Gil-galad: Difference between revisions

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(→‎Revised genealogy: Added reference to family tree for transparency, just in case someone skips passed the Parentage section)
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| notablefor=His death at the hands of Sauron at the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]
| notablefor=His death at the hands of Sauron at the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| house=[[House of Finarfin]]
| parentage=Disputed; See [[Gil-galad#Parentage|Parentage]] below
| parentage=[[Orodreth]] & his unnamed wife ([[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien's]] last intention)<ref name=Parentage>{{PM|XI5}}, pp. 349-351</ref>
| siblings=[[Finduilas]]
| siblings=[[Finduilas]]
| spouse=Never married
| spouse=Never married
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==History==
==History==
===First Age===
===First Age===
There are multiple conflicting accounts of Gil-galad's parentage, birthplace, and year of birth (see section [[#Parentage|Parentage]] below).
There are multiple conflicting accounts of Gil-galad's parentage, birthplace, and year of birth. Tolkien's final word regarding Gil-galad's parentage appears to be that he was the son of [[Orodreth]] and grandson of [[Angrod]] and [[Eldalótë]],<ref name=Parentage/> but the place and year of his birth remain murky (see [[#Other versions of the legendarium|below]]).


In any case, Gil-galad was still young for an elf at the time of the [[Dagor Bragollach]] when [[Morgoth]] broke the [[Siege of Angband]]. Shortly before the fall of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] by the forces of [[Sauron]], Gil-galad's father sent him and his mother to [[Círdan]] at the [[Havens of the Falas]] for safekeeping.<ref name=Fingon>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref> After the loss of Minas Tirith, the [[Pass of Sirion]] was open to Morgoth's hosts, although they were kept at bay by the still-mighty realm of [[Hithlum]] and the power of [[Nargothrond]]. Hithlum was destroyed after the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] while Nargothrond withdrew its forces to remain hidden; thus there was no power left to safeguard western Beleriand. The Falas were captured by [[Orcs]], yet Círdan, Gil-galad, and many other Elves escaped by sea and established a refuge upon the [[Isle of Balar]] and a small haven at the [[Mouths of Sirion]].<ref name=Fifth>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>
He was still an elven-child at the time of the [[Dagor Bragollach]] when [[Morgoth]] broke the [[Siege of Angband]]. As a result, shortly before the fall of [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]] by the forces of [[Sauron]], his father sent his wife and son to [[Círdan]] at the [[Havens of the Falas]] for safekeeping.<ref name=Fingon>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref> After the loss of Minas Tirith, the [[Pass of Sirion]] was open to Morgoth's hosts, although they were still kept at bay by the still mighty realm of [[Hithlum]] and also the power of [[Nargothrond]]. Hithlum was destroyed after the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] and thus there was no power left that could withstand the enemies, and the ports at the Falas were besieged and captured by the [[Orcs]]. Yet Círdan, Gil-galad, and many other Elves could flee from death on ship and established a refuge upon the [[Isle of Balar]] and a small haven at the [[Mouths of Sirion]].<ref name=Fifth>{{S|Fifth}}</ref>


In the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], [[Fingon]], High King of the Noldor, was slain, and the crown passed to his brother [[Turgon]] in [[Gondolin]]. When Gondolin [[Fall of Gondolin|was lost]], Gil-galad received the [[High King of the Noldor|Kingship of the Noldor]].<ref name=Gondolin>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref> He and Círdan maintained the refuge upon Balar and the small port at the [[Sirion]] estuary until the [[War of Wrath]] and the end of the [[First Age]].
In the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], [[Fingon]], High King of the Noldor, was slain, and the crown passed to his brother [[Turgon]] in [[Gondolin]]. When Gondolin [[Fall of Gondolin|was lost]], Gil-galad received the [[High King of the Noldor|Kingship of the Noldor]].<ref name=Gondolin>{{S|Gondolin}}</ref> He and Círdan maintained the refuge upon Balar and the small port at the [[Sirion]] estuary until the [[War of Wrath]] and the end of the [[First Age]].
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Thus died the last High King of Noldor, and this title was never claimed by any other Noldo of Middle-earth.
Thus died the last High King of Noldor, and this title was never claimed by any other Noldo of Middle-earth.


