Faramir's defence of Osgiliath: Difference between revisions

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|name=Faramir's defense of Osgiliath
|name=Faramir's defense of Osgiliath
|image=[[Image:Donato Giancola - Faramir at Osgiliath.jpg|300px]]
|image=[[Image:Donato Giancola - Faramir at Osgiliath.jpg|300px]]
|conflict=War of the Ring
|conflict=[[War of the Ring]]
|date=12 March {{TA|3019}}
|date=[[12 March]] {{TA|3019}}
|place=The ruins of western [[Osgiliath]]
|place=The ruins of western [[Osgiliath]]
|result=Victory for Sauron, gaining the crossing of the Anduin River
|result=Victory for [[Sauron]], gaining the crossing of the Anduin River
|side1=Gondor
|side1=[[Gondor]]
|side2=Mordor
|side2=[[Mordor]]
|commanders1=
|commanders1=
* Faramir
* [[Faramir]]
|commanders2=
|commanders2=
{{Sauron blazon}}
{{Sauron blazon}}
* The Witch-king
* [[Witch-king of Angmar]]
|forces1=Unknown, the men of Gondor
|forces1=Unknown, the men of Gondor
|forces2=Unknown, forces of Mordor, Southrons, Haradwaith
|forces2=Unknown, forces of Mordor, Southrons, Haradwaith
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}}
}}
{{wotr}}
{{wotr}}
'''Faramir's defense of Osgiliath''' was a futile attempt to stem the advance of Sauron's army advancing from [[Minas Morgul]] towards [[Minas Tirith]] through the ruins of the city on the [[Anduin]].
'''Faramir's defense of Osgiliath''' was a futile attempt to stem the advance of Sauron's army advancing from [[Minas Morgul]] towards [[Minas Tirith]] through the ruins of the city on the [[Anduin]].
==Prelude==
==Prelude==
Two days after the departure of [[Frodo Baggins]] from [[Henneth Annûn]], [[Faramir]] returned to [[Minas Tirith]].<ref name="App">{{App|Great}}</ref>  Early in the morning of the next day [[Denethor]] ordered his son to Osgiliath, hoping to make the Enemy pay dearly for the crossing of the river. Although Faramir warned that [[Sauron]] could easily afford to lose ten times [[Gondor]]'s losses, and that those so far afield would find retreat perilous, Denethor insisted that Faramir defend the ruined city because no army could cross the river north of [[Cair Andros]] or southwards towards [[Lebennin]].  After the meeting of the Council Faramir took what strength he could to Osgiliath<ref name="Osgiliath">{{RK|V4}}</ref>
[[10 March|Two days]] after the departure of [[Frodo Baggins]] from [[Henneth Annûn]], [[Faramir]] barely returned to [[Minas Tirith]] from Osgiliath (he was almost caught by [[Fell beasts]] until [[Gandalf]] saved him).<ref name="App">{{App|Great}}</ref>   
 
Early in the morning of [[11 March|the next day]] [[Denethor]] ordered his son back to Osgiliath, hoping to make the Enemy pay dearly for the crossing of the river. Despite his warnings that [[Sauron]] could easily afford to lose ten times [[Gondor]]'s losses, and that those so far afield would find retreat perilous, Denethor insisted that Faramir defend the ruined city because no army could cross the river north of [[Cair Andros]] or southwards towards [[Lebennin]].  After the meeting of the Council Faramir took what strength he could to Osgiliath.<ref name="Osgiliath">{{RK|V4}}</ref>
 
==The Battle==
==The Battle==
On 12 March, {{TA|3019}},<ref name="App"/> Sauron's army met and shoved Faramir's scratch forces west out of Osgiliath.  Although the Enemy did pay dearly for the crossing, it was less than hoped.  In secret, numerous floats and barges had been built in East Osgiliath which allowed Sauron's forces to swarm like beetles upon the defenders.<ref name="Osgiliath"/>
On 12 March, {{TA|3019}},<ref name="App"/> Sauron's army met and shoved Faramir's scratch forces west out of Osgiliath.  Although the Enemy did pay dearly for the crossing, it was less than hoped.  In secret, numerous floats and barges had been built in East Osgiliath which allowed Sauron's forces to swarm like beetles upon the defenders.<ref name="Osgiliath"/>
==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
Faramir retired with his men to the [[Causeway Forts]] where the ongoing battle resumed.  Soon this battle would also be lost, Faramir would be wounded, and [[siege of Gondor]] would begin.
Faramir retired with his men to the [[Causeway Forts]] where the ongoing battle resumed.  Soon this battle would also be lost, Faramir was struck down by the [[Black Breath]]. Only a sortie by [[Imrahil]] and his knights saved him and the rest of the wounded from that onset.<ref>{{RK|V4}}</ref> Sauron's army advanced and [[siege of Gondor]] would begin.
==Portrayal in adaptations ==
==Portrayal in adaptations ==
The movie version of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'' by Peter Jackson condensed the battle. In the book, Denethor did not order Faramir on a suicidal cavalry charge against Osgiliath, although Faramir did regard the order to go to help defend Osgiliath ill-advised. Also, in the movie the Causeway Forts and the [[Rammas Echor]] did not exist.
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
{{References}}
 
