Editing Fingolfin

{{Short description|Fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox character
| name        = Fingolfin
| series      = [[J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] 
| image       = FEANOR AND FINGOLFIN.jpg
| caption     = [[Fëanor]] threatens Fingolfin <br/> illustration by [[Tom Loback]]
| aliases     = Nolofinwë, Aracáno
| race        = [[Elf (Middle-earth)|Elves]]
| lbl24       = Book(s)
| data24      = ''[[The Silmarillion]]''
}}

'''Fingolfin''' ({{IPA|sjn|fiŋˈɡolfin|lang}}) is a character in [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s [[legendarium]], appearing in ''[[The Silmarillion]]''. He was the son of [[Finwë]], High King of the [[Noldor]]. He was threatened by his half-brother [[Fëanor]], who held him in contempt for not being a pure-bred Noldor. Even so, when Fëanor stole ships and left [[Aman (J. R. R. Tolkien)|Aman]], Fingolfin chose to follow him back to [[Middle-earth]], taking the dangerous route over the ice of the [[Helcaraxë]]. On arrival, he challenged the Dark Lord [[Morgoth]] at the gates of his fortress, [[Angband (Middle-earth)|Angband]], but Morgoth stayed inside. When his son Fingon rescued [[Maedhros]], son of Fëanor, Maedhros gratefully renounced his claim to kingship, and Fingolfin became High King of the Noldor. He was victorious at the battle of [[Dagor Aglareb]], and there was peace for some 400 years until Morgoth broke out and destroyed Beleriand in the [[Dagor Bragollach]]. Fingolfin, receiving false news, rode alone to Angband and challenged Morgoth to single combat. He wounded Morgoth several times, but grew weary and was killed by the immortal [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Vala]].

Fingolfin has inspired artists, musicians and video game designers to create depictions of his deeds.<!--summarizes cited content in article-->

== Internal history ==
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=== Birth ===

Fingolfin was the second son of [[Finwë]], High King of the [[Noldor]], [[Sundering of the Elves|a division of the Elves]] lower than the Vanyar but higher than the Teleri. He was full brother of [[Finarfin]], and half-brother of [[Fëanor]], who was the eldest of Finwë's sons. He founded the House of Fingolfin which ruled the Noldor in Middle-earth. His wife was Anairë and his children were Fingon, Turgon, Aredhel and Argon.<ref group=T>Argon only appears in ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', Chapter 11 "[[The Shibboleth of Fëanor]]", and is left out of the published ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.</ref><ref name="Of Eldamar" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 5, "Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië"</ref> Fingolfin was said to be the strongest, most steadfast, and most valiant of Finwë's sons. His father-name in [[Quenya]]—one of [[Languages constructed by J. R. R. Tolkien|Tolkien's fictional languages]]—was Nolofinwë, or "wise Finwë," while his mother-name was ''Aracáno'', or "High Chieftain", the same name as his youngest son Argon.<ref name="Shibboleth" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1996}}, Chapter 11 "[[The Shibboleth of Fëanor]]"</ref>

=== Strife with Fëanor ===
The mother of Fingolfin and Finarfin was Finwë's second wife, Indis, who he married after Míriel died. While they lived in [[Aman (Middle-earth)|Aman]], there was always strife between the sons of Indis and Míriel's son Fëanor, mostly due to [[Melkor]]'s treachery. However, Fingolfin would seek to forge a better relationship with Fëanor at every chance. Even after Fëanor threatened him with a sword and was banished from Tirion, Fingolfin forgave him and tried to mend their relationship.<ref name="Of the Silmarils" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 7, "Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"</ref> This occurred very soon before destruction of the [[Two Trees]] and the Darkening of [[Valinor]]. After this event and Fëanor's decision to leave Aman, Fingolfin chose to follow him into exile, so as not to abandon his people.<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 9, "Of the Flight of the Noldor"</ref>

=== Crossing the ice of the Helcaraxë ===
[[File:Elvish_Migrations_and_Kindreds.svg|thumb|upright=2|[[Arda (Middle-earth)|Arda]] in the [[First Age]]. The Elves migrated westwards across [[Middle-earth]] and Belegaer, the great sea, to [[Valinor]] in Aman, [[Sundering of the Elves|dividing up as they went]]. Fingolfin fatefully chose to cross the dangerous ice of the [[Helcaraxë]] (top) between Aman and Beleriand to follow [[Fëanor]] back to Middle-earth.]]

