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Mark Ferguson as Gil-galad in The Fellowship of the Ring film in deleted scenes

Gil-galad

Biographical information

Other names

Artanáro/Rodnor, Ereinion Gil-galad

Titles

High King of the Ñoldor, King of Lindon, High King of the Elves of the West, King of the High Elves, King of the Golodhrim, Lord of Eriador, and Head of the White Council

Date of birth

First Age ?

Year ascended to the throne

FA 510

Date of death

SA 3441

Realms ruled

Havens of Sirion, Lindon, and Eriador

Spouse

Unknown

Weapon

Aeglos

Physical description

Race

Elves

Culture

Ñoldor

Gender

Male

Height

Hair color

Golden, Dark Brown (movie)

Eye color

Peter Jackson's Film Trilogy

Actor

Mark Ferguson

Voice

Character

Gil-galad was a Ñoldorin elf, son of Fingon, and last High King of the Ñoldor in Middle-earth and bore many titles, including, High King of the Elves of the West, King of the Eldar, King of Lindon, Lord of the Galadhrim, Lord of Eriador, and the Head of the White Council of the Second Age.

Gil-galad held the highest authority among the Elves and he ruled and was respected by both the Noldor and the Sindar. The Silvan Elves of the East answered his call to war and followed him to battle, showing that they also respected him enough to make him the Supreme Commander of the Elven forces during the War of the Last Alliance. His death marked the end of the Ñoldor in Middle-earth.

BiographyEdit

First AgeEdit

Gil-galad was probably born in the late fifth century of the First Age and was still young during the times of the battles of the Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame) and Nirnaeth Arnoediad (Battle of Unnumbered Tears). Fingon was lost in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, but the crown passed to Gil-galad's uncle Turgon in Gondolin, rather than Gil-galad himself (presumably because of his youth at that time). When Gondolin was lost, Gil-galad received the Kingship of the Ñoldor; he dwelt with the exiles of the city at the Mouths of Sirion during the remainder of the First Age.

Second AgeEdit

War of the Last AllianceEdit

WeaponsEdit

Armor

Gil-galad's armor was similar in composition to that of all the elves of the Second Age: a cuirass and fault of interlocking lames of steel plate over a hauberk of fine mail, together with pauldrons and braces. However, befitting his status as High-king, his armor was blued and etched with vine like tracery, and the plates were embossed with Tengwar symbols and included leather pants, which gave greater protection. At the throat, he wore a steel collar that bore his heraldic insignia, twelve stars on a midnight blue field. The color blue may have reflected an association with the sea; in any case, it was certainly a dye that was rare on Middle-earth, and it would have required a great deal of time and knowledge to locate enough flora or fauna with which to make it. His cloak was of a deep blue and his armor was golden, and instead of a helmet, he wore a golden crown, fashioned for him by Celebrimbor, who made the Rings of Power.

ShieldEdit

The shield of the High-king was the same shape as the regular elven shield, but like his armor it was more richly adorned: it was enameled in blue on and around the boss and decorated in gold with the twelve stars of his house. Because Aeglos(his spear) was wielded two-handed, it is likely that the shield was carried only to the field of battle rather onto it, to be left with one of Gil-galad's attendants. It may have been used by him when he fought with a sword.

"Gil-Galad was an Elven-King.
Of him the harpers sadly sing:
the last whose realm was fair and free
between the Mountains and the Sea.

His sword was long, his lance was keen,
his shining helm afar was seen;
the countless stars of heaven's field
were mirrored in his silver shield.

But long ago he rode away,
and where he dwelleth none can say;
for into darkness fell his star
in Mordor where the shadows are."

and recited by Samwise Gamgee. (Note: The poem apparently goes on longer, but the remainder was mainly about Mordor, and was therefore not recited because Sam didn't think he'd be going there himself.)

EtymologyEdit

Gil-galad was a Sindarin word that meant 'Star of High Radiance'. His name in Quenya was Artanáro, which meant 'High Flame'.

NotesEdit

Even though Gil-Galad was mentioned in The Silmarillion as the son of Fingon, Christopher Tolkien has stated that this was a mistake and that Gil-galad was actually the son of Orodreth. Unfortunately, the Silmarillion's version is the most widely known version, and the one that has been incorporated with other storylines and characters.

Portrayal in adaptationsEdit

In the MoviesEdit

In Fellowship of the Ring Gil-galad's (played by Mark Ferguson) death scene was deleted, however he makes a brief appearance when he fights multiple orcs with his spear.

See AlsoEdit

• Last Alliance of Elves and Men

The House of Fingolfin family treeEdit

       Finwë = Indis
             |
       ---------------------------
       |       |        |        |
   Findis  Fingolfin  Irimë  Finarfin = Eärwen
               |
    ----------------------------------------
   |          |                |           |          
Fingon  Turgon = Elenwë  Aredhel = Eol  Argon  
     |         |
Gil-galad Idril = Tuor
                  |
              Eärendil = Elwing
                       |
                    Elrond

ReferencesEdit

• The Silmarillion: Of the Voyage of Eärendil and the War of Wrath
• The Silmarillion: Akallabêth
• The Silmarillion: Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• The Complete Guide to Middle-earth

External linkEdit

• Gil-galad at Tolkien Gateway