An encyclopedia of Middle-earth and Numenor
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An encyclopedia of Middle-earth and Numenor |
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Vital Statistics:Race:
Elves
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Emblem of Fingolfin |
Fingolfin vs. Morgoth by John Howe (See the full-size image) |
Fingolfin was the son of Finwe and the half-brother of Feanor. He pledged to accompany Feanor to Middle-earth to reclaim the Silmarils from Morgoth, but Feanor abandoned Fingolfin and his people, forcing them to cross the Grinding Ice. After Feanor's death, Fingolfin became the High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth. He fought Morgoth in single combat after the Battle of Sudden Flame and was slain.
Fingolfin's father Finwe was the King of the Noldor. Before Fingolfin was born, Finwe led his people on the Great Journey westward and they came to the Undying Lands in 1133 of the Years of the Trees. The Noldor dwelled in the city of Tirion.
Finwe's first wife Miriel gave birth to a son Feanor in 1169, but she was drained of strength and her spirit left her body. In 1185, Finwe married Indis of the Vanyar. Fingolfin was born in in 1190 and his younger brother Finarfin was born in 1230. According to some accounts, Fingolfin also had an older sister Findis and two other sisters named Irime and Faniel.
Finwe loved all his children but he favored Feanor. Nevertheless, Feanor was not happy about his father's new family and he lived apart from them. Of the three brothers, Feanor was the most intelligent and highly skilled at crafts, while Fingolfin was the strongest and most steadfast and valiant, and Finarfin was the fairest and wisest of heart.
Fingolfin married Anaire of the Noldor. Their eldest son was Fingon, whose birth date is not known. Their second son Turgon was born in 1300 and their daughter Aredhel was born in 1362. (A third son named Argon who died on the journey to Middle-earth is mentioned in one account and some genealogies, but he does not appear in the main stories.)
In 1450, Feanor made the three Silmarils - jewels that held the light of the Two Trees of Valinor. The Silmarils were coveted by Morgoth, who had been released from captivity by the Valar and dwelled in the Undying Lands. Morgoth wanted to cause dissension between the Elves and the Valar and he spread false rumors that the Valar had prevented the Elves from establishing realms in Middle-earth so that the new race of Men could rise to power. Through Morgoth's lies, Feanor was convinced that Fingolfin intended to supplant him as their father's heir, while Fingolfin came to believe that Feanor wanted to drive him out of Tirion. Feanor began to forge weapons and to speak out against the Valar.
Finwe called a council, and Fingolfin urged his father to control Feanor. Overhearing Fingolfin's words, Feanor believed that his suspicions about Fingolfin were confirmed and he drew his sword on his brother. Fingolfin tried to leave but Feanor followed him and put the sword point against his chest and accused Fingolfin of trying to take his place. Fingolfin did not respond and departed.
Feanor was summoned by the Valar who uncovered Morgoth's lies. Feanor was expelled from Tirion for twelve years. Fingolfin forgave his brother but Feanor did not acknowledge him. Finwe followed Feanor into exile, leaving Fingolfin to rule the Noldor in Tirion.
In 1495, the Elves and the Valar gathered for a harvest festival. Feanor was ordered to attend, but Finwe refused to come. Fingolfin again offered forgiveness to Feanor, saying: "Half-brother in blood, full brother in heart will I be. Thou shalt lead and I will follow. May no new grief divide us." (Sil., p. 75) Feanor accepted Fingolfin's pledge and shook his hand.
While the Elves and the Valar were occupied, the Two Trees were destroyed by Morgoth and Ungoliant - an evil being in spider form. Morgoth went on to Feanor's stronghold at Formenos where he killed Finwe and stole the Silmarils and then fled to Middle-earth.
Feanor rallied the Noldor and urged them to pursue Morgoth to Middle-earth. He told them they could claim the lands that the Valar had allegedly denied them. Feanor and his sons then swore an oath to reclaim the Silmarils at any cost.
