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First Age

2006-05-25T21:43:41Z

83.23.89.80:

{{History of Arda}}
'''First Age''' began with the rise of the [[Sun]] and the arrival of the [[Noldor]] in the land [[Beleriand]] in [[Middle-earth]], and ended with the overthrow of [[Morgoth]]. The First Age was also known as the '''Elder Days'''.

It lasted just over 580 years (making it the shortest of the three Ages described by Tolkien), and ended with the final overthrow of [[Morgoth]] by the combined armies of [[Valinor]] and Beleriand. Much of what is related of this period in ''The Silmarillion'' occurs within the last 50 years preceding the defeat of Morgoth.

Tolkien describes primarily the events that occurred in Beleriand. These were centered around a series of wars waged by the [[Sindar]], the Noldor and the Three Houses of the [[Edain]], against the armies of [[Angband]] and the evil [[Men]]. The wars had actually begun before the First Age, during the Years of the Trees, but began again with renewed fury after the arrival of the Noldor in Beleriand. There had been Elves in Beleriand for uncounted millennia, but they sought merely to exist, and [[Morgoth]] had little to do with them. The Noldor, on the other hand, particularly the [[Sons of Fëanor]], had come with the express purpose of defeating Morgoth.

The chief battles of the First Age are:
* The [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] (''Battle under the Stars'', so named because it was fought before the rising of the Sun) was fought soon after the arrival of the Ñoldor. Morgoth sent a raiding party from Angband to attack the Noldor encampment in [[Hithlum]], but the Elves drove it back. [[Fëanor]] was killed. It is considered the second battle in the Wars of Beleriand, after one that took place during the Years of the Trees.
* The [[Dagor Aglareb]] (''Glorious Battle'') was fought about seventy-five years after the return of the Ñoldor. Morgoth again attacked the Noldor, and again with no success. The Ñoldor became so bold as to besiege Angband. However, the Siege was of limited effectiveness, because the northern side of Angband was on the north side of the [[Ered Engrin]], and was unapproachable.
* The [[Dagor Bragollach]] (''Battle of Sudden Flame'') began when Morgoth poured rivers of fire out of Angband, ruining the besieging Noldorin armies. The Ñoldor eventually mustered a defense, but their losses were severe. For instance, the green plain of [[Ard-galen]] had been permanently laid waste by the rivers of fire, and was now called ''Anfauglith'', the Choking Dust; and the highlands of [[Dorthonion]], which had been inhabited by Edain, were made inhospitable.
* The [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] (''Unnumbered Tears'') was the first battle to be initiated by the Noldor. They massed an army composed of Elves, Edain, and the houses of [[Bór]] and [[Ulfang]] allied to the Sons of Fëanor. The Elves and their allies advanced very close to Angband, but Morgoth's trickery had upset their battle plan, and Ulfang proved treacherous. The name "Unnumbered Tears" comes from the fact that the Elves' last hope of victory was destroyed. The land of Hithlum was lost, the Sons of Fëanor were largely scattered, and the peoples of Beleriand had been decimated. Morgoth's Orcs made a heap of the Elven and Mannish dead in the center of Anfauglith.
* The [[War of Wrath]] took place after [[Eärendil]] sailed to Valinor and persuaded the [[Valar]] to help those whom they had forsaken. The Valar gathered an army comprised of [[Maiar]], [[Vanyar]], and those Ñoldor who had stayed in Valinor. The [[Teleri]] refused their aid, due to an old offense dealt them by the Ñoldor of Beleriand, but consented to ferry the armies of the Valar in their famous ships. This battle marked the first appearance of the winged dragons, most notably [[Ancalagon]] the Black, but the Valar had the day. Morgoth was captured, and cast out of [[Arda]], but his lands, as well as most of Beleriand, had been destroyed and sunk under the sea in the heat of battle.

[[Category:Ages]]

First Age

2006-05-25T21:43:13Z

83.23.89.80:

{{History of Arda}}
'''First Age''' began with the rise of the [[Sun]] and the arrival of the [[Noldor]] in the land [[Beleriand]] in [[Middle-earth]], and ended with the overthrow of [[Morgoth]]. The First Age was also known as the '''Elder Days'''.

It lasted just over 580 years (making it the shortest of the three Ages described by Tolkien), and ended with the final overthrow of [[Morgoth]] by the combined armies of [[Valinor]] and Beleriand. Much of what is related of this period in ''The Silmarillion" occurs within the last 50 years preceding the defeat of Morgoth.

Tolkien describes primarily the events that occurred in Beleriand. These were centered around a series of wars waged by the [[Sindar]], the Noldor and the Three Houses of the [[Edain]], against the armies of [[Angband]] and the evil [[Men]]. The wars had actually begun before the First Age, during the Years of the Trees, but began again with renewed fury after the arrival of the Noldor in Beleriand. There had been Elves in Beleriand for uncounted millennia, but they sought merely to exist, and [[Morgoth]] had little to do with them. The Noldor, on the other hand, particularly the [[Sons of Fëanor]], had come with the express purpose of defeating Morgoth.

The chief battles of the First Age are:
* The [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] (''Battle under the Stars'', so named because it was fought before the rising of the Sun) was fought soon after the arrival of the Ñoldor. Morgoth sent a raiding party from Angband to attack the Noldor encampment in [[Hithlum]], but the Elves drove it back. [[Fëanor]] was killed. It is considered the second battle in the Wars of Beleriand, after one that took place during the Years of the Trees.
* The [[Dagor Aglareb]] (''Glorious Battle'') was fought about seventy-five years after the return of the Ñoldor. Morgoth again attacked the Noldor, and again with no success. The Ñoldor became so bold as to besiege Angband. However, the Siege was of limited effectiveness, because the northern side of Angband was on the north side of the [[Ered Engrin]], and was unapproachable.
* The [[Dagor Bragollach]] (''Battle of Sudden Flame'') began when Morgoth poured rivers of fire out of Angband, ruining the besieging Noldorin armies. The Ñoldor eventually mustered a defense, but their losses were severe. For instance, the green plain of [[Ard-galen]] had been permanently laid waste by the rivers of fire, and was now called ''Anfauglith'', the Choking Dust; and the highlands of [[Dorthonion]], which had been inhabited by Edain, were made inhospitable.
* The [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] (''Unnumbered Tears'') was the first battle to be initiated by the Noldor. They massed an army composed of Elves, Edain, and the houses of [[Bór]] and [[Ulfang]] allied to the Sons of Fëanor. The Elves and their allies advanced very close to Angband, but Morgoth's trickery had upset their battle plan, and Ulfang proved treacherous. The name "Unnumbered Tears" comes from the fact that the Elves' last hope of victory was destroyed. The land of Hithlum was lost, the Sons of Fëanor were largely scattered, and the peoples of Beleriand had been decimated. Morgoth's Orcs made a heap of the Elven and Mannish dead in the center of Anfauglith.
* The [[War of Wrath]] took place after [[Eärendil]] sailed to Valinor and persuaded the [[Valar]] to help those whom they had forsaken. The Valar gathered an army comprised of [[Maiar]], [[Vanyar]], and those Ñoldor who had stayed in Valinor. The [[Teleri]] refused their aid, due to an old offense dealt them by the Ñoldor of Beleriand, but consented to ferry the armies of the Valar in their famous ships. This battle marked the first appearance of the winged dragons, most notably [[Ancalagon]] the Black, but the Valar had the day. Morgoth was captured, and cast out of [[Arda]], but his lands, as well as most of Beleriand, had been destroyed and sunk under the sea in the heat of battle.

[[Category:Ages]]

Palantíri

2006-05-25T21:32:15Z

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[[Image:Saruman with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|250px|thumb|Saruman with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]
A '''palantír''' (sometimes translated as ''Seeing Stone'' but actually meaning "One that sees from afar") is a stone that functions somewhat like a crystal ball. When one looks in it, he can communicate with other Stones and anyone who might be looking into them; people of great power can manipulate the Stones to see virtually any part of the world. They were made by the Elves of [[Valinor]] in the [[Uttermost West]], almost certainly by the [[Ñoldor]] and possibly by [[Fëanor]]. Many ''palantíri'' were made, but the number is not known. Some had power over other Stones. The stones had various sizes. The smallest had a diameter of about a foot, while the largest filled a large chamber. The master stone was kept in the tower of ''Avallonë'' on [[Tol Eressëa]]. They are known to have a power over people, as seen from the experience of [[Peregrin Took]] and the Orthanc-stone.

Some of the stones were given to the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Númenor]] as a gift, during the [[Second Age]]. Of these, [[Elendil]] took seven with him on his flight to Middle-earth, and in time they were distributed among seven places: four in [[Gondor]] and three in [[Arnor]]. By the end of the [[Third Age]], three had been lost forever, one was locked in [[Elostirion]], one was buried amongst the ruins of the Dark Tower of [[Barad-dûr]] and a sixth had been rendered virtually unusable. The seventh stone was retained by the king of the [[Reunited Kingdom]].

