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Talk:Dunharrow

2026-06-04T18:08:25Z

Ed8r: /* spelling in etymology */ new section

== spelling in etymology ==

I believe that both of the following ought to be shown using the ligature form of the letters a and e

(or Dūnhaerg), . . . element of the name is haerg

[[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 18:08, 4 June 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Vidugavia

2026-05-25T15:34:25Z

Ed8r: /* error? or variant? */ new section

== error? or variant? ==

Discussion of etymology includes the following:

''gavia'' ("someone from a disctrict")

Is the spelling ''disc-'' just a typo? If so, it repeats twice and should be corrected. I have no access to the orignal book, so I cannot check against the published essay for accuracy.
[[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:34, 25 May 2026 (UTC)

Hirgon

2026-05-16T19:23:46Z

Ed8r: /* Other versions of the legendarium */ Théoden

{{infobox character
| people=[[Gondorians|Gondorian]]
| name=Hirgon
| image=Paula DiSante - The Red Arrow.jpg
| caption="The Red Arrow" by [[Paula DiSante]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=Errand-rider of [[Denethor]]
| location=[[Gondor]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=Late [[Third Age]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=probably [[12 March|March 12]], {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=probably [[Anórien]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| hair=
| eyes=Grey
| clothing=Dark-green cloak, fine mailcoat, helm with a small silver star
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Hirgon''' was an emissary of [[Gondor]] who presented the [[Red Arrow]] to [[Théoden]] King of [[Rohan]].

==History==
Hirgon was a mounted messenger that was sent by Steward [[Denethor]] from [[Minas Tirith]] to King Théoden of Rohan during the [[War of the Ring]], expecting assault from [[Sauron]] against [[Gondor]].<ref name="Muster">{{RK|Muster}}, pp. 798-801</ref>

Hirgon arrived with a companion in [[Dunharrow]] on [[9 March]] {{TA|3019}}.<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 9, p. 1093</ref> He introduced himself as an errand-rider of Denethor and presented the Red Arrow to King Théoden and told him that Denethor asked him to send the Rohirrim all of his forces as quickly as possible to Minas Tirith to help to defend it. When asked by Théoden if Denethor knew more than he said in his message, Hirgon said that he could not say what Denethor may know or guess. Théoden promised him to come himself with his troops of six thousand Riders would set out for Minas Tirith in the morning, and told to stay until the next day to witness the muster of the troops of Rohan, but that they would not reach Minas Tirith for a week. After witnessing the muster and discussing the necessary provisions for the Rohirrim for their ride, Hirgon and his companion rode back to Gondor on the next day.<ref name="Muster" />

However on their way back they found their deaths. Reached the [[Rammas Echor]], they could not pass through it to reach their city, perhaps because of hostile forces; the two turned back westwards when they were killed between the Grey Wood and the [[Rammas Echor]]. His head was hewn off, still clutching the Red Arrow.<ref name="Ride" />

On [[14 March]] {{TA|3019}}<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, March 14, p. 1093</ref> the riders of Rohan reached the Grey Wood and camped there. [[Elfhelm]] reported to Théoden that scouts found two Gondorian dead messengers and two dead horses between the Grey Wood and the Rammas Echor, and that maybe one of them was Hirgon, because the corpse's head had been hewn off, but the Red Arrow was still held in his hand. They found signs that indicated that the two message riders of Gondor were riding back westwards when they were killed; in the opinion of Elfhelm the two message riders of Gondor reached the Rammas [[12 March|two days earlier]] (supposing they obtained fresh horses from the posts as message riders usually did), but that they could not pass through it to reach Minas Tirith, because it had either already been taken by or was already under attack by the forces of Sauron and that the two riders had turned back westwards. As a result Théoden concluded that Denethor had not received his message that the Riders of Rohan were coming and would despair that the Rohirrim would not come to help Minas Tirith.<ref name="Ride">{{RK|Ride}}, p. 835</ref>

==Characteristics==
Hirgon was a grey-eyed tall man. When [[Merry]] first saw him he thought he was [[Boromir]], but then realised that he looked like as if he were one of his kin. Hirgon wore a dark green cloak over a mailcoat with a helm with a small silver star on its front. His companion was shorter and broader and dressed like him and looked to Merry to be like Hirgon.<ref name="Muster" />

==Etymology==
'''''Hirgon''''' is apparently a [[Sindarin]] name of unclear meaning. David Salo suggested it might be a combination of ''[[hîr]]'' ("lord")<ref>{{L|297}}, paragraph about the name ''Rohan''</ref><ref>{{L|211}}, paragraph about the names ''Elrohir, Elladan''</ref> and ''-gon'' ("commander").<ref>{{PM|XINotes}}, note 36</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-2773334915.html|articlename=S. ''Hirgon'' m.|website=Eldamo|accessed=12 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{HM|GS}}, entry '''Hirgon''', p. 352</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the first very rough draft version of the chapter ''The Muster of Rohan'' the messenger that was sent by Denethor to Théoden is briefly mentioned as "Halbarad sister-son of Denethor". In that draft it is not mentioned that he introduced himself to Théoden or that he is questioned by Théoden if Denethor knew more than he said.<ref>{{WR|II}}, ''(ii) The Muster of Rohan'', original draft 'A', p. 236</ref> It is possible that J.R.R. Tolkien abandoned the idea that the messenger was the son of the sister of Denethor, because it is not mentioned in the subsequent versions and he simply introduces himself as an errand-rider of Denethor and responds to Théoden's question that he cannot say what Denethor may know or guess in the published version.

In ''The Lord of the Rings'' drafts from the 1940s, this character was first named ''Dirgon''.<ref>{{WR|3|V}}, p. 316</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Hirgon is provided by Roman Pomajbo.

[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Hirgon.jpg|thumb|Hirgon's body in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Hirgon's body can be found outside the northern wall of the Rammas in the pre-battle version of Minas Tirith. The player learns that Denethor had seen the body of the messenger in the palantir and had come to the believe that Hirgon had never even reached Rohan and that no aid would come to the city.

{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Hirgon]]
[[fi:Hirgon]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/dunedain/gondoriens/hirgon]]

Talk:Holdwine

2026-03-25T15:38:54Z

Ed8r: /* name "Holdwine of the Shire" */ Reply

==name "Holdwine of the Shire"==

Nowhere does the footnote to Éomer Éadig identify the character of Merry with this phrase. Yes, the name Holdwine is included, but not a reference to "annals" nor to the Shire (although his title of Master of Buckland certainly confirms he is from the Shire).
[[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 17:22, 22 March 2026 (UTC)

:The sources clearly specify that Meriadoc Brandybuck had received the name Holdwine (or "Holdwine of the Mark") from Éomer, so the character of Merry is identified with the name Holdwine (or "Holdwine of the Mark)". From the footnote for Éomer Éadig in the section The Kings of the Mark in Appendix A Annals of the Kings and Rulers in LOTR: "For it is said in the songs of the Mark that in this deed éowyn had the aid of Théoden’s esquire, and that he also was not a Man but a Halfling out of a far country, though éomer gave him honour in the Mark and the name of Holdwine.[This Holdwine was none other than Meriadoc the Magnificent who was Master of Buckland.]" From the chapter Many Partings of LOTR "At the last before the guests set out Éomer and Éowyn came to Merry, and they said: ‘Farewell now, Meriadoc of the Shire and Holdwine of the Mark! Ride to good fortune, and ride back soon to our welcome!’". From the entry for the year 1484 S.R. (Shire Reckoning) in Appendix B The Tale of Years in LOTR: "In the spring of the year a message came from Rohan to Buckland that King Éomer wished to see Master Holdwine once again. Meriadoc was then old (102) but still hale. He took counsel with his friend the Thain, and soon after they handed over their goods and offices to their sons and rode away over the Sarn Ford, and they were not seen again in the Shire. It was heard after that Master Meriadoc came to Edoras and was with King Éomer before he died in that autumn.". --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhôrahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 15:12, 25 March 2026 (UTC)

:The fact that Meriadoc received the name Holdwine from Éomer is based on annals of the Kingdom of Rohan or on other material collected by Meriadoc. The information in "Appendix A Annals of the Kings and Rulers" and "Appendix B The Tale of Years" is from copies or summaries of histories or legends relating to Elendil and his heirs. Appendix B was made "with the assistance of material collected by Meriadoc". The first sentence of Appendix A reads "Concerning the sources for most of the matter contained in the following Appendices, especially A to D, see the note at the end of the Prologue." The beginning of the last paragraph of the Note on the Shire Records in the Prologue of LOTR starts with "At Great Smials the books were of less interest to Shire-folk, though more important for larger history. None of them was written by Peregrin, but he and his successors collected many manuscripts written by scribes of Gondor: mainly copies or summaries of histories or legends relating to Elendil and his heirs. Only here in the Shire were to be found extensive materials for the history of Núng of Sauron. It was probably at Great Smials that The Tale of Years was put together, with the assistance of material collected by Meriadoc." --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhôrahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 15:12, 25 March 2026 (UTC)
::Sigh. Yes, thank you, I know all that. I read it and re-read it looking for more specific information before I ever posted my comment. But I now find that it is in HoME that we're told "For this matter the authority of Holdwine is often cited...". And it is there that it is said "...material is very extensive, even though it is often set out in brief and annalistic form...". So shouldn't this page acknowledge that source?
::(btw, you might want to correct what happened in your note where it was supposed to say "Númenor and the arising of Sauron.") [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:38, 25 March 2026 (UTC)

Meriadoc Brandybuck

2026-03-22T18:21:51Z

Ed8r: /* After the war */

{{short description|Member of the Fellowship & Esquire of Théoden}}{{header image|shire}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Meriadoc Brandybuck
| image=Jenny Dolfen - Master Holbytla.jpg
| caption="Master Holbytla" by [[Jenny Dolfen]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Merry, "the Magnificent", [[Kalimac Brandagamba]], [[Holdwine|Holdwine of the Shire]]
| titles=[[Master of Buckland]], Knight of Rohan, Esquire of [[Théoden]]
| position=
| location=[[Brandy Hall]], [[Buckland]]
| affiliation=[[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language=
| birth=Early {{TA|2982}}
| birthlocation=[[Buckland]]
| rule={{FoA|11}} - {{FoA|63|n}}
| death=Between {{FoA|63}} and {{FoA|120|n}}
| deathlocation=[[Gondor]]
| age=103+
| notablefor=Accompanying [[Frodo Baggins]] in the early stages of the Ring-quest Participating in the slaying of the [[Witch-King of Angmar]] Co-leading the [[Battle of Bywater]] with [[Peregrin Took]] Writing ''[[Herblore of the Shire]]''
| family=[[Brandybuck Family|Brandybuck]]
| parentage=[[Saradoc Brandybuck]] and [[Esmeralda Took]]
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Estella Bolger]]
| children=At least one son<ref name=later/>
| gender=Male
| height=Taller than average Hobbit
| hair=Brown, curly<ref name="Isengard">{{TT|Road}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=[[Daggers of Westernesse|Dagger of Westernesse]]
| steed=[[Stybba]]
}}
{{Quote|Take your sword and bear it unto good fortune!|[[Théoden]] to Merry, ''[[The Return of the King]]'', "[[The Passing of the Grey Company]]"}}

'''Meriadoc ''"Merry"'' Brandybuck''', called '''''The Magnificent''''', was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]], the son of [[Saradoc Brandybuck]].<ref name="tree">{{App|Brandybuck}}</ref> He was one of the four Hobbits in the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] and later became the Knight of Rohan, participating in the slaying of the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]] alongside Lady [[Éowyn]].

Merry was an heir to the [[Brandybuck Family|Brandybucks]] of [[Brandy Hall]]. After his participation to the [[War of the Ring]], he eventually inherited the [[Master of Buckland|Mastership]] in [[Buckland]] after his father's death.

==History==
Meriadoc was the son of [[Saradoc Brandybuck|Saradoc]] and [[Esmeralda Took|Esmeralda]]. Claiming descent from [[Gorhendad Oldbuck]], he also had [[Took Family|Tookish]] blood through his mother, and also his father's grandmother, [[Mirabella Took]]. He was also first cousins with Peregrin Took.<ref name="tree" /> With him they wandered in the [[Marish]] and were friends of [[Farmer Maggot]].<ref name="mushrooms" />

Around {{TA|3000}} Merry witnessed a strange scene: he saw [[Bilbo Baggins]] becoming invisible in order to avoid a meeting with the [[Sackville-Bagginses]]. Startled, he got through the hedge and walked along the field inside, and watched as Bilbo reappeared, and put a [[The One Ring|glint of gold]] in his pocket. This made teenage Meriadoc very curious and he even looked into Bilbo's [[There and Back Again|private diary]].<ref name="Conspiracy" />

Merry kept this knowledge private but was always suspicious. He was present with his family at [[Bilbo's Farewell Party]]<ref name="tree" /> and [[23 September|the next day]] of Bilbo's disappearance, [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] had a hard day keeping his things from unwanted hobbits who came to loot [[Bag End]], and put Merry to keep an eye on them in order to rest; until the [[Sackville-Baggins Family|Sackville-Bagginses]] came to Merry demanding to see Frodo. Later [[Lobelia Sackville-Baggins|Lobelia]] left angrily calling Frodo a "Brandybuck", which Merry said was a compliment.<ref>{{FR|Party}}</ref>

Since Bilbo's disappearance, he believed that Frodo would soon follow. He shared his secrets with [[Conspirators|a group of Frodo's friends]], namely [[Samwise Gamgee]], [[Peregrin Took]], [[Fredegar Bolger]]. Especially after [[April]] {{TA|3018}} he noticed how Frodo was saying "farewell" to his favourite places, selling [[Bag End]] to the [[Sackville-Bagginses]], and secretive talks with [[Gandalf]]. All along, Sam Gamgee had been their "chief investigator". He heard Gandalf's instructions to Frodo for his departure,<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref> and warned his friends about it.<ref name="Conspiracy" />
[[File:Abe_Papakhian_-_A_Conspiracy_Unmasked.jpg|thumb|left|Abe Papakhian - ''A Conspiracy Unmasked'']]
The Conspirators, sought to protect Frodo (and [[The One Ring|the Ring]]) without his knowledge. When Frodo sold [[Bag End]] to move to [[Crickhollow]], Merry and Fredegar were told to wait for him and make preparations for his arrival.<ref>{{FR|Three}}</ref> However, knowing that Frodo would begin a secret journey, also arranged for provisions and [[ponies]], planning to accompany him. On the [[September 25|appointed day]], Merry was worried that Frodo was late and as the fog was getting thick, he crossed the [[Bucklebury Ferry]] towards [[Stock]] to see if his friends were lost; just as he crossed, he saw [[Farmer Maggot]]'s wagon approaching, bringing Frodo, Sam and Pippin.<ref name="mushrooms">{{FR|Mushrooms}}</ref>

After dinner in Crickhollow, Frodo prepared to reveal to his friends that he was going to have to leave Crickhollow and go to [[Rivendell]]. It was then that the conspirators revealed themselves to Frodo and demanded to be taken along when he left. Because of their preparations, they were able to start right away.<ref name="Conspiracy">{{FR|I5}}</ref>

===Journey with Frodo===
{{quote|You can trust us to stick to you through thick and thin - to the bitter end. And you can trust us to keep any secret of yours - closer than you keep it yourself. But you cannot trust us to let you face trouble alone, and go off without a word. We are your friends, Frodo.|Merry, ''[[A Conspiracy Unmasked]]''}}
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Under the Spell of the Barrow-wight.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Under the Spell of the Barrow-wight'']]
During the following trip to [[Rivendell]], Merry seemed to have a greater knowledge of the [[Old Forest]] than any of the other Hobbits. However, when they encountered [[Old Man Willow]] Merry (and Pippin) were both captured and had to be rescued by [[Tom Bombadil]].<ref>{{FR|I6}}</ref> Merry and Pippin were captured again (along with Sam and Frodo) by a [[Barrow-wights|Barrow-wight]] upon the [[Barrow-downs]], but Tom again came to their rescue. Before leaving, he told them to keep the [[Daggers of Westernesse]] found in the Barrow Downs, and he advised them to spend the night at the [[The Prancing Pony|Prancing Pony Inn]], inside [[Bree]].<ref>{{FR|I8}}</ref>
[[File:John Howe - Weathertop on the Horizon.jpg|thumb|left|[[John Howe]] - ''Weathertop on the Horizon'']]
Upon reaching the inn, Merry was out for a walk and saw a [[Nazgûl|Black Rider]]. He tried to follow it, but it disappeared. Merry was then overtaken by the [[Black Breath]] and fainted. But before any harm could come to him, [[Nob]] came to his aid; he returned to the Prancing Pony and warned his companions who were talking with [[Strider (Aragorn)|Strider]].<ref name="Strider">{{FR|I10}}</ref> During the trip through the wild with Strider, he often saw the most deeply into the others. After Frodo was wounded on [[Weathertop]], he became the one who consulted most with Strider, and in a way became the spokesman for the Hobbits.

