Turgon: Difference between revisions

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During the [[Tarnin Austa]], news came about the armies of Melko approaching the city, so Turgon called a council and all the [[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim]] came to his palace. Among them were his personal guard, the [[House of the King]], who wore his emblems: the Sun, the Moon and the [[Scarlet Heart]].<ref name=Gondolin></ref>{{rp|172}} In the council, all the lords of Gondolin supported Tuor, who wanted to leave the city to save all the people; but the king was convinced by Meglin and [[Salgant]] alone, because they appealed to the wealth and strength of the city.<ref name=Gondolin></ref>{{rp|175-176}}
During the [[Tarnin Austa]], news came about the armies of Melko approaching the city, so Turgon called a council and all the [[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim]] came to his palace. Among them were his personal guard, the [[House of the King]], who wore his emblems: the Sun, the Moon and the [[Scarlet Heart]].<ref name=Gondolin></ref>{{rp|172}} In the council, all the lords of Gondolin supported Tuor, who wanted to leave the city to save all the people; but the king was convinced by Meglin and [[Salgant]] alone, because they appealed to the wealth and strength of the city.<ref name=Gondolin></ref>{{rp|175-176}}


Thus, the [[Fall of Gondolin]] began. Turgon watched the most of the battle from [[Tower of the King|his tower]],<ref name=Gondolin></ref>{{rp|180}} while his folk was hold in reserve in the Square of the Palace, biding fresh in order to defend the king.<ref name=Gondolin></ref>{{rp|183}} Throughout the siege, the king sent the different reserved hosts to help where necessary, until the remainings of all the surviving houses finally gathered in the Square.
Thus, the [[Fall of Gondolin]] began. Turgon watched the most of the battle from [[Tower of the King|his tower]],<ref name=Gondolin></ref>{{rp|180}} while his folk was hold in reserve in the Square of the Palace, biding fresh in order to defend the king.<ref name=Gondolin></ref>{{rp|183}} Throughout the siege, the king sent the different reserved hosts to help where necessary, until the remainings of all the surviving houses finally gathered in the Square. After [[Ecthelion of the Fountain]] killed there [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], the king came down in splendour and helped his house to cleanse the square. But the steam of the fountains killed some men, so the king was saved and taken under [[Glingol]] and [[Bansil]]. Then said the king: "''Great is the fall of Gondolin!''", the words of the prophet [[Amnon]].<ref name=Gondolin></ref>{{rp|184}}


{{References|n}}
{{References|n}}

Revision as of 08:46, 22 July 2020

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This article is about the Lord of Gondolin. For the the Steward of Gondor, see Turgon (Steward of Gondor).
Turgon
Noldo
Antti Autio - Turgon Aran Gondolin.jpg
"Turgon Aran Gondolin" by Antti Autio
Biographical Information
PronunciationS, toor-gon
Other namesTurukáno (Q)
TitlesKing of Gondolin
High King of the Noldor
LocationGondolin
LanguageQuenya, Sindarin
BirthY.T. 1300
RuleF.A. 116 - 510 (Gondolin)
F.A. 472 - 510 (High King)
DeathF.A. 510 (aged 2,426[note 1])
Fall of Gondolin
Family
HouseHouse of Fingolfin
House of the King
ParentageFingolfin and Anairë
SiblingsFingon, Aredhel and Argon
SpouseElenwë
ChildrenIdril Celebrindal
Physical Description
GenderMale
HeightTaller than all but Thingol[1]
WeaponryGlamdring
GalleryImages of Turgon
"And most of all his kin Morgoth feared Turgon; for of old in Valinor his eye had lighted upon him, and whenever he drew near a shadow had fallen on his spirit, foreboding that in some time that yet lay hidden, from Turgon ruin should come to him."
Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"

Turgon was an Elven king of the Noldor, second son of Fingolfin, brother to Fingon, Aredhel and Argon. He was lord of the Elves of Nevrast, and later of the Hidden City of Gondolin.

He is described as tall, holding the Staff of Doom in his hand. He was often called "the Wise".

History

Turukáno and Elenwe by Marya Filatova

Turgon was born in the Year of the Trees 1300, the same as his cousin Finrod.[2]

Although Turgon was originally against the departure of the Noldor from Aman, he eventually did set out on the journey. After Fëanor and his sons departed using the only ships, he took his people across the dangerous Helcaraxë with his father Fingolfin. He lost his wife Elenwë in the crossing and settled at Vinyamar in Nevrast.

When he journeyed with his cousin Finrod Felagund along Sirion, Ulmo sent both of them a dream to look for a hidden place where they could be safe from the power of Morgoth. Then in the following year Ulmo appeared directly to Turgon and guided him to the vale of Tumladen in the Encircling Mountains. Initially, Turgon left Tumladen and returned to Vinyamar, keeping his discovery a secret for many years. After the Dagor Aglareb, Turgon began once again to feel the restlessness set in his heart by Ulmo, and his thought turned to Tumladen. He secretly moved many of the most skilled Noldor to the valley, and had them build Gondolin. When it was completed, he abandoned Vinyamar with his people and led them to Tumladen in secret, hidden by the power of Ulmo. Before leaving, however, and following Ulmo's prophecy, he left in Vinyamar a sword, mail and helm for one who would come in the hour of direst need of the Noldor and deliver hope.[3]

In Gondolin, Turgon ruled with the Staff of Doom in his right hand, and a coronet of garnets upon his head. At his side was Glamdring.[4]

Turgon and his people remained isolated in Gondolin for many years with his daughter Idril, who married Tuor after the man found the secret way and discovered the city.

