Gil-galad, the last High King of the Noldor, stands as one of the most significant yet enigmatic figures of Tolkien's Legendarium. Though his valour and sacrifice in the Second Age are well known, his origins remain one of the greatest textual puzzles in Middle-earth. How can the High King's lineage yield multiple, conflicting answers? I explore the evolution of Gil-galad's history across The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, and The History of Middle-earth, revealing how Tolkien's later revisions and editorial choices shaped the character's uncertain legacy.

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• Thumbnail Artwork: "Gil-galad" by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ralph Damiani

• Audio: All music used is licensed under Creative Commons: ⁠⁠⁠⁠By Attribution 3.0⁠