[[Image:John Howe - Saruman's Palantir.jpg|thumb|left|''Saruman's Palantir'' by [[John Howe]].]]
* The Stone of '''[[Osgiliath]]''' was the largest stone among the seven, and chief among them. It was placed in a prominent building in the capital city of the kingdom of Gondor. The ceiling was painted to resemble a starry sky, and gave its name (''os-giliath'', the [[Dome of Stars]]) to the city itself. This Stone was the first to be lost: during the civil war of the [[Kin-strife]] around the middle of the Third Age, it fell into the river [[Anduin]].

* One Stone was placed in the tower of [[Elostirion]] in the [[Tower Hills]], just west of [[The Shire]]. Until it was taken back to the West with the three [[Three Rings|Elven Rings]], it could be used to look along the [[Straight Road]] to [[Avallonë]].

* The other two Stones in [[Arnor]] were those of the watch-tower of '''[[Amon Sûl]]''' and the city of '''[[Annúminas]]'''. Both of these were lost when [[Arvedui]] Last-king was shipwrecked in the Ice-bay of Forochel, in [[Third Age|T.A.]] 1975.

* One Stone was placed at '''[[Minas Ithil]]''' in the mountains that came to be known as the [[Ephel Dúath]]. When Minas Ithil fell to the [[Nazgûl]], the Ithil-stone was taken to the [[Barad-dûr]] and used by [[Sauron]]. It was presumably destroyed at the fall of Sauron.

* One Stone was placed at '''[[Orthanc]]''', the great tower built by the [[Dúnedain]] in the Second Age at the southern end of the [[Misty Mountains]]. It fell into the hands of the wizard [[Saruman]], who used it to garner information on his neighbors and their activities. The stone was also partially responsible for Saruman's fall from grace, as he was using it when he came upon [[Sauron]], and was ensnared by him, though his transformation to one of the fallen [[Maiar]] had undoubtedly begun much earlier. Saruman later used the stone to confer with [[Sauron]] through the Ithil-stone in Barad-dûr, and plan much of their mutual cooperation throughout the [[War of the Ring]]. This communication likely influenced his decision that resistance against Sauron was futile. Later, [[Gríma Wormtongue|Gríma]], also called [[Wormtongue]], cast the stone down from [[Orthanc]], where it was recovered by [[Peregrin Took]] and turned over to [[Gandalf]]. Peregrin inadvertently contacted [[Sauron]], after which Gandalf turned the stone over to [[Aragorn]]. Using the stone, Aragorn declared himself as the heir of [[Isildur]] to Sauron, seeking to distract him from [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]. Sauron was led to believe that the [[One Ring]] had fallen into the hands of Aragorn or some other Western leader, and this was partly responsible for Sauron's hasty assault against [[Gondor]]. Sauron's attack, before he was fully ready, deeply influenced the outcome of the war. The Orthanc-stone remained in the custody of the Kings of Gondor in the [[Fourth Age]].

* One Stone was placed at [[Minas Anor]], later renamed '''[[Minas Tirith]]''' and made the capital of [[Gondor]]. It was ultimately used by Steward [[Denethor]] to spy on [[Sauron]]. [[Denethor]] did not become corrupted, but the great effort of will that this required of him led him to age quickly. Furthermore, using the Ithil-stone, [[Sauron]] largely controlled what Denethor saw, leading to the latter's despair and insanity. [[Denethor]] was holding the stone when he committed suicide on a funeral pyre, and after this, only people of exceeding power could see in it anything other than two flaming hands.

[[Image:Morgen Bell - The Palantir.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''The Palantir'' by Morgen Bell]]
The stones' gaze can pierce anything except darkness and shadow. A technique called ''shrouding'' was used when something was to be kept secret from the enemies' eyes. Knowledge of this technique was however lost long ago, although Sauron probably knew of it.

A '''Master Stone''' remained in [[Avallonë]] on [[Tol Eressëa]], but no record is made of successful communication from any Palantír of Middle-earth to this one.

Palantíri

2006-05-25T21:31:38Z

83.23.89.80:

[[Image:Saruman with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|250px|thumb|Saruman with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]
A '''palantír''' (sometimes translated as ''Seeing Stone'' but actually meaning "One that sees from afar") is a stone that functions somewhat like a crystal ball. When one looks in it, he can communicate with other Stones and anyone who might be looking into them; people of great power can manipulate the Stones to see virtually any part of the world. They were made by the Elves of [[Valinor]] in the Uttermost West, almost certainly by the [[Ñoldor]] and possibly by [[Fëanor]]. Many ''palantíri'' were made, but the number is not known. Some had power over other Stones. The stones had various sizes. The smallest had a diameter of about a foot, while the largest filled a large chamber. The master stone was kept in the tower of ''Avallonë'' on [[Tol Eressëa]]. They are known to have a power over people, as seen from the experience of [[Peregrin Took]] and the Orthanc-stone.

Some of the stones were given to the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Númenor]] as a gift, during the [[Second Age]]. Of these, [[Elendil]] took seven with him on his flight to Middle-earth, and in time they were distributed among seven places: four in [[Gondor]] and three in [[Arnor]]. By the end of the [[Third Age]], three had been lost forever, one was locked in [[Elostirion]], one was buried amongst the ruins of the Dark Tower of [[Barad-dûr]] and a sixth had been rendered virtually unusable. The seventh stone was retained by the king of the [[Reunited Kingdom]].

[[Image:John Howe - Saruman's Palantir.jpg|thumb|left|''Saruman's Palantir'' by [[John Howe]].]]
* The Stone of '''[[Osgiliath]]''' was the largest stone among the seven, and chief among them. It was placed in a prominent building in the capital city of the kingdom of Gondor. The ceiling was painted to resemble a starry sky, and gave its name (''os-giliath'', the [[Dome of Stars]]) to the city itself. This Stone was the first to be lost: during the civil war of the [[Kin-strife]] around the middle of the Third Age, it fell into the river [[Anduin]].

* One Stone was placed in the tower of [[Elostirion]] in the [[Tower Hills]], just west of [[The Shire]]. Until it was taken back to the West with the three [[Three Rings|Elven Rings]], it could be used to look along the [[Straight Road]] to [[Avallonë]].

* The other two Stones in [[Arnor]] were those of the watch-tower of '''[[Amon Sûl]]''' and the city of '''[[Annúminas]]'''. Both of these were lost when [[Arvedui]] Last-king was shipwrecked in the Ice-bay of Forochel, in [[Third Age|T.A.]] 1975.

* One Stone was placed at '''[[Minas Ithil]]''' in the mountains that came to be known as the [[Ephel Dúath]]. When Minas Ithil fell to the [[Nazgûl]], the Ithil-stone was taken to the [[Barad-dûr]] and used by [[Sauron]]. It was presumably destroyed at the fall of Sauron.

* One Stone was placed at '''[[Orthanc]]''', the great tower built by the [[Dúnedain]] in the Second Age at the southern end of the [[Misty Mountains]]. It fell into the hands of the wizard [[Saruman]], who used it to garner information on his neighbors and their activities. The stone was also partially responsible for Saruman's fall from grace, as he was using it when he came upon [[Sauron]], and was ensnared by him, though his transformation to one of the fallen [[Maiar]] had undoubtedly begun much earlier. Saruman later used the stone to confer with [[Sauron]] through the Ithil-stone in Barad-dûr, and plan much of their mutual cooperation throughout the [[War of the Ring]]. This communication likely influenced his decision that resistance against Sauron was futile. Later, [[Gríma Wormtongue|Gríma]], also called [[Wormtongue]], cast the stone down from [[Orthanc]], where it was recovered by [[Peregrin Took]] and turned over to [[Gandalf]]. Peregrin inadvertently contacted [[Sauron]], after which Gandalf turned the stone over to [[Aragorn]]. Using the stone, Aragorn declared himself as the heir of [[Isildur]] to Sauron, seeking to distract him from [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]]. Sauron was led to believe that the [[One Ring]] had fallen into the hands of Aragorn or some other Western leader, and this was partly responsible for Sauron's hasty assault against [[Gondor]]. Sauron's attack, before he was fully ready, deeply influenced the outcome of the war. The Orthanc-stone remained in the custody of the Kings of Gondor in the [[Fourth Age]].

* One Stone was placed at [[Minas Anor]], later renamed '''[[Minas Tirith]]''' and made the capital of [[Gondor]]. It was ultimately used by Steward [[Denethor]] to spy on [[Sauron]]. [[Denethor]] did not become corrupted, but the great effort of will that this required of him led him to age quickly. Furthermore, using the Ithil-stone, [[Sauron]] largely controlled what Denethor saw, leading to the latter's despair and insanity. [[Denethor]] was holding the stone when he committed suicide on a funeral pyre, and after this, only people of exceeding power could see in it anything other than two flaming hands.

