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[[Image:Alan Lee - Frodo meets Gildor.jpg|thumb|250px|''Frodo meets Gildor,'' by [[Alan Lee]].]]
{{disambig-two|the [[Noldor]]in Elf|member of [[Barahir's Outlaw Band]]|[[Gildor (outlaw)]]}}
'''Gildor Inglorion''' was a [[Noldor|Noldorin]] [[Elves|Elf]] of the House of [[Finrod Felagund|Finrod]]. In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' he met [[Frodo Baggins]] and his friends on the road out of the [[Shire]]. He warned him about the [[Black Riders]], gave Frodo's company food and lodging for the night, and greatly impressed [[Sam]].
{{noldor infobox
| name=Gildor Inglorion
| image=[[File:Lori Deitrick - Gildor Inglorion.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Gildor Inglorion" by [[:Category:Images by Lori Deitrick|Lori Deitrick]]
| pronun=
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| location=[[Rivendell]]
| affiliation=
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| death=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=[[House of Finrod]]<ref name="3IC"/>
| parentage=Possibly [[Inglor]]<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 103</ref> ([[#Ancestry|see below]])
| siblings=
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| gender=Male
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{{quote|The Elves have their own labours and their own sorrows, and they are little concerned with the ways of hobbits, or of any other creatures upon earth. Our paths cross theirs seldom, by chance or purpose. In this meeting there may be more than chance; but the purpose is not clear to me, and I fear to say too much.|Gildor Inglorion in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Three is Company]]"}}
'''Gildor Inglorion''' was a [[Noldor|Noldorin]] [[Elves|Elf]] of the [[House of Finrod]], who was one of the few [[Exiled Noldor]] in the late [[Third Age]].


== Gildor's Ancestry ==
==History==
The question has arisen of the identity of this character. Gildor calls himself  "Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod." He also says: "We are Exiles, and most of our kindred have long departed and we too are only tarrying here a while, ere we return over the [[Great Sea]].". At the time when ''The Lord of the Rings'' was written, Finrod still meant the character later known as [[Finarfin]]. If we read "House of Finrod" to mean "House of Finarfin", we can place him among the Noldor who joined the host of Finarfin during the Exile, and came to [[Beleriand]] under Finrod Felagund.
Gildor was probably the son of some [[Inglor]]<ref name=halls>{{webcite|author=Matt Light, Lowell R. Matthews|articleurl=http://www.guildcompanion.com/scrolls/2000/jul/gildorshalls.html|articlename=Gildor's Halls|dated=2000|website=The Tolkien List}}</ref> and one of the [[Exile of the Noldor|Exiles]] of the House of Finrod. It's possible that he was from around Rivendell.<ref>{{RGEO|Elbereth}}</ref>
[[File:Alan Lee - Feasting with the Elves.jpg|thumb|left|''Feasting with the Elves'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
Elven [[Wandering Companies]] crossed [[the Shire]] and Gildor knew well [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] and [[Frodo Baggins]] when they were out in the woods. Around [[September]] {{TA|3001}}, as [[Bilbo Baggins]] was leaving the Shire for Rivendell, Gildor met the [[hobbit]] as he waved them farewell in one of their camps above [[Woodhall]]. The following years he met him once more,<ref name="3IC">{{FR|I3}}</ref> perhaps at Rivendell.<ref name=halls/>
===Meeting Frodo===
{{quote|Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.|Gildor Inglorion}}
In September {{TA|3018}}, he led a Wandering Company of [[Elves]] of [[Rivendell]] travelling eastwards from the [[Emyn Beraid]], where they went to see [[Varda|Elbereth]] in the ''[[Elostirion-stone|palantír]]'' that was kept there. On the [[24 September|24th]], they were [[Elven Hymn to Elbereth|singing]], and unknown to him their sounds drove away a [[Black Riders|Black Rider]] who was searching for [[Frodo Baggins]], [[Samwise Gamgee]] and [[Peregrin Took]] on the road near the [[Woody End]]. As they passed by them, Gildor was the hindmost, and seeing Frodo he greeted him, to his surprise. Gildor initially intended that the elves bid the [[hobbits]] farewell and continue on their way, until Pippin spoke of the Black Riders pursuing them. Upon hearing this, he invited the hobbits to join them, although it was not their custom. He rejoiced after hearing Frodo's [[Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo|Quenya greeting]] and gave him the title [[Elf-friends|Elf-friend]].  


