of them that the other was planning on driving them out of [[Tirion]]. [[File:Tuuliky - Half Brothers.jpg|thumb|left|Tuuliky - ''Half Brothers'']]
Fingolfin was the strongest and most valiant of the sons of Finwë. <ref>{{S|5}}</ref> Having different mothers, he and his older half-brother Fëanor never felt a close bond with each other. This lack of affinity developed into rivalry when [[Morgoth|Melkor]] secretly told each of them that the other was planning on driving them out of [[Tirion]].


[[File:Juliana Pinho - Anaire's goodbye.png|thumb|left|Juliana Pinho - ''Anairë's goodbye'']]
During the days of the [[Two Trees]] in [[Valinor]], as Melkor's lies were taking root in Noldor minds, a number of the Noldor started to actually believe that the [[Valar]] were somehow restraining them from going back to [[Cuiviénen]] in Middle-earth. Melkor's cunning had caused the suspicions he sowed to outweigh the Noldor's knowledge that the greatest Gift of the Valar was total free will.
At some point during the Noontide of [[Valinor]], Fingolfin married [[Anairë]], a Noldorin lady, and a close friend of [[Eärwen]], daughter of [[Olwë]], and the wife of his brother [[Finarfin]]. They had four children together - three sons, [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]], and [[Argon]] - and a daughter [[Aredhel]].<ref>{{PM|Finwe}}</ref>


==== The Unrest of the Noldor ====
Fëanor was the first to speak against the Valar, and [[Finwë]] summoned all of the lords of his house to resolve the issue. As Fingolfin was contending with his father to convince him to restrain Fëanor, the latter arrived fully armed with weapons he had secretly forged. Even though Fingolfin accepted him as his senior, Fëanor threatened Fingolfin, who was unarmed, with his sword, after which Fingolfin bowed to his father Finwë and left, only to be followed by Fëanor and threatened again in public.<ref>{{S|Unrest}}</ref> This threat, in the main square in front of the Mindon, King Finwë's seat, was witnessed by many as Fëanor drew his sword and placed the point to Fingolfin's breast.
[[File:Jenny Dolfen - 'Get thee gone, and take thy due place!'.jpg|thumb|right|[[Jenny Dolfen]] - ''"Get thee gone, and take thy due place!"'']]
During the days of the [[Two Trees]] in [[Valinor]], as Melkor's lies were taking their place in Noldor's minds, people started thinking that the [[Valar]] were holding them back from going back to [[Cuiviénen]]. Fëanor was the first to speak against the Valar, and [[Finwë]] summoned all of the lords of his house to resolve the issue. As Fingolfin was contending with his father to restrain Fëanor, the latter arrived fully armed with weapons he had secretly forged. Even though Fingolfin accepted him as the older one, Fëanor threatened Fingolfin, who was unarmed, with his sword, after which Fingolfin bowed to Finwë and left, only to be followed by Fëanor and threatened again in public.


After the escape of Melkor from Valinor, during the feast Manwë held for the reconciliation of the Eldar, Fingolfin publicly forgave Fëanor and called him "Half-brother in blood, full brother in heart". <ref>{{S|8}}</ref>
In the face of this public humiliation, Fingolfin turned quietly and walked away without a word to Fëanor, in an effort to avoid division and dissention within his father's House, and among the Noldor.


==== The Journey to Middle-earth ====
After the escape of Melkor from Valinor, during the feast Manwë held for the reconciliation of the Eldar, Fingolfin publicly forgave Fëanor and called him "Half-brother in blood, full brother in heart".<ref>{{S|8}}</ref>
After King Finwë died, Fëanor rallied up the Noldor and gave a passionate speech. Nearly all of the Noldor followed him, along with his two half-brothers. Fingolfin led the largest host of the Noldor when they fled [[Aman]] for [[Middle-earth]], even though he thought this unwise; he did not want to abandon his people to Fëanor. As days passed in their exile, more and more of the Noldor started speaking against Fëanor, for their journey was uneasy, and they feared the prophecy of [[Mandos]]. After Noldor acquired the ships of [[Teleri]] following the [[First Kinslaying]], followers of Fëanor were the first to use them to get across the sea. Fëanor burned the ships after reaching Middle-earth, for he thought the followers of Fingolfin would prove to be useless.<ref>{{S|Flight}}</ref>


