Key of Orthanc: Difference between revisions
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{{objects | |||
| image= | |||
| name=Key of Orthanc | |||
| othernames= | |||
| derivation= | |||
| location=[[Minas Tirith]], then [[Orthanc]], finally Minas Tirith | |||
| ownedby=[[Stewards of Gondor]], [[Saruman]], King [[Elessar]] | |||
| maker= | |||
| appearance= | |||
| references= | |||
}} | |||
The '''Key of Orthanc''' (often referred to in the plural as the "keys") granted entry to the otherwise impenetrable tower of [[Orthanc]]. | |||
==History== | |||
The tower of Orthanc was built between {{SA|3320}}, the year in which [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] were established, and {{SA|3430}}, when the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] was first formed.<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> Presumably as the tower was completed its doors and the keys that unlocked them were fashioned. | |||
In the [[Third Age]], [[Calenardhon]], which was never densely populated, gradually lost most of its people. Eventually the tower of Orthanc became deserted and its keys were removed to [[Minas Tirith]] and kept by the [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].<ref>{{UT|Palantiri}}</ref> | |||
In {{TA|2510}},<ref name="Isen">{{UT|Isen}}</ref> the lands of [[Calenardhon]] became the kingdom of [[Rohan]], although Gondor retained control of Isengard and Orthanc. During this time Isengard was manned by a small number of Gondorians led by a hereditary Captain. However the keys of Orthanc were kept by the Stewards of Gondor.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref> | |||
Over time, while retaining the keys of Orthanc, the Stewards forsook the tower as their thoughts looked eastwards. Eventually Isengard came under the control of the Dunlendings who led numerous raids on the [[Westfold]]. The Dunlendings were eventually starved out in the great famine after the [[Long Winter]]. [[Fréaláf|King Fréaláf]] and [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Beren]] welcomed [[Saruman]]'s offer to take command of Isengard and in {{TA|2759}}<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref> the wizard was given the keys of Orthanc.<ref name="Isen" /> | |||
A week before [[22 August]], {{TA|3019}},<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> when [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] and company arrived at Orthanc, Saruman had departed Isengard with [[Gríma Wormtongue]]. However, before he left, [[Treebeard]] made him lock the tower and hand over the keys of Orthanc.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref> | |||
After the fall of [[Sauron]], one of [[Aragorn|King Elessar's]] first tasks in the re-ordering of his realm was the restoration of Orthanc. He ordered that the [[Palantíri|palantír]] recovered from Saruman should be returned to the tower. Having access with the key of Orthanc it was then that the tower was searched and many secrets were revealed.<ref name="Isen"/> | |||
{{references}} | |||
[[Category:Objects]] | [[Category:Objects]] | ||
[[de:Schlüssel zum Orthanc]] | [[de:Schlüssel zum Orthanc]] | ||
[[fr:encyclo:artefacts:clef_d_orthanc]] | [[fr:encyclo:artefacts:clef_d_orthanc]] | ||
Revision as of 01:07, 26 April 2013
| Key of Orthanc | |
|---|---|
| Location | Minas Tirith, then Orthanc, finally Minas Tirith |
The Key of Orthanc (often referred to in the plural as the "keys") granted entry to the otherwise impenetrable tower of Orthanc.
History
The tower of Orthanc was built between S.A. 3320, the year in which Gondor and Arnor were established, and S.A. 3430, when the Last Alliance of Elves and Men was first formed.[1] Presumably as the tower was completed its doors and the keys that unlocked them were fashioned.
In the Third Age, Calenardhon, which was never densely populated, gradually lost most of its people. Eventually the tower of Orthanc became deserted and its keys were removed to Minas Tirith and kept by the Stewards.[2]
In T.A. 2510,[3] the lands of Calenardhon became the kingdom of Rohan, although Gondor retained control of Isengard and Orthanc. During this time Isengard was manned by a small number of Gondorians led by a hereditary Captain. However the keys of Orthanc were kept by the Stewards of Gondor.[4]
Over time, while retaining the keys of Orthanc, the Stewards forsook the tower as their thoughts looked eastwards. Eventually Isengard came under the control of the Dunlendings who led numerous raids on the Westfold. The Dunlendings were eventually starved out in the great famine after the Long Winter. King Fréaláf and Steward Beren welcomed Saruman's offer to take command of Isengard and in T.A. 2759[5] the wizard was given the keys of Orthanc.[3]
A week before 22 August, T.A. 3019,[6] when King Elessar and company arrived at Orthanc, Saruman had departed Isengard with Gríma Wormtongue. However, before he left, Treebeard made him lock the tower and hand over the keys of Orthanc.[7]
After the fall of Sauron, one of King Elessar's first tasks in the re-ordering of his realm was the restoration of Orthanc. He ordered that the palantír recovered from Saruman should be returned to the tower. Having access with the key of Orthanc it was then that the tower was searched and many secrets were revealed.[3]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Palantíri"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Battles of the Fords of Isen"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Many Partings"