Some argue that the name "Inglorion", which means "son of Inglor" suggests, that he was in fact the son of Finrod Felagund himself, who was at that time still called Inglor. There is, however, strong evidence against it.
At night they camped on a hill above [[Woodhall]]; they ate and sang, and Gildor discussed the peril that haunted the three hobbits. He sensed Frodo's fears and uncertainties about his travel to Rivendell, and was worried hearing that [[Gandalf]] had not returned as he had promised to Frodo. When Frodo asked whether he ought to wait for Gandalf, Gildor replied that the choice was Frodo's, but if he demanded counsel, then Gildor advised him not to wait but to follow Gandalf's plans, with trusty companions. However, he refused to tell him more of the nature of the mysterious Black Riders, except that they were agents of the [[Sauron|Enemy]], and deadly.<ref name="3IC"/>


In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' it is stated that Finrod had no wife, since he loved [[Amarië]] of the [[Vanyar]], who refused to go with him to the exile. This means that he could only have a son after he died in [[Middle-earth]] and went to the [[Halls of Mandos]]. He might have been resurrected by Mandos, and then married Amari&euml;. It is very unlikely  (probably impossible), however, that he would be allowed to return to Middle-earth. The only such instance would be [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel]], and it is doubtful that if that was the case, there would be no mention of it in Tolkien's writings. Furthermore, Gildor wouldn't describe himself as one of the Exiles.
After separating from the hobbits, he informed other [[Wandering Companies]] to be on the watch,<ref name="3IC"/> and sent word to the house of [[Tom Bombadil]], probably before the [[26 September|26th]].<ref>{{FR|I7}}</ref> He also spoke with [[Aragorn]]<ref>{{FR|I10}}</ref> and sent a message to [[Elrond]].<ref>{{FR|I12}}</ref>


Also, if he were Finrod's son, he would have right to claim High Kingship of the Noldor instead of [[Gil-galad]] after [[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon's]] death. It is also said that there were only two children—[[Idril]] and [[Orodreth of Nargothrond|Orodreth]]—of "the third generation from [[Finwë]] to go with the exiles."  
Two years later, on [[22 September]] {{TA|3021}}, he met the hobbits once again. He accompanied a riding of great Lords and Ladies, that planned to sail [[Aman|West]] on board the [[White Ship]]<ref>{{RK|VI9}}</ref> and probably he was among the Elves who sailed to the West.<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Gildor Inglorion"</ref><ref group=note>The narrative does not specify whether Gildor also boarded the ship to the West or if he was simply present as a companion.</ref>


It must be noted that when the name Inglor was abandoned for the character that would be Finrod, it is possible that the name reappeared, in [[Quenya]] form, for Finarfin (who in the earlier legendarium, was named Finrod). The essay ''[[Shibboleth of Fëanor]]'' mentions that Finarfin's full name was 'Finwë Arafinwë Ingalaurë'. If Ingalaurë is to be translated in [[Sindarin]] according to the sound-changing rules, this would become 'Inglor'.
==Etymology==
The meaning of ''Gildor'' is not given, but it can be deduced as [[Sindarin]] "Star Lord", from [[gil]] ("star") + -dor ("lord, king").<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=http://eldamo.org/content/words/word-879448255.html|articlename=S. ''Gildor'' m.|dated=|website=Eldamo|accessed=15 December 2019}}</ref>


It should also be noted that Tolkien initially used names from his (unpublished!) ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' writings rather at random in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and the first drafts of the sequel which would become the LotR: other examples are the mention of [[Gondolin]] and the appearance of [[Elrond]] in ''The Hobbit'', which were only later brought into alignment with the LotR and the unpublished mythology by a third edition of the book. It is likely that after realizing what the work had become Tolkien would have removed ''Inglorion'' as a name of Gildor, just like he intended to rename Glorfindel. In the end, neither of these changes actually were made.
The same applies to ''Inglorion'', which means "Son of Inglor", from ''[[-ion]]'' ("son of"), leading to the genealogical discussion explained below.


