Authority of the High King - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aiwendil · 09-10-2002, 05:11 PM

The High King of the Noldor did not, it seems, directly rule all the Noldor. The Noldor had several kings ruling over several distinct kingdoms. At the least, there were three broad kingdoms - the Feanorians, the Fingolfinians, and the Finarfinians. There was also Gondolin, which was autonomous of the rest of the house of Fingolfin; Turgon was called 'king' before he was the high king. The land controlled by Angrod and Aegnor may have been considered an independent kingdom as well.

The high king, then, did not rule directly over all of his people. He was, rather, recognized as an authority above the various other kings. He also had his own kingdom, over which he did rule directly.

By the way, I'm not sure whether the title 'High King' was ever actually used by Tolkien; I haven't been able to find it in any of the texts. It may have been invented by Christopher. Nonetheless, I think the concept of a high king - i.e., a single overruler of the Noldor - is definitely present.

09-10-2002, 05:11 PM	#7
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	The High King of the Noldor did not, it seems, directly rule all the Noldor. The Noldor had several kings ruling over several distinct kingdoms. At the least, there were three broad kingdoms - the Feanorians, the Fingolfinians, and the Finarfinians. There was also Gondolin, which was autonomous of the rest of the house of Fingolfin; Turgon was called 'king' before he was the high king. The land controlled by Angrod and Aegnor may have been considered an independent kingdom as well. The high king, then, did not rule directly over all of his people. He was, rather, recognized as an authority above the various other kings. He also had his own kingdom, over which he did rule directly. By the way, I'm not sure whether the title 'High King' was ever actually used by Tolkien; I haven't been able to find it in any of the texts. It may have been invented by Christopher. Nonetheless, I think the concept of a high king - i.e., a single overruler of the Noldor - is definitely present.