The Silmarillion Explained: Morgoth, Fëanor, and the War of the Jewels

 

 

Quick Summary: This deep dive explores the tragic history of the First Age, focusing on the War of the Jewels. We analyze the rivalry between Morgoth and Fëanor, the creation of the Silmarils, and how these ancient events shaped the Middle-earth you know from The Lord of the Rings.

If you have watched The Lord of the Rings, you’ve stood at the end of history. You’ve seen the ruins of Weathertop and the statues of Argonath, remnants of a glory long faded. But to truly understand the depth of J.R.R. Tolkien’s world—to understand why Aragorn’s ring matters or what that light in Galadriel’s phial actually is—we have to go back. Way back.

We need to travel 3,000 years before Sauron forged the One Ring, to the First Age. This was a time when the world was young, gods walked among elves, and the ultimate evil wasn't a flaming eye, but a dark god named Morgoth.

This is the story of The Silmarillion and the War of the Jewels. It is not just a battle between good and evil; it is a Shakespearean tragedy of pride, betrayal, and an oath that consumed a civilization. As a lifelong student of Tolkien's legendarium, I’m going to walk you through this complex history, breaking down the epic tragedy of Fëanor and the wars that drowned a continent in blood. 🗡️

 

Table of Contents

• 1. The Origin: The Two Trees and the Silmarils
• 2. The Darkening of Valinor and Morgoth's Theft
• 3. The Oath of Fëanor and the Kinslaying
• 4. The War of the Jewels: Siege and Ruin
• 5. Beren and Lúthien: Love Conquers Terror
• 6. The War of Wrath and the End of an Age
• 7. FAQ: Common Questions About The Silmarillion

《The Silmarillion》: War of the Jewels, Morgoth, and Fëanor's Tragic Saga

1. The Origin: The Two Trees and the Silmarils

Before the sun and the moon existed, the Undying Lands of Valinor were illuminated by the Two Trees of Valinor: Telperion (Silver) and Laurelin (Gold). Their light was not just physical illumination; it was holy, life-giving, and pure.

Enter Fëanor, the High King of the Noldor Elves. He is arguably the most gifted elf to ever live—unsurpassed in craftsmanship, intellect, and fiery spirit. Fëanor wanted to preserve the imperishable light of the Two Trees. Through a feat of sub-creation that has never been replicated, he captured their light within three indestructible gems: The Silmarils.

💡 Insight: The Silmarils were hallowed by Varda (the Queen of the Stars) so that no mortal flesh, nor hands unclean, could touch them without being scorched. This burning property becomes crucial later in the story.

At this point, Fëanor’s pride began to grow. He started to view the Silmarils not as a tribute to the light, but as his sole possession, hoarding them away. This possessiveness was the first crack in the foundation, a flaw that the Dark Lord would soon exploit.

 

2. The Darkening of Valinor and Morgoth's Theft

Morgoth (originally Melkor) was the most powerful of the Valar (gods), but he fell into darkness through envy and a desire to dominate. He saw the Silmarils and coveted them with a consuming hunger. He realized he could not defeat the Valar alone, so he allied with Ungoliant, a primordial spider spirit of insatiable hunger (and the ancestor of Shelob from Lord of the Rings).

In a coordinated strike that shattered the peace of Valinor:

• Morgoth and Ungoliant destroyed the Two Trees, plunging the world into darkness.
• While the Valar were distracted by the darkness, Morgoth raided Fëanor’s fortress, Formenos.
• He murdered Fëanor’s father, Finwë (the first murder in the Blessed Realm), and stole the Silmarils.

Morgoth fled to Middle-earth, setting the three gems into his Iron Crown. He would never let them go, even as his hands were burned black by their holy light.

 

3. The Oath of Fëanor and the Kinslaying

This is the turning point of the entire legendarium. Upon learning of his father's death and the theft of his masterpiece, Fëanor renamed Melkor to Morgoth ("The Black Foe of the World"). In his grief and rage, Fëanor made a decision that would doom his people for centuries.

The Unbreakable Oath

Fëanor, along with his seven sons, swore the Oath of Fëanor. They vowed in the name of the One Creator (Eru Ilúvatar) to pursue with vengeance and hatred anyone—Vala, Demon, Elf, or Man—who held or kept a Silmaril from them.

"Be he foe or friend, be he foul or clean, brood of Morgoth or bright Vala... neither law, nor love, nor league of swords, dread nor danger, not Doom itself, shall defend him from Fëanor, and Fëanor's kin..."

To pursue Morgoth to Middle-earth, Fëanor needed ships. The Teleri elves, who lived on the coast, refused to give them up. Driven by the madness of his oath, Fëanor ordered his people to attack. This was the First Kinslaying—elves killing elves. They stole the ships and sailed to Middle-earth, leaving their integrity behind in the blood-stained waters.

 

4. The War of the Jewels: Siege and Ruin

The War of the Jewels (Beleriandic Wars) lasted for centuries. It was a brutal stalemate broken by catastrophic battles. When the Noldor arrived in Middle-earth, they were powerful, fueled by the light of Valinor still fresh in their eyes.

