War of the Ring: Difference between revisions

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| end=[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| end=[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
|place=Northwestern [[Middle-earth]]
|place=Northwestern [[Middle-earth]]
|result=Free Peoples' victory; destruction of the [[One Ring]], [[Sauron]] and [[Mordor]]; start of the [[Fourth Age]]; [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]] reunited under restoration of the [[King of Gondor]]
|result=Free Peoples' victory; destruction of [[the One Ring]], [[Sauron]] and [[Mordor]]; start of the [[Fourth Age]]; [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]] reunited under restoration of the [[King of Gondor]]
| battles=[[Battles of the Fords of Isen]], [[Battle of Isengard]], [[Battle of the Hornburg]], [[Battle of Osgiliath]], [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], [[Battle of the Morannon]], [[Battle Under Trees]]
| battles=[[Battles of the Fords of Isen]], [[Battle of Isengard]], [[Battle of the Hornburg]], [[Battle of Osgiliath]], [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], [[Battle of the Morannon]], [[Battle Under Trees]]
|side1='''Free Peoples of Middle-earth:''' [[Gondor]], [[Rohan]], [[Dale]], [[Esgaroth]], [[Erebor]], [[The Shire]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Woodland Realm]]
|side1='''Free Peoples of Middle-earth:''' [[Gondor]], [[Rohan]], [[Dale]], [[Esgaroth]], [[Erebor]], [[The Shire]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Woodland Realm]]
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{{quote|In the end, this war must be ended by the smallest of things.|[[Gandalf]]<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)]]'', "Helm's Deep"</ref>}}
{{quote|In the end, this war must be ended by the smallest of things.|[[Gandalf]]<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)]]'', "Helm's Deep"</ref>}}


The '''War of the Ring''' was the great conflict at the end of the [[Third Age]], named for the [[One Ring]] and the importance this had in the final outcome. The war was fought between the Free Peoples (a loose alliance of [[Elves]] and [[Men]] led by the Wise) and [[Sauron]] the [[Dark Lord]] of Mordor, with [[Saruman]] as a third power based in [[Orthanc]].  Sauron had been defeated in the [[War of the Last Alliance]], but because of Isildur's refusal to destroy the [[One Ring]], he was not entirely vanquished.  He survived in spirit form, and the foundations of Barad-dûr were also not destroyed.  While Sauron's spirit wandered the wastelands of Middle-earth for over 1000 years, eventually he rebuilt his power and became a threat once again.
The '''War of the Ring''' was the great conflict at the end of the [[Third Age]], named for [[the One Ring]] and the importance this had in the final outcome. The war was fought between the Free Peoples (a loose alliance of [[Elves]] and [[Men]] led by the Wise) and [[Sauron]] the [[Dark Lord]] of Mordor, with [[Saruman]] as a third power based in [[Orthanc]].  Sauron had been defeated in the [[War of the Last Alliance]], but because of Isildur's refusal to destroy [[the One Ring]], he was not entirely vanquished.  He survived in spirit form, and the foundations of Barad-dûr were also not destroyed.  While Sauron's spirit wandered the wastelands of Middle-earth for over 1000 years, eventually he rebuilt his power and became a threat once again.
==Overview, strategies and participants==
==Overview, strategies and participants==
[[Image:Darrell Sweet - The Fleet of Harad.jpg|left|thumb|''The Fleet of Harad'' by Darrell Sweet]]
[[Image:Darrell Sweet - The Fleet of Harad.jpg|left|thumb|''The Fleet of Harad'' by Darrell Sweet]]
Line 39: Line 39:
Sauron at all times held the military advantage in the War, due to his overwhelming forces; not only [[Orcs]] and [[Trolls]], but [[Men of Harad]] and the [[East]]. His main immediate object was the overthrow of [[Gondor]], his near neighbour and the strongest of his enemies. He had such forces at his command, though, that he was able to fight the war on many fronts, also attacking [[Dale]], [[Erebor]] and the [[Wood-elves]] in the far north, and [[Lothlórien]] from his secondary stronghold at [[Dol Guldur]]. There can be no doubt that, had the Wise not achieved possession of the Ring, Sauron would ultimately have been victorious.
Sauron at all times held the military advantage in the War, due to his overwhelming forces; not only [[Orcs]] and [[Trolls]], but [[Men of Harad]] and the [[East]]. His main immediate object was the overthrow of [[Gondor]], his near neighbour and the strongest of his enemies. He had such forces at his command, though, that he was able to fight the war on many fronts, also attacking [[Dale]], [[Erebor]] and the [[Wood-elves]] in the far north, and [[Lothlórien]] from his secondary stronghold at [[Dol Guldur]]. There can be no doubt that, had the Wise not achieved possession of the Ring, Sauron would ultimately have been victorious.


