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{{location
{{location infobox
| image=
| name=Belfalas
| name=Belfalas
| othernames=
| image=
| etymology=
| caption=
| type=Region
| pronun=
| location=Southern Gondor
| othernames=Possibly equivalent to, or at least related to, [[Dor-en-Ernil|Dor-en-ernil]], the Land of the Prince
| inhabitants=[[Men]], [[Elves]]
| location=A wide promontory extending into the [[Bay of Belfalas]] northwestward of the [[Mouths of Anduin]]
| realms=Gondor, [[Dol Amroth]]
| type=Region/fief
| description=
| description=A shoreland fief of southern [[Gondor]]
| events=[[War of the Ring]]
| regions=
| towns=[[Edhellond]], [[Dol Amroth]], [[Linhir]], [[Ethring]]
| inhabitants=Primary [[Gondorians]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=Loss of [[Amroth]]
}}
}}
'''Belfalas''' was a region of southern [[Gondor]], encompassing the coast from the mouth of the [[Anduin]] to [[Dol Amroth]].<ref name=VT/>
'''Belfalas''' was a great fief<ref name=Fief>{{RK|MT}}, p. 750</ref> in the south of [[Gondor]].<ref name=Map>{{FR|Map}}</ref>
 
==Geography==
The fief of Belfalas was located between the mouth of the river [[Ringló]] and the mouth of the river [[Gilrain]].<ref name=CirionN39>{{UT|8e}}, Note 39</ref> West of the Ringló was the fief of [[Anfalas]]. East of the river Gilrain was the fief of [[Lebennin]]. In the south the coast of Belfalas lay the [[Bay of Belfalas]]. The fief of Lamedon was north of Belfalas at the foot of the [[White Mountains]]. The castle of [[Dol Amroth]] was located in the west of Belfalas on a high promontory that formed the southern end of the small bay of [[Cobas Haven]] into which the Ringló flowed.<ref name=Map/> The Elven haven of [[Edhellond]] was about 50 miles north of Dol Amroth south of the confluence of the river [[Morthond]] with the river Ringló.<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>
 
==History==
==History==
Belfalas formed a part of [[Dor-en-Ernil]], or the "Prince's land". The Prince in question here was the Lord of [[Dol Amroth]], who lived at the city bearing his name.
When the forces of [[Morgoth]] overwhelmed the [[Elves]] and [[Atani]] towards the end of the [[First Age]], a group of [[Sindar]] fled in three small ships from the western havens of [[Beleriand]] and established the haven and a small settlement of [[Edhellond]]<ref name=Amroth>{{UT|Amroth}}, Note 18</ref> at the south of the confluence of the river [[Morthond]] with the river Ringló north of the hill that was later named [[Dol Amroth]] in the Third Age. Later the settlement was increased by Silvan Elves that sailed down the river [[Anduin]] to search for the sea.<ref>{{UT|Amroth}}</ref><ref>{{PM|Atani}}</ref><ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, Note 67</ref>
 
Before {{SA|2221}}, after which the Númenóreans became divided into the party of the [[Faithful]] and the party of the [[King's Men]] on [[Númenor]], the [[Númenóreans]] established settlements in Belfalas.<ref name=Beards>{{NM|P2v}}, p. 189</ref> A family of [[Faithful]] [[Númenóreans]] related to [[Elendil]] emigrated from [[Númenor]] before the [[Downfall of Númenor]] and settled in Belfalas. After the [[Downfall of Númenor]] [[Elendil]], the new [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]] of the [[Realms in Exile]] of Arnor and Gondor, granted them the title "Prince"<ref>{{UT|Eorl}}</ref><ref name=CirionN39/> and their land became a fief<ref name=Fief/> of [[Gondor]] and was called [[Dor-en-Ernil]] ("Land of the Prince").<ref>{{UT|Amroth}}, note 14</ref>
 
In {{TA|1981}} [[Amroth]], the [[King of Lórien]], left his [[Lothlórien|realm]] with his beloved [[Nimrodel]] to sail to [[Aman]] from Edhellond, because Nimrodel wanted to flee to a land of peace from the [[Balrog|terror]] that came out of [[Moria]] and that had driven out the [[Dwarves]]. Amroth became separated from Nimrodel who got lost in the [[White Mountains]] and waited for her on the last ship that was anchoring at Edhellond. When the ship was blown prematurely out to sea, he jumped overboard in a futile attempt to reach the shore to search for her and drowned in the bay. The last of the Elves of Edhellond left Middle-earth on that ship.<ref name=Amroth/>


