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Battle of the Pelennor Fields

2008-10-10T18:51:33Z

69.124.12.149: /* Aftermath */

{{battle|
image=[[Image:Battle of Pelennor Fields from Peter Jackson's RotK.jpg|300px]] The Battle of the Pelennor Fields as depicted in [[Peter Jackson]]'s film adaptation of [[The Return of the King]]|
name=Battle of Pelennor Fields|
conflict=[[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]|
date=March 15, 3019 T.A.|
place=[[Minas Tirith]] and fields of [[Pelennor]], [[Gondor]]|
result= Victory of Gondor and Rohan|
side1=[[Gondor]], [[Rohan]]|
side2= [[Mordor]], [[Harad]], [[Rhûn]], [[Khand]]|
commanders1=*[[Denethor]]†
*[[Gandalf]]
*[[Forlong]]†
*[[Imrahil]]
*[[Théoden]]†
*[[Aragorn]]
*[[Éomer]]|
commanders2=*The [[Witch-king of Angmar]]†
*[[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]]|
forces1=In [[Minas Tirith]]: Minas Tirith Garrison and Northern Army of Gondor (strength unknown) supported by small southern contingent (<2800). 6000 Rohirrim cavalry arriving from the north at dawn, later reinforced by an unknown number of Men of Southern Gondor under Aragorn arriving from the south (possibly 2-4,000)|
forces2=Unknown total strength, but vast numerical superiority to Gondor's forces in Minas Tirith.; possibly over 200,000. Forces consisting of [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Wargs]], [[Oliphaunts]], the [[Nazgûl]], 18000 [[Haradrim]], and thousands of [[Easterlings]] (Men of Rhûn, Variags of Khand, etc.)|
casual1=
2000 [[Rohirrim]], 2-3500 overall number unknown; see article|
casual2=
Complete destruction of attacking force
}}
'''Battle of Pelennor Fields''' was the greatest battle of the [[War of the Ring]], and indeed the largest of the entire [[Third Age]].

==The Books==
After the fall of [[Osgiliath]] there was no longer a barrier against the forces of [[Mordor]], which moved on the [[Pelennor Fields]] before the city on March 15, 3019 of the [[Third Age]] as the [[Great Darkness]] blotted out the sun.

Mordor's troops consisted of more than 30,000 [[Easterlings]] and [[Haradrim]], numerous [[mûmakil|oliphaunts]], and tens of thousands of [[Orcs]]; The defenders' numbers were considerably less despite the addition of about 2,800 men from southern [[Gondor]] in the days before the battle.

The attackers used catapults not only to attack the city, through bombardment and flames, but also to fire the heads of slain men from Osgiliath and other places Mordor's armies had passed through into it. Later on, the great battering ram [[Grond (battering-ram)|Grond]] (named after [[Morgoth]]'s weapon from the First Age) was put into action.

Before dawn Grond was used to break the city's main gate, and the [[Witch-king of Angmar|Witch-king]] rode into the city unchallenged, save by [[Gandalf]]. Before Gandalf's strength was put to the test, however, the cock crowed and the horns of [[Rohan]] were heard as around 6,000 of their riders joined the battle. Mordor's strategy for keeping Rohan out of the battle had failed twice, both through the defeat at Helm's Deep and the blockade in Anorien. So the Witch-king was forced to ride out and attack them instead of fighting Gandalf and destroying the city.

King Théoden's charge drove the Mordor forces from the northern half of the field, and charging the Haradrim cavalry he slew the Southron chieftain, the [[Black Serpent]], and cut down his standardbearer.

When the Witch-king's fell beast attacked King [[Théoden]] of Rohan, the king's horse [[Snowmane]] lost control, and was hit by an arrow. Snowmane fell with the king atop him, and the horse landed on him, which proved fatal. The warrior [[Dernhelm]], defending the king's body, slew the fell beast and challenged its rider. The Witch-king mocked him, telling him that no living man might slay him, but the [[hobbits|Hobbit]] [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] (Merry) wounded him with a sword that had been forged centuries before during the war between [[Arnor]] and [[Angmar]] and which contained spells against the Witch-king. The spells finally found their target, for the Witch-king was distracted and possibly seriously weakened. He was then slain by Dernhelm, now revealed as Théoden's niece [[Éowyn]] and thus no ''man'' at all. The [[Black Breath]] caused both Merry and Éowyn to become gravely ill, and they were sent to the [[Houses of Healing]] in the city. Command of the Rohirrim then passed to Théoden's nephew and heir, Third Marshall Éomer.

At the same time, [[Faramir son of Denethor II|Faramir]], son of [[Denethor II|Denethor]], Steward of Gondor, was also gravely wounded. Despairing at the visions of defeat that [[Sauron]] had sent him via his ''[[palantíri|palantír]]'', and believing Faramir to be beyond aid, Denethor prepared to burn himself and his son upon a funeral pyre. Only the intervention of [[Peregrin Took]] and Gandalf saved Faramir, but Denethor immolated himself before they could prevent him.[[Image:Anke Eissmann - The Black Serpent founders.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''The Black Serpent founders'' by [[Anke Eissmann]]]]

Meanwhile, the battle turned against the Rohirrim. The Southrons charged with their Mûmakil (Oliphaunts) and wherever they went horses went wild with fear or were trampled underfoot, and the forces of Mordor rallied around them like islands of defense that the Rohirrim cavalry could not overtake. Éomer, grim after the death of Théoden but shocked by the unexpected (seeming) death of his sister Éowyn, the last living member of his family, flew into a [[berserker]] rage and charged his cavalry headlong into the larger enemy forces. So great was the wrath of the outnumbered Rohirrim at the death of their King that they broke through the superior Mordor forces, hammering deep wedges into the Mordor legions' front lines. However, this soon turned against Éomer: his cavalry had pierced the Enemy front lines so quickly that his company was now cut off from the other two, and surrounded between Mordor's front lines and their reserves. Fighting their way to the docks near the Harlond south of the city, Éomer desperately circled up his men on a hill and prepared to fight to the death, when he saw enemy reinforcements sailing up the River [[Anduin]], and let out a defiant cry at his approaching end.

One of the visions that Denethor had seen was of a fleet of enemy ships with black sails arriving at the landings to the south of the Pelennor in the Rammas, but what he had not seen was that they were actually manned by [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] and other [[Rangers of the North]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], [[Elladan]], [[Elrohir]] and many reinforcements from southern fiefdoms of Gondor. As Aragorn's 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". Aragorn's army then linked with Eomer's, and with their aid the tide of battle was finally turned, and a brief respite was won until the [[Last Battle]] before the [[Morannon|Black Gate]].

== Aftermath ==

There is no clearly stated final death toll for the Battle of Pelennor Fields. There is a definite figure for the cavalry of the Rohirrim that came to Gondor's defence; it consisted of 6,000 riders, and a full 2,000 were killed in the battle, including Théoden. Of the 5 to 6 thousand Gondorian defenders of Minas Tirith, and the large relief force of Gondor's southern provinces led by Aragorn, no definite figure remains. Two days after the battle, Aragorn led an army out to attack the Black Gate that consisted of 7,000 men (When he reached the Black Gate he had less than 6,000); 2,000 Rohirrim and 5,000 Gondorians. The size of Aragorn's relief force may have been over 5,000 or as little as 1,000, it is never stated. However, even a conservative estimate would place total Gondorian losses at 3,000, and more probably 5,000.

As for enemy losses, again, the size of Sauron's great army is not definitely known. There were at the very least 60,000, and this is almost surely an overconservative estimation. In [[Peter Jackson]]'s movie adaptation, the enemy numbered over 200,000, and this may be accurate with the number present in the text. It is known that there were some 18,000 [[Haradrim]]. (The Rohirrim, consisting of 6,000 riders, were "thrice outnumbered by the Haradrim alone".) The Enemy's army was utterly destroyed on the field: all War [[Mûmakil]] were killed, the Lord of the Nazgûl was slain, numerous Trolls, and perhaps all of the Orcs (which composed the majority of the army) were killed, those that retreated drowning in the River Anduin. Many Easterlings and Haradrim proudly fought to the death when the tide turned, even as the Orcs were cowardly running away, with few escaping to send news of the power and wrath of Gondor to lands east and south.

Although a great and almost miraculous victory, at the subsequent Last Debate, Gandalf counseled that militarily, Sauron would still defeat them. The Free Peoples had managed to destroy an army outnumbering them at least 10 to 1, but lost almost a third of their own forces. Sauron had suffered a defeat, but he still had other legions and the force that attacked Minas Tirith, while substantial, was but a fraction of his total strength. Rohan and Gondor had been able to secure their flanks, eliminating the threat of Isengard and the Corsairs on the southern coasts, but Gandalf counseled that even with all of their forces concentrated in the main front near Minas Tirith, it would simply be enduring wave after wave of siege like a sandcastle being worn down by the ocean. Thus, it was agreed that it was impossible to achieve a conventional military victory through strength of arms, and instead to risk all on a last throw of the dice by Aragorn leading a diversionary attack on the Black Gate, to aid Frodo's passage in Mordor.

==The Films==
The battle is the major centrepiece of [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]], although some of the events described above are simplified or altered for cinematic purposes. Importance is given to the charge of the Mûmakil, the death of Théoden and the Witch-king's demise at the hands of Eowyn.

