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Michael Martinez · 03-21-2001, 08:00 PM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones
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Re: Kings

<blockquote>Quote:<hr> Although JRRT says that after Feanor's death the ovelordship passed to Fingolfin (see above for cite).
The Feanorians (or some portion thereof) were reluctant to accept this, and Maedhros only ruled them.
Actually the (or one) root of the Noldorin dispute on the Kingship seems to be whether or not primogeniture was the way. There do not seem to have been any well defined rules on the passing of the Kingship, perhaps because it had not happened before (and of course Finwe was the first Eldarin King to die). Feanor seemed to think this should be the way, but after his death the Kingship passed to the eldest surviving male of Finwe's House (excluding the dispossessed Feanorians), which seemed to be Maedhros take on it.<hr></blockquote>

Finfgolfin did not claim any kingship upon his father's death.

The divisions of the Noldor appear to derive from Feanor's own actions and choices.

I believe that Fingolfin was in fact a king after Feanor abandoned him in Araman. It's not clear that Fingolfin's first rule over the Noldor was as king, or that he ever claimed to be a king until Feanor stole the ships. When Fingolfin's host entered Middle-earth, however, he unfurled his banners and had his trumpets sounded. This appears to be the action of a king (note Aragorn's march on Mordor displays similar claims of authority).

Maedhros, however, was being diplomatic and trying to heal the division of his people. Ceding the kingship to Fingolfin was a significant act. He clearly was able to establish a new kingship (as were Turgon and Finrod) a year or two later.

The line of authority thus passes from Finwe to Feanor, from Feanor to Maedhros, and from Maedhros to Fingolfin. But in the meantime, new lines of authority were established by Fingolfin and Finarfin. Fingolfin's kingship was established by the fact that Feanor abandoned most of his people. Finarfin's kingship was established by the Valar (apparently).

Consolidating all the claims of royality in Fingolfin gave the Noldor some necessary unity, but it didn't prevent them from expanding outward and establishing new realms. The High Kingship was thus the successor of the line of authority which had come to Fingolfin.

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03-21-2001, 08:00 PM	#25
Michael Martinez Animated Skeleton Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 48	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Pile o' Bones Posts: 21</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: Kings <blockquote>*Quote:*<hr> Although JRRT says that after Feanor's death the ovelordship passed to Fingolfin (see above for cite). The Feanorians (or some portion thereof) were reluctant to accept this, and Maedhros only ruled them. Actually the (or one) root of the Noldorin dispute on the Kingship seems to be whether or not primogeniture was the way. There do not seem to have been any well defined rules on the passing of the Kingship, perhaps because it had not happened before (and of course Finwe was the first Eldarin King to die). Feanor seemed to think this should be the way, but after his death the Kingship passed to the eldest surviving male of Finwe's House (excluding the dispossessed Feanorians), which seemed to be Maedhros take on it.<hr></blockquote> Finfgolfin did not claim any kingship upon his father's death. The divisions of the Noldor appear to derive from Feanor's own actions and choices. I believe that Fingolfin was in fact a king after Feanor abandoned him in Araman. It's not clear that Fingolfin's first rule over the Noldor was as king, or that he ever claimed to be a king until Feanor stole the ships. When Fingolfin's host entered Middle-earth, however, he unfurled his banners and had his trumpets sounded. This appears to be the action of a king (note Aragorn's march on Mordor displays similar claims of authority). Maedhros, however, was being diplomatic and trying to heal the division of his people. Ceding the kingship to Fingolfin was a significant act. He clearly was able to establish a new kingship (as were Turgon and Finrod) a year or two later. The line of authority thus passes from Finwe to Feanor, from Feanor to Maedhros, and from Maedhros to Fingolfin. But in the meantime, new lines of authority were established by Fingolfin and Finarfin. Fingolfin's kingship was established by the fact that Feanor abandoned most of his people. Finarfin's kingship was established by the Valar (apparently). Consolidating all the claims of royality in Fingolfin gave the Noldor some necessary unity, but it didn't prevent them from expanding outward and establishing new realms. The High Kingship was thus the successor of the line of authority which had come to Fingolfin. http://www.xenite.org/Xenite.Org: Science Fiction and Fantasy</a> http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/Lord of the Rings Movie news</a> http://www.xenite.org/xor/home.shtml1500+ Hercules/Xena Links</a> http://www.xenite.org/books/visualiz...dle-earth.htmlVisualizing Middle-earth, a book on Tolkien</a> http://www.xenite.org/special_events/vicky_shaffer.htmlVicky Shaffer: Monster or mother? Is Brianna in any danger?</a> </p>