The policy of the Wise was based around the [[Quest of Mount Doom]]; a company of nine under the leadership of [[Gandalf]] travelled from [[Rivendell]] with the [[One Ring]], with the hope of reaching [[Orodruin]] in [[Mordor]] and there destroying it. Because the Ring held much of Sauron's native power, they realised that in unmaking it, they would also defeat its creator.
The policy of the Wise was based around the [[Quest of Mount Doom]]; a company of nine under the leadership of [[Gandalf]] travelled from [[Rivendell]] with [[the One Ring]], with the hope of reaching [[Orodruin]] in [[Mordor]] and there destroying it. Because the Ring held much of Sauron's native power, they realised that in unmaking it, they would also defeat its creator.


==History==
==History==
=== Prelude ===
=== Prelude ===
Years before the War, while Sauron was known as the "[[Necromancer]]" and abode in [[Dol Guldur]], [[Gandalf]] knew that should Sauron return, he would use the power of [[Smaug]], the last [[Dragons|dragon]], who dwelt in [[Erebor]]. Gandalf persuaded [[Thorin Oakenshield]] that he should reclaim Erebor for his people. With the assistance of [[Bilbo Baggins]], Erebor was retaken and Smaug was finally killed by [[Bard]]. Most importantly, fate brought the [[One Ring]] into Bilbo's hands.
Years before the War, while Sauron was known as the "[[Necromancer]]" and abode in [[Dol Guldur]], [[Gandalf]] knew that should Sauron return, he would use the power of [[Smaug]], the last [[Dragons|dragon]], who dwelt in [[Erebor]]. Gandalf persuaded [[Thorin Oakenshield]] that he should reclaim Erebor for his people. With the assistance of [[Bilbo Baggins]], Erebor was retaken and Smaug was finally killed by [[Bard]]. Most importantly, fate brought [[the One Ring]] into Bilbo's hands.


After that, the Necromancer was banished and Sauron returned to his old abode in [[Mordor]] to construct [[Barad-dûr]], but also reopened Dol Guldur. The [[White Council]] met for a last time in {{TA|2953}}
After that, the Necromancer was banished and Sauron returned to his old abode in [[Mordor]] to construct [[Barad-dûr]], but also reopened Dol Guldur. The [[White Council]] met for a last time in {{TA|2953}}

Revision as of 17:31, 14 January 2011

The name War of the Ring refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see War of the Ring (disambiguation).
"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
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Previous war: Corsair Wars
Next war: Unknown
War of the Ring
File:Third Age.gif
Beginning: T.A. 3018 (earlier fighting in Gondor)End: T.A. 3019
Place: Northwestern Middle-earth
Outcome: Free Peoples' victory; destruction of the One Ring, Sauron and Mordor; start of the Fourth Age; Arnor and Gondor reunited under restoration of the King of Gondor
Major battles: Battles of the Fords of Isen, Battle of Isengard, Battle of the Hornburg, Battle of Osgiliath, Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Battle of the Morannon, Battle Under Trees
Combatants

Free Peoples of Middle-earth: Gondor, Rohan, Dale, Esgaroth, Erebor, The Shire, Lothlórien, Woodland Realm

Under Sauron: Mordor, Rhûn, Harad, Haven of Umbar, and Khand

Under Saruman: Isengard and Dunland

Commanders
Aragorn
Denethor
Théoden
Éomer
Imrahil
Template:Sauron blazon
Saruman
"In the end, this war must be ended by the smallest of things."
Gandalf[1]

The War of the Ring was the great conflict at the end of the Third Age, named for the One Ring and the importance this had in the final outcome. The war was fought between the Free Peoples (a loose alliance of Elves and Men led by the Wise) and Sauron the Dark Lord of Mordor, with Saruman as a third power based in Orthanc. Sauron had been defeated in the War of the Last Alliance, but because of Isildur's refusal to destroy the One Ring, he was not entirely vanquished. He survived in spirit form, and the foundations of Barad-dûr were also not destroyed. While Sauron's spirit wandered the wastelands of Middle-earth for over 1000 years, eventually he rebuilt his power and became a threat once again.

