Lossarnach: Difference between revisions

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{{location
{{location infobox
| name=Lossarnach
| image=[[File:Mark Fisher - Ithilien.png|249px]]
| image=[[File:Mark Fisher - Ithilien.png|249px]]
| name=Lossarnach
| caption=Map of eastern Gondor, by Mark Fisher
| othernames=
| pronun=
| etymology=
| othernames=Arnach
| type=Region/fiefdom
| location=Southern [[Gondor]], south-west of Minas Tirith
| location=Southern [[Gondor]], southwest of Minas Tirith
| type=Region
| description=Fertile region known for growth of flowers and trees
| regions=[[Imloth Melui]]
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| realms=[[Gondor]]<br/>[[Reunited Kingdom]]
| created=
| description=
| destroyed=
| events=
| events=
| references=
}}
|}}
'''Lossarnach''' was a region in the south of [[Gondor]].<ref name=RC>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Lossarnach'', p. 513</ref><ref name=Map>{{RK|Map}}</ref>
'''Lossarnach''' was a region and fiefdom in southern [[Gondor]].
==History==
Known as the "Vale of flowers", it was a fertile region lying south of eastern end of the [[White Mountains]]. It was the region closest to [[Minas Tirith]],<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref> which depended on the fruit cultivated in the orchards of Lossarnach. Residents of Minas Tirith were also known to make expeditions to the region to behold its renowned flowers and trees (which surely included the valley [[Imloth Melui]]).<ref name=VT42/>


At the end of the [[Third Age]], its lord was the old [[Forlong]] the Fat, who led two hundred men to the aide of Minas Tirith.<ref name="MT">{{RK|V1}}</ref> Forlong was killed in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]],<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref> but many of his men survived and accompanied [[Aragorn]] Elessar on his way to the [[Black Gate]], even though most of them were farmers.
==Geography==
Lossarnach was located near the sources of the rivers [[Sirith]] and [[Erui]] in the north-east<ref>{{UT|Index}}, entry ''Lossarnach''</ref><ref group=note>The entry for ''Lossarnach'' in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s [[Unfinished index]] for [[The Lord of the Rings]] mentions it as "the region of NW [north-west] Lebennin", but it is located in the north-east of Lebennin on the [[Map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor|maps]] and [[Christopher Tolkien]] mentions in the entry for ''Lossarnach'' in his index for [[Unfinished Tales|Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth]] that it is "in the north-east of Lebennin".</ref> of [[Lebennin]]<ref name=RC/> south of the eastern end of the [[White Mountains]].<ref name=Map/> The name Lossarnach or Arnach referred to the valleys in the south of the White Mountains and to their foothills between the rivers [[Celos]] and Erui.<ref name=VT17>{{VT|42a}}, p. 17</ref> Many flowers grew in its upper valleys. Below is upper valleys were great orchards of fruit trees, which supplied much of the fruit that was required in [[Minas Tirith]]. People from Minas Tirith often made trips to Lossarnach to look at the flowers and the blossoms of the fruit trees.<ref name=VT18>{{VT|42a}}, p. 18</ref>


Lossarnach was populated by many refugees from [[Ithilien]] and [[Osgiliath]]. During the [[War of the Ring]], most women and children from Minas Tirith were sent there.<ref name="MT"/>
==History==
During the [[War of the Ring]] before the [[Siege of Minas Tirith]], the elderly and most of the women and children were sent to [[Tumladen (Gondor)|Tumladen]] and Lossarnach to seek refuge.<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 764</ref> The lord of Lossarnach, old [[Forlong]] the Fat, led two hundred men to aid in the defence Minas Tirith.<ref name=MT>{{RK|MT}}, p. 770</ref> Forlong was killed in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]],<ref>{{RK|Battle}}, p. 846</ref> but many of his men survived and accompanied [[Aragorn]] Elessar on his way to the [[Black Gate]], even though most of them were farmers.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 886</ref> It is possible that the mountain-vales, where the ancestors of [[Beregond]] came from, were located in Lossarnach.<reF>{{RK|MT}}, pp. 760</ref>