After reaching [[Rivendell]], he, with Pippin, insisted on not being left behind on the [[Quest of the Ring]]. Therefore they were chosen as the eighth and ninth members of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].<ref>{{FR|II3}}</ref>

At the gate of [[Moria]], [[Gandalf]] commended Merry for being "''of all people''" on the right track with the riddle (though this was accidental). His impetuosity in Moria was such that he nearly fell into an ancient well while running ahead with Pippin.<ref>{{FR|II4}}</ref> When they reached [[Lothlórien]], he was allowed to sleep in a [[telain]] with Frodo, Sam, Pippin and a few elven guards. He, as with the rest of the Company, walked blindfolded into the Woods of Lórien in a show of support for [[Gimli]], who had to be blindfolded due to being a [[Dwarves|dwarf]].<ref>{{FR|II6}}</ref>
[[File:Alan Lee - Use Your Legs.jpg|thumb|"Use Your Legs" by [[Alan Lee]]]]
At the [[Breaking of the Fellowship]], Merry and Pippin ran straight into a company of [[Orcs]] while they were looking for Frodo. [[Boromir]] attempted to rescue them, but many [[Uruk-hai]] arrived, and they shot him with arrows. Captured with Pippin by Uruk-hai, the two were separated from the rest of the Fellowship. Merry aided Pippin in an attempt to deceive [[Grishnákh]] into thinking that they had the One Ring, and he could have it.<ref>{{TT|III3}}</ref> Because of this, they escaped into [[Fangorn Forest]] during the attack by [[Éomer]] and his [[Rohirrim|Outriders]]. There they met [[Treebeard]].
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Wellinghall.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Wellinghall'']]
[[File:Zina Saunders - Flotsam and Jetsam.jpg|thumb|Zina Saunders - ''Flotsam and Jetsam'']]
Thus they became the first mortals for many centuries to encounter the [[Ents]] of Fangorn. They drank of the [[Ent-draughts|Ent-draught]] which caused Merry and Pippin to become the tallest hobbits in history. Also, they were present at the [[Entmoot]],<ref>{{TT|III4}}</ref> and the resulting destruction of [[Isengard]], after which Treebeard appointed them door-wardens of [[Orthanc]]. It was while they were enjoying [[Saruman]]'s [[pipe-weed]], that they were reunited with some of their former companions, who arrived after the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].<ref>{{TT|III8}}</ref>

===Esquire of Théoden===
While Pippin and Gandalf headed away to [[Minas Tirith]], Merry stayed with Aragorn and the Rohirrim, developing a close friendship with King [[Théoden]]. Out of love for him, Merry offered the King his service, which Théoden warmly accepted. "''As a father you shall be to me''", Merry said at that time, and Théoden responded "''For a little while''".<ref>{{RK|V2}}</ref>

As Théoden's esquire, Merry returned with him to [[Edoras]] and was forbidden - firmly but gently - by the King to ride with them to the aid of Minas Tirith because he could not ride the mighty horses of the Rohirrim so fast and so far. Merry was disappointed until a young rider named [[Dernhelm]] offered to bear him on his horse.<ref>{{RK|V3}}</ref> In this manner he rode to the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], having a secret understanding with [[Elfhelm]] and several others of the Rohirrim.<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref>
[[File:Angus McBride - Eowyn against Witch-king.gif|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Éowyn against Witch-king'']]
During the charge and the commencement of the battle he was almost useless, hiding behind Dernhelm and shaking with fright and nausea. However, Dernhelm's steed, [[Windfola]], threw them both upon the coming of the [[Witch-king]]. Affected by the Black Breath, Merry lay almost senseless on the ground, hearing the voice of Dernhelm standing over the body of Théoden—who had been mortally wounded by the Witch-king—defying the Nazgûl. He was startled as he opened his eyes to find that Dernhelm was really [[Éowyn]], the King's niece. After Éowyn was thrown down, perhaps mortally wounded, Merry rose to attack the Witch-king in order to protect her. He pierced the sinew behind the Witch-king's mighty knee with the [[Daggers of Westernesse|Barrow-blade]] he still bore, thus breaking the spell of invulnerability surrounding the Wraith. He witnessed Éowyn's destruction of the Witch-king with a thrust into the head, and her subsequent collapse.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref> After the death of the Witch-king, he begged forgiveness of a dying Théoden for disobeying his command to remain at Edoras, and the king forgave him with the words "''Great heart will not be denied.''" After the death of the king, he walked beside Théoden's pall-bearers, and fell into a stupor induced by the [[Black Breath]] at some point in his journey.<ref name="Houses">{{RK|V8}}</ref>

After the battle, Pippin found him ill and wandering in a daze outside of [[Minas Tirith]] and alerted Aragorn, who brought him into the city. Almost killed by the Black Breath, Merry and Éowyn were revived by Aragorn in the [[Houses of Healing]].<ref name="Houses" /> Because of his condition he was unable to take part in the [[Battle of the Morannon]],<ref>{{RK|V10}}</ref> but afterwards attended the burial of [[Théoden]], at which he wept greatly. Upon his departure for the Shire, he was given a special horn by Éomer and Éowyn as a parting gift, which was later used in the [[Battle of Bywater]].<ref>{{RK|VI6}}</ref>

Upon the return to the Shire, he was, with Pippin, the primary leader of the uprising against [[Sharkey]] and his [[Ruffians]].<ref>{{RK|VI8}}</ref>

===After the war===
At some time he stayed with Pippin at Crickhollow<ref>{{RK|Havens}}</ref> and he married the sister of his friend Fredegar, [[Estella Brandybuck|Estella]].

He was afterwards known as '''Meriadoc the Magnificent''', and became [[Master of Buckland]] after his father, and received great gifts from his friends King Éomer and Lady Éowyn.<ref name="later">{{App|Later}}</ref> He wrote several scholarly works which were probably part of the [[Red Book]]: ''[[Herblore of the Shire]]'', ''The [[Reckoning of Years]]'' and ''[[Old Words and Names in the Shire]]''. At some point he visited Rivendell several times where probably he collected historical information from the remaining Elves there, and probably assisted the assembly of the [[Tale of Years]] in the [[Great Smials]].<ref name="records">{{FR|records}}</ref> In {{FoA|13}} he was made with Pippin and Sam Counsellor of the [[North-kingdom]].<ref name="later" />

In {{FoA|63}}<ref name="records" /> Meriadoc was 102 but still hale. That spring he received an invitation from King Éomer. With his friend Pippin, they resigned from their offices and went to Rohan<ref name="later" /> (presumably after the death of his wife) where he was known as Master Holbytla and [[Holdwine]] of the Shire.

They stayed in Edoras with the King before he died that autumn, then they travelled to [[Gondor]] where Pippin was known as Master [[Perian]], to spend their remaining years. They both were laid in [[Rath Dínen]]. It was said that upon [[Aragorn|King Elessar]]'s death, their bodies were placed beside his.<ref name="later" />

==Character==
[[File:Nia Kovaleski - Merry and Pippin.jpeg|thumb|right|''Merry and Pippin'' by [[:Category:Images by Nia Kovalevski|Nia Kovaleski]]]]He was a good friend of [[Frodo Baggins]], who eventually became the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], and [[Peregrin Took]], a young relative. He was one of the few (if any) who saw [[Bilbo Baggins]], Frodo's uncle, actually use [[the One Ring]]. He also managed to read, at least in part, Bilbo's book: ''[[There and Back Again]]'', where he learned about the Ring.<ref name="Conspiracy" />

He can easily be recognised as a very sharp Hobbit, and his tone throughout ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' depicts him as practical, loyal, resourceful, and the best able to cope with the sudden happenings that drew him out of his peaceful home. He was also praised by [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] as having a 'stout heart'<ref name="Strider" /> and [[Éowyn|Lady Éowyn]] as 'valiant'.<ref>{{RK|Houses}}</ref> He was apparently much trusted by Frodo, who sent him along with [[Fredegar Bolger|Fatty Bolger]] to [[Crickhollow]] to prepare his newly-bought home.<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name '''''Meriadoc''''' means "Great Lord" in [[Welsh]] (from ''mawr'' "great" and ''udd'' "lord").<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.namenerds.com/welsh/meaning.html|articlename=Welsh Names|website=[http://www.namenerds.com/ Name Nerds]|accessed=21 February 2016}}</ref>

Merry's full [[Westron]] name was ''Kalimac'', which was abbreviated to ''Kali''. As this latter means "jolly, gay", Tolkien translated it as ''Merry'', from which ''Meriadoc'' was chosen as a plausible full form. This is in contrast to other Hobbit personal names, which were converted into roughly corresponding English forms.<ref>{{App|Translation}}</ref>

Tolkien himself comments on the "[[Celtic]] cast" of this and other [[Buckland]] and [[Bree]] names that end in ''–ac'', ''-ic'', or ''-oc''.<ref>{{HM|PM}}, "[[The Appendix on Languages]]"</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the pre-publication manuscript of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Merry's name was originally "Marmaduke Brandybuck".<ref>{{RS|1Iiii}}, p. 33</ref> He also had a cousin named ''Bercilak'', a name that is shared by the Green Knight from [[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (poem)|Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]] in some translations.<ref>{{Webcite|articleurl=https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/articles/zf2kxyc|articlename=KS2 English: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - Episode 1|website=bbc.co.uk|accessed=25 July 2024}}</ref> This name was later changed to [[Lanorac Brandybuck]].<ref>{{RS|2XVI}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
''[[Wikipedia:Conan Meriadoc|Conan Meriadoc]]'' (also spelled ''Meriadek'') was the legendary leader of a group of Welsh mercenaries who settled Armorica (modern Brittany) in the fourth century and founded the [[Wikipedia:House of Rohan|House of Rohan]] in [[Wikipedia:Geoffrey of Monmouth|Geoffrey of Monmouth]]'s ''[[Wikipedia:Historia Regum Britanniae|Historia Regum Britanniae]]''.<ref>{{HM|IE}}, "Giving of Names", "The Celtic-sounding Names", pp. 202-203</ref><ref>[[Mark T. Hooker]], ''[[The Hobbitonian Anthology]]'', p. 57</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Merry.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Merry.jpg|[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:Lord of the Rings Adventure Game - Merry.jpeg|''[[Lord of the Rings Adventure Game]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - Meriadoc Brandybuck.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Meriadoc Brandybuck.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:SBG - Merry mounted.gif|''[[Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:John Howe - Merry Brandybuck.jpg|''[[War of the Ring: The Card Game]]''
</gallery>

'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Merry is provided by Michael Collins.<ref name="RT1672">Radio Times, Volume 129, No. 1672, [[25 November|November 25]], [[1955]]</ref>

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The voice of Merry was provided by [[Simon Chandler]].

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Merry was provided by Pat Franklyn.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:The voice of Merry was provided by [[Casey Kasem]].

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The part of Merry is portrayed by [[Richard O'Callaghan]].
'''1992: ''[[Tales from the Perilous Realm (1992 radio series)|BBC Radio's Tales from the Perilous Realm]]'':'''
:Matthew Morgan provided the voice of Merry in the two episodes of this series that make up ''The Adventures of Tom Bombadil''.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Merry was played by [[Dominic Monaghan]]. Some book-readers argue that, like Pippin, he was made far less competent in the movie than he was in the books: instead of a clever "conspirator" who helped orchestrate Frodo's escape from the Shire, he was portrayed as someone who did not know what he was getting himself into. The movie trilogy also shows a blonde Merry as opposed to the brown-haired young hobbit in the novels.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Meriadoc Brandybuck is provided by Miroslav Noga. His full name is never really alluded to, and he is addressed only as Merry. Noga portrays Merry as an intelligent, crafty, and cheerful member of the hobbit quartet.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:The voice of Merry was provided by [[Quinton Flynn]]. Merry and Pippin are shown as the Conspirators, although the "[[Three is Company|three]]" does not include Sam. Merry meets Frodo in the [[Green Dragon Inn]], and he and Pippin and Sam are not seen again until [[Bamfurlong]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Merry is not involved in any quests in [[Rivendell]] and only has a few lines during the next meeting with the player in [[Lothlorien]]. The journey of Merry and Pippin from [[Parth Galen]] and until the Ring of [[Isengard]] and related in a series of flashbacks and Session Plays. After the destruction of the Ring but before the departure of the Fellowship from [[Minas Tirith]], Merry and Pippin get involved in additional adventures in [[Gondor]] and [[Mordor]].

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=hobbit
| house=[[Brandybuck Family]]
| born={{TA|2982}}
| died=Between {{FoA|63}} and {{FoA|120|n}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Saradoc Brandybuck]]
| list=[[Master of Buckland|Master]] of [[Buckland]]
| dates={{SR|1432}} - {{SR|1484|n}}
| next=Unknown
| nrow=2
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=Position established
| list=[[Counsellor of the North-kingdom]]
| dates={{SR|1434}} - {{SR|1484|n}}
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{references}}
{{fellowship}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{masters}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Brandybuck]]
[[Category:Celtic names]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Masters of Buckland]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Meriadoc Brandybock]]
[[fi:Meriadoc Rankkibuk]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hobbits/brandebouc/meriadoc brandebouc]]

Talk:Holdwine

2026-03-22T17:22:18Z

Ed8r: /* name "Holdwine of the Shire" */ new section

Talk:Chetwood

2026-03-08T15:46:44Z

Ed8r: /* location of the Chetwood */ Reply

==location of the Chetwood==

"woodlands that lay east and south of the town of Bree"

I would like to point out that none of the maps of this area drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien show extensive woodland ''south'' of Bree and the Great East Road. All the extant maps, including the very early ones reproduced in ''The Art of the Lord of the Rings ''(figs 30 and 70), indicate the woodlands to be east and ''north'' of Bree*. I'd like to get comments from Tolkien scholars on this seeming discrepancy, but I have yet to write to any of them.

