Watchful Peace: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
mNo edit summary
m (Linked dates)
(17 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{sources}}
{{sources}}
The '''Watchful Peace''' was a relatively peaceful period during the [[Third Age]].
The '''Watchful Peace''' was a relatively peaceful 4-century period during the [[Third Age]], from {{TA|2063}} until [[Sauron]]'s return to [[Dol Guldur]] in {{TA|2460|n}}. During this time Dol Guldur was ruled by [[Khamûl]] the Easterling in the Absence of the [[Necromancer]].  


The Watchful Peace began in {{TA|2063}}, when [[Gandalf]] went to [[Dol Guldur]] and the evil dwelling there (later known to be [[Sauron]]) fled east.  It lasted until {{TA|2460}}, when Sauron returned with new strength.
The Shadow on [[Mirkwood]] had lessened, but the [[Nazgûl]] had used this period to prepare for Sauron's return.
==Background==
When [[Arnor]] reestablished relations with [[Gondor]], Kings [[Araphant]] and [[Ondoher]] realised that a single force was co-ordinating the attacks on both of their kingdoms and that they should work together to combat this evil.


This took place shortly after the loss of [[Eärnur]], the last king of Gondor, and so the first ten [[Ruling Steward]]s had relative calm in which to renew their strength. During the Watchful Peace Gondor strengthened its borders, keeping a watchful eye on the east, as [[Minas Morgul]] was still a threat on their flank and [[Mordor]] was still occupied with [[Orcs]]. But no major escalations occurred except for minor skirmishes with the [[Haven of Umbar]].  Stewards of Gondor during the Watchful Peace included [[Mardil|Mardil Voronwë]], [[Eradan]], [[Herion]], [[Belegorn]], [[Húrin I]], [[Túrin I]], [[Hador (Steward of Gondor)|Hador]], [[Barahir (Steward of Gondor)|Barahir]], [[Dior (Steward of Gondor)|Dior]], and [[Denethor I]].
However it was too late. The [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] managed to overthrow [[Arthedain]], the last remnant of the Northern Kingdom of [[Arnor]], but the Elves of [[Rivendell]] destroyed Angmar.


In the north, [[Arthedain]] and [[Arnor]] were long gone, but [[Angmar]] had also fallen.  The first seven [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] reigned during the Watchful Peace: [[Aranarth]], [[Arahael]], [[Aranuir]], [[Aravir]], [[Aragorn I]], [[Araglas]], and [[Arahad I]]. The [[Hobbits]] of [[the Shire]] prospered and even expanded; [[Buckland]] was first occupied by [[Oldbucks]] at this time. [[Isumbras Took I|Isumbras I]] became the first [[Took|Tookish]] [[Thain]] of the Shire in [[Third Age 2340|2340]].
The later years saw also the [[Nazgûl]] gathering back in [[Mordor]] and subsequently capturing of [[Minas Ithil]], now renamed [[Minas Morgul]]. The [[Dwarves of Moria]] also suffered a big loss with the awakening of a [[Balrog]] and the following evacuation of [[Khazad-dûm]].


At the beginning of the Watchful Peace, the [[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's folk]] dwelt in both the [[Grey Mountains]] and in [[Erebor]]. [[Thráin I]] made his abode at Erebor, but the majority of his people inhabited the Grey Mountains and his son [[Thorin I]] moved there as well. He was followed as [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]] by [[Glóin (Son of Thorin I)|Glóin]] and [[Óin (Son of Glóin)|Óin]].
The last years before the Watchful peace, [[Gondor]] suffered the loss of its last childless King [[Earnur]], and the beginning of the [[Ruling Stewards]].
[[File:John Howe - Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur.jpg|thumb|John Howe - ''Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur'']]
Eventually the [[Wise]] feared that their enemy is active in [[Dol Guldur]] and in {{TA|2063}} [[Gandalf]] went there; Sauron fled to the [[East]] so that he would not be identified.


==History==
===Gondor===
The first ten [[Ruling Steward]]s had relative calm in which to renew their strength. During the Watchful Peace Gondor strengthened its borders, keeping a watchful eye on the east, as [[Minas Morgul]] was still a threat on their flank and [[Mordor]] was still occupied with [[Orcs]]. But no major escalations occurred except for minor skirmishes with the [[Haven of Umbar]]. 
During the Peace the garrisons of the forts of [[Calenardhon]] (which was depopulated during the [[Great Plague]]) were not renewed, and local chieftains (whose subjects were increasingly of mixed blood) gained more control.<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>
Stewards of Gondor during the Watchful Peace included [[Mardil|Mardil Voronwë]], [[Eradan]], [[Herion]], [[Belegorn]], [[Húrin I]], [[Túrin I]], [[Hador (Steward of Gondor)|Hador]], [[Barahir (Steward of Gondor)|Barahir]], [[Dior (Steward of Gondor)|Dior]], and [[Denethor I]].
===Eriador===
The first seven [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] reigned during the Watchful Peace: [[Aranarth]], [[Arahael]], [[Aranuir]], [[Aravir]], [[Aragorn I]], [[Araglas]], and [[Arahad I]]. The region suffered from [[wolves]] and other evil creatures.
The [[Hobbits]] of [[the Shire]] prospered and even expanded; [[Buckland]] was first occupied by [[Oldbucks]] at this time. [[Isumbras Took I|Isumbras I]] became the first [[Took|Tookish]] [[Thain]] of the Shire in {{TA|2340|n}}.
===Dwarves===
At the beginning of the Watchful Peace, the [[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's folk]] dwelt in both the [[Grey Mountains]] and in [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]. [[Thráin I]] made his abode at Erebor, but the majority of his people inhabited the Grey Mountains and his son [[Thorin I]] moved there as well. He was followed as [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]] by [[Glóin (King of Durin's Folk)|Glóin]] and [[Óin (King of Durin's Folk)|Óin]].
===North===
The [[Éothéod]] dwelt in the north vales of [[Anduin]] during the Watchful Peace.
The [[Éothéod]] dwelt in the north vales of [[Anduin]] during the Watchful Peace.


