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Glorfindel

2025-07-31T17:37:59Z

Namornen: minor format

{{infobox character
| people=[[Noldor|Noldo]]
| name=Glorfindel
| image=Venlian - Glorfindel Before the Storm.jpg
| caption="Glorfindel Before the Storm" by [[:Category:Images by Venlian|Venlian]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ɡlorˈfindɛlʲ]}}
| othernames=''Laurefindelë'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| titles=
| position=Chief of the [[House of the Golden Flower]] (before re-embodiment)
| location=[[Aman]] Presumably [[Nevrast]] [[Gondolin]] [[Rivendell]] (after re-embodiment)
| affiliation=[[Turgon]] [[Elrond]] (after re-embodiment)
| language=[[Quenya]] [[Sindarin]] [[Westron]]
| birth=During the [[Years of the Trees]]
| birthlocation=In [[Aman]]
| rule=
| death={{FA|510}}, around [[Midsummer]]<ref>{{WJ|Years}}, ''Text D2'', entry '''510''', p. 351</ref>
| deathlocation=In [[Cirith Thoronath]], near [[Gondolin]] Was [[Incarnate#Elves|re-embodied]] before the end of the [[First Age]] and sent back to [[Middle-earth]] between {{SA|1200}} & {{SA|1600|n}}<ref name="PoME-LW"/>{{rp|382}}
| age=
| notablefor=The slaying of a [[Balrog]] during the [[Fall of Gondolin]] Returning to Middle-earth after being re-embodied
| house=[[House of the Golden Flower]] (before re-embodiment)
| parentage=Unknown (kinship with [[Turgon]])<ref name="PoME-LW"/>{{rp|380}}
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| hair=Golden (long)
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=[[Asfaloth]] (after re-embodiment)
}}
{{quote|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''' was a [[Noldor|Noldo]] and one of the mightiest [[Elves]] of [[Middle-earth]]. During the [[First Age]], he was the lord of the [[House of the Golden Flower]] of [[Gondolin]], and died fighting a [[Balrog]]. After his re-embodiment, he was allowed to come back to Middle-earth in the [[Second Age]], acting as an emissary of the [[Valar]], on a similar mission to the [[Wizards|Istari]] who were to come several years later.

==History==
===Early history===
Glorfindel was born in [[Valinor]] sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]]. During the [[Exile of the Noldor]], he was of the host of [[Turgon]]. Glorfindel himself was reluctant; only for his allegiance and kinship with Turgon did he go, and had no part in the [[Kinslaying of Alqualondë]].<ref name="PoME-LW">{{PM|Last}}, "Glorfindel I & II"</ref>{{rp|380}}

===Life in Gondolin===
After the Return of the Noldor to [[Middle-earth]], 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 the Gondothlim|noble houses]] of [[Gondolin]]. He was dearly loved by all the [[Gondolindrim]].

[[File:Jenny Dolfen - Glorfindel and Ecthelion.jpg|thumb|left|''Glorfindel and Ecthelion'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
He followed [[Turgon]] who surprisingly came to fight in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. When the war turned against the [[Union of Maedhros|alliance]], Turgon's and [[Fingon]]'s forces retreated to the [[Pass of Sirion]] with Glorfindel and [[Ecthelion]] guarding their flanks.<ref>{{S|20}}</ref>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Glorfindel's Bane.jpg|thumb|right|''Glorfindel's Bane'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
In the year {{FA|510}},<ref>{{WJ|Years}}, p. 351</ref> [[Morgoth]] sent a great force against Gondolin, resulting in the complete destruction of the city. The tale of this battle was well detailed in ''[[#Other versions of the legendarium|The Fall of Gondolin]]'', and long remembered by the elves. Glorfindel managed to escape the [[Fall of Gondolin]] with the [[Exiles of Gondolin|Exiles]], and after crossing [[Tumladen]] they reached the [[Cirith Thoronath]], a narrow pass between the mountains. There the survivors were attacked by an ambush of [[Orcs]] led by a [[Balrog]]. The [[Eagles]] came to help them, but Glorfindel fought the Balrog alone upon the pinnacle of a rock. Both died after falling in the abyss, and their duel is sung of by many songs. [[Thorondor]] rescued Glorfindel's body, and a cairn was raised, which remained there, covered by grass and yellow flowers, [[War of Wrath|until the world changed]].<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref>

===Re-embodiment and return to Middle-earth===
Glorfindel's spirit passed to the [[Halls of Waiting]], 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, Manwë allowed his re-embodiment after only a short time. Being already an Elda of great corporal and spiritual stature, in his new incarnated life his spiritual power was enhanced by his self-sacrifice. He lived in Valinor for many years in the company of the Eldar and the [[Maiar]], the latter also regarding him as an equal, for he was incarnate. At some point, he became a follower of [[Olórin]], a Maia with special concern for Middle-earth.<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|380–381}}

Eventually, [[Manwë]] sent him across the [[Belegaer|sea]] to [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Second Age]]. He possibly came as early as {{SA|1200}}, but more likely in {{SA|1600}},<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|381–382}} at the same time as the [[Blue Wizards]].<ref>{{PM|XIII}}, "The Five Wizards", p. 384</ref> If he arrived in S.A. 1600, 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]].<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|382}} He may have 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.

===Third Age===
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.<ref>{{App|A1iv}}</ref> Not much can be said about his deeds and role in the events and struggles of the [[Westlands]] before the [[War of the Ring]].
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Glorfindel.jpg|thumb|''Glorfindel'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
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 [[Nazgûl|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.<ref>{{FR|Flight}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}</ref> 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 into the West, perhaps accompanying the bearers of the [[Three Rings]] and [[the One Ring]]. Or he may have remained in Middle-earth for some time to oversee the post-war recovery before eventually departing for [[Valinor]].

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Glorfindel.mp3|Ardamir}}
With the development of the [[Elvish]] languages, the name ''Glorfindel'' had different etymologies, ultimately meaning the same.

The early [[Gnomish]] conception meant "Goldtress" or "Goldlocks". At this stage of the legendarium, [[Tolkien]] considered many other variants, like ''Glorfinn'' or ''Glorfing''.<ref>{{LT2|Appendix}}, entry "Glorfindel"</ref> [[Qenya]] cognates were '''''Laurifindl''''' or '''''Kulufindl'''''.<ref>{{PE|13}}, p. 104</ref>

At the [[Noldorin]] stage, the name was composed of the words ''[[glaur]]'' ("gold") + ''findel/finnel'' ("braided hair"),<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries "[[LAWAR]]", "SPIN"</ref> but it is not properly glossed.

In the final [[Sindarin]] conception, ''Glorfindel'' meant "Golden-hair", from ''glaur'' ("gold") + ''findel'' ("head of hair").<ref name="Eldarin">{{PE|17}}</ref>{{rp|17}} It was supposedly derived from the [[Quenya]] form '''''Laurefindelë'''''.<ref name="Eldarin" />{{rp|119}} Tolkien also created a [[Primitive Quendian]] version: ''Malaphindë'' ("Goldilocks"), which is mentioned as an ''[[anessë]]'' (a given name).<ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 86</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | |F|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|7| |}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | | | | |:| |}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | | | | |:| |}}
{{familytree | | | TUR |y| ELE | | | | GLO |GLO='''GLORFINDEL''' ''b. {{YT}}''|TUR=[[Turgon]] ''{{YT|1300}} - {{FA|510}}''|ELE=[[Elenwë]] ''d. {{YT|1500}}''}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | TUO |y| IDR | | | | | | | | |IDR=[[Idril]] ''b. {{YT}}''|TUO=[[Tuor]] ''b. {{FA|472}}''}}
{{familytree | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | EAR | | | | | | | | | | |EAR=[[Eärendil]] ''b. {{FA|503}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===Early legendarium===
====''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]''====
The most detailed text about the deeds of Glorfindel during the Fall of Gondolin is the chapter "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]", in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]''. There he is described as the chief of the [[House of the Golden Flower]], who bore a rayed sun upon their shields. He wore a mantle embroidered in threads of gold, decorated with celandine "as a field in spring", while his arms were [[Uncommon words#D|damascened]] with "cunning gold".<ref name="Gondolin">{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|173}}

Glorfindel 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 [[Dragons|dragon]] came and levelled 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.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|182}}

As many of the lords had fallen, [[Ecthelion]] was wounded, [[Galdor (elf of Gondolin)|Galdor]] was engaged, and [[Egalmoth]] had not yet arrived, Glorfindel joined Tuor in leading the defence 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 defences. 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 (balrog)|Gothmog]]. Even Tuor was thrown down, but Ecthelion sacrificed himself to kill Gothmog and buy the Gondothlim a little more time.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|183–4}} After King Turgon ordered the survivors to follow Tuor, they fled southward, and Glorfindel held the rear manfully, losing many more of his House in the process.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|186}}

After they had escaped Gondolin via [[Idril's secret way]], and passed through the [[Cristhorn]], Glorfindel again held the rear with the largest number of the unwounded. It was at that time that a Balrog and a contingent of Orcs ambushed their company.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|192–3}} There Glorfindel saved the lives of the [[Exiles of Gondolin]] when he defied the Balrog:
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Glorfindel and the Balrog Above Gondolin.jpg|thumb|''Glorfindel and the Balrog above Gondolin'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

{{blockquote|Then Glorfindel leapt forward upon him and his golden armour gleamed strangely in the moon, and he hewed at that demon that it leapt again upon a great boulder and Glorfindel after. Now there was a deadly combat upon that high rock above the folk; and these, pressed behind and hindered ahead, were grown so close that well nigh all could see, yet was it over ere Glorfindel's men could leap to his side. The ardour of Glorfindel drave that Balrog from point to point, and his mail fended him from its whip and claw. Now had he beaten a heavy swinge upon its iron helm, now hewn off the creature's whip-arm at the elbow. Then sprang the Balrog in the torment of his pain and fear full at Glorfindel, who stabbed like a dart of a snake; but he found only a shoulder, and was grappled, and they swayed to a fall upon the crag-top. Then Glorfindel's left hand sought a dirk, and this he thrust up that it pierced the Balrog's belly nigh his own face (for that demon was double his stature); and it shrieked, and fell backwards from the rock, and falling clutched Glorfindel's yellow locks beneath his cap, and those twain fell into the abyss.}}

The [[Noldoli]] still mourned the death of Glorfindel, and every time the [[Eldar]] saw a powerful fight between good and evil, they still said: "''Alas! 'Tis Glorfindel and the Balrog''". After the body of Glorfindel was recovered by Thorndor, Tuor allowed the folk of the Golden Flower to rise a cairn for him, there near the dangerous [[Thorn Sir]]. Despite being a unkindly place, yellow flowers grew upon the mound, and the place was always protected by Thorndor.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|194}}