==Parentage==
== Etymology ==
[[File:Karolina Węgrzyn - Scion of Kings son of Fingon (colored).jpg|thumb|''Scion of Kings son of Fingon'' by [[Karolina Węgrzyn]]]]
{{Pronounce|Ereinion Gil-galad.mp3|Ardamir}}
The published ''[[The Silmarillion|Silmarillion]]'' identifies Gil-galad's father as [[Fingon]],<ref name=Fingon>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref> but Tolkien's final word on the subject appears to be that Gil-galad was the son of [[Orodreth]].<ref name=Parentage>{{PM|XI5}}, pp. 349-351</ref> The place and year of his birth remain murky.
''Gil-galad'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, meaning "Star of bright light",<ref name=RGEO>{{RGEO|Notes}}, p. 73</ref> "Starlight"<ref name=Knife/> or "Star of Radiance".<ref name=Finwe>{{PM|XI4}}, pp. 347-348</ref> The name consists of the elements ''[[gil]]'' ("star") + ''[[galad]]'' ("radiance").<ref name=RGEO></ref>
 
According to a version, this name was an [[epessë]] given to him because his armour and shield were overlaid with silver and included a device of white stars, so they shone in the distance like a star.<ref name=Finwe></ref> A later version explains it was his [[mother-name]].<ref name=Parentage/>
 
''Gil-galad'' already appears in ''[[The Etymologies]]'' as [[Noldorin]] for "Starlight".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "GIL"</ref>


During the writing of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Tolkien considered Gil-galad to be a son of [[Finrod Felagund]]. In the late 1950s, he decided that Felagund was unmarried and childless, and suggested in a marginal note that Gil-galad might be the son of [[Fingon]].<ref name="Ruin">{{WJ|Ruin}}, pp. 242-243</ref>
==Other names==
As a descendant of kings, the [[Sindarin]] birth name of Gil-galad was '''''Ereinion''''' ("Scion of Kings"), from plural ''[[aran]]'' ("king") + ''[[-ion]]'' (patronymic suffix).<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entry ''ar(a)''</ref>


However, Gil-galad being the son of Fingon created a difficulty with Turgon's reign as High King of the Noldor. The Kingship was expected to pass to the eldest son of the previous King, as shown when Maedhros [[High King of the Noldor#Earlier Kings|surrendered]] it to Fingolfin.<ref>{{S|Return}}</ref> As such, Fingon's son Gil-galad would be expected to inherit it in favor of Fingon's brother Turgon.
Gil-galad's [[Quenya]] name was '''''Artanáro''''', or in Sindarin '''''Rodnor'''''.<ref name=Parentage/> Paul Strack explains it can be translated as "Noble Fire".<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=http://eldamo.org/content/words/word-1045550461.html|articlename=Q. ''Artanáro'' m.|website=Eldamo|accessed=5 November 2020}}</ref>


In August of [[1965]], Tolkien resolved this difficulty by changing Gil-galad to become a son of [[Orodreth]], who was at the same time changed from being a son of [[Finarfin]] to a son of [[Angrod]].<ref name=Parentage></ref> By moving Gil-galad to the House of Finarfin, Tolkien made Fingon childless and Turgon his heir, resolving the difficulty with Turgon's Kingship.  
An unclear name is '''''Finellach''''', included in [[Gil-galad's letter]] to [[Tar-Meneldur]] (but omitted by [[Christopher Tolkien]]).<ref name=Parentage/> [[David Salo]] explains it can mean "Flame of Hair and Eye".<ref>{{HM|GS}}, p. 349</ref>


Tolkien's son and literary executor [[Christopher Tolkien]] made the editorial decision not to incorporate this revision into ''The Silmarillion'' and chose to present Gil-galad as a son of Fingon. He did this because at the time he believed that aspects of the move — notably making Orodreth a son of Angrod — would have required considerable reworking of the existing text. For consistency with the published ''Silmarillion'', he also edited a line in ''[[Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife]]'' that referred to Gil-galad as a member of the House of Finarfin. Many years later in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', he stated that this decision was a mistake on his part and did not represent his father's conception of the character. He suggested that it would have been better to have left Gil-galad's parentage obscure.<ref name=Parentage/>
Another isolated name was '''''Finwain''''',<ref>{{NM|P2iv}}, p. 186</ref> clearly [[Sindarin]], a combination of ''fin'' (Sindarin for ''[[Finwë]]'') + ''[[gwain]]'' ("young").


