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{{Dragon infobox
{{Dragon infobox
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Glaurung sets forth to seek Turin.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:Coliandre - The End of Glaurung.jpg|225px]]
| caption="The End of Glaurung" by [http://www.xaviercollette.art/ Coliandre]
| name=Glaurung
| name=Glaurung
| othernames=[[Undolaurë]]<br>[[Laurundo]]<br>Glorund (in the [[Lost Tales]])
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]]. pron. {{IPA|[ˈɡlaʊruŋ]}}
| titles=''The Father of Dragons''<br>''The Great Worm''<br>''The Deceiver''<br>''The Golden''
| othernames=
| titles=The Father of Dragons<br>The Great Worm<br>The Golden<br>[[Dragon]]-King of [[Nargothrond]]
| realm=[[Nargothrond]]
| realm=[[Nargothrond]]
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| hoard=Treasure of [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]], including the [[Nauglamir]].
| hoard=Treasure of [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]]
| birth={{FA|260}}
| birth=First emerged in {{FA|260}}
| birthlocation=[[Angband]]
| birthlocation=[[Angband]]
| death={{FA|499}}
| death={{FA|499}}
| deathlocation=[[Cabed-en-Aras]]
| deathlocation=[[Cabed-en-Aras]]
| slayer=[[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]]
| slayer=[[Túrin Turambar]]
| type=''[[Urulókë]]''
| type=[[Urulókë]]
| legs=Yes
| legs=Yes
| wings=No
| wings=No
| colour=Golden
| colour=Golden
}}{{Pronounce|Glaurung.mp3|Ardamir}}
}}
{{quote|Here not long since was the Great Worm of Angband, most fell of all the creatures of the Enemy!|[[Voronwë]]<ref name="UTTuor">{{UT|1}}</ref>}}
{{quote|Here not long since was the Great Worm of Angband, most fell of all the creatures of the Enemy!|[[Voronwë]] in ''[[Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin]]''}}
'''Glaurung''' ([[Sindarin|S]]. pron. {{IPA|[ˈɡlaʊruŋ]}}) was the first of the [[dragons]]<ref name="SIndex">{{S|Index}}.</ref> and one of the foremost lieutenants of [[Morgoth]] during the [[First Age]].


==Names, epithets & titles==
'''Glaurung''' was the first of the [[dragons]]<ref name="SIndex">{{S|Index}}</ref> and one of the foremost lieutenants of [[Morgoth]] during the [[First Age]]. He had four legs, and a fiery breath, but no wings and could not fly. He was sentient and could talk and understand speech.
As the first and greatest of the dragons of Morgoth, Glaurung was sometimes referred to as the '''Great Worm''',<ref name="SFifth">{{S|20}}</ref><ref name="CHComingGlaurung" /> the '''Worm of Morgoth''',<ref name="CHDeathGlaurung" /> the '''Great Worm of Angband'''<ref name="UTTuor" /> and the '''Gold-worm of Angband'''.<ref name="UTNarn">{{UT|2}}</ref> He bore the epithets '''the Golden''',<ref name="SRuin">{{S|18}}.</ref> and '''the Deceiver'''{{fact}} (the latter presumably referring to his dealings with the [[children of Húrin]]). He was also described as the '''Father of Dragons'''<ref name="SRuin" /> and the '''first of the [[Urulóki]]''',<ref name="SReturn">{{S|13}}.</ref> though whether this implies he actually sired the rest of his kind is uncertain.


From {{FA|495}} to {{FA|499|n}} he ruled a host of [[orcs]] as the 'dragon-king' of the former Elven-realm of [[Nargothrond]].<ref name="CHComingGlaurung" />
== History ==
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Glaurung is Humbled.jpg|thumb|left|''Glaurung is Humbled'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Exactly when Glaurung was created is not known, but he first emerged from [[Angband]] in {{FA|260}},<ref name="GA260">{{GA|260}}</ref> during the [[Siege of Angband]]. Although he was still young according to the long life of Dragons, and not grown to his full strength, his initial assault pushed the [[Noldor]] from [[Ard-galen]], which he took and defiled, to [[Dorthonion]] and the [[Ered Wethrin]].