====''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]''====
In a hasty note about the Council of Elrond, Tolkien suggested that Glorfindel could tell of his ancestry in Gondolin, but this idea was never developed.<ref name="Ancestry">{{RS|1XI}}, p. 214</ref>

Glorfindel was originally planned to be part of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], in a way taking the place of [[Legolas]].<ref>{{RS|4XXIII}}, pp. 397-8, 406</ref>

===Later legendarium===
====''[[The War of the Jewels]]''====
While composing the chapter about [[Maeglin]], [[Tolkien]] considered Glorfindel, [[Ecthelion]] and [[Egalmoth]] as the escort of Aredhel when she left the [[Gondolin|Hidden City]] in her way to visit [[Fingon]].<ref name="Maeglin" />{{rp|318}} However, in the published ''[[Silmarillion]]'', [[Christopher Tolkien]] didn't mention any of the escorts of Aredhel, based on a note in which his father discussed about the motives of Celegorm and Curufin of not sending any message to Gondolin about Aredhel. Tolkien decided that it was necessary ''not'' to name the most eminent and bravest chieftains as Aredhel's escort, as they would have sought for her beyond the [[Iant Iaur]].<ref name="Maeglin">{{WJ|Maeglin}}</ref>{{rp|328}}

====''[[Last Writings]]''====
Tolkien first suggested that Glorfindel returned to Middle-earth about {{TA|1000}}, with [[Gandalf]].<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|377}} But he later realized that Glorfindel only could come ''before'' the end of the Second Age and the [[Drowning of Númenor]], as with the [[Changing of the World]] Aman was removed from the [[Circles of the World]] and no living embodied creature could return from there. This was directly decreed by [[Ilúvatar]] to favour the [[Dominion of Men]]. It seems improbable that Manwë would have obtained special permission and devised a way of transportation, as that would seem to give Glorfindel an excessive importance.<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|381–2}}

As told above, Glorfindel might have come as early as {{SA|1200}} and the years following, or as late as {{SA|1600}}. Although Tolkien declared the first to be possible, he favoured the last as the most probable.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
Glorfindel is rarely portrayed like in the book. His role in ''The Lord of the Rings'' is too small to be introduced and forgotten - he basically does little else beyond providing fast transport to Rivendell. In the more popular works, his role has been filled by another Elf.

===Glorfindel in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Glorfindel.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
File:BFME2 - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Lego The Lord of the Rings The Video Game - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game]]''
</gallery>
'''1971: [[Sagan om Ringen (1971 film)|''Sagan om Ringen'' (1971 film)]]:'''
:This short Swedish adaptation of the first half of the Fellowship of the Ring is unusual among film adaptations in that shows Glorfindel fight the Nazgûl rather than have another character absorb his role.

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:In this adaptation, the role of Glorfindel was taken by [[Legolas]]. In a simplification of that character, and as a reason for ''his'' coming, he is portrayed as an Elf of Rivendell rather than [[Mirkwood]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Glorfindel appears in his original role at the Last Bridge, voiced by [[John Webb]]. Because the part of [[Gildor|Gildor Inglorion]] was cut, the heavily wounded Frodo says the [[Quenya]] greeting ''[[Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo]]'' to him, and Glorfindel replies with Gildor's answer. Glorfindel keeps his two [[Sindarin]] lines, ''[[A na vedui, Dúnadan!]]'' and ''[[Noro lim, noro lim, Asfaloth!]]'', though he says them with a heavy English accent. Glorfindel's role at the Council of Elrond is omitted. His name is pronounced correctly in the adaptation, but in the credits, his name is pronounced "Glorfindle".

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Glorfindel is a powerful playable character once [[the One Ring|the Ring]] passes the [[Last Bridge]], who leads the Fellowship to [[Rivendell]].

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Glorfindel is played by Stefan Schwartz.

'''1996: ''J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit: An Adventure Play''''':
:In this children's theater script by Edward Mast, the show opens with [[Bilbo Baggins]] putting on a shadow play for the audience of Glorfindel's battle with the Balrog at the Fall of Gondolin to establish his love of telling adventurous tales. The allure of having his own story just as adventurous, though hopefully with a less tragic end, plays a role in convincing Bilbo to join [[Thorin Oakenshield]]'s company.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:To limit the already large number of one-appearance characters, Glorfindel has been omitted in this adaptation as well. [[Peter Jackson]] decided to have [[Arwen]] meet the travellers and then ride on [[Asfaloth]].

'''2001: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Glorfindel is provided by Marián Zednikovič.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Glorfindel appears on the Last Bridge. He has several Sindarin lines: ''A na vedui, Dúnadan'', like in the book, and ''Mae govannen, mellon'' (which Frodo accurately translates as "Well met, friend"). He comes to the aid of the hobbits at the request of Elrond, who had received news from [[Gildor|a group of Elves travelling near the Shire]] - even though there is no mention of that group earlier in the gameplay. Glorfindel does so in a monotonous voice, and his speech continues without pause. He also uses the lines ''Noro lim, Asfaloth'', though he does not say them to his horse: he says them to Frodo. No actor is specified for this part.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:[[Decipher]] made two [[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game|cards]] featuring extra [[Jarl Benzon]] as Glorfindel, one of them being at the Coronation of Elessar.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://scrapbook.theonering.net/scrapbook/movies/characters/other/view/12658|articlename=Glorfindel's Cameo in ROTK!|dated=|website=TORN|accessed=15 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070323204416/http://www.decipher.com/content/2004/04/040504lotrwetafalconer.html|articlename=The Making of the Weta "Book Cards": An Interview With Weta Workshop's Daniel Falconer|dated=5 April 2004|website=Decipher.com (archived)|accessed=15 October 2013}}</ref> He is briefly seen in the film at Aragorn's coronation when Arwen is revealed.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Glorfindel played an important part in this video game, set during the [[War of the Ring]]. Together with [[Glóin]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], Glorfindel fights in several places in northern [[Eriador]] and [[Rhovanion]]. He is voiced by [[Jason Carter]], and portrayed as white haired. His design was changed to a more movie-accurate version in the expansion pack, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. He serves as narrator throughout, and appears in the story itself after the death of [[Arvedui]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Glorfindel is featured in an extended flashback sequence depicting the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. During this time, he is the leader of the Bright Company, a group of [[High Elves]] who fighting to rid [[Middle-earth]] of [[Sauron]]'s evil long before that war and who continue their duty long after.
:In the present day, Glorfindel can be found in Rivendell just south of the [[Rivendell|Last Homely House]]. He is involved in the campaign against [[Angmar]] during the main story and also talks to the player after defeating the [[balrog]] Thaurlach. Glorfindel disappears in the final weeks of the [[War of the Ring]] and the player tracks him across Middle-Earth to summon him to the Council of Elf-Lords between [[Thranduil]], [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]]. He joins the procession that escorts Lady [[Arwen]] to [[Minas Tirith]] for her wedding; along the way Glorfindel and [[Elrond]] assist [[Gandalf]] and the player in uncovering a mystery within the [[Gladden Fields]].

'''2012: ''[[Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game]]'':'''
:Glorfindel is purchasable as an optional player character in DLC character pack 2 for use in free play and on the open world. He is portrayed with light tan hair (rather than yellow blond like Legolas), wears an outfit which is a mix of light blue robe parts and silver armour whilst wearing a light blue cape. He wields a bow of the Galadhrim and also carries a golden Elvish longsword (all Elvish longswords appear gold in the game). Glorfindel is one of the most proficient fighter characters in the game.

'''2022-24: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:According to the showrunners, Glorfindel will make an appearance in a later season of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=Adam B. Vary, Jordan Moreau, Jennifer Maas|articleurl=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/rings-of-power-season-2-trailer-sauron-comic-con-1236080231/|articlename=‘Rings of Power’ Season 2 Trailer: A New Fellowship Forms to Battle Sauron in ‘Lord of the Rings’ Prequel|dated=26 July 2024|website=[https://variety.com Variety]|accessed=}}</ref>

==Collectibles==
[[Gentle Giant]] produced a ''Glorfindel Mini Bust'' for [[Comic-Con 2007]], based on Glorfindel's appearance in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II|EA's ''The Battle for Middle-earth II'']].

{{References}}
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[[Category:Calaquendi]]
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Gnomish names]]
[[Category:Gondolindrim]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
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[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/glorfindel]]

Glorfindel

2025-07-31T17:33:40Z

Namornen: /* Life in Gondolin */ minor wording and format

{{infobox character
| people=[[Noldor|Noldo]]
| name=Glorfindel
| image=Venlian - Glorfindel Before the Storm.jpg
| caption="Glorfindel Before the Storm" by [[:Category:Images by Venlian|Venlian]]
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ɡlorˈfindɛlʲ]}}
| othernames=''Laurefindelë'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| titles=
| position=Chief of the [[House of the Golden Flower]] (before re-embodiment)
| location=[[Aman]] Presumably [[Nevrast]] [[Gondolin]] [[Rivendell]] (after re-embodiment)
| affiliation=[[Turgon]] [[Elrond]] (after re-embodiment)
| language=[[Quenya]] [[Sindarin]] [[Westron]]
| birth=During the [[Years of the Trees]]
| birthlocation=[[Aman]]
| rule=
| death={{FA|510}}, around [[Midsummer]]<ref>{{WJ|Years}}, ''Text D2'', entry '''510''', p. 351</ref>
| deathlocation=In [[Cirith Thoronath]], near [[Gondolin]] Was [[Incarnate#Elves|re-embodied]] before the end of the [[First Age]] and sent back to [[Middle-earth]] between {{SA|1200}} & {{SA|1600|n}}<ref name="PoME-LW"/>{{rp|382}}
| age=
| notablefor=The slaying of a [[Balrog]] during the [[Fall of Gondolin]]. Returning to Middle-earth after being re-embodied
| house=[[House of the Golden Flower]] (before re-embodiment)
| parentage=Unknown (kinship with [[Turgon]])<ref name="PoME-LW"/>{{rp|380}}
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| hair=Golden (long)
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=[[Asfaloth]] (after re-embodiment)
}}
{{quote|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''' was a [[Noldor|Noldo]] and one of the mightiest [[Elves]] of [[Middle-earth]]. During the [[First Age]], he was the lord of the [[House of the Golden Flower]] of [[Gondolin]], and died fighting a [[Balrog]]. After his re-embodiment, he was allowed to come back to Middle-earth in the [[Second Age]], acting as an emissary of the [[Valar]], on a similar mission to the [[Wizards|Istari]] who were to come several years later.

==History==
===Early history===
Glorfindel was born in [[Valinor]] sometime during the [[Years of the Trees]]. During the [[Exile of the Noldor]], he was of the host of [[Turgon]]. Glorfindel himself was reluctant; only for his allegiance and kinship with Turgon did he go, and had no part in the [[Kinslaying of Alqualondë]].<ref name="PoME-LW">{{PM|Last}}, "Glorfindel I & II"</ref>{{rp|380}}

===Life in Gondolin===
After the Return of the Noldor to [[Middle-earth]], 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 the Gondothlim|noble houses]] of [[Gondolin]]. He was dearly loved by all the [[Gondolindrim]].