Fingolfin led the largest host of the Noldor when they fled Aman for [[Middle-earth]], even though he thought this unwise; he did not want to abandon his people to Fëanor. His followers participated in the Kinslaying at the Havens, but only because they arrived after the battle was underway not knowing that Fëanor was the aggressor. He led them across the ice of the [[Helcaraxë]], an epic and arduous journey lasting many months, on which many of the people perished.<ref name="Of the Flight of the Noldor" group=T/>

=== Challenging Morgoth at the gates of Angband ===
They arrived in Middle-earth at the first rising of the Moon, and sounded their trumpets. Soon after, at the first rising of the Sun, he came to the gates of [[Angband (Middle-earth)|Angband]] and smote upon them, but Melkor—now known as 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.<ref name="Of the Return of the Noldor" group=T/>

{{Anchor|Fingon}}
=== High King of the Noldor ===

Fingolfin's son Fingon rescued [[Maedhros]], son of [[Fëanor]], who in gratitude waived his claim to kingship: thus, Fingolfin became High King of the Noldor. He then ruled from [[Hithlum]], by the northern shores of Lake Mithrim.<ref name="Of the Return of the Noldor" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 13, "Of the Return of the Noldor"</ref>

After defeating the [[Orc (Middle-earth)|Orcs]] in the [[Dagor Aglareb]], Fingolfin maintained the [[Siege of Angband]] for nearly 400 years. The Siege was ended by Morgoth's sudden assaults in the [[Dagor Bragollach]], the Battle of Sudden Flame, and many peoples of [[Beleriand]] fled.<ref name="Of the Ruin of Beleriand" group=T/>

=== Death: single combat with Morgoth ===
When Fingolfin learned of this, and received false report that his allies had been routed on all fronts, he became filled with wrath and despair. He immediately took his horse Rochallor and sword [[Ringil]], and rode alone to Angband. All enemies fled from him, fearing his anger, and mistaking him in his fury for [[Oromë]], the [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Vala]] patron of hunters.<ref name="Of the Ruin of Beleriand" group=T>{{harvnb|Tolkien|1977}}, Chapter 18, "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"</ref>

Fingolfin smote the gates of Angband and challenged Morgoth to single combat. Though Morgoth feared Fingolfin (of all the [[Vala (Middle-earth)|Valar]], Morgoth was the only one to know fear), he had to accept the challenge—or face shame in the eyes of his servants. Seven times Fingolfin wounded Morgoth and seven times Morgoth cried in pain, and seven times the host of Morgoth wailed in anguish, but he could not be slain for he was one of the Valar.<ref name="Of the Ruin of Beleriand" group=T/>

Whenever Morgoth attacked, Fingolfin avoided Morgoth's weapon [[List of Middle-earth weapons and armour#Grond|Grond]], the hammer of the underworld, as it cracked the ground so violently smoke and fire darted from the craters. Eventually, however, Fingolfin grew weary and stumbled on a crater. Then Morgoth pinned Fingolfin with his foot, and killed him, but not before he, with his last act of defiance, hewed at Morgoth's foot. Morgoth thenceforward always walked with a limp. Enraged, Morgoth sought to desecrate the body of the valiant king, but [[Thorondor (Middle-earth)|Thorondor]], Lord of Eagles flew down, raked Morgoth's eyes, and carried Fingolfin's body away to be placed on a cliff overlooking [[Gondolin]]. Later, Fingolfin's son Turgon built a cairn over his father's remains.<ref name="Of the Ruin of Beleriand" group=T/>

== Artefacts ==

=== Heraldic device ===

{{further|Heraldry of Middle-earth}}

[[File:Fingolfin_heraldic_device.jpg|thumb|upright|Tolkien's design of heraldic device for Fingolfin. It has some similarity both with his father [[Finwë and Míriel|Finwë]]'s and his brother Finarfin's devices, but in Elvish heraldry, the device is unique to the person. The eight points that reach the border indicate a High King.]]