Further south, some [[Stoors]] inhabited the areas near the [[Gladden Fields]]. [[Sméagol]] was born and spent his youth there toward the end of the Watchful Peace; it was after Sauron's return from the east that [[the One Ring]] revealed itself and Sméagol claimed it.
Further south, some [[Stoors]] inhabited the areas near the [[Gladden Fields]]. [[Sméagol]] was born and spent his youth there toward the end of the Watchful Peace.
 
==End of the Peace==
A new race of Orcs was bred in Minas Morgul, the [[Uruk-hai]]. But Sauron was not idle in the east either: he created a strong alliance between the various tribes of [[Easterlings]], so that when he returned he was more powerful and had many [[Men]] in his service.
 
In {{TA|2460}}, Sauron returned with new strength. His return coincided with [[the One Ring]] revealed itself and Sméagol claimed it three years later.


Sauron was not idle in the east: he created a strong alliance between the various tribes of [[Easterlings]], so that when he returned he was more powerful and had many [[Men]] in his service.
The next years [[Ithilien]] and [[Osgiliath]] were devastated by the Uruk-hai.


[[category:Periods]]
{{References}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Angmar War]]
| list=Major events of [[Middle-earth]]
| dates={{TA|2063}} - {{TA|2460}}
| next=[[War of the Dwarves and Dragons]]
}}
{{seq-end}}


[[Category:Periods]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/3a/paix_vigilante]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/3a/paix_vigilante]]

Revision as of 10:29, 12 October 2012

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.

The Watchful Peace was a relatively peaceful 4-century period during the Third Age, from T.A. 2063 until Sauron's return to Dol Guldur in 2460. During this time Dol Guldur was ruled by Khamûl the Easterling in the Absence of the Necromancer.

The Shadow on Mirkwood had lessened, but the Nazgûl had used this period to prepare for Sauron's return.

Background

When Arnor reestablished relations with Gondor, Kings Araphant and Ondoher realised that a single force was co-ordinating the attacks on both of their kingdoms and that they should work together to combat this evil.

However it was too late. The Witch-king of Angmar managed to overthrow Arthedain, the last remnant of the Northern Kingdom of Arnor, but the Elves of Rivendell destroyed Angmar.

The later years saw also the Nazgûl gathering back in Mordor and subsequently capturing of Minas Ithil, now renamed Minas Morgul. The Dwarves of Moria also suffered a big loss with the awakening of a Balrog and the following evacuation of Khazad-dûm.

The last years before the Watchful peace, Gondor suffered the loss of its last childless King Earnur, and the beginning of the Ruling Stewards.

John Howe - Pass the Doors of Dol Guldur

Eventually the Wise feared that their enemy is active in Dol Guldur and in T.A. 2063 Gandalf went there; Sauron fled to the East so that he would not be identified.

History

Gondor

The first ten Ruling Stewards had relative calm in which to renew their strength. During the Watchful Peace Gondor strengthened its borders, keeping a watchful eye on the east, as Minas Morgul was still a threat on their flank and Mordor was still occupied with Orcs. But no major escalations occurred except for minor skirmishes with the Haven of Umbar.

During the Peace the garrisons of the forts of Calenardhon (which was depopulated during the Great Plague) were not renewed, and local chieftains (whose subjects were increasingly of mixed blood) gained more control.[1]

Stewards of Gondor during the Watchful Peace included Mardil Voronwë, Eradan, Herion, Belegorn, Húrin I, Túrin I, Hador, Barahir, Dior, and Denethor I.

Eriador

The first seven Chieftains of the Dúnedain reigned during the Watchful Peace: Aranarth, Arahael, Aranuir, Aravir, Aragorn I, Araglas, and Arahad I. The region suffered from wolves and other evil creatures.

The Hobbits of the Shire prospered and even expanded; Buckland was first occupied by Oldbucks at this time. Isumbras I became the first Tookish Thain of the Shire in 2340.

Dwarves

At the beginning of the Watchful Peace, the Dwarves of Durin's folk dwelt in both the Grey Mountains and in Erebor. Thráin I made his abode at Erebor, but the majority of his people inhabited the Grey Mountains and his son Thorin I moved there as well. He was followed as King of Durin's Folk by Glóin and Óin.

North

The Éothéod dwelt in the north vales of Anduin during the Watchful Peace.

Further south, some Stoors inhabited the areas near the Gladden Fields. Sméagol was born and spent his youth there toward the end of the Watchful Peace.

End of the Peace

A new race of Orcs was bred in Minas Morgul, the Uruk-hai. But Sauron was not idle in the east either: he created a strong alliance between the various tribes of Easterlings, so that when he returned he was more powerful and had many Men in his service.

In T.A. 2460, Sauron returned with new strength. His return coincided with the One Ring revealed itself and Sméagol claimed it three years later.

The next years Ithilien and Osgiliath were devastated by the Uruk-hai.

References

Preceded by:
Angmar War
Major events of Middle-earth
T.A. 2063 - T.A. 2460
Followed by:
War of the Dwarves and Dragons