Glóin

From Tolkien Gateway
This article is about the father of Gimli. For the the King of Durin's Folk, see Glóin (King of Durin's Folk).
Glóin
Dwarf
Daniel Govar - Gloin.jpg
"Gloin" by Daniel Govar
Biographical Information
LocationThorin's Halls
Lonely Mountain
AffiliationThorin and Company
LanguageKhuzdul and Westron
BirthT.A. 2783
DeathFo.A. 15 (aged 253)
Erebor
Notable forThe Quest of Erebor
Family
HouseHouse of Durin
ParentageGróin
SiblingsÓin
ChildrenGimli
Physical Description
GenderMale
Hair colorLong, a white forked beard[1]
ClothingWhite hood, snow-white clothes[1]
chain of silver and diamonds[1]
silver belt[1]
GalleryImages of Glóin
"Next to Frodo on his right sat a dwarf of important appearance, richly dressed. His beard, very long and forked, was white, nearly as white as the snow-white cloth of his garments. He wore a silver belt, and round his neck hung a chain of silver and diamonds. Frodo stopped eating to look at him. 'Welcome and well met!' said the dwarf, turning towards him. Then he actually rose from his seat and bowed. 'Gloin at your service,' he said, and bowed still lower."
The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"

Glóin was a dwarf of Durin's Folk, the son of Gróin, the brother of Óin, and the father of Gimli of the Fellowship of the Ring.[2] He is most famous as one of Thorin's companions on the quest to Erebor. 77 years after the Quest of Erebor, Glóin attended the Council of Elrond with his son Gimli, where the latter would represent dwarves in the Fellowship of the Ring

History[edit | edit source]

Glóin was likely born in Dunland, where the Dwarves of Durin's Line dwelt in exile[2] after their expulsion from Erebor by the dragon Smaug in T.A. 2770.[3] Glóin was present at the Battle of Azanulbizar,[2] which was odd because Dwarves were considered to be mere striplings in their thirties, yet at the time (2799[3]) Glóin was but 16 (his cousin Balin also was among the participants). After the war, in which the dwarves were victorious, Glóin returned to Dunland with the followers of Thorin, who then re-moved the dwarves to the Ered Luin, the Blue Mountains, west of the Shire.[2]

Life in Thorin's Halls[edit | edit source]

During Glóin's life in Ered Luin he saw the departure of King Thráin II, who tried to go back to Erebor, but was captured and tortured for the Ring of Thrór, and subsequently died several years later. Under King Thorin, Glóin and the other Dwarves living in Thorin's Halls in the mountains became prosperous in a fashion and trafficked goods with other peoples, and gained what wealth they could. But ever they spoke of the Lonely Mountain.[2] In ((TA|2879}}, Glóin has a son, Gimli, who was considered too young to join Thorin and Company at the age of 62.

The Quest of Erebor[edit | edit source]

In 2941 Thorin happened to meet Gandalf the Wizard. From this meeting came Thorin's determination to return to the Lonely Mountain with a company of Dwarves, including Glóin, to seek revenge upon Smaug. Gandalf came to a conclave of the Dwarves after visiting the Shire (but before seeing Bilbo Baggins) to persuade them to take the hobbit with them. The Dwarves were skeptical, with Glóin calling them "simpletons" and claiming that one of them "would never dare to come within smelling distance of the nakedest dragonet new from the shell!"[4]

Glóin was the fifth Dwarf in the fourth group to arrive at Bag End for the Unexpected Party, and he came wearing a white hood. Glóin did not assist in setting the table nor did he bring a musical instrument out when Thorin called for music. After Bilbo had his fit of fright he overheard Glóin sneer that the hobbit looked "more like a grocer than a burglar" when he saw him "bobbing and puffing on the mat". This affronted Bilbo enough to make him agree to undertake the quest. Then, when Gandalf proclaimed that Bilbo was his choice he scowled at Glóin so fiercely that the dwarf huddled back in his chair, and later glaring at Bilbo.[5]

On their quest Glóin was quite useful, especially at making fires, although on the night the company met the trolls, William, Bert, and Tom, he and his brother failed to start one and began to fight, yet though first they quarreled.[6] On the night when the company came to the glade of the Wargs, Glóin along with his brother, Dori, Nori and Ori secured a seat in a huge pine tree.[7] At Beorn's home Glóin and Óin were the fifth pair of Dwarves to appear as Gandalf spun their tale.[8] And when released from his barrel near Esgaroth, Glóin was one of the Dwarves who was waterlogged and seemed but half alive, and needed to be carried ashore.[9]

Glóin fought in and survived the Battle of Five Armies. He was given his share of the treasure by Dáin Ironfoot, who became King after Thorin's death. Glóin settled in the Lonely Mountain, along with the survivors of the battle, and would grow wealthy in Erebor under the leadership of King Dáin.[10]

War of the Ring[edit | edit source]