Fingolfin and his son Turgon opposed Feanor at first, and tensions rose between their followers, but Finarfin calmed them down. In the end, most of the Noldor decided to follow Feanor to Middle-earth. Fingolfin reluctantly went along, in part because of his pledge to Feanor and also because many of his people including his son Fingon wanted to go and Fingolfin did not want to abandon them. Fingolfin's other children, Turgon and Aredhel, joined their father, but his wife Anaire decided to remain in the Undying Lands.
Feanor claimed kingship of the Noldor, but Fingolfin had more supporters, so the Noldor divided into two hosts. Feanor and his followers set out first while Fingolfin's larger following came behind. Feanor led his host to Alqualonde to obtain ships from the Teleri, but the Teleri refused and there was bloodshed between the two kindreds of Elves.
Fingon and the vanguard of the second host arrived at Alqualonde in the midst of the battle and - not knowing what had happened - some of them took part in the Kinslaying. It is not clear whether Fingolfin himself was involved. Finarfin and his children and many others were at the rear of the second host and did not participate.
In 1496, Mandos appeared before the Noldor and warned them that if they continued they would be exiled from the Undying Lands and would face suffering and betrayal. Finarfin turned back along with many of his people and he became the leader of the Noldor who remained in the Undying Lands. But Fingolfin still felt constrained to follow Feanor, and some of his people felt guilty for their role in the Kinslaying and did not want to face the judgment of the Valar. All of the Noldor who continued onward fell under the Doom of Mandos even if they were innocent.
Many of the ships had sunk in a storm caused by the tears of Uinen - a Maia in the service of Ulmo, Lord of Waters - and there were not enough left to carry everyone. Some of the Noldor were forced to walk along the shore as they journeyed into the bitterly cold northern region of Araman. Many of Fingolfin's followers began to blame Feanor for their situation.
In 1497, Feanor decided to abandon Fingolfin's people, and he took all the ships for his own followers and sailed to Middle-earth. When they came ashore at the Firth of Drengist, Feanor burned the ships rather than send them back for the rest of the Noldor. Fingolfin saw the fires from afar and realized that Feanor had betrayed him. He resolved to continue to Middle-earth and find his half-brother again.
In Middle-earth, Feanor's people were attacked by the forces of Morgoth. The Elves were victorious in the Battle-under-Stars, but Feanor rashly pursued the enemy back to Angband, where he was mortally wounded by Balrogs. Before he died, Feanor made his sons promise to uphold their oath to recover the Silmarils. Feanor's eldest son Maedhros was later captured during a parley with Morgoth's minions.
Meanwhile, Fingolfin and his people trekked northward to the Grinding Ice - a narrow strait filled with icebergs between the Undying Lands and Middle-earth. Crossing the ice was perilous and many died including Turgon's wife Elenwe who fell into the icy waters. The Noldor of Fingolfin's company became stronger and more inured to hardship on the arduous journey, which they completed in the year 1500.
As Fingolfin and his followers arrived in the far north of Middle-earth, the Moon rose for the first time. They sounded their silver trumpets and marched south along the coast between the Ered Lomin and the Sea. They entered Hithlum and came to the region of Mithrim at the first rising of the Sun, and they unfurled their blue and silver banners and sounded their horns again and flowers grew where they walked. The First Age began at this time.
Fingolfin marched onward to Angband and sounded a challenge to Morgoth with trumpets but there was no answer. Fingolfin realized that Angband would not be conquered easily. In the year 2 of the First Age, Fingolfin returned to Hithlum - which was protected against attack from the east by the Ered Wethrin - in order to give his people time to regain their strength.
Fingolfin's people settled on the northern shore of Lake Mithrim, while the people of Feanor relocated to the southern shore. Fingolfin considered the sons of Feanor to be accomplices in their father's actions and there was tension between the two groups of Noldor, which pleased Morgoth.
In the year 5, Fingolfin's son Fingon rescued his friend Maedhros, who was chained to a pinnacle of Thangorodrim above Angband, and animosity between the two groups was lessened. Maedhros asked for forgiveness for abandoning Fingolfin's people, and he renounced his claim to succeed his father as king. Fingolfin became the High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth.