[[File:Jenny Dolfen - The Coming of Fingolfin.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[Jenny Dolfen]] - ''The Coming of Fingolfin'']]
===Journey to Middle-earth===
Fingolfin and his people saw the smoke of the ships from afar, and chose to travel through the ice desert, for they were ashamed to go back to Valinor, and were angry at Fëanor. Fingolfin took them across the ice of the [[Helcaraxë]]. The journey was hard and many had died. And soon after, at the rising of the Sun, he came to the [[Gates of Angband]] and smote upon them, but [[Morgoth]] stayed hidden inside. Fingolfin and the Noldor, realizing they could not be victorious this way, then came to the northern shores of [[Lake Mithrim]], from which the Fëanorian part of the host had withdrawn.
After King Finwë died, murdered by Morgoth, Fëanor rallied up the Noldor and gave a passionate speech. Nearly all of the Noldor followed him, along with his two half-brothers. Fingolfin led the largest host of the Ñoldor when they fled [[Aman]] for [[Middle-earth]], even though he thought this unwise; he did not want to abandon his people to Fëanor. As days passed in their exile, more and more of the Noldor started speaking against Fëanor, for their journey was difficult, and they feared the prophecy of [[Mandos]]. After Fëanor's Noldor acquired the ships of the [[Teleri]] following the [[First Kinslaying]], Fëanor and his followers used them to sail across the sea. Fëanor burned the ships after reaching Middle-earth, stranding the others, for he thought the followers of Fingolfin would prove to be useless.


=== Life in Beleriand ===
Fingolfin and his people saw the smoke of the ships from afar, and chose to travel through the ice desert, for they were ashamed to go back to Valinor, and were angry at Fëanor. Fingolfin took them across the ice of the [[Helcaraxë]], the journey was hard and many died, yet they were filled with hope when they saw the Moon for the first time. Soon after, at the rising of the Sun, he came to the [[Gates of Angband]] and smote upon them, but [[Morgoth]] stayed hidden inside. Fingolfin and the Noldor, realising they could not be victorious in this way, then came to the northern shores of [[Lake Mithrim]], from which the Fëanorian part of the host had withdrawn.
Shortly after Fëanor's death, his eldest son [[Maedros]] was captured by Morgoth. Learning this, Fingolfin's eldest son [[Fingon]] rescued Maedros, with whom he was a good friend. Maedros consequently waived his claim to kingship. Thus Fingolfin became the [[High King of the Noldor]]. He ruled from [[Hithlum]], by the northern shores of [[Lake Mithrim]].


==== Dagor Bragollach and the Fall of Fingolfin ====
===Kingship===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Morgoth and the High King of Noldor (1992).jpg|thumb|225px|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Morgoth and the High King of the Noldor'']]
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fingolfin Heraldic Device.jpg|left|100px]]
After defeating the [[Orcs]] in the [[Dagor Aglareb]] ("Glorious Battle"), Fingolfin maintained the [[Siege of Angband]] for nearly four hundred years. But the Siege was ended by the sudden assault of Morgoth in the [[Dagor Bragollach]] ("Battle of Sudden Flame"), and many peoples of Beleriand fled.  
Shortly after Fëanor's death, his oldest son Maedhros was captured by Morgoth. Learning this, Fingolfin's oldest son [[Fingon]] rescued [[Maedhros]], with whom he was a good friend. Maedhros consequently waived his claim to kingship. Thus Fingolfin became High-King of the [[Noldor]]. He ruled from [[Hithlum]], by the northern shores of [[Lake Mithrim]].<ref>{{S|Return}}</ref>