Famous people from the region included the wise-woman [[Ioreth]] who served in the [[Houses of Healing]] of Minas Tirith,<ref>{{RK|V8}}</ref> and [[Morwen Steelsheen]], wife of King [[Thengel]] of [[Rohan]].<ref>{{App|Mark}}</ref>
Famous people from the region included the wise-woman [[Ioreth]] who served in the [[Houses of Healing]] of Minas Tirith,<ref>{{RK|Houses}}, p. 866</ref> and [[Morwen Steelsheen]], wife of King [[Thengel]] of [[Rohan]].<ref>{{App|Mark}}, ''Second Line'', entry 16. ''Thengel''</ref><ref>{{UT|Linear}}, note to Morwen, Thengel's wife</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
''Lossarnach'' is glossed as "flowery Arnach".<ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, pp. 513-4 (citing from the [[Unfinished index]])</ref> While [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] seemed to be convinced that the second element, ''[[Arnach]]'', was a [[Pre-Númenórean]] word, the first element caused more problems: since ''[[loss]]'' means "snow" in [[Sindarin]] it is unclear why it "''was prefixed to Arnach''", although it likely derived from likeness between ''loss'' and Sindarin ''[[loth]]'' ("flower").<ref name=VT42>{{VT|42a}}, p. 18</ref><ref name=RC/>
''Lossarnach'' is a mixed [[Sindarin]] and [[Pre-Númenórean]] name. It means "flowery Arnach".<ref name=RC/> The second element, ''[[Arnach]]'' is a Pre-Númenórean name whose origin is forgotten.<ref>{{App|Men}}, p. 1129</ref> It is unclear why ''[[loss]]'', the Sindarin word for "snow", was prefixed to Arnach. It is probable that ''loss'' referred to the blossoms of the fruit trees. The words for flower, ''[[loth]]'', and for snow, ''loss'' are very similar in Sindarin.<ref name=VT18/> The [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] settlers, mariners, soldiers and other emigrants, who gave names to the places in Gondor in the [[Second Age]], did not know Sindarin well.<ref name=VT17/> As a consequence, it is possible that they confused the Sindarin word for flowers with the Sindarin word for snow.


==Inspiration==
==Inspiration==
[[Letter to Jennifer Brookes-Smith (28 July 1955)|Writing in a letter]] about an impending trip in [[1955]], [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] identified Lossarnach as [[Wikipedia:Assisi|Assisi]].<ref>{{CG|C}}, p. 462</ref>


[[Jennifer Brookes-Smith 28 July 1955|Writing in a letter]] about an impending trip in [[1955]], [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] identified Lossarnach as [[Wikipedia:Assisi|Assisi]].<ref>{{CG|C}}, p. 462</ref>
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Lossarnach was an area in the region of Eastern [[Gondor]]. It was across the river [[Erui]] from Upper [[Lebennin]] to the west and across the river [[Anduin]] from South [[Ithilien]] to the east. The [[Rammas Echor]] divided it from the [[Pelennor Fields|Pelennor]] to the north-east. Settlements in Lossarnach included the capital city of [[Arnach#Portrayal in adaptations|Arnach]], [[Imloth Melui]], [[Harlond (Gondor)|Harlond]], and "Ost Norhir", though the latter two have fallen to the [[Minas Morgul|Morgul]]-host. The emblem of Lossarnach was three red roses on a white field. Baranor, Captain of the Guard of Arnach, and the Lady Vanyalos, sister of [[Denethor]] and wife of [[Forlong]], were in charge of the land when Forlong went to [[Minas Tirith]].


