Eriador: Difference between revisions
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The events of the [[First Age]] mostly concerned the peoples of [[Beleriand]]; as such, we have no map drawn by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] which shows Eriador in the First Age. We have, however, a map of [[Beleriand]] which shows the Blue Mountains in the First Age;<ref name="silmap">[[Christopher Tolkien]], ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[:Image:Beleriand color.jpg|Map of Beleriand]]"</ref> also we know that [[Morgoth|Melkor]] reared the Misty Mountains to hinder [[Oromë]] before the arrival of the [[Elves]].<ref name="silmelf">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]"</ref> Therefore we can deduce that in the First Age the eastern and western borders of Eriador were the same as in latter ages. | The events of the [[First Age]] mostly concerned the peoples of [[Beleriand]]; as such, we have no map drawn by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] which shows Eriador in the First Age. We have, however, a map of [[Beleriand]] which shows the Blue Mountains in the First Age;<ref name="silmap">[[Christopher Tolkien]], ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[:Image:Beleriand color.jpg|Map of Beleriand]]"</ref> also we know that [[Morgoth|Melkor]] reared the Misty Mountains to hinder [[Oromë]] before the arrival of the [[Elves]].<ref name="silmelf">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]"</ref> Therefore we can deduce that in the First Age the eastern and western borders of Eriador were the same as in latter ages. | ||
''The Silmarillion'' states that a mountain-range, created by Melkor, known as the [[Iron Mountains]] (''Ered Engrin'') stretched across the north of the world in a curve from east to west and which stood on the borders of the region of everlasting cold<ref name="silmbel">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Beleriand and its Realms]]"</ref> (compare with the [[Forodwaith]]). From this it can be suggested that the northern border of Eriador in the First Age would've been the Iron Mountains. | ''The Silmarillion'' states that a mountain-range, created by Melkor, known as the [[Iron Mountains]] (''Ered Engrin'') stretched across the north of the world in a curve from east to west and which stood on the borders of the region of everlasting cold<ref name="silmbel">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Beleriand and its Realms]]"</ref> (compare with the [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]). From this it can be suggested that the northern border of Eriador in the First Age would've been the Iron Mountains. | ||
It is unclear what the borders of Eriador were to the south, we know that the Blue Mountains were more formidable and longer than in the latter Ages,<ref name="silmap" /> so it is unlikely that Eriador would've had a coastline. We also cannot know, due to the different shape of the world, whether the [[Greyflood]] or [[Lune]] rivers existed in the First Age; in ''[[the Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' the Greyflood is shown following its same route through Eriador and continuing on the same course - passing the lower end of the Blue Mountains - before reaching the sea somewhere to the west of the western arm of the [[White Mountains]].<ref name="aome">[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', revised edition, p. 4</ref> It should be noted that this is not necessarily [[canon|canonical]]. | It is unclear what the borders of Eriador were to the south, we know that the Blue Mountains were more formidable and longer than in the latter Ages,<ref name="silmap" /> so it is unlikely that Eriador would've had a coastline. We also cannot know, due to the different shape of the world, whether the [[Greyflood]] or [[Lune]] rivers existed in the First Age; in ''[[the Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' the Greyflood is shown following its same route through Eriador and continuing on the same course - passing the lower end of the Blue Mountains - before reaching the sea somewhere to the west of the western arm of the [[White Mountains]].<ref name="aome">[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', revised edition, p. 4</ref> It should be noted that this is not necessarily [[canon|canonical]]. | ||
===Second, Third and | ===Second, Third and Fourth Ages=== | ||