⚠️ The Fate of Fëanor: Fëanor did not survive to see the end of his war. In the very first battle, the Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle under Stars), he fought with such fury that he outpaced his army. He was surrounded by Balrogs and mortally wounded by Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs. He died looking at Morgoth's fortress, cursing him thrice, knowing his sons could never win, yet binding them to the Oath anyway.

Following his death, his brother Fingolfin became High King. The elves managed to lay siege to Morgoth’s fortress, Angband, for 400 years (the Siege of Angband). But Morgoth broke the siege in the Dagor Bragollach (Battle of Sudden Flame), unleashing rivers of fire and the dragon Glaurung.

The Duel of Fingolfin: In despair, Fingolfin rode alone to the gates of Angband and challenged Morgoth to single combat. It is one of literature's most epic moments. Fingolfin wounded the Dark Lord seven times, giving him a permanent limp, before being crushed. This proved that while Elves could wound Evil, they could not destroy it alone.

 

5. Beren and Lúthien: Love Conquers Terror

Amidst the hopeless war, Tolkien introduces the tale of Beren and Lúthien. Beren was a mortal man, and Lúthien was an elf-maiden (daughter of King Thingol). Thingol, disapproving of the union, set an impossible task: Beren could marry Lúthien only if he brought back a Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown.

This was a suicide mission. Yet, through Lúthien’s magic and Beren’s bravery (and the help of Huan the Hound), they infiltrated Angband. Lúthien sang a song of such enchantment that it put Morgoth and his court to sleep. Beren cut a Silmaril from the Iron Crown.

Although Beren lost his hand (and eventually his life, before being resurrected) to Carcharoth the great wolf, they succeeded where entire armies failed. This story is pivotal because:

1. It proved Morgoth was not invincible.
2. It recovered one Silmaril, which would later become the hope of the world.
3. It established the union of Elves and Men, a bloodline that leads directly to Elrond and Aragorn.

 

6. The War of Wrath and the End of an Age

The recovery of one Silmaril did not bring peace; it brought ruin. The Oath of Fëanor compelled his surviving sons to attack their fellow elves who held the recovered Silmaril (the Second and Third Kinslayings). The elf kingdoms of Doriath and Gondolin fell, not just by Morgoth’s hand, but through internal treachery and the curse of the Oath.

Hope lay with Eärendil the Mariner (a half-elf, father of Elrond). Bearing the Silmaril that Beren and Lúthien recovered, he sailed to the Undying Lands—forbidden to mortals—to beg the Valar for aid.

The War of Wrath

The Valar answered. They sent a massive host to Middle-earth, initiating the War of Wrath. The destruction was so vast that the entire subcontinent of Beleriand sank beneath the ocean.

• Morgoth unleashed his winged dragons (led by Ancalagon the Black).
• Eärendil fought Ancalagon in the sky with his flying ship and the Silmaril.
• Morgoth was defeated, bound in chains, and cast into the Void beyond the world.

What happened to the Silmarils?

Silmaril	Bearer	Final Resting Place
The First	Eärendil	The Sky (The Evening Star)
The Second	Maedhros	The Earth (Cast into a fiery chasm)
The Third	Maglor	The Sea (Cast into the ocean)

 

7. FAQ: Common Questions About The Silmarillion ❓

Q: Who is more powerful, Morgoth or Sauron?

A: Morgoth is significantly more powerful. He was a Vala (a god), whereas Sauron was a Maia (an angelic spirit/lesser god). Sauron was Morgoth's lieutenant. However, by the end of the First Age, Morgoth had dispersed much of his power into his corrupt creations, making him physically vulnerable, while Sauron retained his cunning.

Q: Did Fëanor do anything wrong?

A: This is a debate famously known as "Fëanor did nothing wrong" among fans. While his desire to reclaim his creation is understandable, his actions—specifically the Kinslaying (murdering innocent Teleri elves) and burning the ships at Losgar (betraying his own brother)—are universally depicted as evil acts that doomed the Noldor.

Q: Why didn't the Eagles fly the Silmarils to Valinor?

A: The Eagles are servants of Manwë (King of the Valar). During the War of the Jewels, the Valar had "The Ban" placed on the Noldor, refusing to interfere directly until Eärendil offered a selfless plea. The Eagles intervene only at critical moments ordained by fate, not as a taxi service for artifacts.

Q: How does this connect to The Lord of the Rings?

A: The connections are vast. The phial Galadriel gives Frodo contains the light of Eärendil's star (a Silmaril). Aragorn's ring (Ring of Barahir) dates back to the Dagor Bragollach battle in the First Age. Sauron is the lingering servant of Morgoth, continuing his master's will.

The story of the War of the Jewels serves as the foundational myth for Middle-earth. It teaches us that evil cannot create, only corrupt; and that possessive love (like Fëanor's for the gems) leads to ruin, while selfless love (like Beren and Lúthien's) leads to salvation.

Understanding this backstory transforms your experience of The Lord of the Rings. You realize that the struggle against darkness is an ancient, cyclical battle, and that even in the deepest despair, a single star—or a Silmaril—can light the way. 🌟

Do you think Fëanor was a villain or a tragic victim? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!