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{{location
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| image=[[File:Lori Deitrick - Men of Dorwinion.jpg|250px]]
'''Dorwinion''' or '''Dor-Winion''' was a land which lay on the northwestern shores of the [[Sea of Rhûn]]. In Dorwinion was made a heady wine, which was strong enough to let even [[Elves]] get drunk and fall asleep.
| name=Dorwinion
| othernames=
| etymology=See below
| type=Region
| location=On the northwest side of the Sea of Rhûn
| inhabitants=
| realms=
| description=A land of vineyards
| events=
}}
 
'''Dorwinion''' or '''Dor-Winion''' was a land which lay on the northwestern shores of the [[Sea of Rhûn]], surrounded by the [[River Running]].<ref>{{HM|Map}}</ref> In Dorwinion was made a heady wine, which was strong enough to let even [[Elves]] get drunk and fall asleep.
==History==
Despite its location in the outskirts of [[Rhûn]], the very name of Dorwinion betrayed an influence by the [[Elves]] or the [[Gondorians]], although it can't be said with certainty who inhabited that land, Elves or Men.  


Nothing is known about the realm or its inhabitants, were they Elves or Men. Dorwinion may have been the only [[Avari]] realm close to the [[Westlands]] of [[Middle-earth]]. It was already well established while the [[Atanatári]] were still young.
What is known is that by the time of [[King of Gondor|King]] [[Hyarmendacil I]] ({{TA|1015}} - {{TA|1149|n}}), the lands around the region that was or would become Dorwinion were within the borders of [[Gondor]]. In {{TA|1248}} [[Minalcar]] and [[Vidugavia]] also campaigned in the lands between Rhovanion and the Inland Sea.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> In the following centuries the [[Great Plague]] had hit those lands<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref> although it is not known how much Dorwinion was affected. Eventually Gondor's borders diminished and it withdrew its hold from the lands around Rhûn, and thus Dorwinion.


Dorwinion is mentioned as the place where the special wine of the [[Thranduil|Elvenking]] comes from, and the crates are returned by way of the [[Forest River]] to [[Lake-town]] on [[Long Lake]].<ref>{{H|9}}</ref>
By {{TA|2941}} Dorwinion traded with realms of [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]], such as the [[Woodland Realm]]. The special wine of [[Thranduil]] came from that place in crates. The [[Elves of Mirkwood]] returned the crates by way of the [[Forest River]] to [[Lake-town]] on [[Long Lake]].<ref>{{H|9}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The name is [[Sindarin]] meaning "Young-land country" from ''[[dor]]'' and ''[[gwain]]'' plus the geographical ending ''[[-iond]]''.<ref>[[John Rateliff]], ''[[The History of The Hobbit]]''</ref>
{{Pronounce|Dorwinion.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Dorwinion2.mp3|Ardamir}}
The name is [[Sindarin]] meaning "Land of Gwinion", whereas Gwinion itself is a name of a country meaning "Young-land"; from ''[[dor]]'' and ''[[gwain]]'' plus the geographical ending ''[[-nd|-iond]]''.<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, p. 54</ref> The latter part of the name is apparently related to [[Gnomish]] words such as ''gwinwen'' (“freshness”) and ''gwion'' (“young”).


It has been suggested by [[Tolkienist]]s that the name may not have been Sindarin at all, but come from an [[Avari]] or [[Nandorin]] tongue. The element ''-Winion'' was understood as apparently meaning "wine", without any probable origin in any known etymology<ref>[http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/site3/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=36 Dorwinion, pays de cépages]</ref>; thus pointing to an obscure (like Avarin) origin.
[[Tolkien]] commented that the [[Elvish]] name in such a remote location is a "testimony to the spread of Sindarin".<ref>{{HM|HH}}</ref>


==Other versions==
==Other versions==
''Dor'''v'''inion'' or ''Dor-Winion'' is mentioned by in the ''[[The Lay of the Children of Húrin]]''; its wine was famous among the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] and [[Menegroth]]. It is said there to lie in the "Burning south" (of [[Beleriand]])<ref>{{LB|1b}} lines 223, 425</ref>, which might suggest it was a different "Dorwinion", or may just have referred to the fact it came from the more southern lands of [[Rhovanion (region)|Rhovanion]] by way of the [[Dwarf-road of Beleriand]].  
''Dor'''v'''inion'' or ''Dor-Winion'' is mentioned in the ''[[The Lay of the Children of Húrin]]''; its wine was famous among the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] and [[Menegroth]]. It is said there to lie in the "Burning south" (of [[Beleriand]])<ref>{{LB|1b}} lines 223, 425</ref>, which might suggest it was a different "Dorwinion", or may just have referred to the fact it came from the more southern lands of [[Rhovanion]] by way of the [[Dwarf-road of Beleriand]].  


