Eriador: Difference between revisions

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{{claimed|[[User:Mith|Mith]] - who would like to apologise for its current condition -}}{{location
{{location
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:''See also: [[:Category:Eriador]] and [[:Category:Cities, Towns and Villages of the Shire]]''
:''See also: [[:Category:Eriador]] and [[:Category:Cities, Towns and Villages of the Shire]]''
Eriador was a large, inhabited temperature region in the north-west of [[Middle-earth]] which enjoyed warm summers and increasingly cool winters.<ref name="Prologue"/> At its widest extent, it stretched for around 675 miles from east-to-west, around 690 miles from north-to-south, 740 miles from northeast-to-southwest and 750 miles from northwest-to-southeast.<ref name="Distance">Estimates by [[User:Mith]] based on [[:File:Middle-earth map (1 of 4).png|the map from ''The Lord of the Rings'']]</ref>
Eriador was a large, inhabited temperature region in the north-west of [[Middle-earth]] which enjoyed warm summers and increasingly cool winters.<ref name="Prologue"/> At its widest extent, it stretched for around 675 miles from east-to-west, around 690 miles from north-to-south, 740 miles from northeast-to-southwest and 750 miles from northwest-to-southeast.<ref name="Distance">Estimates by [[User:Mith]] based on [[:File:Middle-earth map (1 of 4).png|the map from ''The Lord of the Rings'']]</ref>
 
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Old Man Willow.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Drawing by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] showing the [[Withywindle]]]]
The most important rivers were: the [[Lhûn|Lune]] ([[Sindarin]] ''Lhûn'') which flowed through the Blue Mountains to form the [[Gulf of Lune]]; the [[Baranduin|Brandywine]] (Sindarin ''Baranduin'') which flowed out of [[Lake Evendim|Lake Evendim]] (''Nenuial'') to form the eastern-boundary of [[the Shire]]; and the [[Gwathló|Greyflood]] (''Gwathló'') which formed the southern-border of Eriador. Other rivers include: the [[Glanduin]], which flowed out of [[Eregion|Hollin]] (''Eregion'') and into the Greyflood above [[Tharbad]], forming the [[Swanfleet]] (''Nîn-in-Eilph'') marsh; the [[Bruinen|Loudwater]] (''Bruinen''), passing [[Rivendell]] (''Imladris'') in the [[Ford of Bruinen]]; the [[Hoarwell]] (''Mitheithel'') which flowed out of the [[Ettenmoors]] and over which the [[Last Bridge]] passed; the [[Withywindle]] of the [[Old Forest]]; and [[The Water]], [[Stock-brook]], [[Shirebourn]] and [[Thistle Brook]] which all flowed into the Brandywine from in the Shire.<ref name="Shire-map">{{FR|Part}}</ref><ref name="ME-map">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[:File:Middle-earth map (1 of 4).png|Map 1]]</ref>
The most important rivers were: the [[Lhûn|Lune]] ([[Sindarin]] ''Lhûn'') which flowed through the Blue Mountains to form the [[Gulf of Lune]]; the [[Baranduin|Brandywine]] (Sindarin ''Baranduin'') which flowed out of [[Lake Evendim|Lake Evendim]] (''Nenuial'') to form the eastern-boundary of [[the Shire]]; and the [[Gwathló|Greyflood]] (''Gwathló'') which formed the southern-border of Eriador. Other rivers include: the [[Glanduin]], which flowed out of [[Eregion|Hollin]] (''Eregion'') and into the Greyflood above [[Tharbad]], forming the [[Swanfleet]] (''Nîn-in-Eilph'') marsh; the [[Bruinen|Loudwater]] (''Bruinen''), passing [[Rivendell]] (''Imladris'') in the [[Ford of Bruinen]]; the [[Hoarwell]] (''Mitheithel'') which flowed out of the [[Ettenmoors]] and over which the [[Last Bridge]] passed; the [[Withywindle]] of the [[Old Forest]]; and [[The Water]], [[Stock-brook]], [[Shirebourn]] and [[Thistle Brook]] which all flowed into the Brandywine from in the Shire.<ref name="Shire-map">{{FR|Part}}</ref><ref name="ME-map">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[:File:Middle-earth map (1 of 4).png|Map 1]]</ref>


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==Inhabitants==
==Inhabitants==
===Free Peoples===
===Free Peoples===
The five [[free peoples]] as reckoned by [[Treebeard]], after the inclusion of [[Hobbits]].
The five [[free peoples]] as reckoned by [[Treebeard]], after the inclusion of [[Hobbits]]:-