This all suggests that, while Gildor might have been initially intended to be Felagund's son, in the final version he probably became a member of the House of Finrod as one of its servants, not one of its sons—perhaps one of the knights of [[Nargothrond]], and a son of Inglor—a character unconnected to Finrod Felagund.
==Ancestry==
Gildor is one of the less prominently featured Elves, yet he seems important enough to raise questions concerning his lineage, or the identity of this character. Gildor calls himself "Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod". He also says: "''We are [[Exile of the Noldor|Exiles]], and most of our kindred have long departed and we too are only tarrying here a while, ere we return over the [[Belegaer|Great Sea]].''"<ref name="3IC"/>
It should be noted that Tolkien initially used names from his (unpublished) ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' writings rather at random in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and the first drafts of the sequel which would become ''The Lord of the Rings'': other examples are the mention of [[Gondolin]] and the appearance of [[Elrond]] in ''The Hobbit'', which were only later brought into alignment with ''The Lord of the Rings'' and the unpublished mythology by a third edition of the book.<ref name="L257">{{L|257}}</ref> This may be the case of the reference to the name "Finrod".


[[Category:High Elves]]
The name "Gildor" first appeared in the outlines of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' in February [[1938]],<ref>{{RS|Hobbiton}} (p. 45)</ref> and in Tolkien's notes of that time, "Finrod" still meant the character later known as [[Finarfin]]<ref name="RC3IC">{{HM|RC}}, "[[Three is Company]]", pages 103-4</ref> and [[Finrod|his son]] had the older name "[[Inglor]]".
 
However the name ''[[Inglor]]'' reappeared, in [[Quenya]] form, for Finarfin (who in the earlier legendarium, was named Finrod). Finarfin's [[Amilessë|mother-name]] was ''[[Ingalaurë]]''.<ref>{{PM|Shibboleth}}, note 30</ref> If Ingalaurë is to be translated in [[Sindarin]] according to the [[Sindarization|sound-changing rules]], this would become ''Inglor''. Thus, the connection of Gildor to the house of Finrod/Finarfin still remains in the updated legendarium.
 
This all suggests that, while Gildor might have been initially intended to be Felagund's son, in the final version he may have been a member of the House of Finrod as some other descendant, or servant, not one of Finrod's sons — perhaps one of the knights of [[Nargothrond]].
 
It is also possible that he was a son of a supposed "Inglor" — a character unconnected to Finrod Felagund.
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Gildor in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=3
|File:The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game - Gildor Inglorion, of the House of Finrod.jpg|Gildor Inglorion in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Gildor.JPG|Gildor Inglorion in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
 
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:[[Legolas]], here an Elf of Rivendell, tells Strider that Elrond had received news of the burden, but it is left unexplained how.
 
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Adapter [[Brian Sibley]] wanted to use as much of the original Elvish lines as possible. This meant that the heavily wounded Frodo told the line ''[[Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo]]'' to Glorfindel instead.
 
'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gildor is played by Charles Wirths.
 
'''2001-2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
: Despite not featuring in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]], Decipher produced a card depicting the character.
 
'''2001: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gildor is provided by Marián Geišberg.
 
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:This video game features both [[Tom Bombadil]] and [[Glorfindel]]. Tom apparently knows nothing of Frodo carrying the Ring, yet Glorfindel does - he is sent out by Elrond. Elrond had received a message, but from whom this message came is left untold.
 