At the start of the second millennium of the [[Third Age]], a certain [[Imrazôr]] the [[Númenor|Númenórean]] lived in and ruled over the Belfalas. He married [[Mithrellas]], a [[Silvan Elves|Silvan Elf]] of [[Lothlórien|Lórien]], and their son [[Galador]] became the first Prince of [[Dol Amroth]].
After the drowning of Amroth, the hill on which the stronghold of the Princes of Belfalas was located was called Dol Amroth (the "Hill of Amroth") and [[Galador]], the son of [[Imrazôr]], who according to legend had married the Elven-lady [[Mithrellas]], a companion of Nimrodel, became known as the first [[Prince of Dol Amroth]].<ref name=CirionN39/>


The Belfalas was also home to an old Elf haven named [[Edhellond]]. Its chief city was the Prince's residence of [[Dol Amroth]].
During the [[War of the Ring]], the nearby city of [[Linhir]] was attacked by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] and the [[Haradrim]] and Men of [[Lamedon]] under [[Angbor]] tried to keep them off, until the [[Grey Company]] with the [[wraiths]] of the [[Oathbreakers]] arrived and ended the conflict.<ref>{{RK|Debate}}</ref>


South of the Belfalas lay a great Bay, which was named after it the [[Bay of Belfalas]].
==Population==
The people of Belfalas were mostly descendents of Númenórean settlers. They frequently used [[Adûnaic]] names out of tradition, because their Númenórean ancestors had settled in Befalas before the division of the Númenóreans into the Faithful and the King's Men and the use of Adûnaic was at that time not connected with a rebellion against the Valar.<ref name=Beards/>


During the [[War of the Ring]], the Belfalas was raided by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and therefore did not send any men to help defend [[Minas Tirith]], until [[Aragorn]] liberated the coast with the [[Grey Company]], freeing [[Gondor]]'s southern armies to follow him north to relieve [[Minas Tirith]].
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The name ''Belfalas'' consists of ''[[bel]]'' (a [[Pre-Númenórean]] element of unknown meaning) + [[Sindarin]] ''[[falas]]'' ("shore").<ref name=VT>{{VT|42a}}, p. 15</ref>
The name ''Belfalas'' consists of ''[[bel]]'', (a [[Pre-Númenórean]] element of unknown meaning) and the [[Sindarin]] word ''[[falas]]'' ("shore").<ref name=VT>{{VT|42a}}, p. 15</ref>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2014: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Havens of Belfalas were an area in the region of Western [[Gondor]]. They were located south of the [[Blackroot Vale]] via "Tarlang's Crown" and south-west of [[Lamedon]]. The "Emyn Ernil" lay to the east, dividing Belfalas from [[Dor-en-Ernil]]. A later update added the Cape of Belfalas, a location for Gondor-themed player homes along the coast between the Havens and Dor-en-Ernil. The capital was [[Dol Amroth]] and other settlements included "Tadrent" and "Ost Lontir". There were two [[Warning beacons of Gondor|beacons]] in Belfalas, on the north edges of the Emyn Ernil: "Amon Lontir" and "Nendath". The small island "Tol Aduial" was in the bay north of Dol Amroth and the larger island "Tol Fennas" was west of Dol Amroth. A reclusive group of [[Elves]], the "Avorrim", kept watch upon the abandoned haven of [[Edhellond]] in secret.
 
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[de:Belfalas]]
[[de:Belfalas]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:regions:gondor:belfalas]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:regions:gondor:belfalas]]
[[fi:Belfalas]]
[[fi:Belfalas]]

Latest revision as of 07:27, 8 July 2023

Belfalas
Region/fief
General Information
Other namesPossibly equivalent to, or at least related to, Dor-en-ernil, the Land of the Prince
LocationA wide promontory extending into the Bay of Belfalas northwestward of the Mouths of Anduin
TypeRegion/fief
DescriptionA shoreland fief of southern Gondor
People and History
InhabitantsPrimary Gondorians
EventsLoss of Amroth

Belfalas was a great fief[1] in the south of Gondor.[2]

Geography[edit | edit source]