[[Image:Morgen Bell - The Palantir.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''The Palantir'' by Morgen Bell]]
The stones' gaze can pierce anything except darkness and shadow. A technique called ''shrouding'' was used when something was to be kept secret from the enemies' eyes. Knowledge of this technique was however lost long ago, although Sauron probably knew of it.

A '''Master Stone''' remained in [[Avallonë]] on [[Tol Eressëa]], but no record is made of successful communication from any Palantír of Middle-earth to this one.

Palantir (disambiguation)

2006-05-25T21:30:14Z

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#REDIRECT [[Palantiri]]

Enedwaith

2006-05-25T21:20:41Z

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'''Enedwaith''', also spelled '''Enedhwaith''', originally referred to both a region of [[Middle-earth]] and the men that inhabited it, although the region Enedwaith retained that name even when the Enedwaith people were no more.

The boundaries of the Enedwaith, which is [[Sindarin]] for 'Middle-region' as well as 'Middle-folk', were defined in the north by the rivers [[Gwathló]] and [[Glanduin]], to the east by the [[Hithaeglir]], and to the west by [[Belegaer]], 'The Great Sea'. The southern border was less clear, but was probably formed by the river [[Isen]].

During the [[First Age|First]] and early [[Second Age]] Enedwaith was deeply forested, but the arrival of the timber-hungry [[Númenóreans]], from the seventh century of the Second Age onwards, devastated the landscape.

The Enedwaithrim themselves "were forest dwellers, scattered communities without central leadership." They were distantly related to the [[Haladin]] of old, but this wasn't recognized in time by Númenóreans, who were mainly descended from the First and Third Houses of the [[Edain]], and therefore spoke a language which was not related. The Enedwaithrim were not ranked as [[Middle Men]], friends and distant kin of the Edain, but were ranked among the "people of darkness", enemies and aliens.

The denuded forests of Enedwaith, and much of those to the north in Eriador, were finally destroyed by the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] around 1700 S.A., during which much of what had survived the felling was burnt. Only remote corners like [[Eryn Vorn]] survived in Eriador, and the [[Old Forest]] still further north. Many surviving natives took refuge in the eastern highlands of Enedwaith, "the foothills of the Misty Mountains", which ultimately became [[Dunland]].

After S.A. 3320, Enedwaith formed the most northern part of the new Kingdom of [[Gondor]], at least officially. The south-east was still "in places well-wooded", but elsewhere Enedwaith was by this time "mostly grassland." Following the [[Great Plague]] in T.A. 1636 however, Gondor's authority permanently lapsed throughout the region.

[[Tharbad]], originally one of two ancient cities on the Gwathló, and the only one to survive beyond the early [[Third Age]], was finally abandoned following devastating floods in 2912 T.A., and thereafter, only two groups survived in Enedwaith: the [[Dunlendings]] in the far east, and a "fairly numerous but barbarous fisher-folk" wandering the coast.

In the early [[Fourth Age]], however, Tolkien wrote that Enedwaith was absorbed into the kingdom of [[Rohan]], whose people "multiplied exceedingly", and many Rohirrim moved there.

Tharbad

2006-05-25T21:19:07Z

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'''Tharbad''' was to be found on the southern edge of [[Eriador]].

Tharbad, [[Sindarin]] for 'The Crossing Place', was originally the name given to a ford, high up along the once densely forested banks of the [[Gwathló]], where;

''..the land was almost flat, and the waters became sluggish, tending to spread into fenland.'' Above Tharbad the river forked, with both branches having converged from out of ''a network of swamps, pools and eyots, where the only inhabitants were hosts of swans, and many other waterbirds.''

('History of Galadriel & Celeborn' ~ '''Unfinished Tales''')

In the early [[Second Age]], this huge fenland north-east of Tharbad, which the elves named 'Nîn-in-Eilph', the '[[Swanfleet]]', entered the southern part of the [[Ñoldor|Ñoldorin]] realm [[Eregion]], and Tharbad is first mentioned in the sixth century of that Age;

''no records are now left of the later voyages that [[Aldarion]] made, but it is known that he went much on land as well as sea, and went up the River Gwathló as far as Tharbad, and there met [[Galadriel]].''

('Aldarion & Erendis' ~ '''Unfinished Tales''')

Such early river voyages were made by "hardy explorers" of [[Númenor]], in "ships of smaller draught" (UT), but such journeys up the Gwathló increased rapidly after the Númenóreans constructed a small harbour at the river's estuary to exploit the local timber: '[[Vinyalondë]]', 'the New Haven'.

By S.A. 1695, the Númenóreans were devastating the forests below Tharbad, and had been obliged to build forts both at the Haven and along the river, to protect their ship-building yards and "great wood-stores"(UT) from the local population, who were understandably hostile:

''..the Númenóreans treated them as enemies, and became ruthless in their fellings, giving no thought to husbandry or replanting.''

('History of Gladriel & Celeborn' ~ '''Unfinished Tales''')

Despite overrunning all of Eriador in the war which began in that year, Sauron's armies had eventually been forced back to the fortified River Gwathló, where they were held. Beforehand, Sauron:

"..had not enough force to spare for any assault upon the forts.."(UT), but late in the war he was reported to have

''..summoned more forces, which were approaching from the south-east, and were indeed in Enedwaith at the Crossing of Tharbad, which was only lightly held.''

('History of Galadriel & Celeborn' ~ '''Unfinished Tales''')

Whether Tharbad's defences - which presumably consisted of the most northerly of the Gwathló's river forts - were overcome is uncertain, but Tharbad did become the site of [[The Battle of the Gwathló]], where after having his army caught in the rear by [[Ciryatur]], who had hurried up the Gwathló from [[Lond Daer]], "Sauron was routed utterly.." (UT).

Tharbad is not mentioned in surviving records for more than 1500 years after the war: the whole region was largely ignored by the elves and the Númenóreans following the destruction of Eregion and the forests "and the continued hostility of the surviving natives."(TPoMe)

The site of the ford became very important after the founding of [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]] in S.A. 3320, however, and saw extensive development;

''In the early days of the kingdoms the most expeditious route from one to the other (except for great armaments) was found to be by sea to the ancient port at the head of the estuary of the Gwathlo and so to the river-port of Tharbad, and thence by the road.''

('History of Galadriel & Celeborn' ~ '''Unfinished Tales''')

A need had arisen "..to undertake the great works of drainage and dyke-building that (would make) a great port on the site where Tharbad stood.." (UT).

The ford was deepened to receive sea-going vessels, and the massive fenlands above it were extensively drained, until a much smaller Swanfleet was all that remained. Tharbad's new river-port was spanned by a bridge, the immense labour of which "was shared by the North and South Kingdoms", and included "a fortified town and haven about the great bridge over the [[Greyflood]].."

('Of Dwarves and Men' ~ '''The Peoples of Middle-earth''')

These fortifications around the town were "raised there on great earthworks on both sides of the river.." (UT), and '[[Greenway|The Great South Road]]', which was built at the same time to connect the two nations, passed across the bridge via "long causeways that carried the road to it on either side across the fens.." (UT).

Some things did not change, however : Tharbad was the only settlement of Númenóreans in [[Enedwaith]], because the area beyond the fortified town "was of little concern to them, except for the patrolling and upkeep of the Great Royal Road" (UT). To this end, "A considerable garrison of soldiers, mariners and engineers [were] kept there until the seventeenth century of the Third Age.." (UT).

From about T.A. 1150, it is recorded that a tribe of hobbits migrated to the fens above Tharbad, and spread onto the land along the Causeway south-east of the town over several centuries, but they left around T.A 1630;

''..because the land and clime of Eriador, especially in the east, worsened and became unfriendly.''

('Appendix A' ~ '''The Lord of the Rings''')

Their departure and the deterioration in the weather occurred around the time of the [[Great Plague]] of S.A. 1636, which almost completely depopulated [[Cardolan]], one of Arnor's 'successor states' with whom Gondor shared Tharbad. Cardolan's few surviving [[Dúnedain]] - including those in Tharbad - fled west to [[Arthedain]]. Gondor too was devastated, and in the years following the Plague, traffic along the road through Tharbad would have declined considerably, as "many parts of Eriador (had become) desolate." (LR): little wonder that "from then onwards, the region fell quickly into decay.." (UT).

Survivors of the Plague did remain in Tharbad, and the Great (now Old) South Road continued to be an important trade route for another 350 years until the fall of Arthedain in T.A 1974, and the end of the 'days of the Kings' in Gondor 74 years later. From T.A. 2050, the nearby native [[Dunlendings]], as well as the people left in Tharbad no doubt;

''..ceased in fact to be subjects of Gondor; the Royal Road was unkempt in Enedwaith, and the Bridge of Tharbad became ruinous, and was replaced only by a dangerous ford.''