[[File:Jenny Dolfen - Glorfindel and Ecthelion.jpg|thumb|left|''Glorfindel and Ecthelion'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
He followed [[Turgon]] who surprisingly came to fight in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]. When the war turned against the [[Union of Maedhros|alliance]], Turgon's and [[Fingon]]'s forces retreated to the [[Pass of Sirion]] with Glorfindel and [[Ecthelion]] guarding their flanks.<ref>{{S|20}}</ref>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Glorfindel's Bane.jpg|thumb|right|''Glorfindel's Bane'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
In the year {{FA|510}},<ref>{{WJ|Years}}, p. 351</ref> [[Morgoth]] sent a great force against Gondolin, resulting in the complete destruction of the city. The tale of this battle was well detailed in ''[[#Other versions of the legendarium|The Fall of Gondolin]]'', and long remembered by the elves. Glorfindel managed to escape the [[Fall of Gondolin]] with the [[Exiles of Gondolin|Exiles]], and after crossing [[Tumladen]] they reached the [[Cirith Thoronath]], a narrow pass between the mountains. There the survivors were attacked by an ambush of [[Orcs]] led by a [[Balrog]]. The [[Eagles]] came to help them, but Glorfindel fought the Balrog alone upon the pinnacle of a rock. Both died after falling in the abyss, and their duel is sung of by many songs. [[Thorondor]] rescued Glorfindel's body, and a cairn was raised, which remained there, covered by grass and yellow flowers, [[War of Wrath|until the world changed]].<ref>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref>

===Re-embodiment and return to Middle-earth===
Glorfindel's spirit passed to the [[Halls of Waiting]], 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, Manwë allowed his re-embodiment after only a short time. Being already an Elda of great corporal and spiritual stature, in his new incarnated life his spiritual power was enhanced by his self-sacrifice. He lived in Valinor for many years in the company of the Eldar and the [[Maiar]], the latter also regarding him as an equal, for he was incarnate. At some point, he became a follower of [[Olórin]], a Maia with special concern for Middle-earth.<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|380–381}}

Eventually, [[Manwë]] sent him across the [[Belegaer|sea]] to [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Second Age]]. He possibly came as early as {{SA|1200}}, but more likely in {{SA|1600}},<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|381–382}} at the same time as the [[Blue Wizards]].<ref>{{PM|XIII}}, "The Five Wizards", p. 384</ref> If he arrived in S.A. 1600, 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]].<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|382}} He may have 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.

===Third Age===
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.<ref>{{App|A1iv}}</ref> Not much can be said about his deeds and role in the events and struggles of the [[Westlands]] before the [[War of the Ring]].
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Glorfindel.jpg|thumb|''Glorfindel'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
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 [[Nazgûl|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.<ref>{{FR|Flight}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}</ref> 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 into the West, perhaps accompanying the bearers of the [[Three Rings]] and [[the One Ring]]. Or he may have remained in Middle-earth for some time to oversee the post-war recovery before eventually departing for [[Valinor]].

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Glorfindel.mp3|Ardamir}}
With the development of the [[Elvish]] languages, the name ''Glorfindel'' had different etymologies, ultimately meaning the same.

The early [[Gnomish]] conception meant "Goldtress" or "Goldlocks". At this stage of the legendarium, [[Tolkien]] considered many other variants, like ''Glorfinn'' or ''Glorfing''.<ref>{{LT2|Appendix}}, entry "Glorfindel"</ref> [[Qenya]] cognates were '''''Laurifindl''''' or '''''Kulufindl'''''.<ref>{{PE|13}}, p. 104</ref>

At the [[Noldorin]] stage, the name was composed of the words ''[[glaur]]'' ("gold") + ''findel/finnel'' ("braided hair"),<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entries "[[LAWAR]]", "SPIN"</ref> but it is not properly glossed.

In the final [[Sindarin]] conception, ''Glorfindel'' meant "Golden-hair", from ''glaur'' ("gold") + ''findel'' ("head of hair").<ref name="Eldarin">{{PE|17}}</ref>{{rp|17}} It was supposedly derived from the [[Quenya]] form '''''Laurefindelë'''''.<ref name="Eldarin" />{{rp|119}} Tolkien also created a [[Primitive Quendian]] version: ''Malaphindë'' ("Goldilocks"), which is mentioned as an ''[[anessë]]'' (a given name).<ref>{{PE|21}}, p. 86</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | |F|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|~|7| |}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | | | | |:| |}}
{{familytree | | | |:| | | | | | | | | |:| |}}
{{familytree | | | TUR |y| ELE | | | | GLO |GLO='''GLORFINDEL''' ''b. {{YT}}''|TUR=[[Turgon]] ''{{YT|1300}} - {{FA|510}}''|ELE=[[Elenwë]] ''d. {{YT|1500}}''}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | TUO |y| IDR | | | | | | | | |IDR=[[Idril]] ''b. {{YT}}''|TUO=[[Tuor]] ''b. {{FA|472}}''}}
{{familytree | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree | | | EAR | | | | | | | | | | |EAR=[[Eärendil]] ''b. {{FA|503}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
===Early legendarium===
====''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]''====
The most detailed text about the deeds of Glorfindel during the Fall of Gondolin is the chapter "[[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|The Fall of Gondolin]]", in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]''. There he is described as the chief of the [[House of the Golden Flower]], who bore a rayed sun upon their shields. He wore a mantle embroidered in threads of gold, decorated with celandine "as a field in spring", while his arms were [[Uncommon words#D|damascened]] with "cunning gold".<ref name="Gondolin">{{LT2|III}}</ref>{{rp|173}}

Glorfindel 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 [[Dragons|dragon]] came and levelled 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.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|182}}

As many of the lords had fallen, [[Ecthelion]] was wounded, [[Galdor (elf of Gondolin)|Galdor]] was engaged, and [[Egalmoth]] had not yet arrived, Glorfindel joined Tuor in leading the defence 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 defences. 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 (balrog)|Gothmog]]. Even Tuor was thrown down, but Ecthelion sacrificed himself to kill Gothmog and buy the Gondothlim a little more time.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|183–4}} After King Turgon ordered the survivors to follow Tuor, they fled southward, and Glorfindel held the rear manfully, losing many more of his House in the process.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|186}}

After they had escaped Gondolin via [[Idril's secret way]], and passed through the [[Cristhorn]], Glorfindel again held the rear with the largest number of the unwounded. It was at that time that a Balrog and a contingent of Orcs ambushed their company.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|192–3}} There Glorfindel saved the lives of the [[Exiles of Gondolin]] when he defied the Balrog:
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Glorfindel and the Balrog Above Gondolin.jpg|thumb|''Glorfindel and the Balrog above Gondolin'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

{{blockquote|Then Glorfindel leapt forward upon him and his golden armour gleamed strangely in the moon, and he hewed at that demon that it leapt again upon a great boulder and Glorfindel after. Now there was a deadly combat upon that high rock above the folk; and these, pressed behind and hindered ahead, were grown so close that well nigh all could see, yet was it over ere Glorfindel's men could leap to his side. The ardour of Glorfindel drave that Balrog from point to point, and his mail fended him from its whip and claw. Now had he beaten a heavy swinge upon its iron helm, now hewn off the creature's whip-arm at the elbow. Then sprang the Balrog in the torment of his pain and fear full at Glorfindel, who stabbed like a dart of a snake; but he found only a shoulder, and was grappled, and they swayed to a fall upon the crag-top. Then Glorfindel's left hand sought a dirk, and this he thrust up that it pierced the Balrog's belly nigh his own face (for that demon was double his stature); and it shrieked, and fell backwards from the rock, and falling clutched Glorfindel's yellow locks beneath his cap, and those twain fell into the abyss.}}

The [[Noldoli]] still mourned the death of Glorfindel, and every time the [[Eldar]] saw a powerful fight between good and evil, they still said: "''Alas! 'Tis Glorfindel and the Balrog''". After the body of Glorfindel was recovered by Thorndor, Tuor allowed the folk of the Golden Flower to rise a cairn for him, there near the dangerous [[Thorn Sir]]. Despite being a unkindly place, yellow flowers grew upon the mound, and the place was always protected by Thorndor.<ref name="Gondolin" />{{rp|194}}

====''[[The History of The Lord of the Rings]]''====
In a hasty note about the Council of Elrond, Tolkien suggested that Glorfindel could tell of his ancestry in Gondolin, but this idea was never developed.<ref name="Ancestry">{{RS|1XI}}, p. 214</ref>

Glorfindel was originally planned to be part of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], in a way taking the place of [[Legolas]].<ref>{{RS|4XXIII}}, pp. 397-8, 406</ref>

===Later legendarium===
====''[[The War of the Jewels]]''====
While composing the chapter about [[Maeglin]], [[Tolkien]] considered Glorfindel, [[Ecthelion]] and [[Egalmoth]] as the escort of Aredhel when she left the [[Gondolin|Hidden City]] in her way to visit [[Fingon]].<ref name="Maeglin" />{{rp|318}} However, in the published ''[[Silmarillion]]'', [[Christopher Tolkien]] didn't mention any of the escorts of Aredhel, based on a note in which his father discussed about the motives of Celegorm and Curufin of not sending any message to Gondolin about Aredhel. Tolkien decided that it was necessary ''not'' to name the most eminent and bravest chieftains as Aredhel's escort, as they would have sought for her beyond the [[Iant Iaur]].<ref name="Maeglin">{{WJ|Maeglin}}</ref>{{rp|328}}

====''[[Last Writings]]''====
Tolkien first suggested that Glorfindel returned to Middle-earth about {{TA|1000}}, with [[Gandalf]].<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|377}} But he later realized that Glorfindel only could come ''before'' the end of the Second Age and the [[Drowning of Númenor]], as with the [[Changing of the World]] Aman was removed from the [[Circles of the World]] and no living embodied creature could return from there. This was directly decreed by [[Ilúvatar]] to favour the [[Dominion of Men]]. It seems improbable that Manwë would have obtained special permission and devised a way of transportation, as that would seem to give Glorfindel an excessive importance.<ref name="PoME-LW" />{{rp|381–2}}

As told above, Glorfindel might have come as early as {{SA|1200}} and the years following, or as late as {{SA|1600}}. Although Tolkien declared the first to be possible, he favoured the last as the most probable.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
Glorfindel is rarely portrayed like in the book. His role in ''The Lord of the Rings'' is too small to be introduced and forgotten - he basically does little else beyond providing fast transport to Rivendell. In the more popular works, his role has been filled by another Elf.