The fief of Belfalas was located between the mouth of the river Ringló and the mouth of the river Gilrain.[3] West of the Ringló was the fief of Anfalas. East of the river Gilrain was the fief of Lebennin. In the south the coast of Belfalas lay the Bay of Belfalas. The fief of Lamedon was north of Belfalas at the foot of the White Mountains. The castle of Dol Amroth was located in the west of Belfalas on a high promontory that formed the southern end of the small bay of Cobas Haven into which the Ringló flowed.[2] The Elven haven of Edhellond was about 50 miles north of Dol Amroth south of the confluence of the river Morthond with the river Ringló.[4]

History[edit | edit source]

When the forces of Morgoth overwhelmed the Elves and Atani towards the end of the First Age, a group of Sindar fled in three small ships from the western havens of Beleriand and established the haven and a small settlement of Edhellond[5] at the south of the confluence of the river Morthond with the river Ringló north of the hill that was later named Dol Amroth in the Third Age. Later the settlement was increased by Silvan Elves that sailed down the river Anduin to search for the sea.[6][7][8]

Before S.A. 2221, after which the Númenóreans became divided into the party of the Faithful and the party of the King's Men on Númenor, the Númenóreans established settlements in Belfalas.[9] A family of Faithful Númenóreans related to Elendil emigrated from Númenor before the Downfall of Númenor and settled in Belfalas. After the Downfall of Númenor Elendil, the new High King of the Realms in Exile of Arnor and Gondor, granted them the title "Prince"[10][3] and their land became a fief[1] of Gondor and was called Dor-en-Ernil ("Land of the Prince").[11]

In T.A. 1981 Amroth, the King of Lórien, left his realm with his beloved Nimrodel to sail to Aman from Edhellond, because Nimrodel wanted to flee to a land of peace from the terror that came out of Moria and that had driven out the Dwarves. Amroth became separated from Nimrodel who got lost in the White Mountains and waited for her on the last ship that was anchoring at Edhellond. When the ship was blown prematurely out to sea, he jumped overboard in a futile attempt to reach the shore to search for her and drowned in the bay. The last of the Elves of Edhellond left Middle-earth on that ship.[5]

After the drowning of Amroth, the hill on which the stronghold of the Princes of Belfalas was located was called Dol Amroth (the "Hill of Amroth") and Galador, the son of Imrazôr, who according to legend had married the Elven-lady Mithrellas, a companion of Nimrodel, became known as the first Prince of Dol Amroth.[3]

During the War of the Ring, the nearby city of Linhir was attacked by the Corsairs of Umbar and the Haradrim and Men of Lamedon under Angbor tried to keep them off, until the Grey Company with the wraiths of the Oathbreakers arrived and ended the conflict.[12]

Population[edit | edit source]

The people of Belfalas were mostly descendents of Númenórean settlers. They frequently used Adûnaic names out of tradition, because their Númenórean ancestors had settled in Befalas before the division of the Númenóreans into the Faithful and the King's Men and the use of Adûnaic was at that time not connected with a rebellion against the Valar.[9]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Belfalas consists of bel, (a Pre-Númenórean element of unknown meaning) and the Sindarin word falas ("shore").[13]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2014: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Havens of Belfalas were an area in the region of Western Gondor. They were located south of the Blackroot Vale via "Tarlang's Crown" and south-west of Lamedon. The "Emyn Ernil" lay to the east, dividing Belfalas from Dor-en-Ernil. A later update added the Cape of Belfalas, a location for Gondor-themed player homes along the coast between the Havens and Dor-en-Ernil. The capital was Dol Amroth and other settlements included "Tadrent" and "Ost Lontir". There were two beacons in Belfalas, on the north edges of the Emyn Ernil: "Amon Lontir" and "Nendath". The small island "Tol Aduial" was in the bay north of Dol Amroth and the larger island "Tol Fennas" was west of Dol Amroth. A reclusive group of Elves, the "Avorrim", kept watch upon the abandoned haven of Edhellond in secret.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith", p. 750
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "Notes", Note 39
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Amroth and Nimrodel", Note 18
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Amroth and Nimrodel"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "The Atani and their Languages"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "Notes", Note 67
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: V. Beards", p. 189
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "(iii) Cirion and Eorl"
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Amroth and Nimrodel", note 14
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Last Debate"
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, p. 15
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