Dunharrow: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Dunharrow.jpg|thumb|''Dunharrow'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]] | [[Image:Dunharrow.jpg|thumb|''Dunharrow'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]] | ||
'''Dunharrow''' was a refuge of the [[Rohirrim]] hidden in the [[White Mountains]] and fortified against attack. Dunharrow was a clifftop overlooking [[Harrowdale]], the valley of the river [[Snowbourn]]. | '''Dunharrow''' was a refuge of the [[Rohirrim]] hidden in the [[White Mountains]] south of [[Edoras]]<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref> and fortified against attack. Dunharrow was a clifftop overlooking [[Harrowdale]], the valley of the river [[Snowbourn]]. | ||
In order to reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the [[Stair of the Hold]] leading to the "[[Firienfeld]]", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers. | In order to reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the [[Stair of the Hold]] leading to the "[[Firienfeld]]", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers. | ||
Large carved stones marked the entrance to the [[Dimholt]], a natural amphitheater, which led into the [[Paths of the Dead]]. | Large carved stones marked the entrance to the [[Dimholt]], a natural amphitheater, which led into the [[Paths of the Dead]].<ref name="Muster">{{RK|V3}}</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Dunharrow had been used as a refuge sacred place by the [[Pre-Númenóreans|Pre-Númenórean]] [[Middle Men]] [[Oathbreakers|of the White Mountains]] during the [[Second Age]] — nearly three millennia before the establishment of the Kingdom of [[Rohan]]. | Dunharrow had been used as a refuge sacred place by the [[Pre-Númenóreans|Pre-Númenórean]] [[Middle Men]] [[Oathbreakers|of the White Mountains]] during the [[Second Age]] — nearly three millennia before the establishment of the Kingdom of [[Rohan]]. | ||
Those Men of the White Mountains had lined the winding path with statues known as the [[Púkel-men]] — statues originally carved in the likeness of the [[Drúedain]]. | Those Men of the White Mountains had lined the winding path with statues known as the [[Púkel-men]] — statues originally carved in the likeness of the [[Drúedain]].<ref name="Muster"/> | ||
When the [[Rohirrim]] came to the region, | When the [[Rohirrim]] came to the region, they recognized the "heathen fane" and they used it as a refuge. | ||
[[Aragorn]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], and the [[Grey Company]] arrived at Dunharrow on [[7 March]] {{TA|3019}} and then left at dawn the next day to take the [[Paths of the Dead]]. [[Théoden]] and his riders (with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]]) came to Dunharrow on [[9 March]] and rode out for [[Gondor]] on [[10 March|the 10th]].<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> | |||
== Etymology == | == Etymology == | ||
Tolkien made ''Dunharrow'' the Modern English form of [[Rohirric]] ([[Old English]]) ''Dūnhaerg'', meaning "the heathen fane on the hillside".<ref name="Nomen"/> | Tolkien made ''Dunharrow'' the Modern English form of [[Rohirric]] ([[Old English]]) ''Dúnharg'' (or ''Dūnhaerg''), meaning "the heathen fane on the hillside".<ref>{{App|E1}}, Note</ref><ref name="Nomen"/> | ||
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes that he modernized the element ''haerg'' since ''harrow'' exists as an element in English place-names.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, pp. 769</ref> | [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes that he modernized the element ''haerg'' since ''harrow'' exists as an element in English place-names.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, pp. 769</ref> |
Revision as of 06:44, 10 June 2012
Dunharrow was a refuge of the Rohirrim hidden in the White Mountains south of Edoras[1] and fortified against attack. Dunharrow was a clifftop overlooking Harrowdale, the valley of the river Snowbourn.
In order to reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the Stair of the Hold leading to the "Firienfeld", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers.
Large carved stones marked the entrance to the Dimholt, a natural amphitheater, which led into the Paths of the Dead.[2]
History
Dunharrow had been used as a refuge sacred place by the Pre-Númenórean Middle Men of the White Mountains during the Second Age — nearly three millennia before the establishment of the Kingdom of Rohan.
Those Men of the White Mountains had lined the winding path with statues known as the Púkel-men — statues originally carved in the likeness of the Drúedain.[2]
When the Rohirrim came to the region, they recognized the "heathen fane" and they used it as a refuge.
Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and the Grey Company arrived at Dunharrow on 7 March T.A. 3019 and then left at dawn the next day to take the Paths of the Dead. Théoden and his riders (with Merry) came to Dunharrow on 9 March and rode out for Gondor on the 10th.[3]
Etymology
Tolkien made Dunharrow the Modern English form of Rohirric (Old English) Dúnharg (or Dūnhaerg), meaning "the heathen fane on the hillside".[4][5]
Tolkien notes that he modernized the element haerg since harrow exists as an element in English place-names.[5]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Muster of Rohan"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix E, "Pronunciation of Words and Names", Note
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, pp. 769