I was thinking - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

haste · 10-19-2001, 09:51 AM

I was just pondering the other night about the history of certain things in middle earth like Glamdring and Sting. We know that both were made in Gondolin and were very well wrought swords. But what got me thinking was in "The Hobbit" it is said that Sting was made for some elf prince, most likely a child at that time. And so this hypothisis hit me: Was Sting made for Earindil?

I know there probably isn't any conclusive statements about who it was made for specifically but if any of you scholars have imput please post.

***Mithadan*** · 10-19-2001, 01:35 PM

Welcome to the Barrow Downs Haste!

I don't think there exists any textual evidence that Sting belonged to Earendil, but it is a nice thought and would have been a clever addition to the histories. One thing militates against Sting being Earendil's childhood sword. Earendil survived the fall of Gondolin, whereas Orcrist and Glamdring were the swords of elves who died in the attack (actually we don't know much about Orcrist other than it was famous).

I wonder if Orcrist belonged to Ecthelion, Rog or perhaps even Glorfindel?

Mhoram · 10-19-2001, 05:54 PM

Quote:

in "The Hobbit" it is said that Sting was made for some elf prince, most likely a child at that time.

Could you tell where this is? I know it says the coat of mail was made for an elven prince, but Sting?

10-21-2001, 09:55 PM

I thought Sting was just a small dagger. But to a Hobbit it would be like a sword.

Eldar14 · 10-22-2001, 01:24 PM

I thought it said Sting looked like a small dagger to the ogres.

onewhitetree · 10-22-2001, 02:20 PM

All this thinking is making me uncomfortable...I had better post an incoherent reply in order to stem the tide of observation and deduction that seems to be taking over. I think this will do.

Elrian · 10-22-2001, 03:45 PM

Wasn't Earendil only three years old when they fled Gondolin? One point in the story I found interesting was that Glamdring was the sword of Turgin who was Elrond's grandfather. And he never once tried to claim it. Now that's friendship! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

***Mithadan*** · 10-22-2001, 04:32 PM

Elrian, your post intrigued me enough to start a new thread, "Heirlooms of the Elves". This is a question I've thought about but can't reach a logical conclusion as to what the outcome should be (absent Elrond generously not demanding the sword).

Elrian · 10-23-2001, 01:42 PM

I'll check that out! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Halbarad · 10-28-2001, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Eldar14:
<STRONG>I thought it said Sting looked like a small dagger to the ogres.</STRONG>

It looked like a small penknife or toenail knife to the trolls i believe

10-19-2001, 09:51 AM	#1
haste Pile O'Bones Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 18	I was thinking I was just pondering the other night about the history of certain things in middle earth like Glamdring and Sting. We know that both were made in Gondolin and were very well wrought swords. But what got me thinking was in "The Hobbit" it is said that Sting was made for some elf prince, most likely a child at that time. And so this hypothisis hit me: Was Sting made for Earindil? I know there probably isn't any conclusive statements about who it was made for specifically but if any of you scholars have imput please post.

10-19-2001, 01:35 PM	#2
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,383	Welcome to the Barrow Downs Haste! I don't think there exists any textual evidence that Sting belonged to Earendil, but it is a nice thought and would have been a clever addition to the histories. One thing militates against Sting being Earendil's childhood sword. Earendil survived the fall of Gondolin, whereas Orcrist and Glamdring were the swords of elves who died in the attack (actually we don't know much about Orcrist other than it was famous). I wonder if Orcrist belonged to Ecthelion, Rog or perhaps even Glorfindel? __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

10-22-2001, 01:24 PM	#5
Eldar14 Wight Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: the Cottage of Lost Play Posts: 182	I thought it said Sting looked like a small dagger to the ogres. __________________ "Come away! Let the cowards keep this city!" -- Fëanor to the Noldor

10-22-2001, 02:20 PM	#6
onewhitetree Seeker of Syntax Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Scene of the Crime Posts: 264	All this thinking is making me uncomfortable...I had better post an incoherent reply in order to stem the tide of observation and deduction that seems to be taking over. I think this will do. __________________ onewhitetree (also known as Kate) Well, I'M BACK.

10-22-2001, 03:45 PM	#7
Elrian Eldar Spirit of Truth Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Land of the FREE, Home of the BRAVE Posts: 794	Wasn't Earendil only three years old when they fled Gondolin? One point in the story I found interesting was that Glamdring was the sword of Turgin who was Elrond's grandfather. And he never once tried to claim it. Now that's friendship! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ ~Call me a relic, call me what you will. Say I'm old fashioned , say I'm over the hill. That old whine ain't got no soul. I'll stick to Old Toby and a Hobbit hole.~

10-21-2001, 09:55 PM	#4
Impy Guest Posts: n/a	I thought Sting was just a small dagger. But to a Hobbit it would be like a sword.

10-22-2001, 04:32 PM	#8
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,383	Elrian, your post intrigued me enough to start a new thread, "Heirlooms of the Elves". This is a question I've thought about but can't reach a logical conclusion as to what the outcome should be (absent Elrond generously not demanding the sword). __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

10-23-2001, 01:42 PM	#9
Elrian Eldar Spirit of Truth Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Land of the FREE, Home of the BRAVE Posts: 794	I'll check that out! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ ~Call me a relic, call me what you will. Say I'm old fashioned , say I'm over the hill. That old whine ain't got no soul. I'll stick to Old Toby and a Hobbit hole.~