In October T.A. 3018[11] Glóin and his son Gimli were sent by Dáin Ironfoot to Rivendell to seek advice concerning the fate of Balin's Colony in Moria. When Frodo Baggins recovered from his wounds and attended the feast, it was Glóin who sat next to him and gave him the news from Erebor and surrounding lands since the time of Bilbo.[1] Later, at the Council of Elrond, Glóin spoke of the shadow that had fallen upon his people, Balin's expedition and of the sinister messenger from Mordor who had come to inquire about Hobbits and where they dwelt.[12] Glóin's greatest contribution to the War of the Ring was his son Gimli, who joined the Fellowship of the Ring.[13]

It is possible that Glóin fought in the Battle of Dale against the Easterlings during the War of the Ring, for he lived until Fo.A. 15.[2] After the War of the Ring it is unknown whether he saw Gimli again after he explored Fangorn Forest and the Glittering Caves.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Glóinn is a dwarf in the Dvergatal. The name means "Glowing one".[14]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
 
 
 
Náin II
2338 - 2585
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dáin I
2440 - 2589
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borin
2450 - 2711
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thrór
2542 - 2790
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Farin
2560 - 2803
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thráin II
2644 - 2850
 
 
 
Fundin
2662 - 2799
 
 
 
 
 
Gróin
2671 - 2923
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thorin
2746 - 2941
 
Balin
2763 - 2994
 
Dwalin
2772 - Fo.A. 91
 
Óin
2774 - 2994
 
GLÓIN
2783 - Fo.A. 15
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gimli
2879 - Fo.A. 120+


Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In both the early manuscript of The Hobbit and in the published version, Glóin had heard of Bilbo's great-great-great-grand-uncle Bullroarer Took, who accidentally invented the game of Golf. However, only in the early manuscript it was mentioned that Glóin was very fond of golf.[15]

In The Fellowship of the Ring, the dwarf Burin (also Frár), being Balin's son (from Thorin and Company) was suppose to accompany Glóin to the Council of Elrond, and that would later join The Fellowship of the Ring, though it was changed to Gimli, and also changed to be Glóin's son, in the final draft of the novel. [16]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Glóin in adaptations

Films[edit | edit source]

1966: The Hobbit (1966 film):

Glóin is omitted. Thorin Oakenshield only travels with an unnamed guard and the princess of Dale.[17]

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

Glóin is one of the minor Dwarves, voiced by Jack DeLeon. As in the book, he has little lines other than the usual grunts; he only ever speaks in unison with the other Dwarves. He is, however, the only known of the six members of the Company who survived the Battle of Five Armies in this film, as he is seen pulling Thorin's bed sheet over him after he dies[18] along with an unknwon dwarf not resembling a member of the company (possibly

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

Glóin is not present; his role at the council has been taken by Gimli. However, when Gimli is introduced as a member of the Company, he is introduced as "Gimli son of Glóin".

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

On a Decipher Card, Glóin is identified as the white-haired Dwarf who enters Rivendell with Gimli, but he is not present at the Council of Elrond.

2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):

Glóin is played by Peter Hambleton.[19] A description of Glóin in The Hobbit films was released by the studio:

Of all the members in The Company of Dwarves who set out on the Quest to The Lonely Mountain, Gloin is the most outspoken and opinionated and is not afraid to challenge authority. He has a tendency to be quick-tempered, but he is also strong, brave and loyal. Gloin is one of the only married Dwarfs in the Company (there being a shortage of female Dwarves in general). His wife is an acclaimed beauty with a particularly fine beard. Gloin is also the proud father of a young son, Gimli, who will later grow up to become part of the famous Fellowship of the Ring.
Warner Bros.[20]

Radio series[edit | edit source]

1955: The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series):

Glóin was present in the very first adaptation, but no actor was specified. He was, according to J.R.R. Tolkien, "someone's idea of a German". Tolkien thought he was not too bad, though a bit exaggerated.

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Peter Baldwin plays Glóin.

1980: Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series):

Glóin is played by Herbert Weissbach.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Glóin is not present; his role at the council has been taken by Gimli.

1989: Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series):

Glóin is present, but no actor is specified for the role of Glóin.

1992: Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series):

Glóin is played by Heinz Meier. He is present at the Council of Elrond.

Games[edit | edit source]

1982: The Hobbit (1982 video game):

Glóin is omitted; Thorin is the only companion of the player, Bilbo Baggins.[21]

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Glóin is voiced by an unspecified actor; he is portrayed as an intelligent dwarf with a black beard. He mentions his son Gimli, and how Bilbo reminds him of his son.

