Weather Hills

From Tolkien Gateway
Weather Hills
Hills
David Monette - Weathertop.jpg
"Weathertop" by David Monette
General Information
LocationCentral Eriador, north-east of Bree
TypeHills
DescriptionA hilly, defensive region
People and History
InhabitantsMen
EventsAngmar War

Weather Hills was the name among Men for the north-south range of hills that lay in central Eriador, specifically between Bree-land and the Hoarwell. The most significant peak was Weathertop/Amon Sûl, lay at the southern end of the range adjacent to the Great East Road.

History[edit | edit source]

In the early Second Age the Weather Hills were occupied by Middle Men, as well as the North Downs and Lake Evendim.[1] In the year S.A. 600 Vëantur first returned to Middle-earth from Númenor.[2] Upon hearing that some of their distant kin had come, these Middle Men petitioned Gil-galad to meet the mariners. Twelve men came and rejoiced to meet the Númenóreans.[3]

It marked part of the border between the lands of Arthedain and Rhudaur. When Angmar was formed and Rhudaur became hostile to Arthedain, Argeleb I fortified the range but after the enemies laid siege to the Hills, Argeleb fell (T.A. 1356).

With the help of Cardolan and Lindon, Arveleg I drove out the enemies from the Hills and Arnor kept a guarded border along the Weather Hills, the East Road and the lower Hoarwell.

In T.A. 1409, Angmar and Rhudaur crossed the Hoarwell, occupied Cardolan, and closed in on Weathertop.

Marks of this fortification still existed in the path Aragorn led the hobbits on to reach Weathertop.

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

  • Possibly the Lickey Hills, Worcestershire, England.
"The boys [Ronald and Hilary] had the freedom of these grounds [Rednal, Worcestershire], and further afield they could roam the steep paths that led through the trees to the high Lickey Hill[s?]"
J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

The Weather Hills, called Emyn Sûl ("Hills of the Wind") in Sindarin, run some ninety miles north-west to south-east. Local inhabitants work a few small mines or keep grazing sheep.[4]

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Weather Hills form the boundary of Bree-land with the Lone-lands. A small river originated in the dell of Bleakrift a short distance north-west of Weathertop and flowed south-west into the Midgewater Marshes. The Midgewater Pass crossed this river, allowing passage into the hills north of the East Road. During the War of the Ring, the hills were infested with orcs, goblins, half-orcs and wargs both from Angmar and from Isengard. The Ranger Candaith watched over the hills before travelling south as part of the Grey Company.

References