Overview, strategies and participants

The Fleet of Harad by Darrell Sweet

Saruman had claimed alliance with both the Wise and the Dark Lord, but was ultimately fighting for his own ends. In alliance with the Dunlendings, and having Orcs at his own command, his objective was the defeat of Rohan. Until late in the War, he held the advantage, defeating Rohan twice at the Battles of the Fords of Isen which are considered the beginning of the War.

Sauron at all times held the military advantage in the War, due to his overwhelming forces; not only Orcs and Trolls, but Men of Harad and the East. His main immediate object was the overthrow of Gondor, his near neighbour and the strongest of his enemies. He had such forces at his command, though, that he was able to fight the war on many fronts, also attacking Dale, Erebor and the Wood-elves in the far north, and Lothlórien from his secondary stronghold at Dol Guldur. There can be no doubt that, had the Wise not achieved possession of the Ring, Sauron would ultimately have been victorious.

The policy of the Wise was based around the Quest of Mount Doom; a company of nine under the leadership of Gandalf travelled from Rivendell with the One Ring, with the hope of reaching Orodruin in Mordor and there destroying it. Because the Ring held much of Sauron's native power, they realised that in unmaking it, they would also defeat its creator.

History

Prelude

Years before the War, while Sauron was known as the "Necromancer" and abode in Dol Guldur, Gandalf knew that should Sauron return, he would use the power of Smaug, the last dragon, who dwelt in Erebor. Gandalf persuaded Thorin Oakenshield that he should reclaim Erebor for his people. With the assistance of Bilbo Baggins, Erebor was retaken and Smaug was finally killed by Bard. Most importantly, fate brought the One Ring into Bilbo's hands.

After that, the Necromancer was banished and Sauron returned to his old abode in Mordor to construct Barad-dûr, but also reopened Dol Guldur. The White Council met for a last time in T.A. 2953

A year before the war, while Gollum was looking for his ring, he was taken to Mordor and interrogated by Sauron, who learned that the One Ring was in the possession of Baggins in the Shire. A messenger from Mordor visited King Dáin II and asked information on Bilbo and the Ring. Meanwhile, Gandalf reading Isildur's Scroll in Minas Tirith also realized that Bilbo's Ring was the One Ring.

First conflicts

The Battle of Osgiliath

The beginning of the War was Sauron's attack against Gondor. The Battle of Osgiliath on June 20 of T.A. 3018 took place in order to reach Minas Tirith. Boromir and Faramir managed to defend the Bridge which fell in order to deny the enemy access to the other side of the river.

About the same time the Elves of Mirkwood were attacked and during the fray, the captive Gollum escaped and would not be found nor by the Elves nor by Sauron's servants.

The following months, Boromir would seek counsel in Rivendell while Faramir led several Ranger attacks deep into Mordor-occupied Ithilien, ambushing enemy armies moving to the Black Gate. Far in Eriador, the Nazgûl in the guise of black riders began their hunt for the Baggins of the Shire, the heir of the Ring, Frodo Baggins, and would enter Hobbiton.

In October, Frodo came to Rivendell and during the Council of Elrond it was decided that the only way to be free of Sauron and the Ring was to cast the Ring into the Crack of Doom in Mount Doom. Frodo surprised everyone including himself by telling them he would take the Ring.

Saruman enters the scene

Months later, Saruman entered the War, his main aim being to get rid of Théodred and Éomer and have full control of Théoden. On February 25, T.A. 3019, he sent his forces to attack Rohan's army (commanded by Théodred and Grimbold) at the Isen. Dunlendings, Wolfriders and Uruks clashed against the Rohirrim in the First Battle of the Fords of Isen with orders to slay Théodred at any cost. Elfhelm arrived only to avenge Théodred's killer and take the dying Prince away from the battle.

The next day while the Company of the Ring was in Emyn Muil thinking whether to take the Ring to Minas Tirith or go directly to Mordor, Orcs from Isengard attempted to capture the Ring-bearer; but instead they took Merry and Pippin as prisoners. Éomer hearing of the descent of the Orcband set out from Eastfold against Théoden's orders and overtook them outside Fangorn Forest, setting the hobbits free.

Having heard the news about Théodred's death, Erkenbrand, who became the commander of Rohan's western armies, gathered the forces of Grimbold and Elfhelm to assault Isen once more in the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen (March 2). Though they had a force of about 2000 men and had constructed a shield wall to hold off the enemy, Saruman's forces overcame them and scattered the retreating Rohirrim across Rohan.

