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The '''East Road''' is the road which runs through [[The Shire]].
{{location infobox
| name=East Road
| image=[[File:Matěj Čadil - Great East Road.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Great East Road" by Matěj Čadil
| pronun=
| othernames=Great Road, East-West Road
| location=Running from [[Blue Mountains]] through central [[Eriador]] to the [[Misty Mountains]]
| type=Road
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Hobbits]], [[Men]], [[Dwarves]], [[Elves]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
The '''East Road''',<ref>{{FR|Conspiracy}}, p. 66</ref> also known as the '''Great Road'''<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}, p. 1039</ref> or '''East-West Road'''<ref name="Shadow">{{FR|Shadow}}, p. 43</ref> was an old Dwarven route in [[Eriador]] that ran from the [[Grey Havens]] to [[Rivendell]].<ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''East Road'', p. 75</ref> It crossed the [[Greenway]] at [[Bree]].<ref name="Map">{{FR|Map}}</ref>


The Great East Road was originally laid by the [[Dwarves]] long before the [[First Age]] of the Sun, probably during the last Age of Stars, and ran from the Iron Hills through Rhovanion to [[Khazad-dûm]], from which it continued across Eriador to the [[Ered Luin]], and then on into [[Doriath]] in [[Beleriand]].  
==Course==
The western end of the Road was the [[Grey Havens]], giving access to the [[Blue Mountains]].<ref name="Shadow" /> The East Road passed through the Shire, and two of its most important towns lay athwart the road (namely [[Hobbiton]] and [[Michel Delving]]).<ref>{{FR|Part}}</ref> Where the East Road met the [[Greenway]] was where [[Bree]] was situated.<ref name="Map" /> A day's journey east of Bree on the East Road was [[The Forsaken Inn]]. The [[Ford of Bruinen]] near [[Rivendell]] was a twelve days long march east of Bree on the East Road.<ref>{{FR|Knife}}, p. 187</ref>
 
==History==
The East Road was originally built by the [[Dwarves]] during the [[First Age]]{{fact}}, and ran from the [[Iron Hills]] through [[Rhovanion]] to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], from which it continued across [[Eriador]] to the [[Blue Mountains]], and then on to [[Doriath]] in [[Beleriand]]. It connected the realms of Nogrod and Belegost with [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], allowing for trade and communication. 
   
   
The western parts were built to facilitate the passage of companies of dwarf craftsmen (and later, their armed escort) across eastern Beleriand, before the sack of Doriath by the dwarfs of Nogrod ended their trade.  
The western parts were laid to facilitate the passage of Dwarf craftsmen (and later, their armed escorts) across eastern Beleriand, before the [[Battle of the Thousand Caves]] ended their trading.{{fact}}


After the First Age of Sun, and the ruination of [[Nogrod]] and neighbouring [[Belegost]], focus shifted to the eastern part of the ancient road, which had been built by the dwarves of Khazad-Dum in the [[Misty Mountains]]. Khazad-Dum's inhabitants, the Longbeard dwarves, continued to grow in power and influence, and their trading needs meant that the road from the Iron Hills that travelled through [[Mirkwood]] to their gates became widely known. On the western side of the Misty Mountains, after traversing the [[High Pass]], the road continued to the [[Ered Luin]], and this part ultimately became known as the '''Men-i-Naugrim''' or "Old Dwarf Road".
After the ruination of [[Nogrod]] and neighbouring [[Belegost]], focus shifted to the eastern part of the road, which had been built by the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. The inhabitants of Khazad-dûm, the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]], continued to grow in power and influence; their trading needs meant that the [[Old Forest Road|Dwarf-road]], which traversed from the [[Iron Hills]] through [[Mirkwood]] to their eastern gates, became widely known. On the western side of the [[Misty Mountains]], after traversing the [[High Pass]], the road continued to the Blue Mountains.
   
   
When the [[Númenórean]] realm in exile of [[Arnor]] was founded, the Arnorians took over the maintenance of the '''Men-i-Naugrim''', and built several fortresses on or near it (including [[Weathertop]]), and expanded or created bridges over the rivers [[Baranduin]] and [[Mitheithel]]. After Arnor was divided in T.A 861, the Great East Road formed the boundary between two of its successor states, [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].
When the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] realm-in-exile of [[Arnor]] was founded, the [[Dúnedain of Arnor|Dúnedain]] took over maintenance of the East Road and built several fortresses on or near it (of which the most well-known was [[Weathertop]]). They also expanded and created bridges over the rivers [[Baranduin|Brandywine]] ([[Brandywine Bridge|Bridge of Stonebows]]) and [[Hoarwell]] ([[Last Bridge]]). After Arnor was divided in {{TA|861}}, the East Road formed the boundary between two of its successor states, [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. During the [[Angmar War|War with Angmar]], [[Arthedain]] and Cardolan tried to maintain a frontier along the [[Weather Hills]], the East Road, and the lower [[Hoarwell]] against [[Angmar]] and Rhudaur.<ref>{{App|Eriador}}, ''The North-kingdom and the Dúneadin'', p. 1040</ref>
 
By the late [[Third Age]], the most notable users of the road were the [[Dwarves]] who travelled to and from the [[Blue Mountains]].<ref name="Eriador" /> Those often stopped at [[Bree]], and when they traversed [[the Shire]], it was said that they brought news from the world outside, thus becoming the main link between the Shire and other realms.<ref>{{FR|Sign}}</ref><ref name="Shadow" />
 
==Other versions==
Originally, the Road made two large curves: a great loop south of Weathertop to the North-east and then "bent back again southward towards the [[Bruinen|River]]" around the bottom of the [[Trollshaws]].
 