* [[Dwarves]]:
* [[Dwarves]]:
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===Others===
===Others===
[[File:John Howe - Wolves.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Wolves]] by [[John Howe]]]]
* [[Barrow-wights]]:
* [[Barrow-wights]]:
** Evil spirits sent by the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] to inhabit the corpses of the [[Dúnedain]]'s ancestors in the [[Barrow-downs]] (circa {{TA|1636}} onwards).<ref name="App-Eriador"/>  
** Evil spirits sent by the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] to inhabit the corpses of the [[Dúnedain]]'s ancestors in the [[Barrow-downs]] (circa {{TA|1636}} onwards).<ref name="App-Eriador"/>  
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In {{SA|600}} the first [[Númenóreans|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 Lórindol|Hador]] who never crossed the [[Blue Mountains]].<ref name="UT-Wife" />
In {{SA|600}} the first [[Númenóreans|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 Lórindol|Hador]] who never crossed the [[Blue Mountains]].<ref name="UT-Wife" />
 
[[File:Felix Sotomayor - Ost-in-Edhil cropped.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Ost-in-Edhil]] by [[Felix Sotomayor]]]]
In {{SA|725}} [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]] first visits [[Lindon]] and Eriador and begins a long-lasting friendship with [[Ereinion Gil-galad|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="UT-Wife">{{UT|Wife}}</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="UT-Galadriel" />
In {{SA|725}} [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]] first visits [[Lindon]] and Eriador and begins a long-lasting friendship with [[Ereinion Gil-galad|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="UT-Wife">{{UT|Wife}}</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="UT-Galadriel" />


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When Sauron put on the Ring the Elves realised they had been fooled so they hid all the other Rings from him; Sauron, however, demanded that all the Rings be given to him as they were created with his help. When the Elves refused Sauron was vengeful and in {{SA|1693}} began the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] with an invasion of Eriador in {{SA|1695|n}}.<ref name="Silm-Rings" /> In {{SA|1697|n}}, with Celebrimbor's death and Eregion lain waste, [[Elrond]] founds the refuge of [[Rivendell|Imladris]] as a defence against Sauron; Sauron takes over all of Eriador by {{SA|1699}} and besieges Imladris.<ref name="App-B1" />
When Sauron put on the Ring the Elves realised they had been fooled so they hid all the other Rings from him; Sauron, however, demanded that all the Rings be given to him as they were created with his help. When the Elves refused Sauron was vengeful and in {{SA|1693}} began the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] with an invasion of Eriador in {{SA|1695|n}}.<ref name="Silm-Rings" /> In {{SA|1697|n}}, with Celebrimbor's death and Eregion lain waste, [[Elrond]] founds the refuge of [[Rivendell|Imladris]] as a defence against Sauron; Sauron takes over all of Eriador by {{SA|1699}} and besieges Imladris.<ref name="App-B1" />
 
[[File:Lastalliance-men.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The [[War of the Last Alliance]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'']]
[[Ereinion Gil-galad|Gil-galad]] sent word to [[King of Númenor|King]] [[Tar-Minastir]] of [[Númenor]] calling for aid, but when the ships finally arrived in {{SA|1700}} (landing in Lindon and [[Vinyalondë]]) Sauron was already preparing his invasion of [[Lindon]]. The forces of [[Ereinion Gil-galad|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="UT-Galadriel">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>
[[Ereinion Gil-galad|Gil-galad]] sent word to [[King of Númenor|King]] [[Tar-Minastir]] of [[Númenor]] calling for aid, but when the ships finally arrived in {{SA|1700}} (landing in Lindon and [[Vinyalondë]]) Sauron was already preparing his invasion of [[Lindon]]. The forces of [[Ereinion Gil-galad|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="UT-Galadriel">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>


=====Last Alliance=====
=====Last Alliance=====
:''See also: [[War of the Last Alliance]]''
:''See also: [[War of the Last Alliance]]''


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===Third Age===
===Third Age===
=====Arnor and Division=====
=====Arnor and Division=====
[[File:John Howe - The One Ring 01.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[The One Ring]] by [[John Howe]]]]
:''See also: [[Arnor]]''
:''See also: [[Arnor]]''