==Revised genealogy==
== Revised genealogy ==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad Heraldic Device.jpg|100px|thumb|right|Gil-galad's heraldic device, by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad Heraldic Device.jpg|100px|thumb|right|Gil-galad's heraldic device, by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]]]
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
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{{familytree| FRD | | ANG |y| ELD | | AEG | | GAL |y| CEL | |FRD=[[Finrod]]</br><small>''{{YT|1300}} - {{FA|465}}''</small>|ANG=[[Angrod]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|455}}''</small>|AEG=[[Aegnor]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|455}}''</small>|GAL=[[Galadriel]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1362}}''</small>|ELD=[[Eldalótë]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|CEL=[[Celeborn]]</br><small>''b. {{FA}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| FRD | | ANG |y| ELD | | AEG | | GAL |y| CEL | |FRD=[[Finrod]]</br><small>''{{YT|1300}} - {{FA|465}}''</small>|ANG=[[Angrod]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|455}}''</small>|AEG=[[Aegnor]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|455}}''</small>|GAL=[[Galadriel]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1362}}''</small>|ELD=[[Eldalótë]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|CEL=[[Celeborn]]</br><small>''b. {{FA}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | |!| | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | ORO | | | | | | ELR |~| CLB | | | |ORO=[[Orodreth]]<sup>[[#Parentage|?]]</sup></br><small>''d. {{FA|495}}''</small>|CLB=[[Celebrían]]</br><small>''b. {{SA}}''</small>|ELR=[[Elrond]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|532}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | ORO | | | | | | ELR |~| CLB | | | |ORO=[[Orodreth]]<sup>[[#Parentage|NB]]</sup></br><small>''d. {{FA|495}}''</small>|CLB=[[Celebrían]]</br><small>''b. {{SA}}''</small>|ELR=[[Elrond]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|532}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | GIL | | FIL | | | | | | |GIL='''GIL-GALAD'''</br><small>''d. {{SA|3441}}''</small>|FIL=[[Finduilas]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|495}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | GIL | | FIL | | | | | | |GIL='''GIL-GALAD'''</br><small>''d. {{SA|3441}}''</small>|FIL=[[Finduilas]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|495}}''</small>}}
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</div>
</div>


==Etymology==
== Other versions of the legendarium ==
{{Pronounce|Ereinion Gil-galad.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Gil-galad'' is a [[Sindarin]] name, meaning "Star of bright light",<ref name=RGEO>{{RGEO|Notes}}, p. 73</ref> "Starlight"<ref name=Knife/> or "Star of Radiance".<ref name=Finwe>{{PM|XI4}}, pp. 347-348</ref> The name consists of the elements ''[[gil]]'' ("star") + ''[[galad]]'' ("radiance").<ref name=RGEO></ref>
 
According to a version, this name was an [[epessë]] given to him because his armour and shield were overlaid with silver and included a device of white stars, so they shone in the distance like a star.<ref name=Finwe></ref> A later version explains it was his [[mother-name]].<ref name=Parentage/>
 
''Gil-galad'' already appears in ''[[The Etymologies]]'' as [[Noldorin]] for "Starlight".<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "GIL"</ref>
 
==Other names==
As a descendant of kings, the [[Sindarin]] birth name of Gil-galad was '''''Ereinion''''' ("Scion of Kings"), from plural ''[[aran]]'' ("king") + ''[[-ion]]'' (patronymic suffix).<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entry ''ar(a)''</ref>
 
Gil-galad's [[Quenya]] name was '''''Artanáro''''', or in Sindarin '''''Rodnor'''''.<ref name=Parentage/> Paul Strack explains it can be translated as "Noble Fire".<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=http://eldamo.org/content/words/word-1045550461.html|articlename=Q. ''Artanáro'' m.|website=Eldamo|accessed=5 November 2020}}</ref>
 