{{quote|Eriador was of old the name of all the lands between the [[Misty Mountains]] and the [[Ered Luin|Blue]]; in the South it was bounded by the [[Greyflood]] and the [[Glanduin]] that flows into it above [[Tharbad]].|[[Appendix A]], I: The Númenorean Kings, iii: Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur }} | {{quote|Eriador was of old the name of all the lands between the [[Misty Mountains]] and the [[Ered Luin|Blue]]; in the South it was bounded by the [[Greyflood]] and the [[Glanduin]] that flows into it above [[Tharbad]].|[[Appendix A]], I: The Númenorean Kings, iii: Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur }} | ||
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| title=Region of Eriador | | title=Region of Eriador | ||
| north-west=[[Blue Mountains]] | | north-west=[[Blue Mountains]] | ||
| north=[[Icebay of Forochel]], '''[[Forodwaith]]''' | | north=[[Icebay of Forochel]], '''[[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]''' | ||
| north-east=[[Misty Mountains]], '''[[Forodwaith]]''' | | north-east=[[Misty Mountains]], '''[[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]''' | ||
| west=[[Blue Mountains]], [[Gulf of Lhûn]], '''[[Lindon]]''' | | west=[[Blue Mountains]], [[Gulf of Lhûn]], '''[[Lindon]]''' | ||
| east=[[Misty Mountains]], '''[[Rhovanion]]''' | | east=[[Misty Mountains]], '''[[Rhovanion (region)|Rhovanion]]''' | ||
| south-west=[[Belegaer]] | | south-west=[[Belegaer]] | ||
| south=[[Gwathló]], '''[[Enedwaith]]''' | | south=[[Gwathló]], '''[[Enedwaith]]''' | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
===Earlier History=== | ===Earlier History=== | ||
Before the [[First Age]], the [[Three Kindreds]] passed through Eriador | Before the [[First Age]], the [[Three Kindreds]] of the [[Elves]] passed through Eriador on the [[Great Journey]] to [[Beleriand]], to make the trip to [[Valinor]]. First came the [[Vanyar]], following closely by the [[Noldor]], but the [[Teleri]] tarried and were only urged forward at the behest of their lord, [[Elwë]], who was keen to return to [[Valinor]].<ref name="silmelf" /> | ||
Not all of the Teleri continued on the | Not all of the Teleri continued on the march, however, as when the host reached the great river [[Anduin]] [[Lenwë]] led some of his people southwards away from the rest of his kin: these people became the [[Nandor]].<ref name="silmelf" /> Some of these people eventually passed into Eriador, and dwelt there for a time, before [[Denethor (Nando)|Denethor]], son of Lenwë, gathered as many of the Nandor as possible and removed to [[Ossiriand]] to become the [[Laiquendi]].<ref name="silmots">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Sindar]]"</ref> | ||
===First Age=== | ===First Age=== | ||
In [[First Age 310|F.A. 310]] the first | In [[First Age 310|F.A. 310]] the first [[Men]] of the [[House of Bëor]] entered Beleriand from Eriador,<ref name="wotj">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The War of the Jewels]]'', "The Later ''Quenta Silmarillion''", "Of the Coming of Men into the West"</ref> and were discovered by [[Finrod Felagund]]. These Men quickly made friendship with the [[Eldar]] and entered into their service, but [[Bereg]], grandson of [[Bëor]], was uncontent and led those of like mind with himself back over the [[Blue Mountains|mountains]] into Eriador.<ref name="silmmen">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Coming of Men into the West]]"</ref> | ||
Living in Eriador in the First Age were also men known as [[Easterlings#Easterlings of the First Age|Easterlings]], or Swarthy Men, and they were led by [[Bór]] and [[Ulfang]]. In [[First Age 463|F.A. 463]] Bór and Ulfang led many | Living in Eriador in the First Age were also men known as [[Easterlings#Easterlings of the First Age|Easterlings]], or ''Swarthy Men'', and they were led by [[Bór]] and [[Ulfang]]. In [[First Age 463|F.A. 463]] Bór and Ulfang led many Men with them from the east into Beleriand, as Men were often drawn westwards, and they met with the Eldar.<ref name="silmruin">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin]]"</ref> Bór was faithful to the Eldar and his people followed [[Maedhros]] and [[Maglor]], but [[Ulfang]] [[Treachery of Men|betrayed]] the Eldar and [[Edain]] in the [[Nírnaeth Arnoediad]] - even though he swore an oath of allegiance with [[Caranthir]] - successfully fulfilling the designs of [[Morgoth]] in the process.<ref name="silmfifth">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]"</ref> | ||
===Second Age=== | ===Second Age=== | ||
