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{{location
{{location infobox
| image=[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Glittering_Caves_of_Aglarond.jpg|300px]]
| name=Glittering Caves
| name=Glittering Caves
| type=Cave/Colony
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Glittering Caves.jpg|250px]]
| location=[[White Mountains]]
| caption="The Glittering Caves" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| inhabitants=[[Rohirrim]] refugees, later [[Dwarves]]
| pronun=
| realms=
| othernames=''Aglarond'' (Sindarin)<br>''Glǽmscrafu'' (Rohirric)
| description=Jewelled caverns
| location=[[White Mountains]], behind [[Helm's Deep]]
| othernames=[[Aglarond]]
| type=Cave
| etymology=
| description=Beautiful jewelled caverns
| events=[[Battle of Helm's Deep]]
| regions=
| references=[[The Two Towers]], [[The Return of the King]]
| towns=
|}}
| inhabitants=[[Rohirrim]]<br>Later [[Durin's Folk]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle of the Hornburg]]
| gallery=the Glittering Caves
}}
The '''Glittering Caves''', in Sindarin called '''Aglarond''', were the spectacular jewelled caverns that lay in the [[White Mountains]] behind [[Helm's Deep]] in [[Rohan]].


==Overview==
The Glittering Caves were located behind [[Helm's Deep]] under the three peaks of the [[Thrihyrne]] in the northwestern arm of the [[White Mountains]]. The Glittering Caves extended deep under the mountains, with many passages, stairs, halls, and chambers. The floors were sandy and the ceilings were high, domed vaults. The walls were polished stone set with gems and crystals and veins of ore.<ref>{{TT|Road}}, pp. 547-8</ref>


The '''Glittering Caves''', also called [[Aglarond]], were the spectacular jewelled caverns that lay in the [[White Mountains]] behind [[Helm's Deep]] in [[Rohan]].  
The entrance to the caves was behind the [[Deeping Wall]] in a narrow gorge that could be defended long against an onslaught, making them an ideal refuge location.


==Overview==
[[Gimli]] called the Glittering Caves one of the marvels of the Northern World, and his description of them to [[Legolas]] was reportedly one of the few times that a dwarf has bested an elf with words; Legolas was left speechless after visiting them.  
The Glittering Caves were located behind [[Helm's Deep]] under the three peaks of the [[Thrihyrne]] in the northwestern arm of the [[White Mountains]]. [[Gimli]] called the Glittering Caves one of the marvels of the Northern World.
The Glittering Caves extended deep under the mountains, with many passages, stairs, halls, and chambers. The floors were sandy and the ceilings were high, domed vaults. The walls were polished stone set with gems and crystals and veins of ore.


==History==
==History==
The [[Númenóreans]] built the fortress of Aglarond during the [[Second Age]].<ref>{{S|V}}, p. 291</ref> The meaning of the Sindarin name of the fortress suggests that they already knew of the existence of the caves. Later, after the founding of [[Rohan]] it was used as a storage space and refuge for [[Rohirrim]] who used the [[Hornburg]].
===War of the Ring===
===War of the Ring===
During the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] on [[March 3]]-[[March 4|4]], [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]], many of the women, children, and elderly people of the Westfold took refuge in the Glittering Caves. Livestock and food were stored there as well. The entrance to the caves was behind the Deeping-wall in a narrow gorge that could be defended long against an onslaught.
During the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] on [[3 March|3]]-[[4 March]], {{TA|3019}}, many of the women, children, and elderly people of the [[Westfold]] took refuge in the Glittering Caves. Livestock and food were stored there as well.  