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=====Rise of Angmar=====
=====Rise of Angmar=====
[[File:Rob Alexander - The Witch King of Angmar.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The [[Witch-king|Witch King]] of [[Angmar]] by [[Rob Alexander]]]]
In the year {{TA|1300}}<ref name="App-B2" /> evil things begin to return to the world with the [[Witch-king]] founding the evil realm of [[Angmar]] beyond the [[Ettenmoors]] in the far north-east of Eriador, hoping to utterly destroy the [[Dúnedain]] of the North, seeing hope in the fragmentation of [[Arnor]].<ref name="App-Eriador" />  
In the year {{TA|1300}}<ref name="App-B2" /> evil things begin to return to the world with the [[Witch-king]] founding the evil realm of [[Angmar]] beyond the [[Ettenmoors]] in the far north-east of Eriador, hoping to utterly destroy the [[Dúnedain]] of the North, seeing hope in the fragmentation of [[Arnor]].<ref name="App-Eriador" />  


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=====Foundation of the Shire=====
=====Foundation of the Shire=====
[[File:Fotr0059.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[The Shire]] as seen in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'']]
:''See also: [[The Shire#History]]''
:''See also: [[The Shire#History]]''


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On [[March 14]], {{TA|2941}},<ref name="App-Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref> a chance encounter between the [[wizards|wizard]] [[Gandalf]] and [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King]] [[Thorin II Oakenshield|Thorin Oakenshield]] in [[Bree]] set in motion a series of events which led to the downfall of [[Sauron]] the establishment of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Thorin was seeking to regain his [[Thráin II|father]]'s [[Erebor|kingdom]] and [[Arkenstone|wealth]] was seeking assistance; Gandalf - worried about the threat of the [[dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]] - agreed to assist, and forcibly enlisted the help of [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref name="UT-Erebor">{{UT|Erebor}}</ref> As the [[Thorin and Company|Company]] of fifteen (thirteen [[dwarves]] with Gandalf and Bilbo) travelled towards [[Rivendell]] they [[Roast Mutton|encountered three trolls]] - thanks to Gandalf they avoided death whilst managing to gain the two [[Elves|Elvish]] swords [[Glamdring]] and [[Sting]]. Out of this quest Bilbo obtained [[Gollum]]'s [[The One Ring|magic ring]].<ref name="H-Riddles">{{H|Riddles}}</ref>
On [[March 14]], {{TA|2941}},<ref name="App-Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref> a chance encounter between the [[wizards|wizard]] [[Gandalf]] and [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King]] [[Thorin II Oakenshield|Thorin Oakenshield]] in [[Bree]] set in motion a series of events which led to the downfall of [[Sauron]] the establishment of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Thorin was seeking to regain his [[Thráin II|father]]'s [[Erebor|kingdom]] and [[Arkenstone|wealth]] was seeking assistance; Gandalf - worried about the threat of the [[dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]] - agreed to assist, and forcibly enlisted the help of [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref name="UT-Erebor">{{UT|Erebor}}</ref> As the [[Thorin and Company|Company]] of fifteen (thirteen [[dwarves]] with Gandalf and Bilbo) travelled towards [[Rivendell]] they [[Roast Mutton|encountered three trolls]] - thanks to Gandalf they avoided death whilst managing to gain the two [[Elves|Elvish]] swords [[Glamdring]] and [[Sting]]. Out of this quest Bilbo obtained [[Gollum]]'s [[The One Ring|magic ring]].<ref name="H-Riddles">{{H|Riddles}}</ref>
 
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Storming the Bank.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Storming the Bank by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
Following [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|Bilbo's disappearance]] in {{TA|3001}}, Bilbo's "nephew", [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], inherited all of Bilbo's possessions, including Bilbo's ring.<ref name="FR-Party">{{FR|Party}}</ref> Bilbo travelled through Eriador, eventually staying with [[Elrond]] in Rivendell, whilst Frodo continued to live in [[Bag End]]. However, by {{TA|3018}}, Frodo, with [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], is forced to set out from [[the Shire]] to head towards Bree in order to deliver what is now known to be [[the One Ring]]; on the way, the [[Hobbits]] encounter the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] and [[Barrow-wights]], as well as [[Farmer Maggot]], [[Gildor Inglorion]] and [[Tom Bombadil]]. In [[Bree]], the [[Travellers]] met a man called "[[Aragorn|Strider]]", who had been sent to safely escort the hobbits to Rivendell;<ref name="FR-Strider">{{FR|Strider}}</ref> despite being attacked by Black Riders on [[Weathertop]] and again confronted by them at the [[Ford of Bruinen]], they all eventually make it safely to Rivendell. At Rivendell, a [[Council of Elrond|Council]] decides that [[Fellowship of the Ring|a group of nine people]] should go on a quest to destroy the Ring.<ref name="FR-Council" />
Following [[Bilbo's Farewell Party|Bilbo's disappearance]] in {{TA|3001}}, Bilbo's "nephew", [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], inherited all of Bilbo's possessions, including Bilbo's ring.<ref name="FR-Party">{{FR|Party}}</ref> Bilbo travelled through Eriador, eventually staying with [[Elrond]] in Rivendell, whilst Frodo continued to live in [[Bag End]]. However, by {{TA|3018}}, Frodo, with [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]], is forced to set out from [[the Shire]] to head towards Bree in order to deliver what is now known to be [[the One Ring]]; on the way, the [[Hobbits]] encounter the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] and [[Barrow-wights]], as well as [[Farmer Maggot]], [[Gildor Inglorion]] and [[Tom Bombadil]]. In [[Bree]], the [[Travellers]] met a man called "[[Aragorn|Strider]]", who had been sent to safely escort the hobbits to Rivendell;<ref name="FR-Strider">{{FR|Strider}}</ref> despite being attacked by Black Riders on [[Weathertop]] and again confronted by them at the [[Ford of Bruinen]], they all eventually make it safely to Rivendell. At Rivendell, a [[Council of Elrond|Council]] decides that [[Fellowship of the Ring|a group of nine people]] should go on a quest to destroy the Ring.<ref name="FR-Council" />