The battle begins with Sauron's forces marching on city and firing a volley of severed heads over the walls (as in the book). Initially, both Sauron's army and the defenders of Minas Tirith exchange fire by way of catapults and trebuchets. The flying Ringwraiths then descend from the skies, spreading fear throughout the city and destroying many catapults. Seeing Mordor's overwhelming army, Denethor despairs and Gandalf assumes command of the defenders. He helps them hold out until Théoden and over six thousand Rohirrim arrive, decimating the invading orcs. However, Sauron's reserves soon arrive with several Oliphaunts, commanded by the Haradrim, who turn the tide against the Rohirrim. Fortunately, Aragorn arrives with the Army of the Dead (see [[Paths of the Dead]]), who crush Sauron's forces. This is an alteration from the book, in which the Dead depart after they defeat the Corsairs and liberate Pelargir, after which Gondor's Southern Army is now free to rally to Aragorn. Peter Jackson likely wanted to make the Army of the Dead more of a focus in the story, giving them greater impact in the overall scheme of events and, thus, giving greater significance to Aragorn's decision to take the Paths of the Dead, as well as his trials therein. In the theatrical cut of the film, the scenes at Pelargir are cut entirely. The filmmakers felt that tension would be better maintained by not letting the audience know whether or not Aragorn was successful in recruiting the Dead Army. The Pelargir were restored for the extended cut of the movie.

{{wotr}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[de:Schlacht auf dem Pelennor]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:3a:guerres:bataille_des_champs_du_pelennor]]
[[fi:Pelennorin kenttien taistelu]]

Sauron

2008-10-10T18:44:26Z

69.124.12.149: /* Second Age */

{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:Timo Vihola - Sauron.jpg|250px]]
| name=Sauron
| othernames=[[Annatar]], [[Thû]], [[Necromancer]]
| created=Before the [[Music of the Ainur]]
| years=c. [[Second Age 500|S.A. 500]]-[[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]], c. [[Third Age 1000|T.A. 1000]]-[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| age=
| destroyed=[[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]
| realm=[[Tol Sirion]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Mordor]]
| gender=Male
| race=[[Maiar]]
| appearance=Took bat form, wolf form, fair form. Confined to monstrous appearance after [[Downfall of Númenor]]
| accomplishments=Deceived the [[Elves]] into forging [[Rings of Power]], made the [[One Ring]], corrupted [[Númenor]], seduced [[Saruman]], nearly took over [[Middle-earth]]
|}}
'''Sauron''' was the Chief Lieutenant of [[Morgoth]], who after his fall became another Dark Lord, and ultimately walked down the same ruinous path to oblivion. Sauron was the chief enemy in [[The Lord of the Rings]], which recounts his efforts to regain his lost ring, and relates in detail the story of his downfall.

His name is pronounced "sour-on" (''sour'' as in not sweet), or in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPA IPA] as: {{IPA|/'sɑʊron/}}.

== First Age ==
In origin an "angelic" spirit ([[Maiar|Maia]]) known as ''Mairon''. In the earliest of days he was among people of [[Aulë]], the Smith, one of the Valar, the ruling powers of the world. However, Mairon was soon ensnared by Melkor (the [[Morgoth]]), who wished to rule and order all Arda. Mairon was renamed Sauron served Morgoth faithfully, and even in later days, after Morgoth was defeated and locked outside the confines of the world, Sauron encouraged and coerced [[Men]] to worship Morgoth as a God. However, while Morgoth wanted to either control or destroy the very matter of [[Arda]] itself, Sauron's desire was to dominate the minds and wills of its creatures. It was in this that Sauron was perhaps more practical than his master Morgoth.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Huan Subdues Sauron.jpg|thumb|left|''Huan Subdues Sauron'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
During the [[First Age]], the [[Noldor]]in [[Elves]] left the [[Blessed Realm]] of [[Valinor]] in the [[West|Utter West]] (against the counsel of the Valar) in order to wage war on Morgoth, who had stolen the precious [[Silmarils]]. In that war, Sauron served as Morgoth's chief lieutenant, surpassing all others in rank. Known as '''''Gorthaur the Cruel''''', Sauron at that time was a master of illusions and changes of form, and [[Werewolves]] were his servants, chief among them [[Draugluin]], Sire of Werewolves, and [[Thuringwethil]], his vampire herald. When Morgoth left [[Angband]] to corrupt the newly awakened [[Men]], Sauron directed the War against the [[Elves]]. He conquered the Elvish isle of [[Tol Sirion]], so that it became known as ''Tol-in-Gaurhoth'', the Isle of Werewolves.

Ten years later, [[Finrod Felagund]], the king of [[Nargothrond]] and former lord of [[Tol Sirion]], died protecting [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] in captivity there; soon afterwards, [[Lúthien]] and [[Huan]] the Wolfhound defeated Sauron in that place and rescued Beren from the dungeons. After his resounding defeat by Lúthien, Sauron played little part in the events of the First Age (possibly hiding from Morgoth), and after his master was defeated and cast out by the Valar, Sauron repented and pled for mercy. But he was unwilling to return to the Utter West for judgment, and so he fled and hid.

== Second Age ==
[[Image:Annatar.jpg|thumb|left|''Annatar'' as envisioned by [[Weta]] from [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
After lying hidden and dormant for about one thousand years, Sauron put on a fair visage in the [[Second Age]]. Calling himself '''''Annatar''''', the Lord of Gifts, he befriended the Elvish smiths of [[Eregion]], and counseled them in arts and magic. Not all the Elves trusted him, particularly Lady [[Galadriel]] and [[Gil-galad]], High King of the Ñoldor, but few listened to them. The Elves forged [[Rings of Power]], but in secret Sauron forged the [[One Ring]] in [[Mount Doom]] to rule the other rings, investing most of his own power into the Ring as he forged it.

In this time Sauron became known as the [[Dark Lord]] of [[Mordor]]. He raised [[Barad-dûr]], the Dark Tower, near Mount Doom; constructed the [[Black Gate]] of Mordor to prevent invasion; corrupted nine mortal Men with Rings of Power and turned them into the [[Nazgûl]] (Ringwraiths), his chief servants; and raised massive armies of [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], and Men, chiefly [[Easterlings]] and [[Southrons]].

Sauron's power reached its zenith 700 years after Mordor's creation, in the 17th century of the Second Age. Immediately after Sauron created the One Ring, Celebrimbor and the other Ring-bearers realized his treachery went to war with him. The [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] was a bloody conflict which destroyed Eregion and devastated much of Eriador. Celebrimbor was slain and his body impaled on a spike paraded at the head of Sauron's legions. The Elves were pushed back almost to the Blue Mountains, while their Dwarf allies (who had also rejected Sauron) retreated behind the walls of [[Moria]] where Sauron could not assail them. Sauron was master of almost all of Middle-earth beyond the coasts, but the Numenoreans responded to the Elves' call for aid and sent a relief force. The combined armies rallied and were able to defeat Sauron's armies in Eriador after heavy fighting, and the Dark Lord fled back to Mordor with little more than his own bodyguard.

Nonetheless, while Sauron's subsequent power never quiet matched the height it had during the War with the elves, many of his most powerful enemies' homelands had been devastated. ''Relative'' to his enemies, Sauron's empire was actually in a stronger position than it used to be. His empire continued to expand to dominate barbarian Men to the far south and east. Throughout this, Sauron remained faithful in his old allegiance, building temples to the worship of Morgoth, where human sacrifice was practiced. Because of this, towards the end of the Second Age, Sauron assumed the titles of '''Lord of the Earth''' and '''King of Men'''.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Forging of the One.jpg|thumb|''The Forging of the One'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
This offended the Númenóreans, the powerful Men descended from the line of Beren and Lúthien, who lived on the island of Númenor in the sea between Middle-earth and Valinor. The proud Númenóreans came to Middle-earth with great force of arms, and Sauron's forces fled. Realizing he could not defeat the Numenoreans with military strength, Sauron allowed himself to be taken as a hostage to Númenor by King [[Ar-Pharazôn]]. There, he quickly grew from captive to advisor; he converted many Númenóreans to the worship of Morgoth, and raised a great temple in which he performed human sacrifices. Finally, he convinced the king to rebel against the Valar and attack Valinor itself. [[Eru]], the supreme god, then directly intervened: Númenor was drowned under the sea, and the great navy of Númenor was destroyed. Sauron was diminished in the flood of Númenor, and fled back to Mordor, where he slowly rebuilt his strength during the time known as the [[Dark Years]].

From this point on he was unable to assume a fair shape, and ruled now through terror and force. A few faithful Númenóreans were saved from the flood, and they founded [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] in Middle-earth. These faithful Men, led by [[Elendil]] and his sons, allied with the Elven-king, Gil-galad, and together fought Sauron and, after a long war, defeated him, although both Elendil and Gil-galad were killed. [[Isildur]], son of Elendil, cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and claimed it. Later, the Ring betrayed him and was lost for more than two thousand years.

== Third Age ==
In the [[Third Age]], Sauron rose yet again, at first in a stronghold called [[Dol Guldur]], the Hill of Sorcery, in southern [[Mirkwood]]. There he was known as the '''''[[Necromancer]]''''', and the Elves did not recognize him at first. [[Gandalf]] the [[Wizards|Wizard]] stole into Dol Guldur and discovered the truth; eventually the [[White Council]] of Wizards and Elves put forth their might and drove Sauron out. But the White Council was led by [[Saruman]], who wanted the Ring for himself, and for this reason, he did not want to attack Dol Guldur. When Gandalf insisted on an attack again, the White Council did attack. Unfortunately, this time Sauron was already prepared for an attack and escaped to Mordor, rebuilding and fortifying his fortress Barad-Dûr. He now fortified Mordor and prepared for war against Gondor and the Elves, using his new ally Saruman to defeat Rohan.

Sauron bred immense armies of Orcs and allies with which enslaved Men from the east and south. He adopted the symbol of a lidless eye, and he was able at that time to send out his will over Middle-earth, so that the [[Eye of Sauron]] was a symbol of power and fear.