Some [[Orcs]] crept through a culvert in the Deeping-wall and entered the gorge but were killed or driven back by the defenders. Then the Deeping-wall was breached by an explosive device and the Enemy forces entered the Deep. Many of the [[Rohirrim]] including [[Éomer]] were driven back to the Glittering Caves, and with them was Gimli.
Some [[Orcs]] crept through a culvert in the Deeping Wall and entered the gorge but were killed or driven back by the defenders. Then the Deeping Wall was breached by an explosive device and the Enemy forces entered the Deep. Many of the [[Rohirrim]] including [[Éomer]] were driven back to the Glittering Caves, and with them was Gimli.<ref>{{TT|Deep}}, pp. 535-8</ref>


===As a Dwarven Colony===
After the war Gimli brought [[Legolas]] to see the caves; the Elf was so impressed that he was silent and said that only Gimli could fittingly describe them.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}, p. 978</ref>
[[Image:Lomehir-Glittering Caves.jpg|thumb|250px|right|The Dwarven Colony at the Glittering Caves]]


When [[Gimli|Gimli Elf-friend]] was held up in the caves, he was amazed by their beauty. After the [[War of the Ring]] he brought from [[Erebor]] part of [[Durin's folk]] and founded a [[Dwarf realms|colony]] in the caves, becoming the first [[Lord of the Glittering Caves]]. The Dwarves of the Glittering Caves carefully tended the stone walls and opened new ways and chambers and hung lamps that filled the caverns with light. The Glittering Caves became one of the most important realms of the [[Dwarves]] at the beginning of the [[Fourth Age]].
===As a Dwarven colony===
When [[Gimli|Gimli Elf-friend]] was held up in the caves, he was amazed by their beauty. After the [[War of the Ring]] he brought from [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] part of [[Durin's Folk]] and founded a [[Dwarf realms|colony]] in the caves, becoming the [[Lord of the Glittering Caves]]. The Dwarves of the Glittering Caves carefully tended the stone walls and opened new ways and chambers and hung lamps that filled the caverns with light.<ref>{{TT|Road}}</ref> The Glittering Caves became one of the most important realms of the [[Dwarves]] at the beginning of the [[Fourth Age]].<ref>{{App|Durin}}, pp. 1080-81</ref>


== Inspiration ==
==Etymology==
The Glittering Caves are one of very few locations in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s work that are associated with a real place. They were inspired by the [[wikipedia:Cheddar Gorge and Caves|Cheddar Gorge]] in [[wikipedia:Somerset|Somerset]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Humphrey Carpenter]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (eds.), ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 321]] (dated [[February 4]], [[1971]])</ref>
''Aglarond'' is [[Sindarin]] and contains the elements ''[[aglar]]'' ("brilliance"<ref name=N>{{HM|N}}, note removed by J.R.R Tolkien from the Nomenclature, pp. 421 and 751</ref>, "radiance", glory"<ref name=PE17>{{PE|17}}, entry S '''aglar''', p. 24</ref>) and ''[[rond]]'' ("vault", "high roofed cavern")<ref>{{L|211}}</ref>,<ref name=N/> which is translated as "Glittering Caves"<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 548</ref> or "Caves of Radiance<ref name=11c>{{UT|11c}}, footnote relating to Aglarond</ref>. Since the word ''aglar'' is derived from the stem KAL- ("light")<ref name=PE17/>"Glittering Caves" can be the exact translation.


{{references}}
Its [[Rohirric]] name, which was "translated" as [[Old English]] ''Glǽmscrafu'' (the ''sc'' is pronounced as ''[sh]'') also meant "Caves of Radiance".<ref name=11c/>
* {{HM|TT}}, "[[Helm's Deep (chapter)|Helm's Deep]]"
* {{HM|TT}}, "[[The Road to Isengard]]"
* {{HM|TT}}, "[[The Palantir]]"
* {{HM|RK}}, "[[The Passing of the Grey Company]]"
* {{HM|RK}}, "[[The Field of Cormallen]]"
* {{HM|RK}}, "[[Many Partings]]"


==Inspiration==
The Glittering Caves are one of very few locations in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s work that are associated with a real place. They were inspired by the [[wikipedia:Cheddar Gorge and Caves|caves in Cheddar Gorge]] in [[wikipedia:Somerset|Somerset]].<ref>{{L|321}}</ref>
{{References}}
[[Category:Caves]]
[[Category:Mines]]
[[Category:Dwarven realms]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Caves]]
[[Category:Dwarven Realms]]
[[de:Aglarond]]
[[de:Aglarond]]
[[fi:Aglarond]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:reliefs:montagnes_blanches:cavernes_etincelantes]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:reliefs:montagnes_blanches:cavernes_etincelantes]]
[[fi:Aglarond]]

