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[[Image:Plague.jpg|thumb|''Plague'' by Steven Cavallo]]
{{events
The '''Great Plague''', also known as the '''Dark Plague''' was a disastrous pestilence that killed untold numbers of people that possibly went up into the hundreds of thousands. The plague was brought by an evil wind from the east.
| image=[[File:Steven Cavallo - Plague.jpg|250px]]
| event=Great Plague
| othernames=Dark Plague
| location=[[Rhûn]], [[Rhovanion]], [[Gondor]], [[Eriador]]
| date={{TA|1635}}-[[Third Age 1637|7]]; effects visible for the next 200 years
| result=Possibly hundreds of thousands of deaths
| partof=
| participants=[[Sauron]], [[Easterlings]], [[Northmen]], [[Woodmen]], [[Kelvar]], [[Gondorians]], [[Dunlendings]], [[Dúnedain of Arnor]], [[Hobbits]]
| description=Plague from [[Rhun]], spreading north, west and then north
}}


[[File:Plague.png|thumb|left|The effects of the plague; more intense color shows worse effect (based on interpretation in the ''[[Atlas of Middle-earth]]''.]]
The '''Great Plague''', also known as the '''Dark Plague''', was a deadly plague that spread out of the [[Rhûn|east]] into [[Rhovanion]], [[Gondor]], and [[Eriador]] during the [[Third Age]]. The mortality rate of the epidemic possibly numbered in the hundreds of thousands as it killed untold numbers of people and animals.<ref name="south"/>
The Great Plague began in the east beyond [[Mordor]] and first reached [[Osgiliath]] in {{TA|1636}} (just a year after King [[Minardil]] of [[Gondor]] had been killed at [[Pelargir]] by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]]). The new king, [[Telemnar]] was killed together with his kin, followed by the [[White Tree of Gondor]], as well as many others of the [[Dúnedain]]; two centuries after the [[Kin-strife]], this further destroyed the people of Gondor.  


The city of Osgiliath was especially hit hard, suffering the highest casualties outside of Rhovanion. Many fled the city and removed to [[Ithilien]] and [[Anórien]], and [[Minas Anor]] became the King's seat. The casualties were so high that the fortresses guarding [[Mordor]] were abandoned as the troops were recalled.
== History ==
[[File:Sage - Great Plague.png|thumb|left|The effects of the plague; more intense color shows worse effect (based on interpretation in the ''[[Atlas of Middle-earth]]'').]]


From there the plague spread west and then north. It hit [[Rhûn]] and [[Rhovanion (region)|Rhovanion]], and after it had passed, more than half the folk of the [[Rhovanion (Realm)|Kingdom of Rhovanion]] had been killed<ref>{{HM|UT}}</ref>.
The Great Plague began beyond [[Mordor]] in [[Rhûn]]. It was believed by historians to have been caused by [[Sauron]] as the plague coincided with a [[Shadow]] deepening in [[Mirkwood]], foretelling his return in the unguarded [[Mordor]] and the reappearance of evil things.<ref name="south"/>


[[Enedwaith]] and [[Dunland]] were scarcely affected, but the Plague regained strength as it went north, and [[Minhiriath]] (the southern part of [[Cardolan]]) was especially hit hard. The last of the Dúnedain of Cardolan died on the [[Barrow-downs]], and evil spirits from [[Angmar]] and [[Rhudaur]] entered the realm.
During the cold winter of {{TA|1635}}, the plague was brought by dark winds to [[Rhovanion]]. The [[Northmen]] suffered great casualties since they were less skilled in the art of healing than [[Gondor]] was. After the plague had passed, more than half of the folk of the Kingdom of Rhovanion had been killed along with their horses.<ref>{{UT|Northmen}}</ref> The plague also hit the enemies of Gondor, who otherwise could easily have overwhelmed the weakened kingdom. Though this didn't affect [[Sauron]], as he could wait.<ref name="south"/>


