Fingolfin

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Fingolfin
Noldo
File:Fingolfin by Breogan.jpg
Biographical Information
TitlesHigh King of the Noldor.
Birthc. Y.T. 1190, Tirion.
DeathF.A. 456, Dagor Bragollach. (aged 3,400.)
Family
ParentageFinwë and Indis.
SpouseAnairë.
ChildrenFingon, Turgon, Aredhel, Argon.
Physical Description
GenderMale.
Hair colorDark.
GalleryImages of Fingolfin

Fingolfin was a High King of the Noldor in Beleriand, eldest son of Finwë and Indis, younger brother of Findis, older brother of Irimë and Finarfin, and the younger half-brother of Fëanor. His wife was Anairë and his children were Fingon, Turgon, Aredhel, and Argon1. He was 1/2 Vanyarin through Indis and 1/2 Noldor through Finwe.

History

Fingolfin led the largest host of the Ñoldor when they fled Aman for Middle-earth, even though he thought this unwise; he did not want to abandon his people to Fëanor. He was the one who took them across the ice of the Helcaraxë, and soon after, at the rising of the Sun, he came to the Gates of Angband and smote upon them, but Morgoth stayed hidden inside. Fingolfin and the Noldor then came to the northern shores of Lake Mithrim, from which the Fëanorian part of the host had withdrawn.

His son Fingon rescued Maedhros, son of Fëanor, who consequently waived his claim to kingship. Thus Fingolfin became High-King of the Noldor. He ruled from Hithlum, by the northern shores of Lake Mithrim.

After defeating the Orcs in the Dagor Aglareb ("Glorious Battle"), Fingolfin maintained the Siege of Angband for nearly four hundred years. But the Siege was ended by the sudden assaults of Morgoth in the Dagor Bragollach ("Battle of Sudden Flame"), and many peoples of Beleriand fled. In the end Fingolfin rode to Angband alone to challenge Morgoth to single combat, and there died after a mighty duel, wounding Morgoth seven times with his sword Ringil. Thorondor the King of Eagles then brought Fingolfin's body to a mountaintop overlooking Gondolin, and Turgon built a cairn over the remains of his father.

"In that vast shadow once of yore
Fingolfin stood: his shield he bore
with field of heaven’s blue and star
of crystal shining pale afar.
In overmastering wrath and hate
desperate he smote upon that gate,
the Gnomish king, there standing lone,
while endless fortresses of stone
engulfed the thin clear ringing keen
of silver horn and baldric green.
"
Lay of Leithian, Canto XII, lines 3538-3547

Fingon then became High King of the Noldor.

Etymology

Fingolfin's father-name was Ñolofinwë ("Wise Finwë"). His mother-name was Aracáno ("High Chieftain"). Fingolfin is the Sindarin version of his father-name.

Genealogy

(1) Míriel = Finwë = (2) Indis
           |       |
     ______|     __|___________________________________
    |           |          |                  |        |
    |           |          |                  |        |
  Fëanor      Findis   FINGOLFIN = Anairë   Irimë   Finarfin
    |                            |
    |               _____________|____________
    |              |       |         |        |
seven sons         |       |         |        |
of Fëanor       Fingon   Turgon   Aredhel   Argon1

Preceded by:
Fëanor
3rd High King of the Noldor
I 1 – 456
Followed by:
Fingon

See Also

Notes

  1. Argon only appears in very late writings by Tolkien as shown in The History of Middle-earth and therefore was not mentioned in the published The Silmarillion.