Fingolfin is among those major characters such as [[Gil-galad]] whom Tolkien, who illustrated his own writings, supplied with a distinct [[heraldry|heraldic device]]. Like his brother Finarfin's device, it has eight points that reach the edge of its lozenge, denoting a High King, and a central circle; it differs from Finarfin's in having a second concentric circle. Its colours are like those for his father Finwë's device, but as the Tolkien scholars [[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] note, its eight curling points are more like those of Fëanor's. They write that the device's motif of small silver stars on a blue field is presumably related to his shield, which Tolkien described as "with field of heaven's blue and star / of crystal shining pale afar".<ref>{{cite book |title=J. R. R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator |first1=Wayne G. |last1=Hammond |first2=Christina |last2=Scull |authorlink1=Wayne G. Hammond |authorlink2=Christina Scull |publisher=[[Houghton Mifflin]] |year=1995 |isbn=978-0-395-74816-9 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780618083619 |pages=190, 192, 195}}</ref> [[Catherine McIlwaine]], who curated the [[Bodleian Library]] exhibition of his artwork, wrote that Tolkien liked to [[Tolkien's artwork|create decorative patterns]], leading up to pattern-based designs such as a carpet from [[Númenor]]. In her view, his creation of heraldic devices for characters in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' was a more deliberate form of the same impulse. Among "the loveliest of these kaleidoscopic patterns", wrote McIlwaine, were the devices for Fingolfin and his brother Finarfin.<ref>{{cite book |last=McIlwaine |first=Catherine |author-link=Catherine McIlwaine |title=[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]] |publisher=[[Bodleian Library]] |year=2018 |pages=79–81 |isbn=978-1851244850}}</ref>

=== Family tree ===

The family tree shows that Fingolfin is half Noldor, from his father Finwë, and half Vanyar, from his mother Indis. Among his descendants are Gil-galad, [[Eärendil and Elwing|Eärendil]], and [[Elrond]]. His half-brother Fëanor is pure Noldor, by Finwë's other wife Miriel.<ref name="Temp Silm I" group=T/><ref name="Temp Silm II" group=T/><ref name="Temp RotK" group=T/><!--refs are defined in family tree template--> The Tolkien scholar [[Tom Shippey]] writes that in ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', as in Norse tradition and sagas, people are defined by their ancestry. The Vanyar are the senior [[Sundering of the Elves|division of the Elves]]; so Fëanor's fourth son Caranthir is quite wrong to treat his father's half-brothers Finarfin and Fingolfin with contempt, something that was both dangerous and ill-founded. Shippey states that Caranthir's scornful words could be said to have set in motion the events which led to the ruin of [[Doriath (Middle-earth)|Doriath]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Shippey |first=Tom |author-link=Tom Shippey |title=[[The Road to Middle-Earth]] |date=2005 |edition=Third |orig-year=1982 |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=978-0261102750 |pages=282–283}}</ref>

{{House of Finwë family tree}}

== Analysis ==

The Tolkien scholar Megan Fontenot, on [[Tor.com]], writes that mental images of Fingolfin are "unforgettable": his ride across Dor-nu-Fauglith to the gates of Morgoth's fortress of [[Angband (Middle-earth)|Angband]], or the image of him "pounding upon the great gates of the dark fortress, blowing great blasts upon a silver horn, demanding that Morgoth show his face and join him in single combat."<ref name="Fontenot 2020">{{cite web |last=Fontenot |first=Megan |title=Exploring the People of Middle-earth: Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor |url=https://www.tor.com/2020/11/19/exploring-the-people-of-middle-earth-fingolfin-high-king-of-the-noldor/ |website=[[Tor.com]] |access-date=17 February 2022 |date=19 November 2020}}</ref> She notes that Fingolfin's origins are hard to trace through the complex history of [[Tolkien's legendarium]]. He is absent from the earliest Fëanor stories in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', and that in Tolkien's many drafts, such as in ''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]'', Fingolfin has several different fathers and siblings; further, his name is temporarily assigned to various other characters. Fontenot traces him to a character named Golfin, a prince of the "Gnomes" (Elves) in ''[[The Shaping of Middle-earth]]'', created before 1926. Not long afterwards, in ''[[The Lay of the Fall of Gondolin]]'' and ''[[The Lay of the Children of Húrin]]'', he becomes the son of Finwë/Finn and the father of Turgon. It was not until the 1950s, however, that Tolkien finally made Fingolfin the half-brother of Fëanor.<ref name="Fontenot 2020"/> 

