Speaking of a Silly Poll

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Oh, this was just too good an idea to disappear...

Read, and then decide...

[Roa_Aoife]

Finwe. His bravery in facing Melkor was so amazing. He also showed wisdom in answering the call of the Valar. And he's Number One!


And I hate Feanor. He's ... well, it's not a word the language filters would allow. (No offense to Feanor of the Downs.)

[Son of Númenor]

I chose Fëanor, because I've always had a soft spot for brilliant and tortured minds who eventually collapse into paranoia and self-destruction. And "Sil Kitchen" is still the greatest single of all time. Er, I mean...

[Kuruharan]

...and vote Finrod.

He may not have been The Noldorian High King, but he was a Noldorian king.

[Nilpaurion Felagund]

[I'm going to continue my habit of perversely refusing to answer the question asked...]

...and vote Finrod.

He may not have been The Noldorian High King, but he was a Noldorian king. (Kuru)

Hear, hear! My father was one of the greatest of the Noldorin princes, and he was the youngest one, at that.

I maintain that he is the only one of the Noldor to break the Doom of Mandos through his own deed (keeping his oath to Beren). Besides, his duel against Sauron is no lesser deed compared to Fingolfin's duel with Morgoth.

But he wasn't a high king. *sigh*

Vzv, Elu, my granddad Finarfin did not use the title 'High King of the Noldor.' Though I wonder why . . .

[Elu Ancalime]

Vzv, Elu, my granddad Finarfin did not use the title 'High King of the Noldor.' Though I wonder why . . .

I thought Tolkien (in very few places though) said off-handedly that Finarfin, since he went back, was 'recognized' as the High King, (whether he used the title or no is odd indeed)

Also, in many places, (is the Fall of Gil-Galad one?) it said Gil-Galad was the 'Last High King of the Noldor in Middle-Earth.' implying that Finarfin was the one in Aman, i assumed.
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Toyota Ae86

[the guy who be short]

Who in their right mind would argue with SoN? None of the others come close to rivalling the sheer awe inspiring tragedy and majesty of Feanor.

[Folwren]

Oh, man, Fingolfin, definitely. Apart of Maedhros, he's probably my favorite elf in the entire history! His lone combat against Morgoth was awesome, and the fact he died in it makes it even more so. And he endured so much by the hand of Feanor and made it all the way across the ice. . .a chap can't really help but like him.

-- Folwren

[Anguirel]

Feanor was an Elf of genius, a great tragic hero, and possessed fine words. He had a correct anti-authoritarian instinct as well. But I can't quite forgive him for the impetuosity with which he destroyed the lives of his seven marvellous sons, many of whom were in their way as great as he. (I'd argue that Maedhros and Maglor were both greater, in fact. Whatever Tolkien says!)

Fingolfin is a stubborn, self-righteous usurper. He's excellent at cornering the moral highground, and striking noble postures; in the end, he was fortunate in finding such a good death. Any of the other great Noldorin princes, especially Maedhros, would have left just as impressive an account of themselves in that situation. What we tend to forget is that it was born of defeatism and despair.

Fingon...now there's a real High King. The breadth to see the need, repeatedly, for a united Noldorin front. Eventually he was to give his life for that unity. A death just as noble as his fathers, in a constructive battle not a duel that was more like a deathwish. A vanquisher of dragons. Faithful to his cousin Maedhros when all others turned away.

Turgon-another High King of at best debatable legitimacy. Wise policies and a relatively good judge of Elves, allowing Maeglin to show his quality despite his heritage. But rather manipulatory in his dealings with Hurin. Good king of Gondolin, but too isolationist to be an effective High King.

Gil-Galad-inherited the best of many of his ancestors. We tend to forget Gil-Galad's long reign in the Second Age before Dagorlad, but it was marked by wisdom, caution and discernment, as well as fine diplomacy. Another gallant death. Should have probably provided more effectively for a successor.

So in conclusion I vote Fingon-the greatest High King, though not quite the greatest hero of the Noldor.

Oh and Finwe? Never had to toil in the North and was pretty useless at the limited demands his task called for, completely screwing up his family for a nice Vanyar piece...

[drigel]

1: Fingolfin, whose deeds I had the most admiration for.
2: Turgon, whose deeds I most probably would have done, given the same circumstances.

[Eonwe]

Fingolfin, certainly:

Feanor is certainly a compelling character. Driven by passions and a fierce spirit, he most definitely goes down as the most glorious King of the Noldor. The rendering of the Silmarils, skill of his hands...and who can deny the sheer awesomeness of Feanor pursuing his foes to his death, his heart rejoicing and his voice lifted up in song...

However, Fingolfin is the mainstay of the Noldor. While Feanor is pidling around spewing wrathful venom, wreaking havock and whatnot.It is he that leads the greater part of the main body. He holds together the army when it would have been sundered. Where would they then have been? Feanor smashed by Melkors pinky, and the rest exiled and with no place to turn to. And Fingolfin also has passion and a fierce spirit, as shown in the crossing of teh Grinding Ice, and his despairing battle with Melkor, of which teh elves do not sing, and the Orc do not speak. Basically, he's the man.

[Lalaith]

Oh, how I *despise* Turgon.....

Which is why I like Fingon, the anti-Turgon (I agree btw Kuru, Finrod is even cooler but he wasn't High King...)

[Elu Ancalime]

I voted Fingolfin.

He wouldnt have been my first pick, but Finrod is another liked king of mine. But really, what a bout Finarfin? He was the High King in Aman after Finwe and the Flight of the Noldor really, all the others were High Kings in Beleriand (and Gil-Galad in Lindon). I mean after the Second Age, he was the man, right?(elf...)
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Mercedes-benz slk-class

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Lalaith

Oh, how I *despise* Turgon.....

He's one of my least favourite characters too. Of course he is not evil in the way that Morgoth was evil, but his behaviour is still highly questionable to me. I think that hiding away his city was a natural reaction to the threat his people faced, but in doing so he effectively condemned said people to a life (and an endless life, at that) in a prison. Gondolin, the Gated Community of Arda. Hmmm...

Then there was his reaction to the appearance of Eol. Rules of Gondolin aside, I think his sense of 'ownership' of Aredhel was questionable at best, and when trying to decide who was the bigger hot-head, Turgon or Eol, I find that they are not very different at all.

Turgon seems to have the attitude of the 'conqueror', and once settled in his new land, he becomes insular. I think that it was no mistake that attitude towards the first Men to enter Gondolin was very different to that expressed towards Eol; he may have come to realise that the hope to keep Gondolin secret was one held in vain.

I realise many will disagree with me, but this is one of my favourite topics of argument.

In terms of who was the 'best' King, I think it would have to be Gil-galad. But in terms of which was most interesting and complex, I may possibly opt for Feanor, even though I do not like him very much.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I realise many will disagree with me, but this is one of my favourite topics of argument.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I agree with you. Turgon, though he's sometimes quite sympathic, is the king of a prison.
Following this logic, it was actually a good thing that Gondolin fell, since all those "prisoners" who could escape alive would be free...