After torturing Gollum, he learned that the One Ring had been found by [[Bilbo Baggins]]. He sent his deadliest servants, the [[Nazgûl]], to the [[Shire]], only to find that both Bilbo and his nephew, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], had departed. Unbeknownst to Sauron, Frodo had, at the behest of Gandalf, joined the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] on a quest to destroy the Ring. He rallied his vast armies to conquer the resistance's strongholds, and sent the Ringwraiths to find and kill Frodo. At about this time, he also learned that [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], Isildur's heir, had also joined the Fellowship, and was rallying armies to defeat his.

[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Shadow of Sauron.jpg|thumb|220px|left|''The Shadow of Sauron'', by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
When Saruman's army was defeated at [[Isengard]], Aragorn used the Palantir of [[Orthanc]] to reveal himself to Sauron. Sauron made the premature conclusion that Aragorn had the Ring, and sent an army commanded by his strongest servant, the Witch-King of Angmar, to overthrow [[Minas Tirith (Gondor)|Minas Tirith]]. This battle would become known as the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

Although Sauron lost the Battle of Pelennor Fields, the free forces of the West were greatly weakened, and Sauron still had sufficent armies in reserve to ensure military victory. He was outwitted, however, by the strategy of Gandalf, who urged the captains of the [[Free peoples]] to march against Sauron, thus diverting the Dark Lord's eye from the real threat of Frodo, the Ring Bearer, who was nearing the end of his quest to destroy the One Ring.

Frodo, however, failed at the last moment, unable to resist the power of the Ring at the place of its birth. But Gollum inadvertently saved him by recovering the Ring in a desperate attempt to possess it, and then falling with it into the fire. Thus Sauron's power was unmade, and his corporeal power in Middle-earth came to an end. His spirit towered above Mordor like a black cloud, but was blown away by a [[Manwë|powerful wind]] from the [[Aman|West]]. Sauron was now permanently crippled, never to rise again. Saruman would suffer a similar fate.

== Names and Titles ==
In some of Tolkien's notes from the 1950's, it is said that Sauron's original name was '''Mairon''', "the admirable", "but this was altered after he was suborned by Melkor. But he continued to call himself Mairon the Admirable, or Tar-mairon 'King Excellent', until after Númenors downfall." ([[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17, 183)

''Sauron'' (originally '''''Thauron''''') is [[Quenya]], and can be translated as ''the Abhorred'' or ''the Abomination''; in [[Sindarin]] he is called ''Gorthaur'' the [[Necromancer]], ''the Abhorred Dread''. He is also called the '''Nameless Enemy''', which is hardly accurate (but perhaps an effort to lessen his psychological impact), whereas Morgoth is the Dark Enemy. The Dúnedain call him '''Sauron the Deceiver''' due to his role in the downfall of Númenor and the Forging of the Rings of Power. His two most common titles, the Dark Lord of Mordor and the ''Lord of the Rings'', appear only a few times in the books. His other titles were similar to Morgoth's.

== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
Prior to the publication of ''The Silmarillion'' Sauron's origins and true identity were unclear to those without full access to Tolkien's notes. In early editions of the ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth|Guide to Middle Earth]]'', Sauron is described as "probably of the Eldar elves."

Since the earliest versions of the ''Silmarillion'' legendarium as detailed in [[the History of Middle-earth]] series, Sauron has undergone many changes. The prototype of this character was '''[[Tevildo]]''', lord of the cats, who played the role later taken by Sauron in the earliest version of the story of [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', the '''[[Tale of Tinúviel]]'''. Tevildo later (but still in the ''Book of Lost Tales'' period) was transformed into '''[[Thû]]''', the Necromancer. The name was then changed to '''Gorthû''', '''Sûr''', and finally to Sauron. ''Gorthû'', in the form ''Gorthaur'' remained in ''The Silmarillion''.

==See also==
*'''[[:Category:Images of Sauron|Images of Sauron]]'''
*[[Akallabêth]]
*[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]
*[[The Dark Lord Sauron polystone statue]]

{{sequence
|prev=''none''
|next=[[Isildur]]
|list=[[Ring-bearer]] c. [[Second Age 1600|S.A. 1600]] – [[Second Age 3441|3441]]}}{{maiar}}

[[Category:Maiar]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Sauron]]
[[fi:Sauron]]

Nirnaeth Arnoediad

2008-10-10T18:31:39Z

69.124.12.149: /* Aftermath and Repercussions */

{{battle
| name=''Nírnaeth Arnoediad''
| image=[[Image:Nirnaeth.jpg|300px|Ted Nasmith]]
| conflict=[[War of the Jewels]] (Fifth Battle of the [[Wars of Beleriand]]
| date=[[First Age 472|F.A. 472]]
| place=[[Anfauglith]]
| result=Decisive victory for Angband due to [[Treachery of Men|treachery]], depopulation of [[Hithlum]] with replacement by [[Easterlings]], occupation of much of [[Beleriand]]
| side1=The [[Union of Maedhros]], consisting of an alliance of the [[Noldor]], [[Edain]], [[Easterlings]], and [[Dwarves]]
| side2=[[Orcs|Orc]] armies, [[Glaurung]], [[Gothmog]]
| commanders1=[[Image:feanor_device.gif|45px]][[Maedhros]], other [[Sons of Fëanor]]

[[Image:fingolfin_device.gif|45px]][[Fingon]]†

[[Image:turgon_device.gif|30px]][[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]]
* [[Húrin Thalion]]
* [[Huor]]†
* [[Haldir of the Haladin|Haldir]]†
* [[Azaghâl|Azaghâl of Belegost]]†
* [[Bór]]†
| commanders2=[[Image:Morgoth1.gif|35px]][[Morgoth]]
* [[Gothmog%2C_Lord_of_Balrogs|Gothmog]]
* [[Glaurung]]
* [[Ulfang the Black]]†
| forces1=100,000-120,000 Noldor and [[Edain]] warriors of [[Dor-lómin]], 10,000 [[Gondolindrim]] under Turgon, a company of Elves from [[Nargothrond]], company of the [[people of Haleth]] from [[Brethil]], and 1-2,000 Dwarves of Belegost, the Easterlings from [[House of Bór]]
| forces2=Multiple hosts consisting of [[Balrogs]], [[Orcs]], and [[trolls]]; supplemented by turncoat [[Easterlings]]
| casual1=Huge and crippling to the Noldor, Men of Dor-lómin wiped out except Húrin, thousands of captives
| casual2=Heavy early in the battle, but ultimately moderate
|}}

The '''Nírnaeth Arnoediad''' or '''Battle of Unnumbered Tears''' was the disastrous Fifth Battle in the [[Wars of Beleriand]]. Its name was taken from the first words of the [[Doom of Mandos]]: "Tears unnumbered ye shall shed...".

== Events Prior to the Battle ==

In the year 473 of the [[Years of the Sun]] in the [[First Age]], [[Maedhros]] decided that taking the offense against [[Angband]] might help the [[Noldor]] regain their former lands. In the almost two decades since their defeat in the [[Dagor Bragollach]], the Noldor had lost control over the entire north of Beleriand, and were for the most part reduced to refugees dwelling in [[Hithlum]] and [[Nargothrond]]. [[Gondolin]] was shut up and unknown.

== Opposing Forces and Strategy ==

Under the [[Union of Maedhros]] all the [[Elves]] of Beleriand, as well as the [[Edain]], [[Dwarves]], and the newly arrived [[Easterlings]] were invited to combine in arms and fight Morgoth. The Union first cleared Beleriand and Dorthonion of Orcs, and then gathered to assault [[Thangorodrim]].

The plan was for Maedhros's host in the east to assault and draw out the army of Angband, after which Fingon's host would attack from the [[Ered Wethrin]], taking the offensive in the west, crushing Morgoth's forces between them.

Under [[Maedhros]] in the east were gathered the remainder of the [[sons of Fëanor]], the Elves and Men of [[Himring]] under Maedhros and [[Bór]], and the men of Amon Ereb under [[Caranthir]] and [[Ulfang]].

Under [[Fingon]] in the west were gathered the Elves and Men of [[Hithlum]], the Elves of the [[Falas]], the [[Haladin]] of Brethil and the companies sent from [[Nargothrond]] and the two elves of [[Doriath]], [[Beleg Cúthalion|Beleg]] and [[Mablung]].

[[Image:Steven_White_Jr._-_A_Map_of_Beleriand.jpg|375px|right]]

Because of the evil deeds of [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], two of Maedhros's brothers, Nargothrond would send only a small company of Elves under [[Gwindor]]. From Doriath, where [[Thingol]] had sworn never to fight beside any son of Fëanor, came only [[Mablung]] and [[Beleg]], who did not wish to remain behind. However, [[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]] unexpectedly came forth with over ten thousand Elves from [[Gondolin]], doubling the force of the west.

== The Battle ==

But Morgoth through his spies had learned of the battle plan, and his spy [[Ulfang]], who betrayed the Noldor, delayed [[Maedhros|Maedhros']] attack. Meanwhile a small force of Orcs sallied forth from Angband, provoking the western host. Within sight of the [[Ered Wethrin]], Gwindor's brother ''Gelmir'', captured during the Dagor Bragollach, was brought forth, and brutally slain. Enraged, [[Gwindor]] broke ranks, and with him most of Fingon's troops. Their rage was so great that they nearly destroyed the western Orc host and foiled Morgoth's plans.