===Glorfindel in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Glorfindel.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
File:BFME2 - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Lego The Lord of the Rings The Video Game - Glorfindel.jpg|''[[Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game]]''
</gallery>
'''1971: [[Sagan om Ringen (1971 film)|''Sagan om Ringen'' (1971 film)]]:'''
:This short Swedish adaptation of the first half of the Fellowship of the Ring is unusual among film adaptations in that shows Glorfindel fight the Nazgûl rather than have another character absorb his role.

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:In this adaptation, the role of Glorfindel was taken by [[Legolas]]. In a simplification of that character, and as a reason for ''his'' coming, he is portrayed as an Elf of Rivendell rather than [[Mirkwood]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Glorfindel appears in his original role at the Last Bridge, voiced by [[John Webb]]. Because the part of [[Gildor|Gildor Inglorion]] was cut, the heavily wounded Frodo says the [[Quenya]] greeting ''[[Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo]]'' to him, and Glorfindel replies with Gildor's answer. Glorfindel keeps his two [[Sindarin]] lines, ''[[A na vedui, Dúnadan!]]'' and ''[[Noro lim, noro lim, Asfaloth!]]'', though he says them with a heavy English accent. Glorfindel's role at the Council of Elrond is omitted. His name is pronounced correctly in the adaptation, but in the credits, his name is pronounced "Glorfindle".

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Glorfindel is a powerful playable character once [[the One Ring|the Ring]] passes the [[Last Bridge]], who leads the Fellowship to [[Rivendell]].

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Glorfindel is played by Stefan Schwartz.

'''1996: ''J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit: An Adventure Play''''':
:In this children's theater script by Edward Mast, the show opens with [[Bilbo Baggins]] putting on a shadow play for the audience of Glorfindel's battle with the Balrog at the Fall of Gondolin to establish his love of telling adventurous tales. The allure of having his own story just as adventurous, though hopefully with a less tragic end, plays a role in convincing Bilbo to join [[Thorin Oakenshield]]'s company.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:To limit the already large number of one-appearance characters, Glorfindel has been omitted in this adaptation as well. [[Peter Jackson]] decided to have [[Arwen]] meet the travellers and then ride on [[Asfaloth]].

'''2001: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Glorfindel is provided by Marián Zednikovič.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Glorfindel appears on the Last Bridge. He has several Sindarin lines: ''A na vedui, Dúnadan'', like in the book, and ''Mae govannen, mellon'' (which Frodo accurately translates as "Well met, friend"). He comes to the aid of the hobbits at the request of Elrond, who had received news from [[Gildor|a group of Elves travelling near the Shire]] - even though there is no mention of that group earlier in the gameplay. Glorfindel does so in a monotonous voice, and his speech continues without pause. He also uses the lines ''Noro lim, Asfaloth'', though he does not say them to his horse: he says them to Frodo. No actor is specified for this part.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:[[Decipher]] made two [[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game|cards]] featuring extra [[Jarl Benzon]] as Glorfindel, one of them being at the Coronation of Elessar.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://scrapbook.theonering.net/scrapbook/movies/characters/other/view/12658|articlename=Glorfindel's Cameo in ROTK!|dated=|website=TORN|accessed=15 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070323204416/http://www.decipher.com/content/2004/04/040504lotrwetafalconer.html|articlename=The Making of the Weta "Book Cards": An Interview With Weta Workshop's Daniel Falconer|dated=5 April 2004|website=Decipher.com (archived)|accessed=15 October 2013}}</ref> He is briefly seen in the film at Aragorn's coronation when Arwen is revealed.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Glorfindel played an important part in this video game, set during the [[War of the Ring]]. Together with [[Glóin]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], Glorfindel fights in several places in northern [[Eriador]] and [[Rhovanion]]. He is voiced by [[Jason Carter]], and portrayed as white haired. His design was changed to a more movie-accurate version in the expansion pack, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. He serves as narrator throughout, and appears in the story itself after the death of [[Arvedui]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Glorfindel is featured in an extended flashback sequence depicting the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. During this time, he is the leader of the Bright Company, a group of [[High Elves]] who fighting to rid [[Middle-earth]] of [[Sauron]]'s evil long before that war and who continue their duty long after.
:In the present day, Glorfindel can be found in Rivendell just south of the [[Rivendell|Last Homely House]]. He is involved in the campaign against [[Angmar]] during the main story and also talks to the player after defeating the [[balrog]] Thaurlach. Glorfindel disappears in the final weeks of the [[War of the Ring]] and the player tracks him across Middle-Earth to summon him to the Council of Elf-Lords between [[Thranduil]], [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]]. He joins the procession that escorts Lady [[Arwen]] to [[Minas Tirith]] for her wedding; along the way Glorfindel and [[Elrond]] assist [[Gandalf]] and the player in uncovering a mystery within the [[Gladden Fields]].

'''2012: ''[[Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game]]'':'''
:Glorfindel is purchasable as an optional player character in DLC character pack 2 for use in free play and on the open world. He is portrayed with light tan hair (rather than yellow blond like Legolas), wears an outfit which is a mix of light blue robe parts and silver armour whilst wearing a light blue cape. He wields a bow of the Galadhrim and also carries a golden Elvish longsword (all Elvish longswords appear gold in the game). Glorfindel is one of the most proficient fighter characters in the game.

'''2022-24: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:According to the showrunners, Glorfindel will make an appearance in a later season of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=Adam B. Vary, Jordan Moreau, Jennifer Maas|articleurl=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/rings-of-power-season-2-trailer-sauron-comic-con-1236080231/|articlename=‘Rings of Power’ Season 2 Trailer: A New Fellowship Forms to Battle Sauron in ‘Lord of the Rings’ Prequel|dated=26 July 2024|website=[https://variety.com Variety]|accessed=}}</ref>

==Collectibles==
[[Gentle Giant]] produced a ''Glorfindel Mini Bust'' for [[Comic-Con 2007]], based on Glorfindel's appearance in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II|EA's ''The Battle for Middle-earth II'']].

{{References}}
{{councilofelrond}}
{{HousesofGondolin}}
[[Category:Calaquendi]]
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Gnomish names]]
[[Category:Gondolindrim]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Glorfindel]]
[[fi:Glorfindel]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/elfes/noldor/glorfindel]]

2025-07-29T20:24:16Z

Namornen: Superfluos or not, doesn't hurt its addition

{{sources}}{{people infobox
| name=Noldor
| image = Jenny Dolfen - The Coming of Fingolfin.jpg
| caption="The Coming of Fingolfin" by [[Jenny Dolfen]]
| pronun=[[Quenya|Q]], {{IPA|[ˈnoldor]}}/{{IPA|[ˈɲoldor]}}
| othernames=''Tatyar'' ([[Quenya|Q]]), ''Golodhrim'', ''Gelydh'' (''Gódhellim'', ''Gódhil'') ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''Nómin'' ([[Taliska|T]]), ''Golug'' ([[Black Speech|BS]]), Deep Elves, Loremasters
| location=[[Tirion]], [[Formenos]], [[Nevrast]], [[Hithlum]], [[Gondolin]], [[Nargothrond]], [[Dorthonion]], [[East Beleriand]], [[Lindon]], [[Eregion]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Imladris]]
| affiliation=[[Union of Maedhros]], [[Host of the West]], [[Last Alliance]], [[Gwaith-i-Mirdain]], [[White Council]]
| rivalry=
| language=[[Quenya]], [[Valarin]], [[Sindarin]], [[Westron]]
| members=Notable members include [[Finwë]], [[Fëanor]], [[Fingolfin]], [[Finarfin]], [[Maedhros]], [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]], [[Finrod]], [[Galadriel]], [[Gil-galad]], [[Celebrimbor]], [[Glorfindel]], among others.
| lifespan=[[Immortal]]
| distinctions=The greatest of the Elves in lore, craftsmanship, and warfare
| height=Tall, typically 7 feet<ref>{{PM|Atani}}</ref>
| hair=Usually dark (black or dark brown).<ref name="Eyes">{{PM|XINotes}}, Note 19, p. 357</ref> Occasionally golden,<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, entry Q ''noldo'', p. 125</ref> and rarely silver<ref name="HairEye">{{MR|P3I6}}, p. 185</ref> or reddish brown.<ref name=Sons>{{PM|Feanor}}, p. 353</ref>
| skin=Fair
| clothing=
| weapons= Often swords and shields
}}
{{quote|Next came the Noldor, a name of wisdom, the people of [[Finwë]]. They are the Deep Elves, the friends of [[Aulë]]; and they are renowned in song, for they fought and laboured long and grievously in the northern lands of old.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]"}}
The '''Noldor''', or '''Ñoldor''', were those of the second clan of the [[Elves]] who came to [[Aman]]. The Noldor were held to be the noblest of the Elves, and indeed of all peoples in [[Middle-earth]], in lore and in craftsmanship. In [[Valinor]], their wisdom and skill flourished exceedingly, and ever they hungered for deeper knowledge and greater mastery of the arts, so that in many matters they even outstripped their own teachers. They cherished also a love of words, and were ever shifting in speech, striving to devise names most fitting for all things. This rich inheritance of knowledge they later passed on to [[Men]] during their [[Exile of the Noldor|Exile]].

Their first [[King of the Noldor|King]] was [[Finwë]], who was slain by [[Morgoth]]. In the wake of his death and the theft of the [[Silmarils|jewels]], Finwë’s son [[Fëanor]] led the Noldor in rebellion, vowing vengeance upon Morgoth. The war of the Noldor against Morgoth comprises many of the greatest tales of the [[First Age]].

==Origins==
According to legend, the clan was founded by [[Tata]], the second Elf to awake at [[Cuiviénen]]. With him were his spouse Tatië and their 54 companions, and this clan became known as the '''''Tatyar'''''. [[Finwë]], the first Ñoldo to come to [[Valinor]] with [[Oromë]], became their King, and led most of them to Valinor. Out of the original 56 Tatyar who awoke at Cuiviénen, 28 remained at the place of their awakening, becoming [[Avari]], while the other original 28 and their offspring continued on their [[Great Journey]].