('The Battles of the Fords of Isen' ~ '''Unfinished Tales''')

Tharbad was still inhabited for another 862 years, despite the absence of any sort of central government, presumably by a people akin to the [[Bree|Bree-men]] and [[Dunlendings]]. During this period, the decrepit remains of the Great South Road above Tharbad became known as 'The Greenway', even after Tharbad itself was finally "ruined and deserted"(LR) in T.A. 2912, when great floods devastated Enedwaith following the [[Fell Winter]].

By the time of [[The War of the Ring]] a century later;

''When [[Boromir]] made his great journey from Gondor to Rivendell - the courage and hardihood required is not fully recognized in the narrative - the North-South Road no longer existed except for the crumbling remains of the causeways, by which a hazardous approach to Tharbad might be achieved, only to find runs on dwindling mounds, and a dangerous ford formed by the ruins of the bridge, impassable if the river had not there been slow and shallow - but wide.''

('History of Galadriel & Celeborn' ~ '''Unfinished Tales''')

Others occasionally crossed the ruined bridge - at their peril - including the [[Ringwraiths]], servants and spies of [[Saruman]], as well as the [[Rangers of the North]] who sought [[Aragorn]] in Rohan in T.A 3019.

In the early [[Fourth Age]], the "ruined town" (LR) was probably rebuilt and resettled at last, both by the Rohirrim - who colonized Enedwaith and "multiplied exceedingly" (LR) - and the [[Reunited Kingdom]], which began to repopulate Eriador.

Battle of Tumhalad

2006-05-25T21:13:51Z

83.23.89.80:

The '''Battle of Tumhalad''' was the last battle of the Elves of [[Nargothrond]]. It was fought on the plain of Tumhalad between the river [[Narog]] and its tributary, the river [[Ginglith]].

The battle was fought as result of a massive [[Orcs|Orc]]-buildup beneath the [[Ered Wethrin]] and in the Pass of [[Sirion]]. Messengers from [[Círdan]] the Shipwright brought these tidings and a message from Círdan concerning a warning given to Círdan by the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Ulmo]].
Ulmo had told Círdan that the Elves of Nargothrond shouldn't fight abroad and stay in their fortress.

But [[Túrin Turambar]], a [[Men|Man]] and an influential commander of Nargothrond's forces urged its king, [[Orodreth]] to venture out and fight the forces of [[Morgoth]]

The Elves of Nargothrond, however, weren't used to battle in the open field for they had always waged a secret war, ambushing but never assaulting the forces of Morgoth. Also, the evil hosts were larger than anticipated and led by the [[Dragons|Dragon]], [[Glaurung]].

The forces of Nargothrond couldn't withstand the assault and were driven towards the plain of Tumhalad, were most of them, including King Orodreth, were slain. Only Túrin withstood the attack of Glaurung for he wore an iron mask made by the [[Dwarves]].

The defeat suffered by the Elves paved the road for the [[Sack of Nargothrond]] by Glaurung.

[[Category:Battles|Tumhalad]]

Gondolin

2006-05-25T21:11:58Z

83.23.89.80: /* Description */

{{Pronounce|Gondolin.mp3|Ardamir}}
[[Image:Felix Sotomayor - Gondolin.jpg|thumb|200px|''Gondolin'' by [[Felix Sotomayor]]]]
'''Gondolin''' ([[First Age]] c. 126 – 510, existed c. 384 years), the great [[Hidden City]] of [[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]] was concealed from friend and foe alike during the First Age by the [[Encircling Mountains]], and guarded from trespassers by the [[Eagles]] of [[Thorondor]].

In the fiftieth year of the First Age, Turgon journeyed from his halls in [[Nevrast]] with his cousin [[Finrod Felagund|Finrod]]. [[Ulmo]] guided him to the hidden valley of [[Tumladen]], and there he founded Gondolin. The city was completed circa 126, and Turgon's people who had dwelt in Nevrast travelled there secretly.

The city was inviolate for almost four hundred years; Turgon did not break his secret leaguer until the time of the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] in 471, and even after that disastrous battle he was able to return in secret to the city with the aid of [[Húrin Thalion]].

[[Morgoth]]'s servants finally discovered Gondolin through the treachery of [[Maeglin]], and it was sacked in 510 (''Main article: the [[Fall of Gondolin]]''). Turgon was lost in the [[Fall of Gondolin|Fall]] of the city, but some few (including [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]], with their child [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]) escaped the destruction and dwelt as [[Exiles of Gondolin|Exiles]] at the [[Mouths of Sirion]].

== The Building of Gondolin ==
The round valley of [[Tumladen]], within the Encircling Mountains, had originally been a lake, and in its centre stood a hill that had once been an island: [[Amon Gwareth]]. It was here that Turgon decided to found his Hidden City, as a memorial to ancient [[Tirion]] that lay beyond the [[Great Sea]].

The first building of the city took fifty-two years to complete. After this time, the people of Turgon, a great number of [[Noldor]] and [[Sindar]], travelled from Nevrast, where they had dwelt, and secretly entered the valley of Tumladen. Turgon gave his city the name [[Ondolindë]] ([[Quenya]] for "The Rock of the Music of Water", because of the fountains of [[Amon Gwareth]]), but in Sindarin this was rendered Gondolin, the [[Hidden Rock]].

After their arrival in the new city, the [[Gondolindrim]] continued to labour in its building, until it was said to rival even Tirion itself. Its walls stood high and white above the plain, and its most prominent feature was the great [[Tower of the King]], where, among the fountains, Turgon himself made [[Glingal]] and [[Belthil]], trees of gold and silver made in memory of the [[Two Trees of Valinor]].

== Description ==
[[Image:Gondolin Plan.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A map of Gondolin based on [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]]'s [[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]]]
Tolkien drew several pictures of Gondolin himself, but his largest description of Gondolin is found in the [[Fall of Gondolin]].

{{quote|...Then they looked up and could see, and lo! they were at the foot of steep hills, and these hills made a great circle wherein lay a wide plain, and set therein, not rightly at the midmost but rather nearer to that place where they stood, was a great hill with a level top, and upon that summit rose a city in the new light of the morning...|Fall of Gondolin ([[Houghton Mifflin]] version page 158)}}

{{quote|...Then did the throng return within the gates and the wanderers with them, and Tuor saw they were of iron and of great height and strength. Now the streets of Gondolin were paved with stone and wide, kerbed [curbed] with marble, and fair houses and courts amid gardens of bright flowers were set about the ways, and many towers of great slenderness and beauty builded of white marble and carved most marvellously rose to the heaven. Squares there were lit with fountains and the home of birds that sang amid the branches of their aged trees, but of all these the greatest was that place where stood the king's palace, and the tower thereof was the loftiest in the city, and the fountains that played before the doors shot twenty fathoms and seven in the air and fell in a singing rain of crystal: therein did the sun glitter splendidly by day, and the moon most magically shimmered by night. The birds that dwelt there were of the whiteness of snow and their voices sweeter than a lullaby of music. On either side of the doors of the palace were two trees, one that bore blossom of gold and the other of silver, nor did they ever fade, for they were shoots of old from the glorious Trees of Valinor that lit those places before Melko and [[Ungoliant|Gloomweaver]] withered them: and those trees the Gondothlim named [[Glingol]] and [[Bansil]]...|Fall of Gondolin (Houghton Mifflin version page 160)}}

In ''History of Middle Earth'', vol. 2 ch. iii the seven names of the city (including Gondolin) are stated. These are: Gondobar (Stone House), Gondothlimbar (House of the Stone Folk), Gwarestrin (Tower of Guard), Gar Thurion (Secret Place), Loth (Flower) and Lothengriol (Plan Flower-Blossom, later changed to Loth-a-Ladwen, or Lily of the Valley).

== The Coming of Maeglin ==
There followed two centuries of happy peace: Morgoth was besieged in the far north of the world, and the people of Gondolin lived undisturbed by the events outside their fair city. At last, though, a seed of discontent appeared: King Turgon's sister [[Aredhel]] determined to leave the city, much against Turgon's wishes, and journey into [[Middle-earth]]. Soon after her departure, her guards returned, and reported that they had lost her in the dark and sorcerous region to the south east of the city, known as [[Nan Dungortheb]].

More than twenty years then passed, and then suddenly Aredhel returned. With her was one who she claimed to be Maeglin, her son by [[Eöl]] the [[Dark Elf]] of [[Nan Elmoth]]. This Maeglin accepted Turgon as lord, but his father Eöl had followed his wife and son to Gondolin and been captured at the entranceway. He was brought before Turgon. Eöl refused to submit to Turgon's authority, and instead chose death for himself and his unwilling son. He threw a poisoned dart to slay Maeglin, but instead struck Aredhel, who fell ill with the poison and died. The body of Eöl was broken on the [[Caragdûr]] for this.

