Finwë

From Tolkien Gateway
Finwë
Noldo
Kimberly - Finwe.jpg
"Finwe" by Kimberly
Biographical Information
PronunciationQ, [ˈfinwe]
Other namesÑoldóran Q)
TitlesKing of the Noldor
LocationEldamar (Tirion)
LanguageCommon Eldarin
Quenya
BirthBetween Y.T. 1050 and 1102
Cuiviénen
RuleY.T. 1105 - 1495
DeathY.T. 1495 (aged between 4,263 and 3,765 years)
Formenos
Family
HouseFounded the House of Finwë
ParentageUnknown (descendant of Tata & Tatië)[1]
SpouseMíriel Serindë
Indis
ChildrenFëanor (by Míriel)
Findis, Fingolfin, Írimë and Finarfin (by Indis)
Physical Description
GenderMale
Hair colorBlack[2]
Eye colorBright blue-grey[2]
GalleryImages of Finwë
"But Melkor was also there, and he came to the house of Fëanor and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark. "
Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Flight of the Noldor"

Finwë was the first King of the Noldor, who led his people on the journey from Middle-earth to Valinor in the blessed realm of Aman. He was a great friend of Elwë, who would later become the King of Doriath.

History[edit | edit source]

Life in Middle-earth[edit | edit source]

Ingwe, Finwe and Elwe by Peter Xavier Price

The first Elves awoke in Middle-earth near the bay of the Sea of Helcar, called Cuiviénen, in Y.T. 1050[3]. Oromë, the huntsman of the Valar, while travelling near the Orocarni mountains, discovered the Elves and became friends with them.

Later, the Valar decided to call the first Children of Ilúvatar to Valinor. The elves regarded this call with suspicion, so Oromë selected three elves to follow him into Aman and report back what they have seen, in the hopes that they could assuage the fears which were seeded into the hearts of the elves by Melkor. The three elven ambassadors were Ingwë, Finwë and Elwë, who would later become kings of the three factions into which the elven race was split.[4]

Enamoured by the wonders of Valinor, Finwë and his other two companions returned towards the Middle-earth and attempted to convince their respective peoples to follow them back into Aman. Those who agreed to follow Oromë received the name Eldar. Among them were Finwë's people, who would eventually become known as the Noldor. They later became students of Aulë the Smith.[4] Finwë's eldest son, Fëanor, would become the greatest craftsman among the Elves of Valinor.[5]

Life in Valinor[edit | edit source]

Finwë's heraldic device by J.R.R. Tolkien

Upon arriving in the blessed realm of Aman, Finwë was troubled only by the separation from his friend Elwë who chose to remain in Beleriand. The Noldor settled on the hill of Túna, raised for them by the Valar and, led by Finwë, they lived in the city of Tirion, which they shared with the Vanyar. It was during the building of Finwë's house that the masons found the earth-gems from which they crafted countless jewels to be given freely for the enrichment of Valinor. Later, Ingwë and his people left the city of Tirion and Finwë remained the only king to rule in Tirion.[5]

Finwë Mourning Míriel by Steamey

Finwë's first wife was Míriel Serindë, skilled in all things that required fineness. From their love a son was born, Curufinwë, who would later become known as Fëanor. As he was brought into the world, he depleted Míriel's strength and zest for life and she requested to be allowed to rest in the gardens of Lórien. Finwë was deeply saddened by this event. He did not wish to leave the young child without a mother, nor did he want him to be their last. But as his wife explained that what would have nourished many children was all invested in Fëanor, he had no other choice but to accept her request. And thus Míriel, with Manwë's counsel, was placed asleep in Irmo's gardens. Her fëa eventually departed from her body and she became the first person to die in Aman.[6]

This was a shocking event for all those present in Valinor, as never before had one of their own died of free will. For some time, Finwë lived in sorrow and he often visited Míriel's body, but as his loneliness and lack of joy increased, he stopped seeing her altogether. His entire love now rested with his son, Fëanor, who grew up to be mighty and skilled in all things of hands and mind. He married Nerdanel and gave Finwë seven grandchildren.

