House of the Tree
| House of the Tree | |
|---|---|
| Noble House | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | Folk of the Tree |
| Leader | Galdor of the Tree |
| Locations | Gondolin |
| Members | Legolas |
| Physical Description | |
| Weaponry | Clubs and slings |
- "There were those of the Tree, and they were a great house, and their raiment was green."
- ― The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "The Fall of Gondolin"
The House of the Tree was one of the Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim, according to the early version of the Legendarium in The Book of the Lost Tales.
History
This folk was under the leadership of Galdor. They wore green, and carried iron-studded clubs and slings.[1]:173
The Fall of Gondolin began with Gothmog leading his armies to the northern gate, where the folks of the Tree and of the Hammer were positioned with their lords. When the Iron Dragons knocked down the gate, Rog shout and both houses leapt at the foe, and "there the blows of their great hammers and the dint of their clubs rang to the Encircling Mountains and Orcs fell like leaves". From the walls, the those of the Swallow and of the Heavenly Arch helped them pouring arrows, but there was great confusion.[1]:176
After the folk of the Hammer of Wrath was completely destroyed outside the walls, they retreated to the Square of the Folkwell, and guarded its western entrance by the Arch of Inwë against a horde of goblins. Tuor and his men entered the Square from the north, and there Galdor was his salvation, because he was carrying Ecthelion, who was wounded, but Galdor rushed to kill their pursuers with his club. Then the guard of the Tree and many other houses were scattered to form a good battalion, which was led to the Square of the Palace.[1]:181-182
After the death of King Turgon, many escaped the slaughter with their lord Galdor, following Tuor through Idril's secret way. A member of this house, Legolas Greenleaf, led the Exiles of Gondolin through the plain of Tumladin, as he knew it very well and was night-sighted.[1]:189 When the survivors reached Cristhorn, Galdor, Legolas and other men went ahead of the women and children,[1]:191 and they fought against an ambush of Orcs with the help of the Eagles.[1]:193 Later they dwelt at the Mouths of Sirion, and when their lord went to Tol Eressëa, still some of them named themselves as the People of Galdor.[2]
Other names
Their Gnomish names were Nos Galdon/Nos nan Alwen[2] and Thlim galdon,[3] while in Qenya they were simply known as Aldar.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin": "Notes and Commentary", p. 215
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Alphabet of Rúmil & Early Noldorin Fragments", in Parma Eldalamberon XIII (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden), p. 104
| Twelve houses of the Gondothlim |
|---|
| King (leader: Turgon) · Wing (Tuor) · Mole (Meglin) · Swallow (Duilin) · Heavenly Arch (Egalmoth) · Pillar (Penlod) · Tower of Snow (Penlod) · Tree (Galdor) · Golden Flower (Glorfindel) · Fountain (Ecthelion) · Harp (Salgant) · Hammer of Wrath (Rog) |
