House of the Heavenly Arch

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House of the Heavenly Arch
Noble House
Rondador - House of the Heavenly Arch.png
General Information
Other namesFolk of the Heavenly Arch
LocationsGondolin
"But they of the Heavenly Arch being a folk of uncounted wealth were arrayed in a glory of colors."
The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "The Fall of Gondolin"

The House of the Heavenly Arch was one of the Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim, according to the early version of the Legendarium in The Book of the Lost Tales.

History

Their leader was Egalmoth. They were a folk of "unaccounted wealth", and were arrayed in many bright colors, for the "heavenly arch" referred to a rainbow. Their arms were set with jewels that flamed in the light over the sky. Every shield of that battalion was of the blue of the heavens and its boss a jewel built of seven gems: rubies, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds, chrysoprases, topazes, and amber. An opal of great size was set in each of their helms. They were great swordsmen, but also great archers.


During the Fall of Gondolin, they fought with the House of the Swallow, defending the walls of Gondolin in its northern part, pouring clouds of arrows over the hosts of Orcs. Slowly the battle was lost and they retreated towards the Square of the King, the survivors being gathered together by Tuor along with those from the House of the Swallow. Few of the Heavenly Arch escaped the burning Gondolin and most likely dwelt with Egalmoth at the Mouths of Sirion.[1]

References

Twelve houses of the Gondothlim
King (leader: Turgon) · Wing (Tuor) · Mole (Meglin) · Swallow (Duilin) · Heavenly Arch (Egalmoth) · Pillar (Penlod) · Tower of Snow (Penlod) · Tree (Galdor) · Golden Flower (Glorfindel) · Fountain (Ecthelion) · Harp (Salgant) · Hammer of Wrath (Rog)