{{references}}
{{references|n}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Mannish names]]
[[Category:Mannish names]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]

Latest revision as of 11:34, 29 February 2024

Lossarnach
Region
Mark Fisher - Ithilien.png
Map of eastern Gondor, by Mark Fisher
General Information
Other namesArnach
LocationSouthern Gondor, south-west of Minas Tirith
TypeRegion
DescriptionFertile region known for growth of flowers and trees
RegionsImloth Melui
InhabitantsGondorians
GalleryImages of Lossarnach

Lossarnach was a region in the south of Gondor.[1][2]

Geography[edit | edit source]

Lossarnach was located near the sources of the rivers Sirith and Erui in the north-east[3][note 1] of Lebennin[1] south of the eastern end of the White Mountains.[2] The name Lossarnach or Arnach referred to the valleys in the south of the White Mountains and to their foothills between the rivers Celos and Erui.[4] Many flowers grew in its upper valleys. Below is upper valleys were great orchards of fruit trees, which supplied much of the fruit that was required in Minas Tirith. People from Minas Tirith often made trips to Lossarnach to look at the flowers and the blossoms of the fruit trees.[5]

History[edit | edit source]

During the War of the Ring before the Siege of Minas Tirith, the elderly and most of the women and children were sent to Tumladen and Lossarnach to seek refuge.[6] The lord of Lossarnach, old Forlong the Fat, led two hundred men to aid in the defence Minas Tirith.[7] Forlong was killed in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields,[8] but many of his men survived and accompanied Aragorn Elessar on his way to the Black Gate, even though most of them were farmers.[9] It is possible that the mountain-vales, where the ancestors of Beregond came from, were located in Lossarnach.[10]

Famous people from the region included the wise-woman Ioreth who served in the Houses of Healing of Minas Tirith,[11] and Morwen Steelsheen, wife of King Thengel of Rohan.[12][13]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Lossarnach is a mixed Sindarin and Pre-Númenórean name. It means "flowery Arnach".[1] The second element, Arnach is a Pre-Númenórean name whose origin is forgotten.[14] It is unclear why loss, the Sindarin word for "snow", was prefixed to Arnach. It is probable that loss referred to the blossoms of the fruit trees. The words for flower, loth, and for snow, loss are very similar in Sindarin.[5] The Númenórean settlers, mariners, soldiers and other emigrants, who gave names to the places in Gondor in the Second Age, did not know Sindarin well.[4] As a consequence, it is possible that they confused the Sindarin word for flowers with the Sindarin word for snow.

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

Writing in a letter about an impending trip in 1955, Tolkien identified Lossarnach as Assisi.[15]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2015: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Lossarnach was an area in the region of Eastern Gondor. It was across the river Erui from Upper Lebennin to the west and across the river Anduin from South Ithilien to the east. The Rammas Echor divided it from the Pelennor to the north-east. Settlements in Lossarnach included the capital city of Arnach, Imloth Melui, Harlond, and "Ost Norhir", though the latter two have fallen to the Morgul-host. The emblem of Lossarnach was three red roses on a white field. Baranor, Captain of the Guard of Arnach, and the Lady Vanyalos, sister of Denethor and wife of Forlong, were in charge of the land when Forlong went to Minas Tirith.

Notes

  1. ↑ The entry for Lossarnach in J.R.R. Tolkien's Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings mentions it as "the region of NW [north-west] Lebennin", but it is located in the north-east of Lebennin on the maps and Christopher Tolkien mentions in the entry for Lossarnach in his index for Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth that it is "in the north-east of Lebennin".

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings", in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, entry Lossarnach, p. 513
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, Index, entry Lossarnach
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, p. 17
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Rivers and Beacon-hills of Gondor" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 42, July 2001, p. 18
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith", p. 764
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith", p. 770
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields", p. 846
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Black Gate Opens", p. 886
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith", pp. 760
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Houses of Healing", p. 866
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl", "The Kings of the Mark", Second Line, entry 16. Thengel
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields", "Appendix: Númenórean Linear Measures", note to Morwen, Thengel's wife
  14. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of Men", p. 1129
  15. ↑ Christina Scull and Wayne G. Hammond (2006), The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide: I. Chronology, p. 462
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