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

Glóin is a major character. Still present in Rivendell after the Council of Elrond, he teams up with Glorfindel on a campaign throughout Eriador and Rhovanion. He is a fierce dwarf with a reddish brown beard.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

During the time of the War of the Ring, Glóin has an official position as emissary of the King Under the Mountain. His first chronological appearance is a cameo in a brief scene showing the departure of Thorin Oakenshield's company from Ered Luin. He then appears in the Misty Mountains north of Rivendell, where after the Council of Elrond Glóin and a few other dwarves establish a camp to deal with the threats in the High Pass and Goblin-town.
After the Battle of Dale, Glóin returns to the Lonely Mountain and reunites with the other surviving members of Thorin's Company. Soon after Nori leads an expedition to Ered Mithrin against the orders of King Thorin III and Glóin, Bofur, and the player character join Dori on a mission to rescue his brother from his own folly.
Glóin and his companions travel through the Grey Mountains and eventually find Nori, but unlike the others Glóin does not immediately return to Erebor. Instead, he stays in the Grey Mountains where he becomes involved in Prince Durin's upcoming war against the Orcs of Gundabad. On Durin's orders Glóin and some other dwarves track down a raiding party from Gundabad through the wellsprings of Anduin, eventually travelling to the northernmost outposts of the Beornings. When the war for Gundabad begins, Glóin takes the role of Commander of the Longbeard Armies.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Quest of Erebor", Extracts from the earlier version
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Roast Mutton"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Queer Lodgings"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "A Warm Welcome"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Return Journey"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Ring Goes South"
  14. Chester Nathan Gould, "Dwarf-Names: A Study in Old Icelandic Religion", published in Publications of the Modern Language Association of America, Vol 44 (1929), issue #4, pp. 939-967
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The First Phase, "The Bladorthin Typescript", p. 40
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The Story Continued: XXIII. In the House of Elrond"
  17. "The Hobbit.mp4" dated 5 January 2012, YouTube (accessed 10 January 2012)
  18. The Hobbit (1977 film), "Farewell, Thorin"
  19. Peter Jackson, "Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit" dated 20 March 2011, Facebook (accessed 23 December 2011)
  20. Warner Bros., "Hobbit Movies" dated 7 September 2012, Apple iPhone/iPad App (accessed 19 September 2012)
  21. ZX Computing, 8304 (April/May 1983), p. 76 <http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showmag.cgi?mag=ZXComputing/Issue8304/Pages/ZXComputing830400076.jpg> [accessed 24 March 2011]
Members of Thorin and Company
Thorin · Balin · Dwalin · Fíli · Kíli · Dori · Nori · Ori · Óin · Glóin · Bifur · Bofur · Bombur · Gandalf · Bilbo Baggins
Route of Thorin and Company
Bag End · Green Dragon · The Shire · Lone-lands · Last Bridge · Trollshaws · Trolls' cave · Rivendell · High Pass · Front Porch · Goblin-town · Goblin-gate · Eagle's Eyrie · Carrock · Beorn's Hall · Wilderland · Forest Gate · Elf-path · Mirkwood · Elvenking's Halls · Forest River · Lake-town · Long Lake · River Running · Desolation of the Dragon · Ravenhill · Back Door · Lonely Mountain · Great Hall of Thráin
Attendees of the Council of Elrond
Aragorn · Bilbo Baggins · Frodo Baggins · Boromir · Elrond · Erestor · Galdor · (Samwise Gamgee) · Gandalf · Gimli · Glóin · Glorfindel · Legolas
The Hobbit film series
Source material: The Hobbit · The Lord of the Rings
Films An Unexpected Journey (extended editionThe Desolation of Smaug (extended edition) · The Battle of the Five Armies (extended edition)
Music An Unexpected Journey (Special Edition) · The Desolation of Smaug (Special Edition) · The Battle of the Five Armies (Special Edition) · "Song of the Lonely Mountain" · "I See Fire" · "The Last Goodbye"
Tie-in books An Unexpected Journey Official Movie Guide · Visual Companion · Movie Storybook · Annual 2013 · Chronicles: Art & Design · Chronicles: Creatures & Characters · The World of Hobbits
The Desolation of Smaug Official Movie Guide · Visual Companion · Movie Storybook · Annual 2014 · Chronicles: Art & Design · Chronicles: Cloaks & Daggers · Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon · Activity Book · Sticker Book · Ultimate Sticker Collection
The Battle of the Five Armies Official Movie Guide · Visual Companion · Movie Storybook · Annual 2015 · Chronicles: Art & Design · Chronicles: The Art of War · Activity Book
Video games Kingdoms of Middle-earth · Armies of The Third Age · Lego The Hobbit
Characters Bilbo · Thorin · Gandalf · Balin · Fíli · Kíli · Dwalin · Dori · Nori · Ori · Óin · Glóin · Bifur · Bofur · Bombur · Smaug · Radagast · Elrond · Galadriel · Saruman · Azog · Bolg · Thranduil · Legolas · Tauriel · Bard · Bain · Tilda · Sigrid · Master of Lake-town · Alfrid · Dáin Ironfoot · Necromancer · Bert · William · Tom · Beorn · Thráin · Thrór · Goblin King · Gollum · Frodo