==History==
===Elder Days===
====In Valinor====
[[File:Konstantin Zahariev - A Noldorin Prince.jpg|thumb|''A Noldorin Prince'' by Konstantin Zahariev]]
The Noldor were accounted the greatest of the Elves and all the peoples in [[Middle-earth]] in lore and crafts. In Valinor, their knowledge and skill became great, and they had always a strong desire for more knowledge and skill in art, surpassing even their teachers in many things. The Noldor had also a love for words, and were changeful in speech, endeavouring to find suitable names for all things. They were beloved of [[Aulë]] the Smith, and were the first to discover and carve gems. Their chief dwelling-place was the city of [[Tirion]] upon [[Túna]].<ref name="Eldamar">{{S|5}}</ref> Among the wisest of the Noldor was [[Rúmil (elf of Tirion)|Rúmil]], creator of the first writing system and author of many books of lore.<ref name="Unchaining">{{S|6}}</ref> [[Fëanor]], son of Finwë and [[Míriel]], was the greatest of their craftsmen, "mightiest in skill of word and of hand",<ref name="Eldamar" /> and creator of the [[Silmarils]].<ref name="Silmarils">{{S|7}}</ref>

[[Melkor]] harboured a hatred for the Elves, despising their joy and blaming them for his downfall, and he sought to deceive them by feigning friendship. The Noldor, eager for knowledge, listened to him most readily of the kindreds. So he went often among them, offering counsel, and the Noldor hearkened to him.<ref name="Unchaining" /> During this time, Fëanor created the Silmarils, and Melkor, desiring them greatly, sought ever to spread ideas and rumours among the Noldor. But amid his seemingly good advice, Melkor sowed lies to turn one House of the Noldor against another, and in the end the peace in Tirion was poisoned. After threatening his half-brother [[Fingolfin]], believing falsely that Fingolfin intended to usurp the throne, Fëanor was banished from Tirion by the [[Valar]]. With him went his [[Sons of Fëanor|seven sons]], and his father Finwë, King of the Noldor. Fingolfin remained behind as the ruler of the Noldor of Tirion.<ref name="Silmarils" />

But Melkor had yet other designs to accomplish. Soon after, with the aid of [[Ungoliant]], he destroyed the [[Two Trees]],<ref>{{S|8}}</ref> and coming to [[Formenos]] he killed Finwë, stole the Silmarils, and departed from Aman. Fëanor, driven by grief and desiring vengeance, rebelled against the Valar by coming back into Tirion and making a speech before the Noldor, in which he persuaded them to leave Valinor, follow Melkor to [[Middle-earth]], and wage war against him for the recovery of the Silmarils. He swore a terrible [[Oath of Fëanor|oath]], as did his [[Sons of Fëanor|sons]], to pursue Melkor and reclaim the Silmarils at all costs. Fëanor then claimed the kingship of the Noldor since his father was dead. Although the greater part of the Noldor still held Fingolfin as their leader, they followed Fëanor into [[Exile of the Noldor|Exile]].<ref name="Exile">{{S|9}}</ref>

====Exile====
{{main|Exile of the Noldor}}
Fëanor led the Noldor from Tirion, his host in the front, followed by the hosts of Fingolfin and [[Finarfin]]. He led them to Alqualondë, seeking to persuade the Teleri to join with the Noldor in rebellion. But the Teleri did not wish to depart with the Noldor, nor aid them with the providing of ships. Angered, Fëanor assembled his host, and they took the ships by force, committing the first [[Kinslaying at Alqualondë|kinslaying]]. The host of Fingolfin, coming upon the battle and mistakenly believing the Teleri had attacked the Noldor, joined in the struggle, and many of the Teleri were slain. Taking the ships, the Noldor continued their journey northwards. A messenger from the Valar came later and delivered the [[Doom of Mandos]], pronouncing judgement on the Noldor for the Kinslaying and rebellion and warning that if they proceeded their oath would betray them, and moreover they would be slain or tormented by grief. At this, some of the Noldor who had no hand in the Kinslaying, including [[Finarfin]] son of Finwë and [[Indis]], returned to Valinor, and the Valar forgave them. Other Noldor led by Fingolfin remained determined to leave Valinor for Middle-earth, not desiring to be separated from their kin and fearing the Valar's judgement, for some among them had participated in the kinslaying. Among those that continued were [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]], [[Finrod]], and [[Galadriel]].<ref name="Exile" />

The Noldor suffered greatly during the cold journey, and began to mutter against Fëanor. Fearing treachery, Fëanor took his sons and those he deemed loyal to him, departing in the ships and crossing the sea to Middle-earth. He left behind those led by Fingolfin, his half-brother. Upon his arrival in Middle-earth, Fëanor had the ships burned. When the Noldor led by Fingolfin discovered their betrayal, they went farther north and crossed the sea at the treacherous [[Helcaraxë]], at the cost of many lives.<ref name="Exile" />

====In Middle-earth====
=====Arrival=====
Fëanor's company encamped in the region of [[Mithrim]] and was soon attacked by the host of Morgoth. The battle became known as a [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]], and was a great victory for the Noldor. But Fëanor rode too far from his host during the battle, pursuing the remnant of the [[Orcs]] in a vengeful mood. Several [[Balrogs]], including their Lord [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], issued from [[Angband]] and fought him. Despite battling valiantly, Fëanor was mortally wounded and would have been captured and taken to Angband had it not been for the swift arrival of his sons. However, Fëanor died whilst being carried back to his own people.<ref name="Return">{{S|13}}</ref>

Because Fëanor had taken the ships and left the Noldor led by his half-brother on the west side of the sea, much enmity remained between the Houses of the Noldor. The feud was at last settled when [[Fingon]], son of Fingolfin, saved [[Maedhros]], Fëanor's son, from Morgoth's imprisonment. Maedhros was due to succeed Fëanor, but he regretted his part in the Kinslaying and waived his claim to the kingship of the Noldor to his uncle Fingolfin, who became the first [[High King of the Noldor]] in Middle-earth. The [[House of Fëanor]] became known as ''the Dispossessed'' after this.<ref name="Return" />

=====Kingdom of the Noldor=====
[[File:Mysilvergreen - King Fingon and his lords.jpg|thumb|''King Fingon and his lords'' by [[:Category:Images by Mysilvergreen|Mysilvergreen]]]]
In [[Beleriand]], the Noldor made alliance with the [[Sindar]]<ref name="Realms">{{S|14}}</ref> and later with the [[Edain]].<ref>{{S|17}}</ref> Fingolfin reigned long in the land of [[Hithlum]], and his younger son [[Turgon]] later ruled in his Hidden City of [[Gondolin]]. The Sons of Fëanor, under Maedhros, ruled the lands of [[East Beleriand]], while [[Finrod Felagund]], Finarfin's son, was the [[King of Nargothrond]].<ref name="Realms" />

Fingolfin's reign was marked by warfare against Morgoth and in {{FA|60}}, after their victory in [[Dagor Aglareb]], the Noldor [[Siege of Angband|besieged Angband]], the fortress of Morgoth.<ref>{{GA|78}}</ref> Yet in {{FA|455}},<ref>{{GA|145}}</ref> the Siege was broken by Morgoth in the [[Dagor Bragollach]], and many of the Noldor were slain or scattered. Fingolfin rode in despair to Angband and challenged Morgoth to [[Fall of Fingolfin|single combat]]. He dealt Morgoth seven wounds but perished, and was succeeded by his eldest son [[Fingon]], who became the second [[High King of the Noldor]].<ref>{{S|18}}</ref>

=====Demise=====
In {{FA|472}},<ref>{{GA|219}}</ref> Maedhros [[Union of Maedhros|organised]] an attack on Morgoth and this led to the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. Betrayed by the new-come [[Easterlings]], the forces of the Noldor, Sindar and Edain were utterly defeated. Fingon the Valiant was slain; he was succeeded by his brother [[Turgon]] as the third [[High King of the Noldor]].<ref name="Nirnaeth">{{S|20}}</ref>

Morgoth scattered the remaining forces of the [[Sons of Fëanor]], and in {{FA|495}}, [[Nargothrond]] was also defeated.<ref>{{GA|275}}</ref> Turgon had withdrawn to Gondolin which was kept hidden from both Morgoth and other Elves.<ref name="Nirnaeth" /> In {{FA|510}}, Gondolin was betrayed by [[Maeglin]] and [[Fall of Gondolin|sacked]].<ref>{{WJ|Years}}, p. 351</ref> During the attack, Turgon was killed; however, many of his [[Exiles of Gondolin|people escaped]] and found their way to the [[Mouths of Sirion]]. Turgon was the last surviving male descendant of Fingolfin, so [[Gil-galad]], great-grandson of Finarfin, became the fourth and last [[High King of the Noldor]] in Middle-earth.<ref>{{S|23}}</ref>

Finally, the [[Host of the West]] came down to Middle-earth and in {{FA|545}} to {{FA|583|n}}, the [[War of Wrath]] was fought and Morgoth was cast into the Void.<ref name="End">{{WJ|Years}}, p. 346</ref><ref>{{S|24}}</ref> As a result of the cataclysmic war, Beleriand sank into the sea, except for a part of [[Ossiriand]] (Lindon),<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref> and a few [[Tol Morwen|islands]].<ref>{{S|22}}</ref> The defeat of Morgoth marked the end of the [[First Age]] and the start of the [[Second Age|Second]].<ref name="End" />

===Second Age===
Most of the Noldor sailed back to [[Tol Eressea]] at the end of the First Age; but some, like [[Galadriel]] daughter of Finarfin, or [[Celebrimbor]], grandson of Fëanor, refused the pardon of the Valar and remained in Middle-earth. Gil-galad, last heir of the kings of the Noldor in exile, and acknowledged as "High King of the Elves of the West",<ref name="SA">{{App|B}}</ref> founded a new kingdom at Lindon, and ruled throughout the Second Age, longer than any of his predecessors.

[[Gil-galad]]'s people were mainly Noldor<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, Note 65</ref> (especially from [[Gondolin]], but also from the [[House of Finarfin|Houses of Finarfin]] and [[House of Fëanor|Fëanor]]); early in the [[Second Age]], most of the Noldor that remained in [[Middle-earth]] lived in Lindon.<ref name="SA" /> During this time, the few [[Exiles]] that remained also lived in Lindon.<ref>{{PM|Languages}}</ref>

In {{SA|750}}, some Noldor learned that [[mithril]] was found in [[Moria]] under the [[Misty Mountains]], so they went to [[Eregion]]. Because of their legacy as craftsmen, they were less unfriendly to the [[Dwarves]] than the Sindar. They became the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] under [[Celebrimbor]] and formed the closest friendship ever between Elves and Dwarves.<ref name="SA" /> Although war soon befell Eriador along with Celebrimbor's death, remnants of Eregion, including many Noldor, either followed Elrond to establish Imladris or fled to [[Lothlórien]].

Gil-galad perished in the War of the Alliance at the end of the Second Age, and so ended the High Kingship of the Noldor. He fathered no children; however, the line of the High-elven kings, including the High Kingship of the Noldor, was alone preserved in the descendants of [[Elros]] and [[Elrond]].<ref>{{App|A1i}}</ref>

===Later history===
After the fall of [[Gil-galad]] (during the time of the [[Kings of Arnor]]), there was still a remnant of the Noldor who dwelt at the [[Grey Havens]] of further inland in Lindon who constituted the largest population of Noldor remaining in [[Middle-earth]].<ref name="eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref> However, in Eriador, the chief dwelling of the Noldor was Imladris.<ref name="rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

In the late [[Third Age]], the Noldor in Middle-earth were greatly diminished, as most had passed over the Sea.<ref>{{L|347}}</ref><ref>{{FR|I2}}</ref> If any remained in the early [[Fourth Age]], they were few.<ref name="eriador" />

After the [[Dominion of Men]] was taken up by [[Aragorn II Elessar]], the last of the Noldor set sail from [[Mithlond]] and left Middle-earth forever.<ref name="rings" />

==Rulers==
{{main|King of the Noldor}}

;In Valinor:
The first two kings were not distinguished as being ''in Valinor'', since the entire population of the Noldor lived in Valinor at that time.