==History==
This victory was short-lived, however, and Glaurung was forced back to Angband when [[Fingon]] rode against him with a company of mounted archers. Morgoth was not pleased that Glaurung had revealed himself while still immature, and did not allow any more forays from Angband for some two hundred years.<ref name="SReturn">{{S|13}}</ref>
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Glaurung is Humbled.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Glaurung is Humbled'']]


Exactly when Glaurung was created is not known, but he first emerged from [[Angband]] in {{FA|260}},<ref name="GA260">{{GA|260}}.</ref> during the [[Siege of Angband]]. Although he was still young according to the long life of Dragons, and not grown to his full strength, his initial assault pushed the [[Noldor]] from [[Ard-galen|Ardgalen]], which he took and defiled, to [[Dorthonion]] and the [[Ered Wethrin]]. This victory was short-lived, however, and Glaurung was forced back to Angband when [[Fingon]] rode against him with a company of mounted archers. Morgoth was not pleased that Glaurung had revealed himself while still immature, and did not allow any more forays from Angband for some two hundred years.<ref name="SReturn" /><ref name="GA260" />
=== Two major battles ===
The siege of Angband was broken in {{FA|455}}<ref name="GADBragollach">{{GA|145&ndash;148}}</ref> in the ''[[Dagor Bragollach]]'', the Battle of Sudden Flame. Glaurung, now grown to his full might, led the largest army of [[balrogs]] and [[orcs]] yet assembled against the leaguer of the Noldor and overthrew it. He then pressed against the [[Sons of Fëanor|people of Fëanor]] and, defeating a contingent of their riders upon the plain of [[Lothlann]] and forcing [[Maglor's Gap]], burned all the land between the arms of [[Gelion]].<ref name="SRuin" />


===The ''Dagor Bragollach'' and ''Nirnaeth Arnoediad''===
The counter-attack came in {{FA|472}},<ref>{{GA|217}}</ref> when the [[Union of Maedhros]] marched in force against Angband in the decisive battle of the ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]'', the Unnumbered Tears. Glaurung and his brood entered the battle in the early hours of the third morning, when Morgoth loosed his last strength against the combined forces of [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]] and [[Maedhros]]:
The siege of Angband was broken in {{FA|455}}<ref name="GADBragollach">{{GA|145&ndash;148}}</ref> in the ''[[Dagor Bragollach]]'', the Battle of Sudden Flame. Glaurung, now grown to his full might, led the largest army of [[balrogs]] and [[orcs]] yet assembled against the leaguer of the Noldor and overthrew it. He then pressed against the [[people of Fëanor]] and, defeating a contingent of their riders upon the plain of [[Lothlann]] and forcing [[Maglor's Gap]], burned all the land between the arms of [[Gelion]].<ref name="SRuin" />
{{blockquote|The strength and terror of the Great Worm were now great indeed, and Elves and Men withered before him; and he came between the hosts of Maedhros and Fingon and swept them apart.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]"}}
 
The counter-attack came in {{FA|472}},{{fact}} when the [[Union of Maedhros]] marched in force against Angband in the decisive battle of the ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]'', the Unnumbered Tears. Glaurung and his brood entered the battle in the early hours of the third morning, when Morgoth loosed his last strength against the combined forces of [[Fingon]], [[Turgon]] and [[Maedhros]]:
{{blockquote|The strength and terror of the Great Worm were now great indeed, and Elves and Men withered before him; and he came between the hosts of Maedhros and Fingon and swept them apart.|{{S|20}}.}}
But the [[Dwarves]] of [[Belegost]] with their great war masks withstood him. Surrounded and hewed at by their axes, Glaurung was driven into a rage and slew [[Azaghâl]] the [[Lord of Belegost]]. But with his last stroke the Dwarf-lord dealt Glaurung a grievous wound to the belly and the dragon and his brood fled back to Angband, leaving the final victory over the Union to [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] and his balrogs.<ref name="SFifth" />
But the [[Dwarves]] of [[Belegost]] with their great war masks withstood him. Surrounded and hewed at by their axes, Glaurung was driven into a rage and slew [[Azaghâl]] the [[Lord of Belegost]]. But with his last stroke the Dwarf-lord dealt Glaurung a grievous wound to the belly and the dragon and his brood fled back to Angband, leaving the final victory over the Union to [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] and his balrogs.<ref name="SFifth" />