Revision as of 23:22, 12 December 2010

Eriador
Region
File:Middle-earth map (1 of 4).png
General Information
Other namesPossibly the Lone-lands, almost synonymous with Arnor
LocationNorth-west Middle-earth
TypeRegion
DescriptionLarge, inhabited region scattered with hills and forests
RegionsAngmar
Arnor
Arthedain
Cardolan
Eregion
Rhudaur
The Shire
People and History
InhabitantsDwarves
Elves
Hobbits
Men
EventsFoundation of Arnor
Forging of the Rings
War of the Elves and Sauron
Arrival of Hobbits
The Great Plague
The Fell Winter
Battle of Bywater
GalleryImages of Eriador

Eriador is the large region in the north-west of Middle-earth inhabited by all the Free peoples of Middle-earth, being the location of many of the most important events of the Second and Third Ages. 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, there is no map drawn by Tolkien which specifically shows Eriador during the First Age. However, the maps of Beleriand shows that the Blue Mountains existed during the First Age;[1] furthermore it is known that Melkor reared the Misty Mountains before the arrival of the Elves in order to hinder Oromë.[2] Therefore during the First Age the eastern and western borders of Eriador were the same as in latter ages.

The Silmarillion states that the Iron Mountains (Ered Engrin), created by Melkor, stretched across the north of the world in a curve from east to west, standing on the border of the region of everlasting cold.[3] This information, coupled with this map drawn by Tolkien, provides strong evidence that the northern border of Eriador was the Iron Mountains.

It is unclear what the borders of Eriador were to the south: it is known that the Blue Mountains were more formidable and longer than in the latter Ages,[1] but, due to the different shape of the world, it is unknown whether the Greyflood or Lune rivers even existed in the First Age. In The Atlas of Middle-earth the Greyflood is shown following the same route through Eriador and continuing on the same course - passing the lower end of the extended Blue Mountains - before reaching the sea somewhere to the west of the White Mountains.[4] Steven White Jr. follows a similar pattern, although he doesn't show the Iron Mountains bordering Eriador to the north while course of the Greyflood follows a more westerly route with the Blue Mountains being somewhat shorter. It should be noted canonical of either Fonstad's or White's maps is unknown.

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.
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "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:

Region of Eriador
Blue Mountains Icebay of Forochel, Forodwaith Misty Mountains, Forodwaith
Blue Mountains, Gulf of Lhûn, Lindon WindRose3.pngMisty Mountains, Rhovanion
Belegaer Gwathló, Enedwaith Glanduin, Dunland


Geography

See also: Category:Eriador and Category:Cities, Towns and Villages of the Shire

Eriador was a large, inhabited temperature region in the north-west of Middle-earth which enjoyed warm summers and increasingly cool winters.[5] At its widest extent, it stretched for around 675 miles from east-to-west, around 690 miles from north-to-south, 740 miles from northeast-to-southwest and 750 miles from northwest-to-southeast.[6]

