Great Eagle
| The Great Eagle | |
|---|---|
| Eagle | |
 | |
| "The Lord of the Eagles" by Darrell Sweet | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Lord of the Eagles |
| Titles | King of All Birds |
| Location | Eagle's Eyrie |
| Affiliation | Manwë |
| Language | Westron |
| Notable for | saving Thorin and Company |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Gallery | Images of the Great Eagle |
The Great Eagle was the Lord of the Eagles in the Third Age and perhaps a descendant of Thorondor.[source?]
He resided in the eyrie of the Misty Mountains with 15 chieftains, and remembered helping Dwarves in his service.
Once he suffered from a poisoned wound, and was healed by Gandalf and thenceforth they became friends.
During the Quest of Erebor, they saved Thorin and Company as they flew from the Goblin-town and brought them to the eyrie;[1] later they played a crucial role in the Battle of Five Armies (T.A. 2941).[2] After this he became King of All Birds and wore a golden crown.[3]
Identity[edit | edit source]
It is often thought that the Great Eagle is the same individual as Gwaihir, however it is more likely that they are not the same one. Among several points which separate the two, the Great Eagle is mentioned to wear a crown after The Hobbit but no crown is mentioned with Gwaihir in The Lord of the Rings. Furthermore, Gandalf states that he was carried by Gwaihir three times, including following the Battle of the Morannon,[4] whereas the number would be at least five if Gwaihir and the Lord of the Eagles were one and the same.
References
| Named Eagles | |
| Thorondor · Gwaihir · Landroval · Meneldor | |
