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From Tolkien Gateway
The name Isengard refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Isengard (disambiguation).
Isengard
Fortress
Ted Nasmith - Orthanc in the Second Age.jpg
General Information
Other namesAngrenost[1]
LocationSouthern tip of the Misty Mountains,[2] Nan Curunír[3]
TypeFortress
DescriptionA circular wall of rock that enclosed the valley, in the centre of which stood the stone tower of Orthanc[2]
RegionsGondor,[4] Saruman's domain,[5] Treegarth of Orthanc in the Reunited Kingdom[6]
People and History
InhabitantsExiles of Númenór,[5] Dunlendings,[4] Saruman,[3] Orcs,[3] Wicked men,[3] Ents,[6] Huorns[6]
EventsBattle of Isengard[7]
"My business is with Isengard tonight— with the rock and stone."
Treebeard[7]

Isengard ("Iron Fortress", Angrenost in Sindarin[1]) was a great fortress located within a valley at the southern end of the Misty Mountains near the Gap of Rohan. In the centre of the Ring of Isengard stood the stone tower of Orthanc.[2]

Description

The fortress of Isengard was located in a valley at the southern tip of the Misty Mountains; the Ring of Isengard was a great wall of stone that ran out from the mountain-side and then back again. The only entrance to Isengard was found delved into the southern wall of Isengard. One entering Isengard would pass through the arched gate, travel down the long tunnel and pass through the iron doors to come to the plain of Isengard. In the centre of the plain, half a mile from the gate, stood the looming tower of Orthanc. For most of its history the lands of Isengard were green and a river ran from the mountains to form a lake. However after the treason of Saruman all green things that grew were removed and the river was dammed. The inner-ring was riddled with houses which cut into the walls. About the plain great shafts had been dug deep and many stone-flags paved the roads of the surface.[7][8]

A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs, stood out from the shelter of the mountain-side, from which it ran and then returned again. One entrance only was there made in it, a great arch delved in the southern wall. Here through the black rock a long tunnel had been hewn, closed at either end with mighty doors of iron. They were so wrought and poised upon their huge hinges, posts of steel driven into the living stone, that when unbarred they could be moved with a light thrust of the arms, noiselessly. One who passed in and came at length out of the echoing tunnel, beheld a plain, a great circle, somewhat hollowed like a vast shallow bowl: a mile it measured from rim to rim.
J.R.R. Tolkien[8]

History

Second Age

It is unknown exactly when Isengard was first established. However it must have been built between S.A. 3320, the year in which the realms of Gondor and Arnor were established, and S.A. 3430, the year in which the Last Alliance of Elves and Men was formed.[9] The Ring of Isengard, and the tower of Orthanc therein, were built by the Dúnedain, the Exiles of Númenor, as a fortress on the north-western tip of Gondor. Within Orthanc was placed one of the seven seeing stones, the palantíri.[5] This stone would be later referred to as the Orthanc-stone.[10]

Third Age

Saruman's domain

The Treegarth of Orthanc

Main article: Treegarth of Orthanc

Following the Battle of Isengard, the Ents destroyed the Ring of Isengard and filled the land with gardens of orchards and trees. A stream ran into a small clear lake, in the middle of which stood the black-stone tower of Orthanc. Whilst the Treegarth of Orthanc became part of the Reunited Kingdom, King Elessar granted the Ents complete self-governance of, what was formerly, Isengard.[6]

Etymology

Angrenost
Tengwar, Sindarin mode

Isengard means "Iron-courd" in Old English (see also Isen): "It was so called because of the great hardness of the stone in that place and especially in the central tower of Orthanc."[11]

Isen is an old English variant form of iron; and gard a Germanic word meaning 'enclosure (round a dwelling)' which appears in English garth/yard or Old Norse Asgard, Midgard etc.[11]

It's used here to show an archaic Westron name of the place, translation of Sindarin Angrenost.[11]

Portrayal in adaptations

Isengard in Adaptations

1988: J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth:

Isengard is one of the many battlefields of this game.

2001-3: The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy:

BLAH

2011: The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard:

Isengard is a new region that will be released in the new expansion The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard.[12]

See Also

References