Drawing by J.R.R. Tolkien showing the Withywindle

The most important rivers were: the Lune (Sindarin Lhûn) which flowed through the Blue Mountains to form the Gulf of Lune; the Brandywine (Sindarin Baranduin) which flowed out of Lake Evendim (Nenuial) to form the eastern-boundary of the Shire; and the Greyflood (Gwathló) which formed the southern-border of Eriador. Other rivers include: the Glanduin, which flowed out of Hollin (Eregion) and into the Greyflood above Tharbad, forming the Swanfleet (Nîn-in-Eilph) marsh; the Loudwater (Bruinen), passing Rivendell (Imladris) in the Ford of Bruinen; the Hoarwell (Mitheithel) which flowed out of the Ettenmoors and over which the Last Bridge passed; the Withywindle of the Old Forest; and The Water, Stock-brook, Shirebourn and Thistle Brook which all flowed into the Brandywine from in the Shire.[7][8]

Central Eriador was scattered with many groups of hills including the Tower Hills (Emyn Beraid), Hills of Evendim (Emyn Uial), Weather Hills as well as the Far Downs, White Downs, South Downs, North Downs and Barrow-downs (Tyrn Gorthad); Fonstad noted that the "longitudinal axes [of the hills] formed concentric rings".[9] Despite large deforestation by the Númenóreans during the Second Age[10] some wooded areas remained, such as the Old Forest, Woody End, Bindbole Wood (sometimes seen as "Bindbale"), Chetwood around Bree-hill, the Trollshaws, and, largest of all, Eryn Vorn;[8] Hollin was so named due to the large numbers of holly trees which grew there.[11] Other geographic features include Midgewater Marshes, Rushock Bog, and Overbourn Marshes.[7]

The East-West Road crossed Eriador from Rivendell in the east to the Grey Havens in the west whilst the Greenway ran south from Fornost, linking Arnor and Gondor;[12] the Greenway and the East-West Road met at Bree. Key Elvish settlements included the Grey Havens, Ost-in-Edhil[13] and Rivendell; for the Dúnedain there were Weathertop, Annúminas, and Fornost Erain as well as the Númenórean ports of Tharbad and Lond Daer (earlier known as Vinyalondë).

Inhabitants

Free Peoples

The five free peoples as reckoned by Treebeard, after the inclusion of Hobbits:-

Others

History

Earlier History

See also: Great March

Before the First Age, the Three Kindreds of the Elves passed through Eriador on their way to Beleriand, to make the trip to Valinor. First came the Vanyar, following closely by the Noldor, but the third kindred, 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 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.[14]

First Age

In F.A. 310 the first Men of the House of Bëor entered Beleriand from Eriador,[25] and were discovered by Finrod Felagund. These Men quickly made friendship with the Eldar and entered into their service, but Bereg, great-grandson of Bëor, was discontent and led those of like mind with himself back over the mountains into Eriador.[26]

Living in Eriador during the First Age were also men known as Easterlings, or Swarthy Men, who they were led by Bór and Ulfang. In F.A. 463 Bór and Ulfang led many Men into Beleriand, as Men were often drawn westwards, and they met with the Eldar.[27] 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.[28]

Second Age

Elves and Númenóreans
See also: Númenóreans#Dominion over the Men of Middle-earth

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.[15]

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.[19]

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.[19] 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.[10]

War with Sauron
See also: Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age

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").[29]

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 them 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.[29]

When Sauron put on the Ring the Elves realised they had been fooled so they hid all the other Rings from him; Sauron, however, demanded that all the Rings be given to him as they were created with his help. When the Elves refused Sauron was vengeful and in S.A. 1693 began the War of the Elves and Sauron with an invasion of Eriador in 1695.[29] 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 S.A. 1699 and besieges Imladris.[15]

Gil-galad sent word to King Tar-Minastir of Númenor calling for aid, but when the ships finally arrived in S.A. 1700 (landing in Lindon and Vinyalondë) Sauron was already 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.[10]

Last Alliance
See also: War of the Last Alliance

Throughout the Second Age the Númenóreans gradually increased their power in Middle-earth by creating coastal dominions; they eventually have the strength to confront Sauron and take him prisoner to Númenor. Whilst there, Sauron seduced the King - and most of the people - and persuades Ar-Pharazôn to break the Ban of the Valar causing Ilúvatar to change the shape of the World, destroying Númenor in the process.[30] The Faithful - those Númenóreans who remained true to the Valar and friendly with the Elves - were spared and in S.A. 3320 Elendil establishes the two Realms in Exile: Gondor in the south and Arnor in Eriador.[15]

Sauron - who is now unable to take fair form[31] - returned to Mordor and in S.A. 3429 attacked Minas Ithil and burning White Tree.[15] Isildur - son of Elendil - fled north to join his father in Arnor who took counsel with Gil-galad, for both foresaw the need to triumph over Sauron before his power grew unstoppable: in S.A. 3430 they formed the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. In S.A. 3431 Elendil and Gil-galad marched east to Imladris; the host was the fairest and most splendid in arms ever seen in Middle-earth and the greatest ever assembled since the Host of the Valar.[29]