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Gildor makes a brief appearance in the Hobbit introduction to the ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar|Shadows of Angmar]]'' driving out a [[Nazgûl|Black Rider]] in [[the Shire]]. He also appears in the hobbit village of [[Tighfield]], interacting with the village's children.
:Later he is also the representative for the elves for the Council of the North in the third book to the ''Shadows of Angmar'': "The Council of the North". Besides the epic story line, players can find him in the Elven refuge Lin Giliath near Esteldín in the [[North Downs]].
 
{{references|notes}}
[[Category:Calaquendi]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldorin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gildor Inglorion]]
[[de:Gildor Inglorion]]
[[fi:Gildor (haltia)]]
[[fi:Gildor (haltia)]]

Latest revision as of 13:13, 29 May 2023

This article is about the Noldorin Elf. For the member of Barahir's Outlaw Band, see Gildor (outlaw).
Gildor Inglorion
Noldo
Lori Deitrick - Gildor Inglorion.jpg
"Gildor Inglorion" by Lori Deitrick
Biographical Information
LocationRivendell
Family
HouseHouse of Finrod[1]
ParentagePossibly Inglor[2] (see below)
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Gildor Inglorion
"The Elves have their own labours and their own sorrows, and they are little concerned with the ways of hobbits, or of any other creatures upon earth. Our paths cross theirs seldom, by chance or purpose. In this meeting there may be more than chance; but the purpose is not clear to me, and I fear to say too much."
― Gildor Inglorion in The Fellowship of the Ring, "Three is Company"

Gildor Inglorion was a Noldorin Elf of the House of Finrod, who was one of the few Exiled Noldor in the late Third Age.

History[edit | edit source]

Gildor was probably the son of some Inglor[3] and one of the Exiles of the House of Finrod. It's possible that he was from around Rivendell.[4]

Feasting with the Elves by Alan Lee

Elven Wandering Companies crossed the Shire and Gildor knew well Bilbo and Frodo Baggins when they were out in the woods. Around September T.A. 3001, as Bilbo Baggins was leaving the Shire for Rivendell, Gildor met the hobbit as he waved them farewell in one of their camps above Woodhall. The following years he met him once more,[1] perhaps at Rivendell.[3]

Meeting Frodo[edit | edit source]

"Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill."
― Gildor Inglorion

In September T.A. 3018, he led a Wandering Company of Elves of Rivendell travelling eastwards from the Emyn Beraid, where they went to see Elbereth in the palantír that was kept there. On the 24th, they were singing, and unknown to him their sounds drove away a Black Rider who was searching for Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee and Peregrin Took on the road near the Woody End. As they passed by them, Gildor was the hindmost, and seeing Frodo he greeted him, to his surprise. Gildor initially intended that the elves bid the hobbits farewell and continue on their way, until Pippin spoke of the Black Riders pursuing them. Upon hearing this, he invited the hobbits to join them, although it was not their custom. He rejoiced after hearing Frodo's Quenya greeting and gave him the title Elf-friend.

At night they camped on a hill above Woodhall; they ate and sang, and Gildor discussed the peril that haunted the three hobbits. He sensed Frodo's fears and uncertainties about his travel to Rivendell, and was worried hearing that Gandalf had not returned as he had promised to Frodo. When Frodo asked whether he ought to wait for Gandalf, Gildor replied that the choice was Frodo's, but if he demanded counsel, then Gildor advised him not to wait but to follow Gandalf's plans, with trusty companions. However, he refused to tell him more of the nature of the mysterious Black Riders, except that they were agents of the Enemy, and deadly.[1]

After separating from the hobbits, he informed other Wandering Companies to be on the watch,[1] and sent word to the house of Tom Bombadil, probably before the 26th.[5] He also spoke with Aragorn[6] and sent a message to Elrond.[7]

Two years later, on 22 September T.A. 3021, he met the hobbits once again. He accompanied a riding of great Lords and Ladies, that planned to sail West on board the White Ship[8] and probably he was among the Elves who sailed to the West.[9][note 1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The meaning of Gildor is not given, but it can be deduced as Sindarin "Star Lord", from gil ("star") + -dor ("lord, king").[10]

The same applies to Inglorion, which means "Son of Inglor", from -ion ("son of"), leading to the genealogical discussion explained below.

