Glamdring: Difference between revisions

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==History==
==History==
===Beater===
===Beater===
Glamdring was originally borne by Turgon, the King of [[Gondolin]]<ref name="shortrest">''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[A Short Rest]]</ref>. He must have wielded it with strength during the [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad]] or the [[Fall of Gondolin]], for the [[Orcs]] named it "[[Beater]]", and fled before it. Up until the late [[Third Age]], orcs of the [[Misty Mountains]] knew of this legendary sword, so it must have done some damage<ref name="overhill">''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Over Hill and Under Hill]]</ref>.  
Glamdring was originally borne by Turgon, the King of [[Gondolin]]<ref name="shortrest">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[A Short Rest]]</ref>. He must have wielded it with strength during the [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad]] or the [[Fall of Gondolin]], for the [[Orcs]] named it "[[Beater]]", and fled before it. Up until the late [[Third Age]], orcs of the [[Misty Mountains]] knew of this legendary sword, so it must have done some damage<ref name="overhill">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Over Hill and Under Hill]]</ref>.  


The name most likely originated in the Nírnaeth Arnoediad, where it is said that Turgon "hewed his way to the side of [[Fingon|his brother]]"<ref>''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]</ref>. No other tales mention the actions of the sword, and it is unknown what happened to it during the Fall of Gondolin. Turgon perished as the [[Tower of the King]] fell on top of him, but of the fate of Glamdring nothing is told <ref>''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin]]</ref>.
The name most likely originated in the [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad]], where it is said that Turgon "hewed his way to the side of [[Fingon|his brother]]"<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]</ref>. No other tales mention the actions of the sword, and it is unknown what happened to it during the Fall of Gondolin. Turgon perished as the [[Tower of the King]] fell on top of him, but of the fate of Glamdring nothing is told <ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin]]</ref>.


===Survival===
===Survival===
The sword miraculously survived roughly 6500 years from the Fall of Gondolin in [[First Age 510|F.A. 510]] to its eventual rediscovery in [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]]. In that period, it traveled from [[Gondolin]] to a [[Trolls|Troll]]'s cave in the [[Trollshaws]].
The sword miraculously survived roughly 6500 years from the Fall of Gondolin in [[First Age 510|F.A. 510]] to its eventual rediscovery in [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]]. In that period, it traveled from [[Gondolin]] to a [[Trolls|Troll]]'s cave in the [[Trollshaws]]. Most likely, it was plunderded from other plunderers, or carried off to the Misty Mountains soon after the Fall of Gondolin<ref name="shortrest"/>.  
Most likely, it was plunderded from other plunderers, or carried off to the Misty Mountains soon after the Fall of Gondolin<ref name="shortrest"/>.  


===At Gandalf's side===
===At Gandalf's side===
In May [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]], [[Gandalf]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Thorin and Company|a group of dwarves]] encountered three trolls in the Trollshaws - [[William Huggins|William]], [[Bert]] and [[Tom]]. The Trolls captured Bilbo and the Dwarves, but Gandalf destroyed them by exposing them to sunlight. Glamdring, along with [[Orcrist]] and [[Sting]], were found in a cave nearby<ref name="mutton">''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Roast Mutton]]</ref>. Gandalf claimed the weapon as his own, amazed by its appearance and inscription. The inscription was set in a script of [[runes]] Gandalf did not know; he needed the knowledge of Elrond for that. Elrond translated the runes, and called it by its Mannish name: "[[Foe-hammer]]"<ref name="shortrest"/>.   
In May [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]], [[Gandalf]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Thorin and Company|a group of dwarves]] encountered three trolls in the Trollshaws - [[William Huggins|William]], [[Bert]] and [[Tom]]. The Trolls captured Bilbo and the Dwarves, but Gandalf destroyed them by exposing them to sunlight. Glamdring, along with [[Orcrist]] and [[Sting]], were found in a cave nearby<ref name="mutton">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Roast Mutton]]</ref>. Gandalf claimed the weapon as his own, amazed by its appearance and inscription. The inscription was set in a script of [[runes]] Gandalf did not know; he needed the knowledge of Elrond for that. Elrond translated the runes, and called it by its Mannish name: "[[Foe-hammer]]"<ref name="shortrest"/>.   
[[Image:Donato Giancola - You Cannot Pass.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Gandalf wielding Glamdring, by [[Donato Giancola]].]]
[[Image:Donato Giancola - You Cannot Pass.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Gandalf wielding Glamdring, by [[Donato Giancola]].]]
Gandalf would use the sword well; its first victim was the [[Great Goblin]]. Other Orcs fled as they recognized the sword as "Beater". This means that either some Orcs were at the [[Fall of Gondolin]], or that they had legends about two glowing swords - Beater and [[Biter]]<ref name="overhill"/>. Whether Gandalf used the sword again during the [[The Hobbit|Quest for Erebor]] is uncertain, though it is likely that he wielded it in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].  
Gandalf would use the sword well; its first victim was the [[Great Goblin]]. Other Orcs fled as they recognized the sword as "Beater". This means that either some Orcs were at the [[Fall of Gondolin]], or that they had legends about two glowing swords - Beater and [[Biter]]<ref name="overhill"/>. Whether Gandalf used the sword again during the [[The Hobbit|Quest for Erebor]] is uncertain, though it is likely that he wielded it in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].  