Third Age

Arnor and Division
See also: Arnor

Following Sauron's defeat during the War of the Last Alliance, Isildur took the One Ring for himself as a weregild for his father, but, during the Battle of the Gladden Fields the Ring betrayed him to his death; the Ring was lost and not found again for 2,500 years.[21] The kingship of Arnor passed to Isildur's only surviving son, Valandil whose reign begins an uneventful 800 years in the North-kingdom.[17]

The unity of Arnor was broken, however, when, in Third Age 861, following the death of the tenth king, Eärendur, the dissension amongst his three sons led to the division of Arnor into three kingdoms: Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur. There was often strife between the kingdoms, especially over ownership of the Weather Hills and the chief Palantír of the North at Amon Sûl, and this quickened the waning of the Dúnedain.[20]

Arthedain was in the North-west and included the land between Brandywine and Lune, and also the land north of the Great Road as far as the Weather Hills. Rhudaur was in the North-east and lay between the Ettenmoors, the Weather Hills, and the Misty Mountains, but included also the Angle between the Hoarwell and the Loudwater. Cardolan was in the South, its bounds being the Brandywine, the Greyflood, and the Great Road.
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"

The line of Isildur was maintained with the Kings of Arthedain all the way through to Aragorn II, but the line of kings in Cardolan and Rhudaur quickly dwindled. By 1349, with the rule of Argeleb I, the Kings of Arthedain were once again claiming lordship over all of Arnor and prefixed their names with ar- in recognition of this.[24]

Rise of Angmar

In the year T.A. 1300[17] evil things begin to return to the world with the Witch-king founding the evil realm of Angmar beyond the Ettenmoors in the far north-east of Eriador, hoping to utterly destroy the Dúnedain of the North, seeing hope in the fragmentation of Arnor.[20]

In league with Lindon and Cardolan, King Arveleg I of Arthedain successfully fortified the Weather Hills against Angmar whilst Rivendell was being besieged. However, in T.A. 1409 a great force came out of Angmar, surrounding Weathertop, defeating the Dúnedain, slaying Arveleg and the last prince of Cardolan whilst destroying the tower of Amon Sûl. The palantír was saved in retreat to Fornost but Cardolan was ravaged and Rhudaur became a vassal-state of Angmar; in response, Elrond brought Elves from Lothlórien and Círdan sent aid from Lindon to repel Angmar from the North Downs and Fornost - for a time, Angmar was subdued.[20]

In T.A. 1636 the Great Plague came up from the south with many in Cardolan (especially in Minhiriath) and the Shire perishing; as Cardolan was deserted, the Witch-king sent evil spirits to dwell in the revered Barrow-downs.[20]

Destruction of Arnor
See also: Arnor#The_Fall of Arthedain and Arvedui#Life as King

After many years of silence, King Araphant of Arthedain and King Ondoher of Gondor renewed communications between the two realms as they perceived that there was a single power directing the enemies or both Arnor and Gondor,[32] as such in T.A. 1940 Araphant's son Arvedui married Ondoher's daughter Fíriel.[17] Despite the marriage, neither kingdom was able to send aid to the other as Angmar continued to attack Athedain while the Wainriders attacked Gondor; in the Battle of the Camp of T.A. 1944 Ondoher was killed.

On the death of Ondoher and his sons, Arvedui of the North-kingdom claimed the crown of Gondor, as the direct descendent of Isildur, and as the husband of Fíriel, only surviving child of Ondoher. The claim was rejected. In this Pelendur, the Steward of King Ondoher, played the chief part.

The Council of Gondor answer: "The crown and royalty of Gondor belongs solely with the heirs of Meneldil, son of Anárion, to whom Isildur relinquished this realm. In Gondor this heritage is reckoned through the sons only; and we have not heard that the law is otherwise in Arnor."
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"

Instead, a distant relative, Eärnil, was chosen as King. Arvedui did not press his claim, but nor did the Dúnedain of the North forget it, for their kingdom diminished as foretold by Malbeth the Seer: in T.A. 1974 Angmar returned with renewed vigour, attacking the Dúnedain, capturing Fornost and destroying Arnor. After holding out for a while on the North Downs, Arvedui was forced to flee to the mountains where he stayed in some old dwarf mines; out of hunger, he and his men travelled north and spent the winter with the Lossoth on the Icebay of Forochel. Arvedui perished and two palantíri were lost.[20]

