A Glorfindel essay

[Garwen]

I had asked this before a long time ago, but I had forgotten the answer I had recieved, so forgive me asking again.
In which History of M.E. is there a rather extencive essay about Glorfindel and his return to M.E. in the Second Age?
I thought that someone here told me it was in Morgoth's Ring.
I would be very happy with any info. pertaining to Glorfindel.
Thanks much,
Garwen

[Ithrynluin]

It's actually in book XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth.

In this short essay we learn:

That although we cannot be completely certain, the two Glorfindels are most probably one and the same

The time of his coming to Middle-earth is uncertain, either in the Second Age, or in the Third as a companion of Gandalf. Later it is said that the SA was far more likely, and that he played a great part in assisting Elrond in the wars against Sauron

"It is indeed probable that he had in Valinor already become a friend and follower of Olórin [Gandalf]."

His name "was intended to mean 'Golden-tressed'"

One of the reasons against the two Glorfindels being two different elves is the "repetition of so striking a name [which], though possible, would not be credible" because "no other major character in the Elvish legends ... has a name borne by another Elvish person of importance."

[Garwen]

Thank you very much Ithrynluin for the info. I have all of the History of M.E. series except for three, 'The Peoples of M.E'. is one that I don't have. I am looking forward to purchasing this book next pay day. I don't know why but I am very interested in Glorfindel even though he has a small but great part in both the 'Silmirllion' and the 'lOTR's' I have always believed that the two Glorfindel's were the same, even though some may not.
Anyway, thank you again for the info it was of great help.

[Galin]

There's also the following from The History of Middle-Earth Volume VI (edited a bit by me):

'Also very notable is 'Glorfindel tells of his ancestry in Gondolin.' Years later, long after the publication of The Lord of the Rings, my father gave a great deal of thought to the matter of Glorfindel (...) He came to the conclusion that Glorfindel of Gondolin, who fell to his death in combat with a Balrog after the sack of the city (II. 192-4, IV. 145), and Glorfindel of Rivendell were one and the same: he was released from Mandos and returned to Middle-earth in the Second Age.'


CJRT At Rivendell The History of The Lord of the Rings Part One, The History of Middle-Earth Volume VI

Of course, later what there was of the Glorfindel essays was published in The Peoples of Middle-Earth as noted, but here Christopher notes his father's conclusion, stated quite confidently in my opinion, and rightly so I think, considering the essays.

Galin