Maeglin, though, had had no part in these evils, and Turgon accepted him, and he grew to be among the great in Gondolin, wise in council, cunning in smithcraft and mighty in battle.

== Two Great Battles ==
[[Image:Jenny Dolfen - Glorfindel and Ecthelion.jpg|thumb|300px|left|''Glorfindel and Ecthelion'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
For more than a hundred years after the deaths of Aredhel and Eöl, Gondolin again had peace. The time was coming, though, when Morgoth would break the [[Siege of Angband]], and the unstoppable doom of the [[Elves]] would fall upon them. One winter's night, the fires of Angband destroyed the leaguer of the Noldor: the Dagor Bragollach. In this disaster, the people of Gondolin played no immediate part.

They were drawn into the events of those years, though, when two young brothers of the race of [[Men]], Húrin and [[Huor]], were cut off from their army and became lost amid the feet of the [[Crissaegrim]]. Thorondor brought them to Turgon. At the bidding of Ulmo, Turgon accepted them, and they remained in Gondolin for almost a year, when they returned to their homes. In this kindly act were the first seeds of Gondolin's destruction, more than fifty years later.

Turgon now devised a new policy for the salvation of the Elves: he began secretly to send his people out westward across the great sea, to seek the land of the [[Valar]] and ask their pardon and aid. None of his mariners succeeded, but this was a wise course, though Turgon never knew it: he was lost long before his grandson [[Eärendil]], aided by a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]], finally succeeded in this task.

As time passed since the destruction of the [[Dagor Bragollach]], the Elves of [[Beleriand]] began to arm for a counterstroke, and Turgon secretly began his own preparations. Fourteen years after the breaking of the [[Siege of Angband]], and some three hundred and fifty since the completion of Gondolin, Turgon rode for the first time to war. Unknown and unbidden by his kin, he rode to their aid with an army of ten thousand. This was to be the great battle that was to become known as the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

== Major Characters in Gondolin ==
* '''[[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]]''', King of Gondolin
** '''[[Idril Celebrindal]]''', daughter of Turgon and wife of Tuor
* '''[[Aredhel]]''', sister of Turgon, wife of [[Eöl]], and mother of Maeglin
*[[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim]]
** '''[[Maeglin]]''', son of Aredhel and Eöl, betrayer of Gondolin, chief of the [[House of the Mole]]
** '''[[Tuor]]''', messenger of [[Ulmo]] and husband of Idril, father of [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]
** '''[[Glorfindel of Gondolin|Glorfindel]]''', chief of the [[House of the Golden Flower]]
** '''[[Galdor of the Tree|Galdor]]''', chief of the [[House of the Tree]]
** '''[[Penlod]]''', marshal of the [[House of the Pillar]] and the [[House of the Tower of Snow]]
** '''[[Duilin of Gondolin|Duilin]]''', master archer and chief of the [[House of the Swallow]]
** '''[[Egalmoth of the Heavenly Arch|Egalmoth]]''', chief of the [[House of the Heavenly Arch]]
** '''[[Salgant]]''', chief of the [[House of the Harp]]
** '''[[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion]]''', chief of the [[House of the Fountain]]
** '''[[Rog]]''', chief of the [[House of the Hammer of Wrath]]

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Gondolin|Images of Gondolin]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Gondolin and Turgon]]

Gondolin

2006-05-25T21:10:07Z

83.23.89.80: 7 names of Gondolin

{{Pronounce|Gondolin.mp3|Ardamir}}
[[Image:Felix Sotomayor - Gondolin.jpg|thumb|200px|''Gondolin'' by [[Felix Sotomayor]]]]
'''Gondolin''' ([[First Age]] c. 126 – 510, existed c. 384 years), the great [[Hidden City]] of [[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]] was concealed from friend and foe alike during the First Age by the [[Encircling Mountains]], and guarded from trespassers by the [[Eagles]] of [[Thorondor]].

In the fiftieth year of the First Age, Turgon journeyed from his halls in [[Nevrast]] with his cousin [[Finrod Felagund|Finrod]]. [[Ulmo]] guided him to the hidden valley of [[Tumladen]], and there he founded Gondolin. The city was completed circa 126, and Turgon's people who had dwelt in Nevrast travelled there secretly.

The city was inviolate for almost four hundred years; Turgon did not break his secret leaguer until the time of the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] in 471, and even after that disastrous battle he was able to return in secret to the city with the aid of [[Húrin Thalion]].

[[Morgoth]]'s servants finally discovered Gondolin through the treachery of [[Maeglin]], and it was sacked in 510 (''Main article: the [[Fall of Gondolin]]''). Turgon was lost in the [[Fall of Gondolin|Fall]] of the city, but some few (including [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]], with their child [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]) escaped the destruction and dwelt as [[Exiles of Gondolin|Exiles]] at the [[Mouths of Sirion]].

== The Building of Gondolin ==
The round valley of [[Tumladen]], within the Encircling Mountains, had originally been a lake, and in its centre stood a hill that had once been an island: [[Amon Gwareth]]. It was here that Turgon decided to found his Hidden City, as a memorial to ancient [[Tirion]] that lay beyond the [[Great Sea]].

The first building of the city took fifty-two years to complete. After this time, the people of Turgon, a great number of [[Noldor]] and [[Sindar]], travelled from Nevrast, where they had dwelt, and secretly entered the valley of Tumladen. Turgon gave his city the name [[Ondolindë]] ([[Quenya]] for "The Rock of the Music of Water", because of the fountains of [[Amon Gwareth]]), but in Sindarin this was rendered Gondolin, the [[Hidden Rock]].

After their arrival in the new city, the [[Gondolindrim]] continued to labour in its building, until it was said to rival even Tirion itself. Its walls stood high and white above the plain, and its most prominent feature was the great [[Tower of the King]], where, among the fountains, Turgon himself made [[Glingal]] and [[Belthil]], trees of gold and silver made in memory of the [[Two Trees of Valinor]].

== Description ==
[[Image:Gondolin Plan.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A map of Gondolin based on [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]]'s [[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]]]
Tolkien drew several pictures of Gondolin himself, but his largest description of Gondolin is found in the [[Fall of Gondolin]].

{{quote|...Then they looked up and could see, and lo! they were at the foot of steep hills, and these hills made a great circle wherein lay a wide plain, and set therein, not rightly at the midmost but rather nearer to that place where they stood, was a great hill with a level top, and upon that summit rose a city in the new light of the morning...|Fall of Gondolin ([[Houghton Mifflin]] version page 158)}}

{{quote|...Then did the throng return within the gates and the wanderers with them, and Tuor saw they were of iron and of great height and strength. Now the streets of Gondolin were paved with stone and wide, kerbed [curbed] with marble, and fair houses and courts amid gardens of bright flowers were set about the ways, and many towers of great slenderness and beauty builded of white marble and carved most marvellously rose to the heaven. Squares there were lit with fountains and the home of birds that sang amid the branches of their aged trees, but of all these the greatest was that place where stood the king's palace, and the tower thereof was the loftiest in the city, and the fountains that played before the doors shot twenty fathoms and seven in the air and fell in a singing rain of crystal: therein did the sun glitter splendidly by day, and the moon most magically shimmered by night. The birds that dwelt there were of the whiteness of snow and their voices sweeter than a lullaby of music. On either side of the doors of the palace were two trees, one that bore blossom of gold and the other of silver, nor did they ever fade, for they were shoots of old from the glorious Trees of Valinor that lit those places before Melko and [[Ungoliant|Gloomweaver]] withered them: and those trees the Gondothlim named [[Glingol]] and [[Bansil]]...|Fall of Gondolin (Houghton Mifflin version page 160)}}

In ''History of Middle Earth'', vol. 2 ch. iii the seven names of the city (including Gondolin) are stated. These are: Gondobar (Stone House), Gondothlimbar (House of the Stone Folk), Gwarestrin (Tower of Guard), Gar Thurion (Secret Place), Loth (Flower) and Lothengriol (Plan Flower-Blossom, later stated as Lily of the Valley).

== The Coming of Maeglin ==
There followed two centuries of happy peace: Morgoth was besieged in the far north of the world, and the people of Gondolin lived undisturbed by the events outside their fair city. At last, though, a seed of discontent appeared: King Turgon's sister [[Aredhel]] determined to leave the city, much against Turgon's wishes, and journey into [[Middle-earth]]. Soon after her departure, her guards returned, and reported that they had lost her in the dark and sorcerous region to the south east of the city, known as [[Nan Dungortheb]].

More than twenty years then passed, and then suddenly Aredhel returned. With her was one who she claimed to be Maeglin, her son by [[Eöl]] the [[Dark Elf]] of [[Nan Elmoth]]. This Maeglin accepted Turgon as lord, but his father Eöl had followed his wife and son to Gondolin and been captured at the entranceway. He was brought before Turgon. Eöl refused to submit to Turgon's authority, and instead chose death for himself and his unwilling son. He threw a poisoned dart to slay Maeglin, but instead struck Aredhel, who fell ill with the poison and died. The body of Eöl was broken on the [[Caragdûr]] for this.