=====Elves and Númenóreans Enter Eriador===== | |||
Following the [[War of Wrath]] - and the destruction of [[Beleriand]] - many [[Elves]] left for [[Aman]] whilst the remnants of the [[Edain]] removed to live on the newly-formed isle of [[Númenor]]. The remaining Elves moved to [[Middle-earth]], and in the year [[Second Age 750|750]] of the [[Second Age]] the remnants of the [[Noldor]] established the realm of [[Eregion]] in the south-east of Eriador.<ref name="lotryears">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', "[[Appendix B]]"</ref> | |||
Lindon | In [[Second Age 600|S.A. 600]] the first [[Númenórean]] ships began to visit [[Middle-earth]] and when news of this reached the [[Men]] of Eriador they were amazed and scared. On the [[Tower Hills]] the Númenóreans met with just twelve [[Men]] from Eriador and both sides recognised their ancient kinship: the Númenóreans discovered that these people lived in the hills east of the [[Baranduin]] and were likely the descendants of the people of [[Bëor]] and [[Hador]] who never crossed the [[Blue Mountains]].<ref name="utalda" /> | ||
In [[Second Age 725|S.A. 725]] [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]] first visits [[Lindon]] and Eriador and begins a long-lasting friendship with [[Gil-galad]]. He made many voyages to Middle-earth and established the haven of [[Vinyalondë]] (later known as [[Lond Daer]]) on the banks of the river [[Gwathir]] - a move which proved crucial in defeating Sauron later in the Second Age.<ref name="utalda">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', "[[Aldarion and Erendis]]"</ref> As a mariner, Aldarion had a great desire to build ships and in order to this he began deforesting much of the [[Minhiriath]] and [[Enedwaith]]; this angered the native forest-dwelling Men who subsequently fled to the forest of [[Eryn Vorn]].<ref name="utgalad" /> | |||
=====The Rings of Power and War with Sauron===== | |||
The Noldor of Eregion grew in unparalleled friendship with the [[Dwarves]] of [[Khazad-dûm]], to the benefit of both peoples, and there was much traffic between the Elven city of [[Ost-in-Edhil]] and the [[West-gate]] of Moria. In Eregion the Elven craftsmen became great in knowledge as they were led by [[Celebrimbor]], grandson of [[Fëanor]], the most skilled of the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] (the People of the Jewel-smiths).<ref name="silmotrp">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]], ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"</ref> | |||
[[Sauron]] saw that the [[Elves]] of [[Eregion]] were vulnerable and he came to them in the guise of [[Annatar]], "Lord of Gifts", and they welcomed him and he taught the smiths many things of lore and smith-craft. In [[Second Age 1500|S.A. 1500]], when the knowledge and skill of the Elves reached its height, they began the [[Rings of Power#The Creation of the Rings of Power|forging]] of the [[Rings of Power]], but, in [[Second Age 1600|S.A. 1600]], Sauron secretly created [[the One Ring]] to rule over all the other Rings.<ref name="silmotrp" /> | |||
When Sauron put on the Ring the Elves realised they were betrayed so they hid all the other Rings from him; Sauron, however, demanded that all the Rings be given to him for they were created with his help. When the Elves refused to hand over the Rings Sauron was vengeful and in [[Second Age 1693|1693]] began the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] with an invasion of Eriador in [[Second Age 1695|1695]].<ref name="silmotrp" /> In [[Second Age 1697|1697]], with Celebrimbor's death and Eregion lain waste, [[Elrond]] founds the refuge of [[Imladris]] as a defence against Sauron; Sauron takes over all of Eriador by [[Second Age 1699|1699]] and besieges Imladris.<ref name="lotryears" /> | |||
[[Gil-galad]] had called for aid from [[Númenóreans]], and when the ships finally arrived in [[Second Age 1700|S.A. 1700]] (landing in Lindon and [[Vinyalondë]]) Sauron was preparing his invasion of [[Lindon]]. The forces of [[Gil-galad]], [[Elrond]] and [[Ciryatur]] caused heavy losses at [[Sarn Ford]] before Sauron's forces were utterly destroyed at the [[Battle of the Gwathló]], with Sauron barely escaping with his life. However, Eriador lay in ruins as many of the native [[Men]], Elves and Númenóreans had been killed by Sauron, and his forces had ravaged the lands and destroyed many of the remaining forests.<ref name="utgalad">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]], ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', "[[The History of Galadriel and Celeborn]]"</ref> | |||