An unclear name is '''''Finellach''''', included in [[Gil-galad's letter]] to [[Tar-Meneldur]] (but omitted by [[Christopher Tolkien]]).<ref name=Parentage/> [[David Salo]] explains it can mean "Flame of Hair and Eye".<ref>{{HM|GS}}, p. 349</ref>
 
Another isolated name was '''''Finwain''''',<ref>{{NM|P2iv}}, p. 186</ref> clearly [[Sindarin]], a combination of ''fin'' (Sindarin for ''[[Finwë]]'') + ''[[gwain]]'' ("young").
 
==Other versions of the legendarium==
===Earlier versions===
===Earlier versions===
Gil-galad appears for the first time in the second version of ''[[The Fall of Númenor]]'' (written c. [[1937]]), along with [[Elendil]] (in the previous conception, Elrond is the leader of the Elves who remained behind). Both create a great league of Elves and Men and fight [[Thû]] in [[Mordor]], but both are slain by him. In that text he is mentioned as a descendant of [[Fëanor]] and an Elven king of Beleriand.<ref>{{LR|P1II3}}, p. 29. Cf. Commentary on §14</ref>  
Gil-galad appears for the first time in the second version of ''[[The Fall of Númenor]]'' (written c. [[1937]]), along with [[Elendil]] (in the previous conception, Elrond is the leader of the Elves who remained behind). Both create a great league of Elves and Men and fight [[Thû]] in [[Mordor]], but both are slain by him. In that text he is mentioned as a descendant of [[Fëanor]] and an Elven king of Beleriand.<ref>{{LR|P1II3}}, p. 29. Cf. Commentary on §14</ref>  
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===Later versions===
===Later versions===
In a 1959 manuscript on chronology published in ''[[The Nature of Middle-earth]]'', Tolkien contemplated various revisions to the years of birth of various characters in the Legendarium in accord with a new conception of how Elves aged over time. In a rough note appended to this manuscript, he suggested that "Gilgalad" became King in Lindon "under" Galadriel c. SA 10-20, and that in order to be of suitable age to rule he must have been born in {{YT|1481}} in [[Eldamar]].<ref name=Birth>{{NM|P1xi}}, p. 82</ref>
In a 1959 manuscript on chronology published in ''[[The Nature of Middle-earth]]'', Tolkien contemplated various revisions to the years of birth of various characters in the Legendarium in accord with a new conception of how Elves aged over time. In a rough note appended to this manuscript, he suggested that "Gilgalad" became King in Lindon "under" Galadriel c. SA 10-20, and that in order to be of suitable age to rule he must have been born in {{YT|1481}} in [[Eldamar]].<ref name=Birth>{{NM|P1xi}}, p. 82</ref>
===Parentage===
[[File:Karolina Węgrzyn - Scion of Kings son of Fingon (colored).jpg|thumb|''Scion of Kings son of Fingon'' by [[Karolina Węgrzyn]]]]
Later, and through the writing of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Tolkien considered Gil-galad to be a son of [[Finrod Felagund]]. In the late 1950s, he decided that Felagund was unmarried and childless, and suggested in a marginal note that Gil-galad might be the son of [[Fingon]].<ref name="Ruin">{{WJ|Ruin}}, pp. 242-243</ref>
However, Gil-galad being the son of Fingon created a difficulty with Turgon's reign as High King of the Noldor. The Kingship was expected to pass to the eldest son of the previous King, as shown when Maedhros [[High King of the Noldor#Earlier Kings|surrendered]] it to Fingolfin.<ref>{{S|Return}}</ref> As such, Fingon's son Gil-galad would be expected to inherit it in favor of Fingon's brother Turgon.
Tolkien's final decision for Gil-galad's parentage appears to have been that he was a son of [[Orodreth]], who was at the same time changed from being a son of [[Finarfin]] to a son of [[Angrod]].<ref name=Parentage></ref> By moving Gil-galad to the House of Finarfin, Tolkien made Fingon childless and Turgon his heir, resolving the difficulty with Turgon's Kingship.
Tolkien's son and literary executor [[Christopher Tolkien]] made the editorial decision not to incorporate this revision into ''The Silmarillion'' and chose to present Gil-galad as a son of Fingon. He did this because at the time he believed that aspects of the move — notably the downgrading of Orodreth into a son of Angrod — would have required considerable reworking of the existing text. For consistency with the published ''Silmarillion'', he also edited a line in ''[[Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife]]'' that referred to Gil-galad as a member of the House of Finarfin. Many years later in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', he stated that this decision was a mistake on his part and did not represent his father's conception of the character. He suggested that it would have been better to have left Gil-galad's parentage obscure.<ref name=Parentage/>