In the end Fingolfin rode to Angband alone to challenge Morgoth to single combat. He rode so fast that those who saw him thought Oromë himself had arrived. Fingolfin died there after a mighty duel, wounding Morgoth seven times with his sword [[Ringil]], and struck one last blow to Morgoth's foot before he broke the High King. Morgoth's wounds never healed after that battle, and he limped ever after. [[Thorondor]] the King of Eagles then brought Fingolfin's body to a mountaintop overlooking [[Gondolin]], and [[Turgon]] built a [[Fingolfin's Cairn|cairn]] over the remains of his father.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Morgoth and the High King of Noldor (1992).jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Morgoth and the High King of Noldor'']]
After defeating the [[Orcs]] in the [[Dagor Aglareb]] ("Glorious Battle"), Fingolfin maintained the [[Siege of Angband]] for nearly four hundred years. But the Siege was ended by the sudden assaults of Morgoth in the [[Dagor Bragollach]] ("Battle of Sudden Flame"), and many peoples of Beleriand fled.  In the end Fingolfin rode to Angband alone to challenge Morgoth to single combat. Those who saw him thought Oromë himself had arrived; for a great madness of rage was upon him, so that his eyes shone like the eyes of the Valar. Fingolfin died there after a mighty duel, wounding Morgoth seven times with his sword [[Ringil]], and struck one last punishing blow to Morgoth's foot before he broke the High King.<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref> Morgoth's wounds never healed after that battle, and he limped everafter. [[Thorondor]] the King of Eagles then brought Fingolfin's body to a mountaintop overlooking [[Gondolin]], and [[Turgon]] built a [[Fingolfin's Cairn|cairn]] over the remains of his father.
{{quote|In that vast shadow once of yore<br>Fingolfin stood: his shield he bore<br>with field of heaven’s blue and star<br>of crystal shining pale afar.<br>In overmastering wrath and hate<br>desperate he smote upon that gate,<br>the [[Gnomes|Gnomish]] king, there standing lone,<br>while endless fortresses of stone<br>engulfed the thin clear ringing keen<br>of silver horn and baldric green.|''[[Lay of Leithian]]'', [[Lay of Leithian Canto XII|Canto XII]], lines 3538-3547}}


[[Fingon]] became the High King of the [[Noldor]] after his death.
[[Fingon]] became High King of the [[Noldor]] after his death.


== Etymology ==
==Etymology==
Fingolfin's [[father-name]] was '''Ñolofinwë''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Wise Finwë", pron. [[Noldorin|N]] {{IPA|[ˌŋoloˈfinwe]}}, [[Vanyarin|V]] {{IPA|[ˌŋoloˈɸinwe]}}, {{TA}} [[Exilic Quenya|Exilic]] {{IPA|[ˌnoloˈfinwe]}}). His [[Amilessë|mother-name]] was '''Aracáno'''<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, ''The names of Finwë's descendants'', p. 345</ref> ("High Chieftain", pron. {{IPA|[ˌaraˈkaːno]}}). ''Fingolfin'' is the [[Sindarin]] form of his father-name, with the word ''Finwë'' added to the beginning. The addition was done by Fingolfin himself in pursuance of his claim to be [[High King of the Noldor]] after his father's death.<ref name=Shibboleth>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, p. 344</ref>
{{Pronounce|Fingolfin.mp3|Ardamir}}
Fingolfin's [[father-name]] was '''Ñolofinwë''' ([[Quenya|Q]]: "Wise Finwë", pron. [[Noldorin|N]] {{IPA|[ˌŋoloˈfinwe]}}, [[Vanyarin|V]] {{IPA|[ˌŋoloˈɸinwe]}}, {{TA}} [[Exilic Quenya|Exilic]] {{IPA|[ˌnoloˈfinwe]}}). His [[Amilessë|mother-name]] was '''Aracáno'''<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, ''The names of Finwë's descendants'', p. 345</ref> ("High Chieftain", pron. {{IPA|[ˌaraˈkaːno]}}). ''Fingolfin'' is the [[Sindarin]] form of his father-name, with the word ''Finwë'' added to the beginning. The addition was done by Fingolfin himself in pursuance of his claim to be [[High King of the Noldor]] after his father's death.<ref name=Shibboleth>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, p. 344</ref>