Gandalf bore Glamdring at his side when the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] left [[Rivendell]] in [[Third Age 3018|T.A. 3018]]<ref>''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Ring Goes South]]</ref>. He used the blade during the [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul]], and a short time thereafter in the standoff with [[Durin's Bane|the Balrog]]<ref>''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]</ref>. After the collapse of the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm|bridge]], Gandalf and the Balrog fought on to the [[Endless Stair]] and [[Durin's Tower]], but he does not tell whether he used Glamdring or his staff in the [[Battle of the Peak]]<ref>''[[The Two Towers]]'', [[The White Rider]]</ref>.   
Gandalf bore Glamdring at his side when the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] left [[Rivendell]] in [[Third Age 3018|T.A. 3018]]<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Ring Goes South]]</ref>. He used the blade during the [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul]], and a short time thereafter in the standoff with [[Durin's Bane|the Balrog]]<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]</ref>. After the collapse of the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm|bridge]], Gandalf and the Balrog fought on to the [[Endless Stair]] and [[Durin's Tower]], but he does not tell whether he used Glamdring or his staff in the [[Battle of the Peak]]<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Two Towers]]'', [[The White Rider]]</ref>.   


Gandalf's spirit perished there, but was sent back because his task was not yet complete. He had Glamdring with him when he met the [[Three Hunters]]; he gave it to [[Háma]] at [[Edoras]], when asked to surrender it<ref>''[[The Two Towers]]'', [[The King of the Golden Hall]]</ref>. Gandalf would continue to bear it throughout the [[War of the Ring]], but it is not mentioned again until Gandalf, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] arrive at the [[Prancing Pony]] in [[Bree]]. Gandalf and the Hobbits had seen so much war at the time that wearing a weapon did not seem odd<ref>''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[Homeward Bound]]</ref>.
Gandalf's spirit perished there, but was sent back because his task was not yet complete. He had Glamdring with him when he met the [[Three Hunters]]; he gave it to [[Háma]] at [[Edoras]], when asked to surrender it<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Two Towers]]'', [[The King of the Golden Hall]]</ref>. Gandalf would continue to bear it throughout the [[War of the Ring]], but it is not mentioned again until Gandalf, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] arrive at the [[Prancing Pony]] in [[Bree]]. Gandalf and the Hobbits had seen so much war at the time that wearing a weapon did not seem odd<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[Homeward Bound]]</ref>.


===Fate===
===Fate===
On [[September 29]], [[Third Age 3021|T.A. 3021]], Gandalf left [[Middle-earth]] and sailed into the West<ref>''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Grey Havens]]</ref>. It is very likely that he took Glamdring with him. In a letter to a Miss Northey, [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] tells of [[Shadowfax]]' fate. He went with Gandalf across the sea, but the chronicler ([[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]) was too overcome with grief to notice<ref>''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 268]] (dated [[January 19]], [[1965]])</ref>. In this light, it is inconceivable that Gandalf for some reason left Glamdring behind.  
On [[September 29]], [[Third Age 3021|T.A. 3021]]<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[Appendix B]]'', "The Chief Days from the Fall of Barad-dûr to the End of the Third Age"</ref>, Gandalf left [[Middle-earth]] and sailed into the West<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Return of the King]]'', [[The Grey Havens]]</ref>. It is very likely that he took Glamdring with him. In a letter to a Miss Northey, [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] tells of [[Shadowfax]]' fate. He went with Gandalf across the sea, but the chronicler ([[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]) was too overcome with grief to notice<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Humphrey Carpenter]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (eds.), ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 268]] (dated [[January 19]], [[1965]])</ref>. In this light, it is inconceivable that Gandalf for some reason left Glamdring behind.  


