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'''Tol-in-Gaurhoth''' or '''Isle of Werewolves''' was a fortress held by [[Sauron]] in the [[First Age]], once called [[Tol Sirion]].  In the [[Lay of Leithian]] it was called [[Wizard's Isle]].
{{location infobox
| name=Tol-in-Gaurhoth
| image=[[File:Alan Lee - On the bridge of woe, in mantle wrapped at dead of night, she sat and sang.jpg|250px]]
| caption="On the bridge of woe, in mantle wrapped at dead of night, she sat and sang" by [[Alan Lee]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Isle of [[Werewolves]]<br/>Wizard's Isle<br/>Gaurhoth Isle<br>Sauron's Isle<ref>{{CH|11}}</ref><br>Formerly known as "[[Tol Sirion]]"
| location= Upper [[Sirion]]
| type=Island fortress
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Sauron]], [[Draugluin]], [[Werewolves]], [[Thuringwethil]]
| created={{FA|457}}
| destroyed={{FA|465}}
| events=
}}


Tol-in-Gaurhoth began as the [[Minas Tirith in Beleriand|Minas Tirith]] of [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]], and was held by [[Orodreth]] for his uncle to guard the vale of [[Sirion]]. However, Orodreth was powerless to stop [[Sauron]] from taking the isle, and fled south. Sauron began breeding large wolves in the isle which he sent evil spirits in, turning them into werewolves.
'''Tol-in-Gaurhoth''' or '''Isle of Werewolves''', also called '''Wizard's Isle'''<ref>{{LB|Leithian}}</ref> was a fortress held by [[Sauron]] in the [[First Age]], once called [[Tol Sirion]].


[[Beren|Beren Erchamion]] on his quest for the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] enlisted Finrod's aid, but they were captured passing the isle, and their companions slain one-by-one. Finrod saved Beren's life, but died himself.
==History==
Tol-in-Gaurhoth began as [[Minas Tirith (Beleriand)|Minas Tirith]], constructed by [[Finrod|Finrod Felagund]], and was held by [[Orodreth]] for his uncle to guard the vale of [[Sirion]]. However, Orodreth was powerless to stop [[Sauron]] from taking the isle, and fled south. Sauron began breeding large [[wolves]] in the isle, and, by sending evil spirits into the fell beasts, turned them into [[werewolves]].


[[Lúthien|Lúthien]] and the Hound [[Huan]] came to Beren's rescue, and while Huan killed the wolves Lúthien got control over the isle's magic from Sauron. The isle was destroyed and cleansed, and remained clean afterwards, and no new tower was erected there.
Ten years later during the [[Quest for the Silmaril]], [[Beren|Beren Erchamion]], seeking the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]], enlisted Finrod's aid, but the two of them and their group were captured while passing the isle. Sauron defeated Finrod in a contest of spells and songs, and their companions were slain one-by-one by werewolves. Finrod saved Beren's life by killing the werewolf that came for him, but in doing so, he died himself.
 
[[Lúthien]] and [[Huan]], [[Hound]] of [[Valinor]], came to Beren's rescue, and Huan killed the wolves sent against him. After [[Draugluin]] was killed, Sauron went out in wolf-form but was defeated. Lúthien gained control over the isle from Sauron, who fled, and, after releasing those who had been captive there under Sauron, she reduced Minas Tirith to ruins. Finrod was buried there by Beren and Lúthien.<ref>{{S|Beren}}</ref> The isle remained clean afterwards, but after the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] it was retaken by [[Morgoth]] and its towers rebuilt.<ref>{{GA|Year 472}}</ref>
 
==Etymology==
''Tol-in-Gaurhoth'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Isle of Werewolves", from ''[[tol]]'' ("isle") + plural ''[[i]]'' (definite article) + ''[[gaur]]'' ("werewolf") + ''[[hoth]]'' ("host").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''gaur'', ''hoth''</ref> It is also mentioned simply as "Gaurhoth Isle".<ref>{{LB|4}}, "2. Of Morgoth & the Snaring of Gorlim", p. 336, v. 259</ref>
 