Gregory Hartley, in ''Christianity & Literature'', notes that Fingolfin gleams below Morgoth's shadow "as a star", and avoids Morgoth's strikes "as a lightning shoots from under a dark cloud". Hartley interprets the [[Christians|Christian]] Tolkien to mean by this an increase in power equivalent to what the [[New Testament]] calls being filled with the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]]. In his view, the imagery and the increase in Fingolfin's strength "suggest that the Secret Fire has taken possession of him; that perhaps he is no longer merely the King of the Noldor but a chosen instrument of the Valar", the gods of [[Arda (Middle-earth)|Arda]].<ref name="Hartley 2012">{{cite journal |last=Hartley |first=Gregory |title=A wind from the West: the role of the holy spirit in Tolkien's Middle-earth |journal=Christianity & Literature |volume=62 |issue=1 |year=2012 |pages=95–120 |jstor=44315248|doi=10.1177/014833311206200106}}</ref>

The Tolkien scholar B. S. W. Barootes writes that in Tolkien's mythology, [[oath]]s are "a powerful form of performative language in Middle-earth"<!--citing John R. Holmes, pp251-253-->. He states that they consistently lead to "trouble, pain, and sorrow", giving as prime example the oath of Fëanor, but also mentioning Finrod's oath of service to Barahir's kin, Beren's oath to Thingol, and the broken oath of the Dead of Dunharrow, who are ultimately redeemed when they choose to serve Aragorn as he returns to claim his kingdom. Fingolfin's oath to follow Fëanor back to Middle-earth means his own exile from the blessed realm of Valinor, and his own death.<ref name="Barootes 2014">{{cite book |last=Barootes |first=B. S. W. |chapter=He Chanted a Song of Wizardry": Words with Power in Middle-Earth |editor1=Houghton, John Wm. |editor2=Croft, Janet Brennan |editor2-link=Janet Brennan Croft |editor3=Martsch, Nancy |title=Tolkien in the New Century: Essays in Honor of Tom Shippey |year=2014 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |pages=115–131 |isbn=9780786474387 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_U7AAwAAQBAJ&dq=%22Fingolfin%22&pg=PA115}}</ref>

== Legacy ==

[[File:Fingolfin's Ride.jpg|thumb|upright|Fingolfin's Ride. Illustration by [[Tom Loback]], 2007]]