But Finwë was not content in living alone and he sought to marry for the second time. His second wife was Indis the Fair, a golden haired Vanya whom he loved and rejoiced in. She gave him two sons, Fingolfin and Finarfin, and two daughters, Findis and Írimë[7]. Though he was now blissful again, the shadow of Míriel never left the House, especially since Fëanor opposed his father's second marriage.

The sons of Finwë never lived together and never shared close bonds. After the later events surrounding the Silmarils, many blamed Finwë and his desire to have a second wife for the dreadful future misfortune of all those of his House. These accusations had no real merit, as Finwë had always loved his eldest son above all others, and the events surrounding his death would prove it.

Death[edit | edit source]

After three ages of imprisonment, Melkor was released from the duress of Mandos and, as he gained the trust of the Valar again, he was eventually allowed to roam freely in Valinor.[6] The treacherous Melkor lusted for the Silmarils, three great jewels made by the hands of Fëanor, at the might of his skill, and ever he sought a way to steal them. He had sown such lies that all the Noldor began to feel strife and mistrust, against themselves, against the other Elves, and even against the Valar.

The Darkening of Valinor by Jenny Dolfen

The House of Finwë was no exception. There was already argument between his sons, and these events only served to deepen these rifts. Finwë called a council and tried to moderate them towards one another. Fëanor arrived with a sword and threatened Fingolfin with it. Soon after that, the Valar called Fëanor to answer for his actions. The stem of the evil was exposed and Melkor's covert actions revealed. However, Fëanor was sentenced to twelve years of exile, and he removed himself north, to the fortress of Formenos. Due to the great love he had for his eldest son, Finwë renounced his throne as the King of the Noldor and followed Fëanor into exile.[8]

Melkor went to Formenos and told Fëanor that the Silmarils would not lie safe within the realm of the Valar, and offered to help Fëanor go to Middle-earth. Fëanor perceived that Melkor wanted the Silmarils for himself. He rejected Melkor, while Finwë sent messengers to Manwë. It was during a time of festival that Melkor returned. All the people of Valinor were engaged in the festivities except Finwë, who, out of devotion for Fëanor and bitterness for his son's exile, chose to remain in Formenos, thus refusing to obey Manwë's call.[9] After Melkor and Ungoliant destroyed the Two Trees of Valinor, they headed towards Formenos. Alone Finwë had the courage to stand before the horror of the Darkness. There, before the doors of Formenos, the former King of the Noldor was killed and the first blood was spilled in the realm of Aman. Melkor then forcefully entered the fortress and stole the Silmarils.[10]

Finwë's body was found shortly after by the Sons of Fëanor. His body was burned and destroyed as though by lightning[11] and his head was crushed as with a great mace of iron.[12] His sword lay beside him, twisted and untempered as if by lightning-stroke.[12][note 1]

After his death, Finwë dwelt for a time in the Halls of Mandos where he met Míriel, his first wife, again. Later, when the Valar agreed that Finwë should be brought back to life, he instead decided not to, thus giving Míriel a chance to be reincarnated.[13]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Finwë is said to be one of the oldest recorded names of the Eldar. It is not certain if Finwë had any clear meaning, but it can be analysed as fin-, derived from Common Eldarin PHIN ("hair") + -wë (suffix generally used for male names).[14]:340

Other names[edit | edit source]

In the Sindarized forms his son's names, the name Finwë is given reduced as fin. Treated as a proper name, the Sindarin equivalent would have been Finu, or Fim in North Sindarin.[14]:344

The title Ñoldóran ("King of the Ñoldor") is the only recorded name of Finwë apart of his own.[14]:343 It is apparently a compound of Noldo + aran ("king").[15]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
Tata
awoke in Y.T. 1050
 
Tatië
awoke in Y.T. 1050
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Míriel
d. Y.T. 1170
 
FINWË
d. Y.T. 1495
 
Indis
b. Y.T.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fëanor
Y.T. 1169 - 1497
 
Findis
b. Y.T.
 