==Portrayals in adaptations==
==Portrayals in adaptations==
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===Television===
===Television===
'''2022: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power|''The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'']]:'''
'''2022: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power|''The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power'']]:'''
:Gil-galad, as portrayed by [[Benjamin Walker]], first appears in a ceremony honoring the survivors of a company of [[Elves]] ([[Galadriel]], [[Thondir]], and [[Rían (The Rings of Power)|Rían]]) that took down a [[Snow-trolls|Snow-troll]] in [[Northern Waste|Forodwaith]]. He announces that they are going to go home to the [[Aman|Undying Lands]] to dwell for eternity.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Amy Ratcliffe]]|articleurl=https://nerdist.com/article/lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-who-is-gil-galad-benjamin-walker-interview-exclusive-images/|articlename=Meet High King Gil-galad From THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER|dated=30-June-2022|website=[https://www.nerdist.com Nerdist]|accessed=09-July-2022}}</ref>
:Gil-galad will be portrayed by [[Benjamin Walker]] as one of the central characters of the series.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Amy Ratcliffe]]|articleurl=https://nerdist.com/article/lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-who-is-gil-galad-benjamin-walker-interview-exclusive-images/|articlename=Meet High King Gil-galad From THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER|dated=30-June-2022|website=[https://www.nerdist.com Nerdist]|accessed=09-July-2022}}</ref>


===Games===
===Games===

Revision as of 08:12, 3 September 2022

Gil-galad
Noldo
Kimberly - Gil-galad.jpg
"Gil-galad" by Kimberly
Biographical Information
PronunciationS, [eˈreɪnjon ˈɡilɡalad]
Other namesArtanáro/Rodnor (Q/S, fn),
Ereinion, Finellach (S, epessë)
TitlesHigh King of the Noldor
LocationHavens of Sirion
Lindon
AffiliationLast Alliance of Elves and Men
LanguageQuenya and Sindarin
BirthBetween Y.T. 1450 and F.A. 455
Unknown
RuleF.A. 510 - S.A. 3441
DeathS.A. 3441 (aged c. 3576)
Siege of Barad-dûr
Notable forHis death at the hands of Sauron at the Siege of Barad-dûr
Family
HouseHouse of Finarfin
ParentageOrodreth & his unnamed wife (Tolkien's last intention)[1]
SiblingsFinduilas
SpouseNever married
ChildrenNone
Physical Description
GenderMale
HeightTall
Hair colorSilver[2]
WeaponryAeglos
GalleryImages of Gil-galad
"Gil-galad was an Elven-king
Of him the harpers sadly sing
The last whose realm was fair and free
Between the Mountains and the Sea."
― From The Fall of Gil-galad, as translated by Bilbo Baggins

Ereinion Gil-galad was the fourth and last High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth.

History

First Age

There are multiple conflicting accounts of Gil-galad's parentage, birthplace, and year of birth. Tolkien's final word regarding Gil-galad's parentage appears to be that he was the son of Orodreth and grandson of Angrod and Eldalótë,[1] but the place and year of his birth remain murky (see below).