Fingolfin has inspired musicians and [[Illustrating Tolkien|artists to create materials]] about his actions. The song "Time Stands Still (At the Iron Hill)", on the German power-metal band [[Blind Guardian]]'s 1998 album ''[[Nightfall in Middle-Earth]]'', tells the story of the fight between Morgoth and Fingolfin.<ref name="Metal 2021">{{cite web |title=Nightfall in Middle-Earth / Unplugged Västeras Blind Guardian |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Blind_Guardian/Nightfall_in_Middle-Earth_-_Unplugged_V%C3%A4steras/455258/ |website=Metal-Archives |access-date=17 February 2022 |date=28 October 2021}}</ref> Austin Gilkeson wrote that "So [[Heavy metal lyrics|metal]] was Fingolfin’s challenge that Morgoth had no choice but to accept."<ref name="Gilkeson 2015">{{cite web |last=Gilkeson |first=Austin |title=The Most Metal Deaths in Middle-earth, Ranked |url=https://the-toast.net/2015/06/23/the-most-metal-deaths-in-middle-earth-ranked/ |website=The Toast |access-date=8 June 2022 |date=23 June 2015}}</ref> The song (in Russian) "Do Not Ask Me To Praise Him" [Ты славить его меня не проси] by Aire and Saruman [Айрэ и Саруман] on their album "A Elberet[h] Gilt[h]oniel" [А Элберет Гилтониэль] is a lament for Fingolfin by his minstrel some time after that last battle: '... do not ask me to praise him, the day won't be brighter for a candle...'.<ref>{{cite web |title=Айре и Саруман - Ты славить его не проси меня текст  |trans-title=Aire and Saruman - Don't ask me to praise him |url=https://lyricsworld.ru/Ayre-i-Saruman/Tyi-slavit-ego-ne-prosi-menya-401888.html |website=Lyrics World |access-date=18 February 2022 |language=ru}}</ref> Fantasy artists have painted illustrations of Fingolfin's actions. [[Ted Nasmith]] and [[Jenny Dolfen]] have portrayed him leading his people across the ice of the Helcaraxë.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nasmith |first=Ted |author-link=Ted Nasmith |title=Fingolfin Leads the Host Across the Helcaraxe |url=https://www.tednasmith.com/tolkien/fingolfin-leads-the-host-across-the-helcaraxe/ |publisher=Ted Nasmith |access-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108114655/http://tednasmith.com/silmarillion/TN-Fingolfin_Leads_the_Host_Across_the_Helcaraxe.html |archive-date=8 January 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Dolfen 2015">{{cite web |last=Dolfen |first=Jenny |author-link=Jenny Dolfen |title=Crossing the Helcaraxë |url=http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/File:Jenny_Dolfen_-_Crossing_the_Helcarax%C3%AB.jpg |publisher=Jenny Dolfen |access-date=19 February 2022 <!-- NOTABLE ARTIST'S PERSONAL WEBSITE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218085112/https://goldseven.wordpress.com/tag/fingolfin/ |archive-date=18 February 2022 |url-status=live |date=8 October 2015--> }}</ref> Dolfen has illustrated various other scenes from his life, including Fëanor's threatening of Fingolfin, Fingolfin's ride to Angband, and his final fight with Morgoth.<ref name="Gateway Fingolfin">{{cite web |title=Fingolfin |url=http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Fingolfin |website=[[Tolkien Gateway]] |access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dolfen |first=Jenny |author-link=Jenny Dolfen |title=Fingolfin's Challenge |url=http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/File:Jenny_Dolfen_-_Fingolfin%27s_Challenge.jpg |website=[[Tolkien Gateway]] |access-date=19 February 2022}}</ref> Artists including [[John Howe (illustrator)|John Howe]] and Pete Amachree have depicted Fingolfin challenging Morgoth at the gates of Angband.<ref name="Howe 1992">{{cite web |last1=Howe |first1=John |author1-link=John Howe (illustrator) |title=Fingolfin's Challenge |url=https://www.john-howe.com/portfolio/gallery/details.php?image_id=964 |publisher=John Howe |access-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050213122754/https://www.john-howe.com/portfolio/gallery/details.php?image_id=964 |archive-date=13 February 2005 |date=1992 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Amachree 2020">{{cite web |last1=Amachree |first1=Pete |title=Fingolfin challenges Morgoth at the Gates of Angband |url=https://fineartamerica.com/featured/fingolfin-challenges-morgoth-at-the-gates-of-angband-pete-amachree.html |website=Fine Art America |access-date=18 February 2022 |date=2020}}</ref> 
<!-- Fingolfin is featured in gameplay in the video game ''Silmarillion: Total War''. --><!-- Need a different source, can't use  www.moddb.com/mods/silmarillion-total-war1/news/the-house-of-fingolfin -->

== References ==

=== Primary ===

{{Reflist|30em|group=T}}

=== Secondary ===

{{Reflist|30em}}

=== Sources ===

* {{ME-ref|ROTK}}
* {{ME-ref|Silm}}
* {{ME-ref|PoME}}

{{Middle-earth}}
{{Elves}}

[[Category:The Silmarillion characters]]
[[Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1977]]
[[Category:Fictional kings]]
[[Category:Fictional royalty]]
[[Category:Middle-earth rulers]]
[[Category:Noldor]]