===Destruction of Nargothrond===
=== Destruction of Nargothrond ===
In the autumn of {{FA|495}}<ref name="GA495a">{{GA|275}}.</ref> Glaurung led an army of [[Orcs]] against [[Nargothrond]]. He passed over [[Anfauglith]] and first assailed the north [[Vales of Sirion]], then coming south laid waste to [[Eithel Ivrin]] and [[Talath Dirnen]]. His advance was checked by the [[Mormegil]], [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]], who led the forces of Nargothrond out to meet Glaurung in the [[Battle of Tumhalad]]. The Elves were utterly defeated; [[King of Nargothrond|King]] [[Orodreth]] was slain, and although Túrin attempted to rally the survivors to a last defence of Nargothrond itself, Glaurung came there first. The dragon passed swiftly over the bridge over [[Narog]] and destroyed the [[Doors of Felagund]].<ref name="CHFall">{{CH|11}}.</ref>
In autumn of {{FA|495}},<ref name="GA495a">{{GA|275}}</ref> Glaurung led an army of [[Orcs]] against [[Nargothrond]]. He passed over [[Anfauglith]] and first assailed the north [[Vales of Sirion]], then coming south laid waste to [[Eithel Ivrin]] and [[Talath Dirnen]]. His advance was checked by the [[Mormegil]], [[Túrin|Túrin Turambar]], who led the forces of Nargothrond out to meet Glaurung in the [[Battle of Tumhalad]]. The Elves were utterly defeated; [[King of Nargothrond|King]] [[Orodreth]] was slain, and although Túrin attempted to rally the survivors to a last defence of Nargothrond itself, Glaurung came there first. The dragon passed swiftly over the bridge over [[Narog]] and destroyed the [[Doors of Felagund]].<ref name="CHFall">{{CH|11}}</ref>


[[Image:John Howe - Nienor and Glaurung.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|right|[[John Howe]] - ''Nienor and Glaurung'']]
[[Image:Elena Kukanova - Nienor and Glaurung.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|200px|right|''Nienor and Glaurung'' by [[Elena Kukanova]]]]
As Glaurung's orcs were sacking the city, Túrin arrived and cut his way to the captives. As he did so Glaurung emerged from the doors and put him under his spell. Túrin was transfixed by the gaze of dragon as the captives, among them [[Finduilas]], were led away. Then Glaurung spoke to Túrin and convinced him not to go after Finduilas but to return to [[Dor-lómin]] and rescue his mother [[Morwen]] and sister [[Nienor]] (when in fact they had already fled to [[Doriath]]). After weaving the first strand of his plot to bring doom to the children of [[Húrin]], who Morgoth had cursed, he drove away his orcs and made his abode in Nargothrond, casting down the bridge and, in true dragon fashion, laying down to sleep on the great hoard he had plundered.<ref name="CHFall" />


As Glaurung's orcs were sacking the city Túrin arrived and cut his way to the captives. As he did so Glaurung emerged from the doors and put him under his spell. Túrin was transfixed by the gaze of dragon as the captives, among them [[Finduilas]], were led away. Then Glaurung spoke to Túrin and convinced him not to go after Finduilas but to return to [[Dor-lómin]] and rescue his mother [[Morwen]] and sister [[Niënor]] (when in fact they had already fled to [[Doriath]]). After weaving the first strand of his plot to bring doom to the children of [[Húrin]], who Morgoth had cursed, he drove away his orcs and made his abode in Nargothrond, casting down the bridge and, in true dragon fashion, laying down to sleep on the great horde he had plundered.<ref name="CHFall" />
The following year, {{FA|496}},<ref name="GA496a">{{GA|304&ndash;308}}</ref> Glaurung's slumber was disturbed. Hearing of the fall of Nargothrond a small party from Doriath, including Morwen and Nienor, was sent to seek tidings, especially of the fate of Túrin. His keen sight quickly detected them and, as they approached his dwelling, he issued forth into the Narog and created a steam and reek that scattered the spies in confusion. Glaurung then crept swiftly towards [[Amon Ethir]] where he met Nienor, alone, and placed her under the same spell he had her brother Túrin. But this time rather than subtle deceits he used his power to completely obliterate Niënor's memory and left her to wander in the wild.<ref name="CHJourney">{{CH|14}}</ref>


The following year, {{FA|496}},<ref name="GA496a">{{GA|304&ndash;308}}.</ref> Glaurung's slumber was disturbed. Hearing of the fall of Nargothrond a small party from Doriath, including Morwen and Niënor, was sent to seek tidings, especially of the fate of Túrin. His keen sight quickly detected them and, as they approached his dwelling, he issued forth into the Narog and created a steam and reek that scattered the spies in confusion. Glaurung then crept swiftly towards [[Amon Ethir]] where he meant Niënor, alone, and placed her under the same spell he had her brother Túrin. But this time rather than subtle deceits he used his power to completely obliterate Niënor's memory and left her to wander in the wild.<ref name="CHJourney">{{CH|14}}.</ref>
=== Death ===
[[Image:Guy Gondron - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|left|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Guy Gondron]]]]
For the next several years Glaurung ruled as the 'dragon-king' of what was once the Realm of Nargothrond, gathering many Orcs to him.<ref name="CHComingGlaurung">{{CH|16}}</ref> Meanwhile, Nienor escaped from [[Mablung|Mablung's]] care and wandered into [[Brethil]]. There she was found by Túrin, now living amongst the [[Halethrim]], who named her Níniel. Not knowing that they were brother and sister (Túrin having never met his sister and Níniel ignorant of her true identity), the two fell in love and were married.<ref name="CHJourney" /><ref name="CHNienor">{{CH|15}}</ref> In {{FA|498}} Glaurung began to send his orcs against Brethil, and thereby forced Túrin to reveal himself.<ref name="GA498">{{GA|319}}</ref> The next summer<ref name="GA499">{{GA|321}}</ref> he came there himself, but was caught by an ambush before he could reach the Halethrim's dwellings at [[Ephel Brandir]]: Túrin lay in wait in the gorge of [[Cabed-en-Aras]], and as Glaurung attempted to leap over it he was dealt a mortal blow by [[Gurthang]], Túrin's black sword.<ref name="CHDeathGlaurung">{{CH|17}}</ref>