It is said that Morgoth trembled as Gwindor's company pounded at his gates. They burst through, and slew the guards on the steps of Angband. But alas, they were surrounded by hidden forces, and all were slain or taken. From hidden gates around Angband thousands of Orcs erupted, driving back the host of Fingon from the walls. The Elven army was driven back with great slaughter, and many [[Haladin]] fell fighting in the rearguard.

[[Turgon]], who had withheld his host from the reckless charge, now came upon the Orc host. The phalanx of Turgon broke through the [[Angband]] lines, and met with the guard of Fingon. The meeting of the two brothers in the middle of the battle was joyous.

Finally Maedhros arrived, but before he could make junction with Fingon and Turgon, [[Glaurung]] the dragon and [[Gothmog]] lord of [[Balrogs]] intercepted him. Union forces could yet have prevailed, but [[Uldor]], son of Ulfang and a traitor, turned ranks and attacked Maedhros in the rear, while more of his kin came down from the mountains and attacked from the east. Under assault from three sides, the eastern host was scattered, and only the valour of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Belegost]] helped them escape, as their lord '''Azaghâl''' and his forces held off [[Glaurung]], allowing the [[sons of Fëanor]] to escape into Ossiriand.

[[Azaghâl]] and his army fought with fierce iron masks on, and they were able to resist the fire far better than any Elf or Man. Then [[Glaurung]] trampled Azaghâl beneath his feet, but Azaghâl ran a dagger through Glaurung's stomach, and the dragon fled in pain, screaming. With him fled many of the host of Morgoth. In a solemn ceremony the Dwarves picked up their fallen leader, forgetting about the battle, and they marched him home, in a great procession. Their wrath was so great that none troubled them.

[[Image:Jenny Dolfen - Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears.jpg|thumb|left|''Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
All this had not helped the western host, who were attacked by many Orcs under [[Gothmog]]. Fingon fell under his might, and [[Húrin]] begged Turgon to retreat back to Gondolin. [[Huor]] and Húrin and the remaining [[Men of Dor-lómin]] formed a living wall across the [[Fen of Serech]], buying time for Turgon to escape with most of the surviving Elves of the north. Acting as a rearguard, these Men were almost all slain-- [[Huor]] fell when his eye was pierced by a poisoned arrow, but his brother [[Húrin]] was captured alive when he was pinned under a mountain of slain Orcs and [[Trolls]].

== Aftermath and Repercussions ==

Morgoth's victory was near complete, as he had destroyed all the people of Hithlum and had scattered the sons of Fëanor away from Himring. Morgoth's Orcs razed all of [[Beleriand]] except for [[Doriath]], which was still protected by the Girdle of [[Melian]], and sacked the havens of the [[Falas]].

Morgoth betrayed his servants the [[Easterlings]], shutting them in [[Hithlum]] under penalty of death, and denied to them the fertile lands of [[Beleriand]]. Still Morgoth knew fear, for Turgon, now High King of the Ñoldor after the death of Fingon, had survived, and his city Gondolin was still unknown to Morgoth. To be sure, the Union's attack inflicted grievous losses on Morgoth's forces, and it would take some time for him to rebuild his armies back to their former strength. But this was largely irrelevant, compared to how utterly Morgoth had broken the power of so many of his enemies in the battle.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Images of Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]

{{warsofbeleriand}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]

Battle of Osgiliath (disambiguation)

2008-10-10T18:16:51Z

69.124.12.149: /* The Battle */

{{battle|
name=Battle of Osgiliath|
image=[[Image:Donato Giancola - Faramir at Osgiliath.jpg|350px]]|
conflict=War of the Ring|
date= 3018-3019 TA|
place= The ruins of Osgiliath, Anduin river fords|
result=Victory for Sauron, Fall of the eastern and western halves of Osgiliath, leading to the siege of Minas Tirith|
side1=Gondor|
side2=Mordor|
commanders1=* Boromir
* Faramir|
commanders2=* Sauron
* The Witch-king
|
forces1=Several thousand Gondorians|
forces2=thousands of Orcs and other servants of Sauron|
casual1=Unknown, hundreds maybe even thousands|
casual2=Unknown, thousands|
}}
The '''Battle of Osgiliath''' was a prelude to the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

== Prelude to the War of the Ring ==

Prior to this, Sauron had regained all his military strength and was prepared to attack [[Middle-earth]]. He first planned to attack his most powerful enemy, the land of Gondor, where "the hammer will fall hardest". But in order to destroy Gondor's capital, [[Minas Tirith in Gondor|Minas Tirith]], he first needed to capture [[Osgiliath]], a city strategically positioned on the river. Fords across the river were located in Osgiliath (half of the city was located on each side of the river) that were the only path a large army could cross the Anduin for hundreds of miles up or downstream (from Cair Andros to Pelargir). If captured, Sauron could freely move his main army across the river and to the primary target of his strategy in the war, Minas Tirith.

The battle to control the ruins of Osgiliath had actually been fought, on and off, for over a century since the fall of [[Ithilien]] to Mordor. A renewed offensive by Mordor to take the city had begun several years prior to the [[Quest of Mount Doom]] (several years before TA 3018), and was fought continuously after that point with occasional lulls.

== The Battle ==

The forces of Gondor, led by their captain-general [[Boromir son of Denethor II|Boromir]], engaged in fierce Stalingrad-esque urban warfare during this long siege. Under Boromir's command the enemy was pushed out of the half of the city on the west bank of the river, and on a strike force including Boromir and his younger brother [[Faramir son of Denethor II|Faramir]] was able to destroy the last bridge in the city that connected the two banks of the river. This prevented Mordor's army from making an easy crossing, although the fords remained. After this temporary victory secured the river passing, Sauron's assault lessened. This lull in the Mordor-offensive was probably caused by Sauron not sending more troops to Osgiliath, but instead massing them within Mordor for a killing-blow months later. During this break in heavy fighting Boromir left Gondor to seek consul at [[Rivendell]]; he would never return.

During this time, Faramir led several Ranger attacks deep into Mordor-occupied Ithilien, ambushing enemy armies moving to the Black Gate; Frodo and Sam stumbled into one such attack.

When the Great Signal from Mordor went up and another answered from Minas Morgul, the [[War of the Ring]] proper began (although [[Isengard]] had been fighting before this and Sauron had been pursuing his other fronts). Thus the Battle of Osgiliath was the first battle of the war in a strict sense.

While there were men defending the west side of Osgiliath, the Steward [[Denethor II]] ordered Faramir to lead a force to reinforce them. However, Mordor was prepared. Months beforehand, the Orcs in East Osgiliath had been secetly contructing massive numbers of boats and rafts, and swelled by reinforcements they swarmed across the River Anduin to the Gondorian positions on the other bank. After long and heavy fighting the garrison under Faramir and his troops were forced to flee back to Minas Tirith, behind the [[Rammas Echor]]. Faramir himself was badly wounded in the retreat, when a poisoned Southron arrow pierced him; more severe damage was done by the [[Black Breath]] of the [[Nazgûl]]. In the meantime, the Orcs made makeshift repairs to several destroyed bridges. The main combined army of Mordor then arrived, formed from those that Frodo saw leaving Minas Morgul, but this was "but one and not the greatest of the hosts that Mordor now sent forth": a far greater host that had massed at the Black Gate joined them at Osgiliath, and the combined forces now entired the western bank of Osgiliath. More also came from the fords at Cair Andros, which was recently captured, but they would not reach Minas Tirith until later.

== Aftermath and Repercussions ==

Osgiliath now completely in the hands of Mordor, the vast army of Sauron marched from the city and surrounded Minas Tirith, beginning the [[siege of Gondor]] and leading directly into the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

== The Movie==
For cinematic purposes, the movie-version of ''[[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'' by Peter Jackson condensed the battle. (In the book, Denethor did not order Faramir on a suicidal cavalry charge against Osgiliath, although Faramir did regard the order to go to help defend Osgiliath ill-advised and certain to result in death.)

== Sources ==
*[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]
*[[The Return of the King]]

{{wotr}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[Category:Sieges]]

Battle of the Hornburg

2008-10-10T18:13:12Z

69.124.12.149:

{{battle|
image=|[[Image:Alan_Lee_-_The_Battle_at_Helm's_Deep.JPG|300px]] ''The Battle at Helm's Deep'' by [[Alan Lee]]|
name=Battle of the Hornburg|
conflict=[[War of the Ring]]|
date=March 3-4, [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]|
place=[[Helm's Deep]] (especially the [[Hornburg]])|
result= Victory for the [[Rohirrim]]|
side1= [[Rohirrim]], [[Three Hunters]], [[Huorns]]|
side2= [[Uruk-hai]] of [[Isengard]], [[Dunlendings]]|
commanders1=*[[Théoden]]
*[[Éomer]]
*[[Aragorn II]]
*[[Erkenbrand]]
*[[Gandalf the White]]|
commanders2=*Unknown, probably a Uruk-hai captain|
forces1= About 3000 Rohirrim, a "forest" of [[Huorns]]|
forces2= 10,000 at the least|
casual1= Heavy, but precise numbers are unknown|
casual2= The entire force of Uruk-hai; many Dunlendings slain, the rest surrendered
}}

The '''Battle of the Hornburg''' is also referred to as the '''Battle of Helm's Deep'''. The battle pitted the forces of [[Saruman]] against the warriors of [[Rohan]] under King [[Théoden]], who had taken refuge in the mountain fortress of [[Helm's Deep]].

== The Armies ==

=== Rohan ===

The army of Rohan consisted of 1000 cavalry forces from [[Edoras]] led by King Théoden. This force included [[Aragorn]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], and Théoden's nephew [[Éomer]]. This army joined with Rohan's garrison of around 1000 at the [[Hornburg]].