Eärnil had told Arvedui, "I do not forget the royalty of Arnor, nor deny our kinship, nor wish that the realms of Elendil be estranged. I will send to your aid when you have need, so long as I am able."[32] In T.A. 1973 he received a request for aid and sent his son, Eärnur, north with a great host: they arrived at the Grey Havens too late. However, in T.A. 1975 Círdan and Eärnur amassed a great army and met the forces of Angmar on the plain by Lake Nenuial in the Battle of Fornost: the force was too strong for the Witch-king and his army fled but his retreat was cut off by Gondor's cavalry and a host of Elves led by Glorfindel who had come north from Rivendell.[17]

Despite the utter destruction of Angmar, Arthedain was also over. Arvedui's son, Aranarth, took the title "Chieftain of the Dúnedain" and the heirlooms of Arnor were given into the keeping of Elrond.[17] The Dúnedain continued as a secretive and wandering people, fighting with the sons of Elrond to protect their former lands: they mostly lived out their full lives (save for Aragorn I who was slain by wolves) until the days of Arassuil when evil things began to multiply again.[20]

Foundation of the Shire
See also: The Shire#History

Hobbits (or Periannath in Sindarin) first entered Eriador in T.A. 1050 when Harfoots came over the Misty Mountains from the Vales of Anduin in order to move away from the shadow which had fallen over Greenwood the Great. In around T.A. 1150 they were joined by the Fallohides whilst the Stoors came over the Redhorn Pass and moved to Dunland and the Angle. With the rise of Angmar some Hobbits migrate westward and settle in Bree; in T.A. 1356 the Stoors leave the Angle, some of whom returned to Rhovanion[17] to become a people of fisher-folk.[20]

In T.A. 1601, led by Marcho and Blanco, Hobbits obtained permission from King Argeleb II to settle in the region beyond the Brandywine River on the proviso that they maintain the Bridge of Stonebows and other bridges and roads, whilst acknowledging Argeleb's lordship. With the foundation of the Shire, the year Third Age 1601 became the year 1 in Shire-reckoning.[5] On the war with with Angmar the following is recorded:

The Shire-folk survived, though war swept over them and most fled into hiding. To the help of the king they sent some archers who never returned; and others went also to the battle in which Angmar was overthrown [...] Afterwards in the peace that followed the Shire-folk ruled themselves and prospered. They chose a Thain to take the place of the King [...] The first Shire-thain was one Bucca of the Marish, from whom the Oldbucks claimed descent. He became Thain in 379
J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"

For the next thousand years Hobbits were little-affected by the dangers of the world around them as they grew large in both number and wealth.[5] Despite the end of the Watchful Peace in T.A. 2460 - with the passes across the Misty Mountains being barred by Sauron's creatures - Eriador not was attacked by orcs until 2740.[17] Seven years later Bandobras Took led a group of hobbits in successfully defending the Shire against marauding orcs from Mount Gram led by Golfimbul in the Battle of Greenfields.[33] Hobbits faced further hardship in T.A. 2758 in the shape of the Long Winter which killed thousands of hobbits and resulted in a dreadful famine; in T.A. 2911 the Fell Winter began, freezing the rivers and bringing white wolves from the north (in the floods which followed the city of Tharbad was destroyed).[17]

War of the Ring
See also: The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and War of the Ring

On March 14, T.A. 2941,[34] a chance encounter between the wizard Gandalf and King Thorin Oakenshield in Bree set in motion a series of events which led to the downfall of Sauron the establishment of the Reunited Kingdom. Thorin was seeking to regain his father's kingdom and wealth was seeking assistance; Gandalf - worried about the threat of the dragon Smaug - agreed to assist, and forcibly enlisted the help of Bilbo Baggins.[35] As the Company of fifteen (thirteen dwarves with Gandalf and Bilbo) travelled towards Rivendell they encountered three trolls - thanks to Gandalf they avoided death whilst managing to gain the two Elvish swords Glamdring and Sting. Out of this quest Bilbo obtained Gollum's magic ring.[36]

Storming the Bank by Ted Nasmith

Following Bilbo's disappearance in T.A. 3001, Bilbo's "nephew", Frodo, inherited all of Bilbo's possessions, including Bilbo's ring.[37] Bilbo travelled through Eriador, eventually staying with Elrond in Rivendell, whilst Frodo continued to live in Bag End. However, by T.A. 3018, Frodo, with Sam, Merry and Pippin, is forced to set out from the Shire to head towards Bree in order to deliver what is now known to be the One Ring; on the way, the Hobbits encounter the Black Riders and Barrow-wights, as well as Farmer Maggot, Gildor Inglorion and Tom Bombadil. In Bree, the Travellers met a man called "Strider", who had been sent to safely escort the hobbits to Rivendell;[38] despite being attacked by Black Riders on Weathertop and again confronted by them at the Ford of Bruinen, they all eventually make it safely to Rivendell. At Rivendell, a Council decides that a group of nine people should go on a quest to destroy the Ring.[21]

