Battle of Tumhalad: Difference between revisions

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After defeat of the Elven host, Glaurung turned towards the stronghold inevitably [[Fall of Nargothrond|sacking the city]].
After defeat of the Elven host, Glaurung turned towards the stronghold inevitably [[Fall of Nargothrond|sacking the city]].


==Other versions of the Legendarium==
==Other versions of the legendarium==
The battle appears in Tolkien's earliest writings of the [[Narn i Chîn Húrin (tale)|Tale of Turambar]]; [[Turambar and the Foalókë]].<ref>{{LT2|II}}</ref> The site of the battle is not explicity made clear as the text implies that the battle took place at the home of the [[Elves of Nargothrond|Rodothlim]] (Nargothrondrim) or at least in the vicinity, moreover it is worth mentioning that certain place-names are absent in the tale one of which includes [[Tumhalad]]. The main elements remain; the Rodothlim's policy of secrecy and Túrin changing that which ultimately lead to their destruction.
The battle appears in Tolkien's earliest writings of the [[Narn i Chîn Húrin (tale)|Tale of Turambar]]; [[Turambar and the Foalókë]].<ref>{{LT2|II}}</ref> The site of the battle is not explicity made clear as the text implies that the battle took place at the home of the [[Elves of Nargothrond|Rodothlim]] (Nargothrondrim) or at least in the vicinity, moreover it is worth mentioning that certain place-names are absent in the tale one of which includes [[Tumhalad]]. The main elements remain; the Rodothlim's policy of secrecy and Túrin changing that which ultimately lead to their destruction.



Revision as of 20:45, 15 June 2020

Battle of Tumhalad
Ted Nasmith - Túrin Bears Gwindor to Safety.jpg
Conflict: Wars of Beleriand
Date: F.A. 495[1]
Place: Tumhalad
Outcome: Victory for Morgoth
Combatants

Elves of Nargothrond

Forces of Morgoth

Commanders

Orodreth
Túrin
Gwindor

Glaurung

Strength

Unknown

Greater than the Elves[2]

Casualties

Complete destruction of the host, few survivors

Unknown

The Battle of Tumhalad was the last battle of the Elves of Nargothrond against the Forces of Morgoth. It was fought on the plain of Tumhalad between the Narog and its tributary, the Ginglith. The defeat in this battle derived directly into the Fall of Nargothrond.

Background

Nargothrond was the hidden stronghold of Finrod Felagund who built it as a safe haven for the Noldor against the forces of Morgoth. Túrin, was led there by Gwindor, a lord of Nargothrond, and during his stay there Túrin becoming mighty among the Elves and grew in favour of King Orodreth, becoming his chief counsellor and ruled all matters of war. Túrin had no liking of their manner of warfare of stealth and ambush[3] preferring battle in the open so the Noldor built a mighty bridge over the Narog for swifter passage. A great store of weapons were made and the Elves forsook their secrecy and went into open war.

History

Prelude

Five years since the arrival of Túrin in Nargothrond, they were visited by Gelmir and Arminas of the people of Finarfin whom have dwelt with Angrod. They gave warning of a great gathering of Orcs about Sauron's Isle[4] and a message from the Vala Ulmo to shut their doors and go not abroad. Túrin rebuffed the Vala's warning and kept fighting against Orcs.

In the same year, the hosts of Morgoth had defeated Handir and the Men of Brethil causing them to retreat deeper into the woods.[4] Therefore, the way to Nargothrond was open, and in autumn Morgoth sent forth his host of Orcs with Glaurung at its head. In their way, the dragon burned Talath Dirnen, so their coming was soon known by the Elves.

Battle

Túrin counselled Orodreth to meet them in open battle. The host of Nargothrond went forth with Orodreth leading alongside Túrin and Gwindor. The host of Orcs were much larger than anticipated, none could withstand the assault of the dragon Glaurung except for Túrin and his dwarf-mask and the Elves were driven back into the field of Tumahalad.

In-between Narog and Ginglith the host of Nargothrond was defeated. Orodreth was slain in the forefront of the battle, and Gwindor was mortally wounded.

Aftermath

Túrin bore a wounded Gwindor on his horse and fled the battlefield, in the woods Gwindor urged Túrin to make haste back to Nargothrond and save Finduilas before dying from his wounds. Túrin gathered as much of the rout as possible and sped back to the fortress. The few survivors of the battle fled to Nargothrond, some that didn't eventually made their way into Doriath[3] and some possibly fled as far as the Mouths of Sirion.

After defeat of the Elven host, Glaurung turned towards the stronghold inevitably sacking the city.

Other versions of the legendarium

The battle appears in Tolkien's earliest writings of the Tale of Turambar; Turambar and the Foalókë.[5] The site of the battle is not explicity made clear as the text implies that the battle took place at the home of the Rodothlim (Nargothrondrim) or at least in the vicinity, moreover it is worth mentioning that certain place-names are absent in the tale one of which includes Tumhalad. The main elements remain; the Rodothlim's policy of secrecy and Túrin changing that which ultimately lead to their destruction.

In the battle told in the Silmarillion Orodreth was slain at Tumhalad and Gwindor was carried off away and died later. In the earliest version Orodreth is carried off from the battle with the help of Flinding (Gwindor) and Orodreth reproaches Túrin for his role in the downfall of the Rodothlim - as does Gwindor in the Silmarillion. It is noted that Gwindor took over most part of the role of Orodreth when the story evolved, whilst Orodreth takes over the role of another character in the tale Galweg who is absent entirely in the Silmarillion.[6] Galweg is notable for being the father of Failivrin (Finduilas) much like how Orodreth was her father in the Silmarillion.

References