The army was reinforced by 1000 scattered Rohirrim troops from the [[Westfold]] rallied by [[Gandalf]] and led by [[Erkenbrand]]. A forest of [[Huorns]] entered the valley independently, seeking revenge on Saruman's orcs.

=== Isengard ===

The army of [[Saruman]] consisted of his specially bred [[Uruk-hai]] [[orcs]] supported by human [[Dunlendings]]. The total size of the Isengard force isn't specified, but it was much larger than the Rohirrim army holding the fortress.

== The Battle ==

The forces of Saruman arrived at the valley of [[Helm's Deep]] in the middle of the night and quickly scaled over the first defense, [[Helm's Dike]], and attempted to break down the fortress's gate with a battering ram. But [[Aragorn]], [[Éomer]], and some other Rohirrim attacked, through a passage on the side of the Hornburg, scattering the forces threatening the doors.

The Orcs and Dunlendings then raised hundreds of ladders to scale the wall. Aragorn and Éomer had to repeatedly move the defenders, who were getting weary, to repel the Orcs coming up the ladders and crossing the wall. However, some Orcs had crept in though a culvert which let a stream out of Helm's Deep, and while the defenders were busy with the assault on the wall, they suddenly attacked, having made it past the wall. The defenders quickly reacted and drove back the Orcs, and the culvert was blocked up under supervision by [[Gimli]].

However, the enemies reentered the culvert and caused an explosion using a device of Saruman's. This made a wide hole in the wall, and Saruman's forces could not be stopped. The defenders retreated to the [[Glittering Caves]] and to the Hornburg. Soon Saruman's forces used their blasting fire to gain entrance to the keep. At this moment, however, the horn of Helm's Deep was sounded, and after a moment a sortie led by Théoden and Aragorn rode forth, followed by men on foot from the keep, and the defenders of the caves , who made a break-out attempt and were driving the enemy out of the deep. Théoden and Aragorn cut through the Orcs and Dunlendings and arrived at Helm's Dike.

Both armies then noticed that many trees, [[Huorns]], had moved to block a possible escape route for the Orcs. Then [[Gandalf]], [[Erkenbrand]], and a thousand riders from the Westfold arrived, and charged. The Dunlendings were so terrified of Gandalf that they could no longer fight. The Orcs lost control and ran into the trees, where the Huorns destroyed them. Thus, Rohan won the battle.

== Aftermath ==

After the battle those Dunlendings who surrendered were given amnesty by King Théoden and allowed to return to home. The Rohirrim required that all hostilities cease, and that the Dunlendings retreat behind the [[Isen]] river again. The slain Dunlendings were buried in a mound of their own apart from the Orc carcasses.

== Movie Adaptations ==
=== "The Battle of Helm's Deep" ===

The Battle of the Hornburg is a key part of ''[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers|The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''. The amount of time spent around the battle in the movie was much more than in the original book. In the context of the film, it is referred to as the ''Battle of Helm's Deep'', a title which was never used by Tolkien but which is often used by fans, probably because it occupies a chapter entitled "Helm's Deep".

One major difference in the film is that [[Elrond]], at the prompting of [[Galadriel]], sends a contingent of [[Elves|Elven]] archers to reinforce the defence of the keep. A similar event takes place in the novel, in which [[Elrond]] and [[Galadriel]] send a company of Aragorn's fellow [[Rangers]], accompanied by Elrond's sons, [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], bringing the gift of a banner and the advice to take the [[Paths of the Dead]]. In the book, however, this takes place after the Battle of the Hornburg.

In the movie, the thousands of troops of Saruman laid siege to the fortress which was defended by around 300 men (many of whom were too young or too old to fight) which the Rohirrim could muster and the aforementioned Elven Archers. When Legolas says there are "300" Rohirrim there he may have meant ''at that time'' as more were fleeing to the fortress, because visually there are more than 300 Rohirrim appearing on screen in the battle. These forces suffered heavy losses, but held out till dawn when Gandalf arrived with thousands of Rohirrim riders who finally turned the tide of the battle and sent Saruman's forces into retreat.

Properly speaking, the fortress is the Hornburg and Helm's Deep is the ravine behind it. In one of his letters regarding a proposed film adaptation, Tolkien protested the use of ''Helm's Deep'', stating that, "the 'defence of the Hornburg'...would be a better title, since Helm's Deep, the ravine behind, is not shown" (''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|Letters]]'', 210). On the significance of the Battle, he also comments that "If both the [[Ents]] and the Hornburg cannot be treated at sufficient length to make sense, then one should go. It should be the Hornburg, which is incidental to the main story".

{{wotr}}

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[de:Schlacht um die Hornburg]]
[[fi:Ämyrilinnan taistelu]]

Talk:Apes

2008-09-16T15:02:26Z

69.124.12.149: New page: "He lept like an ape in the jungles of the south" -- ''The Two Towers'', chapter "The Hornburg"

"He lept like an ape in the jungles of the south" -- ''The Two Towers'', chapter "The Hornburg"

Apes

2008-09-16T15:01:42Z

69.124.12.149:

'''Apes''' were creatures from the dark jungles in the far south of [[Middle-earth]]. Though they seem to have been unknown in the northern lands, the [[Orcs]] used their name as a favourite form of insult.

[[Category:Animals]]

Stybba

2008-09-16T15:00:23Z

69.124.12.149:

A hill-pony lent to [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] by King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]]. Stybba (whose name comes from the Anglo-Saxon for 'stubby' or 'stumpy') carried Merry through the [[Mountains]] from the [[Hornburg]] east and south to [[Dunharrow]], and from there northward to [[Edoras]]. Though he was good for mountain riding, he was too small and slow to accompany the main army of Rohan across the plains from [[Edoras]], and it was Théoden's purpose to leave Stybba and his rider behind at this point. Merry found a way to complete the journey in secret with a Rider named [[Dernhelm]] (who was in fact [[Éowyn]] in disguise) but we hear no more of Stybba after Merry rode away from him at Edoras.

==In adaptations==

In Peter Jackson's film adaptation of ''The Return of the King'', Merry is indeed shown riding a small pony while traveling with the Rohirrim from Edoras to Dunharrow, who is presumably Stybba.

[[category:Horses]]

Apes

2008-09-16T14:50:38Z

69.124.12.149:

Brambles of Mordor

2008-09-16T14:47:27Z

69.124.12.149:

{{cleanup}}

The large plateau in the northwest of [[Mordor]] was known as [[Gorgoroth]], where the furnace and forge of the Ring lord [[Sauron]] were held. It was bragged that nothing grew in this poisoned land. The vast desolation of Gorgoroth was usually what was conjured up in the popular conception of "Mordor", though to the south and east of Gorgoroth plateau lay the more fertile lands of [[Nurn]] which contained vast slave-tilled fields. Still, Gorgoroth was the centre of Sauron's dominion and commonly considered to be a lifeless hell-on-earth.

However, the ''[[Red Book of Westmarch]]'' says that the region was actually not utterly devoid of ''flora''. There were some plants that did grow in northern Mordor: running parallel to the outer [[Ephel Duath]] and the Gorgoroth plateau there was a smaller inner range of mountains called the [[Morgai]]. In the valley between the two mountain ranges, there was enough shelter and runnoff water for some plantlife and a basic ecosystem to survive. It was a dying land, as thousands of years of Sauron's supernatural devastation caused by the fires of Mount Doom had worn down what had originally grown there, but it was not quite dead yet.

In sheltered places twisted tree-forms and stunted grey grasses grew. The leaves were shrivelled with Sulphur vapour and maggot hatchlings. The only plantlife that seemed to maintain more than a tenuous foothold were the widespread brambles.

Nowhere in [[Middle-earth]] did brambles ever grow so large and fierce. These '''Brambles of Mordor''' were ugly with foot-long thorns, which were sharp as the knives of the [[orcs]] that came from Mordor. Some of the thorns were long and sharp, meaning that they could puncture very deeply, while others were barbed, making them suited for rending the flesh if one tried to walk through them. They sprawled over the land like coils of steel wire. They were truly the flowers of Mordor, for thy represented Mordor exactly; cruel, fierce, and disgusting. As [[Sam Gamgee]] remarked, he hadn't thought that any plants actually grew in Mordor, though had he been told that some do, the brambles were exactly what he would have expected of Mordor.

[[Category:Plants]]

Brambles of Mordor

2008-09-16T14:42:06Z

69.124.12.149:

The large plateau in the northwest of [[Mordor]] was known as [[Gorgoroth]], where the furnace and forge of the Ring lord [[Sauron]] were held. It was bragged that nothing grew in this poisoned land. The vast desolation of Gorgoroth was usually what was conjured up in the popular conception of "Mordor", though to the south and east of Gorgoroth plateau lay the more fertile lands of [[Nurn]] which contained vast slave-tilled fields. Still, Gorgoroth was the centre of Sauron's dominion and commonly considered to be a lifeless hell-on-earth.

However, the ''[[Red Book of Westmarch]]'' says that the region was actually not utterly devoid of ''flora''. There were some plants that did grow in northern Mordor: running parallel to the outer [[Ephel Duath]] and the Gorgoroth plateau there was a smaller inner range of mountains called the [[Morgai]]. In the valley between the two mountain ranges, there was enough shelter and runnoff water for some plantlife and a basic ecosystem to survive. It was a dying land, as thousands of years of Sauron's supernatural devastation caused by the fires of Mount Doom had worn down what had originally grown there, but it was not quite dead yet.

