The Fall of Gondolin

In the Tale of The Fall of Gondolin, two of the greatest powers in the world clash:

• Morgoth, the embodiment of uttermost evil, rules over a vast military power from his fortress of Angband, though he remains unseen in this story.
• Opposing Morgoth is Ulmo, second in might only to Manwë, chief of the Valar.

The City of Gondolin

Central to this divine enmity is the city of Gondolin, a place of extraordinary beauty and secrecy. Built and inhabited by Noldorin Elves, who had rebelled against the gods in Valinor and fled to Middle-earth, Gondolin is a marvelously hidden city. Turgon, King of Gondolin, is Morgoth's most hated and feared enemy. Morgoth relentlessly seeks the city but fails to uncover its location, while the gods of Valinor remain divided, largely refusing to support Ulmo's plans.

Tuor's Journey

Into this world enters Tuor, cousin of Túrin, chosen as the instrument of Ulmo's designs. Guided unseen by the sea-god, Tuor embarks on a perilous journey to Gondolin. In one of the most striking moments in Middle-earth's history, Ulmo himself emerges from the ocean amidst a storm to guide Tuor.

In Gondolin, Tuor rises to greatness. He marries Idril, Turgon's daughter, and they have a son, Eärendel, whose birth and future significance are foreseen by Ulmo.

The Fall of Gondolin

The tale reaches its devastating climax when Morgoth, through an act of supreme treachery, learns all he needs to launch a catastrophic assault on Gondolin. His forces, including Balrogs, dragons, and countless Orcs, overwhelm the city.

The fall of Gondolin is recounted in vivid detail, culminating in the escape of Tuor, Idril, and their son Eärendel. As they flee southward, they look back from a mountain cleft at the fiery ruins of their city. Their journey leads into a new story—the Tale of Eärendel—which Tolkien never completed, though elements of it are outlined in this book.

A 'Great Tale' of Middle-earth

Christopher Tolkien, following his work on Beren and Lúthien, has used the same 'history in sequence' approach for this edition of The Fall of Gondolin. J.R.R. Tolkien described it as ‘the first real story of this imaginary world’ and considered it, alongside Beren and Lúthien and The Children of Húrin, one of the three 'Great Tales' of the Elder Days.

• Paperback / softback
• 304 pages, 12 b/w, illus