:Orcs, led by [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]], swarm across the Anduin and engage Faramir's garrison throughout the ruins of western Osgiliath. When his forces begin to be overwhelmed and the city is clearly lost, he leads a retreat back to Minas Tirith, harried by the Ringwraiths along the way. Denethor then delusionally orders Faramir to lead a counter-attack to retake Osgiliath, despite Faramir's complaint that the city is completely overrun. The [[Pelennor Fields]] are not protected by the [[Rammas Echor]] and there are no [[Causeway Forts]] on the road between Osgiliath and Minas Tirith.
{{references}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the War of the Ring]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the War of the Ring]]

Revision as of 16:23, 22 June 2014

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
The name Battle of Osgiliath refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Battle of Osgiliath (disambiguation).
Faramir's defense of Osgiliath
Donato Giancola - Faramir at Osgiliath.jpg
Conflict: War of the Ring
Date: 12 March T.A. 3019
Place: The ruins of western Osgiliath
Outcome: Victory for Sauron, gaining the crossing of the Anduin River
Combatants

Gondor

Mordor

Commanders

Template:Sauron blazon

Strength

Unknown, the men of Gondor

Unknown, forces of Mordor, Southrons, Haradwaith

Casualties

Unknown

Unknown

War of the Ring
Osgiliath (1) · Moria · Isen (1) · Rauros · Isen (2) · Fangorn · Isengard · Hornburg · Osgiliath (2) · Siege of Gondor · Dale · Pelennor Fields · Black Gate · Dol Guldur · Bywater


Faramir's defense of Osgiliath was a futile attempt to stem the advance of Sauron's army advancing from Minas Morgul towards Minas Tirith through the ruins of the city on the Anduin.

Prelude

Two days after the departure of Frodo Baggins from Henneth Annûn, Faramir barely returned to Minas Tirith from Osgiliath (he was almost caught by Fell beasts until Gandalf saved him).[1]

Early in the morning of the next day Denethor ordered his son back to Osgiliath, hoping to make the Enemy pay dearly for the crossing of the river. Despite his warnings that Sauron could easily afford to lose ten times Gondor's losses, and that those so far afield would find retreat perilous, Denethor insisted that Faramir defend the ruined city because no army could cross the river north of Cair Andros or southwards towards Lebennin. After the meeting of the Council Faramir took what strength he could to Osgiliath.[2]

The Battle

On 12 March, T.A. 3019,[1] Sauron's army met and shoved Faramir's scratch forces west out of Osgiliath. Although the Enemy did pay dearly for the crossing, it was less than hoped. In secret, numerous floats and barges had been built in East Osgiliath which allowed Sauron's forces to swarm like beetles upon the defenders.[2]

Aftermath

Faramir retired with his men to the Causeway Forts where the ongoing battle resumed. Soon this battle would also be lost, Faramir was struck down by the Black Breath. Only a sortie by Imrahil and his knights saved him and the rest of the wounded from that onset.[3] Sauron's army advanced and siege of Gondor would begin.

Portrayal in adaptations

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

Orcs, led by Gothmog, swarm across the Anduin and engage Faramir's garrison throughout the ruins of western Osgiliath. When his forces begin to be overwhelmed and the city is clearly lost, he leads a retreat back to Minas Tirith, harried by the Ringwraiths along the way. Denethor then delusionally orders Faramir to lead a counter-attack to retake Osgiliath, despite Faramir's complaint that the city is completely overrun. The Pelennor Fields are not protected by the Rammas Echor and there are no Causeway Forts on the road between Osgiliath and Minas Tirith.

References