He was still an elven-child at the time of the Dagor Bragollach when Morgoth broke the Siege of Angband. As a result, shortly before the fall of Minas Tirith by the forces of Sauron, his father sent his wife and son to Círdan at the Havens of the Falas for safekeeping.[3] After the loss of Minas Tirith, the Pass of Sirion was open to Morgoth's hosts, although they were still kept at bay by the still mighty realm of Hithlum and also the power of Nargothrond. Hithlum was destroyed after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and thus there was no power left that could withstand the enemies, and the ports at the Falas were besieged and captured by the Orcs. Yet Círdan, Gil-galad, and many other Elves could flee from death on ship and established a refuge upon the Isle of Balar and a small haven at the Mouths of Sirion.[4]

In the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Fingon, High King of the Noldor, was slain, and the crown passed to his brother Turgon in Gondolin. When Gondolin was lost, Gil-galad received the Kingship of the Noldor.[5] He and Círdan maintained the refuge upon Balar and the small port at the Sirion estuary until the War of Wrath and the end of the First Age.

Second Age

Gil-galad was an Elvenking by Jenny Dolfen

After the destruction of Beleriand during the War of Wrath, Gil-galad founded a kingdom in Lindon in the far north-west of Middle-earth, roughly between the Blue Mountains and the Great Sea around the Gulf of Lhûn and the havens of Forlond, Harlond, and Mithlond were founded.[6] Gil-galad was the last heir of the kings of the Noldor in exile, and acknowledged as High King of the Elves of the West.[7] Many Elves, both the Sindar and the Noldor, joined him. But soon, there was again unrest among the Noldor, and many of them left Lindon. Led by Celebrimbor, grandson of Fëanor, they founded the realm of Eregion, probably also stirred up by the finding of mithril in Khazad-dûm. Also, some of the Sindar and many of the Nandor did not wish to live with the Noldor, who had done them a great evil, and migrated eastwards to Lothlórien or Greenwood the Great.

When Prince Aldarion of Númenor came to Middle-earth, they established friendship with the Elves. In S.A. 882 Gil-galad gave him a letter for his father, the King of Númenor, Tar-Meneldur. He warned him that a new shadow had arisen in the East and besought him for aid.[8]

Gil-galad by Irsanna

Around the year 1000 of the Second Age, Sauron tried to make contact with the Elves under the name of Annatar, the "Lord of Gifts", but Gil-galad and Círdan did not trust him and rejected his proposals. However, Sauron was welcomed in Eregion and the Rings of Power were forged.[6] Around S.A. 1600, Sauron forged the One Ring in secret, and when the Elves of Eregion found out that they were betrayed, Sauron demanded the Rings, and when they refused, in S.A. 1693 the War of the Elves and Sauron began.[9][7] Celebrimbor had rescued the Three Rings of the Elves in time, sending Vilya and Narya to Gil-galad and Círdan in Lindon, respectively, while the third ring Nenya was given to Galadriel.[10]

As Sauron invaded Eriador, Gil-galad sent Elrond to aid Eregion and also called on Númenor for aid.[11][7] Elrond was unable to avert Sauron, and with some survivors, they retreated to Imladris.[10]

Eriador was being overrun until a great fleet of the Númenóreans sent by Tar-Minastir arrived at Lindon. With united forces, Sauron's army was driven back and defeated.[7][10] After this war, the Elves were not further troubled by Sauron for a long time, and Gil-galad appointed Elrond as his vice-regent, passing the ring Vilya to him.[10].

Last Alliance by Abe Papakhian

When Tar-Calion captured Sauron and took him to Númenor, the Westlands found peace, and Gil-galad was free to extend his power to the north, south, and east beyond the Anduin.[6]

After the Downfall of Númenor, Elendil and his sons came to Middle-earth and founded the realms of Gondor in the south and Arnor in the north. To honour Elendil, Gil-galad built the White Towers, which housed one of the Palantiri.[6]

Elrond Recalls the Host of Gilgalad by Michael Kaluta

But Sauron also escaped, and Gondor was soon attacked; Elendil's son Isildur had to flee, and sailed north to his father. Elendil and Gil-galad then formed the Last Alliance of Elves and Men against Sauron in S.A. 3431.[7] It is said that the hosts of Gil-galad joined Elendil at Amon Sûl[12]