===Death===
However even as he lay dying on the banks of [[Teiglin]], the Deceiver completed the doom he had woven for the children of Húrin. Túrin was rendered unconscious by Glaurung's noxious blood and Níniel, coming upon the scene, thought him dead. With his last breath the dragon revealed his plot, and as he died his spells were undone, so Nienor Níniel regained her memory. In despair she leapt to her death into Cabed-en-Aras, and when Túrin awoke and also learned the truth from Brandir, he cast himself upon his own sword.<ref name="CHDeathGlaurung" /><ref name="CHDeathTurin">{{CH|18}}</ref>
[[Image:Guy Gondron - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|left|[[Guy Gondron]] - ''The Slaying of Glaurung'']]


For the next several years Glaurung ruled as the 'dragon-king' of what was once the Realm of Nargothrond, gathering many Orcs to him.<ref name="CHComingGlaurung">{{CH|16}}.</ref> Meanwhile Niënor escaped from [[Mablung|Mablung's]] care and wandered into [[Brethil]]. There she was found by Túrin, now living amongst the [[Halethrim]], who named her Níniel. Not knowing that they were brother and sister (Túrin having never met his sister and Níniel ignorant of her true identity), the two fell in love and were married.<ref name="CHJourney" /><ref name="CHNienor">{{CH|15}}.</ref> In {{FA|498}} Glaurung began to send his orcs against Brethil, and thereby forced Túrin to reveal himself.<ref name="GA498">{{GA|319}}.</ref> The next summer<ref name="GA499">{{GA|321}}.</ref> he came there himself, but was caught by an ambush before he could reach the Halethrim's dwellings at [[Ephel Brandir]]: Túrin lay in wait in the gorge of [[Cabed-en-Aras]], and as Glaurung attempted to leap over it he was dealt a mortal blow by [[Gurthang]], Túrin's black sword.<ref name="CHDeathGlaurung">{{CH|17}}.</ref>
== Brood ==
Glaurung's brood accompanied him in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad<ref name="SFifth" /> and after his death were present during the [[Fall of Gondolin]], by which time they had become "many and terrible".<ref name="STuor">{{S|23}}</ref>


However even as he lay dying on the banks of [[Teiglin]], the Deceiver completed the doom he had woven for the children of Húrin. Túrin was rendered unconscious by Glaurung's noxious blood and Níniel, coming upon the scene, thought him dead. With his last breath the dragon revealed his plot, and as he died his spells were undone, so Niënor Níniel regained her memory. In despair she leapt to her death into Cabed-en-Aras, and when Túrin awoke and also learned the truth from Brandir, he cast himself upon his own sword.<ref name="CHDeathGlaurung" /><ref name="CHDeathTurin">{{CH|18}}.</ref>
Exactly what this brood consisted of and, by extension, what Tolkien intended Glaurung's relationship to the rest of the dragons is unclear. The titles "Father of the Dragons" and "first of the ''urulóki''" are also ambiguous in terms of whether Glaurung is a progenitor or simply the first to be created. His 'brood' could be all subsequent dragons, just one 'subspecies', or simply his immediate children. Certainly there is a case to be made that [[Ancalagon]] and the winged-dragons were a separate creation of Morgoth's, based on this passage:


==Brood==
{{blockquote|[Morgoth] loosed upon his foes the last desperate assault that he had prepared, and out of the pits of Angband there issued the winged dragons, that had not before been seen|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath]]"}}
Glaurung's brood accompanied him in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad<ref name="SFifth" /> and after his death were present during the [[Fall of Gondolin]], by which time they had become "many and terrible".<ref name="STuor">{{S|23}}.</ref>


