Rhovanion Campaign (WotR): Difference between revisions

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==References==
==References==


* ''The Lord of the Rings]], [[Appendix B]]''
* ''The Lord of the Rings'', [[Appendix B]]''


[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Revision as of 21:28, 11 December 2007

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Rhovanion Campaign
SBG - Celeborn and Haldir.gif
Conflict: War of the Ring
Date: March 11, 3019 - March 27, 3019
Place: Various points in Rhovanion
Outcome: Repulse of all attacks and, ultimately, the destruction of Dol Guldur
Combatants

Orcs of Dol Guldur, Easterlings

Defenders from Lothlórien, Mirkwood, Dale, Erebor, and Fangorn

Commanders

Unknown

Celeborn, Thranduil, Brand, Dáin Ironfoot

Strength

A great number of Orcs and Easterlings

An unknown number of Elves, Men, and Dwarves

Casualties

The entire Orc-armies, and a large portion of the Easterlings

Many casualties in Mirkwood, Erebor, and Dale; esp. Brand and Dáin Ironfoot

The Rhovanion Campaign was one of Sauron's campaigns to conquer Wilderland during the War of the Ring, implementing the armies stationed in Dol Guldur and his eastern allies. The attacks were carried out against Lothlórien, Mirkwood, Rohan, and Erebor. This would bring the eastern half of Middle-earth entirely into his dominion. Ultimately it failed on all fronts, and Dul Guldur itself was captured in a countermove.

The Campaign

The Initial Attacks

1st attack on Lórien

On March 11th, Orcs of Dol Guldur struck Lothlórien for the first time. There was great battle, but the power that dwelt in the wood was too great, and they were repulsed.

Attack on Rohan

On March 12th, Sauron's soldiers invaded Rohan, but were met by a group of Ents, which utterly defeated them

Attack on Mirkwood

On March 15, the army tasked with destroying the realm of Thranduil attacked Mirkwood. There was a long battle under the trees, and "great ruin of fireTemplate:Ref". But in the end Thranduil defeated them.

Battle of Dale

On March 15 the allies of Sauron (the [[Easterlings) crossed the River Carnen, and Brand was driven back to Dale. He gathered there with the Dwarves of Erebor, and engaged in a great battle with the Orcs at the feet of the Lonely Mountain for three days. On the 17 both Brand and Dáin Ironfoot were slain, and the Easterlings won, but they could not take the Gate, and many Dwarves and Men took refuge there and withstood a long siege.

The Defeat of Dol Guldur

2nd Attack on Lórien

On March 15th, same day as the Attack on Mirkwood, Orcs entered Lórien once again, but were defeated.

3rd Attack on Lórien

On March 22nd the Orcs attacked for a third and final time. Though they caused and had caused much destruction, the Elves repulsed them once again, and with Celeborn at their head they crossed the Anduin in many boats and stormed Dol Guldur. Galadriel came after them, throwing down the walls of Dol Guldur and laying bare its pits, so that the forest was cleansed.

Cleansing of Mirkwood

Meanwhile, Thranduil cleared all the orcs and foul beings from North Mirkwood. With Dol Guldur defeated and the cleansing of the wood, Sauron's empire in the North was destroyed. Thranduil and Celeborn met in the midst of the forest on the Elven New Year, and renamed it Eryn Lasgalen. They divided it up, so that Thranduil received the northern part as far as the Mountains, and Celeborn took the southern part below the Narrows, naming it East Lórien. The wide forest inbetween was given to the Beornings and the Woodmen.

Flight of the Easterlings

When news of Sauron's defeat in the south, (the Ring was at this time thrown into Orodruin), the Easterlings knew they could benefit no longer from their alliance, and were filled with dismay. On March 27 the Dwarves and Men in the Lonely Mountain broke forth and drove them into the East, from which they came no more to trouble Dale.

Aftermath

Bard II was crowned King of Dale after the defeat of the Easterlings, and Thorin III Stonehelm was made King under the Mountain. And ever after they were in great friendship with Gondor, who had defeated Sauron, the source of their deepest troubles.

Meanwhile, if it were not for the valor of the Elves of Lórien and Mirkwood, "think of what might have been" [as Gandalf said] "savage swords in Eriador ... Night in Rivendell".

References