In sheltered places twisted tree-forms and stunted grey grasses grew. The leaves were shrivelled with Sulphur vapour and maggot hatchlings. Nowhere in [[Middle-earth]] did brambles ever grow so large and fierce. These '''Brambles of Mordor''' were ugly with foot-long thorns, which were barbed and sharp as the knives of the [[orcs]] that came from Mordor. They sprawled over the land like coils of steel wire. They were truly the flowers of Mordor, for thy represented Mordor exactly; cruel, fierce, and disgusting.

[[Category:Plants]]

Ephel Dúath

2008-09-16T14:37:27Z

69.124.12.149:

The '''Ephel Dúath''', or '''Mountains of Shadow''', were a range of mountains that guarded [[Mordor]]'s western and southern borders.

==Geography==
The mountain range met the [[Ered Lithui]] at the [[Morannon]], so that between them the mountain ranges effectively seal off Mordor from invasion on three sides.

There were only two known passes through them: the "Nameless Pass" that ran between [[Minas Morgul]] and Mordor, and the nearby Pass of [[Cirith Ungol]]. The Morannon was the only pass through Mordor's outer mountain chains through which large armies could easily pass, but apparently small amounts of troops were able to slowly funnel through the Nameless Pass. However, the Pass of Cirith Ungol was extremely inaccessible, involving climbing up or down the section called the Straight Stair, making it practically impossible to for easy travel of large numbers of troops, much less horses, etc.

==Etymology==
'''Ephel Dúath''' is [[Sindarin]]. It means "outer fences of shadow", from ''[[ephel]]'', "outer fence" or "encircling fence", and ''[[dúath]]'', "shadow".

[[Category:Mountains]]
[[Category:Mordor]]

Sarn Gebir

2008-09-15T07:09:48Z

69.124.12.149:

'''Sarn Gebir''' are the rapids of the Great River [[Anduin]]. They appeared as the river's course passed between the eastern and western [[Emyn Muil]], above the [[Falls of Rauros]].

==In adaptations==

The ambush at the rapids of Sarn Gebir scene was actually intended to be in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of ''The Fellowship of the Ring'', to the point that an entire on-location set was built, but wasn't included in the final cut for one simple reason: before filming could begin on the set, record-breaking torrential rains and 20 foot high floodwaters washed away the entire set. So complete was the destruction that not even any wreckage of the set was ''ever'' found. Without the time or funding to construct a new set, the scene had to be cut.

[[Category:Locations]]
[[Category:Rivers]]

Buckland

2008-09-15T06:56:25Z

69.124.12.149:

{{kingdom
| image =
| name = Buckland
| meaning =
| type = Hereditary clanship
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = [[Master of Buckland]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Bucklebury]] (de facto)
| language = [[Hobbitish]]
| location = between the Brandywine River and the Old Forest, east of the Shire, Central [[Eriador]]
| populace= [[Hobbits]], mostly of the eponymous Brandybuck clan
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = colonization of Buckland by Brandybuck Hobbits of the Shire, led by Gorhendad Oldbuck, in T.A. 2340
| reorganized = formally incorporated as a sub-region of the Shire by King Elessar in the early Fourth Age
| fragmented =
| dissolved =
| restored =
}}

'''Buckland''' is a small but densely populated sliver of land between the [[Old Forest]] and the east bank of the [[Brandywine]] river, inhabited by [[Hobbits]] from the Shire, mostly of the Brandybuck family, who colonized it. Buckland was thus technically not part of the Shire itself, and was effectively a tiny independent country (until later formally added to the Shire during the Fourth Age).

==Origins and History==
Seven hundred and forty years after the founding of the [[Shire]], in Third Age 2340 [[Gorhendad Oldbuck]] crossed the River [[Brandywine]] from the [[Eastfarthing]] and started the building of [[Brandy Hall]] in [[Buck Hill]], in a land hitherto unpopulated by hobbits. As Gorhendad's family grew, the Hall also expanded, and soon there was a flourishing community in the land between the River and the Old Forest.
From that time, Buckland was ruled by the [[Brandybuck|Brandybucks]], as Gorhendad renamed his family, who were given the title '[[Master of Buckland]]'.

The village of [[Bucklebury]], lying close by Buck Hill, was considered Buckland's chief village, but the expanding population meant that many other villages soon grew up in the region, the largest of which were [[Newbury]], [[Crickhollow]] and [[Standelf]]. The growing power of the Master of Buckland gained respect from those close by in the Eastfarthing, too; the lands of the [[Marish]] between [[Stock]] and [[Rushey]] also acknowledged themselves under the sway of Brandy Hall.

Buckland was technically not part of the Shire: the Shire had originated officially with a land grant from the last few Kings of Arthedain in T.A. 1600 giving Hobbits (migrating from Bree) permission to settle in that old province of the kingdom which had become depopulated. However, Buckland was not part of the original grant, and was indeed formed over 300 years after Arthedain ceased to exist in T.A. 1975. Unlike the Shire, it is not certain if what became Buckland was ever previously inhabited by Men, nonetheless it was part of Arnor because this entire region of Eriador (including even the Old Forest) was part of the kingdom. However, Buckland may actually have been in what used to be considered part of [[Cardolan]] and may never have belonged to Arthedain to begin with, further making its colonization an independent action by the Hobbits. Thus, Buckland was essentially a small independent country of Hobbits, mostly of the Brandybuck family (who made it their new homeland and even changed their family name to reflect their new relationship with the river).

In practice, while nominally "independent", Buckland was effectively not much different from other old family homelands within the Shire, such as the [[Tookland]], in which the heads of prominent local families were seen as effectively controlling a region. Authority in the Shire had become so bucolic and decentralized, with little "government" to speak of, that simply no one took the time to assert these rival claims. Indeed, parts of the Marish, the marshy lands on the Eastfarthing on the west bank of the Brandywine and thus part of the Shire-proper, acknowledge the authority of the Master of Buckland and not the Thain of the Shire (head of the Took family). Authority was so decentralized among Hobbit-kind and they saw this as such a trivial matter, that for Buckland's entire almost 700 year long history, from its founding until the War of the Ring, quite simply no one ''bothered'' to reconcile the legal ramifications of the creation of Buckland, or even of the mixed loyalties of the Marish. In practice, Hobbits from the Shire-proper seem to have considered Buckland an odd frontier of "the Shire" more than as a separate country.

The Bucklanders soon found themselves threatened by the strange trees of the Forest, and so built a vast hedge, the [[High Hay]], stretching twenty miles along the eastern border of their land. This was not the only danger to threaten Buckland - in [[Third Age 2911|T.A. 2911]]), the year of the [[Fell Winter]], the Brandywine froze and Buckland was invaded by white wolves.

Buckland was also the childhood home of [[Frodo Baggins]], who returned here on his journey to [[Rivendell]] in [[Third Age 3018|T.A. 3018]]. He bought a house in [[Crickhollow]], and claimed that he would be living there, but instead entered the [[Old Forest]] through the old [[Hay Gate]], and left the [[Eastmarch]] of the Shire.

==Culture==
Although similar in many ways to other hobbits, the Bucklanders did have certain peculiarities. Due no doubt in part to the [[Fallohides|Fallohidish]] blood of the Brandybucks, the hobbits of Buckland were somewhat more adventurous than their cousins in the Shire (while still conservative by the measure of many other races in Middle-earth). The Bucklanders are characterized as being of predominantly [[Stoor]] ancestry, and were thus a people accustomed to riversides. They enjoyed boating, an activity frowned upon by Shire-hobbits, and some of them could even swim. Due to the often muddy nature of the land near the river, it was not uncommon for Bucklanders to wear boots, making them the only Hobbits known to wear shoes.
When the [[Bree-folk]] ventured to the Shire, Buckland was their usual destination (though some ventured as far as the Eastfarthing), and so was rather more cosmopolitan (in hobbit terms) than the rest of the land.

There were some minor linguistic regional differences between Buckland and the Shire. During the Hobbit [[Wandering Days]], their migrations westwards across Eriador, many Stoors branched off from the other Hobbits and moved south to the Angle, where they came into contact with the [[Dunlendings]]. This contact altered their speech slightly, mostly by picking up a few Dunlending words. However, these Stoors then moved back north to join the other Hobbits in colonizing the Shire. The result was that places that were settled by Stoors have some slight linguistic oddities due to their time of separation and contact with the Dunlendings. The three original Hobbit-kinds merged and blended in the centuries since the settlement of the Shire, but regional variations remained. The Brandybucks of Buckland are noted as having a particularly high concentration of Stoorish blood. Thus there were some minor linguistic anomalies in the place-names of Buckland and perhaps the accent of its speech. Also, Hobbits of Stoorish blood are noted as being the only Hobbits who are known to normally grow facial hair.

Living under constant danger from the Old Forest, the Bucklanders were hardier and more suspicious than the usual Shire-hobbit. They were organised to deal with danger (through the famous Horn-call of Buckland), and they kept their doors locked at night, which was unusual in the Shire.

Due to these cultural differences, there was an ubiquitous sentiment in other regions of the Shire (such as [[Hobbiton]] and [[Bywater]]) that "there's queer folk in Buckland".

[[Category:Buckland]]
[[Category:Shire]]
[[de:Bockland]]
[[fi:Bukinmaa]]

Buckland

2008-09-15T06:55:28Z

69.124.12.149:

{{kingdom
| image =
| name = Buckland
| meaning =
| type = Hereditary clanship
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = [[Master of Buckland]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Bucklebury]] (de facto)
| language = [[Hobbitish]]
| location = between the Brandywine River and the Old Forest, east of the Shire, Central [[Eriador]]
| populace= [[Hobbits]], mostly of the eponymous Brandybuck clan
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = colonization of Buckland by Brandybuck Hobbits of the Shire, led by Gorhendad Oldbuck, in T.A. 2340
| reorganized = formally incorporated as a sub-region of the Shire by King Elessar in the early Fourth Age
| fragmented =
| dissolved =
| restored =
}}

'''Buckland''' is a small but densely populated sliver of land between the [[Old Forest]] and the east bank of the [[Brandywine]] river, inhabited by [[Hobbits]] from the Shire, mostly of the Brandybuck family, who colonized it. It was thus technically not part of the Shire itself, and was effectively a tiny independent country (until later formally added to the Shire during the Fourth Age).