Because of [[Christopher Tolkien]]'s "carelessness", in the [[1954]] [[General Map of Middle-earth|published map]], the Road has only a small northward curve between Weathertop and the [[Last Bridge]], and then runs in a straight line to the [[Ford of Bruinen]]. In the [[Second Edition]] onwards, in order to agree with the map, the portion of the text was corrected to "the Road behind held on its way to the River Bruinen".<ref>{{RS|1XIa}}</ref>
 
The relevant map in [[Barbara Strachey]]'s atlas ''[[Journeys of Frodo]]'' reflects the earlier descriptions.
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2012: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
 
While the [[Thorin and Company|Company of Thorin Oakenshield]] is in [[Rivendell]], Gandalf mentions to [[Elrond|Lord Elrond]] that they were travelling on the Great East Road. It is also said that they found the swords [[Orcrist]] and [[Glamdring]] in a troll-hoard on the self-same road.
 
{{references}}
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:The Shire]]
[[Category:Roads and streets]]


By the time of the [[War of the Ring]] in the late [[Third Age]], where the Great East Road met the [[Greenway]] lay the ancient village of [[Bree]]. A days ride east lay [[The Forsaken Inn]], beyond which lay [[Rivendell]]. West of the crossroads the [[Hobbits]] had colonized the Shire, and their most important towns lay athwart the East Road; ([[Hobbiton]] and [[Michel Delving]] to name two).
[[de:Oststraße (Drittes Zeitalter)]]
[[fi:Itä-Länsi-tie]]

Latest revision as of 05:53, 25 April 2024

East Road
Road
Matěj Čadil - Great East Road.jpg
"Great East Road" by Matěj Čadil
General Information
Other namesGreat Road, East-West Road
LocationRunning from Blue Mountains through central Eriador to the Misty Mountains
TypeRoad
InhabitantsHobbits, Men, Dwarves, Elves

The East Road,[1] also known as the Great Road[2] or East-West Road[3] was an old Dwarven route in Eriador that ran from the Grey Havens to Rivendell.[4] It crossed the Greenway at Bree.[5]

Course[edit | edit source]

The western end of the Road was the Grey Havens, giving access to the Blue Mountains.[3] The East Road passed through the Shire, and two of its most important towns lay athwart the road (namely Hobbiton and Michel Delving).[6] Where the East Road met the Greenway was where Bree was situated.[5] A day's journey east of Bree on the East Road was The Forsaken Inn. The Ford of Bruinen near Rivendell was a twelve days long march east of Bree on the East Road.[7]

History[edit | edit source]

The East Road was originally built by the Dwarves during the First Age[source?], and ran from the Iron Hills through Rhovanion to Khazad-dûm, from which it continued across Eriador to the Blue Mountains, and then on to Doriath in Beleriand. It connected the realms of Nogrod and Belegost with Khazad-dûm, allowing for trade and communication.

The western parts were laid to facilitate the passage of Dwarf craftsmen (and later, their armed escorts) across eastern Beleriand, before the Battle of the Thousand Caves ended their trading.[source?]

After the ruination of Nogrod and neighbouring Belegost, focus shifted to the eastern part of the road, which had been built by the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm. The inhabitants of Khazad-dûm, the Longbeards, continued to grow in power and influence; their trading needs meant that the Dwarf-road, which traversed from the Iron Hills through Mirkwood to their eastern gates, became widely known. On the western side of the Misty Mountains, after traversing the High Pass, the road continued to the Blue Mountains.

When the Númenórean realm-in-exile of Arnor was founded, the Dúnedain took over maintenance of the East Road and built several fortresses on or near it (of which the most well-known was Weathertop). They also expanded and created bridges over the rivers Brandywine (Bridge of Stonebows) and Hoarwell (Last Bridge). After Arnor was divided in T.A. 861, the East Road formed the boundary between two of its successor states, Cardolan and Rhudaur. During the War with Angmar, Arthedain and Cardolan tried to maintain a frontier along the Weather Hills, the East Road, and the lower Hoarwell against Angmar and Rhudaur.[8]

By the late Third Age, the most notable users of the road were the Dwarves who travelled to and from the Blue Mountains.[2] Those often stopped at Bree, and when they traversed the Shire, it was said that they brought news from the world outside, thus becoming the main link between the Shire and other realms.[9][3]

Other versions[edit | edit source]

Originally, the Road made two large curves: a great loop south of Weathertop to the North-east and then "bent back again southward towards the River" around the bottom of the Trollshaws.

Because of Christopher Tolkien's "carelessness", in the 1954 published map, the Road has only a small northward curve between Weathertop and the Last Bridge, and then runs in a straight line to the Ford of Bruinen. In the Second Edition onwards, in order to agree with the map, the portion of the text was corrected to "the Road behind held on its way to the River Bruinen".[10]

The relevant map in Barbara Strachey's atlas Journeys of Frodo reflects the earlier descriptions.

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

While the Company of Thorin Oakenshield is in Rivendell, Gandalf mentions to Lord Elrond that they were travelling on the Great East Road. It is also said that they found the swords Orcrist and Glamdring in a troll-hoard on the self-same road.

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Conspiracy Unmasked", p. 66
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", p. 1039
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Shadow of the Past", p. 43
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings", in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, entry East Road, p. 75
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Part of the Shire" map
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Knife in the Dark", p. 187
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", The North-kingdom and the Dúneadin, p. 1040
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony"
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The First Phase: XI. From Weathertop to the Ford, Note on the course of the Road between Weathertop and Rivendell"
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