Glorfindel's name meant 'Golden-haired', and he was head of the House of the Golden Flower.

He was a powerful, golden-haired elf who sacrificed his life to ensure the survival of Tuor and Idril when the party was attacked by one of Morgoth's Balrogs during the Siege of Gondolin. He fell to his death in Cirith Thoronath.

Thorondor, King of the Eagles, brought Glorfindel's body out of the abyss and he was then buried in a mound of stones by the pass. Green grass and yellow flowers grew there among the stones until the world was changed.

*Note*: It appears, according to some of Tolkien's later writings, that Glorfindel of Gondolin is the same Elf as Glorfindel of Rivendell, who appears in The Lord of the Rings.

Apparently, Elves would be reincarnated after spending time in the Halls of Mandos if they died. After some time spent there, they would be returned to their bodies and could then live amongst their kin in Aman.

The return of Glorfindel of Gondolin to Middle-earth was a unique occurrence and as far as we know, the same did not happen at any other time.
Encyclopedia entry originally written by admin