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Dates
Thingol's realm was hidden by the Girdle of Melian from shortly before the first rising of the Sun to I 502; Turgon dwelt in his Hidden City from I 116 to I 510
Location
Thingol dwelt in Doriath in the central regions of Beleriand; Turgon's city of Gondolin was north and west from Doriath, within the Encircling Mountains
Origins
Doriath's Girdle was created by Thingol's consort Melian; Turgon constructed his own Hidden City
Race
Elves
Divisions
Thingol was of the Sindar, Turgon of the Noldor
Cultures
Elves of Doriath and Gondolindrim, respectively
Title of
Elu Thingol and Turgon

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  • Updated 5 October 2011
  • Updates planned: 1

Hidden King

A title of Thingol and of Turgon

Encyclopedia of Arda Timeline
Years of the Trees First Age Second Age Third Age Fourth Age and Beyond

Title given to King Elu Thingol, whose realm of Doriath lay hidden behind the Girdle of Melian, and of Turgon the King of Gondolin.

Elu Thingol Thingol's woodland kingdom was not truly hidden, as it filled the central regions of Beleriand, but after the First Battle of the Wars of Beleriand, the forests of Doriath were fenced by the Girdle of Melian. The power of the Girdle held back those that Thingol or Melian did not wish to enter their realm, and so King Thingol was hidden from his enemies.
Turgon Turgon son of Fingolfin was a Hidden King in the truest sense of the word. Guided by Ulmo, Turgon found the secret valley of Tumladen deep within the Encircling Mountains, and there he built his city of Gondolin. Turgon brought his people from Nevrast to dwell in the Hidden City, and there they remained undiscovered for most of the First Age.

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