*The one possible exception is the map published in 1954, which at least includes a couple of the tree symbols to left of the word Bree below the road. However, no woodland to the south of Bree is indicated below the road on any of the other maps created by J.R.R. or Christopher Tolkien (nor does any woodland to the south of the road appear on the Baynes map). [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 16:13, 6 March 2026 (UTC)
::The woodlands do not need to be "extensive" for the statement in J.R.R. Tolkien's unfinished index to be correct. I double-checked the quote from the entry for the Chetwook in the unifished index that J.R.R. Tolkien wrote for The Lord of the Rings that is cited in Wayne Hammond & Christina Scull's The Lord of the Rings - A Reader's Companion. It says east and south of Bree. A part from that, the narrative in the chapter A Knife in the Dark in The Fellowship of the Ring mentions that they left Bree via the South-gate, "they kept on along the Road for some miles. It bent to the left, curving back into its eastward line as it rounded the feet of Bree-hill, and then it began to run swiftly downwards into wooded country." So the East Road seems to run through a wood there. Furthermore, the Third Map of The Lord of the Rings that was drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien shows that the East Road runs south for a short time after existing form Bree and then turns left to a roughly eastward direction.The placement of the dot for Bree and of the East Road on that map leaves a little part southeast of Bree that could be wooded. The narrative and J.R.R. Tolkien's last map are compatible with J.R.R. Tolkien's statement about the location of the Chetwood in the unfinished index. Apart from that it can be seen from the letters of J.R.R. Tolkien that Christopher Tolkien drew the General Map of Middle-earth (which you seem to be referring to) in a hurry, even during the night and Christopher Tolkien wrote that his map has deficiencies. The map lacks a lot of detail and other places that are wooded in the narrative do not show symbols for trees or a wood on the map. --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhôrahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 11:52, 7 March 2026 (UTC)
:::No, just to continue this as a discussion:
:::I agree that the text and the 1954 map establish "some" amount of woodlands slightly south of the road. Nevertheless, it seems odd for him to have specifically identified the Chetwood as lying "south and east" when, from his earliest maps, it clear he had identified it to the north and east. In addition, all of the published maps also show the woodlands with their label to the north and east, rather than south and east, so it seems odd for him to have stated that the woods were south of Bree.
:::Regarding Christopher's comments about the map having insufficiencies, yet according to the ''Reader's Companion'' (p.lxi) J.R.R. himself had written to Austin Olney at his American publisher that "I have finally decided . . . to take the ''maps'' as 'correct' and adjust the narrative. . . ." [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:40, 7 March 2026 (UTC)
::::Please be precise and use the names of the maps that are used on Tolkien Gateway and describe in detail which features on those maps you mean rather than using vague terms, such as "his earliest maps" (many readers do not have access to the book The Art of the Lord of the Rings and do now know which number of which figure corresponds to which map), "it clear he had identified it wo the north and east". I recommend to use an electronic device to zoom in on the maps (i.e. a tablet computer where you can zoom in using your fingers). The First Map of the Lord of the Rings that was drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien does not show the extension of the Chetwood in a colour for woodland and is too small in scale for the placement of the label Chetwood to be meaningfully indicative, because the label for Midgewater is so close to it. The Second Map of the Lord of the Rings that was drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien and redrawn by Christopher Tolkien in the book The War of the Ring does not show Eriador and the Chetwood. The Third Map of The Lord of the Rings is also too faint as far as the green colour of the wooded area is concerned, but there would be enough space between the dot with the label Bree and the East Road running south and then east for woods being south and east of Bree between Bree and the East Road. I further recommend to read A Concise List of The Lord of the Rings Textual Changes from Allen & Unwin 1st edition to HarperCollins 2021 edition compiled by zionius Last updated in Sep. 2023 to see which changes J.R.R. Tolkien made in the second edition of LOTR that changed descriptions of road or terrain features. You will see in this list that opposed to other instances (e.g. in chapters I.3, I.4, I.5, I.12, IV.3 and IV.6), J.R.R. Tolkien did not make any changes to the narrative concering the way they travel from Bree to the Chetwood, wooded areas along the way or the Chetwood. This is an indication that J.R.R. Tolkien did not think that there were inconsistencies between his entry for the Chetwood in his unfinished index of LOTR, the narrative of LOTR and the General Map of Middle-earth that was drawn by Christopher Tolkien in haste partly during the night based on The Third Map of The Lord of the Rings that was drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien. In conclusion, the information about the location of Chetwood relative to the location of Bree that is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's entry for Chetwood in his Unfinished Index for The Lord of the Rings on the Chetwood page on Tolkien Gateway is correct. --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhôrahil]] ([[User talk:Akhorahil|talk]]) 14:25, 8 March 2026 (UTC)
:::::Yes, everything you cite is accurate.
:::::My apologies for not identifying which map I refer to, but the two that are shown as figs 30 and 70 in the book ''The Art of the Lord of the Rings'' are identified in that book only by longer descriptions I preferred not to have to repeat here. However, in order to fill out my reference, I will add here that fig 30 shows just a bare pencil sketch tracing out the route of the Fellowship from Bree to Weathertop, showing the road and—"northeast" of the label for Bree—Tolkien's original names that he was trying out for the woods: ''Chedhill'' and ''Ferrill''. Fig 70 is a reproduction of his working map of Middle-earth using graph paper. The labels on this map are tiny of necessity, but by snapping a photo of the page in my book then using that to zoom in, the label for Chetwood can be read above Bree.
:::::As for the maps that this site reproduces, which can be enlarged easily on any computer screen, it is the 1953 General Map of Middle-earth that shows a couple little tree symbols below the road and to the left of the label for Bree, but on the 1980 map the West of Middle-earth that Christopher redrew, he did not include any of those symbols. On both maps the label for Chetwood remains above—not below—the wood that surrounds Bree.
:::::I did not intend Tolkien Gateway to change its Chetwood page, although I did think that someone perhaps ought to consider whether Tolkien's description was a discrepancy. Thank you for discussing what to my mind was a discrepancy between his identification of the wood as being "east and ''south''" when every map shows the greatest area of this wood to be east and ''north''. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:46, 8 March 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Chetwood

2026-03-07T15:40:41Z

Ed8r: /* location of the Chetwood */ Reply

Talk:Chetwood

2026-03-06T16:13:54Z

Ed8r: /* location of the Chetwood */ new section

Talk:Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan

2026-01-05T18:02:09Z

Ed8r: /* Chronicle and/or Tale */ new section

== Chronicle and/or Tale ==

It looks as if Tolkien Gateway is missing a reference to either the Chronicle of Cirion and Eorl or the title Tale of Cirion and Eorl? I am merely pointing these out, but I am not prepared to write them myself. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 18:02, 5 January 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Aldudénië

2026-01-05T17:41:24Z

Ed8r: /* italics? */ new section

== italics? ==

The page text begins: "Aldudénië is a poem lamenting..." But shouldn't the title of the poem be shown in italicized text? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 17:41, 5 January 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Drúedain

2026-01-01T16:14:57Z

Ed8r: /* Faithful Stone */ Reply

*I'm having difficulty finding citations for "Old Drûg Land". The term does not appear in LR, UT, nor HoMe I-IV. Does this wiki have a system for [citation needed]? [[User:Ainaldo|Ainaldo]]
**You just add "<nowiki>{{fact}}</nowiki>". You don't need it here, because even if there is no citation, the meaning is derived from the words alone. If you want to add a citation, add a link to the Sindarin dictionary. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 00:03, 20 October 2010 (UTC)

:I haven't checked this in-depth, but I just flicked through my ''A Reader's Companion'' and they call it "Old Púkel-land" throughout; I suppose a previous editor just replaced "Púkel" with "Drûg". --{{User:Mith/sig}} 08:22, 20 October 2010 (UTC)

==Missing Article==

An article which was formerly here is now gone. If either article was to be asset-stripped, I would've voted for [[Woses]], seeing as [[Drúedain]] is more common name and the term they are usually known by.

Is it possible that we could not have this deletion of a particular term unless it has been discussed? --{{User:Mith/sig}} 12:10, 23 October 2010 (UTC)

==Faithful Stone==

Shouldn't this page mention the story about a Drûg named Aghan, included in ''Unfinished Tales''? It also seems odd to me that the website does not include a separate page for the story itself, its characters and the characteristics of the Drûg-folk that can be derived from the story. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 16:13, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

:(Sorry. I don't know what I did wrong to include the previous discussion points. Anyone is welcome to clean up this new topic) [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 16:14, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Drúedain

2026-01-01T16:13:16Z

Ed8r: /* Faithful Stone */ new section

* I'm having difficulty finding citations for "Old Drûg Land". The term does not appear in LR, UT, nor HoMe I-IV. Does this wiki have a system for [citation needed]? [[User:Ainaldo|Ainaldo]]
**You just add "<nowiki>{{fact}}</nowiki>". You don't need it here, because even if there is no citation, the meaning is derived from the words alone. If you want to add a citation, add a link to the Sindarin dictionary. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 00:03, 20 October 2010 (UTC)

:I haven't checked this in-depth, but I just flicked through my ''A Reader's Companion'' and they call it "Old Púkel-land" throughout; I suppose a previous editor just replaced "Púkel" with "Drûg". --{{User:Mith/sig}} 08:22, 20 October 2010 (UTC)

== Missing Article ==

An article which was formerly here is now gone. If either article was to be asset-stripped, I would've voted for [[Woses]], seeing as [[Drúedain]] is more common name and the term they are usually known by.

Is it possible that we could not have this deletion of a particular term unless it has been discussed? --{{User:Mith/sig}} 12:10, 23 October 2010 (UTC)

== Faithful Stone ==

Shouldn't this page mention the story about a Drûg named Aghan, included in ''Unfinished Tales''? It also seems odd to me that the website does not include a separate page for the story itself, its characters and the characteristics of the Drûg-folk that can be derived from the story. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 16:13, 1 January 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Gate of Bronze

2025-12-31T15:27:10Z

Ed8r: /* Bronze Gate? */ new section

== Bronze Gate? ==

Where is the reference to the name "Bronze Gate"? I find only the term "Gate of Bronze" in UT? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:27, 31 December 2025 (UTC)

Gate of Bronze

2025-12-31T15:26:02Z

Ed8r: /* History */

{{short description|3rd Gate of Gondolin}}
{{object infobox
| name=Gate of Bronze
| image = Narfil Palùrfalas - Gate of Bronze.jpg
| caption="Gate of Bronze" by Narfil Palùrfalas
| pronun=
| othernames=Bronze Gate, Third Gate
| location=[[Orfalch Echor]]
| owner=
| type=Gate
| appearance=Three-towered wall with decorated bronze gates, red lamps on walls
| creator=[[Gondolindrim]]
| created=
| createdlocation=
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=
}}

The '''Gate of Bronze''' was the third of the [[Seven Gates of Gondolin]].

==History==
The Gate of Bronze was the third of the [[Seven Gates of Gondolin]], in shape a wall spanning the [[Orfalch Echor]] mounted by three square towers, roofed and "clad" in bright copper. The double-door hung with shields and bronze plates, wrought with many figures and strange signs. There were many red lamps along the wall, which made the copper and bronze shine like fire. In the court beyond the gate was a company of guards larger than the ones at the [[Gate of Stone]]. These guards were mostly [[Sindar]] of [[Nevrast]], carrying red-bladed axes and wearing mail which "''glowed like dull fire''". They were possibly members of the Guard of some captain or chieftain and later had some representation at the high sward overlooking [[Tumladen]] under the [[Warden of the Great Gate]]. The gate followed the [[Gate of Stone]] and was followed by the [[Gate of Writhen Iron]].<ref>{{UT|Tuor}}</ref>

{{references}}
{{gondolin}}

[[Category:Doors and gates]]
[[de:Sieben Tore von Gondolin#Drittes Tor]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes tours et forteresses/beleriand/gondolin/porte de bronze]]
[[fi:Pronssiportti]]

Talk:Gate of Gold

2025-12-31T15:25:02Z

Ed8r: /* "Gate of Gold"? */ new section

== "Gate of Gold"? ==

Where is the reference to the term "Gate of Gold"? I find only "Golden Gate" in UT? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:25, 31 December 2025 (UTC)

Talk:Gate of Silver

2025-12-31T15:23:16Z

Ed8r: /* Silver Gate? */ new section

== Silver Gate? ==

Where is the reference to "Silver Gate"? I find only a reference to "Gate of Silver" in UT? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:23, 31 December 2025 (UTC)

Talk:Gate of Stone

2025-12-31T15:00:11Z

Ed8r: /* Gate of Stone? */ new section

== Gate of Stone? ==

Where is the Second Gate also called "Stone Gate" (not just "Gate of Stone")? No reference is given for this version of the name? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:00, 31 December 2025 (UTC)

The Faithful Stone

2025-07-13T17:43:30Z

Ed8r: /* Background */ caps

'''The Faithful Stone''' was a story published in the chapter "[[The Drúedain]]" of ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''. [[Christopher Tolkien]] found the contents of this story in an unfinished essay which was mostly about the interrelations of the languages of the [[Middle-earth]].

==Background==
In the notes that follow the story Christopher Tolkien points out how that his father not only wanted to emphasize the drastic difference between [[hobbits]] and [[drúedain]] in physical appearance, but also wanted to differentiate the magic of the Drúedain from that of [[Dwarf|dwarves]]. This story is an illustration of the faithfulness of Drúedain, as the title says and their magic - how Drûgs are capable of transferring power to an object they made. This story may also strike some as a miniature version of [[Sauron]]'s transfer of power to artifacts such as the One Ring and the foundation of [[Barad-dûr]].<ref>{{HM|UT}}, "[[The Drúedain]]", note 11</ref>

==Synopsis==
The story set in the [[First Age]] is about the [[Drúedain|Drûg]] [[Aghan]] a great friend of [[Barach]], a forester of the [[House of Haleth|people of Haleth]]. When raiding [[orcs]] entered the forest, Aghan started to guard Barach's home which was two miles away from the nearest village. But Aghan had to leave Barach's house for some days to aid his injured brother as he was a skilled leech and knew the remedies to orc poison. He left behind a "watch-stone": a figure carved in the shape of a Drúadan to guard Barach's house.

While Aghan was away, Barach's house was attacked by orcs who attempted to set it ablaze, but they were beaten off by a mysterious Drûg. The Drûg turned out to be the watch-stone to which Aghan had transferred some of his power. The legs of the statue were mutilated during the defence. Aghan suffered blistered legs around the same time as the watch-stone had defended Barach's house from the raiding orcs. The story ends with Aghan's words ''"Alas! If some power passes from you to a thing that you have made, then you must take a share in its hurts."''

==See also==
*[[Púkel-men]]

{{references}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Faithful Stone, The}}

[[Category:Drúedain of Beleriand]]
[[Category:Manuscripts by J.R.R. Tolkien]]

The Faithful Stone

2025-07-13T17:41:34Z

Ed8r: /* Background */ caps

'''The Faithful Stone''' was a story published in the chapter "[[The Drúedain]]" of ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''. [[Christopher Tolkien]] found the contents of this story in an unfinished essay which was mostly about the interrelations of the languages of the [[Middle-earth]].

==Background==
In the notes that follow the story Christopher Tolkien points out how that his father not only wanted to emphasize the drastic difference between [[hobbits]] and [[drúedain]] in physical appearance, but also wanted to differentiate the magic of the Drúedain from that of [[Dwarf|dwarves]]. This story is an illustration of the faithfulness of Drúedain, as the title says and their magic - how drûgs are capable of transferring power to an object they made. This story may also strike some as a miniature version of [[Sauron]]'s transfer of power to artifacts such as the One Ring and the foundation of [[Barad-dûr]].<ref>{{HM|UT}}, "[[The Drúedain]]", note 11</ref>

==Synopsis==
The story set in the [[First Age]] is about the [[Drúedain|drûg]] [[Aghan]] a great friend of [[Barach]], a forester of the [[House of Haleth|people of Haleth]]. When raiding [[orcs]] entered the forest, Aghan started to guard Barach's home which was two miles away from the nearest village. But Aghan had to leave Barach's house for some days to aid his injured brother as he was a skilled leech and knew the remedies to orc poison. He left behind a "watch-stone": a figure carved in the shape of a Drúadan to guard Barach's house.

While Aghan was away, Barach's house was attacked by orcs who attempted to set it ablaze, but they were beaten off by a mysterious drûg. The drûg turned out to be the watch-stone to which Aghan had transferred some of his power. The legs of the statue were mutilated during the defence. Aghan suffered blistered legs around the same time as the watch-stone had defended Barach's house from the raiding orcs. The story ends with Aghan's words ''"Alas! If some power passes from you to a thing that you have made, then you must take a share in its hurts."''