Fingolfin
Y.T. 1190 - F.A. 456
 
Írimë
b. Y.T.
 
Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
House of Fëanor
 
 
 
 
 
House of Fingolfin
 
 
 
 
 
House of Finarfin

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

The Book of Lost Tales[edit | edit source]

In The Book of Lost Tales, the lord of the Noldoli was also called Nólemë, or Finwë Nólemë. He was the father, rather than grandfather, of Turgon, and was unrelated to Fëanor. Nólemë was one of the original Elven ambassadors sent to Valinor, and he afterwards led the Noldoli on their journey there.[16] When Fëanor called for the Noldoli to abandon their home of Kôr in Valinor, Nólemë counselled against this, but his wisdom was paid little heed. Not wishing to be separated from his people, Nólemë left Valinor with them.[17]

In an early outline for The History of the Exiled Gnomes, Nólemë's death took place soon after the birth of his son Turgon at the Waters of Asgon, where the Noldoli had encamped. In a later outline, Fëanor rather than Nólemë died at Mithrim (Asgon). The Noldoli then left Mithrim and the Land of Shadows, and Nólemë's host grew after this escape. His chief camp was established by Sirion. Nólemë's son Turgon was born at some point during this time. Nólemë was the leader of the Noldoli in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears that occurred later. He was isolated and slain during the battle, and the Orcs cut out his heart. Turgon rescued his father's heart and body, and the scarlet heart became Turgon's emblem. Nólemë's role of leadership and death in the Battle of Unnumbered tears would be filled by Fingon in the later legendarium.[18]

Later versions[edit | edit source]

In the first drafts of the genealogy, Finwë had four sons: the youngest was named Finrun[19], but he was dropped after that, thus Finrod (later Finarfin) was Finwë's youngest son from then on.

In a later version, Finwë had three daughters by Indis: Findis (as their first child), Faniel (as their third), and Finvain (as their youngest).[20] In yet later versions, Faniel was apparently dropped, while Findis and Finvain were kept. Finvain (renamed Írimë) was moved to after Fingolfin, thus Finarfin was once again the youngest child of Finwë.

The Nature of Middle-earth: Key Dates[edit | edit source]

Text 1[edit | edit source]

In The Nature of Middle-earth, Finwë was born in VY 865/104 (2120)[note 2] as a direct descendant, in the 25th generation, of Tata.[21]

In VY 866/1 (2163) Melkor, suspecting that the Valar purposed war against him, has his emissaries circulate lies amongst the Elves that the Valar had, rightly, abandoned Endor (Middle-earth) as the appointed realm of the Elves, but were now becoming jealous, and wished to control the Elves as vassals and re-posses Endor for themselves. Finwë, a gallant and adventurous young Elf, was much taken in by these ideas.[21]

Finwë as Ambassador[edit | edit source]

In VY 866/50 (2212) the Elves received invitation from the Valar to live in Valinor in order to protect them from the upcoming war and Finwë, along with Ingwë and Elwë, were elected from their kindreds as the Three Ambassadors to travel to Valinor as representatives. They arrive in VY 866/51 (2123) where they were dazzled and overawed; Finwë became the most converted as he sees Valinor as a place where his lover Míriel, already devoted to crafts, will have the marvellous chance of learning new skills. The Ambassadors remained in Valinor until VY 866/60 (2222), as both Ingwë and Finwë were reluctant to hurry away, and returned to Cuiviénen in VY 866/61 where the Debate of the Quendi was held.[21]

During the debate, Finwë argued for the Elves to accept the offer of the Valar, speaking of both the riches of knowledge and crafts, and of the upcoming war. He spoke that the Elves had only seen "the skirts of the Shadow", and that they did not realize what dreadful power the Valar have or what the War that was about to be waged will entail to Endor. His speech was very effective, as many who could not conceive of Valinor's attraction, were frightened by what might befall them if they remain.[21]

Finwë as assistant[edit | edit source]