Maeglin, though, had had no part in these evils, and Turgon accepted him, and he grew to be among the great in Gondolin, wise in council, cunning in smithcraft and mighty in battle.

== Two Great Battles ==
[[Image:Jenny Dolfen - Glorfindel and Ecthelion.jpg|thumb|300px|left|''Glorfindel and Ecthelion'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
For more than a hundred years after the deaths of Aredhel and Eöl, Gondolin again had peace. The time was coming, though, when Morgoth would break the [[Siege of Angband]], and the unstoppable doom of the [[Elves]] would fall upon them. One winter's night, the fires of Angband destroyed the leaguer of the Noldor: the Dagor Bragollach. In this disaster, the people of Gondolin played no immediate part.

They were drawn into the events of those years, though, when two young brothers of the race of [[Men]], Húrin and [[Huor]], were cut off from their army and became lost amid the feet of the [[Crissaegrim]]. Thorondor brought them to Turgon. At the bidding of Ulmo, Turgon accepted them, and they remained in Gondolin for almost a year, when they returned to their homes. In this kindly act were the first seeds of Gondolin's destruction, more than fifty years later.

Turgon now devised a new policy for the salvation of the Elves: he began secretly to send his people out westward across the great sea, to seek the land of the [[Valar]] and ask their pardon and aid. None of his mariners succeeded, but this was a wise course, though Turgon never knew it: he was lost long before his grandson [[Eärendil]], aided by a [[Silmarils|Silmaril]], finally succeeded in this task.

As time passed since the destruction of the [[Dagor Bragollach]], the Elves of [[Beleriand]] began to arm for a counterstroke, and Turgon secretly began his own preparations. Fourteen years after the breaking of the [[Siege of Angband]], and some three hundred and fifty since the completion of Gondolin, Turgon rode for the first time to war. Unknown and unbidden by his kin, he rode to their aid with an army of ten thousand. This was to be the great battle that was to become known as the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.

== Major Characters in Gondolin ==
* '''[[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]]''', King of Gondolin
** '''[[Idril Celebrindal]]''', daughter of Turgon and wife of Tuor
* '''[[Aredhel]]''', sister of Turgon, wife of [[Eöl]], and mother of Maeglin
*[[Twelve Houses of the Gondothlim]]
** '''[[Maeglin]]''', son of Aredhel and Eöl, betrayer of Gondolin, chief of the [[House of the Mole]]
** '''[[Tuor]]''', messenger of [[Ulmo]] and husband of Idril, father of [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]
** '''[[Glorfindel of Gondolin|Glorfindel]]''', chief of the [[House of the Golden Flower]]
** '''[[Galdor of the Tree|Galdor]]''', chief of the [[House of the Tree]]
** '''[[Penlod]]''', marshal of the [[House of the Pillar]] and the [[House of the Tower of Snow]]
** '''[[Duilin of Gondolin|Duilin]]''', master archer and chief of the [[House of the Swallow]]
** '''[[Egalmoth of the Heavenly Arch|Egalmoth]]''', chief of the [[House of the Heavenly Arch]]
** '''[[Salgant]]''', chief of the [[House of the Harp]]
** '''[[Ecthelion of the Fountain|Ecthelion]]''', chief of the [[House of the Fountain]]
** '''[[Rog]]''', chief of the [[House of the Hammer of Wrath]]

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Gondolin|Images of Gondolin]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Gondolin and Turgon]]

Uglúk

2006-05-25T17:16:56Z

83.23.89.80:

[[Image:John Howe - Ugluk.jpg|thumb|left|''Ugluk'' by [[John Howe]]]]
[[Image:Peter Jackson's Ugluk.jpg|thumb|[[Nathaniel Lees]] as Uglúk in [[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]]]]
'''Uglúk''' (died February 29, 3019, [[Third Age]]) was an [[Uruks|Uruk]] in the service of [[Saruman]] during the [[War of the Ring]]. He led the [[Orcs|orc-band]] that captured [[Merry Brandybuck]] and [[Pippin Took]] at [[Parth Galen]] and was later slain by the [[éored]] of [[Éomer]].

In [[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]], Uglúk was portrayed by [[Nathaniel Lees]].

[[Category:Uruk-Hai]]
[[Category:Isengard and Saruman]]

Húrin Thalion

2006-05-25T17:04:38Z

83.23.89.80: /* Geneology */

''(For other characters see [[Húrin|Húrin (disambiguation)]])''
{{Pronounce|Hurin Thalion.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Húrin''' ([[First Age]] 439 – c. 500, aged c. 61 years), known as '''Thalian''', or "Steadfast". He was the eldest son of [[Galdor]] and [[Hareth]], older brother of [[Huor]], father of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], and [[Lord of Dor-lómin]]. Húrin was captured by [[Morgoth]] at the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] ("Battle of Unnumbered Tears") and he and his kin were cursed by the Dark Lord. The curse led to some of the greatest succeses and tragedies of the First Age. [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] called him the greatest warrior of men in the First Age.

== Early Years ==
The grandson of [[Hador]], founder of the [[House of Hador]], was raised with his younger brother Tuor in the forest of Brethil. In 458, the brothers joined a war party but were seperated and trapped in the Vale of Sirion. The Vala [[Ulmo]] caused a mist to rise and the two escaped into [[Dimbar]]. From there, [[Eagles]] flew them to the gates of the hidden city [[Gondolin]]. King [[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]] welcomed the brothers, remembering a prophecy that the children of Hador would aid Gondolin during its darkest hour. They remained with Turgon for a time and, after swearing an oath of secrecy, were returned to Dor-lómin sometime before 462.

== Lord of Dor-lómin ==
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Morgoth Punishes Húrin.jpg|thumb|''Morgoth Punishes Húrin'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
In 462 orcs invaded Hithlim and Galdor was slain defending the fortress of [[Barad Eithel]]. Húrin drove off the orcs and returned to rule Dor-lómin. Two years later he married [[Morwen]] of the [[House of Bëor]]. Their son Túrin was born shortly thereafter, followed by a daughter, Urwen. Urwen, better known as Lalaith ("Laughter"), died of the plague when she was three.

In 472, the alliance known as [[Union of Maedhros]] led elves, dwarves, and men to assault Morgoth in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] ("The Battle of Unnumbered Tears"). A debacle, High King Fingon and his host were seperated from the other half of the army and Fingon himself was slain by a [[Balrog]]. With their liege lord slain and facing a rout, Húrin and Huor convinced King Turgon to withdraw and keep the secret of Gondolin. To defend his escape, the soldiers of Dor-lómin formed a line across the [[Fen of Serech]] and were slaughtered by the forces of Morgoth. Huor was slain by an arrow through the eye, but Húrin fought on until he was buried under the weight of bodies of orcs and trolls.

Captured, Húrin was brought before Morgoth and tortured for the secret of Gondolin's location. When he would not break, Morgoth cursed him and all his kin. The Dark Lord then chained Húrin to a chair high on the slopes of [[Thangorodrim]] where, through Morgoth's sorcery, he could watch the tragedies the would befall his family.

== The Curse of Morgoth ==
For 28 years, Húrin watched the curse destroy his children. His daughter, [[Nienor Níniel]], was born shortly after his capture and was trapped in the doom of Túrin. Their actions also led to the destruction of [[Nargothrond]], one of the last kingdoms of the Noldor. Now only Gondolin remained.

In 499, after the death of his children, Morgoth freed Húrin. The broken man first returned to Dor-lómin, which was now ruled by Easterlings loyal to Morgoth. Finding none of his kin, he traveled with outlaws to the mountains of [[Echoriath]], searching for the entrance to Gondolin. At first Turgon refused him, but later recanted and sent Eagles to bring him to Gondolin. Húrin had already left for the Forest of Brethil, but Morgoth's curse had already ensnared Gondolin, for the Dark Lord's spies now knew the location of the [[Gondolin|Hidden Kingdom]].
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Húrin Finds Morwen.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Húrin Finds Morwen'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

In the Forest of Brethil he found the graves of his children. His wife, Morwen, arrived shortly thereafter, but died at the mound. After burying his wife, Húrin went to the settlement of [[Ephel Brandir]], the home of the [[People of Haleth]], with whom Túrin lived the last years of his life. Angry and grieving, he turned the People of Haleth against one another and ruined Ephel Brandir.

Taking the outlaws with him, Húrin continued on to the ruins of Nargothrond, where he found the [[Petty-dwarves|Petty-dwarf]] [[Mîm]]. The petty-dwarf had betrayed Túrin years ago and in revenge Húrin slaughtered him. Mîm had claimed the treasure of Nargothrond, and Húrin gathered it to take to [[Doriath]], the last great elvish kingdom.