#[[Finwë]], first King of the Noldor.
#[[Fëanor]], first son of Finwë; claimed the title after his father's death.
::[[Finarfin]], third son of Finwë, remained in [[Aman]] after the [[Exile of the Noldor]] and ruled the remnant of his people in [[Tirion]], although he never officialy claimed this title.

;In Middle-earth
::[[Fëanor]] nominally ruled in [[Middle-earth]] for a few months before his fall in the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]], although he never established a realm.
#[[Fingolfin]], second son of Finwë; held to be the first '''[[High King of the Noldor]]''' by the majority of the Noldor after Maedhros son of Fëanor gave up his claims.
#[[Fingon]], first son of Fingolfin.
#[[Turgon]], second son of Fingolfin.
#[[Gil-galad]], great-grandson of Finarfin.

==Characteristics==
The Noldor were the Second Clan of the Elves in both order and size, the other clans being the [[Vanyar]], a smaller group, and the [[Teleri]], a much larger one. The Noldor typically had grey eyes and dark hair, save for the members of the golden-haired [[House of Finarfin]].<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref><ref>{{PE|17}}, entry Q ''noldo'', p. 125</ref>

From their beginning the Noldor (meaning "Those who Know") were always distinguished, by their knowledge of the things that are and were in this world, and by their desire to learn more.<ref>{{BL|Introduction}}</ref> They were the most skillful of these Clans, and were specially loved by [[Aulë]], from whom they learned many things, although less than they wanted to know. Their skills included the developing of their language, the building of great towers and halls, and gem extraction.<ref>{{MR|P3I5}}, p. 176 (see also the commentary on §40, p. 181)</ref> One of their most famous artefacts were the crystallic [[Fëanorian lamps]]; the craft to make them was lost to Middle-earth when they left.

The Noldor were the proudest of the Elves; in the words of the [[Sindar]], they came to Middle-earth because "they needed room to quarrel in". It was this pride that Melkor used to turn the Houses of [[House of Fëanor|Fëanor]] and [[House of Fingolfin|Fingolfin]] against each other. The pride of the Noldor also led to their [[Fall of the Noldor|Fall]] and [[Exile of the Noldor|Exile]] (and their continued quarrels in Middle-earth, as noted by the Sindar).

Of the three clans of the [[Eldar]] they are also the people who most favours swords and shields as their weapons.<ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 215 footnote to §29</ref><ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 228 footnote to §49</ref>

The Sindar often called the Noldor '''''Lechind''''' (sing. '''''Lachend'''''), which meant 'flame-eyed' due to the piercing brightness of their eyes. This was the distinctive feature of all the [[Calaquendi|Elves that had dwelt in Aman]], whose eyes thus deeply impressed [[Úmanyar|those of Middle-earth]].<ref name="WJC" />{{rp|384}}

==Etymology==
'''Noldor''' is a [[Quenya]] name that meant "the Wise" (in the sense of possessing knowledge, not sagacity or sound judgment),<ref>{{S|Index}}, ''Noldor''</ref> derived from the [[Elvish]] [[Sundocarme|root]] [[NGOL]] ("knowledge, wisdom, lore").<ref name="WJC">{{WJ|C}}</ref>{{rp|383}} This name was given to the Second Clan by the others and was accepted and used as their regular and proper name by all the ''Eldarin'' members of the clan throughout their later history.<ref name="WJC" />{{rp|383}}

Its singular form is '''''[[Noldo]]''''' and the adjective form is '''''Noldorin'''''.

==Other names==
The spelling ''Ñoldor'', rather than ''Noldor'', was often used by Tolkien in his later writings. The character '''Ñ'''—of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%91 Spanish] origin—is employed here to represent the velar nasal [ŋ], the sound found at the end of the English word "si'''ng'''", ''not'' the palatal nasal [ɲ], as in Spanish "a'''ñ'''o". This is due to vacillation on whether or not initial [ŋ] (written ñ) from [ng] became [n] or not in [[Quenya]]. Even in earlier forms the name ''Ñoldo/Noldo'' came from the same [[Primitive Quendian]] stem *ñgolodō, which led to ''Ñoldo'' in [[Quenya]] and ''Golodh'' in [[Sindarin]].

The Noldor were called '''''[[Golodhrim]]''''' (pron. {{IPA|[ɡɔ:ˈlɔð.rim]}}) by [[Sindarin]]-speakers and '''''Goldoi''''' by the [[Falmari]] of [[Aman]].<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''golodh''</ref> Both of these terms are cognates of the [[Quenya]] ''Noldor,'' meaning 'wise, learned ones'. The Sindarin singular '''''[[Golodh]]''''' ({{IPA|[ˈɡɔ.lɔð]}}) had the plural form '''''[[Gelydh]]''''' ({{IPA|[ˈɡɛ.lyð]}}, or in Gondorian pronunciation {{IPA|[ˈɡɛ.lið]}}, archaically '''''[[Gœlydh]]''''' {{IPA|[ˈɡø.lyð]}})<ref>{{S|Index}}, ''Golodhrim''</ref>. The class plural, '''''Golodhrim,''''' was used for the people as a whole.<ref name="WJA">{{WJ|A}}, p. 364</ref> Later the Sindar replaced these with '''''Gódhil''''' (sing. '''''Gódhel''''') or '''''Gódhellim''''' ({{IPA|[ɡoːˈðel.lim]}}), which, in turn, was a modernised form of ''Ódhil'' or ''Ódhellim'', Sindarin name for the [[Amanyar]].<ref name="WJA" />

The Noldor were called the "'''Deep-elves'''", a loose translation of ''Noldor'', where 'deep' means 'wise, learned'.<ref>{{H|Flies}}</ref> Other names used for the Noldor included the Wise, the Golden, the Valiant, the Sword-elves, the Elves of the Earth, the Foes of Melkor, the Skilled of Hand, the Jewel-wrights, the Companions of Men, the Followers of Finwë<ref>{{MR|P3I3}}, p. 164</ref>, and Loremasters.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', "Index", ''Noldor''</ref> It is also told that the Noldor were often called the Lispers by other native speakers of Quenya (such as the [[Vanyar]]), since the Noldor generally did not retain the sound "th" [θ] in their speech.<ref>{{PE|19}}, p. 34</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
{{Main|Gnomes}}
In the earliest versions of Tolkien's [[Legendarium]], the Noldor were called '<nowiki/>'''Noldoli'<nowiki/>''' or '<nowiki/>'''[[Gnomes]]''''. They were still called ''Gnomes'' in early editions of ''[[The Hobbit]]''. They were also the ones who spoke the language that later became [[Sindarin]] (then called ''Gnomish'' or ''Noldorin'').

==See also==
*[[Quenya]]
*[[Exile of the Noldor]]
*[[Kinslaying at Alqualondë]]
*[[Fall of the Noldor]]
*[[Doom of Mandos]]

{{references}}
{{elves}}
[[Category:Elven peoples]]
[[Category:Noldor| ]]
[[Category:Quenya demonyms]]
[[de:Noldor]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/elfes/noldor]]
[[fi:Noldor]]
[[pt-br:Noldor]]

2025-07-07T13:11:31Z

Namornen: /* Large number of recent edits */

==About your recent edit==

Do you have ''The War of the Jewels''?

Because the statement in your recent Vanyar edit comes directly from it:

"''The name [Vanyar] referred to the hair of the Minyar, which was in nearly all members of the clan yellow or deep golden. '''This was regarded as a beautiful feature by the Noldor (who loved gold)''', though they were themselves mostly dark-haired''." (WotJ, pp. 382-3; bold is my emphasis) [[User:IvarTheBoneless|IvarTheBoneless]] ([[User talk:IvarTheBoneless|talk]]) 13:06, 27 June 2025 (UTC)

:Oh, that's great. Add the reference next to the sentence, If not, that statement is factually unsourced (even If it's canon). Thanks. [[User:Namornen|Namornen]] ([[User talk:Namornen|talk]]) 13:15, 27 June 2025 (UTC)
::My point is - please refrain from outright deleting material that is sourced, especially if you don't already have the source material in question. [[User:IvarTheBoneless|IvarTheBoneless]] ([[User talk:IvarTheBoneless|talk]]) 13:35, 27 June 2025 (UTC)
:::Thank you, I will bear that in mind. However, I strongly encourage you to include the reference alongside the quotation in question; otherwise, it may appear unsubstantiated to the reader. That is the concern I wished to highlight and my point here. Kind regards. [[User:Namornen|Namornen]] ([[User talk:Namornen|talk]]) 13:38, 27 June 2025 (UTC)

==Large number of recent edits==
I appreciate your intent to Tolkien Gateway. Please read the Tolkien Gateway Manual of Style and Help:References before making further edits. You changed the infobox image on the Elves page. The Images section on the Tolkien Gateway Manual of Style page states that "Do not change the images in the Infoboxes without discussing it on the talk page." The References and notes section of the manual states "Use inline citations to support claims made in articles; citations are usually at the end of the sentences they support (after punctuation) using <ref>...</ref> tags and citation templates." I was surprised that you did not seem to know that Noldor is the plural form and that the singular form is Noldo, because you mentioned "he was Noldor" in your edit summary and inserted that Glorfindel was "a Noldor" on the Glorfindel page. I noticed that you checked the "minor edit" checkbox in almost all of your edits. I recommend to have a look at the Help:Editing page on wikipedia, which states in its Minor edits section "A check to the "minor edit" box signifies that only superficial differences exist between the version with your edit and the previous version: typo/grammar corrections, fixing a formatting problem, etc. A minor edit is a version that the editor believes requires no review and could never be the subject of a dispute.". Your edits were not minor edits and required a review and corrections by other users. --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhôrahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 10:33, 7 July 2025 (UTC)