=====Last Alliance===== | |||
===Third Age=== | ===Third Age=== | ||
Much of it was encompassed in the early [[Third Age]] by the kingdom of [[Arnor]], which later split into the rival kingdoms of [[Rhudaur]], [[Arthedain]] and [[Cardolan]]. [[The Shire]] occupies part of the former kingdom of Arthedain, while [[Bree]] and its neighbouring villages lie on the border with the former Cardolan. The [[Barrow-wights]] dwell within ancient burial mounds constructed in the First Age by the [[Edain]] as they journeyed to [[Beleriand]]. Other important places in Eriador are [[Rivendell]] and the abandoned kingdoms of [[Eregion]] and [[Angmar]]. By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], Eriador was largely deserted. | Much of it was encompassed in the early [[Third Age]] by the kingdom of [[Arnor]], which later split into the rival kingdoms of [[Rhudaur]], [[Arthedain]] and [[Cardolan]]. [[The Shire]] occupies part of the former kingdom of Arthedain, while [[Bree]] and its neighbouring villages lie on the border with the former Cardolan. The [[Barrow-wights]] dwell within ancient burial mounds constructed in the First Age by the [[Edain]] as they journeyed to [[Beleriand]]. Other important places in Eriador are [[Rivendell]] and the abandoned kingdoms of [[Eregion]] and [[Angmar]]. By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], Eriador was largely deserted. | ||
Lindon elves occasionally wander into Eriador. | |||
===Fourth Age=== | ===Fourth Age=== | ||
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==In Other Version of the Legendarium== | ==In Other Version of the Legendarium== | ||
In the earlier sketches of the [[maps]] of [[Middle-earth]], Eriador is originally called "[[Forodwaith]]" - the name which is now applied to the very cold region to the north of Middle-earth. <ref name="toi">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (e.d.), ''[[The Treason of Isengard]]'', "The First Map", pp. 305-306</ref> | In the earlier sketches of the [[maps]] of [[Middle-earth]], Eriador is originally called "[[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]" - the name which is now applied to the very cold region to the north of Middle-earth. <ref name="toi">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] (e.d.), ''[[The Treason of Isengard]]'', "The First Map", pp. 305-306</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 20:04, 17 October 2008
Mith - who would like to apologise for its current condition - is currently busy with major revisions to this article. Before editing, discuss your intentions on this article's talk page. |
| Eriador | |
|---|---|
| Region | |
| File:Middle-earth map (1 of 4).gif | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | Possibly the Lone-lands, almost synonymous with Arnor |
| Location | North-west Middle-earth |
| Type | Region |
| Description | Large, temperate, inhabited region scattered with hills and forests |
| Regions | Angmar, Arnor, Arthedain, Eregion, The Shire |
| People and History | |
| Inhabitants | Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits, Men |
| Events | Foundation of Arnor, Forging of the Rings, War of the Elves and Sauron, Arrival of Hobbits, The Great Plague, The Fell Winter |
| Gallery | Images of Eriador |
Eriador is the name given to the large region in the north-west of Middle-earth inhabited by all the Free peoples of Middle-earth. By the end of the Third Age its main inhabitants were Hobbits of The Shire and the surrounding lands.
Boundaries
First Age and Earlier
The events of the First Age mostly concerned the peoples of Beleriand; as such, we have no map drawn by Tolkien which shows Eriador in the First Age. We have, however, a map of Beleriand which shows the Blue Mountains in the First Age;[1] also we know that Melkor reared the Misty Mountains to hinder Oromë before the arrival of the Elves.[2] Therefore we can deduce that in the First Age the eastern and western borders of Eriador were the same as in latter ages.
The Silmarillion states that a mountain-range, created by Melkor, known as the Iron Mountains (Ered Engrin) stretched across the north of the world in a curve from east to west and which stood on the borders of the region of everlasting cold[3] (compare with the Forodwaith). From this it can be suggested that the northern border of Eriador in the First Age would've been the Iron Mountains.