== Genealogy ==
==Genealogy==
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| MIR |y| FIN |y| IND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |FIN=[[Finwë]]</br><small>''d. {{YT|1495}}''</small>|IND=[[Indis]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|MIR=[[Míriel]]</br><small>''d. {{YT|1170}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| MIR |y| FIN |y| IND | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |FIN=[[Finwë]]</br><small>''d. {{YT|1495}}''</small>|IND=[[Indis]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|MIR=[[Míriel]]</br><small>''d. {{YT|1170}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | |!| | | |)|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| | | |!| | | |)|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| | | FEA | | FDS | | FNG |y| ANA | | IRM | | FIR | | |FEA=[[Fëanor]]</br><small>''{{YT|1169}} - {{YT|1497|n}}''</small>|FDS=[[Findis]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|FNG='''FINGOLFIN'''</br><small>''{{YT|1190}} - {{FA|456}}''</small>|ANA=[[Anairë]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|IRM=[[Lalwen]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|FIR=[[Finarfin]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1230}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | FEA | | FDS | | FNG |y| ANA | | IRM | | FIR | | |FEA=[[Fëanor]]</br><small>''{{YT|1169}} - {{YT|1497|n}}''</small>|FDS=[[Findis]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|FNG='''FINGOLFIN'''</br><small>''{{YT|1190}} - {{FA|456}}''</small>|ANA=[[Anairë]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|IRM=[[Írimë]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|FIR=[[Finarfin]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1230}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| FIN | | TUR |y| ELE | | ARE |y| EOL | | ARG|FIN=[[Fingon]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|472}}''</small>|ARE=[[Aredhel]]</br><small>''{{YT|1362}} - {{FA|400}}''</small>|TUR=[[Turgon]]</br><small>''{{YT|1300}} - {{FA|510}}''</small>|ELE=[[Elenwë]]</br><small>''d. {{YT|1500}}''</small>|EOL=[[Eöl]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|400}}''</small>|ARG=[[Argon]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|1}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| FIN | | TUR |y| ELE | | ARE |y| EOL | | ARG|FIN=[[Fingon]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|472}}''</small>|ARE=[[Aredhel]]</br><small>''{{YT|1362}} - {{FA|400}}''</small>|TUR=[[Turgon]]</br><small>''{{YT|1300}} - {{FA|510}}''</small>|ELE=[[Elenwë]]</br><small>''d. {{YT|1500}}''</small>|EOL=[[Eöl]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|400}}''</small>|ARG=[[Argon]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|1}}''</small>}}
Line 82: Line 79:
</div>
</div>


== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Fingolfin|Images of Fingolfin]]


[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fingolfin Heraldic Device.jpg|thumb|center|Fingolfin's Heraldic Device]]
==External links==
== External Links ==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/07/14/could-fingolfin-have-defeated-morgoth-in-mortal-combat/ Could Fingolfin Have Defeated Morgoth in Mortal Combat?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/07/14/could-fingolfin-have-defeated-morgoth-in-mortal-combat/ Could Fingolfin Have Defeated Morgoth in Mortal Combat?] by [[Michael Martinez]]


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|house=[[House of Finwë]]
|house=[[House of Finwë]]
|born={{YT|1190}}
|born={{YT|1190}}
|died={{FA|456}}
|died={{FA|455}}
}}
}}
{{seq
{{seq
|pvac=Vacant
|pvac=Vacant
|prev=[[Finwë]], until {{YT|1495}}
|prev=[[Fëanor]], until {{YT|1497}}
|next=[[Fingon]]
|next=[[Fingon]]
|list=[[High King of the Noldor]]
|list=[[High King of the Noldor]]
Line 104: Line 102:
{{seq-end}}
{{seq-end}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Fingolfin}}
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:House of Finwë]]
[[Category:House of Finwë]]
[[Category:House of Fingolfin| ]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Beleriand]]
[[Category:Rulers in Beleriand]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[de:Fingolfin]]
[[de:Fingolfin]]
[[fr:/encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/fingolfin]]
[[fr:/encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/fingolfin]]
[[fi:Fingolfin]]
[[fi:Fingolfin]]