:I'll respond in parts:
:- '''''"I appreciate your intent to Tolkien Gateway"'''''
:Intent? I'm not sure what you mean by that. Thanks for the appreciation, by the way.
:- '''''"You changed the infobox image on the Elves page. The Images section on the Tolkien Gateway Manual of Style page states that "Do not change the images in the Infoboxes without discussing it on the talk page."'''''
:Fair, I wasn't aware that anti-bold rule existed for infobox images.
:- '''''"The References and notes section of the manual states "Use inline citations to support claims made in articles; citations are usually at the end of the sentences they support (after punctuation) using tags and citation templates."'''''
:I know, especially the part about how citations are usually placed at the end of the sentences they support, after the punctuation. I might've overlooked the ''italicization'' of the citations though.
:- '''''"I was surprised that you did not seem to know that Noldor is the plural form and that the singular form is Noldo, because you mentioned "he was Noldor" in your edit summary and inserted that Glorfindel was "a Noldor" on the Glorfindel page."'''''
:I respect your ability to be surprised, but I'm well aware that Noldor is the plural of Noldo. I don't see how it's relevant that an edit summary happened to have a slip and said Noldor instead of Noldo. I think that's where your message starts to go off track.
:- '''''"I noticed that you checked the "minor edit" checkbox in almost all of your edits. I recommend to have a look at the Help:Editing page on wikipedia, which states in its Minor edits section "A check to the "minor edit" box signifies that only superficial differences exist between the version with your edit and the previous version: typo/grammar corrections, fixing a formatting problem, etc."'''''
:Thanks for the recommendation, I'll take a look and be more careful when using minor edits. That said, many of them ''were'' appropriate minor edits, since they didn’t even change the meaning or purpose of anything, just the wording to improve writing and reading flow.
:- '''''"A minor edit is a version that the editor believes requires no review and could never be the subject of a dispute."'''''
:Not entirely true, even if an edit is marked as minor, that doesn't mean it doesn't require review or possible correction. It simply indicates that the edit is small and potentially harmless to the article. All edits are subject to ve reviewed.
:- '''''"Your edits were not minor edits and required a review and corrections by other users."'''''
:I don’t know where the idea comes from that my minor edits have required review and correction by other users, only you recently (to literally add two optional spaces), and another user who's been oddly fixated for a while (one or two days) on removing any mention that 'Ñ' is a letter of Spanish origin, have done such a thing. Many of the minor edits I made were, in fact, appropriate minor edits, though I admit not all of them were. I'll be using fewer minor edits from now on.
:- "'''''Large number of recent edits'''''"
:As for the 'large number of recent edits', even if you'd like to imply something negative with that, it actually doesn't carry any negative connotation. It's not relevant to the point you're making here, and there's nothing inherently wrong with the edits large and recent
:Thanks for your message. Best regards. [[User:Namornen|Namornen]] ([[User talk:Namornen|talk]]) 12:56, 7 July 2025 (UTC)
<references />

User talk:Namornen

2025-07-07T13:11:04Z

Battle of Eglarest

2025-07-01T21:57:42Z

Namornen: It is too speculative, we just don't know. Plus format.

{{battle
| image=
| name=Battle of Eglarest
| conflict=[[War of Wrath]]
| date= {{FA|545}}
| result=Victory of the [[Host of the Valar]]
| place=[[Eglarest]]
| side1=Host of the Valar
| side2=[[Orcs]]
| commanders1=[[Ingwion]]
| commanders2=Unknown
| forces1=Unknown
| forces2=Unknown
| casual1=Unknown
| casual2=Unknown
|}}
The '''Battle of Eglarest''' was a battle fought early during the [[War of Wrath]].

== The Battle ==
At the head of the battle was [[Ingwion]], son of [[Ingwë]], leading the [[Vanyar]]in host. At [[Eglarest]] Ingwion and his host made a landing and found a swarm of [[Orcs]] around it. Thereafter he and his host drove away the Orcs from the shores of the [[Belegaer]].<ref>{{LR|AB}}, p. 144</ref> Nothing more is said of the battle in detail.

{{references}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]

Battle of Eglarest

2025-07-01T21:55:50Z

Namornen: /* The Battle */

{{battle
| image=
| name=Battle of Eglarest
| conflict=[[War of Wrath]]
| date= {{FA|545}}
| result=Victory of the [[Host of the Valar]]
| place=[[Eglarest]]
| side1=*Host of the Valar
| side2=*[[Orcs]]
| commanders1=*[[Ingwion]]
| commanders2=*Unknown
| forces1=*Unknown, but obviously very great
| forces2=*Unknown
| casual1=*Unknown
| casual2=*Unknown
|}}
The '''Battle of Eglarest''' was a battle fought early during the [[War of Wrath]].

== The Battle ==
At the head of the battle was [[Ingwion]], son of [[Ingwë]], leading the [[Vanyar]]in host. At [[Eglarest]] Ingwion and his host made a landing and found a swarm of [[Orcs]] around it. Thereafter he and his host drove away the Orcs from the shores of the [[Belegaer]].<ref>{{LR|AB}}, p. 144</ref> Nothing more is said of the battle in detail.

{{references}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]

Battle of Eglarest

2025-07-01T21:54:50Z

Namornen: It wasn't decisive, while important, It didn't marked a turning point in the war

{{battle
| image=
| name=Battle of Eglarest
| conflict=[[War of Wrath]]
| date= {{FA|545}}
| result=Victory of the [[Host of the Valar]]
| place=[[Eglarest]]
| side1=*Host of the Valar
| side2=*[[Orcs]]
| commanders1=*[[Ingwion]]
| commanders2=*Unknown
| forces1=*Unknown, but obviously very great
| forces2=*Unknown
| casual1=*Unknown
| casual2=*Unknown
|}}
The '''Battle of Eglarest''' was a battle fought early during the [[War of Wrath]].

== The Battle ==
At the head of the Army of the West was [[Ingwion]] son of [[Ingwë]] leading the [[Vanyar]]in host. At [[Eglarest]] Ingwion and his host made a landing and found a swarm of [[Orcs]] around it. Thereafter he and his host drove away the Orcs from the shores of the [[Belegaer]].<ref>{{LR|AB}}, p. 144</ref> Nothing more is said of the battle in detail.

{{references}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]

War of Wrath

2025-07-01T21:51:29Z

Namornen:

{{battle
| name=War of Wrath
| image = Per Sjögren - War of Wrath.jpg
| conflict=[[Wars of Beleriand]]
| date={{FA|545}} - {{FA|587|n}}
| place=The lands around [[Angband]]
| result=Decisive victory for the [[Host of the Valar|Host of the West]]
*Drowning of [[Beleriand]]
*Expulsion of [[Morgoth]] from [[Arda]]
| side1=Forces of [[Morgoth]]
| side2=[[Host of the Valar|Host of the West]] 
[[Edain]] 
[[Great Eagles]]
| commanders1=[[Morgoth]] (Supreme Commander of the Morgoth's forces)
[[Ancalagon]] † (Commander of the Winged Dragons)
| commanders2=[[Eönwë]] (Chief Commander of the Host of the West) [[Finarfin]] (Commander of the Elves of Valinor)
[[Ingwion]] (Possibly Co-commander of the Elves of Valinor)<ref group="note">In the published ''[[Silmarillion]]'', Ingwion has disappeared, and only [[Finarfin]] is named as a leader of the armies of the [[Elves]]. In ''[[The Shaping of Middle-earth]]'', p. 196, [[Christopher Tolkien]] suggests that this omission may have been an error, and Ingwiel (early name of Ingwion) should have remained in the text as joint commander of the [[Elves of Valinor]].</ref><ref>{{LR|P2VI}}, p. 326</ref> [[Eärendil]] (Hero-Champion of the Host of the West) [[Thorondor]] (King of the Great Eagles)
| forces1=Unknown, "whole power of the Throne of Morgoth"<ref name="WW">{{S|24}}</ref>
| forces2=Unknown
| casual1=Near utter annihilation
| casual2=Unknown, presumably substantial
|}}
{{quote|I remember well the splendour of their banners," he said. "It recalled to me the glory of the [[Elder Days]] and the hosts of [[Beleriand]], so many great princes and captains were assembled. And yet not so many, nor so fair, as when [[Thangorodrim]] was broken, and the [[Elves]] deemed that evil was ended for ever, and it was not so.|[[Elrond]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Council of Elrond]]}}

The '''War of Wrath''', or the '''Great Battle''', was the final conflict in the [[Wars of Beleriand]] fought between the [[Host of the Valar|Host of the West]] and the forces of [[Morgoth]]. The devastation caused by the two sides clashing left [[Beleriand]] mostly destroyed and in the end most of the land sank beneath the waves. According to ''[[The Tale of Years (The War of the Jewels)|The Tale of Years]]'' it lasted for more than four decades ({{FA|545}} - {{FA|587|n}}).<ref name="Years">{{WJ|Years}}, p. 346</ref>

==Background==
After more than five centuries since the [[Return of the Noldor|rising of the sun]], [[Morgoth]] had become mighty in [[Middle-earth]]. He had defeated his enemies in the [[Wars of Beleriand|war]] and the majority of the [[Elves]] and [[Men]] of [[Beleriand]] were captured in droves and enslaved in the pits of [[Angband]]. The few that remained outside his grasp lived around the [[Mouths of Sirion]] or elsewhere in the woods and mountains.

Following the [[Fall of Gondolin]], the few [[Exiles of Gondolin|survivors]] protected by [[Ulmo]] had escaped the city, among them was [[Eärendil]] son of [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]]. He later married [[Elwing]], the daughter of [[Dior]] and [[Nimloth of Doriath|Nimloth]], and became the lord of the people living in the mouths of Sirion. With the aid of [[Círdan]] the shipwright they built the vessel [[Vingilótë]] and Eärendil sailed the sea hoping to find the [[Last Shore|last shore]] and beseech for aid.<ref name="WW" />

==History==
===Prelude===
[[File:Jenny Dolfen - The Vanyar Leave for War.jpg|200px|thumb|right|''The Vanyar Leave for War'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
While Eärendil was returning from his voyages, the [[sons of Fëanor]] [[Third Kinslaying|attacked the havens]] when Elwing refused to yield the [[Silmaril]] to them, and she cast herself into the ocean with the jewel. But Ulmo bore her up from the sea, and taking the form of a great white bird she reunited with Eärendil. Eärendil then sought for Valinor once more and, wearing the [[Silmaril]] on his brow, he traversed past the enchantments of the sea and came to [[Valinor]], the first of any living mortal to set foot there. He was brought before the [[Powers of Arda]] and he delivered the "errand of the [[Two Kindreds]]", begging the [[Valar]] for pardon for the [[Noldor]] and to deliver them from Morgoth.<ref name="WW" />

The [[Valar]] were moved by [[Eärendil]]'s plea and his prayer was granted. So, the host of the West prepared for battle, joined by some of the [[Maiar]], along with the [[Vanyar]] and [[Noldor]] that were in [[Valinor]], riding in the ships of the [[Falmari]]. Still bitter about the [[First Kinslaying]], the [[Teleri]] sent mariners to sail the ships, but did not participate in the war.<ref name="WW" />