==Appearance==
==Appearance==
Glamdring and Orcrist are described in ''The Hobbit'' as having "beautiful scabbards and jeweled hilts"<ref name="mutton"/>. They would glow blue in the presence of Orcs. The sword of Turgon (whether or not this is Glamdring remains open to debate) is described as "a white and gold sword in a ruel-bone (ivory) sheath"<ref>''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin]], note 31</ref>.
Glamdring and Orcrist are described in ''The Hobbit'' as having "beautiful scabbards and jeweled hilts"<ref name="mutton"/>. They would glow blue in the presence of Orcs. The sword of Turgon (whether or not this is Glamdring remains open to debate) is described as "a white and gold sword in a ruel-bone (ivory) sheath"<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin]], note 31</ref>.


===Rune inscription===
===Rune inscription===
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==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The word ''Glamdring'' is comprised of two elements. The first element is ''[[Glamhoth|glam]]'', literally meaning "noisy", but poetically used as "Orc". The second element is ''dring'', said to mean "hammer"<ref>''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', [[The Etymologies]], roots GLAM- and DRING-</ref>. Its Common Speech name was ''Foe-hammer''<ref name="shortrest"/>.  
The word ''Glamdring'' is comprised of two elements. The first element is ''[[Glamhoth|glam]]'', literally meaning "noisy", but poetically used as "Orc". The second element is ''dring'', said to mean "hammer"<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings]]'', [[The Etymologies]], roots GLAM- and DRING-</ref>. Its Common Speech name was ''Foe-hammer''<ref name="shortrest"/>.  


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
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{{weapons}}
{{weapons}}


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[[Category:Swords]]
[[Category:Swords]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

Revision as of 13:17, 1 October 2008

Template:Featurednominations

Glamdring
John Howe - Glamdring.jpg
LocationGondolin, various
AppearanceSword with gemstones and runes
GalleryImages of Glamdring
"This, Gandalf, was Glamdring, Foe-hammer that the king of Gondolin once wore."
Elrond, A Short Rest

Glamdring was a sword, said to have belonged to Turgon, but best known as the sword of Gandalf during the War of the Ring. It was known in Westron as the Foe-hammer, and Orcs knew it as Beater.

History

Beater

Glamdring was originally borne by Turgon, the King of Gondolin[1]. He must have wielded it with strength during the Nírnaeth Arnoediad or the Fall of Gondolin, for the Orcs named it "Beater", and fled before it. Up until the late Third Age, orcs of the Misty Mountains knew of this legendary sword, so it must have done some damage[2].

The name most likely originated in the Nírnaeth Arnoediad, where it is said that Turgon "hewed his way to the side of his brother"[3]. No other tales mention the actions of the sword, and it is unknown what happened to it during the Fall of Gondolin. Turgon perished as the Tower of the King fell on top of him, but of the fate of Glamdring nothing is told [4].

Survival

The sword miraculously survived roughly 6500 years from the Fall of Gondolin in F.A. 510 to its eventual rediscovery in T.A. 2941. In that period, it traveled from Gondolin to a Troll's cave in the Trollshaws. Most likely, it was plunderded from other plunderers, or carried off to the Misty Mountains soon after the Fall of Gondolin[1].

At Gandalf's side

In May T.A. 2941, Gandalf, Bilbo Baggins and a group of dwarves encountered three trolls in the Trollshaws - William, Bert and Tom. The Trolls captured Bilbo and the Dwarves, but Gandalf destroyed them by exposing them to sunlight. Glamdring, along with Orcrist and Sting, were found in a cave nearby[5]. Gandalf claimed the weapon as his own, amazed by its appearance and inscription. The inscription was set in a script of runes Gandalf did not know; he needed the knowledge of Elrond for that. Elrond translated the runes, and called it by its Mannish name: "Foe-hammer"[1].

Gandalf wielding Glamdring, by Donato Giancola.

Gandalf would use the sword well; its first victim was the Great Goblin. Other Orcs fled as they recognized the sword as "Beater". This means that either some Orcs were at the Fall of Gondolin, or that they had legends about two glowing swords - Beater and Biter[2]. Whether Gandalf used the sword again during the Quest for Erebor is uncertain, though it is likely that he wielded it in the Battle of Five Armies.

Gandalf bore Glamdring at his side when the Fellowship of the Ring left Rivendell in T.A. 3018[6]. He used the blade during the Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul, and a short time thereafter in the standoff with the Balrog[7]. After the collapse of the bridge, Gandalf and the Balrog fought on to the Endless Stair and Durin's Tower, but he does not tell whether he used Glamdring or his staff in the Battle of the Peak[8].