Exactly what this brood consisted of and, by extension, what Tolkien intended Glaurung's relationship to the rest of the dragons is unclear. The titles "Father of the Dragons" and "first of the ''urulóki''" are also ambiguous in terms of whether Glaurung is a progenitor or simply the first to be created. His 'brood' could be all subsequent dragons, just one 'subspecies', or simply his immediate children. Certainly there is a case to be made that [[Ancalagon]] and the winged-dragons were a separate creation of Morgoth's, based on this passage:
{{blockquote|[Morgoth] loosed upon his foes the last desperate assault that he had prepared, and out of the pits of Angband there issued the winged dragons, that had not before been seen|{{S|24}}.}}
On the other hand, the only two named winged-dragons (Ancalagon and [[Smaug]]) were also ''urulóki'': they breathed fire. There are no other dragons explicitly stated to be like Glaurung, both fire-breathing but not flying, making it difficult to argue from Tolkien's published works that he intended Glaurung's brood to constitute a discrete lineage. In the end all that can be gleaned of how Tolkien conceived of the 'taxonomy' of dragons comes from isolated references to different types like ''urulóki'', ''[[cold-drake]]'' and ''[[long-worms]]'', so the problem likely does not have a ([[canon|canonical]]) answer.
On the other hand, the only two named winged-dragons (Ancalagon and [[Smaug]]) were also ''urulóki'': they breathed fire. There are no other dragons explicitly stated to be like Glaurung, both fire-breathing but not flying, making it difficult to argue from Tolkien's published works that he intended Glaurung's brood to constitute a discrete lineage. In the end all that can be gleaned of how Tolkien conceived of the 'taxonomy' of dragons comes from isolated references to different types like ''urulóki'', ''[[cold-drake]]'' and ''[[long-worms]]'', so the problem likely does not have a ([[canon|canonical]]) answer.


==Other versions of the legendarium==
== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Glaurung.mp3|Ardamir}}
The name '''''Glaurung''''' is in [[Sindarin]]. According to ''[[Eldamo]]'', the first element of the name is ''[[glaur]]'' ("gold"), but the meaning of the second element is unclear.<ref name="Gla">{{webcite|author=[[Paul Strack]]|articleurl=https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-1292085031.html|articlename=S. ''Glaurung'' m.|website=Eldamo|accessed=2 April 2022}}</ref> However, there it is still glossed as "Gold-worm".<ref name="Gla"/>


Throughout early versions of the [[legendarium]], Glaurung was known by different names: ''Glórund'' (the c. [[1916]]-[[1919|19]] ''[[The Book of Lost Tales (disambiguation)|Lost Tales]]'') > ''Glórung'' (the [[1926]] '[[Sketch of the Mythology]]') > ''Glómund'' (the [[1930]] ''[[Quenta Noldorinwa]]''; the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'') > ''Glaurung'' (the c. [[1951]] '[[The Grey Annals|Grey Annals]]'; the published ''[[The Silmarillion]]'').<ref>{{SM|2a}} ([Section] 13)</ref><ref>{{HM|RB}}, Chapter XII "Conversations with Smaug": (i) ''Tolkien's Dragons''</ref>
== Other names ==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Glaurung sets forth to seek Turin.jpg|200px|thumb|''Glórund sets forth to seek Turin'' by J.R.R. Tolkien]]
As the first and greatest of the dragons of Morgoth, Glaurung was sometimes referred to as the '''Great Worm''',<ref name="SFifth">{{S|20}}</ref><ref name="CHComingGlaurung" /> the '''Worm of Morgoth''',<ref name="CHDeathGlaurung" /> the '''Great Worm of Angband'''<ref>{{UT|1}}, p. 37</ref> and the '''Gold-worm of Angband'''.<ref>{{UT|2}}, p. 75</ref> He bore the epithet '''the Golden'''.<ref name="SRuin">{{S|18}}</ref> He was also described as the '''Father of Dragons''',<ref name="SRuin" /> though whether this implies he actually sired the rest of his kind is uncertain.


An epithet used for the dragon was '''''Foalókë''''' ([[Qenya|Q(u)enya]]; ''[[foa]]'' + ''[[lókë]]''), said to be the "name of a serpent that guarded a treasure".<ref>{{PE|12}}</ref> The [[Gnomish]] form of the epithet was '''''Fuithlug''''' ("a dragon (who guards treasure)"). <ref>{{LT2|Appendix}}, p. 340</ref><ref>{{LT2|Index}}, p. 363</ref>
From {{FA|495}} to {{FA|499|n}}, he ruled a host of [[orcs]] as the 'dragon-king' of the former Elven-realm of [[Nargothrond]].<ref name="CHComingGlaurung" />


==Portrayal in adaptations==
== Other versions of the legendarium ==
Throughout early versions of the [[legendarium]], Glaurung was known by different names: ''Glórund'' (the c. [[1916]]-[[1919|19]] ''[[Lost Tales]]'') > ''Glórung'' (the [[1926]] '[[Sketch of the Mythology]]') > ''Glómund'' (the [[1930]] ''[[Quenta Noldorinwa]]''; the ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'') > ''Glaurung'' (the c. [[1951]] '[[The Grey Annals|Grey Annals]]'; the published ''[[The Silmarillion]]'').<ref>{{SM|2a}} ([Section] 13)</ref><ref>{{HM|RB}}, Chapter XII "Conversations with Smaug": (i) ''Tolkien's Dragons''</ref>


In ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', Glórund was a "[[Foalókë]]".
The [[Qenya]] cognates for ''Glorund'' were '''''Laurundo''''' and '''''Undolaurë''''',<ref>{{LT2|Appendix}}, entries "Laurundo", "Undolaurë"</ref> which [[Helge Fauskanger]] includes as compatible to later [[Quenya]].<ref>[[Helge Fauskanger]], ''[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/Quettaparma.pdf Quettaparma Quenyallo]'', entries "Laurundo" and "Undolaurë" (accessed 13 February 2020)</ref>
The name '''''Angruin''''' was at one time proposed as an alternative name for Glaurung by [[Tolkien]], however, it was ultimately rejected.<ref name="Root">{{PE|Eldarin}}, p. 183</ref> It is in Sindarin, and consists of the elements ''[[ang]]'' ("iron") and ''[[ruin]]'' ("fiery red").<ref name="Ang">{{webcite|author=[[Paul Strack]]|articleurl=https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-1234843423.html|articlename=S. ''Angruin'' m.|website=Eldamo|accessed=2 April 2022}}</ref> It is glossed as "Iron Fire".<ref name="Root"/><ref name="Ang"/>
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
'''[[1988]], [[1994]]: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
'''[[1988]], [[1994]]: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Glaurung was described and given role-playing statistics in the  supplements ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth|Creatures of Middle-earth]]'' and [[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Creatures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]. His name was given the [[Quenya]] translation "Golden Gloom".<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 111</ref> Furthermore, Glaurung was conceived to have bred the cold-drakes ''Scatha'' and ''Ando-anca'' (whose names were suggested to be revised to ''Skadi'' and ''Skell'').<ref>[[Chris Seeman]] (1998), "Dragons of the North", in ''[[Other Hands]]'' [[Other Hands 23|Issue 23]]</ref>
:Glaurung was described and given role-playing statistics in the  supplements ''[[Creatures of Middle-earth|Creatures of Middle-earth]]'' and [[Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition)|''Creatures of Middle-earth'' (2nd edition)]]. His name was given the [[Quenya]] translation "Golden Gloom".<ref>{{ICE|2012}}, p. 111</ref> Furthermore, Glaurung was conceived to have bred the cold-drakes ''Scatha'' and ''Ando-anca'' (whose names were suggested to be revised to ''Skadi'' and ''Skell'').<ref>[[Chris Seeman]] (1998), "Dragons of the North", in ''[[Other Hands]]'' [[Other Hands 23|Issue 23]]</ref>


==See also==
== See also ==
* [[Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin]]
*[[Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin]]
* [[:Category:Images of Glaurung|Images of Glaurung]]


{{references}}
{{dragons}}
{{dragons}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Children of Húrin]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]

Latest revision as of 20:39, 17 May 2023

Glaurung
Dragon
Coliandre - The End of Glaurung.jpg
"The End of Glaurung" by Coliandre
Biographical Information
TitlesThe Father of Dragons
The Great Worm
The Golden
Dragon-King of Nargothrond
RealmNargothrond
HoardTreasure of Finrod Felagund
AffiliationMorgoth
AppearedFirst emerged in F.A. 260
Angband
DeathF.A. 499
Cabed-en-Aras
Slain byTúrin Turambar
Physical Description
TypeUrulókë
LegsYes
WingedNo
ColourGolden
GalleryImages of Glaurung
"Here not long since was the Great Worm of Angband, most fell of all the creatures of the Enemy!"
Voronwë in Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin

Glaurung was the first of the dragons[1] and one of the foremost lieutenants of Morgoth during the First Age. He had four legs, and a fiery breath, but no wings and could not fly. He was sentient and could talk and understand speech.

History[edit | edit source]

Glaurung is Humbled by Ted Nasmith

Exactly when Glaurung was created is not known, but he first emerged from Angband in F.A. 260,[2] during the Siege of Angband. Although he was still young according to the long life of Dragons, and not grown to his full strength, his initial assault pushed the Noldor from Ard-galen, which he took and defiled, to Dorthonion and the Ered Wethrin.

This victory was short-lived, however, and Glaurung was forced back to Angband when Fingon rode against him with a company of mounted archers. Morgoth was not pleased that Glaurung had revealed himself while still immature, and did not allow any more forays from Angband for some two hundred years.[3]

Two major battles[edit | edit source]

The siege of Angband was broken in F.A. 455[4] in the Dagor Bragollach, the Battle of Sudden Flame. Glaurung, now grown to his full might, led the largest army of balrogs and orcs yet assembled against the leaguer of the Noldor and overthrew it. He then pressed against the people of Fëanor and, defeating a contingent of their riders upon the plain of Lothlann and forcing Maglor's Gap, burned all the land between the arms of Gelion.[5]

The counter-attack came in F.A. 472,[6] when the Union of Maedhros marched in force against Angband in the decisive battle of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Unnumbered Tears. Glaurung and his brood entered the battle in the early hours of the third morning, when Morgoth loosed his last strength against the combined forces of Fingon, Turgon and Maedhros:

The strength and terror of the Great Worm were now great indeed, and Elves and Men withered before him; and he came between the hosts of Maedhros and Fingon and swept them apart.
Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"

But the Dwarves of Belegost with their great war masks withstood him. Surrounded and hewed at by their axes, Glaurung was driven into a rage and slew Azaghâl the Lord of Belegost. But with his last stroke the Dwarf-lord dealt Glaurung a grievous wound to the belly and the dragon and his brood fled back to Angband, leaving the final victory over the Union to Gothmog and his balrogs.[7]

Destruction of Nargothrond[edit | edit source]

In autumn of F.A. 495,[8] Glaurung led an army of Orcs against Nargothrond. He passed over Anfauglith and first assailed the north Vales of Sirion, then coming south laid waste to Eithel Ivrin and Talath Dirnen. His advance was checked by the Mormegil, Túrin Turambar, who led the forces of Nargothrond out to meet Glaurung in the Battle of Tumhalad. The Elves were utterly defeated; King Orodreth was slain, and although Túrin attempted to rally the survivors to a last defence of Nargothrond itself, Glaurung came there first. The dragon passed swiftly over the bridge over Narog and destroyed the Doors of Felagund.[9]

Nienor and Glaurung by Elena Kukanova

As Glaurung's orcs were sacking the city, Túrin arrived and cut his way to the captives. As he did so Glaurung emerged from the doors and put him under his spell. Túrin was transfixed by the gaze of dragon as the captives, among them Finduilas, were led away. Then Glaurung spoke to Túrin and convinced him not to go after Finduilas but to return to Dor-lómin and rescue his mother Morwen and sister Nienor (when in fact they had already fled to Doriath). After weaving the first strand of his plot to bring doom to the children of Húrin, who Morgoth had cursed, he drove away his orcs and made his abode in Nargothrond, casting down the bridge and, in true dragon fashion, laying down to sleep on the great hoard he had plundered.[9]

The following year, F.A. 496,[10] Glaurung's slumber was disturbed. Hearing of the fall of Nargothrond a small party from Doriath, including Morwen and Nienor, was sent to seek tidings, especially of the fate of Túrin. His keen sight quickly detected them and, as they approached his dwelling, he issued forth into the Narog and created a steam and reek that scattered the spies in confusion. Glaurung then crept swiftly towards Amon Ethir where he met Nienor, alone, and placed her under the same spell he had her brother Túrin. But this time rather than subtle deceits he used his power to completely obliterate Niënor's memory and left her to wander in the wild.[11]

Death[edit | edit source]

The Slaying of Glaurung by Guy Gondron

For the next several years Glaurung ruled as the 'dragon-king' of what was once the Realm of Nargothrond, gathering many Orcs to him.[12] Meanwhile, Nienor escaped from Mablung's care and wandered into Brethil. There she was found by Túrin, now living amongst the Halethrim, who named her Níniel. Not knowing that they were brother and sister (Túrin having never met his sister and Níniel ignorant of her true identity), the two fell in love and were married.[11][13] In F.A. 498 Glaurung began to send his orcs against Brethil, and thereby forced Túrin to reveal himself.[14] The next summer[15] he came there himself, but was caught by an ambush before he could reach the Halethrim's dwellings at Ephel Brandir: Túrin lay in wait in the gorge of Cabed-en-Aras, and as Glaurung attempted to leap over it he was dealt a mortal blow by Gurthang, Túrin's black sword.[16]

However even as he lay dying on the banks of Teiglin, the Deceiver completed the doom he had woven for the children of Húrin. Túrin was rendered unconscious by Glaurung's noxious blood and Níniel, coming upon the scene, thought him dead. With his last breath the dragon revealed his plot, and as he died his spells were undone, so Nienor Níniel regained her memory. In despair she leapt to her death into Cabed-en-Aras, and when Túrin awoke and also learned the truth from Brandir, he cast himself upon his own sword.[16][17]

Brood[edit | edit source]

Glaurung's brood accompanied him in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad[7] and after his death were present during the Fall of Gondolin, by which time they had become "many and terrible".[18]

Exactly what this brood consisted of and, by extension, what Tolkien intended Glaurung's relationship to the rest of the dragons is unclear. The titles "Father of the Dragons" and "first of the urulóki" are also ambiguous in terms of whether Glaurung is a progenitor or simply the first to be created. His 'brood' could be all subsequent dragons, just one 'subspecies', or simply his immediate children. Certainly there is a case to be made that Ancalagon and the winged-dragons were a separate creation of Morgoth's, based on this passage:

[Morgoth] loosed upon his foes the last desperate assault that he had prepared, and out of the pits of Angband there issued the winged dragons, that had not before been seen
Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath"

On the other hand, the only two named winged-dragons (Ancalagon and Smaug) were also urulóki: they breathed fire. There are no other dragons explicitly stated to be like Glaurung, both fire-breathing but not flying, making it difficult to argue from Tolkien's published works that he intended Glaurung's brood to constitute a discrete lineage. In the end all that can be gleaned of how Tolkien conceived of the 'taxonomy' of dragons comes from isolated references to different types like urulóki, cold-drake and long-worms, so the problem likely does not have a (canonical) answer.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Glaurung is in Sindarin. According to Eldamo, the first element of the name is glaur ("gold"), but the meaning of the second element is unclear.[19] However, there it is still glossed as "Gold-worm".[19]

Other names[edit | edit source]

Glórund sets forth to seek Turin by J.R.R. Tolkien

As the first and greatest of the dragons of Morgoth, Glaurung was sometimes referred to as the Great Worm,[7][12] the Worm of Morgoth,[16] the Great Worm of Angband[20] and the Gold-worm of Angband.[21] He bore the epithet the Golden.[5] He was also described as the Father of Dragons,[5] though whether this implies he actually sired the rest of his kind is uncertain.

From F.A. 495 to 499, he ruled a host of orcs as the 'dragon-king' of the former Elven-realm of Nargothrond.[12]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

Throughout early versions of the legendarium, Glaurung was known by different names: Glórund (the c. 1916-19 Lost Tales) > Glórung (the 1926 'Sketch of the Mythology') > Glómund (the 1930 Quenta Noldorinwa; the Lay of Leithian) > Glaurung (the c. 1951 'Grey Annals'; the published The Silmarillion).[22][23]

In The Book of Lost Tales, Glórund was a "Foalókë".

The Qenya cognates for Glorund were Laurundo and Undolaurë,[24] which Helge Fauskanger includes as compatible to later Quenya.[25]

The name Angruin was at one time proposed as an alternative name for Glaurung by Tolkien, however, it was ultimately rejected.[26] It is in Sindarin, and consists of the elements ang ("iron") and ruin ("fiery red").[27] It is glossed as "Iron Fire".[26][27]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1988, 1994: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Glaurung was described and given role-playing statistics in the supplements Creatures of Middle-earth and Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition). His name was given the Quenya translation "Golden Gloom".[28] Furthermore, Glaurung was conceived to have bred the cold-drakes Scatha and Ando-anca (whose names were suggested to be revised to Skadi and Skell).[29]

See also[edit | edit source]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §260
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Return of the Noldor"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §145–148
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §217
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §275
  9. 9.0 9.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Fall of Nargothrond"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §304–308
  11. 11.0 11.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Journey of Morwen and Niënor to Nargothrond"
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Coming of Glaurung"
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "Niënor in Brethil"
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §319
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §321
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Death of Glaurung"
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Death of Túrin"
  18. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin"
  19. 19.0 19.1 Paul Strack, "S. Glaurung m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 2 April 2022)
  20. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin", p. 37
  21. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Narn i Hîn Húrin (The Tale of the Children of Húrin)", p. 75
  22. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "II. The Earliest 'Silmarillion': Commentary on the 'Sketch of the Mythology'" ([Section] 13)
  23. J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag End, Chapter XII "Conversations with Smaug": (i) Tolkien's Dragons
  24. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part II", entries "Laurundo", "Undolaurë"
  25. Helge Fauskanger, Quettaparma Quenyallo, entries "Laurundo" and "Undolaurë" (accessed 13 February 2020)
  26. 26.0 26.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings: Eldarin Roots and Stems", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 183
  27. 27.0 27.1 Paul Strack, "S. Angruin m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 2 April 2022)
  28. Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012), p. 111
  29. Chris Seeman (1998), "Dragons of the North", in Other Hands Issue 23


Named Dragons
Glaurung · Gostir · Ancalagon · Scatha · Smaug