Erech: Difference between revisions
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{{location infobox | |||
| name=Erech | |||
| image=[[File:Gianna Michele Kaye - The Oath.jpg|250px]] | |||
| caption="The Oath" by [[:Category:Images by Gianna Michele Kaye|Michele Kaye]] | |||
| pronun= | |||
| othernames= | |||
| location=Northern [[Lamedon]], south of the [[White Mountains]] and [[Edoras]] | |||
| type=Plain | |||
| description=plain with a [[Hill of Erech|hill]] capped by a great black [[Stone of Erech|stone]] | |||
| regions= | |||
| towns= | |||
| inhabitants=Originally [[Men]], later abandoned | |||
| created= | |||
| destroyed= | |||
| events= | |||
}} | |||
'''Erech''' was a plain in [[Gondor]] situated at the mouth of the [[Blackroot Vale]], far to the west of [[Minas Tirith]],<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref> being near to the southern entrance to the [[Paths of the Dead]]. Upon it stood the [[Hill of Erech]] and a smooth black globe, the [[Stone of Erech]]. | |||
==History== | |||
In the [[Second Age]], [[Isildur]] set a great black stone upon the Hill of Erech and made the local hill tribes swear an oath of loyalty over the stone. It was there that the [[King of the Dead|King of the Mountains]] swore allegiance to Isildur's cause at the time of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]]. However, when he failed to fulfil his oath, he and his [[Oathbreakers|people]] were cursed to wander and haunt the plain of Erech as the Dead until they made good on their promise. | |||
After the battle at Pelargir Aragorn released them from their oath and they were allowed to rest. | The plain became a mysterious and eerie place, shunned by the people of the valley, who claimed that it was haunted by restless spirits. The area was completely abandoned by the end of the [[Third Age]].<ref name="Grey">{{RK|V2}}</ref> During the time of King [[Arvedui]] of [[Arthedain]], a prophecy was made regarding the arising of the dead during the [[War of the Ring]]. In this prophecy the Stone of Erech was mentioned: | ||
{{blockquote|The Dead awaken; for the hour is come for the oathbreakers: at the Stone of Erech they shall stand again and hear there a horn in the hills ringing.|[[Malbeth]] the [[Seer]]}} | |||
When the [[Grey Company]] came to [[Rohan]], the sons of [[Elrond]] brought with them a reminder of these words from their father to [[Aragorn]], who acted upon these words to brave the Paths of the Dead.<ref name="Grey">{{RK|V2}}</ref> | |||
After waiting through the long years of the Third Age, at midnight on [[8 March]] {{TA|3019}},<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref> the heir of Isildur, [[Aragorn]], came to Erech to hold the Dead to their oath again, promising that upon its fulfillment they would have peace.<ref name="Grey">{{RK|V2}}</ref> [[9 March|The next day]] they left Erech for [[Calembel]].<ref name="Great"/> Indeed, on [[13 March]],<ref name="Great"/> they held true to their oath and formed the Host of the Dead to help Aragorn defeat the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] at [[Pelargir]]. After the battle at Pelargir, Aragorn released them from their oath and they were allowed to rest.<ref>{{RK|V9}}</ref> | |||
==Etymology== | |||
The name ''Erech'', like so many names in Gondor, was of unknown [[Mannish]] [[pre-Númenórean]] origin.<ref>{{App|Men}}</ref> | |||
{{references}} | |||
{{FellowshipRoute}} | |||
[[Category:Gondor]] | |||
[[Category:Hills]] | |||
[[Category:Mannish words]] | |||
[[de:Erech]] | |||
[[fi:Erechin Kukkula]] | |||
[[fr:encyclo/artefacts/pierre_d_erech]] | |||
Latest revision as of 19:26, 10 January 2024
| Erech | |
|---|---|
| Plain | |
 | |
| "The Oath" by Michele Kaye | |
| General Information | |
| Location | Northern Lamedon, south of the White Mountains and Edoras |
| Type | Plain |
| Description | plain with a hill capped by a great black stone |
| Inhabitants | Originally Men, later abandoned |
| Gallery | Images of Erech |
Erech was a plain in Gondor situated at the mouth of the Blackroot Vale, far to the west of Minas Tirith,[1] being near to the southern entrance to the Paths of the Dead. Upon it stood the Hill of Erech and a smooth black globe, the Stone of Erech.
History[edit | edit source]
In the Second Age, Isildur set a great black stone upon the Hill of Erech and made the local hill tribes swear an oath of loyalty over the stone. It was there that the King of the Mountains swore allegiance to Isildur's cause at the time of the Last Alliance. However, when he failed to fulfil his oath, he and his people were cursed to wander and haunt the plain of Erech as the Dead until they made good on their promise.
The plain became a mysterious and eerie place, shunned by the people of the valley, who claimed that it was haunted by restless spirits. The area was completely abandoned by the end of the Third Age.[2] During the time of King Arvedui of Arthedain, a prophecy was made regarding the arising of the dead during the War of the Ring. In this prophecy the Stone of Erech was mentioned:
The Dead awaken; for the hour is come for the oathbreakers: at the Stone of Erech they shall stand again and hear there a horn in the hills ringing.
—Malbeth the Seer
When the Grey Company came to Rohan, the sons of Elrond brought with them a reminder of these words from their father to Aragorn, who acted upon these words to brave the Paths of the Dead.[2]
After waiting through the long years of the Third Age, at midnight on 8 March T.A. 3019,[3] the heir of Isildur, Aragorn, came to Erech to hold the Dead to their oath again, promising that upon its fulfillment they would have peace.[2] The next day they left Erech for Calembel.[3] Indeed, on 13 March,[3] they held true to their oath and formed the Host of the Dead to help Aragorn defeat the Corsairs of Umbar at Pelargir. After the battle at Pelargir, Aragorn released them from their oath and they were allowed to rest.[4]
Etymology[edit | edit source]
The name Erech, like so many names in Gondor, was of unknown Mannish pre-Númenórean origin.[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 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Passing of the Grey Company"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Last Debate"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of Men"
