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The name Boldog was used by several [[Orc (Middle-earth)|Orc]] chieftains during the [[First Age]]. It is probable that ''Boldog'' was actually a title, given to lesser [[Maiar]], servants of [[Morgoth]], who had taken an Orcish [[Fëa and hröa|hröa]]. Several Orc leaders, such as the [[Great Goblin]] from ''[[The Hobbit]]'', might have been Boldogs.
{{sources}}
{{orc infobox
| name=Boldog
| image=
| caption=
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=Captain
| position=
| location=
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| language=
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death={{FA|465}}
| deathlocation=North-marches of [[Doriath]]; killed by [[Thingol]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=Iron spear
| steed=
}}
'''Boldog''' was the name of an [[Orcs|Orc]] chieftain during the [[First Age]].  


The theory of Boldogs as Orc-shaped Maiar entered the [[legendarium]] at a relatively late state, and was not taken up in the published ''[[the Silmarillion|Silmarillion]]''.
== History ==
[[Morgoth]], hearing of the beauty of [[Lúthien]] and pondering the purposes of [[Thingol]], sent a great force against [[Doriath]], led by Boldog; but with another purpose also - for Morgoth wanted to take Lúthien into [[Angband]], for reasons undisclosed. However, the [[Iathrim]] defeated the invading army and<ref>{{LB|C12}}</ref> Thingol himself slew Boldog.<ref>{{LB|3U}}</ref>


<blockquote>''Some of these things may have been delusions and phantoms but some were no doubt shapes taken by the servants of [[Melkor]], mocking and degrading the very forms of the children. For Melkor had in his service great numbers of [[Maiar]], who had the power, as their Master, of taking visible and tangible shape in [[Arda]]. '' ('Morgoth's Ring', "Myths transformed", text X')</blockquote>
Some time later, when [[Finrod]], [[Beren]], [[Edrahil]] and their companions (clad in Orc-form) were brought before [[Sauron]], they said that they were a part of the army under the command of Boldog, and had urgent news to deliver to [[Thangorodrim]] - but Sauron saw through their disguise, revealing to them that Boldog was slain but lately, and also due to Beren's dismay and anger due to Sauron's mention of Lúthien and how Morgoth coveted her.<ref>{{LB|C7}}</ref>


<blockquote>''Boldog (&#8230;) is a name that occurs many times in the tales of [[War of the Ring|the War]]. But it is possible that Boldog was not a personal name, and either a title, or else the name of a kind of creature: the '''Orc-formed Maiar''', only less formidable than the [[Balrogs]]'' (Author's footnote to the text X)</blockquote>


== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
In [[Tolkien]]'s later works he proposed an idea that the name "Boldog" was not actually a name of an individual, but rather a title borne by Orc-shaped [[Maiar]].<ref>{{MR|P5}}</ref>
<blockquote>''Some of these things may have been delusions and phantoms but some were no doubt shapes taken by the servants of [[Morgoth|Melkor]], mocking and degrading the very forms of the children. For Melkor had in his service great numbers of [[Maiar]], who had the power, as their Master, of taking visible and tangible shape in [[Arda]]. '' ('Morgoth's Ring', "Myths transformed", text X')</blockquote>
<blockquote>''Boldog (&#8230;) is a name that occurs many times in the tales of [[Battles of Beleriand|the War]]. But it is possible that Boldog was not a personal name, and either a title, or else the name of a kind of creature: the '''Orc-formed Maiar''', only less formidable than the [[Balrogs]]'' (Author's footnote to the text X)</blockquote>
<blockquote>''Melkor had corrupted many spirits &mdash; some great as [[Sauron]], or less as Balrogs. The least could have been primitive Orcs.'' (Author's note to text)</blockquote>
<blockquote>''Melkor had corrupted many spirits &mdash; some great as [[Sauron]], or less as Balrogs. The least could have been primitive Orcs.'' (Author's note to text)</blockquote>
Whether this idea was kept or discarded is unknown.


One known Boldog was killed during a raid on [[Doriath]]; [[Gothmog (Third Age)|Gothmog]] may have been another.
{{references}}
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boldog}}
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Orcs]]
[[de:Boldog]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:orques:boldog]]

Revision as of 23:23, 16 May 2016

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Boldog
Orc
Biographical Information
TitlesCaptain
AffiliationMorgoth
DeathF.A. 465
North-marches of Doriath; killed by Thingol
Physical Description
GenderMale
WeaponryIron spear
GalleryImages of Boldog

Boldog was the name of an Orc chieftain during the First Age.

History

Morgoth, hearing of the beauty of Lúthien and pondering the purposes of Thingol, sent a great force against Doriath, led by Boldog; but with another purpose also - for Morgoth wanted to take Lúthien into Angband, for reasons undisclosed. However, the Iathrim defeated the invading army and[1] Thingol himself slew Boldog.[2]

Some time later, when Finrod, Beren, Edrahil and their companions (clad in Orc-form) were brought before Sauron, they said that they were a part of the army under the command of Boldog, and had urgent news to deliver to Thangorodrim - but Sauron saw through their disguise, revealing to them that Boldog was slain but lately, and also due to Beren's dismay and anger due to Sauron's mention of Lúthien and how Morgoth coveted her.[3]


Other Versions of the Legendarium

In Tolkien's later works he proposed an idea that the name "Boldog" was not actually a name of an individual, but rather a title borne by Orc-shaped Maiar.[4]

Some of these things may have been delusions and phantoms but some were no doubt shapes taken by the servants of Melkor, mocking and degrading the very forms of the children. For Melkor had in his service great numbers of Maiar, who had the power, as their Master, of taking visible and tangible shape in Arda. ('Morgoth's Ring', "Myths transformed", text X')

Boldog (…) is a name that occurs many times in the tales of the War. But it is possible that Boldog was not a personal name, and either a title, or else the name of a kind of creature: the Orc-formed Maiar, only less formidable than the Balrogs (Author's footnote to the text X)

Melkor had corrupted many spirits — some great as Sauron, or less as Balrogs. The least could have been primitive Orcs. (Author's note to text)

Whether this idea was kept or discarded is unknown.

References