Húrin was allowed to enter [[Menegroth]], the capital of Doriath, where in anger he threw the treasure before King [[Thingol]] and 'thanked' him for aiding his son. This infuriated the outlaws, who tried to take the gold back and were killed by Thingol's guards. Thingol's wife, [[Melian]], finally pierced through Húrin's madness and grief, and shamed by his actions, he left Menegroth a broken man. Húrin left the treasure, however, and the curse of Morgoth would later consume Doriath as well.

== Death and Legacy ==
Around First Age 500, Húrin reached the [[Great Sea]] and in dispair drowned himself. His life, and the lives of his children would become the ''[[Narn i Chîn Húrin]]'' ("Lay of the Children of Húrin"), one of the stories in the [[Unfinished Tales]]. An abbreviated version is also included in [[The Silmarillion]], entitled ''[[Of Túrin Turambar]]''. Yet another version, the ''Wanderings of Húrin'' detail the end of Húrin's life. The style, though, is radically different than the other two versions, and so was published separately in [[The War of the Jewels]], volume 11 of [[The History of Middle-earth]] series.

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Baragund]] [[Galdor of Dor-lómin|Galdor]] = [[Hareth]]
| |
| ______|______
| | |
| | |
[[Morwen Eledhwen|Morwen]] = '''HÚRIN''' [[Huor]] = [[Rían]]
| |
______|_______ |
| | | |
| [[Lalaith]] | |
| | |
[[Túrin Turambar|Túrin]] = [[Nienor]] [[Tuor]] = [[Idril]]
|
|
[[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]
</code>

== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Húrin|Images of Húrin]]

[[Category:Edain]]

Folco Boffin

2006-05-25T17:03:32Z

83.23.89.80:

[[Category:Hobbits]][[Category:Boffin]]
'''Folco Boffin''', son of [[Vigo Boffin]], was born in T.A. 1378 and
was a friend of [[Frodo Baggins]] in the [[Shire]]. He assisted with his removal to [[Buckland]].

He left no further records, and his date of death is not known.

Vigo Boffin

2006-05-25T17:01:32Z

83.23.89.80:

'''Vigo Boffin''' was the son of Jago Boffin and and unnamed mother. He was born in T.A. 1337 and died in 1430. He was the father to [[Folco Boffin]].

[[Category: Hobbits]]
[[Category: Boffin]]

Glaurung

2006-05-25T16:57:14Z

83.23.89.80:

{{Pronounce|Glaurung.mp3|Ardamir}}
Known as the Deceiver, '''Glaurung''' was a land-bound fire-breathing [[Dragons|Dragon]].[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Glaurung was a very powerful and cunning dragon, and he used his abilities to achieve his desired ends without resorting to direct physical violence (which he was equally proficient at). Glaurung was much more cunning than [[Sauron]] and [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs|Gothmog]], his major contemporaries in the hierarchy of [[Morgoth]]. It was his nature to trick and deceive, and to spread lies and deceptions so cleverly that they could not be discovered until it was too late. In this manner, he accomplished much more damage than he could have with brute force, and caused the destruction of the [[Elves|Elven]] stronghold of [[Nargothrond]] and the suicide of mankind's greatest hero to date, [[Túrin Turambar]]. He caused amnesia in Túrin's sister [[Nienor Níniel]], and since she had never met her brother, they eventually married. However, Glaurung himself was slain by Túrin before he committed suicide.

[[Image:Guy Gondron - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Guy Gondron]]]]
Glaurung was called the Father of Dragons. It is not known with certainty, but it is largely suspected that he sired the rest of his race (or at least of his own sub-species, the Urulóki: wingless firebreathing dragons). He was bred by Morgoth from some unknown stock and was the first dragon to appear outside of [[Angband]]. This first appearance occurred during the Siege of Angband, when he came forth to attack, but too early because he was still young and immature. He was defeated and driven back to Angband by mounted Elven archers.

After the sack of Nargothrond, he made a nest of treasure in the abandoned tunnels of the city. It is likely that he is the dragon that appears in Tolkien's poem "The Hoard" in ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'', which seems to be based on the events at Nargothrond.

In earlier versions of the legendarium, he was called ''Glómund''.

===See Also===
* [[:Category:Images of Glaurung|Images of Glaurung]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Dragons]]

Glaurung

2006-05-25T16:55:53Z

83.23.89.80:

{{Pronounce|Glaurung.mp3|Ardamir}}
Known as the Deceiver, '''Glaurung''' was a land-bound fire-breathing [[Dragons|Dragon]].[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Glaurung was a very powerful and cunning dragon, and he used his abilities to achieve his desired ends without resorting to direct physical violence (which he was equally proficient at). Glaurung was much more cunning than [[Sauron]] and [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs|Gothmog]], his major contemporaries in the hierarchy of [[Morgoth]]. It was his nature to trick and deceive, and to spread lies and deceptions so cleverly that they could not be discovered until it was too late. In this manner, he accomplished much more damage than he could have with brute force, and caused the destruction of the [[Elves|Elven]] stronghold of [[Nargothrond]] and the suicide of mankind's greatest hero to date, [[Túrin Turambar]]. He caused amnesia in Túrin's sister [[Nienor Níniel]], and since they had never met, they eventually married. However, Glaurung himself was slain by Túrin before he committed suicide.

[[Image:Guy Gondron - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Guy Gondron]]]]
Glaurung was called the Father of Dragons. It is not known with certainty, but it is largely suspected that he sired the rest of his race (or at least of his own sub-species, the Uruloki: wingless firebreathing dragons). He was bred by Morgoth from some unknown stock and was the first dragon to appear outside of [[Angband]]. This first appearance occurred during the Siege of Angband, when he came forth to attack, but too early because he was still young and immature. He was defeated and driven back to Angband by mounted Elven archers.

After the sack of Nargothrond, he made a nest of treasure in the abandoned tunnels of the city. It is likely that he is the dragon that appears in Tolkien's poem "The Hoard" in ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'', which seems to be based on the events at Nargothrond.

In earlier versions of the legendarium, he was called ''Glómund''.

===See Also===
* [[:Category:Images of Glaurung|Images of Glaurung]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Dragons]]

Glómund

2006-05-25T16:55:13Z

83.23.89.80:

#REDIRECT [[Glaurung]]

Glaurung

2006-05-25T16:54:42Z

83.23.89.80:

{{Pronounce|Glaurung.mp3|Ardamir}}
Known as the Deceiver, '''Glaurung''' was a land-bound fire-breathing [[Dragons|Dragon]].[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Glaurung was a very powerful and cunning dragon, and he used his abilities to achieve his desired ends without resorting to direct physical violence (which he was equally proficient at). Glaurung was much more cunning than [[Sauron]] and [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs|Gothmog]], his major contemporaries in the hierarchy of [[Morgoth]]. It was his nature to trick and deceive, and to spread lies and deceptions so cleverly that they could not be discovered until it was too late. In this manner, he accomplished much more damage than he could have with brute force, and caused the destruction of the [[Elves|Elven]] stronghold of [[Nargothrond]] and the suicide of mankind's greatest hero to date, [[Túrin Turambar]]. He caused amnesia in Túrin's sister [[Nienor Níniel]], and since they had never met, they eventually married. However, Glaurung himself was slain by Túrin before he committed suicide.

[[Image:Guy Gondron - The Slaying of Glaurung.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Slaying of Glaurung'' by [[Guy Gondron]]]]
Glaurung was called the Father of Dragons. It is not known with certainty, but it is largely suspected that he sired the rest of his race (or at least of his own sub-species, the Uruloki: wingless firebreathing dragons). He was bred by Morgoth from some unknown stock and was the first dragon to appear outside of [[Angband]]. This first appearance occurred during the Siege of Angband, when he came forth to attack, but too early because he was still young and immature. He was defeated and driven back to Angband by mounted Elven archers.

After the sack of Nargothrond, he made a nest of treasure in the abandoned tunnels of the city. It is likely that he is the dragon that appears in Tolkien's poem "The Hoard" in ''[[The Adventures of Tom Bombadil]]'', which seems to be based on the events at Nargothrond.

In earlier versions of the legendarium, he was called [[Glómund]].

===See Also===
* [[:Category:Images of Glaurung|Images of Glaurung]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Dragons]]

Glomund

2006-05-25T16:53:37Z

83.23.89.80:

#REDIRECT [[Glaurung]]

Fëanor

2006-05-25T16:47:58Z

83.23.89.80:

[[Image:Feanor Heraldic Device.jpg|left|100px]][[Image:Catherine Karina Chmiel - Feanor.jpg|thumb|300px|''Fëanor'' by [[Catherine Karina Chmiel]]]]
'''Fëanor''' ([[Years of the Trees]] – [[First Age]] 1) was a king of the [[Noldor]], one of the [[Elves|Elven]] kindreds that departed [[Middle-earth]] to live among the [[Valar]] in [[Valinor]]. Fëanor was the greatest of the Noldor, a renowned craftsman, gem-smith, and warrior, the maker of the [[Silmarils]] and the inventor of the [[Tengwar]] script. He may also have made the [[palantíri]]. His hatred of [[Morgoth]] and terrible [[Oath of Fëanor|oath]] directly led to the great triumphs and tragedies of the First Age.