The Noldor held a council in Mithrim in the year 7. Angrod, son of Finarfin, brought a message from his uncle King Thingol of Doriath who warned the Noldor not to encroach on the lands of the Sindarin Elves of Beleriand. Feanor's son Caranthir became angry at Angrod and lost his temper. Many of the other Noldor grew concerned that the sons of Feanor would be difficult to deal with.
Soon afterwards, Maedhros decided that he and his brothers would relocate to East Beleriand. Angrod and his siblings Finrod, Orodreth, Aegnor, and Galadriel also left Hithlum. Fingolfin's younger son Turgon and daughter Aredhel went to live in the land of Nevrast southwest of Hithlum. Turgon later founded the realm of Gondolin. Fingolfin's elder son Fingon remained in Hithlum and was given command of the region of Dor-lomin.
Fingolfin established his realm in Hithlum and strengthened the defenses. Towers were built on the eastern face of the Ered Wethrin including the main stronghold of Barad Eithel above the source of the Sirion. Maedhros gave horses to Fingolfin as recompense for what his people had lost on their journey, and Fingolfin sent cavalry to patrol the plains of Ard-galen and keep watch on Angband. Fingolfin's forces were hardy and valiant and they were feared and hated by the enemy.
In the year 20, Fingolfin summoned Elves from throughout Beleriand to Mereth Aderthad, the Feast of Reuniting, at the Pools of Ivrin south of Hithlum. Maedhros and Maglor represented the sons of Feanor. Many Sindarin Elves also attended including Cirdan, the Lord of the Havens of the Falas. A company of Green-elves came from Ossiriand. Thingol of Doriath only sent two representatives, Mablung and Daeron.
At the Feast of Reuniting, the Elves took counsel with one another and made promises of alliance and friendship. After the Feast, there was a time of peace and prosperity.
Morgoth launched an attack on the Elves of Beleriand in the year 60. But Fingolfin and Maedhros were prepared and they attacked Morgoth's army from the west and east and defeated them in the Glorious Battle. The Elves then increased their vigilance and began the Siege of Angband, preventing Morgoth from sending forth troops openly and in great force.
But the Elves could not surround Angband because of the Iron Mountains. In 155, Morgoth sent an army out from the north and then westward to the coast. They came down to the Firth of Drengist to attack Hithlum, but they were easily defeated by Fingon. In 260, Glaurung the Dragon emerged from the gates of Angband but Fingon drove him back.
In 316, Fingolfin's daughter Aredhel left Gondolin where she lived with her brother Turgon and became lost in the woods of Nan Elmoth. She was found by Eol the Dark Elf and they married and had a son Maeglin. In 400, Aredhel tried to return to Gondolin with Maeglin but Eol followed them and Aredhel ended up slain by Eol's hand.
Men first entered Beleriand in 310. Fingolfin sent them messages of welcome. In 322, Malach son of Marach came to Hithlum to enter the service of Fingolfin. He took the Elvish name Aradan and remained with Fingolfin until 336. Aradan's great-grandson Hador served in Fingolfin's household from 405 to 415 and rose high in Fingolfin's favor. In 416, Fingolfin made Hador the Lord of Dor-lomin.
Around 422, Fingolfin considered launching an assault on Angband, thinking that an alliance of Elves and Men might be enough to defeat their common enemy. But most of the other Noldor were reluctant to go to war while the land was at peace. And in fact, Morgoth's strength was greater than Fingolfin realized.
In 455, Morgoth broke the Siege of Angband in the Battle of Sudden Flame. Rivers of fire poured from Thangorodrim and Glaurung led forth a great army. Fingolfin's army was driven back to the Ered Wethrin, and Hador and his younger son Gundor were killed defending the rearguard. Morgoth's forces were unable to enter Hithlum, but Fingolfin was cut off from his allies and could not help them as Morgoth's forces took control of Dorthonion and invaded East Beleriand.
When Fingolfin learned of the great losses his kindred had suffered, he was filled with rage and despair. In 456, he rode alone to Angband on his horse Rochallor, and he appeared to those who saw him like Orome, the Huntsman of the Valar. Fingolfin sounded his horn and pounded on the gates. He called Morgoth a coward in earshot of his captains and challenged him to single combat, and Morgoth had no choice but to accept.