[[Arthedain]] further to the north and [[the Shire]] were scarcely affected, although the [[Hobbits]] recorded casualties in the South Farthing. Arthedain still defended [[Fornost]] to the north.
The plague first reached [[Gondor]] in {{TA|1636}}, just a couple of years after King [[Minardil]] had been killed at [[Pelargir]] by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]]. It was devastating in Gondor; [[Calenardhon]] and [[Osgiliath]] were especially hit hard, with Calenardhon being nearly completely abandoned<ref>{{UT|Palantiri}}</ref> and Osgiliath suffering the highest casualties outside of [[Rhovanion]]. Many fled the city and removed to [[Ithilien]] and [[Anórien]], and [[Minas Anor]] became the [[King's House|King's seat]]. The casualties were so high that the fortresses guarding [[Mordor]] were abandoned as the troops were recalled.<ref name="south"/> The new king, [[Telemnar]], was killed along with his children, many others of the [[Dúnedain]], and the [[White Tree of Gondor]].<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref> Coming two centuries after the [[Kin-strife]], this further destroyed the people of Gondor.<ref name="south">{{App|South}}</ref>


The exact date the plague ended is not known but for the next two centuries Gondor, as well as its enemies, did little but try and regain strength. Historians believed that the Plague was caused by Sauron since the [[Shadow]] deepened in [[Mirkwood]], foretelling his return in the (now unguarded) Mordor.
From there the plague spread west and then north, desolating many of the lands in [[Eriador]].<ref name=ta/> [[Dunland]] suffered less than most, due to having little contact with other regions.<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref> However, the plague gained strength as it went north, and [[Cardolan]], [[Minhiriath]] in particular, was hit especially hard. The joint garrison of the North and South Kingdoms at [[Tharbad]] ceased to exist.<ref>{{UT|6d}}</ref> The last of the Dúnedain of Cardolan died on the [[Barrow-downs]], and evil spirits from [[Angmar]] and [[Rhudaur]] entered the realm.<ref name="north">{{App|North}}</ref>


[[category:Events]]
While [[The Shire]] suffered greatly,<ref name=ta/> the plague lessened as it passed northward until the northern part of [[Arthedain]] was scarcely affected,<ref name="north"/> still being capable of defending [[Fornost Erain]] from Angmar.
 
The plague marked the beginning of the desolation of [[Eriador]],<ref name=ta/> where the population of [[Men]] continued to decline for the rest of the [[Age]].<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, #59</ref> The exact date that the plague ended is not known, but for the next two centuries, Gondor, as well as its allies and enemies, did little but try to regain strength.<ref name="south"/>
 
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Great Plague is revealed to be an evil of [[Sauron]], created by his chief poisoner Lhaereth the Stained. Various versions of it were tested in [[Rhûn]] before a suitable variant was unleashed onto the lands in the west. However, despite the devastation it brought, the plague was deemed a failure by Sauron for not being deadly enough, and Lhaereth fell out of his favor for many years hence. It is revealed that the [[Rangers of the North]] could heal those affected by the plague with [[Athelas|Kingsfoil]]. After the downfall of Sauron, the player works with two Rangers to stop Lhaereth from unleashing a new and improved variant of the Great Plague.
 
== See also ==
* [[Evil Breath]], the pestilence outbreak in the late [[First Age]]
 
{{references}}
 
{{seq-start}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Kin-Strife]]
| list=Major events of [[Middle-earth]]
| dates={{TA|1635}} - c 200 years later
| next=[[Watchful Peace]]
}}
{{seq-end}}
 
[[Category:Events]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:History of the Shire]]
[[Category:History of the Shire]]
 
[[Category:Third Age]]
[[de:Große Pest]]
[[de:Große Pest]]
[[fi:Suuri Rutto]]
[[fi:Suuri Rutto]]