Revision as of 01:16, 1 June 2019

"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.
Fingolfin
Noldo
Jenny Dolfen - Fingolfin.jpg
"Fingolfin" by Jenny Dolfen
Biographical Information
Other namesÑolofinwë (Q, fn),
Aracáno (Q, mn)
TitlesHigh King of the Noldor
King of the North
LocationTirion; Hithlum
LanguageQuenya and Sindarin
BirthY.T. 1190
Tirion
RuleF.A. 5 - 456
DeathF.A. 456 (aged 3426)
Anfauglith
Family
HouseHouse of Finwë, founded the House of Fingolfin
ParentageFinwë and Indis
SiblingsFëanor (half-brother), Findis, Írimë and Finarfin
SpouseAnairë
ChildrenFingon, Turgon, Aredhel and Argon
Physical Description
GenderMale
HeightTall
Hair colorDark[1]
ClothingSilver armour, blue shield set with crystals
WeaponryRingil
SteedRochallor
GalleryImages of Fingolfin

Fingolfin (S, pron. [fiŋˈɡolfin]) was a High King of the Noldor in Beleriand, eldest son of Finwë and Indis, younger brother of Findis, older brother of Írimë and Finarfin, and the younger half-brother of Fëanor. His wife was Anairë and his children were Fingon, Turgon, Aredhel, and Argon.

History

Fingolfin was the strongest and most valiant of the sons of Finwë. [2] Having different mothers, he and his older half-brother Fëanor never felt a close bond with each other. This lack of affinity developed into rivalry when Melkor secretly told each of them that the other was planning on driving them out of Tirion.

Tuuliky - Half Brothers

During the days of the Two Trees in Valinor, as Melkor's lies were taking root in Noldor minds, a number of the Noldor started to actually believe that the Valar were somehow restraining them from going back to Cuiviénen in Middle-earth. Melkor's cunning had caused the suspicions he sowed to outweigh the Noldor's knowledge that the greatest Gift of the Valar was total free will.

Fëanor was the first to speak against the Valar, and Finwë summoned all of the lords of his house to resolve the issue. As Fingolfin was contending with his father to convince him to restrain Fëanor, the latter arrived fully armed with weapons he had secretly forged. Even though Fingolfin accepted him as his senior, Fëanor threatened Fingolfin, who was unarmed, with his sword, after which Fingolfin bowed to his father Finwë and left, only to be followed by Fëanor and threatened again in public.[3] This threat, in the main square in front of the Mindon, King Finwë's seat, was witnessed by many as Fëanor drew his sword and placed the point to Fingolfin's breast.

In the face of this public humiliation, Fingolfin turned quietly and walked away without a word to Fëanor, in an effort to avoid division and dissention within his father's House, and among the Noldor.

After the escape of Melkor from Valinor, during the feast Manwë held for the reconciliation of the Eldar, Fingolfin publicly forgave Fëanor and called him "Half-brother in blood, full brother in heart".[4]

Journey to Middle-earth

After King Finwë died, murdered by Morgoth, Fëanor rallied up the Noldor and gave a passionate speech. Nearly all of the Noldor followed him, along with his two half-brothers. Fingolfin led the largest host of the Ñoldor when they fled Aman for Middle-earth, even though he thought this unwise; he did not want to abandon his people to Fëanor. As days passed in their exile, more and more of the Noldor started speaking against Fëanor, for their journey was difficult, and they feared the prophecy of Mandos. After Fëanor's Noldor acquired the ships of the Teleri following the First Kinslaying, Fëanor and his followers used them to sail across the sea. Fëanor burned the ships after reaching Middle-earth, stranding the others, for he thought the followers of Fingolfin would prove to be useless.