Fingolfin wore silver mail and bore a blue shield set with a crystal star and his sword Ringil, while Morgoth wielded the great mace Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld. At first, Fingolfin managed to evade the blows of Grond, which made craters as it struck the ground. Fingolfin wounded Morgoth seven times, but as he grew tired, Morgoth was able to overpower him with his shield. Fingolfin was brought to his knees three times but stood up again each time. His own shield and his helmet were ruined.
Then Fingolfin stumbled on the broken ground and fell backwards. Morgoth stepped on Fingolfin's neck and crushed him. With his dying blow, Fingolfin wounded Morgoth's foot with his sword, causing him to be permanently lame, and the seven wounds that Fingolfin had dealt him never healed.
Morgoth broke Fingolfin's body and intended to feed him to his wolves, but Thorondor, King of the Eagles, came and bore Fingolfin away to a peak in the Encircling Mountains overlooking Gondolin from the north. Fingolfin's younger son Turgon built a cairn for him, and his older son Fingon became the High King of the Noldor.
Note: There is no definitive chronology of the Years of the Trees or the First Age. These dates are based on "The Annals of Aman" in The History of Middle-earth, vol. X, Morgoth's Ring and "The Grey Annals" in The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels.
One year during the Years of the Trees is equivalent to 9.582 solar years.
Years of the Trees:
1133
The Noldor led by Finwe and the
Vanyar led by Ingwe cross the Sea to the Undying Lands.
1169
Birth of Feanor, first son of Finwe.
1170
Finwe's first wife Miriel passes
away.
1185
Finwe marries his second wife Indis.
1190
Birth of Fingolfin, second son of
Finwe.
1230
Birth of Finarfin, third son of
Finwe.
1300
Birth of Turgon, second son of Fingolfin.
1362
Birth of Aredhel, daughter of Fingolfin.
1400
Morgoth is released from captivity.
1450
Feanor makes the Silmarils.
1490
Feanor is expelled from Tirion after
drawing a sword on Fingolfin. Finwe follows Feanor into exile. Fingolfin
rules the Noldor in his absence.
1495
Morgoth kills Finwe and steals the
Silmarils and flees to Middle-earth. Feanor urges the Noldor to pursue
him. Fingolfin reluctantly goes along because of his pledge to Feanor and
because many of his own people want to go. Feanor's followers attack the
Teleri in the Kinslaying at Alqualonde and take their ships. Some of Fingolfin's
people take part in the Kinslaying.
1496
Mandos warns the Noldor to turn
back or face exile and suffering. Finarfin does so, but Fingolfin continues
onward.
1497
Feanor abandons Fingolfin's people
and sails to Middle-earth and burns the ships. Fingolfin and his people
continued northward on foot to undertake the arduous crossing of the Grinding
Ice. Feanor's followers defeat Morgoth's forces in the Battle-under-Stars,
but after the battle Feanor is slain by Balrogs and his son Maedhros is
captured.
1500
Fingolfin and his followers complete
the journey across the Grinding Ice to Middle-earth.
First Age:
1
The Moon and the Sun rise for the
first time. Fingolfin and his followers arrive in the far north of Middle-earth.
Fingolfin marches to Angband but Morgoth remains hidden.
2
Fingolfin's people settle on the
north shore of Lake Mithrim, while Feanor's sons and followers relocate
to the southern shore.
5
Fingon frees Maedhros from the precipice
of Thangorodrim. Soon afterwards, Maedhros waives his claim to succeed
Feanor, and Fingolfin becomes High King of the Noldor.
6
The Noldor set a watch on Angband
and begin to explore Beleriand.
7
The Noldor hold a council in Mithrim.
Maedhros and his brothers relocate to East Beleriand.
20
Fingolfin hosts the Feast of Reuniting
at the Pools of Ivrin. Representatives of the Noldor, Sindar, and Green-elves
attend.
53
Fingolfin's son Turgon finds the
valley of Tumladen where he decides to build Gondolin.