==Other versions of the legendarium==
According to the early version of the [[legendarium]] within ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the predecessor of Tol-in-Gaurhoth was known as the '''halls of Tevildo''', a castle on a hilltop that was not terribly distant from [[Angband|Angamandi]]. These halls were said to harbour a few mice, fierce and large as rats, that [[Tevildo]] had allowed to dwell in dark holes for his own personal amusement.<ref name=LT2I>{{LT2|I}}</ref>{{rp|16}} During the [[Quest for the Silmaril]], [[Beren]] was captured by [[Morgoth|Melko]] and was sent to work as a thrall within Tevildo's kitchens, where he was made a scullion<ref name=LT2I/>{{rp|16-7}} under the watch of [[Miaulë]], Tevildo's cook.<ref name=LT2I/>{{rp|28}} The castle entrance was guarded by the old Doorcat, [[Umuiyan]], Tevildo's doorkeeper.<ref name=LT2I/>{{rp|23-5}} Once Tevildo was defeated by [[Huan]], [[Tinúviel]] used his magical collar and spells to shake the castle, liberating the prisoners and turning Tevildo's servants into normal cats.<ref name=LT2I/>{{rp|29}}


{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Sindarin Locations]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]


[[fr:encyclo/geographie/eaux/iles/tol-in-gaurhoth]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/eaux/iles/tol-in-gaurhoth]]

Latest revision as of 11:41, 20 November 2022

Tol-in-Gaurhoth
Island fortress
Alan Lee - On the bridge of woe, in mantle wrapped at dead of night, she sat and sang.jpg
"On the bridge of woe, in mantle wrapped at dead of night, she sat and sang" by Alan Lee
General Information
Other namesIsle of Werewolves
Wizard's Isle
Gaurhoth Isle
Sauron's Isle[1]
Formerly known as "Tol Sirion"
LocationUpper Sirion
TypeIsland fortress
People and History
InhabitantsSauron, Draugluin, Werewolves, Thuringwethil
CreatedF.A. 457
DestroyedF.A. 465
GalleryImages of Tol-in-Gaurhoth

Tol-in-Gaurhoth or Isle of Werewolves, also called Wizard's Isle[2] was a fortress held by Sauron in the First Age, once called Tol Sirion.

History[edit | edit source]

Tol-in-Gaurhoth began as Minas Tirith, constructed by Finrod Felagund, and was held by Orodreth for his uncle to guard the vale of Sirion. However, Orodreth was powerless to stop Sauron from taking the isle, and fled south. Sauron began breeding large wolves in the isle, and, by sending evil spirits into the fell beasts, turned them into werewolves.

Ten years later during the Quest for the Silmaril, Beren Erchamion, seeking the Silmaril, enlisted Finrod's aid, but the two of them and their group were captured while passing the isle. Sauron defeated Finrod in a contest of spells and songs, and their companions were slain one-by-one by werewolves. Finrod saved Beren's life by killing the werewolf that came for him, but in doing so, he died himself.

Lúthien and Huan, Hound of Valinor, came to Beren's rescue, and Huan killed the wolves sent against him. After Draugluin was killed, Sauron went out in wolf-form but was defeated. Lúthien gained control over the isle from Sauron, who fled, and, after releasing those who had been captive there under Sauron, she reduced Minas Tirith to ruins. Finrod was buried there by Beren and Lúthien.[3] The isle remained clean afterwards, but after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad it was retaken by Morgoth and its towers rebuilt.[4]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Tol-in-Gaurhoth is Sindarin for "Isle of Werewolves", from tol ("isle") + plural i (definite article) + gaur ("werewolf") + hoth ("host").[5] It is also mentioned simply as "Gaurhoth Isle".[6]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

According to the early version of the legendarium within The Book of Lost Tales, the predecessor of Tol-in-Gaurhoth was known as the halls of Tevildo, a castle on a hilltop that was not terribly distant from Angamandi. These halls were said to harbour a few mice, fierce and large as rats, that Tevildo had allowed to dwell in dark holes for his own personal amusement.[7]:16 During the Quest for the Silmaril, Beren was captured by Melko and was sent to work as a thrall within Tevildo's kitchens, where he was made a scullion[7]:16-7 under the watch of Miaulë, Tevildo's cook.[7]:28 The castle entrance was guarded by the old Doorcat, Umuiyan, Tevildo's doorkeeper.[7]:23-5 Once Tevildo was defeated by Huan, Tinúviel used his magical collar and spells to shake the castle, liberating the prisoners and turning Tevildo's servants into normal cats.[7]:29

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "The Fall of Nargothrond"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lays of Beleriand, "III. The Lay of Leithian"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beren and Lúthien"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §Year 472
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries gaur, hoth
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lays of Beleriand, "IV. The Lay of Leithian Recommenced", "2. Of Morgoth & the Snaring of Gorlim", p. 336, v. 259
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "I. The Tale of Tinúviel"
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