June 11, 2003

Elvish Kings and Family Trees
Niphredil

Maeglin and G, this is my understanding of the Vanyar and Noldor King situation, someone please correct me if I’m wrong.

Ingwe is the King of the Vanyar (Fair Elves) and is High King of all the Quendi (all Elvenkind) whether they are in Aman or Middle-Earth.

Finwe was the first King of the Noldor, He had 3 sons. Feanor (whose mother was Finwe’s first wife, Miriel of the Noldor), Fingolfin and Finarfin (whose mother was Finwe’s second wife, Indis of the Vanyar who I think was related to Ingwe - not sure how).

Finwe was killed in Aman by Melkor. After his death, Feanor and Fingolfin rebelled against the Valar and went off to Middle-Earth to avenge the ‘hurts of their house’. Finarfin ummed and ahhed a bit, repented and then decided to stay in Aman. But Finarfin’s children (who included Galadriel) went off to Middle-Earth and all got killed (except for Galadriel).

The Noldor who rebelled and returned to Middle-Earth set up a new High-Kingship to show how they had severed their old allegiances. Feanor was killed in the Battle-under-Stars. He had seven sons. His eldest son and heir, Maedhros, was taken prisoner by Morgoth not long after the battle and was tortured. He was rescued by Fingon (Fingolfin’s oldest son) and in gratitude for his rescue, offered Fingolfin the Noldor High-Kingship (which he took). Fingolfin was eventually killed when he challenged Morgoth to single combat and Fingon became High-King. Fingon was killed by a Balrog 15 years later, so his younger brother Turgon became High-King. Turgon was killed defending his city of Gondolin, and then the High-Kingship passed to Gil-galad, Fingon’s son. Gil-galad ruled the longest of all the Noldor High-kings (three thousand years) and was killed by Sauron at the Battle of the Last Alliance. This was the end of the Noldor High-King title which was never revived. The leadership of the remaining elves was then given to Elrond of Imladris, who had been Gil-galad’s herald.

This was a long-winded way of saying that I think Ingwe is the ‘official’ High-King of all elves and King of the Vanyar, and that Finarfin is the ‘official’ King of the Noldor, being Finwe’s only surviving son who didn't rebel against the Valar.