==Life in Valinor==
{{Pronounce|Feanor.mp3|Ardamir}}
He was the eldest son of [[Finwë]], the [[High King of the Noldor]], and his first wife [[Míriel Serindë|Míriel Þerindë]]. Fëanor drew so much of Míriel's life energy when he was born that she grew weary of life, and departed to [[Lórien in Valinor|Lórien]], where she voluntarily left her corporeal form, and died. Finwë remarried, and had two more sons, Fëanor's half-brothers [[Fingolfin]] and [[Finarfin]], and two daughters, [[Daughters of Finwë|Findis]] and [[Daughters of Finwë|Irimë]]. Fëanor wedded [[Nerdanel]], daughter of [[Mahtan]], who bore him [[Sons of Fëanor|seven sons]]: [[Maedhros]], [[Maglor]], [[Celegorm]], [[Caranthir]], [[Curufin]], [[Amrod]] and [[Amras]].

Fëanor's story resonates with the "wicked stepmother" theme, although Indis was not wicked; Fëanor hated her and his family lived apart from Indis and her children.

At this time, [[Melkor]], the mightiest of the Valar and source of evil, had deceived the Valar into thinking that he had repented of his evil ways. Pardoned and residing in Valinor, he undertook to corrupt the Noldor and succeeded in making them instruments of his malice, particularly Fëanor. But Fëanor greatly mistrusted Melkor, which was part of Melkor's plan.

In the greatest of his achievements, Fëanor captured the light of the [[Two Trees]] to make the three Silmarils, also called the Great Jewels. He prized the Silmarils above all else, and grew increasingly suspicious that the Valar and other Eldar coveted them. He either vainly displayed the jewels or jealously guarded them from all except his immediate family.

Melkor greatly desired the Silmarils and his hatred for Fëanor grew, but the Valar still did not know of Melkor's true intentions. Melkor played upon Fëanor's temperament and pride to convince him that his own half-brother Fingolfin was not only planning to usurp his place as heir to Finwë, but also seize the jewels for himself. Fëanor's hostility grew to the point to where he threatened Fingolfin's life. (It was at this time that the Noldor first began to forge weapons.) For this, the Valar exiled him to Formenos. He took a substantial treasure with him, including the Silmarils, which he put in a locked box. In a show of support for his eldest son, Finwë withdrew to Formenos.

The Valar realized that Melkor was behind Fëanor's actions. They sent [[Tulkas]] to imprison him again, but he could not be found. Melkor was not seen for a long time, until he unexpectedly showed up at Formenos. Since with Finwë and Fëanor's absence Fingolfin had become king, it seemed that Melkor's lies were true. Melkor tried again to convince Fëanor of them, but he erred, and Fëanor realized that Melkor's true goal was to obtain the Simarils. He shut the door in Melkor's face. In a rage, Melkor left. When the Valar heard of the incident, they started the hunt up again. But it was apparent that Melkor had fled from Valinor. He feigned to go north, but then turned south.

After a time the Valar sought to mend the breach between Fëanor and Fingolfin, and invited them to Valinor to make peace. Fingolfin offered a hand to his half-brother, recognizing Fëanor's place as the eldest, which he grudgingly accepted.

Meanwhile, Melkor stole away to [[Avathar]] in the south of Aman to seek out the evil, spider-like creature [[Ungoliant]]. Ungoliant helped Morgoth destroy the Two Trees, bringing darkness to Valinor. Morgoth and Ungoliant then went to Formenos, slew Finwë, and took all the gems there, including the Silmarils. They escaped by crossing the [[Helcaraxë]], or Grinding Ice, in the north to [[Beleriand]] in Middle-earth.

It was during the festivities where Fëanor and Fingolfin were being reconciled that the Trees were destroyed. The Valar knew that now the light of the Trees survived only in the Silmarils and [[Yavanna]] asked Fëanor to give them up so that they could restore the Trees. Fëanor emphatically stated that he would not give up his Silmarils of his own free will; if the Valar forced him, he said, they would be no better than Melkor. It was after this that the messenger came telling of the raid at Formenos.

According to the messenger, Melkor, surrounded by an inpenetratable black fog, had come to Fëanor's vault in Formenos. Finwë the High King fought and lost against Melkor, and was the first elf to be slain in Valinor. Melkor ransacked the vault, taking many valuable jewels. Most notably, he was responsible for the thievery of the Silmarils.

==The Return of the Ñoldor==
[[Image:Felix Sotomayor - Feanor.jpg|thumb|200px|left|''Fëanor'' by [[Felix Sotomayor]].]]
The Valar and Eldar now fully understood the extent of Melkor's treachery. Fëanor, upon learning of his father's murder and the theft of his prized Silmarils, named Melkor "Morgoth", or "Black Enemy". Now King of the Ñoldor, Fëanor delivered the most impassioned speech ever given in Arda, which he unwittingly filled with Morgoth's taint. He railed against the Dark Lord, but because of Morgoth's influence, he also blamed the Valar for Morgoth's deeds. He persuaded most his people that because the Valar had abandoned them, the Ñoldor must follow him to Middle-earth and fight the Dark Lord. Fëanor then swore the terrible [[oath of Fëanor]] which all seven of his sons also proclaimed, vowing to fight anyone and everyone—whether Elf, Man, Maia, or Vala—who withheld the Silmarils, and invoking even [[Ilúvatar]] as a witness. This became known as the Oath of Fëanor and later the cause for great tragedy among his seven sons.

Seeking a way to get to Middle-earth, he went to the shores of Aman, where the seafaring [[Teleri]] lived, and demanded the use of their ships. The Teleri refused, and in response, Fëanor and his armed and impassioned Ñoldor attacked the lightly-armed Teleri, destroyed their settlements and seized the ships.

In repentance of this act, Finarfin, Finwë's third son, took his host and turned back. They were accepted by the Valar, and Finarfin ruled as High-King of the Noldor in Valinor.

There were not enough ships to carry all of the Ñoldor across the sea, so Fëanor and his sons led the first group. Upon arriving at Losgar, in the land of Lammoth, in the far west of Beleriand, where Morgoth and Ungoliant had passed not long before, they decided to burn the ships and leave the followers of Fingolfin behind. However, Fëanor accidentally left his son Amras in the ships, and he was burned alive. The earth being flat in those days, the remaining Noldor saw the flames, and perceived that if they were to go to Middle-earth, they had no choice but to cross the Helcaraxë. This they did under the leadership of Fingolfin, and suffered great losses along the way, which greatly added to the animosity they had for Fëanor and his sons.

Learning of the Noldor's arrival, Morgoth summoned his armies from his fortress of [[Angband]] and attacked Fëanor's encampment in [[Mithrim]]. This battle was called the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] ("Battle under the Stars"), for the Sun and Moon had not yet been made. The Ñoldor managed to win the battle and disperse Morgoth's armies. Fëanor, still in a great rage, pressed on toward Angband with his sons. He came even within sight of Angband, but was ambushed by a force of [[Balrogs]], with few elves about him. He fought mightily, hewing even after receiving several wounds from [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs]]. His sons came upon the balrogs with great force of elves, and were able to drive them off. However, as Fëanor was being escorted off the battlefield, he knew his wounds were mortal. He cursed Angband thrice, but with the eyes of death, he knew that his elves, unaided, would never throw down the dark towers. At the moment of his death the passing of his fiery spirit reduced his body to ashes.

His sons were still bound by the Oath to recover the Silmarils, which would determine the events of Middle-earth during the First Age.

== Etymology ==
Fëanor's [[father-name]] was '''Curufinwë''' ("Skillful [son of] Finwë"). He later gave his favorite son [[Curufin]] the same father-name. His [[mother-name]] was '''Fëanáro''' ("Spirit of Fire"). The name Fëanor is the [[Sindarin]] version of his mother-name.

== Geneology ==
<code>
[[Finwë]] = [[Míriel Serindë|Míriel]]
|
|
'''FËANOR''' = [[Nerdanel]]
|
_________________|________________________________________________
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | |
[[Maedhros]] [[Maglor]] [[Celegorm]] [[Caranthir]] [[Curufin]] [[Amrod]] [[Amras]]
|
|
[[Celebrimbor]]
</code>

== External Links ==
* [http://www.minastirith.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000635 What do you think of Fëanor?] - Dicussion on MinasTirith.com

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:House of Finwë]]