Gandalf's spirit perished there, but was sent back because his task was not yet complete. He had Glamdring with him when he met the Three Hunters; he gave it to Háma at Edoras, when asked to surrender it[9]. Gandalf would continue to bear it throughout the War of the Ring, but it is not mentioned again until Gandalf, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin arrive at the Prancing Pony in Bree. Gandalf and the Hobbits had seen so much war at the time that wearing a weapon did not seem odd[10].

Fate

On September 29, T.A. 3021[11], Gandalf left Middle-earth and sailed into the West[12]. It is very likely that he took Glamdring with him. In a letter to a Miss Northey, J.R.R. Tolkien tells of Shadowfax' fate. He went with Gandalf across the sea, but the chronicler (Sam) was too overcome with grief to notice[13]. In this light, it is inconceivable that Gandalf for some reason left Glamdring behind.

Appearance

Glamdring and Orcrist are described in The Hobbit as having "beautiful scabbards and jeweled hilts"[5]. They would glow blue in the presence of Orcs. The sword of Turgon (whether or not this is Glamdring remains open to debate) is described as "a white and gold sword in a ruel-bone (ivory) sheath"[14].

Rune inscription

When he took the sword, Gandalf said he could not read the runes. Elrond did, however. This could be considered strange, because in The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf is portrayed as a person of at least equal wisdom and knowledge to Elrond.

A fitting explanation of this problem would be the "Gondolinic Runes", devised by Tolkien in either 1924 or 1930. This set of Runes was first published in 1992[15]. In this script, an inscription "GLAMDRING" would read "MZ(unknown)ŪNRI(unknown)M" in Angerthas Moria. The actual inscription remains unclear, however.

Etymology

The word Glamdring is comprised of two elements. The first element is glam, literally meaning "noisy", but poetically used as "Orc". The second element is dring, said to mean "hammer"[16]. Its Common Speech name was Foe-hammer[1].

Portrayal in adaptations

1977: Rankin/Bass' The Hobbit:

Gandalf acquires Glamdring in the trolls' cave. Elrond recognizes the sword at first glance; perhaps he simply deduces the fact that it was Glamdring because he had identified its mate Orcrist just before. After leaving Rivendell, Gandalf does not use Glamdring again.

1978: Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings:

Glamdring is portrayed as an ordinary longsword, with no inscription visible. It is featured as the centerpiece of most posters, although it does not feature so prominently in the movie. It is not named in the film.

1980: Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King:

Gandalf does not use a sword, only his staff.

2002: Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring:

Glamdring is a longsword. It glows with pale light when enemies are near, and can be used to enhance spells.

2001-3; Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings:

Glamdring is a longsword that does not glow blue in the presence of Orcs. The sword is, according to most replicas, 47 inches (approximately 120 centimeters) long[17].
The rune inscription is engraved in the cross-guard, and adds power to the sword. With this extra power Gandalf was able to defeat Durin's Bane[18]. The actual inscription reads as thus:
"Turgon aran Gondolin tortha gar a matha i vegil Glamdring gûd daedheloth, dam an Glamhoth".
This is Sindarin, and translates to "Turgon, king of Gondolin, wields, has, and holds the sword Glamdring, Foe of Morgoth's realm, Hammer of the Orcs"[18].

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, A Short Rest
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, Over Hill and Under Hill
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin
  5. 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, Roast Mutton
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Ring Goes South
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Bridge of Khazad-dûm
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, The White Rider
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, The King of the Golden Hall
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, Homeward Bound
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Chief Days from the Fall of Barad-dûr to the End of the Third Age"
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, The Grey Havens
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 268 (dated January 19, 1965)
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin, note 31
  15. First published in Mythlore 69, pages 20-25 (edited by Paul Nolan Hyde), analysed in issue 70, pages 23-24 (by Carl F. Hostetter). See also J.R.R. Tolkien, "Gondolinic Runes", in Parma Eldalamberon 15 (edited by Christopher Gilson), page 111-113. A reproduction of the runes by Lisa Star: "Runes of Gondolin"
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, The Etymologies, roots GLAM- and DRING-
  17. The Noble Collection Glamdring, Weaponmasters.com
  18. 18.0 18.1 Chris Smith, The Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare, page 68-69
Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium
 Arrows:  Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow
Axes:  Dramborleg · Durin's Axe
Bows:  Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim
Knives:  Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting
Maces:  Grond
Spears:  Aeglos
Swords:  Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril ·  Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë