Pass of Aglon

From Tolkien Gateway
Pass of Aglon
Pass
Matěj Čadil - Aglon.jpg
"Aglon" by Matěj Čadil
General Information
Other namesThe Narrow Pass
LocationBetween Dorthonion and Himring
TypePass
DescriptionA cold, windy, narrow pass, steep-sided on the west
People and History
InhabitantsFëanorian Noldor
EventsBattle of the Pass of Aglon, Nirnaeth Arnoediad
GalleryImages of Aglon

The Pass of Aglon, also called the Gorge of Aglon[1] or just Aglon, was the pass between Dorthonion and the uplands west of Himring, to the north-east of Beleriand.[2]

Geography[edit | edit source]

The Pass of Aglon was about six leagues in length, with the western side bordering the Dorthonion plateau rising in very high steep walls. It was chilly since a bitter wind continuously blew through the pass from the lands to the north.[3]

History[edit | edit source]

Two of the Sons of Fëanor, Celegorm and Curufin, heavily fortified this area, augmented by extra forces in Himlad.[3] About ten leagues to the east, the pair's elder brother Maedhros had built upon the Hill of Himring his stronghold, thus protecting this weak point in the chain of kingdoms created by the Noldor after the Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle-under-Stars).[3]

In F.A. 402, Orcs attempted to break through the Pass, but the people of Bëor helped Maedhros and Maglor throw back the invaders.[4]

In F.A. 455,[5] during the Dagor Bragollach, Orcs broke through Celegorm and Curufin's fortifications and Aglon was lost, leaving Maedhros' stronghold in Himring the main centre for the forces of Fëanor's sons. Maedhros later took back the Pass for a time.[6] However, after Nirnaeth Arnoediad in 472,[7] the Sons of Fëanor were scattered, the Pass of Aglon fell under Morgoth's domination,[8] and it was garrisoned by Orcs.[1] The Pass was never recovered, along with all of the land of northern Beleriand.

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Aglon is Sindarin for "Narrow Pass".[9]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

The name Pass of Aglond appears in a text and on a map within J.R.R. Tolkien's final writings. Christopher Tolkien ignored the d when redrawing the map, believing it to be an original element. However, he notes that though it may seem like an original element, the d could have been added much later.[10]

References