Thingol
| Biography: Thingol | |
|---|---|
| Birth - Death | First Age YT 1100 – FA 503 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Thingol | |
| Child(ren): | Lúthien, Túrin Turambar (human foster-son) |
| Info: | King of Doriath and Lord of Beleriand |
Thingol, also known as King Greycloak, the Hidden King, and the King of Doriath, was one of the two Kings of the Teleri.
As the King of Doriath and acknowledged High King of the Sindar in Beleriand, Thingol was a central figure of the First Age, instigating the quest for the Silmaril which shaped the fate of Elves and Men but ultimately led to his downfall.
Thingol alone of all the Children of Ilúvatar wedded one of the Ainur, a Maia maiden, and through their daughter Lúthien he became the ancestor of the royal line of Númenor and all the Kings of the Dúnedain, including Aragorn.
History
Thingol was born at Cuiviénen before the rising of the Sun and Moon. After the Chaining of Melkor, the Vala Oromë took ambassadors including Thingol to Aman to persuade the Elves to undertake the Great Journey. Returning, Thingol led the largest host, the Teleri. In Eastern Beleriand, Thingol wandered into the area where he met a Maiar maiden. Enchanted, he remained with her and disappeared from his people. Many Teleri departed, but others remained behind, awaiting their lost lord.
In Y.T. 1152 Thingol returned with his bride, transformed by her power and his vision of the Two Trees. He became King Elu Thingol and founded the realm of Doriath, encircled later by a protective magic. His people became known as the Sindar or Grey Elves. Thingol claimed lordship over all of Beleriand, though he kept his kingdom hidden and protected. On his wife's counsel, Thingol allied with the Dwarves of Belegost, who built his hidden caves for him. He granted the green-clad elves the land of Ossiriand and later resisted the return of Morgoth. In the first battle of Beleriand he defended Doriath, though the High Elves of Ossiriand suffered grievous losses.
Relations with the Noldor were tense. Though he allowed them to settle in Beleriand, he distrusted their motives. After learning of the Kinslaying at Eldamar, he forbade the use of Quenya in his realm, ensuring the dominance of Sindarin as the common Elven tongue. Thingol's only child was Lúthien, who came to love the mortal Beren, whom she met while dancing in Neldoreth. Thingol opposed the union and set an impossible bride-price: a Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown. Against all odds Beren and Lúthien succeeded, leading to the wolf hunt and the deaths of Beren, Huan, and later Lúthien herself. By Lúthien’s plea, both were restored to life but mortal, and they dwelt on an island.
Thingol later fostered Túrin Turambar, son of Húrin. He permitted him to fight beside Beleg Strongbow, and after Túrin’s exile gave Beleg a black sword. This bond tied Doriath to Túrin’s tragic fate. After Túrin’s death, Húrin brought Thingol sought to unite the Silmaril within a necklace, employing Dwarven craftsmen. When they coveted the jewel and Thingol scorned them, they slew him inside his caves. His death precipitated the ruin of Doriath.
Etymology
The name *Thingol* means “Greymantle,” from Sindarin thin(d) (“grey”) + coll (“cloak, mantle”). His Quenya name was *Singollo* (“star-man, Greymantle”).
In-game mentions
- Quest:Chapter 6.1: The Halls of the Elvenking mentions Thingol twice.