==Origins and History==
Seven hundred and forty years after the founding of the [[Shire]], in Third Age 2340 [[Gorhendad Oldbuck]] crossed the River [[Brandywine]] from the [[Eastfarthing]] and started the building of [[Brandy Hall]] in [[Buck Hill]], in a land hitherto unpopulated by hobbits. As Gorhendad's family grew, the Hall also expanded, and soon there was a flourishing community in the land between the River and the Old Forest.
From that time, Buckland was ruled by the [[Brandybuck|Brandybucks]], as Gorhendad renamed his family, who were given the title '[[Master of Buckland]]'.

The village of [[Bucklebury]], lying close by Buck Hill, was considered Buckland's chief village, but the expanding population meant that many other villages soon grew up in the region, the largest of which were [[Newbury]], [[Crickhollow]] and [[Standelf]]. The growing power of the Master of Buckland gained respect from those close by in the Eastfarthing, too; the lands of the [[Marish]] between [[Stock]] and [[Rushey]] also acknowledged themselves under the sway of Brandy Hall.

Buckland was technically not part of the Shire: the Shire had originated officially with a land grant from the last few Kings of Arthedain in T.A. 1600 giving Hobbits (migrating from Bree) permission to settle in that old province of the kingdom which had become depopulated. However, Buckland was not part of the original grant, and was indeed formed over 300 years after Arthedain ceased to exist in T.A. 1975. Unlike the Shire, it is not certain if what became Buckland was ever previously inhabited by Men, nonetheless it was part of Arnor because this entire region of Eriador (including even the Old Forest) was part of the kingdom. However, Buckland may actually have been in what used to be considered part of [[Cardolan]] and may never have belonged to Arthedain to begin with, further making its colonization an independent action by the Hobbits. Thus, Buckland was essentially a small independent country of Hobbits, mostly of the Brandybuck family (who made it their new homeland and even changed their family name to reflect their new relationship with the river).

In practice, while nominally "independent", Buckland was effectively not much different from other old family homelands within the Shire, such as the [[Tookland]], in which the heads of prominent local families were seen as effectively controlling a region. Authority in the Shire had become so bucolic and decentralized, with little "government" to speak of, that simply no one took the time to assert these rival claims. Indeed, parts of the Marish, the marshy lands on the Eastfarthing on the west bank of the Brandywine and thus part of the Shire-proper, acknowledge the authority of the Master of Buckland and not the Thain of the Shire (head of the Took family). Authority was so decentralized among Hobbit-kind and they saw this as such a trivial matter, that for Buckland's entire almost 700 year long history, from its founding until the War of the Ring, quite simply no one ''bothered'' to reconcile the legal ramifications of the creation of Buckland, or even of the mixed loyalties of the Marish. In practice, Hobbits from the Shire-proper seem to have considered Buckland an odd frontier of "the Shire" more than as a separate country.

The Bucklanders soon found themselves threatened by the strange trees of the Forest, and so built a vast hedge, the [[High Hay]], stretching twenty miles along the eastern border of their land. This was not the only danger to threaten Buckland - in [[Third Age 2911|T.A. 2911]]), the year of the [[Fell Winter]], the Brandywine froze and Buckland was invaded by white wolves.

Buckland was also the childhood home of [[Frodo Baggins]], who returned here on his journey to [[Rivendell]] in [[Third Age 3018|T.A. 3018]]. He bought a house in [[Crickhollow]], and claimed that he would be living there, but instead entered the [[Old Forest]] through the old [[Hay Gate]], and left the [[Eastmarch]] of the Shire.

==Culture==
Although similar in many ways to other hobbits, the Bucklanders did have certain peculiarities. Due no doubt in part to the [[Fallohides|Fallohidish]] blood of the Brandybucks, the hobbits of Buckland were somewhat more adventurous than their cousins in the Shire (while still conservative by the measure of many other races in Middle-earth). The Bucklanders are characterized as being of predominantly [[Stoor]] ancestry, and were thus a people accustomed to riversides. They enjoyed boating, an activity frowned upon by Shire-hobbits, and some of them could even swim. Due to the often muddy nature of the land near the river, it was not uncommon for Bucklanders to wear boots, making them the only Hobbits known to wear shoes.
When the [[Bree-folk]] ventured to the Shire, Buckland was their usual destination (though some ventured as far as the Eastfarthing), and so was rather more cosmopolitan (in hobbit terms) than the rest of the land.

There were some minor linguistic regional differences between Buckland and the Shire. During the Hobbit [[Wandering Days]], their migrations westwards across Eriador, many Stoors branched off from the other Hobbits and moved south to the Angle, where they came into contact with the [[Dunlendings]]. This contact altered their speech slightly, mostly by picking up a few Dunlending words. However, these Stoors then moved back north to join the other Hobbits in colonizing the Shire. The result was that places that were settled by Stoors have some slight linguistic oddities due to their time of separation and contact with the Dunlendings. The three original Hobbit-kinds merged and blended in the centuries since the settlement of the Shire, but regional variations remained. The Brandybucks of Buckland are noted as having a particularly high concentration of Stoorish blood. Thus there were some minor linguistic anomalies in the place-names of Buckland and perhaps the accent of its speech. Also, Hobbits of Stoorish blood are noted as being the only Hobbits who are known to normally grow facial hair.

Living under constant danger from the Old Forest, the Bucklanders were hardier and more suspicious than the usual Shire-hobbit. They were organised to deal with danger (through the famous Horn-call of Buckland), and they kept their doors locked at night, which was unusual in the Shire.

Due to these cultural differences, there was an ubiquitous sentiment in other regions of the Shire (such as [[Hobbiton]] and [[Bywater]]) that "there's queer folk in Buckland".

[[Category:Buckland]]
[[Category:Shire]]
[[de:Bockland]]
[[fi:Bukinmaa]]

Buckland

2008-09-15T06:54:04Z

69.124.12.149:

{{kingdom
| image =
| name = Buckland
| meaning =
| type = Hereditary clanship
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = [[Master of Buckland]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Bucklebury]] (de facto)
| language = [[Hobbitish]]
| location = between the Brandywine River and the Old Forest, Central [[Eriador]]
| populace= [[Hobbits]], mostly of the eponymous Brandybuck clan
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = colonization of Buckland by Brandybuck Hobbits of the Shire, led by Gorhendad Oldbuck, in T.A. 2340
| reorganized = formally incorporated as a sub-region of the Shire by King Elessar in the early Fourth Age
| fragmented =
| dissolved =
| restored =
}}

'''Buckland''' is a small but densely populated sliver of land between the [[Old Forest]] and the east bank of the [[Brandywine]] river, inhabited by [[Hobbits]] from the Shire, mostly of the Brandybuck family, who colonized it. It was thus technically not part of the Shire itself, and was effectively a tiny independent country (until later formally added to the Shire during the Fourth Age).

==Origins and History==
Seven hundred and forty years after the founding of the [[Shire]], in Third Age 2340 [[Gorhendad Oldbuck]] crossed the River [[Brandywine]] from the [[Eastfarthing]] and started the building of [[Brandy Hall]] in [[Buck Hill]], in a land hitherto unpopulated by hobbits. As Gorhendad's family grew, the Hall also expanded, and soon there was a flourishing community in the land between the River and the Old Forest.
From that time, Buckland was ruled by the [[Brandybuck|Brandybucks]], as Gorhendad renamed his family, who were given the title '[[Master of Buckland]]'.

The village of [[Bucklebury]], lying close by Buck Hill, was considered Buckland's chief village, but the expanding population meant that many other villages soon grew up in the region, the largest of which were [[Newbury]], [[Crickhollow]] and [[Standelf]]. The growing power of the Master of Buckland gained respect from those close by in the Eastfarthing, too; the lands of the [[Marish]] between [[Stock]] and [[Rushey]] also acknowledged themselves under the sway of Brandy Hall.

Buckland was technically not part of the Shire: the Shire had originated officially with a land grant from the last few Kings of Arthedain in T.A. 1600 giving Hobbits (migrating from Bree) permission to settle in that old province of the kingdom which had become depopulated. However, Buckland was not part of the original grant, and was indeed formed over 300 years after Arthedain ceased to exist in T.A. 1975. Unlike the Shire, it is not certain if what became Buckland was ever previously inhabited by Men, nonetheless it was part of Arnor because this entire region of Eriador (including even the Old Forest) was part of the kingdom. However, Buckland may actually have been in what used to be considered part of [[Cardolan]] and may never have belonged to Arthedain to begin with, further making its colonization an independent action by the Hobbits. Thus, Buckland was essentially a small independent country of Hobbits, mostly of the Brandybuck family (who made it their new homeland and even changed their family name to reflect their new relationship with the river).