==See also==
*[[Púkel-men]]

{{references}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Faithful Stone, The}}

[[Category:Drúedain of Beleriand]]
[[Category:Manuscripts by J.R.R. Tolkien]]

Talk:Tumladen

2025-02-01T17:26:32Z

Ed8r: /* Error in References */ new section

== Error in References ==

I do not know how to edit the error I found in the references section. Please see # 6 which lists The Reader's Companion p. 251. Someone was dyslexic that day, I guess. Fortunately the entry on the page for ''Tumladen'' in Gondor shows the correct page number or I might have still been re-reading page 251 and surrounding entries. The correct page number is actually '''521'''. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 17:26, 1 February 2025 (UTC)

Umbar

2024-11-23T15:29:21Z

Ed8r: spelling and punctuation

{{disambig-two|the Haven of Umbar|Quenya word|[[Umbar (word)|umbar]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Umbar
| image=Turner Mohan - Umbar.jpg
| caption="Umbar" by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]
| pronun=
| othernames=City of the Corsairs
| location=The coasts of [[Middle-earth]], to the south of [[Gondor]] and west of [[Harad]]
| type=Haven
| description=Natural harbour used as a seaport
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=Variously held by the [[Númenóreans]], the [[Black Númenóreans]], the [[Gondorians]], the [[Corsairs]] and the [[Haradrim]]
| created=First fortified in {{SA|2280}}
| destroyed=
| events=[[Ar-Pharazôn]] captures [[Sauron]] [[Kin-Strife]] [[Corsair Wars]] [[Surprise Attack on Umbar]]
}}
'''Umbar''' was a realm<ref name="Herbs">{{TT|Herbs}}, statement of Damrod about Umbar, p. 659</ref> on the coast south of [[Gondor]] in [[Middle-earth]]. It included a great cape and a land-locked firth,<ref name="UmbarNote">{{App|Gondor}}, footnote concerning Umbar in the entry for king Eärnil I, p. 1044-5</ref> which formed a natural haven.<ref name="HM|UI">{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Umbar'', p. 466</ref> The name Umbar was used in conjunction with it being made into a great fortress,<ref name="SA2280">{{App|SA}}, entry for the year 2280, p. 1083</ref> it being laid siege to<ref name="Earnil">{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Eärnil I, pp. 1044-5</ref> or it being invested.<ref name="Ciryaher">{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Ciryaher, p. 1045</ref> Since these statements imply a small fortified area, it is probable that Umbar was also the name of a fortified city in this realm.<ref>{{webcite|author=Michael Martinez|articleurl=https://middle-earth.xenite.org/what-is-the-meaning-of-umbar-the-city-name/|articlename=What is the Meaning of Umbar (the City Name)?|website=middle-earth.xenite.org|accessed=27 May 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
Umbar was located south of the mouth of the river [[Anduin]] at the [[Bay of Belfalas]] in a natural haven that was formed by a peninsula that extended west from the coast of the [[Belegaer]] sea and then bent to the south and almost touched the coast that lay to its south. This form of the coastline left only a narrow entrance to the natural haven. The City of the Corsairs was at the easternmost point of the bay of Umbar.<ref name="GeneralMap">[[Christopher Tolkien]], [[General Map of Middle-earth]]</ref>

Umbar was the nearest of the realms of the Southrons to Gondor.<ref name="Herbs" /> It is possible that the realm of Umbar stretched along the coast up to the river [[Harnen]] and along the river Harnen as far its source in the [[Ephel Dúath]] before it became a part of Gondor or after it became an independent realm again, because Westron was still the native tongue in this area at the time of the [[War of the Ring]].<ref name="F1">{{App|Languages}}, first and second paragraph, p. 1127</ref>

It is possible that Umbar had a climate that was fluctuating between mild winters and very hot and dry summers.<ref>{{HM|AME}}, pp. 182-183</ref><ref group="note">J.R.R. Tolkien wrote on [[General Map of Middle-earth|his son's map of Middle-earth]] for [[Pauline Baynes]] that Umbar is approximately at the latitude of Cyprus and that Minas Tirith is approximately at the latitude of Ravenna, but more to the east near Belgrade. He wrote that these references are so that Pauline Baynes can roughly judge the climate and the fauna and flora for her [[A Map of Middle-earth|map of Middle-earth]]. In addition, he wrote in a [[Letter 294|letter to Charlotte and Denis Plimmer]] that the city of Pelargir is approximately at the latitude of ancient Troy. Cyprus is on the same latidue as Tangiers, a city in northwest Africa at the southern entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.</ref> It is also possible that Umbar had a vegetation of sparse woodlands,<ref>{{HM|AME}}, pp. 184-5</ref> because Umbar seems to have had the natural resources to build a fleet of fifty great ships and smaller vessels beyond count that had attacked Pelargir during the War of the Rings<ref name="Debate">{{RK|Debate}}, p. 875</ref> thirtynine years after Aragorn had burnt a great part of the ships of the Corsairs in the haven of Umbar.<ref name="Thorongil">{{App|Stewards}}, entry for Steward Ecthelion II and entry for Steward Denethor II, Denethor II succeeded his father in TA 2984 four years after Thorongil departed from Gondor after the attack, p. 1055</ref>

==History==
===Foundation and Númenórean rule===
It is possible that the bay of Umbar was discovered by [[Aldarion]], the son of the Númenórean king [[Tar-Meneldur]] when Aldarion scarcely escaped shipwreck in the Harad during a voyage with three ships,<ref>{{UT|Wife}}, in the first quarter of the chapter</ref> which lasted from {{SA|829}} to {{SA|843|n}}.<ref>{{UT|4a}}, ''Chronology'', first paragraph</ref> After [[Sauron]] heard that Aldarion had become a great shipbuilder who sailed his ships to haven far down into the Harad, he chose [[Mordor]] as a stronghold to counter the threat of landings by the Númenoreans.<ref>{{UT|Concerning}}, ninth paragraph</ref>

After Sauron was defeated by an alliance of the Númenóreans and the Elves of [[Lindon]] and [[Eriador]] in the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]]<ref>{{UT|Concerning}}</ref> during the reign of Queen [[Tar-Telperiën]]<ref>{{UT|Kings}}, entry X ''Tar-Telperien''</ref> in {{SA|1700}},<ref>{{App|SA}}, entry for the year 1700</ref> he retreated from the coasts of Middle-earth and did not dare to challenge the Númenóreans for a long time.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, twentyninth paragraph</ref>

Until the end of the reign of the Númenórean king [[Tar-Minastir]] in {{SA|1869}},<ref>{{UT|Kings}}, entry XI ''Tar-Minastir''</ref> the Númenóreans came to Middle-earth as teachers and friends of the local population.<ref name="AfterMinastir">{{App|Numenor}}, entry after the entry for Tar-Minastir, p. 1036</ref>

Approximately in {{SA|1800|n}} the Númenóreans began to establish dominions on the coasts,<ref>{{App|SA}}, entry for the year ''c.'' 1800, p. 1083</ref> which possibly already included Umbar. It is possible that the son of Tar-Minastir, [[Tar-Ciryatan|Ciryatan]] sailed to Umbar, because he voyaged south before he took the sceptre from his father in {{SA|1869|n}}.<ref>{{UT|Kings}}, entry XII ''Tar-Ciryatan''</ref>

During the reign of the Númenórean kings [[Tar-Ciryatan]] and [[Tar-Atanamir]], who were both greedy for wealth, the Númenóreans formed two parties, the party of the [[Faithful]], who remained faithful to the [[Valar]] and maintained their friendship with the [[Elves]] and the party of the [[King's Men]], who followed the policy of the King to oppose the [[Ban of the Valar]] that forbade to sail to [[Aman]] and did not maintain the friendship with the Elves.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, fifteenth to twentyfourth pargraph</ref> The King's Men sailed far away to the south of Middle-earth and established lordships and strongholds<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, twentyeighth paragraph</ref> in Umbar, Harad and many other places on the coasts of Middle-earth.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{PM|Second}}, manuscript T4, entry for the years 2000-3000</ref> The Númenóreans in the service of Tar-Ciryatan and Tar-Atanamir oppressed the men of Middle-earth and levied heavy tribute from the men of the coasts and their ships brought back metals and gems from Middle-earth.<ref>{{UT|Kings}}, entry XII ''Tar-Ciryatan'' and entry XIII ''Tar-Atanamir''</ref> It is possible that Umbar was an important point from which tributes and other resources were shipped to Númenor.

After the [[Ringwraiths]] had appeared around the year {{SA|2251}}<ref>{{App|SA}}, entry for the year 2251, p. 1083</ref> and after the terror and mastery of Sauron over Men in Middle-earth had grown, Sauron began to attack the strongholds of the Númenóreans on the coasts of Middle-earth,<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, thirtieth paragraph</ref>
but he was not yet able to conquer Umbar.<ref name="ReferenceA" /><ref>{{PM|Akallabeth}}, §30</ref>

Before he had married the queen of Númenor [[Tar-Míriel]] and ursurped her throne, the Númenórean king [[Ar-Pharazôn]] had been a leader in the wars of the Númenóreans on the coasts of Middle-earth.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, thirtysixth paragraph</ref> During this time in Middle-earth he became aware of the strength of the realm of Sauron and of Sauron's hatred against Númenor. After his ursurpation of the throne, Ar-Pharazôn received reports that Sauron was attacking with his might, was pressing down on the cities by the coasts and had openly declared to intend to drive the Númenóreans into the sea and to destroy Númenor, Ar-Pharazôn prepared an army and an armada of ships.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, thirtynineth and fourtieth paragraph</ref> In {{SA|3261|n}},<ref>{{App|SA}}, p. 1084</ref> Ar-Pharazôn landed with his armada at Umbar, marched with his army for seven days, and commanded Sauron to swear fealty to him. Sauron thought that he could not win by force, so he came and humbled himself before Ar-Pharazôn and was taken as a hostage to Númenor.<ref>{{S|Akallabeth}}, fourtyfirst and fourtysecond paragraph</ref> Umbar was remembered ever after with pride as the site of the landing of the Númenórean army that had humiliated Sauron.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for king Eldacar, p. 1047</ref>

After the Downfall of Númenor, Umbar remained in the hands of the Númenóreans, in essence a realm-in-exile alongside [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. But unlike these others, Umbar had been settled by the King's Men, who were afterwards called the [[Black Númenóreans]], who hated the Faithful Númenórean survivors of Arnor and Gondor.<ref name="UmbarNote" />

Two Black Númenórean lords, [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]], rose to power among the Haradrim at the end of [[Second Age]]. When Sauron prepared to attack Gondor in the [[War of the Last Alliance]], he also gathered servants from the south, including many Númenóreans, because many of them had sailed east from Númenor so settle on the coasts of Middle-earth in the time when Sauron had lived in Númenór had already served him there and continued to serve him in Middle-earth.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref> Not all the servants of Sauron were killed at the end of the War of the Last Alliance<ref name="Rings" /> in {{SA|3429|n}}.<ref>{{App|SA}}, entry for the year 3429, p. 1085</ref> Some of them were routed and dispersed and many remembered Sauron in their hearts and hated Arnor and Gondor.<ref name="Rings" /> It is possible that Herumor and Fuinor were from Umbar and that they died during the War of the Last Alliance.. Their fate is unknown, but it is possible that they died during the [[War of the Last Alliance]].

The fate of the other settlements of the Númenóreans further south of Umbar is unclear, but it is said that they were 'absorbed', and that no attempt was made to involve them in the wars. This could imply that they were simply too isolated, geographically and politically, and acting on their own behalf. Whatever befell them, they fell out of the picture of the West.<ref>{{UT|Istari}}</ref>

===Umbar as part of Gondor===
Gondor's King [[Eärnil I]] repaired the haven of [[Pelargir]], built a great navy and besieged Umbar by land and by sea.<ref name="Earnil" /> In {{TA|933}}, he took Umbar.<ref name="Third">{{App|TA}}, pp. 1085-6</ref> Umbar was only taken at great cost, because its Black Númenorean inhabitants as descendants of the King's Men inherited their hatred of Gondor as a realm of the followers of Elendil<ref name="UmbarNote" /> and probably defended Umbar vehemently because of that. As a result of the capture of Umbar by Gondor, the Black Númenorean lords of Umbar were driven from Umbar and Umbar became a great harbour and fortress of the power of Gondor.<ref name="Earnil" /> Only three years later, in {{TA|936|n}},<ref name="Third" /> King Eärnil was lost at sea with many ships and men in a great storm off Umbar.<ref name="Earnil" />

Eärnil's son [[Ciryandil]] continued to build ships.<ref name="Earnil" /> During his reign the Men of the Harad led by the Black Númenorean lords that had been driven from Umbar came with a large force and besieged Umbar.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Ciryandil, p. 1045</ref> In {{TA|1015|n}} Ciryandil was killed in the siege of Umbar.<ref name="Third" />

The siege of Umbar lasted for many years, but Umbar could not be taken, because of the sea-power of Gondor,<ref name="Ciryaher" /> probably because Umbar could be resupplied and reinforced with ships from Gondor by sea. Ciryandil's son [[Ciryaher]] took enough time to gather an army and a navy, came down by land crossing the river [[Harnen]] and by sea and utterly defeated the Men of the Harad<ref name="Ciryaher" /> in {{TA|1050|n}}.<ref name="Third" /> As a consequence, Ciryaher took the name Hyarmendacil "South-victor" and the kings of the Men of the Harad had to acknowledge the overlordsip of Gondor. During his reign the realm of Gondor extended south to the river Harnen and along the coast to the peninsula and haven of Umbar and the sonst of the kings of the Harad lived as hostages in the court of king Ciryaher.<ref name="Ciryaher" />

After the capture of Umbar by Gondor, the Gondorians built a great white pillar on the highest hill of the headland above the Haven as a monument of the submission of Sauron to the Númenorean king Ar-Pharazȏn. The pillar was crowned with a globe of crystal that reflected the rays of the sun and the moon and shone like a bright star that could be seen in clear weather even on the coasts of Gondor or far out upon the western sea.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Eldacar, p. 1047</ref>

When King [[Valacar]] of Gondor grew old there was already a rebellion in the southern provinces. Some of the Dúnedain refused to accept his son [[Eldacar]] as their future King, because Eldacar had been born in a foreign country, had been named Vinitharya in a foreign language in his youth and they feared that Eldacar would have a shorter life, because his mother, who came from a foreign country and who they perceived to be of a "lesser" race had only had a short life compared to the longer life of the Dúnedain.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Valacar, p. 1046</ref> After the death of King Valacar in {{TA|1432|n}}, a civil war, called the [[Kin-strife]], began in Gondor.<ref name="Third" /> The people of the great havens of Umbar and Pelargir and of the coasts supported the Captain of Ships, [[Castamir]], who was one of those nearest by blood to the crown.<ref name="Eldacar">{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Eldacar, pp. 1046-8</ref> In {{TA|1437|n}},<ref name="Third" /> Castamir deposed Eldacar, who fled to his kinfolk in [[Rhovanion]].<ref name="Eldacar" /> Ten years later, in {{TA|1447|n}},<ref name="Third" /> Eldacar returned from the north with a great army of Dúnedain from the northern parts of the realm and of Northmen, who had been in the service of Gondor and killed Castamir in a great battle at the crossings of the river [[Erui]]. However the sons of Castamir escaped to Pelargir and Eldacar besieged Pelargir<ref name="Eldacar" /> in {{TA|1447|n}}.<ref name="Third" />

===Corsairs of Umbar===
[[File:Ralph Damiani - Umbar Armada.jpg|thumb|''Umbar Armada'' by [[Ralph Damiani]]]]
In {{TA|1448}},<ref name="Third" /> after the sons of Castamir had gathered all the forces that they could in Pelargir, they sailed away to Umbar and established an independent lordship and a refuge for all enemies of the King of Gondor in Umbar.<ref name="Flight">{{App|Gondor}}, entry after the death of Castamir, p. 1047</ref> It is possible that the rebels took their wives and families with them to Umbar; they had held out long with others of their kin in Pelargir and were able to gather people at Pelargir because Eldacar had no ships to besiege Pelargir by sea. Umbar remained at war with Gondor for many lives of men and was a threat to the coastlands of Gondor and to all traffic on the sea. The region of [[Harondor|South Gondor]] became a debatable land between the kings of Gondor and the Corsairs of Umbar.<ref name="Flight" /> As a result of the loss of Umbar the control of Gondor over the Men of the Harad decreased.<ref name="Flight" />

After the Kin-strife often close relatives of the kings of Gondor who were suspected for treason or conspiring against the kings fled to Umbar and joined the rebels.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry following the death of King Eärnur, p. 1052</ref>

In {{TA|1540|n}}, King [[Aldamir]] was killed in a war with the Harad and the Corsairs of Umbar.<ref name="Third" />

In {{TA|1551|n}}, his son<ref>{{App|South}}, entry for Hyarmendacil II (Vinyarion), p. 1038</ref> [[Hyarmendacil II]] defeated the Men of the Harad<ref name="Third" /> and crushed Umbar.<ref name="ElendilC">{{PM|Elendil}}, manuscript C, The Heirs of Elendil, The Southern Line of Gondor: the Anarioni, 25. Minardil, p. 199</ref>