In the following years, the Allies marched to Imladris where they camped for three years. Then they crossed the Misty Mountains, and marched south, where they defeated a great army outside Mordor. They broke through Cirith Gorgor and besieged Sauron's Dark Tower.[7] Gil-galad fought with his long sword and his spear Aeglos that was much feared by the enemy.[13][12]

When the siege had lasted for seven years, it became so pressing that Sauron himself sallied forth. By his power, the siege was broken, and his army advanced to the slopes of Orodruin. There he was engaged by Elendil and Gil-galad in a single combat. In the end of the Siege of Barad-dûr, Sauron was defeated but both Gil-galad and Elendil were killed in the act.[7] In the Scroll he wrote in Minas Tirith before riding north, Isildur wrote that Gil-galad was killed by the heat of Sauron's hand.[14]

Thus died the last High King of Noldor, and this title was never claimed by any other Noldo of Middle-earth.

Etymology

Gil-galad is a Sindarin name, meaning "Star of bright light",[15] "Starlight"[12] or "Star of Radiance".[16] The name consists of the elements gil ("star") + galad ("radiance").[15]

According to a version, this name was an epessë given to him because his armour and shield were overlaid with silver and included a device of white stars, so they shone in the distance like a star.[16] A later version explains it was his mother-name.[1]

Gil-galad already appears in The Etymologies as Noldorin for "Starlight".[17]

Other names

As a descendant of kings, the Sindarin birth name of Gil-galad was Ereinion ("Scion of Kings"), from plural aran ("king") + -ion (patronymic suffix).[18]

Gil-galad's Quenya name was Artanáro, or in Sindarin Rodnor.[1] Paul Strack explains it can be translated as "Noble Fire".[19]

An unclear name is Finellach, included in Gil-galad's letter to Tar-Meneldur (but omitted by Christopher Tolkien).[1] David Salo explains it can mean "Flame of Hair and Eye".[20]

Another isolated name was Finwain,[21] clearly Sindarin, a combination of fin (Sindarin for Finwë) + gwain ("young").

Revised genealogy

File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Gil-galad Heraldic Device.jpg
Gil-galad's heraldic device, by J.R.R. Tolkien
 
 
 
 
Finwë
d. Y.T. 1495
 
Indis
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Olwë
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Findis
b. Y.T.
 
Fingolfin
Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456
 
Írimë
b. Y.T.
 
Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
Eärwen
b. Y.T.
 
unknown sons
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Finrod
Y.T. 1300 - F.A. 465
 
Angrod
d. F.A. 455
 
Eldalótë
b. Y.T.
 
Aegnor
d. F.A. 455
 
Galadriel
b. Y.T. 1362
 
Celeborn
b. F.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OrodrethNB
d. F.A. 495
 
 
 
 
 
Elrond
b. F.A. 532
 
Celebrían
b. S.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GIL-GALAD
d. S.A. 3441
 
Finduilas
d. F.A. 495
 
 
 
 
 
 

Other versions of the legendarium

Earlier versions

Gil-galad appears for the first time in the second version of The Fall of Númenor (written c. 1937), along with Elendil (in the previous conception, Elrond is the leader of the Elves who remained behind). Both create a great league of Elves and Men and fight Thû in Mordor, but both are slain by him. In that text he is mentioned as a descendant of Fëanor and an Elven king of Beleriand.[22]

In a marginal note of §28 of the conclusion of Quenta Silmarillion, Tolkien pencilled the names Gilgalad and Lindon.[23] This note was probably used by Christopher Tolkien to introduce Gil-Galad at the end of chapter 24 of the published Silmarillion, beside Círdan, Celeborn, and Galadriel.[24]

Later versions

In a 1959 manuscript on chronology published in The Nature of Middle-earth, Tolkien contemplated various revisions to the years of birth of various characters in the Legendarium in accord with a new conception of how Elves aged over time. In a rough note appended to this manuscript, he suggested that "Gilgalad" became King in Lindon "under" Galadriel c. SA 10-20, and that in order to be of suitable age to rule he must have been born in Y.T. 1481 in Eldamar.[25]

Parentage

Scion of Kings son of Fingon by Karolina Węgrzyn

Later, and through the writing of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien considered Gil-galad to be a son of Finrod Felagund. In the late 1950s, he decided that Felagund was unmarried and childless, and suggested in a marginal note that Gil-galad might be the son of Fingon.[26]

However, Gil-galad being the son of Fingon created a difficulty with Turgon's reign as High King of the Noldor. The Kingship was expected to pass to the eldest son of the previous King, as shown when Maedhros surrendered it to Fingolfin.[27] As such, Fingon's son Gil-galad would be expected to inherit it in favor of Fingon's brother Turgon.