In an alternate scheme, the Three Fathers (Imin, Tata, and Enel) were the Ambassadors, with Finwë, Ingwë, and Elwë as assistants and representatives of the younger Elves. During the Debate, Imin and Tata who were both very impressed by the Valar, spoke in favour of accepting the invitation. When the younger assistants speak Finwë, possibly being more rebellious and independent, speaks with less deference than Ingwë towards the Three Fathers and hints that Tata did not employ his time fully or rightly depicted the wealth of the Valar in wisdom and skills; he has undisclosed thoughts about enhancing the skills of his lover Míriel. Finwë's most effective point remains in frightening the Elves of probable ruin in the upcoming War.[21]

Text 2A[edit | edit source]

Finwë is born in VY 872/3 (1010) and departs as an Ambassador, already betrothed to Míriel, in VY 872/50 (1058).[22]

Text 3[edit | edit source]

Finwë departs as Ambassador in VY 1393. In this version the invitation coincides with the War, as the Ambassadors return in 1394 between the start of the attack on Angband in 1393 and its fall in 1395. The Great March begins in 1396.[23]

The Nature of Middle-earth: Other[edit | edit source]

In Generational Schemes Finwë, along with Ingwë and Elwë, are 6th generation Elves, each a direct descendant by eldest sons, of Tata, Imin, and Enel respectively. Finwë was born in FA 772, 92 years before the Finding by Oromë. He would have married Míriel about 1084, but postponed marriage until the end of the Great Journey.[24]

Alternatively, Finwë is postulated as being born in FA 2120 as a 25th generation direct heir to Tata. He was 92 years old at Embassy, and 112 at the beginning of the Great Journey.[25]

Notes

  1. Christopher Tolkien notes that the two accounts of Finwë's death "may not be death altogether contradictory, for in the present text Maedros speaks of seeing a sudden flame out of the Cloud of Ungoliantë, followed by ‘one piercing cry’, and of finding Finwë’s sword ‘twisted and untempered as if by lightning-stroke’. - J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Of the Thieves' Quarrel": Commentary, commentary, §10
  2. In this reckoning, each Valian Year is equivalent to 144 solar years. The "/104" denotes an additional 104 solar years after the start of VY 865. The year 2120 isn't a direct conversion from "VY 865/104", but a reference to solar years since the start of the First Age with Awakening of the Elves in VY 850.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XVII. Generational Schemes", p. 127
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "Notes", Note 19, p. 357
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Two. The Annals of Aman: Second section of the Annals of Aman", pp. 71-4
  4. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
  5. 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië"
  6. 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", The names of Finwë's descendants
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Darkening of Valinor"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar", p. 248
  12. 12.0 12.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Of the Rape of the Silmarils", §10
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar, Of the Severance of Marriage", pp. 248-249
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", "The names of Finwë's descendants"
  15. Helge Fauskanger, "Quettaparma Quenyallo", Ardalambion (accessed 19 March 2024)
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "V. The Coming of the Elves and the Making of Kôr", pp. 115-9
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "VII. The Flight of the Noldoli", pp. 162-3
  18. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "X. Gilfanon's Tale: The Travail of the Noldoli and the Coming of Mankind", pp. 238-43
  19. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "III. The Quenta: Appendix 1: Fragments of a translation of The Quenta Noldorinwa into Old English, made by Ælfwine or Eriol; together with Old English equivalents of Elvish names", p. 213
  20. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XI. The Shibboleth of Fëanor", p. 359 note 26
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XIII. Key Dates", pp. 98-102
  22. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XIII. Key Dates", p. 103
  23. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XIII. Key Dates", p. 105
  24. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XVII. Generational Schemes", p. 122
  25. J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part One. Time and Ageing: XVII. Generational Schemes", p. 132
Finwë
House of Finwë
Born: Between Y.T. 1050 and 1102 Died: Y.T. 1495
None
Tata, as Chieftain of the Tatyar
1st King of the Noldor
Y.T. 11051495
Followed by:
Fëanor & Fingolfin