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jallanite · 08-20-2001, 02:32 PM

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Re: Glorfindel

Tolkien clearly indicates a single Glorfindel in The Peoples of Middle-earth (HoME 12), chapter XIII, "Last Writings", section on Glorfindel.

Glorfindel of Gondolin was re-embodied in Valinor, then returned to Middle-earth either with Gandalf in the Third Age, or in later thoughts, in the Middle-of the Second Age, probably at the same time as "the other two wizards" who in writings of the same time and published in the same chapter also come to Middle-earth during the Second Age.<blockquote>Quote:<hr> Glorfindel was sent to aid Elrond and was (thought not yet said) pre-eminent in the war in Eriador.<hr></blockquote>We are also told here, and I believe only here, something of Glorfindel's kin:<blockquote>Quote:<hr> ... and it can be assumed that, though he left Valinor in the host of Turgon, and so incurred the ban, he did so reluctantly because of kinship with Turgon and allegiance to him, and had no part in the kinslaying of Alqualondë.<hr></blockquote>Since Glorfindel is kin to Turgon, but appears in no text among the descendants of Finwë, if truly related by blood he would probably be of the kindred of Turgon's mother Anairë (mentioned in The Peoples of Middle-earth (HoME 12) "The Shibboleth of Fëanor&quot

. But he might have been kin to Turgon by marriage, and since Turgon's wife Eledhwen was of the Vanyar, that would explain Glorfindel's golden hair. But Glorfindel is said to be of the Noldor, so if related to Eledhwen,it must have been through his mother.

Also in the "Last Writings" and in The War of the Jewels (HoME 11), "Quendi and Eldar", Círdan is said to be akin to Thingol. In note 15 to "Quendi and Eldar" Christopher Tolkien notes:<blockquote>Quote:<hr> In other later writing Círdan is said to have been of the kin of Elwë, but I have not found any statement of the nature of the kinship.<hr></blockquote>It was more than simply being one of the Teleri however. From "Quendi and Eldar" under Sindar:<blockquote>Quote:<hr> Elwe himself had indeed long and beautiful hair of silver hue, but this does not seem to have been a common feature of the Sindar, though it was found among them occasionally, especially in the nearer or remoter kin of Elwe (as in the case of Círdan).<hr></blockquote>

</p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000212>jallanit e</A> at: 8/20/01 6:16:54 pm

08-20-2001, 02:32 PM	#7
jallanite Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 479	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Moderator Posts: 72</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: Glorfindel Tolkien clearly indicates a single Glorfindel in The Peoples of Middle-earth (HoME 12), chapter XIII, "Last Writings", section on Glorfindel. Glorfindel of Gondolin was re-embodied in Valinor, then returned to Middle-earth either with Gandalf in the Third Age, or in later thoughts, in the Middle-of the Second Age, probably at the same time as "the other two wizards" who in writings of the same time and published in the same chapter also come to Middle-earth during the Second Age.<blockquote>*Quote:<hr> Glorfindel was sent to aid Elrond and was (thought not yet said) pre-eminent in the war in Eriador.<hr></blockquote>We are also told here, and I believe only here, something of Glorfindel's kin:<blockquote>Quote:<hr> ... and it can be assumed that, though he left Valinor in the host of Turgon, and so incurred the ban, he did so reluctantly because of kinship with Turgon and allegiance to him, and had no part in the kinslaying of Alqualondë.<hr></blockquote>Since Glorfindel is kin to Turgon, but appears in no text among the descendants of Finwë, if truly related by blood he would probably be of the kindred of Turgon's mother Anairë (mentioned in The Peoples of Middle-earth* (HoME 12) "The Shibboleth of Fëanor&quot. But he might have been kin to Turgon by marriage, and since Turgon's wife Eledhwen was of the Vanyar, that would explain Glorfindel's golden hair. But Glorfindel is said to be of the Noldor, so if related to Eledhwen,it must have been through his mother. Also in the "Last Writings" and in The War of the Jewels (HoME 11), "Quendi and Eldar", Círdan is said to be akin to Thingol. In note 15 to "Quendi and Eldar" Christopher Tolkien notes:<blockquote>*Quote:<hr> In other later writing Círdan is said to have been of the kin of Elwë, but I have not found any statement of the nature of the kinship.<hr></blockquote>It was more than simply being one of the Teleri however. From "Quendi and Eldar" under Sindar:<blockquote>Quote:<hr> Elwe himself had indeed long and beautiful hair of silver hue, but this does not seem to have been a common feature of the Sindar, though it was found among them occasionally, especially in the nearer or remoter kin of Elwe (as in the case of Círdan).<hr></blockquote> </p>Edited by: <A HREF=http://www.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_profile&u=00000212>jallanit e</A> at: 8/20/01 6:16:54 pm*