The leaders of the Corsairs of Umbar, [[Angamaitë]] and [[Sangahyando]], the great-grandsons of Castamir, learned through spies that [[Minardil]], the [[King of Gondor]], was in the [[Gondor]]ian port of [[Pelargir]] and that he did not suspect any danger, because his father had crushed Harad and Umbar.<ref name="ElendilC" /> In {{TA|1634|n}},<ref name="Third" /><ref name="T4">{{PM|Third}}, manuscript T4, entry for the year 1634</ref> the Corsairs of Umbar, led by [[Angamaitë]] and [[Sangahyando]], made a raid up the river [[Anduin]], killed Minardil in Pelargir,<ref name="Telemnar">{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Telemnar, p. 1048</ref> ravaged [[Pelargir]] and the coasts and escaped with great booty.<ref name="ElendilC" />

During the reign of King [[Telumehtar]], Minardil's great-grand nephew, the Corsairs raided the coasts of Gondor as far as the [[Anfalas]]. As a consequence, Telumehtar gathered his forces and took Umbar by storm<ref name="Telumehtar">{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Telumehtar, p. 1048</ref> and drove out the Corsairs in {{TA|1810|n}}.<ref name="Third" /> The last descendants of Castamir died during that war. After the reconquest of Umbar Telumehtar added the title Umbardacil (Umbar-victor) to his name.<ref name="Telumehtar" />

Umbar was again held for a while by the kings of Gondor, but was again lost in the new evils that soon befell Gondor and fell into the hands of the Men of the Harad.<ref name="Telumehtar" /> It is possible that Umbar was held by the kings of Gondor at least until {{TA|1975|n}}. In {{TA|1899|n}},<ref name="Third" /> King [[Calimehtar]] was free from other dangers when he led an army out of [[Ithilien]] to the plain of [[Dagorlad]],<ref>{{UT|Northmen}}, sixth paragraph</ref> because his grandfather Teluhmetar had captured Umbar and smashed the power of the Corsairs and the peoples of Harad were occupied with wars and feuds of their own.<ref>{{UT|8e}}, note 9</ref> From that year to {{TA|1944|n}}, Gondor enjoyed a respite from war.<ref>{{UT|Northmen}}, seventh paragraph</ref> In {{TA|1944|n}},<ref name="Third" /> during the war with the [[Wainriders]], the [[Haradrim]] and the Men of [[Khand]] the southern army of Gondor was smaller, because the danger from the south was considered to be smaller,<ref>{{UT|Northmen}}, eleventh paragraph</ref> because assistance from Umbar for an attack on [[Ithilien]] by enemies proceeding from Near Harad was not avaible.<ref>{{UT|8e}}, note 14</ref> In the autumn of {{TA|1973|n}}, King Eärnil II felt sufficiently secure to be able to send aid to [[Arthedain]] and sent an army of power for a war of great kings, although it was just a small force of the whole army of Gondor, on so many ships that they could scarcely find harbourage, although they filled the [[Grey Havens]], [[Harlond]] and [[Forlond]].<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Eärnil II, p. 1050</ref> It seems unlikely that King Eärnil II would have felt sufficiently secure to send away such a large fleet from Gondor to the aid of Arthedain if he would have feared an attack on Gondor by ships from Umbar. It also seems unlikely that Gondor would not have been able to hold Umbar when it still had a fleet and a mighty army, because Umbar could not be taken in the past in the days of King [[Ciryaher]] during a siege by the Men of Harad that lasted for many years, because of the power of the fleet of Gondor.<ref name="Ciryaher" />

===Haradrim rule===
During the reign of Steward Cirion ({{TA|2489}}-{{TA|2567|n}}),<ref>{{App|South}}, ''Ruling Stewards'', year after Boromir and year after Cirion, p. 1039</ref> the Corsairs of Umbar attacked the coasts of Gondor.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, ''The Stewards'', entry for Steward Cirion, p. 1053</ref>

In {{TA|2746|n}}, the 15th Prince of [[Dol Amroth]] was killed by the Corsairs of Umbar.<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, The House of Dol Amroth, entry for the 15th prince of Dol Amroth</ref>

The Corsairs spent a long time to prepare a great fleet. In {{TA|2758|n}} three fleets sailed from Umbar and [[Harad]] and landed at many places along the coasts of Gondor and even at the mouth of the river [[Isen]]<ref name="Beren">{{App|Stewards}}, ''The Stewards'', entries for Steward Beren and Steward Beregond, p. 1054</ref> and at the mouth of the river [[Lefnui]].<ref name="Helm">{{App|Eorl}}, entries about King Helm, p. 1066</ref> The troops from Umbar and Harad helped the Dunlendings who were led by [[Wulf]], the son of [[Freca]], a lord with wide lands on both sides of the river Adorn who was said to have much Dunlending blood and who had been killed by King Helm of Rohan, to invade Rohan from the west over the river Isen and down from Isengard.<ref name="Helm" /> Before the spring of {{TA|2759|n}}, [[Beregond (Steward of Gondor)|Beregond]], the son of Steward [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Beren]] defeated the Corsairs of Umbar and the Men of Harad that had invaded Gondor and subsequently sent troops to Rohan to help the Rohirrim to defeat the invaders.<ref name="Beren" /> As a result the Dunlendings were driven from Rohan and from Isengard.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}, entries about King Fréaláf, p. 1067</ref>

After the second arising of Sauron, Umbar fell under the domination of the servants of Sauron and the great white pillar that had been built on the highest hill of the headland above the haven by the followers of [[Elendil]] as a monument for the humiliation of Sauron by [[Ar-Pharazon]] was thrown down.<ref name="Eldacar" /> It is possible that those servants of Sauron were Men of the Harad, because Umbar had fallen into the hands of the Men of the Harad.<ref name="Telumehtar" />

In {{TA|2980|n}}, [[Aragorn]] served Steward [[Ecthelion II]] as a captain in disguise under the name [[Thorongil]], gathered a small fleet, attacked Umbar by night, burned a great part of the ships of the Corsairs, overthrew the [[Captain of the Haven]] in a battle upon the quays and then withdrew his fleet with small losses.<ref name="Thorongil" />

===War of the Ring===
[[File:Per Sjögren - The Oath Fulfilled.jpg|thumb|''The Oath Fulfilled'' by [[:Category:Images by Per Sjögren|Per Sjögren]]]]
During the [[War of the Ring]], folk of Umbar and Harad had sailed up the river [[Gilrain]] to the city of [[Linhir]] and fought against men of [[Lamedon]] who defended the fords of the river. When [[Aragorn]] came to Linhir with the [[Oathbreakers|Army of the Dead]], both the defenders and the attackers fled to the east in the direction of [[Pelargir]]. The main fleet of Umbar consisting of fifty great ships and smaller vessels beyond count had sailed to Pelargir. Many of the rowing slaves that were chained to the oars of those ships were folk of Gondor that had been taken by the Corsairs of Umbar during raids. When the Army of the Dead reached Pelargir and came to the ships that were drawn up and to the ships that were anchored all the terrified mariners leaped overboard. Some ships had put off to try to escape down the river or to reach the far shore and many of the smaller craft were burning. Aragorn was able to capture the remaining ships, to man them with troops from [[Lebennin]], the [[Ethir Anduin]] and Lamedon and to row and sail them up the river [[Anduin]] to relief the city of [[Minas Tirith]] from the siege by the troops of Sauron.<ref name="Debate" />

After the [[War of the Ring]] the newly crowned king of the [[Reunited Kingdom]], Aragorn, made peace with the peoples of Harad.<ref>{{RK|Steward}}, p. 968</ref> It is possible that king Elessar completely subdued Umbar<ref name="Flight" /> in a war on the far fields of the South with the aid of king [[Éomer]] and the cavalry of the [[Rohan|Mark]].<ref>{{App|Mark}}, Third Line, last paragraph, p. 1071</ref>

==Culture==
===Politics and rule===
It is not known how the Númenórean colony of Umbar was ruled before the Downfall of Númenor when it was a stronghold of the King's Men who were afterwards called the Black Númenóreans. No "King of Umbar" is mentioned in the Annals of the Kings and Rulers after the Down fall of Númenor. It is possible that the Black Númenóreans regarded the Heirs of Elendil as usurpers. It is also possible that they did not decide on a new King as the successor of King Ar-Pharazôn, because they did not know if Ar-Pharazôn had survived the invasion of Aman and had achieved his desire of immortality there or had died in Aman or in the Drowning of Númenor.

It is not known, if [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]], who rose to power among the Haradrim in the wide lands south of Mordor,<ref name="Rings" /> were rulers of Umbar.

In {{TA|1634}}, Angamaitë and Sangahyando were the leaders of the Corsairs of Umbar.<ref name="ElendilC" />

At the time of the [[War of the Ring]] Umbar was occupied by hostile people whose lords were originally rebel Númenóreans and were currently pirates.<ref name="HM|UI" /> The names and the number of those lords who ruled Umbar during the War of the Rings are not known.

===Language===
In the course of the [[Third Age]] Westron had become the native language of nearly all [[Men]] that lived within the borders of the old kingdom of [[Gondor]], including all along the coasts from Umbar northward and inland as far as the [[Ephel Dúath]]. At the time of the [[War of the Ring]] Westron was still the native tongue in this area.<ref name="F1" /><ref>{{PM|Atani}}, penultimate paragraph and its preceeding paragraph</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The label "Havens of Umbar" is written below a bay that lies south of South Gondor near the bottom edge of the [[General Map of Middle-earth]] that was included in earlier editions of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. The City of the Corsairs lies at the easternmost point of the bay of Umbar on this map.<ref name="GeneralMap" />

==Etymology==
The origin of the name ''Umbar'' was forgotten. Umbar already received its name before the ships of the Númenóreans sailed the sea.<ref>{{App|Men}}, sixth paragraph, p. 1129</ref> As a consequence, it is a name in one of the [[pre-Númenórean]] languages. Despite the coincidental similarity, the name Umbar is not related to the Quenya word ''[[Umbar (word)|umbar]]'', which means fate.<ref name="Names">{{App|Letters}}, Note, ''The names of the letters'', p. 1124</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Cape of Umbar map.jpg|thumb|right|Map of the Cape of Umbar in''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'' ]]
'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The City of the Corsairs is known properly as "Umbar Baharbêl", and the realm also encompasses the Cape of Umbar and the few settlements upon it. Offshore from the cape is the shipwreck-strewn archipelago called "Zirâr Tarka, the Shield Isles" of Umbar, home to castaways, exiles, and freebooters. The Umbari language is partially inspired by Maltese.
:After the defeat at Pelargir and the downfall of Sauron, the Umbari people rebel against those those loyal to Sauron and the Haradrim "Empire of Ordâkh" occupying the city. Now a Free City, Umbar is ruled by a council of seven called the "Kindred of the Coins". At least some of the Kindred have designs against Gondor, and so the players must investigate on behalf of [[King of Gondor|King]] [[Aragorn|Elessar]] and [[Queen of Gondor|Queen]] [[Arwen]], while befriending and assisting the citizens.

==See also==
*[[Corsairs of Umbar]]
*[[Corsair Wars]]

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20201116031156/http://www.guildcompanion.com/scrolls/2003/feb/rethinkingumbar.html Rethinking Umbar] by [[Chris Seeman]]
*[https://nolondil.tumblr.com/post/174550667841/who-is-a-n%C3%BAmen%C3%B3rean Who Is a Númenórean?] by Nolondil (Ellie Keener)
*[https://middle-earth.xenite.org/were-the-corsairs-of-umbar-numenoreans/ Were the Corsairs of Umbar Numenoreans?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
*[https://middle-earth.xenite.org/what-is-the-meaning-of-umbar-the-city-name/ What is the meaning of Umbar (the City Name)?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
*[https://middle-earth.xenite.org/was-umbar-the-only-haven-sauron-controlled/ Was Umbar the Only Haven Sauron Controlled?] by [[Michael Martinez]]

{{references|n}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Harbours]]
[[Category:Mannish names]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Southern lands]]

[[de:Umbar (Gebiet)]]
[[fi:Umbar]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/umbar]]

Talk:Doors of Durin

2024-11-17T16:42:59Z

Ed8r: /* Description in the narrative */ Reply

Do we have a category for this type of entry? --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 14:59, 19 June 2006 (EDT)

:Not that I can think of, any suggestions? --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 15:03, 19 June 2006 (EDT)

::Dwarvish structures? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 15:17, 19 June 2006 (EDT)

==not a riddle==

The inscription says "Say 'friend' and enter." Gandalf mis-translated it. Only then did it become a riddle.

==Description in the narrative==
The narrative describes the shapes of the door as "two trees, each bearing crescent moons". In the drawing the trees don't bear crescent moons, but their branches are shaped like crescents.

Then Gimli notices the emblems of Durin, and Legolas notices "The Tree of the High Elves". In the drawing there is no tree other than the two trees. What this Tree is, it is not explained, but for some reason Foster identifies is as Galathilion from the Silmarillion. He also says that Galathilion, bearing crescents, is an emblem of the Eldar. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 11:58, 20 June 2014 (UTC)

:I just recently became interested in the ambiguity of this description. Rather than being confused by all the similar shapes Tolkien used to represent branches, one could say that the largest branches on each side are "bearing" three crescent moons on top of each. On the other hand, the word "bearing" could even account for the shapes that appear to be "hanging" as the branches curl in on themselves. Is anyone aware of any "expert's" discussion of what is what? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 16:42, 17 November 2024 (UTC)

==An Inconsistency==

The 1st § should be erased because there's no source available (I've hardly searched them) and let think really wrong things about the subject. {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

:I think the point of the section is kinda missed now. The inconsistency lays on the chronology, not on the translation of the name of ''Khazad-dum'' as ''Moria'', which is not. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 12:53, 3 March 2021 (UTC)

:I think we should still include the bit about the name Moria not being widely used until after it was taken over by Durin's Bane, even though it appears on the doors. It's a notable inconsistency. There's discussion of it in the ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', pp. 281-2, for the statement "Durin, Lord of Moria" on the doors. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 15:52, 3 March 2021 (UTC)

:I "the name Moria not being widely used until after it was taken over by Durin's Bane" Grace18, could you give formal sources about this ? {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::''"Greatest of all the mansions of the Dwarves was Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, Hadhodrond in the Elvish tongue, that was afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria."'' Quenta Silmarillion, of the Sindar.
::''"Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue."'' Gimli in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
::Both quotes seem to imply that the name Moria came to be used commonly only later, after its fall. Although, to be fair, this does not mean that the name was not used by the Elves earlier, and it is quite possible that it was. However, it ''was'' a derogatory term, ("Black Chasm"), even if only named for its being underground. And as pointed out in the Reader's Companion, the doors were made during a time of friendship between the Elves and Dwarves, while [[Durin III]] was ruler of Khazad-dȗm, and, "''Moria'' was hardly what the ruler of Khazad-dȗm would have chosen to have inscribed on his doors." There are several possible explanations with it, which are discussed in the Companion, and range from foresight on the part of Celebrimbor, to Gandalf simply translating "Hadhodrond" as he read off the inscription. In my opinion, it's still a notable inconsistency, at least worthy of a small note somewhere in the article. But you are right, it is difficult to pin down a definite source. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 01:27, 4 March 2021 (UTC)

:::I agree, what the Companion says is already enough. Gandalf translating "Hadhodrond" while reading Sindarin at the same time doesn't make sense. Anycase the statement about how the Sindar translated Dwarvish locations is unrelated with the topic and should be removed. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 09:30, 4 March 2021 (UTC)

:::thanks Grace18 :) Your first quote is a construction of Christopher ; the original says : "Greatest of these was Khazaddum that was after called in the days of its darkness Moria" (cf HOME 11 p 201). It is probable that "Hadhodrond" for Khazad-dûm doesn't exist in the mind of Tolkien when he was writting the LotR (1st appearance in "Quendi and Eldar" dated about 1959-60). So "Moria" may be the only sindarin word for Khazad-dum at the time of Celebrimbor when Tolkien writted the LotR. And a word "given without love by the Elves" doesn't mean that this word is an insult for the Dwarves. There's no evidence that it was derogatory for dwarves' minds. The only quote about that is "given without love" in Appendix F of the LotR.
:::And maybe "in the days of its darkness" refers to the time when the lord of Khazad-dûm got one of the Seven Rings (Thror had got one) which drove the Dwarves to dig more and more deeper and awaked their doom.
:::But I think that after the flight of the Dwarves from their home, they used to use "Moria" as the Elves because it was no more their "khazad-dûm".
:::There's too many "maybe" in this subject so it seems to me that Tolkien Gateway should expose the facts only, because conjectures are unlimited and some may solve the inconsistancy. Don't you think so ?
:::ok for erasing the statement about the elves' naming, but then, what should let in that section ? Maybe talking about "a POSSIBLE inconsistency" ... or erase the section ? {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::::You prove a good point. A lot of it is speculation based, and we definitely need to make that clear. But it is a relatively common question, and I think it would be good to address it. I'm good with changing the section to "A possible inconsistency", and using it to briefly discuss the question, and a couple possible explanations. I think if we do our best to present the known facts, we can leave it up to the reader to make a conclusion. Also, since we do have some reasonable arguments/explanations here, it might be worth touching up the [[Mistakes and inconsistencies in Tolkien's works# Factual mistakes|Doors of Durin section]] of our Mistakes and inconsistencies page. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 13:38, 4 March 2021 (UTC)

:::::Happy to see our concordance :D but, I'm not anglophone, and it's a so touchy subject that I don't think I'm able to write something right.{{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::::::I'll try to take care of it. I may take a bit to make sure I get everything right. If you or someone else wants to look over it when I change it to make sure there's no errors I would appreciate it! Additionally, should I include the three explanations offered in the Reader's Companion (foresight, reworking, translation), or leave it up to the reader? I'm a little hesitant to use just the three, because it's so speculative, and there's plenty of other options. We could probably discuss them in more depth on the Mistakes and inconsistencies page rather than here. Thoughts? --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 19:53, 5 March 2021 (UTC)

:::::::I'll read your § with pleasure :) I wouldn't include the explanations and let readers seach their owns.