Latest revision as of 11:20, 4 April 2024

Glittering Caves
Cave
Ted Nasmith - The Glittering Caves.jpg
"The Glittering Caves" by Ted Nasmith
General Information
Other namesAglarond (Sindarin)
Glǽmscrafu (Rohirric)
LocationWhite Mountains, behind Helm's Deep
TypeCave
DescriptionBeautiful jewelled caverns
People and History
InhabitantsRohirrim
Later Durin's Folk
EventsBattle of the Hornburg
GalleryImages of the Glittering Caves

The Glittering Caves, in Sindarin called Aglarond, were the spectacular jewelled caverns that lay in the White Mountains behind Helm's Deep in Rohan.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The Glittering Caves were located behind Helm's Deep under the three peaks of the Thrihyrne in the northwestern arm of the White Mountains. The Glittering Caves extended deep under the mountains, with many passages, stairs, halls, and chambers. The floors were sandy and the ceilings were high, domed vaults. The walls were polished stone set with gems and crystals and veins of ore.[1]

The entrance to the caves was behind the Deeping Wall in a narrow gorge that could be defended long against an onslaught, making them an ideal refuge location.

Gimli called the Glittering Caves one of the marvels of the Northern World, and his description of them to Legolas was reportedly one of the few times that a dwarf has bested an elf with words; Legolas was left speechless after visiting them.

History[edit | edit source]

The Númenóreans built the fortress of Aglarond during the Second Age.[2] The meaning of the Sindarin name of the fortress suggests that they already knew of the existence of the caves. Later, after the founding of Rohan it was used as a storage space and refuge for Rohirrim who used the Hornburg.

War of the Ring[edit | edit source]

During the Battle of the Hornburg on 3-4 March, T.A. 3019, many of the women, children, and elderly people of the Westfold took refuge in the Glittering Caves. Livestock and food were stored there as well.

Some Orcs crept through a culvert in the Deeping Wall and entered the gorge but were killed or driven back by the defenders. Then the Deeping Wall was breached by an explosive device and the Enemy forces entered the Deep. Many of the Rohirrim including Éomer were driven back to the Glittering Caves, and with them was Gimli.[3]

After the war Gimli brought Legolas to see the caves; the Elf was so impressed that he was silent and said that only Gimli could fittingly describe them.[4]

As a Dwarven colony[edit | edit source]

When Gimli Elf-friend was held up in the caves, he was amazed by their beauty. After the War of the Ring he brought from Erebor part of Durin's Folk and founded a colony in the caves, becoming the Lord of the Glittering Caves. The Dwarves of the Glittering Caves carefully tended the stone walls and opened new ways and chambers and hung lamps that filled the caverns with light.[5] The Glittering Caves became one of the most important realms of the Dwarves at the beginning of the Fourth Age.[6]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Aglarond is Sindarin and contains the elements aglar ("brilliance"[7], "radiance", glory"[8]) and rond ("vault", "high roofed cavern")[9],[7] which is translated as "Glittering Caves"[10] or "Caves of Radiance[11]. Since the word aglar is derived from the stem KAL- ("light")[8]"Glittering Caves" can be the exact translation.

Its Rohirric name, which was "translated" as Old English Glǽmscrafu (the sc is pronounced as [sh]) also meant "Caves of Radiance".[11]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

The Glittering Caves are one of very few locations in Tolkien's work that are associated with a real place. They were inspired by the caves in Cheddar Gorge in Somerset.[12]

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard", pp. 547-8
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age", p. 291
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep", pp. 535-8
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Many Partings", p. 978
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk", pp. 1080-81
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, note removed by J.R.R Tolkien from the Nomenclature, pp. 421 and 751
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), entry S aglar, p. 24
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 211, (dated 14 October 1958)
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard", p. 548
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Battles of the Fords of Isen", "Appendix (ii)", footnote relating to Aglarond
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 321, (dated 4 February 1971)
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