Meanwhile, Eärendil and Elwing were given their judgement, as it was decreed by [[Mandos]] that no mortal should set foot in Aman and live. But Eärendil was also of Elf lineage, so [[Manwë]] forbade punishment for the two, as Eärendil came out of love of the Two Kindreds and Elwing came out of love for him. However, they would never return to Middle-earth again and would be given a choice of which kindred they should be counted among. Elwing chose to be counted among the [[Eldar]] and Eärendil chose alike. Then the Valar took Vingilótë, hallowed it, and bore it away to the edge of the world through the [[Door of Night]] with Eärendil at the helm and the Silmaril bound upon his brow.<ref name="WW" />

===Battle===
[[File:Elena Kukanova - War of Wrath.jpg|200px|thumb|left|''War of Wrath'' by [[Elena Kukanova]]]]
The host of Valinor landed in Beleriand in {{FA|545}}<ref name="Years" /> and the "whole power of the Throne of Morgoth" was gathered to fight against them. The arrayed armies of Morgoth were uncountable, and the mountains rang with the sound of the host of the West; the war raged across the entire North.<ref name="WW" />

Eventually, the forces of Morgoth were defeated in the field, the [[Balrogs]] were destroyed (save a few who fled and hid themselves in the depths of the earth) and the armies of the [[Orcs]] perished. While the [[Edain#The Three Houses|Three Houses of the Edain]] fought with the forces of Valinor, many other Men fought for Morgoth, which led to their scorn by the Elves. As the War carried into its final years Morgoth faced defeat, and so unleashed his last desperate assault, the winged [[Dragons]], which had never been seen in Middle-earth before. The greatest of these dragons was [[Ancalagon|Ancalagon the Black]]. The forces of the West were taken by surprise and overcome by the devastation the dragons wrought, and were driven back across the region. The skies erupted with lightning and flame at the dragons' arrival, and Morgoth's hosts repulsed the hosts of the Valar.<ref name="WW" />
[[File:Alan Lee - Ruin of Angband.jpg|200px|thumb|''Ruin of Angband'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
As the situation grew dire for Morgoth's enemies, [[Eärendil]] came with his sky-ship [[Vingilótë]], along with [[Thorondor]] and flocks of great [[Eagles|birds]], and they fought the dragons. After a battle in the skies lasting a full day, Eärendil slew Ancalagon, and in his fall Ancalagon broke the towers of [[Thangorodrim]]. With Ancalagon slain, morale was renewed, and the host of the Valar retook the ground that had been lost. They destroyed the pits of Morgoth and descended into Angband.<ref name="WW" />

Morgoth fled to the deepest dungeons of Angband, where he was caught. Rather than challenge his foes, he asked for peace and parley, but his feet were hewn from under him and Morgoth fell upon the floor. He was bound with his old chain Angainor; the two Silmarils still in his possession were taken and given to the Maia [[Eönwë]] to be guarded. In the end, the Valar thrust him "through the [[Door of Night]], beyond the [[Walls of the World]], into the [[The Void|Timeless Void]]".<ref name="WW" />

===Aftermath===
Countless slaves were freed from Angband after Morgoth's defeat. The world had changed greatly, for the fury of both sides in the war had wreaked havoc on much of the land. The northern areas were torn asunder, rivers formed or destroyed, mountains and hills changed.<ref name="WW" /> The wreckage of the war was immense; most of the land west of the [[Ered Luin]] sank beneath the waves, and Beleriand was destroyed. The sea broke through the Ered Luin and formed the [[Gulf of Lhûn]].<ref name="RP" />
[[File:John Howe - The Door of Night.jpg|200px|thumb|left|''The Doors of Night'' by [[John Howe]]]]
[[Eönwë]], the herald of [[Manwë]], summoned all the Elves of Beleriand to depart [[Middle-earth]] and go to Valinor. Most of the Noldor and Sindar did so, but a number of them did not and instead went east, such as [[Galadriel]] and [[Gil-galad]]. Maedhros and Maglor sent word to Eönwë to yield the Silmarils to them, but they received the reply that they no longer had any right to the Silmarils due to the deeds wrought pursuing their [[Oath of Fëanor|oath]]. Despite this, the two sons of Fëanor stole the jewels from Eönwë's camp. But the Silmarils burnt their hands. So great was the pain that Maedhros cast himself and the Silmaril into a chasm of fire and Maglor cast his jewel into the sea; the Silmarils found their homes in the high heavens, earth, and deep waters.<ref name="WW" />

The [[Edain]] were rewarded for fighting with the Valar in the war and were given a new land to dwell in that was neither part of Middle-earth nor of Valinor: the land was called [[Andor]], the Land of Gift, but the Edain named it [[Elenna]] and later [[Númenórë]].<ref>{{S|IV}}</ref> The Men that fought with Morgoth fled east.<ref name="RP">{{S|V}}</ref>
[[File:Šárka Škorpíková - I hate him.jpg|200px|thumb|''I hate him'' by [[:Category:Images by Šárka Škorpíková|Šárka Škorpíková]]]]
The Dwarven cities [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]] were ruined when the Ered Luin were broken, forcing their populaces to flee.<ref>{{App|A3}}</ref>

The surviving servants of Morgoth fled east. [[Sauron]], the former chief lieutenant of Morgoth, came out to sue for Eönwë's pardon. He was ordered to return to [[Valinor]] to receive judgement; instead he fled and hid back in [[Middle-earth]]. Morgoth himself remains in the Void, brooding in his hatred. According to legend and prophecy, he will one day break through the Doors of Night and come upon Arda in great wrath, laying it to waste. In this apocalyptic battle, the [[Dagor Dagorath]], it is said that he will be slain forever, and afterward the world will be remade in perfect form by [[Eru]].<ref name="WW" /><ref name="RP" />

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The first fragments of what would be the War of Wrath appear in notes and outlines related to ''[[The Tale of Eärendel]]'', a story that was never written by Tolkien. In the ''[[Lost Tales]]'' version there is no mention of Eärendel's plea to the Valar on behalf of the [[Two Kindreds]], and the notes suggest that his voyage to [[Valinor]] was in vain. Instead, the Elves of Valinor receive tidings from the birds of Gondolin about its [[Fall of Gondolin|fall]]. The news angers the Elves and they march to the [[Great Lands]] against the will of the Valar, who are opposed to the Elves intervening.<ref>{{LT2|V}}</ref>

''[[The Silmarillion]]'' and its early drafts cover the War of Wrath.<ref>{{SM|Q17II}}</ref> As Tolkien was developing the story he also produced another set of texts – the ''Annals'' – which at first were used as a supportive document to help put a chronological structure to the story, but later grew in detail such that it became another "proper" account of the Silmarillion akin to the [[quenta]]s. The ''[[Annals of Beleriand]]'' cover the history of the Elves in Beleriand and introduce new elements to the battle that are absent in the other texts.

The [[Battle of Eglarest|Battle of Eldorest]] was the opening battle of the conflict.<ref name="AB1">{{SM|7I}}, p. 309</ref> Eldorest (known as [[Eglarest]] in ''The Silmarillion'') was the haven city of [[Círdan]] which was laid to ruin by Morgoth's armies after the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]].<ref>{{S|20}}</ref> In the battle [[Ingwion|Ingwiel]] (or Ingwil) – leader of the Light-elves, later [[Vanyar]] – makes landing with his Elves and defeats the Orcs on the shore.<ref name="AB2">{{LR|AB}}, p. 144</ref>

In the later ''[[The Later Annals of Beleriand|Annals of Beleriand]]'' there is a new element, where the host of Fiönwë and Morgoth contest the river [[Sirion]]. Both hosts encamp on either side of the river<ref name="AB1" /> and fight bitterly for control of the [[Pass of Sirion|passage]]. This may explain why the conflict was prolonged as it also states that the war lasted "fifty years from the landing of Fiönwë".<ref name="AB2" /> Sirion was a mighty river that ran through Beleriand and was wide and swift with few crossings. The most direct route for the host of Valinor to take to Angband would be through the [[Pass of Sirion]], as it was accessible enough for large armies to pass, hence why it was a strategic location to control. The camp of Fiönwë is likely a reintroduced element from the ''Lost Tales'', where the Elves of [[Kôr]] encamp in the Land of Willows or [[Tasarinan]] which is [[Nan-tathren]] in ''The Silmarillion''.<ref name="LTEA">{{LT2|VI}}, p. 278</ref>

In ''The Silmarillion'', Morgoth did not personally involve himself in the conflict and never left Angband, but in the ''Annals of Beleriand'' he indeed came forth from Angband,<ref name="AB2" /> although it is unclear if Morgoth fought or just commanded his armies from afar. The only other mentioned Vala to have taken part in the conflict was [[Tulkas]] in the ''Lost Tales'', where he defeated Melko in the [[Pools of Twilight]] in what is known as the battle of the Silent Pools.<ref name="LTEA" />

The conflict had a number of different names in the drafts. It was known as the '''Terrible Battle''' or '''Last Battle''',<ref>{{SM|2}}, p. 39</ref> the '''Battle Terrible''', or '''Battle of Wrath and Thunder'''.<ref>{{SM|Q18II}}, p. 157</ref>

In a list of names from the 1930s the battle was referred to as '''Dagor Delothrin''' ("Terrible Battle"), referencing [[The Earliest Annals of Beleriand]]. The name is not, however, explicitly given in the annals, and seems to not be mentioned anywhere else.<ref>{{LR|A2}}, p. 405</ref>

According to a prophecy of [[Andreth]], a [[Wise-woman]] of the [[House of Bëor]], [[Túrin Turambar]] would return from the [[Doom of Men|Dead]] and slay Ancalagon in the War of Wrath.<ref>{{PM|Ros}}, Note 17, pp. 374-375</ref> For more information, see [[Dagor Dagorath#Mannish legend|the Mannish legend of the Dagor Dagorath]].

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1998: ''[[Nightfall in Middle-Earth]]'':'''
:The album ''Nightfall in Middle-Earth'' by [[Blind Guardian]] opens with a [[War of Wrath (song)|track]] with a conversation between [[Sauron]] and [[Morgoth]] during the War of Wrath.

'''2022: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power]]'':'''
:'''1 September: ''[[A Shadow of the Past]]'':'''
::During [[Galadriel|Galadriel's]] summarizing narration of the [[First Age]], The War of Wrath is mentioned indirectly as Morgoth's defeat at the end of the [[Wars of Beleriand]].

==See also==
*[[Host of the Valar]]

==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2012/10/10/how-was-beleriand-destroyed-in-the-war-of-wrath/ How was Beleriand destroyed in the War of Wrath?] by [[Michael Martinez]] - A speculation on how the War destroyed the western lands

{{references|n}}
{{warsofbeleriand}}
[[Category:Conflicts in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]
[[de:Krieg des Zorns]]
[[fi:Vihan Sota]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/1a/guerres/guerre de la grande colere]]