 | |
| Eagle | |
| Great Eagle | |
|---|---|
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Eagle of the Misty Mountains[1] |
| Titles | King of All Birds Lord of the Eagles |
| Location | Great Shelf |
| 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 of Middle-earth in the Third Age.[2]
History
In the Third Age, the Great Eagle resided with fifteen chieftains at the Great Shelf on the east side of the Misty Mountains. At some point in his life, he was wounded by an arrow, but survived after the wizard Gandalf healed his arrow-wound. Thenceforth, the Great Eagle held Gandalf in friendship.[2]
During the Quest of Erebor in T.A. 2941, the Great Eagle and many of his servants saved Thorin and Company from Orcs and Wargs and brought them to the Eyrie, where they spent the night.[2]
Later that year, the Eagles appeared many hours into the Battle of Five Armies by the Lonely Mountain, and were crucial in the victory over the Orcs and Wargs.[3] After the battle, the Great Eagle was proclaimed King of All Birds, and was given a golden crown while his fifteen chieftains were each given golden collars.[4]
Other versions of the legendarium
In an early draft of the chapter "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire", the Great Eagle is referred to as "the lord of eagles" and "the Lord of Eagles" while his arrow-wound is stated to have come from a goblin's arrow.[5] In an early draft of the chapter "Queer Lodgings", the Great Eagle's title was changed to the Lord of the Eagles and he was given the title king of all Birds.[6]
Portrayal in adaptations
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1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):
- The Eagles come to Thorin and Company's rescue, who are being assailed by Goblins. Gandalf raises his hands to signal them and the Lord of the Eagles gestures towards the group with his wing, signalling the Eagles to pick them up. The Great Eagle picks up Gandalf and the Company is borne away from danger. They land near the edge of Mirkwood and the Great Eagle places Gandalf down and perches on a rock. Gandalf thanks the 'Great Lord of the Eagles' for their rescue. The Lord of the Eagles tells Gandalf that he has not forgotten the arrow which wounded him many years ago and how Gandalf healed him. He tells them "Farewell! wherever you fare, till your eyries receive you at the journey's end!" and flies off with the rest of the eagles.
1980: Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series):
- In the 1980 German radio series adaptation, Friedrich W. Bauschulle voiced the Lord of the Eagles.
Speculation
It is often thought that the Great Eagle is the same individual as Gwaihir, however it is more than 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,[7] whereas the number would be at least five if Gwaihir and the Lord of the Eagles were one and the same.
It is also possible that the Great Eagle was Thorondor,[8] who also bore the title Lord of the Eagles.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Return Journey"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Clouds Burst"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Queer Lodgings"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The Second Phase, "Wargs and Eagles"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The Second Phase, "Medwed"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Field of Cormallen"
- ↑ The real Lord of the Eagles on reddit.com
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| Great Eagle · Gwaihir · Landroval · Meneldor · Thorondor · Witnesses of Manwë | |