It is unclear what the borders of Eriador were to the south, we know that the Blue Mountains were more formidable and longer than in the latter Ages,[1] so it is unlikely that Eriador would've had a coastline. We also cannot know, due to the different shape of the world, whether the Greyflood or Lune rivers existed in the First Age; in the Atlas of Middle-earth the Greyflood is shown following its same route through Eriador and continuing on the same course - passing the lower end of the Blue Mountains - before reaching the sea somewhere to the west of the western arm of the White Mountains.[4] It should be noted that this is not necessarily canonical.
Second, Third and Fourth Ages
- "Eriador was of old the name of all the lands between the Misty Mountains and the Blue; in the South it was bounded by the Greyflood and the Glanduin that flows into it above Tharbad."
- ― Appendix A, I: The Númenorean Kings, iii: Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur
In the Second, Third and Fourth ages, the boundaries of the region - listed clock-wise from due north - were as follows:
- to the north, the Icebay of Forochel;
- to the north-east and east, the Misty Mountains (Hithaeglir);
- to the south-east, the river Glanduin;
- to the south, the river Greyflood (Gwathló or Gwathir);
- to the south-west, the Great Sea (Belegaer);
- and to the west and north-west, the Blue Mountains (Ered Luin or Ered Lindon).
Geography
Important rivers were the Lune (Elvish Lhûn), the Brandywine (Elvish Baranduin) and the Greyflood.
History
Earlier History
Before the First Age, the Three Kindreds of the Elves passed through Eriador on the Great Journey to Beleriand, to make the trip to Valinor. First came the Vanyar, following closely by the Noldor, but the Teleri tarried and were only urged forward at the behest of their lord, Elwë, who was keen to return to Valinor.[2]
Not all of the Teleri continued on the march, however, as when the host reached the great river Anduin Lenwë led some of his people southwards away from the rest of his kin: these people became the Nandor.[2] Some of these people eventually passed into Eriador, and dwelt there for a time, before Denethor, son of Lenwë, gathered as many of the Nandor as possible and removed to Ossiriand to become the Laiquendi.[5]
First Age
In F.A. 310 the first Men of the House of Bëor entered Beleriand from Eriador,[6] and were discovered by Finrod Felagund. These Men quickly made friendship with the Eldar and entered into their service, but Bereg, grandson of Bëor, was uncontent and led those of like mind with himself back over the mountains into Eriador.[7]
Living in Eriador in the First Age were also men known as Easterlings, or Swarthy Men, and they were led by Bór and Ulfang. In F.A. 463 Bór and Ulfang led many Men with them from the east into Beleriand, as Men were often drawn westwards, and they met with the Eldar.[8] Bór was faithful to the Eldar and his people followed Maedhros and Maglor, but Ulfang betrayed the Eldar and Edain in the Nírnaeth Arnoediad - even though he swore an oath of allegiance with Caranthir - successfully fulfilling the designs of Morgoth in the process.[9]
Second Age
Elves and Númenóreans Enter Eriador
Following the War of Wrath - and the destruction of Beleriand - many Elves left for Aman whilst the remnants of the Edain removed to live on the newly-formed isle of Númenor. The remaining Elves moved to Middle-earth, and in the year 750 of the Second Age the remnants of the Noldor established the realm of Eregion in the south-east of Eriador.[10]
In S.A. 600 the first Númenórean ships began to visit Middle-earth and when news of this reached the Men of Eriador they were amazed and scared. On the Tower Hills the Númenóreans met with just twelve Men from Eriador and both sides recognised their ancient kinship: the Númenóreans discovered that these people lived in the hills east of the Baranduin and were likely the descendants of the people of Bëor and Hador who never crossed the Blue Mountains.[11]
In S.A. 725 Aldarion first visits Lindon and Eriador and begins a long-lasting friendship with Gil-galad. He made many voyages to Middle-earth and established the haven of Vinyalondë (later known as Lond Daer) on the banks of the river Gwathir - a move which proved crucial in defeating Sauron later in the Second Age.[11] As a mariner, Aldarion had a great desire to build ships and in order to this he began deforesting much of the Minhiriath and Enedwaith; this angered the native forest-dwelling Men who subsequently fled to the forest of Eryn Vorn.[12]
The Rings of Power and War with Sauron
The Noldor of Eregion grew in unparalleled friendship with the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm, to the benefit of both peoples, and there was much traffic between the Elven city of Ost-in-Edhil and the West-gate of Moria. In Eregion the Elven craftsmen became great in knowledge as they were led by Celebrimbor, grandson of Fëanor, the most skilled of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain (the People of the Jewel-smiths).[13]