In practice, while nominally "independent", Buckland was effectively not much different from other old family homelands within the Shire, such as the [[Tookland]], in which the heads of prominent local families were seen as effectively controlling a region. Authority in the Shire had become so bucolic and decentralized, with little "government" to speak of, that simply no one took the time to assert these rival claims. Indeed, parts of the Marish, the marshy lands on the Eastfarthing on the west bank of the Brandywine and thus part of the Shire-proper, acknowledge the authority of the Master of Buckland and not the Thain of the Shire (head of the Took family). Authority was so decentralized among Hobbit-kind and they saw this as such a trivial matter, that for Buckland's entire almost 700 year long history, from its founding until the War of the Ring, quite simply no one ''bothered'' to reconcile the legal ramifications of the creation of Buckland, or even of the mixed loyalties of the Marish. In practice, Hobbits from the Shire-proper seem to have considered Buckland an odd frontier of "the Shire" more than as a separate country.

The Bucklanders soon found themselves threatened by the strange trees of the Forest, and so built a vast hedge, the [[High Hay]], stretching twenty miles along the eastern border of their land. This was not the only danger to threaten Buckland - in [[Third Age 2911|T.A. 2911]]), the year of the [[Fell Winter]], the Brandywine froze and Buckland was invaded by white wolves.

Buckland was also the childhood home of [[Frodo Baggins]], who returned here on his journey to [[Rivendell]] in [[Third Age 3018|T.A. 3018]]. He bought a house in [[Crickhollow]], and claimed that he would be living there, but instead entered the [[Old Forest]] through the old [[Hay Gate]], and left the [[Eastmarch]] of the Shire.

==Culture==
Although similar in many ways to other hobbits, the Bucklanders did have certain peculiarities. Due no doubt in part to the [[Fallohides|Fallohidish]] blood of the Brandybucks, the hobbits of Buckland were somewhat more adventurous than their cousins in the Shire (while still conservative by the measure of many other races in Middle-earth). The Bucklanders are characterized as being of predominantly [[Stoor]] ancestry, and were thus a people accustomed to riversides. They enjoyed boating, an activity frowned upon by Shire-hobbits, and some of them could even swim. Due to the often muddy nature of the land near the river, it was not uncommon for Bucklanders to wear boots, making them the only Hobbits known to wear shoes.
When the [[Bree-folk]] ventured to the Shire, Buckland was their usual destination (though some ventured as far as the Eastfarthing), and so was rather more cosmopolitan (in hobbit terms) than the rest of the land.

There were some minor linguistic regional differences between Buckland and the Shire. During the Hobbit [[Wandering Days]], their migrations westwards across Eriador, many Stoors branched off from the other Hobbits and moved south to the Angle, where they came into contact with the [[Dunlendings]]. This contact altered their speech slightly, mostly by picking up a few Dunlending words. However, these Stoors then moved back north to join the other Hobbits in colonizing the Shire. The result was that places that were settled by Stoors have some slight linguistic oddities due to their time of separation and contact with the Dunlendings. The three original Hobbit-kinds merged and blended in the centuries since the settlement of the Shire, but regional variations remained. The Brandybucks of Buckland are noted as having a particularly high concentration of Stoorish blood. Thus there were some minor linguistic anomalies in the place-names of Buckland and perhaps the accent of its speech. Also, Hobbits of Stoorish blood are noted as being the only Hobbits who are known to normally grow facial hair.

Living under constant danger from the Old Forest, the Bucklanders were hardier and more suspicious than the usual Shire-hobbit. They were organised to deal with danger (through the famous Horn-call of Buckland), and they kept their doors locked at night, which was unusual in the Shire.

Due to these cultural differences, there was an ubiquitous sentiment in other regions of the Shire (such as [[Hobbiton]] and [[Bywater]]) that "there's queer folk in Buckland".

[[Category:Buckland]]
[[Category:Shire]]
[[de:Bockland]]
[[fi:Bukinmaa]]

Buckland

2008-09-15T06:44:46Z

69.124.12.149: /* Origins and History */

'''Buckland''' is a small but densely populated sliver of land between the [[Old Forest]] and the east bank of the [[Brandywine]] river, inhabited by [[Hobbits]] from the Shire, mostly of the Brandybuck family, who colonized it. It was thus technically not part of the Shire itself, and was effectively a tiny independent country (until later formally added to the Shire during the Fourth Age).

==Origins and History==
Seven hundred and forty years after the founding of the [[Shire]], in Third Age 2340 [[Gorhendad Oldbuck]] crossed the River [[Brandywine]] from the [[Eastfarthing]] and started the building of [[Brandy Hall]] in [[Buck Hill]], in a land hitherto unpopulated by hobbits. As Gorhendad's family grew, the Hall also expanded, and soon there was a flourishing community in the land between the River and the Old Forest.
From that time, Buckland was ruled by the [[Brandybuck|Brandybucks]], as Gorhendad renamed his family, who were given the title '[[Master of Buckland]]'.

The village of [[Bucklebury]], lying close by Buck Hill, was considered Buckland's chief village, but the expanding population meant that many other villages soon grew up in the region, the largest of which were [[Newbury]], [[Crickhollow]] and [[Standelf]]. The growing power of the Master of Buckland gained respect from those close by in the Eastfarthing, too; the lands of the [[Marish]] between [[Stock]] and [[Rushey]] also acknowledged themselves under the sway of Brandy Hall.

Buckland was technically not part of the Shire: the Shire had originated officially with a land grant from the last few Kings of Arthedain in T.A. 1600 giving Hobbits (migrating from Bree) permission to settle in that old province of the kingdom which had become depopulated. However, Buckland was not part of the original grant, and was indeed formed over 300 years after Arthedain ceased to exist in T.A. 1975. Unlike the Shire, it is not certain if what became Buckland was ever previously inhabited by Men, nonetheless it was part of Arnor because this entire region of Eriador (including even the Old Forest) was part of the kingdom. However, Buckland may actually have been in what used to be considered part of [[Cardolan]] and may never have belonged to Arthedain to begin with, further making its colonization an independent action by the Hobbits. Thus, Buckland was essentially a small independent country of Hobbits, mostly of the Brandybuck family (who made it their new homeland and even changed their family name to reflect their new relationship with the river).

In practice, while nominally "independent", Buckland was effectively not much different from other old family homelands within the Shire, such as the [[Tookland]], in which the heads of prominent local families were seen as effectively controlling a region. Authority in the Shire had become so bucolic and decentralized, with little "government" to speak of, that simply no one took the time to assert these rival claims. Indeed, parts of the Marish, the marshy lands on the Eastfarthing on the west bank of the Brandywine and thus part of the Shire-proper, acknowledge the authority of the Master of Buckland and not the Thain of the Shire (head of the Took family). Authority was so decentralized among Hobbit-kind and they saw this as such a trivial matter, that for Buckland's entire almost 700 year long history, from its founding until the War of the Ring, quite simply no one ''bothered'' to reconcile the legal ramifications of the creation of Buckland, or even of the mixed loyalties of the Marish. In practice, Hobbits from the Shire-proper seem to have considered Buckland an odd frontier of "the Shire" more than as a separate country.

The Bucklanders soon found themselves threatened by the strange trees of the Forest, and so built a vast hedge, the [[High Hay]], stretching twenty miles along the eastern border of their land. This was not the only danger to threaten Buckland - in [[Third Age 2911|T.A. 2911]]), the year of the [[Fell Winter]], the Brandywine froze and Buckland was invaded by white wolves.

Buckland was also the childhood home of [[Frodo Baggins]], who returned here on his journey to [[Rivendell]] in [[Third Age 3018|T.A. 3018]]. He bought a house in [[Crickhollow]], and claimed that he would be living there, but instead entered the [[Old Forest]] through the old [[Hay Gate]], and left the [[Eastmarch]] of the Shire.

==Culture==
Although similar in many ways to other hobbits, the Bucklanders did have certain peculiarities. Due no doubt in part to the [[Fallohides|Fallohidish]] blood of the Brandybucks, the hobbits of Buckland were somewhat more adventurous than their cousins in the Shire (while still conservative by the measure of many other races in Middle-earth). The Bucklanders are characterized as being of predominantly [[Stoor]] ancestry, and were thus a people accustomed to riversides. They enjoyed boating, an activity frowned upon by Shire-hobbits, and some of them could even swim. Due to the often muddy nature of the land near the river, it was not uncommon for Bucklanders to wear boots, making them the only Hobbits known to wear shoes.
When the [[Bree-folk]] ventured to the Shire, Buckland was their usual destination (though some ventured as far as the Eastfarthing), and so was rather more cosmopolitan (in hobbit terms) than the rest of the land.

There were some minor linguistic regional differences between Buckland and the Shire. During the Hobbit [[Wandering Days]], their migrations westwards across Eriador, many Stoors branched off from the other Hobbits and moved south to the Angle, where they came into contact with the [[Dunlendings]]. This contact altered their speech slightly, mostly by picking up a few Dunlending words. However, these Stoors then moved back north to join the other Hobbits in colonizing the Shire. The result was that places that were settled by Stoors have some slight linguistic oddities due to their time of separation and contact with the Dunlendings. The three original Hobbit-kinds merged and blended in the centuries since the settlement of the Shire, but regional variations remained. The Brandybucks of Buckland are noted as having a particularly high concentration of Stoorish blood. Thus there were some minor linguistic anomalies in the place-names of Buckland and perhaps the accent of its speech. Also, Hobbits of Stoorish blood are noted as being the only Hobbits who are known to normally grow facial hair.

Living under constant danger from the Old Forest, the Bucklanders were hardier and more suspicious than the usual Shire-hobbit. They were organised to deal with danger (through the famous Horn-call of Buckland), and they kept their doors locked at night, which was unusual in the Shire.

Due to these cultural differences, there was an ubiquitous sentiment in other regions of the Shire (such as [[Hobbiton]] and [[Bywater]]) that "there's queer folk in Buckland".

[[Category:Buckland]]
[[Category:Shire]]
[[de:Bockland]]
[[fi:Bukinmaa]]