Latest revision as of 15:45, 6 February 2024

Steven Cavallo - Plague.jpg
Great Plague
Event
Other namesDark Plague
LocationRhûn, Rhovanion, Gondor, Eriador
DateT.A. 1635-7; effects visible for the next 200 years
ResultPossibly hundreds of thousands of deaths
ParticipantsSauron, Easterlings, Northmen, Woodmen, Kelvar, Gondorians, Dunlendings, Dúnedain of Arnor, Hobbits
DescriptionPlague from Rhun, spreading north, west and then north

The Great Plague, also known as the Dark Plague, was a deadly plague that spread out of the east into Rhovanion, Gondor, and Eriador during the Third Age. The mortality rate of the epidemic possibly numbered in the hundreds of thousands as it killed untold numbers of people and animals.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

The effects of the plague; more intense color shows worse effect (based on interpretation in the Atlas of Middle-earth).

The Great Plague began beyond Mordor in Rhûn. It was believed by historians to have been caused by Sauron as the plague coincided with a Shadow deepening in Mirkwood, foretelling his return in the unguarded Mordor and the reappearance of evil things.[1]

During the cold winter of T.A. 1635, the plague was brought by dark winds to Rhovanion. The Northmen suffered great casualties since they were less skilled in the art of healing than Gondor was. After the plague had passed, more than half of the folk of the Kingdom of Rhovanion had been killed along with their horses.[2] The plague also hit the enemies of Gondor, who otherwise could easily have overwhelmed the weakened kingdom. Though this didn't affect Sauron, as he could wait.[1]

The plague first reached Gondor in T.A. 1636, just a couple of years after King Minardil had been killed at Pelargir by the Corsairs of Umbar. It was devastating in Gondor; Calenardhon and Osgiliath were especially hit hard, with Calenardhon being nearly completely abandoned[3] and Osgiliath suffering the highest casualties outside of Rhovanion. Many fled the city and removed to Ithilien and Anórien, and Minas Anor became the King's seat. The casualties were so high that the fortresses guarding Mordor were abandoned as the troops were recalled.[1] The new king, Telemnar, was killed along with his children, many others of the Dúnedain, and the White Tree of Gondor.[4] Coming two centuries after the Kin-strife, this further destroyed the people of Gondor.[1]

From there the plague spread west and then north, desolating many of the lands in Eriador.[4] Dunland suffered less than most, due to having little contact with other regions.[5] However, the plague gained strength as it went north, and Cardolan, Minhiriath in particular, was hit especially hard. The joint garrison of the North and South Kingdoms at Tharbad ceased to exist.[6] The last of the Dúnedain of Cardolan died on the Barrow-downs, and evil spirits from Angmar and Rhudaur entered the realm.[7]

While The Shire suffered greatly,[4] the plague lessened as it passed northward until the northern part of Arthedain was scarcely affected,[7] still being capable of defending Fornost Erain from Angmar.

The plague marked the beginning of the desolation of Eriador,[4] where the population of Men continued to decline for the rest of the Age.[8] The exact date that the plague ended is not known, but for the next two centuries, Gondor, as well as its allies and enemies, did little but try to regain strength.[1]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2015: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Great Plague is revealed to be an evil of Sauron, created by his chief poisoner Lhaereth the Stained. Various versions of it were tested in Rhûn before a suitable variant was unleashed onto the lands in the west. However, despite the devastation it brought, the plague was deemed a failure by Sauron for not being deadly enough, and Lhaereth fell out of his favor for many years hence. It is revealed that the Rangers of the North could heal those affected by the plague with Kingsfoil. After the downfall of Sauron, the player works with two Rangers to stop Lhaereth from unleashing a new and improved variant of the Great Plague.

See also[edit | edit source]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Southern Line: Heirs of Anarion"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "(i) The Northmen and the Wainriders"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Palantíri"
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Battles of the Fords of Isen"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix D: The Port of Lond Daer"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "Notes", #59
Preceded by:
Kin-Strife		Major events of Middle-earth
T.A. 1635 - c 200 years later		Followed by:
Watchful Peace


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