Sauron saw that the Elves of Eregion were vulnerable and he came to them in the guise of Annatar, "Lord of Gifts", and they welcomed him and he taught the smiths many things of lore and smith-craft. In S.A. 1500, when the knowledge and skill of the Elves reached its height, they began the forging of the Rings of Power, but, in S.A. 1600, Sauron secretly created the One Ring to rule over all the other Rings.[13]
When Sauron put on the Ring the Elves realised they were betrayed so they hid all the other Rings from him; Sauron, however, demanded that all the Rings be given to him for they were created with his help. When the Elves refused to hand over the Rings Sauron was vengeful and in 1693 began the War of the Elves and Sauron with an invasion of Eriador in 1695.[13] In 1697, with Celebrimbor's death and Eregion lain waste, Elrond founds the refuge of Imladris as a defence against Sauron; Sauron takes over all of Eriador by 1699 and besieges Imladris.[10]
Gil-galad had called for aid from Númenóreans, and when the ships finally arrived in S.A. 1700 (landing in Lindon and Vinyalondë) Sauron was preparing his invasion of Lindon. The forces of Gil-galad, Elrond and Ciryatur caused heavy losses at Sarn Ford before Sauron's forces were utterly destroyed at the Battle of the Gwathló, with Sauron barely escaping with his life. However, Eriador lay in ruins as many of the native Men, Elves and Númenóreans had been killed by Sauron, and his forces had ravaged the lands and destroyed many of the remaining forests.[12]
Last Alliance
Third Age
Much of it was encompassed in the early Third Age by the kingdom of Arnor, which later split into the rival kingdoms of Rhudaur, Arthedain and Cardolan. The Shire occupies part of the former kingdom of Arthedain, while Bree and its neighbouring villages lie on the border with the former Cardolan. The Barrow-wights dwell within ancient burial mounds constructed in the First Age by the Edain as they journeyed to Beleriand. Other important places in Eriador are Rivendell and the abandoned kingdoms of Eregion and Angmar. By the time of the War of the Ring, Eriador was largely deserted.
Lindon elves occasionally wander into Eriador.
Fourth Age
Inhabitants
- Elves, who dwelled in Rivendell in the East; the Grey Havens in the West and during the Second Age, Eregion.
- Men, dwelled in Bree in central Eriador; and the Eryn Vorn to the Southwest.
- Dwarves, Lived in the Blue Mountains on Eastern side of both the Northern, and Southern ranges.
- Hobbits, lived in the Shire, and some in Bree, in central Eriador
Etymology
Eriador is Sindarin (derived from Noldorin) and whose derivation is quoted by Carl F. Hostetter from an unnamed note dated 1949-53. This explains that Eriador is derived from eryā, "isolated, lonely" and dor, "land", thereby translating Eriador as "wilderness".[14]
Similarly, Christopher Gilson states that Eriador "= Lonely Land. *eryā (S eir, air)".[15]
This second translation is noticeably similar to The Lone-lands mentioned in The Hobbit[16]; it is unknown whether the two are the same or just similar.
In Other Version of the Legendarium
In the earlier sketches of the maps of Middle-earth, Eriador is originally called "Forodwaith" - the name which is now applied to the very cold region to the north of Middle-earth. [17]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Christopher Tolkien, The Silmarillion, "Map of Beleriand"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of Beleriand and its Realms"
- ↑ Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth, revised edition, p. 4
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Sindar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Later Quenta Silmarillion", "Of the Coming of Men into the West"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of Men into the West"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Appendix B"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Aldarion and Erendis"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien, Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien, The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
- ↑ "Letters to VT", Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), Vinyar Tengwar, vol. 42, July 2001, p. 4
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in The Lord of the Rings" in Parma Eldalamberon (ed. Christopher Gilson), vol. 17, July 2007, p. 28.
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Roast Mutton"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (e.d.), The Treason of Isengard, "The First Map", pp. 305-306
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