Ancestry[edit | edit source]

Gildor is one of the less prominently featured Elves, yet he seems important enough to raise questions concerning his lineage, or the identity of this character. Gildor calls himself "Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod". He also says: "We are Exiles, and most of our kindred have long departed and we too are only tarrying here a while, ere we return over the Great Sea."[1]

It should be noted that Tolkien initially used names from his (unpublished) The Silmarillion writings rather at random in The Hobbit and the first drafts of the sequel which would become The Lord of the Rings: other examples are the mention of Gondolin and the appearance of Elrond in The Hobbit, which were only later brought into alignment with The Lord of the Rings and the unpublished mythology by a third edition of the book.[11] This may be the case of the reference to the name "Finrod".

The name "Gildor" first appeared in the outlines of The Lord of the Rings in February 1938,[12] and in Tolkien's notes of that time, "Finrod" still meant the character later known as Finarfin[13] and his son had the older name "Inglor".

However the name Inglor reappeared, in Quenya form, for Finarfin (who in the earlier legendarium, was named Finrod). Finarfin's mother-name was Ingalaurë.[14] If Ingalaurë is to be translated in Sindarin according to the sound-changing rules, this would become Inglor. Thus, the connection of Gildor to the house of Finrod/Finarfin still remains in the updated legendarium.

This all suggests that, while Gildor might have been initially intended to be Felagund's son, in the final version he may have been a member of the House of Finrod as some other descendant, or servant, not one of Finrod's sons — perhaps one of the knights of Nargothrond.

It is also possible that he was a son of a supposed "Inglor" — a character unconnected to Finrod Felagund.

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

Gildor in adaptations
Gildor Inglorion in The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game  
Gildor Inglorion in The Lord of the Rings Online  

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

Legolas, here an Elf of Rivendell, tells Strider that Elrond had received news of the burden, but it is left unexplained how.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Adapter Brian Sibley wanted to use as much of the original Elvish lines as possible. This meant that the heavily wounded Frodo told the line Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo to Glorfindel instead.

1992: Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series):

Gildor is played by Charles Wirths.

2001-2007: The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game:

Despite not featuring in The Lord of the Rings film series, Decipher produced a card depicting the character.

2001: Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series):

The voice of Gildor is provided by Marián Geišberg.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

This video game features both Tom Bombadil and Glorfindel. Tom apparently knows nothing of Frodo carrying the Ring, yet Glorfindel does - he is sent out by Elrond. Elrond had received a message, but from whom this message came is left untold.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Gildor makes a brief appearance in the Hobbit introduction to the Shadows of Angmar driving out a Black Rider in the Shire. He also appears in the hobbit village of Tighfield, interacting with the village's children.
Later he is also the representative for the elves for the Council of the North in the third book to the Shadows of Angmar: "The Council of the North". Besides the epic story line, players can find him in the Elven refuge Lin Giliath near Esteldín in the North Downs.

Notes

  1. ↑ The narrative does not specify whether Gildor also boarded the ship to the West or if he was simply present as a companion.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Three is Company"
  2. ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 103
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Matt Light, Lowell R. Matthews, "Gildor's Halls" dated 23 April 2000, The Tolkien List (accessed 23 April 2024)
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Donald Swann, The Road Goes Ever On, "A Elbereth Gilthoniel"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "In the House of Tom Bombadil"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Strider"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Flight to the Ford"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
  9. ↑ Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, entry "Gildor Inglorion"
  10. ↑ Paul Strack, "S. Gildor m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 15 December 2019)
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 257, (dated 16 July 1964)
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The First Phase: II. From Hobbiton to the Woody End" (p. 45)
  13. ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, "Three is Company", pages 103-4
  14. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", note 30
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