60
Fingolfin and Maedhros join forces
to defeat an army from Angband in the Glorious Battle.
116
Gondolin is completed and Turgon
and his people relocate there from Nevrast.
155
Morgoth sends Orcs to attack Hithlum
from the Firth of Drengist in the west but Fingon defeats them.
260
Glaurung the Dragon emerges from
Angband but is driven back by Fingon.
310
Men first come over the Blue Mountains
into Beleriand.
316
Fingolfin's daughter Aredhel leaves
Gondolin and becomes lost and is taken in by Eol the Dark Elf.
320
Birth of Maeglin, son of Aredhel
and Eol.
322
Malach enters the service of Fingolfin
and takes the name Aradan.
336
End of Aradan's service to Fingolfin.
400
Fingolfin's daughter Aredhel is
killed by her husband Eol.
405
Hador enters the household of Fingolfin.
415
Hador completes his service to Fingolfin.
416
Fingolfin makes Hador the Lord of
Dor-lomin.
422
Fingolfin contemplates an assault
on Angband but the other Noldor do not support the idea.
455
The Battle of Sudden Flame. Morgoth
invades Beleriand and many Elves and Men are slain.
456
Fingolfin challenges Morgoth to
single combat and is killed. His body is brought by Thorondor to a mountain
overlooking Gondolin and he is buried by Turgon. Fingon becomes High King
of the Noldor of Middle-earth.
Nolofinwë:
Fingolfin's original Quenya name
was Nolofinwë. The stem nolo meaning "wisdom, knowledge"
was combined with the name of his father Finwë. The name Finwë
does not necessarily have an intended meaning though it contains the root
fin
meaning "hair" and the suffix wë meaning "person."
Fingolfin:
The name Fingolfin was a
Sindarinized form of the Quenya name Finwë Nolofinwë though
it is not a direct translation. The word goll is the Sindarin equivalent
of nolo meaning "wise." The element fin is a short form of
Finwë.
Aracáno:
The mother-name given to Fingolfin
by Indis was Aracáno (also spelled Arakáno)
meaning "high chieftain" in Quenya from ara meaning "noble, high"
and cáno meaning "commander."
High King
of the Noldor:
Fingolfin became the High King
of the Noldor in Middle-earth after the death of his brother Feanor.
He was also called King of the North because his realm was the northern
land of Hithlum.
Family tree of Fingolfin:
Dates are First
Age unless otherwise indicated: YT = Years of the Trees; SA = Second Age;
TA = Third Age; FA = Fourth Age
Green text
= daughters mentioned in HoME X, p. 238, 262, 265 and HoME XII,
p. 343, 359 with varying names and birth order.
The Silmarillion: "Of Eldamar," p. 60; " Of Feanor," p. 65; "Of the Silmarils," p. 69-71; "Of the Darkening of Valinor," p. 75; "Of the Flight of the Noldor," p. 79, 82-90; "Of the Sun and the Moon," p. 100; "Of the Return of the Noldor," p. 106, 108-9, 111-13, 115-16; "Of Beleriand and Its Realms," p. 119, 121; "Of the Noldor in Beleriand," p. 129; "Of Maeglin," p. 131; "Of the Coming of Men into the West," p. 143, 147; "Of the Ruin of Beleriand," p. 150-55; "Of the Fifth Battle," p. 196
The History of Middle-earth, vol. X, Morgoth's Ring: "The Annals of Aman," p. 84, 92, 96, 100, 101 note 1 and 4, 102 note 8, 106 § 85, 112-14, 116, 118-20, 131; "The Later Quenta Silmarillion," p. 177, 188-89, 196-97, 207, 230 note 22, 238-39, 262, 265 note 10, 276-79, 287 ...
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "The Grey Annals," p. 17, 21, 23, 25-26, 29-34, 36, 38, 46, 50, 52, 55-56; "The Later Quenta Silmarillion," p. 219, 223, 228, 234-35; "Maeglin," p. 323
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Shibboleth of Feanor," p. 336, 340-41, 343-45, 359 note 26, 359-60 note 30, 362 note 37 and 38
J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, p. 195
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