Turgon reemerged with his host during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, and although the battle was still lost, his intervention prevented the rout from completely destroying the armies of the Noldor and their allies. He was killed at Gondolin's fall, when his tower fell down over his head.

Etymology

Turgon is Sindarin, meaning "Ruling Lord" or "Victory Prince",[5] probably a combination of tur ("master")[6] and -gon ("lord, prince").[7]

However, in The Shibboleth of Fëanor, Tolkien translated Turgon as "Master Shout". There it is explained that the name is the Sindarised version of his Quenya father-name, Turukáno,[7] clearly meaning "Victory Commander".[8]

A rejected Quenya name was Turondo ("Lord of Stone").[9] In the earliest stage of the Elvish languages, the Qenya name was the same, and the Gnomish name was also Turgon, which Christopher Tolkien suggests to be derived from the root TURU ("be strong").[10]

Genealogy

Míriel
d. Y.T. 1170
 
Finwë
d. Y.T. 1495
 
Indis
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fëanor
Y.T. 1169 - 1497
 
Findis
b. Y.T.
 
Fingolfin
Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456
 
Anairë
b. Y.T.
 
Írimë
b. Y.T.
 
Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fingon
d. F.A. 472
 
TURGON
Y.T. 1300 - F.A. 510
 
Elenwë
d. Y.T. 1500
 
Aredhel
Y.T. 1362 - F.A. 400
 
Eöl
d. F.A. 400
 
Argon
d. F.A. 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tuor
b. F.A. 472
 
Idril
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
Maeglin
F.A. 320 - 510
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eärendil
b. F.A. 503
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Other versions of the legendarium

The Book of Lost Tales

"But I Turgon will not leave my city, and will burn with it."
The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "The Fall of Gondolin"

Turgon already appears in the earliest stage of the Legendarium in The Book of Lost Tales.

When Tuor came to the city, he found Turgon in the Square of the Palace. "Then Turgon king of Gondolin robed in white with a belt of gold, and a coronet of garnets upon his head, stood before his doors and spake from the head of the white stairs that led thereto." Tuor was well received, as his coming was prophesied, but Ulmo's warning was not attended by the king, who answered he had already sent boats to the West that never came back. However, Turgon knew that Tuor had the favor of the Valar, and invited him to dwell in Gondolin, even in the royal halls.[11]:160-162

Many years later, Turgon allowed the wedding of Tuor and his daughter Idril. All the Gondothlim and the king had a great joy when Eärendel was born, except Meglin, the king's nephew and a close counselor.[11]:164-165 One year later, news come about spies of Melko near Tumladin, and the king remembered the words of Tuor, so he tripled the watch and ordered preparations for war.[11]:167 However, more years passed and his fear softened, and the watch was reduced again, as the Gondothlim became confident after Melko withdrew the spies.[11]:170

During the Tarnin Austa, news came about the armies of Melko approaching the city, so Turgon called a council and all the Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim came to his palace. Among them were his personal guard, the House of the King, who wore his emblems: the Sun, the Moon and the Scarlet Heart.[11]:172 In the council, all the lords of Gondolin supported Tuor, who wanted to leave the city to save all the people; but the king was convinced by Meglin and Salgant alone, because they appealed to the wealth and strength of the city.[11]:175-176

Thus, the Fall of Gondolin began. Turgon watched the most of the battle from his tower,[11]:180 while his folk was hold in reserve in the Square of the Palace, biding fresh in order to defend the king.[11]:183 Throughout the siege, the king sent the different reserved hosts to help where necessary, until the remainings of all the surviving houses finally gathered in the Square. After Ecthelion of the Fountain killed there Gothmog, the king came down in splendour and helped his house to cleanse the square. But the steam of the fountains killed some men, so the king was saved and taken under Glingol and Bansil. Then said the king: "Great is the fall of Gondolin!", the words of the prophet Amnon.[11]:184

Notes

  1. Years of the Sun. Each Year of the Tree is equal to 9.582 Years of the Sun, and the Years of the Trees ended in the year 1500. So, 510 + 9.582 x 200 = 2,426.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "The Annals of Aman": Note on §85
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Noldor in Beleriand"
  4. The Hobbit, "A Short Rest", Elrond explains that it once belonged to the King of Gondolin
  5. 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. 113
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entry tur
  7. 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of Finwë's descendants", p. 345
  8. Paul Strack, "Q. Turucáno m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 2 June 2020)
  9. 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. 112
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, entry "Tuor"
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 11.6 11.7 11.8 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "III. The Fall of Gondolin"
Turgon
House of Fingolfin
Born: Y.T. 1300 Died: F.A. 510
None
Position created
King of Gondolin
F.A. 116 - F.A. 510
None
Gondolin destroyed
Preceded by:
Fingon
High King of the Noldor
F.A. 472F.A. 510
Followed by:
Gil-galad