Saruman's victory would not last; he did not know that on the very same day, Gandalf had healed Théoden from Wormtongue's influence. In the meantime, the Ents after ending their long Entmoot, decide to go to Isengard and battle Saruman.

The next day (March 3) seeking to take the fight away from his people, Théoden brought around a thousand horsemen to the Fords of Isen along with any others in Edoras. Among this force were Éomer, Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas. On their way they found Ceorl who reported a defeat to the Fords; Théoden then redirected his troops to Helm's Deep, which was commanded by Gamling in his lord Erkenbrand's absence. Against overwhelming odds, they fought the Battle of the Hornburg for two days against Uruk-hai and Dunlendings, until the Deeping Wall was breeched and all seemed lost. The surviving horsemen rode out to meet the hordes of Isengard.

The Wrath of the Ents

At that moment, Gandalf returned, bringing with him Erkenbrand and many other soldiers from Westfold. They attacked the army from the rear, driving the attackers back into a forest of Huorns. Saruman was attacked by a march of Ents in the Battle of Isengard who drowned all the valley.

After the defeat of Saruman, Pippin looked in the Orthanc-stone and saw the Eye of Sauron; Gandalf believed that seeing the Hhobbit, Sauron would imagine that the Ring-bearer was caught by Saruman's Orcs and that they could make good use of the delay caused by this confusion. The protagonists of the War separated, anticipating Sauron's attack on Minas Tirith. Gandalf set out for Minas Tirith taking Pippin since he would not be safe. Théoden set out from the Hornburg for Harrowdale while Aragorn set out with the Grey Company to Dunharrow and took the Paths of the Dead. Théoden would come to Dunharrow.

Sauron strikes back

On March 10 fumes from Mordor veiled the Sun in an attempt by Sauron to disparage or misguide his enemies. The veil blacked out most of Gondor and Rohan who observed that day as The Dawnless Day.

Along with the Darkness, a host from Minas Morgul set forth toward Minas Tirith, as witnessed by Frodo, Sam and Gollum who passed the Cross-roads. Later Orcs from the Morannon took Cair Andros and passed into Anórien.

The Rohirrim mustered their Riders and rode from Harrowdale, while Aragorn led the Dead Men and the Grey Company, across the river Ringló.

While preparing against Gondor, Sauron also begun campaigns to conquer Wilderland, implementing his armies stationed in Dol Guldur and eastern allies. This would bring the eastern half of Middle-earth entirely into his dominion.

On March 11 Orcs from Dol Guldur attacked Lórien but are repelled. The next day Sauron's soldiers attempted to attack Rohan but were utterly defeated by Ents.

In Gondor, Denethor II sent Faramir to Osgiliath and two days later he retreats to the Causeway Forts but the next day he was wounded seriously while Pelennor was overrun.

The climax of the War

On March 15 three simultaneous battles occurred.

In Rhovanion, an army was sent to destroy the realm of Thranduil and a second assault against Lorien is made. After a long battle under the trees, and great ruin of fire[2] the Orcs are defeated in both fronts in the same day

Aragorn, after enlisting the help of Army of the Dead, and other Rangers of the North, Gimli, Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir and many reinforcements from southern fiefdoms of Gondor, attacked the Corsair fleet at Umbar, an assault he had also carried out decades earlier

In Gondor, after the enemy passed Osgiliath, Pelennor outside Minas Tirith was overrun, despite the armies that gathered from southern Gondor already in the days before the battle. The Battle of the Pelennor Fields erupted until the Witch-king broke the Great Gate of Minas Tirith with Grond, when the Rohirrim reached Rammas Echor and joined the battle.

File:Anke Eissmann - The Black Serpent founders.jpg
Haradrim fight the Rohirrim in the Battle of the Pelennor

The combined army of Orcs, Haradrim, Men of Rhûn and Men of Khand, outnumbered them at least 10 to 1, but lost almost a third of their own forces. In the process both King Theoden and the Witch-king were killed. When all seemed lost, a fleet of enemy ships with black sails arrived at the landings to the south of the Pelennor in the Rammas, but actually manned by Aragorn. As his army drove north a great part of Mordor's forces were pinned between Aragorn and Eomer's cavalry, and were "caught between the hammer and the anvil".

The battle of Dale

Meanwhile in the North, Easterlings crossed Carnen, and King Brand was driven back to Dale. He gathered there with the Dwarves of Erebor, and engaged in the Battle of Dale against the Orcs at the feet of the Lonely Mountain for three days until (March 17) he fell alongside King Dáin Ironfoot. Many Dwarves and Men took refuge in Erebor and stopped the Easterlings. However news from the defeat at the Pelennor reached the Easterlings who begun to fail.