After destroying the the One Ring, witnessing the downfall of Sauron and the coronation of "Strider" as King Elessar of Gondor, the four hobbits and Gandalf returned to Eriador.[39] Gandalf left the hobbits at the Old Forest - deciding to visit Tom Bombadil - but when they arrived at the Brandywine Bridge they saw that the Shire had been badly affected by Saruman via his puppet "Chief" and the use of ruffians. After breaking many of the new "rules", the four hobbits were escorted to Hobbiton by a troop of Shirriffs (including Robin Smallburrow) where the four hobbits began a rebellion in the form of the successful Battle of Bywater: the ruffians were killed (as was Gríma Wormtongue) or captured and the Shire-folk were liberated (at the cost of 19 lives).[40]

Following the Battle of Bywater and the end of the War of the Ring, Frodo temporarily took the position of Deputy Mayor whilst Sam used his gift from Galadriel to replenish the Shire of its lost flora (bringing a Mallorn tree to the Party Field).[41] On September 21, T.A. 3021, Frodo and Sam set out from the Shire to meet the Last Riding of the Three Keepers: on September 29 they reached the Grey Havens where Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, Galadriel and Elrond departed Middle-earth; the Red Book of Westmarch was left with Sam.[42]

Fourth Age

In the year 1422 of Shire-reckoning the Fourth Age began following the department of the Ring-bearers, the defeat of Sauron and re-establishment of Arnor in the north and Gondor in the south. In Fo.A. 6 King Elessar of Arnor makes the Shire a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre and declares that no man should ever enter the Shire.[18] In Fo.A. 15 Elessar stays at Lake Evendim, meeting his friends at Brandywine Bridge; in Fo.A. 31 he gives the Westmarch - the area between the Far Downs and Tower Hills - to the Shire as well as officially adding Buckland to the Shire.[5] In Fo.A. 61 Sam eventually passed over the sea and in Fo.A. 63 Merry and Pippin leave the Shire and travel south to Rohan and Gondor.[18]

It is unknown how many, if any, Elves were left in Eriador during the Fourth Age; presumably very few Noldor, at least.[41]

Etymology

Eriador
Tengwar, Sindarin mode

Eriador is Sindarin (derived from Noldorin) 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".[43]

Similarly, Christopher Gilson states that Eriador "= Lonely Land. *eryā (S eir, air)".[44]

This second translation is noticeably similar to the "Lone-lands" mentioned in The Hobbit;[23] it is unknown whether the two are the same or simply coincidental.

In Other Versions of the Legendarium

In 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.[45]

See Also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Map of Beleriand"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beleriand and its Realms"
  4. Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth, revised edition, p. 4
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Concerning Hobbits"
  6. Estimates by User:Mith based on the map from The Lord of the Rings
  7. 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Part of the Shire" map
  8. 8.0 8.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Map 1
  9. Karen Wynn Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-earth, revised edition, p. 72
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark"
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony"
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Treebeard"
  17. 17.00 17.01 17.02 17.03 17.04 17.05 17.06 17.07 17.08 17.09 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 17.14 17.15 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife"
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.7 20.8 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  21. 21.0 21.1 21.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  22. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 183
  23. 23.0 23.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Roast Mutton"
  24. 24.0 24.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur" Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "App-North" defined multiple times with different content
  25. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Two. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of Men into the West (Chapter 14)", pp. 215 and 226
  26. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of Men into the West"
  27. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
  28. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
  29. 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  30. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Akallabêth: The Downfall of Númenor"
  31. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Númenor"
  32. 32.0 32.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  33. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
  34. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
  35. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Quest of Erebor"
  36. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Riddles in the Dark"
  37. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Long-expected Party"
  38. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Strider"
  39. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Homeward Bound"
  40. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Scouring of the Shire"
  41. 41.0 41.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
  42. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Chief Days from the Fall of Barad-dûr to the End of the Third Age"
  43. "Letters to VT" in Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), Vinyar Tengwar, vol. 42, July 2001, p. 4
  44. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in The Lord of the Rings" in Christopher Gilson (ed.), Parma Eldalamberon, vol. 17, July 2007, p. 28
  45. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "The First Map", pp. 305-306