Okay, I've changed it. Feel free to make any alterations you feel will make it better :) --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 21:14, 6 March 2021 (UTC)

:Nice job ; i've added something about the fact that nothing may explicitly lead to a derogatory feeling of the Dwarves about the name "Moria". My exemple is from Gloin words on LotR book 2, chap 2 "Glóin sighed. `Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world!" I really don't understand how to make a reference on Tolkien Gateway ^^ {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::Thank you! I went ahead and put in that reference for you, hopefully I did it right. The references can get a bit confusing at time, but using [[Help:References]] should help clear some of it up for you. Thank you for your work on this section, it's much better now, in my opinion. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 22:16, 7 March 2021 (UTC)

:::<nowiki>:D</nowiki> ; I'll get precccciiiously this reference about references ;) {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

==Hollin Gate==

The search feature helpfully offers a redirect from this term to the page for Doors of Durin. But the page itself nowhere includes the term Hollin Gate, which is translated directly from the Book of Mazarbul when Gandalf reads from it while the Fellowship are huddled in the Chamber of Mazarbul. Notice also that Hammond & Scull's new index for LOTR includes this name under the entry for "Moria, doors of". [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 14:38, 30 May 2024 (UTC)

:I agree, I went ahead and at least added it to the "Other Names" section of the infobox. If you think we should also mention the name and where it comes from in the article itself that works for me. Good catch! [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] ([[User talk:Hyarion|talk]]) 17:59, 30 May 2024 (UTC)
::Seems as if it ought to appear in boldface text in the first paragraph where all the names are mentioned?? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 18:12, 30 May 2024 (UTC)
:::Sounds good to me, I'll let you jump on it. And if you think it's getting too wordy or if you want to provide further details on the names, we can move the names to an "Other names" section like we have with [[Aragorn]] for example. [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] ([[User talk:Hyarion|talk]]) 18:25, 30 May 2024 (UTC)

Talk:Athelas

2024-06-09T19:07:33Z

Ed8r: /* visual appearance */ Reply

==Rename==
How about renaming the article to "Kingsfoil" and keep "Athelas" as an etymology page? [[User:Sage|Sage]] 09:02, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

:Disagree. Athelas is definitely the better known name of the two, and people looking for it would want the article rather than just an etymology page. -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 10:03, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

::+1 --{{User:Mith/sig}} 10:53, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

==visual appearance==

This page includes photos of the rather bushy version of ''athelas'' shown in Jackson's films, but nowhere on the page does it mention Tolkien's description of "long leaves," which appears when Aragorn first finds some after the attack on Weathertop. Notice that even its translated name "kingsfoil" itself implies that the leaves are long and slender (considering other uses of the French word ''foil'', that is), which is contrary to its representation in the films.

All of this is only to ask whether the page shouldn't include Tolkien's short description somewhere? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 16:15, 8 June 2024 (UTC)

:Great catch, I don't think you'll hear any arguments against adding that information to the article. The more details with references we can provide to the reader the better. If you need any help with how to insert a reference or anything just let me know. We try to keep our primary illustrations as accurate as possible so if you happen to stumble upon any image you feel would work better, I can contact the artist for permission to display it here. Thanks so much for your input! [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] ([[User talk:Hyarion|talk]]) 16:36, 8 June 2024 (UTC)
::Really, I'd be happy for someone else to do the edit and add the reference, if you'd like. I'll see if I can find a more accurate visual to add. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 17:04, 8 June 2024 (UTC)
::Yay! Great find for the visual--thank you! I definitely think this is an improvement for this page. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 14:45, 9 June 2024 (UTC)
:::Hm, I don't think there has been any change to the images on the page? As long as you're happy though, I'll definitely take credit for things. :) [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] ([[User talk:Hyarion|talk]]) 15:40, 9 June 2024 (UTC)
::If you're interested, one other piece of art I found that seems to conform to Tolkien's description is titled appropriately ''Athelas'', by Anke Eissmann. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 19:07, 9 June 2024 (UTC)

Talk:Athelas

2024-06-09T14:45:59Z

Ed8r: /* visual appearance */ Reply

==Rename==
How about renaming the article to "Kingsfoil" and keep "Athelas" as an etymology page? [[User:Sage|Sage]] 09:02, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

:Disagree. Athelas is definitely the better known name of the two, and people looking for it would want the article rather than just an etymology page. -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 10:03, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

::+1 --{{User:Mith/sig}} 10:53, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

== visual appearance ==

This page includes photos of the rather bushy version of ''athelas'' shown in Jackson's films, but nowhere on the page does it mention Tolkien's description of "long leaves," which appears when Aragorn first finds some after the attack on Weathertop. Notice that even its translated name "kingsfoil" itself implies that the leaves are long and slender (considering other uses of the French word ''foil'', that is), which is contrary to its representation in the films.

All of this is only to ask whether the page shouldn't include Tolkien's short description somewhere? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 16:15, 8 June 2024 (UTC)

:Great catch, I don't think you'll hear any arguments against adding that information to the article. The more details with references we can provide to the reader the better. If you need any help with how to insert a reference or anything just let me know. We try to keep our primary illustrations as accurate as possible so if you happen to stumble upon any image you feel would work better, I can contact the artist for permission to display it here. Thanks so much for your input! [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] ([[User talk:Hyarion|talk]]) 16:36, 8 June 2024 (UTC)
::Really, I'd be happy for someone else to do the edit and add the reference, if you'd like. I'll see if I can find a more accurate visual to add. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 17:04, 8 June 2024 (UTC)
::Yay! Great find for the visual--thank you! I definitely think this is an improvement for this page. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 14:45, 9 June 2024 (UTC)

Athelas

2024-06-09T14:44:33Z

Ed8r: /* History */

{{disambig-more|Athelas|[[Athelas (disambiguation)]]}}
{{plant infobox
| name=Athelas
| image=John Howe - Athelas.jpg
| caption="[[:Image:John Howe - Athelas.jpg|Athelas]]" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun={{respell|ath|eh-las}}
| othernames=Kingsfoil (W), ''[[asëa aranion]]'' (Q)
| location=[[Númenor]] and the [[Westlands]], especially where [[Dúnedain]] had passed
| notablefor=Healing properties against the [[Black Breath]]
| family=
| appearance=
}}
'''Athelas''', also known as '''Kingsfoil''' or '''''asëa aranion''''', was a sweet-smelling herb with healing properties, such as curing wounds, poison and counteracting evil influence such as the [[Black Breath]].

==History==
During the [[First Age]] athelas was perhaps growing in [[Beleriand]]. [[Huan]] had found athelas to heal [[Beren]] of his wounds.<ref name="Canto10">{{LB|C10}}</ref>

Athelas most notably grew on the island of [[Númenor]] and was brought to [[Middle-earth]] by the [[Númenóreans]].<ref name="Flight">{{FR|I12}}</ref> It grew sparsely in [[Eriador|the North]] and only in places where the Men of Westernesse had camped or lived. By the end of the [[Third Age]] only the [[Rangers of the North]] retained the knowledge of its healing properties.

In Gondor (where it was known as '''Kingsfoil''') its healing virtues were unknown and its leaves were esteemed only for their refreshing scent, but it was especially powerful in the hands of the [[Kings of Gondor]], perhaps because of the [[Elves|Elvish]] heritage of the [[House of Anarion|royal house]].<ref name="Healing">{{RK|V8}}</ref>

Its long leaves<ref>{{FR|Flight}}</ref> were used by [[Aragorn]] on several occasions: healing [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] from the Morgul wound,<ref name="Flight"/> tending the wounds of Frodo and Sam after the exit from [[Moria]],<ref name="Lorien">{{FR|II6}}</ref> and, secretly entering [[Minas Tirith]] upon his return to [[Gondor]], to heal those touched by the [[Black Breath]], an act that enhanced his reputation and strengthened his claim to the crown.<ref name="Healing"/>

==Properties and Effects==
Athelas, when dried and crushed in hot water, is refreshing. It clears and calms<ref name="Flight"/> the minds of those who smell it. Athelas also strengthens<ref name="Lorien"/> those smelling the scent. It has a particular scent that is either unique to the individual who smells the herb or influenced by the recipient of the herb's effects:

* [[Faramir]]'s scent is of "dewy mornings of unshadowed sun... [in which] Spring is itself but a fleeting memory."<ref name="Healing"/>
* [[Ioreth]] smells the "roses of Imloth Melui" from her childhood.<ref name="Healing"/>
* [[Éowyn]] smells no scent as if the air was clean, fresh and had never "been breathed by any living thing and came new-made from snowy mountains high beneath a dome of stars, or from shores of silver far away washed by seas of foam."<ref name="Healing"/>
* [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]]'s smell is that of "orchards, and of heather in the sunshine full of bees."<ref name="Healing"/>

==Etymology==
''Athelas'' is a [[Sindarin]] word, consisting of ''[[athae]]'' + ''[[lass]]''.<ref name=Eldarin>{{PE|Eldarin}}, pp. 49-100</ref>

The [[Quenya]] cognate is '''''asëa aranion''''' ("asëa of the Kings").<ref name=Eldarin></ref> It has been suggested that the whole name could mean "Beneficial (leaf) of Kings".<ref>[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/quen-eng.htm Quettaparma Quenyallo] at [http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/ Ardalambion] (accessed 14 May 2011)</ref><ref>[http://www.tuckborough.net/plants.html Plants & Trees] (cf. Athelas) at [http://www.tuckborough.net/index.htm The Thain's Book] (accessed 14 May 2011)</ref> The rejected form ''asea aranaite'' was used in a manuscript version of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.<ref>{{WR|3|XI}}, p. 394</ref>

''Kingsfoil'' has the Old French element ''foil'', "leaf" as seen in [[Wikipedia:cinquefoil|cinquefoil]].<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 781</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
Athelas doesn't appear in the published ''[[The Silmarillion|Silmarillion]]'' or in the tales of the [[First Age]] in general; however in the early ''[[Lay of Leithian]]'' it was used by [[Huan]] and [[Lúthien]] to heal the wounded [[Beren]].<ref name="Canto10"/> This contradicts the information from ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' of it being brought to Middle-earth by [[Númenóreans]],<ref name="Flight"/> so its history was either revised by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]], or athelas grew in [[Beleriand]] before it was destroyed, and then brought ''back'' to Middle-earth by Númenóreans in the [[Second Age]].

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Athelas in adaptations
|height=150
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Athelas.jpg|Athelas from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Athelas.png|Athelas from ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]''
}}
'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:In the [[Flight to the Ford (scene)|Flight to the Ford scene]] Aragorn searches for the plant with Samwise, so that he might halt the effect of the [[Morgul-knife]] on Frodo. He finds it and uses some on the wound before [[Arwen]] takes Frodo on her horse to [[Rivendell]].

'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:Athelas appears as a plant used by the Elf [[Tauriel]] to heal the Dwarf, [[Kili]], of a poisonous wound inflicted by an Orc's arrow.

==In other media==
Kingsfoil is also mentioned in [[wikipedia:Ursula K. Le Guin|Ursula K. Le Guin]]'s ''[[wikipedia:A Wizard of Earthsea|A Wizard of Earthsea]]'', as one of the herbs in the witch of Gont's hut.<ref>"[http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=5895 Athelas]", dated 21 January 2001, at [http://forum.barrowdowns.com/index.php? Forum.BarrowDowns.com] (accessed 13 November 2011)</ref>

Athelas is also mentioned in the game [[wikipedia:Quest for Glory I|Quest for Glory]].

The [[fonts|font]] ''Athelas''<ref>"[https://www.type-together.com/athelas-font Official page]" of ''Athelas'' font, on [https://www.type-together.com TypeTogether.com] (accessed April 11, 2024)</ref>, named for the plant, was released in 2008 by independent type foundry TypeTogether. The font was designed by TypeTogether's founders, Veronika Burian and Jose Scaglione.

{{references}}
[[Category:Plants]]
[[Category:Sindarin nouns]]
[[de:Athelas]]
[[fr:encyclo/biologie/flore/athelas]]
[[fi:Athelas]]

Talk:Athelas

2024-06-08T17:04:57Z

Ed8r: /* visual appearance */ Reply

==Rename==
How about renaming the article to "Kingsfoil" and keep "Athelas" as an etymology page? [[User:Sage|Sage]] 09:02, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

:Disagree. Athelas is definitely the better known name of the two, and people looking for it would want the article rather than just an etymology page. -- {{User:Ederchil/sig}} 10:03, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

::+1 --{{User:Mith/sig}} 10:53, 5 November 2010 (UTC)

== visual appearance ==

This page includes photos of the rather bushy version of ''athelas'' shown in Jackson's films, but nowhere on the page does it mention Tolkien's description of "long leaves," which appears when Aragorn first finds some after the attack on Weathertop. Notice that even its translated name "kingsfoil" itself implies that the leaves are long and slender (considering other uses of the French word ''foil'', that is), which is contrary to its representation in the films.

All of this is only to ask whether the page shouldn't include Tolkien's short description somewhere? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 16:15, 8 June 2024 (UTC)

:Great catch, I don't think you'll hear any arguments against adding that information to the article. The more details with references we can provide to the reader the better. If you need any help with how to insert a reference or anything just let me know. We try to keep our primary illustrations as accurate as possible so if you happen to stumble upon any image you feel would work better, I can contact the artist for permission to display it here. Thanks so much for your input! [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] ([[User talk:Hyarion|talk]]) 16:36, 8 June 2024 (UTC)
::Really, I'd be happy for someone else to do the edit and add the reference, if you'd like. I'll see if I can find a more accurate visual to add. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 17:04, 8 June 2024 (UTC)

Talk:Athelas

2024-06-08T16:15:49Z

Ed8r: /* visual appearance */ new section

Doors of Durin

2024-05-30T18:45:48Z

Ed8r: /* History */

{{location infobox
| name=Doors of Durin
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg]]
| caption=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] - ''Doors of Durin''
| pronun=
| othernames=West-gate, West-door of Moria, Elven Door, Hollin Gate<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>
| location=[[Moria]]
| type=
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| created=Between {{SA|750}} and {{SA|1500|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| rebuilt=
| events=
| gallery=the Doors of Durin
}}

{{qtlisten|Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.|Gate of the Elves, open now for me|[[Gandalf]]|Gandalf - Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.ogg}}

The '''Doors of Durin''', also known as the '''West-gate''', the '''West-door of Moria''', '''Elven Door''', or '''Hollin Gate''' were built into the [[Walls of Moria]] in the dark cliffs of the [[Celebdil|Silvertine]], and formed the western entrance to the great [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]].