The end of Sauron

The next day it was understood that the army vanquished in the Battle of the Pelennor was only a fraction of Sauron's forces, and eventually Minas Tirith would not manage to withstand forever. The Host of the West marched from Minas Tirith to confront Sauron. During that course, Lórien was attacked for a third and last time by Orcs (March 22). After much destruction, the Elves repulsed them once again.

The Host of the West would meet Sauron's forces outside the gates of Mordor seven days later, hoping to divert them in favor to the Ring-bearer.

File:Rotk2196.jpg
Fell beasts fly over the Battle of the Morannon

During the course of the Battle of the Morannon against Trolls, Orcs and Men, the eight remaining Nazgûl attacked the army of the West. The Eagles of the Misty Mountains, led by Gwaihir arrived and attacked the Ringwraiths. When all hope seemed lost, Frodo put on the One Ring and Sauron realized that Frodo was inside Mount Doom. The Nazgûl immediately left the battle to intercept Frodo. The hosts of Mordor, suddenly without direction, hesitated until Sauron's power was overthrown.

The Nazgûl were all destroyed as they flew over Mount Doom just as it underwent a gigantic eruption. Barad-dûr, the Black Gate, and the Towers of the Teeth collapsed to ruin. The Orcs and other creatures of Sauron were completely directionless with the Dark Lord's demise and were easily decimated by the army of the West and the Easterlings eventually threw down their weapons and surrendered.

Two days later, Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm drive the enemy from Dale.

The fall of Dol Guldur

On March 28 with Celeborn at their head, Elves crossed the Anduin in many boats and stormed Dol Guldur. Galadriel came after them in the Fall of Dol Guldur, throwing down the walls of the fortress and laying bare its pits, so that the forest was cleansed. Thranduil cleared all the orcs and foul beings from North Mirkwood

The War did not end with the defeat of Sauron, for Saruman fled northward after the capture of Orthanc, and established himself in the Shire, bending the Hobbits to his will by threat of violence and the persuasive power of his voice. The return of Frodo Baggins and his companions led to a rebellion by the Shire-hobbits.

The Battle of Bywater

Saruman and Wormtongue, who have overtook the Shire, were confronted atthe Battle of Bywater by Hobbit forces led by Meriadoc and Peregrin. At that time, Wormtongue cuts Saruman's throat and himself is shot down by Hobbit arrows.

This battle is considered to mark the end of the War.

Aftermath

"You were born at the end of a great age, Elanorellë"
Samwise Gamgee, Sauron Defeated, The Epilogue
Main article: Fourth Age

The consequences of the War were "apocalyptical" for the Westlands of Middle-earth. The status quo of many entities were restored, or even radically changed after centuries. Not only the millennia of Sauron's dominion were permanently brought to an end, but the relationships of peoples and races were redefined. It is also notable that during the War many personalities died (Denethor, Theoden, Brand, Dain), and brought their descendants into the aftermath.

The major effect of the war however was that with the destruction of the One Ring, the Three Rings that had maintained the realms of the Elves in Middle-earth lost their power, and the Elves began to leave for the Undying Lands; significant Elves who marked the history of the Westlands for millennia, like Galadriel and Elrond departed, setting stage for the Dominion of Men.

Political

The downfall of Sauron brought the restoration of the long-awaited line of Kings of Gondor, the restoration of Arnor and simultaneously the reunification of the two kingdoms; after of centuries of nomadic wandering the Rangers of the North had again a kingdom and the Gondorians had a king. This King was Aragorn II a descendant both of Isildur and Anarion; furthermore, his marriage with Arwen reunited the lines of Elrond and Elros since the First Age.

Other political repercussions were the strengthening of the relationships between the Kingdom and Rohan, new relationships with the Ents (who now occupied Treegarth, former Isengard), the Woses and the Hobbits, now known as free peoples. On the Elven New Year, Celeborn and Thranduil renamed Mirkwood as Eryn Lasgalen 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.

Calendrical impact

All the above events made historians to mark the years following the War as the end of the Third Age.

Another calendric change was the New Reckoning which replaced the Stewards' Reckoning, and the introduction of Cormarë, a holiday on March 25 that commemorated the fall of Sauron.

Combatants

Sauron and his Allies

Free Peoples

Non-combatants

References