While writing the [[Quenta Silmarillion]], Tolkien once mentioned Dorwinion as a location of [[Tol Eressea]]<ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 338</ref>. Tolkien reused the name and the wines in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', establishing thus that it is somewhere in or near the [[Wilderland]].
While writing the [[Quenta Silmarillion]], Tolkien once mentioned Dorwinion as a location of [[Tol Eressea]].<ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 338</ref> Tolkien reused the name and the wines in ''[[The Hobbit]]'', establishing thus that it is somewhere in or near the [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]].
 
==Inspiration==
The canonical location was decided at random by [[Pauline Baynes]] while drawing her map of [[Middle-earth]]. Tolkien was surprised but agreed.<ref>{{LB|Hurin}}</ref>
Based on the meaning of its name, [[John Rateliff]] suggests that the name is a reference to the Irish legend of [[Wikipedia:Tír na nÓg|Tír na nÓg]] "Land of the Young". However this similarity rather applies to the earlier phase where Dorwinion was mentioned as a part of Tol Eressea.


==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2011/10/19/was-dorwinion-an-elf-kingdom/ Was Dorwinion an Elf-kingdom?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
*[http://www.jrrvf.com/hisweloke/site3/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=36 Dorwinion, pays de cépages] by [[Didier Willis]]
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]

Revision as of 00:47, 17 December 2016

Dorwinion
Region
Lori Deitrick - Men of Dorwinion.jpg
General Information
LocationOn the northwest side of the Sea of Rhûn
TypeRegion
DescriptionA land of vineyards
GalleryImages of Dorwinion

Dorwinion or Dor-Winion was a land which lay on the northwestern shores of the Sea of Rhûn, surrounded by the River Running.[1] In Dorwinion was made a heady wine, which was strong enough to let even Elves get drunk and fall asleep.

History

Despite its location in the outskirts of Rhûn, the very name of Dorwinion betrayed an influence by the Elves or the Gondorians, although it can't be said with certainty who inhabited that land, Elves or Men.

What is known is that by the time of King Hyarmendacil I (T.A. 1015 - 1149), the lands around the region that was or would become Dorwinion were within the borders of Gondor. In T.A. 1248 Minalcar and Vidugavia also campaigned in the lands between Rhovanion and the Inland Sea.[2] In the following centuries the Great Plague had hit those lands[3] although it is not known how much Dorwinion was affected. Eventually Gondor's borders diminished and it withdrew its hold from the lands around Rhûn, and thus Dorwinion.

By T.A. 2941 Dorwinion traded with realms of Wilderland, such as the Woodland Realm. The special wine of Thranduil came from that place in crates. The Elves of Mirkwood returned the crates by way of the Forest River to Lake-town on Long Lake.[4]

Etymology

The name is Sindarin meaning "Land of Gwinion", whereas Gwinion itself is a name of a country meaning "Young-land"; from dor and gwain plus the geographical ending -iond.[5] The latter part of the name is apparently related to Gnomish words such as gwinwen (“freshness”) and gwion (“young”).

Tolkien commented that the Elvish name in such a remote location is a "testimony to the spread of Sindarin".[6]

Other versions

Dorvinion or Dor-Winion is mentioned in the The Lay of the Children of Húrin; its wine was famous among the Dwarves of Nogrod and Menegroth. It is said there to lie in the "Burning south" (of Beleriand)[7], which might suggest it was a different "Dorwinion", or may just have referred to the fact it came from the more southern lands of Rhovanion by way of the Dwarf-road of Beleriand.

While writing the Quenta Silmarillion, Tolkien once mentioned Dorwinion as a location of Tol Eressea.[8] Tolkien reused the name and the wines in The Hobbit, establishing thus that it is somewhere in or near the Wilderland.

Inspiration

Based on the meaning of its name, John Rateliff suggests that the name is a reference to the Irish legend of Tír na nÓg "Land of the Young". However this similarity rather applies to the earlier phase where Dorwinion was mentioned as a part of Tol Eressea.

External links

References

  1. ↑ Pauline Baynes, J.R.R. Tolkien, A Map of Middle-earth
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Barrels Out of Bond"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 54
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lays of Beleriand, "I. The Lay of the Children of Húrin: I. Túrin's Fostering" lines 223, 425
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion", p. 338
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