Tolkien's final decision for Gil-galad's parentage appears to have been that he was a son of Orodreth, who was at the same time changed from being a son of Finarfin to a son of Angrod.[1] By moving Gil-galad to the House of Finarfin, Tolkien made Fingon childless and Turgon his heir, resolving the difficulty with Turgon's Kingship.

Tolkien's son and literary executor Christopher Tolkien made the editorial decision not to incorporate this revision into The Silmarillion and chose to present Gil-galad as a son of Fingon. He did this because at the time he believed that aspects of the move — notably the downgrading of Orodreth into a son of Angrod — would have required considerable reworking of the existing text. For consistency with the published Silmarillion, he also edited a line in Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife that referred to Gil-galad as a member of the House of Finarfin. Many years later in The Peoples of Middle-earth, he stated that this decision was a mistake on his part and did not represent his father's conception of the character. He suggested that it would have been better to have left Gil-galad's parentage obscure.[1]

Portrayals in adaptations

Gil-galad in adaptations
Gil-galad in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring  
Gil-galad in The Lord of the Rings Online  

Films

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

In the prologue, Gil-galad is shown as one of the bearers of the three Elven rings. Later, he is present at the Battle of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men wielding his spear Aeglos. His death is not shown, and he does not take down Sauron. He is played by Mark Ferguson.
The bodies of Gil-galad and Elendil can be seen on the mural depicting the Siege in the House of Elrond.

Television

2022: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power:

Gil-galad will be portrayed by Benjamin Walker as one of the central characters of the series.[28]

Games

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Gil-galad appears in several flashbacks depicting the the War of the Last Alliance. His ultimate fate is more accurate to the books than the film version, showing Elendil and Gil-galad both battling and defeating Sauron at the cost of their lives.

2010: Lego The Lord of the Rings:

Gil-galad appears in the prologue holding one of the Elf-rings. He is also an unlockable character, despite never playing into the storyline. He can be found in a cave in south-west Gorgoroth. His gear is not accurate, however; he wields an Elven sword (instead of Aeglos) and golden shield in the game, though The Fall of Gil-Galad describes a silver shield.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The parentage of Gil-galad", pp. 349-351
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: IV. Hair", p. 186
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin"
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife"
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VI. The Tale of Years of the Second Age"
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Knife in the Dark"
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  14. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Notes and Translations", in The Road Goes Ever On (J.R.R. Tolkien, Donald Swann), p. 73
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of Finwë's descendants", pp. 347-348
  17. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", entry "GIL"
  18. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entry ar(a)
  19. ↑ Paul Strack, "Q. Artanáro m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 5 November 2020)
  20. ↑ David Salo (2004), A Gateway to Sindarin, p. 349
  21. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: IV. Hair", p. 186
  22. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part One: II. The Fall of Númenor, (iii) The second version of The Fall of Númenor", p. 29. Cf. Commentary on §14
  23. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion", Commentary on the conclusion of the Quenta Silmarillion, p. 337
  24. ↑ See Douglas C. Kane, Arda Reconstructed: The Creation of the Published Silmarillion, p. 235.
  25. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XI. Ageing of Elves", p. 82
  26. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Two. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin (Chapter 15)", pp. 242-243
  27. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Return of the Noldor"
  28. ↑ Amy Ratcliffe, "Meet High King Gil-galad From THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER" dated 30 June 2022, Nerdist (accessed 9 July 2022)
Gil-galad
House of Finarfin
Cadet branch of House of Finwë
Born: Y.T. 1481 Died: S.A. 3441
Preceded by:
Turgon		4th High King of the Noldor
F.A. 510 - S.A. 3441		None
Title abandoned


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