==History==
The main entrance to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was the [[Great Gates]] in [[Dimrill Dale]], east of the [[Misty Mountains]]. During the [[Second Age]], it was decided to open a way to the west side of the Silvertine, which would facilitate contact and cooperation with the [[Elves|Elven]] realm of [[Hollin]].<ref name="Dark">{{FR|II4}}</ref>
[[File:Anke Eißmann - The Doors of Durin.jpg|thumb|left|''The Doors of Durin'' by [[Anke Eißmann]].]]
The '''Elven Door''' was constructed in cooperation between [[Dwarves]] and [[Elves]], sometime between {{SA|750}} and {{SA|1500|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the two greatest craftsmen of the Second Age, the [[Noldor|Elf]] and Lord of Eregion, [[Celebrimbor]], and the [[Dwarves|dwarf]] [[Narvi]] who built the Doors.<ref name="Dark"/>
These were the days before the [[Dark Years]] of [[Sauron]]'s dominion in [[Middle-earth]], and the friendship between Elven and Dwarven kingdoms was a rare and special event. During this peaceful time the Doors stood open, allowing unfettered trade. But during the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] (in {{SA|1697}}) the Doors were sealed shut after [[Sack of Eregion|Hollin fell]] to Sauron's forces.<ref name="SA"/>

When Khazad-dûm was abandoned in {{TA|1981}}<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> the way of opening the Doors was forgotten.

At some point between {{TA|2845|n}} and {{TA|2950|n}} the Wizard [[Gandalf]] entered the city looking for King [[Thráin|Thráin II]] who had disappeared on journey to Erebor. After his search the Wizard exited through the Doors; however this experience did not help him know how to open the doors from the outside.<ref name="Dark"/>

In {{TA|2994|n}}, during the settling of [[Balin's Colony]], they were attacked by an onslaught of [[orcs]].<ref name="TA"/> [[Óin]] led a group to the west side of the city hoping to find escape through the '''Hollin Gate''', but instead he found the water up to the doors where the [[Watcher in the Water]] killed him. The Dwarves were trapped, and all perished.<ref>{{FR|II5}}</ref>

In [[August]] {{TA|3018|n}} [[Gollum]] took refuge in Moria; but when he had at last discovered the way to the Doors he could not get out.<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref>
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Password Into Moria.jpg|thumb|''Password Into Moria'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
On [[13 January]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] entered Moria through the Doors,<ref name="Great"/> but initially Gandalf could not find out the password to open them. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry Brandybuck]] unknowingly gave Gandalf the answer by asking, "What does it mean by ''speak, friend, and enter''?" When Gandalf realized that the correct translation was "Say friend and enter" he sprang up, laughed, and said "''[[Mellon]]''", which means "friend" in [[Sindarin]], and the Doors opened. Shortly thereafter, the [[Watcher in the Water]] attacked the Fellowship and shut the Doors behind them.<ref name="Dark"/> Afterwards [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was resettled by Dwarves; it is unknown if the Doors of Durin were ever repaired.

==Appearance==
[[File:Donato Giancola - The Doors of Moria.jpg|thumb|left|''The Doors of Moria'' by [[Donato Giancola]].]]
They were fashioned as flush doors, the jambs invisible to the eye, and matched so perfectly with the mountain rock that when closed the Doors could not be seen. The slabs were made by Narvi out of a grey material stronger than stone, and inlaid by Celebrimbor with ''[[ithildin]]'', which could only be seen in starlight and moonlight.

When visible, the fine silver-like inlay showed a hammer and anvil (the emblems of [[Durin]]), a crown and [[Seven Stars]] (probably [[Durin's Crown]]), two trees surmounted by crescent moons (probably symbolizing the [[Galathilion|Tree of the High Elves]]), and a single star (the emblem of the [[House of Fëanor]]). On the top left and right corners there were the [[tengwar]] ''[[Calma]]'' (C) and ''[[Óre]]'' (N) standing for Celebrimbor and Narvi; between their feet was an ''[[Ando]]'' (D) for Durin.

The inscription on the [[Wikipedia:Archivolt|archivolt]] read:
<blockquote>''"Ennyn Durin Aran Moria. Pedo Mellon a Minno. Im Narvi hain echant. Celebrimbor o Eregion teithant i thiw hin."''</blockquote>

As Gandalf first translated it to the other Walkers:
<blockquote>"The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."</blockquote>

Actually, the inscription gave the password that would cause the Doors to swing open. Gandalf's translation is correct, but the proper translation of the second sentence, also correct, is "Say 'friend' and enter."<ref name="Dark"/>

From the inside the Doors could be opened by simply pushing against them, though it usually took the thrust of two to do so. When Moria was inhabited by the Dwarves they kept doorwards inside who would help open the Doors and see that only those with permission could pass.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, Note 12</ref>

==A possible inconsistency==
The name ''[[Moria]]'' means "Black Chasm" in [[Sindarin]] and was said to have been given by the Elves "without love".<ref name=Trans>{{App|Translation}}: "Moria is an Elvish name, and given without love; for the Eldar... were not dwellers in such places of choice"</ref> Some statements seem to imply that the name Moria for Khazad-dûm was only widely used after it fell to [[Durin's Bane]],<ref>{{S|Sindar}}: "afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria"</ref><ref>{{FR|South}}:"Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue."</ref> although others suggest the name was merely given by the Elves as a result of their lack of love for underground dwellings.<ref name=Trans></ref> The possibly derogatory nature of this name has led some to question why it appears on doors that were made in a time of friendship between Elves and Dwarves,<ref>{{HM|RC}}, pp. 281-2</ref> but Tolkien has never said that Dwarves find it derogatory and they use it at the end of the Third Age, even talking about its wonders.<ref>{{FR|Council}} "Glóin sighed. 'Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world!'"</ref> For a more detailed discussion of potential explanations, see [[Possible inconsistencies in the legendarium#Doors of Durin|Possible inconsistencies in the legendarium]].

==External links==
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/01/a-jewish-analogue-to-doors-of-durin.html A Jewish analogue to The Doors of Durin]" by [[Jason Fisher]]
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/04/another-analog-to-doors-of-durin.html Another analog to the Doors of Durin]" by [[Jason Fisher]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Doors and gates]]
[[Category:Moria]]

[[de:Türen von Durin]]
[[fi:Morian Länsiportti]]

Doors of Durin

2024-05-30T18:45:14Z

Ed8r: /* History */

{{location infobox
| name=Doors of Durin
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg]]
| caption=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] - ''Doors of Durin''
| pronun=
| othernames=West-gate, West-door of Moria, Elven Door, Hollin Gate<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>
| location=[[Moria]]
| type=
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| created=Between {{SA|750}} and {{SA|1500|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| rebuilt=
| events=
| gallery=the Doors of Durin
}}

{{qtlisten|Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.|Gate of the Elves, open now for me|[[Gandalf]]|Gandalf - Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.ogg}}

The '''Doors of Durin''', also known as the '''West-gate''', the '''West-door of Moria''', '''Elven Door''', or '''Hollin Gate''' were built into the [[Walls of Moria]] in the dark cliffs of the [[Celebdil|Silvertine]], and formed the western entrance to the great [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]].

==History==
The main entrance to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was the [[Great Gates]] in [[Dimrill Dale]], east of the [[Misty Mountains]]. During the [[Second Age]], it was decided to open a way to the west side of the Silvertine, which would facilitate contact and cooperation with the [[Elves|Elven]] realm of [[Hollin]].<ref name="Dark">{{FR|II4}}</ref>
[[File:Anke Eißmann - The Doors of Durin.jpg|thumb|left|''The Doors of Durin'' by [[Anke Eißmann]].]]
The '''Elven Door''' was constructed in cooperation between [[Dwarves]] and [[Elves]], sometime between {{SA|750}} and {{SA|1500|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the two greatest craftsmen of the Second Age, the [[Noldor|Elf]] and Lord of Eregion, [[Celebrimbor]], and the [[Dwarves|dwarf]] [[Narvi]] who built the Doors.<ref name="Dark"/>
These were the days before the [[Dark Years]] of [[Sauron]]'s dominion in [[Middle-earth]], and the friendship between Elven and Dwarven kingdoms was a rare and special event. During this peaceful time the Doors stood open, allowing unfettered trade. But during the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] (in {{SA|1697}}) the Doors were sealed shut after [[Sack of Eregion|Hollin fell]] to Sauron's forces.<ref name="SA"/>

When Khazad-dûm was abandoned in {{TA|1981}}<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> the way of opening the Doors was forgotten.

At some point between {{TA|2845|n}} and {{TA|2950|n}} the Wizard [[Gandalf]] entered the city looking for King [[Thráin|Thráin II]] who had disappeared on journey to Erebor. After his search the Wizard exited through the Doors; however this experience did not help him know how to open the doors from the outside.<ref name="Dark"/>

In {{TA|2994|n}}, during the settling of [[Balin's Colony]], they were attacked by an onslaught of [[orcs]].<ref name="TA"/> [[Óin]] led a group to the west side of the city hoping to find escape through the Hollin Gate, but instead he found the water up to the doors where the [[Watcher in the Water]] killed him. The Dwarves were trapped, and all perished.<ref>{{FR|II5}}</ref>

In [[August]] {{TA|3018|n}} [[Gollum]] took refuge in Moria; but when he had at last discovered the way to the Doors he could not get out.<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref>
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Password Into Moria.jpg|thumb|''Password Into Moria'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
On [[13 January]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] entered Moria through the Doors,<ref name="Great"/> but initially Gandalf could not find out the password to open them. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry Brandybuck]] unknowingly gave Gandalf the answer by asking, "What does it mean by ''speak, friend, and enter''?" When Gandalf realized that the correct translation was "Say friend and enter" he sprang up, laughed, and said "''[[Mellon]]''", which means "friend" in [[Sindarin]], and the Doors opened. Shortly thereafter, the [[Watcher in the Water]] attacked the Fellowship and shut the Doors behind them.<ref name="Dark"/> Afterwards [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was resettled by Dwarves; it is unknown if the Doors of Durin were ever repaired.

==Appearance==
[[File:Donato Giancola - The Doors of Moria.jpg|thumb|left|''The Doors of Moria'' by [[Donato Giancola]].]]
They were fashioned as flush doors, the jambs invisible to the eye, and matched so perfectly with the mountain rock that when closed the Doors could not be seen. The slabs were made by Narvi out of a grey material stronger than stone, and inlaid by Celebrimbor with ''[[ithildin]]'', which could only be seen in starlight and moonlight.

When visible, the fine silver-like inlay showed a hammer and anvil (the emblems of [[Durin]]), a crown and [[Seven Stars]] (probably [[Durin's Crown]]), two trees surmounted by crescent moons (probably symbolizing the [[Galathilion|Tree of the High Elves]]), and a single star (the emblem of the [[House of Fëanor]]). On the top left and right corners there were the [[tengwar]] ''[[Calma]]'' (C) and ''[[Óre]]'' (N) standing for Celebrimbor and Narvi; between their feet was an ''[[Ando]]'' (D) for Durin.

The inscription on the [[Wikipedia:Archivolt|archivolt]] read:
<blockquote>''"Ennyn Durin Aran Moria. Pedo Mellon a Minno. Im Narvi hain echant. Celebrimbor o Eregion teithant i thiw hin."''</blockquote>

As Gandalf first translated it to the other Walkers:
<blockquote>"The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."</blockquote>

Actually, the inscription gave the password that would cause the Doors to swing open. Gandalf's translation is correct, but the proper translation of the second sentence, also correct, is "Say 'friend' and enter."<ref name="Dark"/>

From the inside the Doors could be opened by simply pushing against them, though it usually took the thrust of two to do so. When Moria was inhabited by the Dwarves they kept doorwards inside who would help open the Doors and see that only those with permission could pass.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, Note 12</ref>

==A possible inconsistency==
The name ''[[Moria]]'' means "Black Chasm" in [[Sindarin]] and was said to have been given by the Elves "without love".<ref name=Trans>{{App|Translation}}: "Moria is an Elvish name, and given without love; for the Eldar... were not dwellers in such places of choice"</ref> Some statements seem to imply that the name Moria for Khazad-dûm was only widely used after it fell to [[Durin's Bane]],<ref>{{S|Sindar}}: "afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria"</ref><ref>{{FR|South}}:"Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue."</ref> although others suggest the name was merely given by the Elves as a result of their lack of love for underground dwellings.<ref name=Trans></ref> The possibly derogatory nature of this name has led some to question why it appears on doors that were made in a time of friendship between Elves and Dwarves,<ref>{{HM|RC}}, pp. 281-2</ref> but Tolkien has never said that Dwarves find it derogatory and they use it at the end of the Third Age, even talking about its wonders.<ref>{{FR|Council}} "Glóin sighed. 'Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world!'"</ref> For a more detailed discussion of potential explanations, see [[Possible inconsistencies in the legendarium#Doors of Durin|Possible inconsistencies in the legendarium]].

==External links==
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/01/a-jewish-analogue-to-doors-of-durin.html A Jewish analogue to The Doors of Durin]" by [[Jason Fisher]]
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/04/another-analog-to-doors-of-durin.html Another analog to the Doors of Durin]" by [[Jason Fisher]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Doors and gates]]
[[Category:Moria]]

[[de:Türen von Durin]]
[[fi:Morian Länsiportti]]

Doors of Durin

2024-05-30T18:44:05Z

Ed8r:

{{location infobox
| name=Doors of Durin
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg]]
| caption=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] - ''Doors of Durin''
| pronun=
| othernames=West-gate, West-door of Moria, Elven Door, Hollin Gate<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>
| location=[[Moria]]
| type=
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| created=Between {{SA|750}} and {{SA|1500|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| rebuilt=
| events=
| gallery=the Doors of Durin
}}

{{qtlisten|Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.|Gate of the Elves, open now for me|[[Gandalf]]|Gandalf - Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.ogg}}

The '''Doors of Durin''', also known as the '''West-gate''', the '''West-door of Moria''', '''Elven Door''', or '''Hollin Gate''' were built into the [[Walls of Moria]] in the dark cliffs of the [[Celebdil|Silvertine]], and formed the western entrance to the great [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]].

==History==
The main entrance to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was the [[Great Gates]] in [[Dimrill Dale]], east of the [[Misty Mountains]]. During the [[Second Age]], it was decided to open a way to the west side of the Silvertine, which would facilitate contact and cooperation with the [[Elves|Elven]] realm of [[Hollin]].<ref name="Dark">{{FR|II4}}</ref>
[[File:Anke Eißmann - The Doors of Durin.jpg|thumb|left|''The Doors of Durin'' by [[Anke Eißmann]].]]
The '''Elven Door''' was constructed in cooperation between [[Dwarves]] and [[Elves]], sometime between {{SA|750}} and {{SA|1500|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the two greatest craftsmen of the Second Age, the [[Noldor|Elf]] and Lord of Eregion, [[Celebrimbor]], and the [[Dwarves|dwarf]] [[Narvi]] who built the Doors.<ref name="Dark"/>
These were the days before the [[Dark Years]] of [[Sauron]]'s dominion in [[Middle-earth]], and the friendship between Elven and Dwarven kingdoms was a rare and special event. During this peaceful time the Doors stood open, allowing unfettered trade. But during the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] (in {{SA|1697}}) the Doors were sealed shut after [[Sack of Eregion|Hollin fell]] to Sauron's forces.<ref name="SA"/>

When Khazad-dûm was abandoned in {{TA|1981}}<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> the way of opening the Doors was forgotten.