Fingolfin and his people saw the smoke of the ships from afar, and chose to travel through the ice desert, for they were ashamed to go back to Valinor, and were angry at Fëanor. Fingolfin took them across the ice of the Helcaraxë, the journey was hard and many died, yet they were filled with hope when they saw the Moon for the first time. Soon after, at the rising of the Sun, he came to the Gates of Angband and smote upon them, but Morgoth stayed hidden inside. Fingolfin and the Noldor, realising they could not be victorious in this way, then came to the northern shores of Lake Mithrim, from which the Fëanorian part of the host had withdrawn.

Kingship

File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Fingolfin Heraldic Device.jpg

Shortly after Fëanor's death, his oldest son Maedhros was captured by Morgoth. Learning this, Fingolfin's oldest son Fingon rescued Maedhros, with whom he was a good friend. Maedhros consequently waived his claim to kingship. Thus Fingolfin became High-King of the Noldor. He ruled from Hithlum, by the northern shores of Lake Mithrim.[5]

Ted Nasmith - Morgoth and the High King of Noldor

After defeating the Orcs in the Dagor Aglareb ("Glorious Battle"), Fingolfin maintained the Siege of Angband for nearly four hundred years. But the Siege was ended by the sudden assaults of Morgoth in the Dagor Bragollach ("Battle of Sudden Flame"), and many peoples of Beleriand fled. In the end Fingolfin rode to Angband alone to challenge Morgoth to single combat. Those who saw him thought Oromë himself had arrived; for a great madness of rage was upon him, so that his eyes shone like the eyes of the Valar. Fingolfin died there after a mighty duel, wounding Morgoth seven times with his sword Ringil, and struck one last punishing blow to Morgoth's foot before he broke the High King.[6] Morgoth's wounds never healed after that battle, and he limped everafter. Thorondor the King of Eagles then brought Fingolfin's body to a mountaintop overlooking Gondolin, and Turgon built a cairn over the remains of his father.

"In that vast shadow once of yore
Fingolfin stood: his shield he bore
with field of heaven’s blue and star
of crystal shining pale afar.
In overmastering wrath and hate
desperate he smote upon that gate,
the Gnomish king, there standing lone,
while endless fortresses of stone
engulfed the thin clear ringing keen
of silver horn and baldric green."
― Lay of Leithian, Canto XII, lines 3538-3547

Fingon became High King of the Noldor after his death.

Etymology

Fingolfin's father-name was Ñolofinwë (Q: "Wise Finwë", pron. N [ˌŋoloˈfinwe], V [ˌŋoloˈɸinwe], T.A. Exilic [ˌnoloˈfinwe]). His mother-name was Aracáno[7] ("High Chieftain", pron. [ˌaraˈkaːno]). Fingolfin is the Sindarin form of his father-name, with the word Finwë added to the beginning. The addition was done by Fingolfin himself in pursuance of his claim to be High King of the Noldor after his father's death.[8]

Genealogy

Míriel
d. Y.T. 1170
 
Finwë
d. Y.T. 1495
 
Indis
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fëanor
Y.T. 1169 - 1497
 
Findis
b. Y.T.
 
FINGOLFIN
Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456
 
Anairë
b. Y.T.
 
Írimë
b. Y.T.
 
Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fingon
d. F.A. 472
 
Turgon
Y.T. 1300 - F.A. 510
 
Elenwë
d. Y.T. 1500
 
Aredhel
Y.T. 1362 - F.A. 400
 
Eöl
d. F.A. 400
 
Argon
d. F.A. 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tuor
b. F.A. 472
 
Idril
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
Maeglin
F.A. 320 - 510
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eärendil
b. F.A. 503
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See Also

External links

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", p. 336
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Darkening of Valinor"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Return of the Noldor"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", The names of Finwë's descendants, p. 345
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", p. 344
Fingolfin
House of Finwë
Born: Y.T. 1190 Died: F.A. 455
Vacant
Fëanor, until Y.T. 1497		High King of the Noldor
F.A. 5 – 456		Followed by:
Fingon


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