The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
First seen in I 260 - said to be 'half-grown' at this date; slain by Túrin Turambar in I 499
Race
Titles
Meaning
Apparently 'golden ?cloud'1
Pronunciation
glau'roong (where au is pronounced like 'ow' as in 'now')

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 28 January 1998
  • Updates planned: 11
Glaurung
Glaurung, first of the Urulóki

Glaurung was the first of the Dragons, and one of the greatest. He first issued from Angband in I 260, but not being fully grown at that time, the Noldor under Fingon were able to drive him back.

In the Dagor Bragollach and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Glaurung was in the vanguard of Morgoth's forces, and having grown to his full power, he wreaked great destruction on those battlefields. In the Nirnaeth, he was driven back to Angband by the heavily armoured Dwarves, though their lord Azaghâl was slain in that battle.

Glaurung led the assault by Morgoth on Nargothrond, and there came across Túrin for the first time. He dwelt in the ruined halls of Finrod Felagund for a while, but came forth at last to seek Túrin. He was slain by Túrin's black sword Gurthang in the Forest of Brethil.


Notes

1

Probably in reference to his golden scales and the cloud of 'Dragon-reek' that accompanied him, though ung is more properly 'gloom', 'shadow'. (This derivation is from The History of Middle-earth volume V, The Lost Road and Other Writings III The Etymologies).

See also...

Amon Ethir, Anguirel, Arminas, Azaghâl, Balrogs, Bane of Glaurung, Battle of Tumhalad, Beautiful Mere, Black Sword of Brethil, Black Sword of Nargothrond, Black Thorn of Brethil, Brandir, Brethil, Cabed Naeramarth, Cabed-en-Aras, [See the full list...]

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 28 January 1998
  • Updates planned: 11

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