At some point between {{TA|2845|n}} and {{TA|2950|n}} the Wizard [[Gandalf]] entered the city looking for King [[Thráin|Thráin II]] who had disappeared on journey to Erebor. After his search the Wizard exited through the Doors; however this experience did not help him know how to open the doors from the outside.<ref name="Dark"/>

In {{TA|2994|n}}, during the settling of [[Balin's Colony]], they were attacked by an onslaught of [[orcs]].<ref name="TA"/> [[Óin]] led a group to the west side of the city hoping to find escape through the Doors of Durin, but instead he found the water up to the doors where the [[Watcher in the Water]] killed him. The Dwarves were trapped, and all perished.<ref>{{FR|II5}}</ref>

In [[August]] {{TA|3018|n}} [[Gollum]] took refuge in Moria; but when he had at last discovered the way to the Doors he could not get out.<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref>
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Password Into Moria.jpg|thumb|''Password Into Moria'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
On [[13 January]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] entered Moria through the Doors,<ref name="Great"/> but initially Gandalf could not find out the password to open them. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry Brandybuck]] unknowingly gave Gandalf the answer by asking, "What does it mean by ''speak, friend, and enter''?" When Gandalf realized that the correct translation was "Say friend and enter" he sprang up, laughed, and said "''[[Mellon]]''", which means "friend" in [[Sindarin]], and the Doors opened. Shortly thereafter, the [[Watcher in the Water]] attacked the Fellowship and shut the Doors behind them.<ref name="Dark"/> Afterwards [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was resettled by Dwarves; it is unknown if the Doors of Durin were ever repaired.

==Appearance==
[[File:Donato Giancola - The Doors of Moria.jpg|thumb|left|''The Doors of Moria'' by [[Donato Giancola]].]]
They were fashioned as flush doors, the jambs invisible to the eye, and matched so perfectly with the mountain rock that when closed the Doors could not be seen. The slabs were made by Narvi out of a grey material stronger than stone, and inlaid by Celebrimbor with ''[[ithildin]]'', which could only be seen in starlight and moonlight.

When visible, the fine silver-like inlay showed a hammer and anvil (the emblems of [[Durin]]), a crown and [[Seven Stars]] (probably [[Durin's Crown]]), two trees surmounted by crescent moons (probably symbolizing the [[Galathilion|Tree of the High Elves]]), and a single star (the emblem of the [[House of Fëanor]]). On the top left and right corners there were the [[tengwar]] ''[[Calma]]'' (C) and ''[[Óre]]'' (N) standing for Celebrimbor and Narvi; between their feet was an ''[[Ando]]'' (D) for Durin.

The inscription on the [[Wikipedia:Archivolt|archivolt]] read:
<blockquote>''"Ennyn Durin Aran Moria. Pedo Mellon a Minno. Im Narvi hain echant. Celebrimbor o Eregion teithant i thiw hin."''</blockquote>

As Gandalf first translated it to the other Walkers:
<blockquote>"The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."</blockquote>

Actually, the inscription gave the password that would cause the Doors to swing open. Gandalf's translation is correct, but the proper translation of the second sentence, also correct, is "Say 'friend' and enter."<ref name="Dark"/>

From the inside the Doors could be opened by simply pushing against them, though it usually took the thrust of two to do so. When Moria was inhabited by the Dwarves they kept doorwards inside who would help open the Doors and see that only those with permission could pass.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, Note 12</ref>

==A possible inconsistency==
The name ''[[Moria]]'' means "Black Chasm" in [[Sindarin]] and was said to have been given by the Elves "without love".<ref name=Trans>{{App|Translation}}: "Moria is an Elvish name, and given without love; for the Eldar... were not dwellers in such places of choice"</ref> Some statements seem to imply that the name Moria for Khazad-dûm was only widely used after it fell to [[Durin's Bane]],<ref>{{S|Sindar}}: "afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria"</ref><ref>{{FR|South}}:"Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue."</ref> although others suggest the name was merely given by the Elves as a result of their lack of love for underground dwellings.<ref name=Trans></ref> The possibly derogatory nature of this name has led some to question why it appears on doors that were made in a time of friendship between Elves and Dwarves,<ref>{{HM|RC}}, pp. 281-2</ref> but Tolkien has never said that Dwarves find it derogatory and they use it at the end of the Third Age, even talking about its wonders.<ref>{{FR|Council}} "Glóin sighed. 'Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world!'"</ref> For a more detailed discussion of potential explanations, see [[Possible inconsistencies in the legendarium#Doors of Durin|Possible inconsistencies in the legendarium]].

==External links==
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/01/a-jewish-analogue-to-doors-of-durin.html A Jewish analogue to The Doors of Durin]" by [[Jason Fisher]]
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/04/another-analog-to-doors-of-durin.html Another analog to the Doors of Durin]" by [[Jason Fisher]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Doors and gates]]
[[Category:Moria]]

[[de:Türen von Durin]]
[[fi:Morian Länsiportti]]

Doors of Durin

2024-05-30T18:41:51Z

Ed8r: /* History */

{{location infobox
| name=Doors of Durin
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Doors of Durin.jpg]]
| caption=[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] - ''Doors of Durin''
| pronun=
| othernames=West-gate, West-door of Moria, Elven Door, Hollin Gate<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>
| location=[[Moria]]
| type=
| description=
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=
| created=Between {{SA|750}} and {{SA|1500|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| rebuilt=
| events=
| gallery=the Doors of Durin
}}

{{qtlisten|Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.|Gate of the Elves, open now for me|[[Gandalf]]|Gandalf - Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen.ogg}}

The '''Doors of Durin''', also known as the '''West-gate''', the '''West-door of Moria''', or '''Elven Door''', were built into the [[Walls of Moria]] in the dark cliffs of the [[Celebdil|Silvertine]], and formed the western entrance to the great [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]].

==History==
The main entrance to [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was the [[Great Gates]] in [[Dimrill Dale]], east of the [[Misty Mountains]]. During the [[Second Age]], it was decided to open a way to the west side of the Silvertine, which would facilitate contact and cooperation with the [[Elves|Elven]] realm of [[Hollin]].<ref name="Dark">{{FR|II4}}</ref>
[[File:Anke Eißmann - The Doors of Durin.jpg|thumb|left|''The Doors of Durin'' by [[Anke Eißmann]].]]
The '''Elven Door''' was constructed in cooperation between [[Dwarves]] and [[Elves]], sometime between {{SA|750}} and {{SA|1500|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> It was the two greatest craftsmen of the Second Age, the [[Noldor|Elf]] and Lord of Eregion, [[Celebrimbor]], and the [[Dwarves|dwarf]] [[Narvi]] who built the Doors.<ref name="Dark"/>
These were the days before the [[Dark Years]] of [[Sauron]]'s dominion in [[Middle-earth]], and the friendship between Elven and Dwarven kingdoms was a rare and special event. During this peaceful time the Doors stood open, allowing unfettered trade. But during the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] (in {{SA|1697}}) the Doors were sealed shut after [[Sack of Eregion|Hollin fell]] to Sauron's forces.<ref name="SA"/>

When Khazad-dûm was abandoned in {{TA|1981}}<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> the way of opening the Doors was forgotten.

At some point between {{TA|2845|n}} and {{TA|2950|n}} the Wizard [[Gandalf]] entered the city looking for King [[Thráin|Thráin II]] who had disappeared on journey to Erebor. After his search the Wizard exited through the Doors; however this experience did not help him know how to open the doors from the outside.<ref name="Dark"/>

In {{TA|2994|n}}, during the settling of [[Balin's Colony]], they were attacked by an onslaught of [[orcs]].<ref name="TA"/> [[Óin]] led a group to the west side of the city hoping to find escape through the Doors of Durin, but instead he found the water up to the doors where the [[Watcher in the Water]] killed him. The Dwarves were trapped, and all perished.<ref>{{FR|II5}}</ref>

In [[August]] {{TA|3018|n}} [[Gollum]] took refuge in Moria; but when he had at last discovered the way to the Doors he could not get out.<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref>
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Password Into Moria.jpg|thumb|''Password Into Moria'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
On [[13 January]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] entered Moria through the Doors,<ref name="Great"/> but initially Gandalf could not find out the password to open them. [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry Brandybuck]] unknowingly gave Gandalf the answer by asking, "What does it mean by ''speak, friend, and enter''?" When Gandalf realized that the correct translation was "Say friend and enter" he sprang up, laughed, and said "''[[Mellon]]''", which means "friend" in [[Sindarin]], and the Doors opened. Shortly thereafter, the [[Watcher in the Water]] attacked the Fellowship and shut the Doors behind them.<ref name="Dark"/> Afterwards [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] was resettled by Dwarves; it is unknown if the Doors of Durin were ever repaired.

==Appearance==
[[File:Donato Giancola - The Doors of Moria.jpg|thumb|left|''The Doors of Moria'' by [[Donato Giancola]].]]
They were fashioned as flush doors, the jambs invisible to the eye, and matched so perfectly with the mountain rock that when closed the Doors could not be seen. The slabs were made by Narvi out of a grey material stronger than stone, and inlaid by Celebrimbor with ''[[ithildin]]'', which could only be seen in starlight and moonlight.

When visible, the fine silver-like inlay showed a hammer and anvil (the emblems of [[Durin]]), a crown and [[Seven Stars]] (probably [[Durin's Crown]]), two trees surmounted by crescent moons (probably symbolizing the [[Galathilion|Tree of the High Elves]]), and a single star (the emblem of the [[House of Fëanor]]). On the top left and right corners there were the [[tengwar]] ''[[Calma]]'' (C) and ''[[Óre]]'' (N) standing for Celebrimbor and Narvi; between their feet was an ''[[Ando]]'' (D) for Durin.

The inscription on the [[Wikipedia:Archivolt|archivolt]] read:
<blockquote>''"Ennyn Durin Aran Moria. Pedo Mellon a Minno. Im Narvi hain echant. Celebrimbor o Eregion teithant i thiw hin."''</blockquote>

As Gandalf first translated it to the other Walkers:
<blockquote>"The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. I, Narvi, made them. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."</blockquote>

Actually, the inscription gave the password that would cause the Doors to swing open. Gandalf's translation is correct, but the proper translation of the second sentence, also correct, is "Say 'friend' and enter."<ref name="Dark"/>

From the inside the Doors could be opened by simply pushing against them, though it usually took the thrust of two to do so. When Moria was inhabited by the Dwarves they kept doorwards inside who would help open the Doors and see that only those with permission could pass.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, Note 12</ref>

==A possible inconsistency==
The name ''[[Moria]]'' means "Black Chasm" in [[Sindarin]] and was said to have been given by the Elves "without love".<ref name=Trans>{{App|Translation}}: "Moria is an Elvish name, and given without love; for the Eldar... were not dwellers in such places of choice"</ref> Some statements seem to imply that the name Moria for Khazad-dûm was only widely used after it fell to [[Durin's Bane]],<ref>{{S|Sindar}}: "afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria"</ref><ref>{{FR|South}}:"Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue."</ref> although others suggest the name was merely given by the Elves as a result of their lack of love for underground dwellings.<ref name=Trans></ref> The possibly derogatory nature of this name has led some to question why it appears on doors that were made in a time of friendship between Elves and Dwarves,<ref>{{HM|RC}}, pp. 281-2</ref> but Tolkien has never said that Dwarves find it derogatory and they use it at the end of the Third Age, even talking about its wonders.<ref>{{FR|Council}} "Glóin sighed. 'Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world!'"</ref> For a more detailed discussion of potential explanations, see [[Possible inconsistencies in the legendarium#Doors of Durin|Possible inconsistencies in the legendarium]].

==External links==
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/01/a-jewish-analogue-to-doors-of-durin.html A Jewish analogue to The Doors of Durin]" by [[Jason Fisher]]
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/04/another-analog-to-doors-of-durin.html Another analog to the Doors of Durin]" by [[Jason Fisher]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Doors and gates]]
[[Category:Moria]]

[[de:Türen von Durin]]
[[fi:Morian Länsiportti]]

Talk:Doors of Durin

2024-05-30T18:12:15Z

Ed8r: /* Hollin Gate */ Reply

Do we have a category for this type of entry? --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 14:59, 19 June 2006 (EDT)

:Not that I can think of, any suggestions? --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 15:03, 19 June 2006 (EDT)

::Dwarvish structures? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 15:17, 19 June 2006 (EDT)

== not a riddle ==

The inscription says "Say 'friend' and enter." Gandalf mis-translated it. Only then did it become a riddle.

==Description in the narrative==
The narrative describes the shapes of the door as "two trees, each bearing crescent moons". In the drawing the trees don't bear crescent moons, but their branches are shaped like crescents.

Then Gimli notices the emblems of Durin, and Legolas notices "The Tree of the High Elves". In the drawing there is no tree other than the two trees. What this Tree is, it is not explained, but for some reason Foster identifies is as Galathilion from the Silmarillion. He also says that Galathilion, bearing crescents, is an emblem of the Eldar. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 11:58, 20 June 2014 (UTC)

== An Inconsistency ==

The 1st § should be erased because there's no source available (I've hardly searched them) and let think really wrong things about the subject. {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

:I think the point of the section is kinda missed now. The inconsistency lays on the chronology, not on the translation of the name of ''Khazad-dum'' as ''Moria'', which is not. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 12:53, 3 March 2021 (UTC)

:I think we should still include the bit about the name Moria not being widely used until after it was taken over by Durin's Bane, even though it appears on the doors. It's a notable inconsistency. There's discussion of it in the ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', pp. 281-2, for the statement "Durin, Lord of Moria" on the doors. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 15:52, 3 March 2021 (UTC)

:I "the name Moria not being widely used until after it was taken over by Durin's Bane" Grace18, could you give formal sources about this ? {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::''"Greatest of all the mansions of the Dwarves was Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, Hadhodrond in the Elvish tongue, that was afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria."'' Quenta Silmarillion, of the Sindar.
::''"Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue."'' Gimli in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
::Both quotes seem to imply that the name Moria came to be used commonly only later, after its fall. Although, to be fair, this does not mean that the name was not used by the Elves earlier, and it is quite possible that it was. However, it ''was'' a derogatory term, ("Black Chasm"), even if only named for its being underground. And as pointed out in the Reader's Companion, the doors were made during a time of friendship between the Elves and Dwarves, while [[Durin III]] was ruler of Khazad-dȗm, and, "''Moria'' was hardly what the ruler of Khazad-dȗm would have chosen to have inscribed on his doors." There are several possible explanations with it, which are discussed in the Companion, and range from foresight on the part of Celebrimbor, to Gandalf simply translating "Hadhodrond" as he read off the inscription. In my opinion, it's still a notable inconsistency, at least worthy of a small note somewhere in the article. But you are right, it is difficult to pin down a definite source. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 01:27, 4 March 2021 (UTC)

:::I agree, what the Companion says is already enough. Gandalf translating "Hadhodrond" while reading Sindarin at the same time doesn't make sense. Anycase the statement about how the Sindar translated Dwarvish locations is unrelated with the topic and should be removed. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 09:30, 4 March 2021 (UTC)

::: thanks Grace18 :) Your first quote is a construction of Christopher ; the original says : "Greatest of these was Khazaddum that was after called in the days of its darkness Moria" (cf HOME 11 p 201). It is probable that "Hadhodrond" for Khazad-dûm doesn't exist in the mind of Tolkien when he was writting the LotR (1st appearance in "Quendi and Eldar" dated about 1959-60). So "Moria" may be the only sindarin word for Khazad-dum at the time of Celebrimbor when Tolkien writted the LotR. And a word "given without love by the Elves" doesn't mean that this word is an insult for the Dwarves. There's no evidence that it was derogatory for dwarves' minds. The only quote about that is "given without love" in Appendix F of the LotR.
::: And maybe "in the days of its darkness" refers to the time when the lord of Khazad-dûm got one of the Seven Rings (Thror had got one) which drove the Dwarves to dig more and more deeper and awaked their doom.
::: But I think that after the flight of the Dwarves from their home, they used to use "Moria" as the Elves because it was no more their "khazad-dûm".
::: There's too many "maybe" in this subject so it seems to me that Tolkien Gateway should expose the facts only, because conjectures are unlimited and some may solve the inconsistancy. Don't you think so ?
::: ok for erasing the statement about the elves' naming, but then, what should let in that section ? Maybe talking about "a POSSIBLE inconsistency" ... or erase the section ? {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::::You prove a good point. A lot of it is speculation based, and we definitely need to make that clear. But it is a relatively common question, and I think it would be good to address it. I'm good with changing the section to "A possible inconsistency", and using it to briefly discuss the question, and a couple possible explanations. I think if we do our best to present the known facts, we can leave it up to the reader to make a conclusion. Also, since we do have some reasonable arguments/explanations here, it might be worth touching up the [[Mistakes and inconsistencies in Tolkien's works# Factual mistakes|Doors of Durin section]] of our Mistakes and inconsistencies page. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 13:38, 4 March 2021 (UTC)

:::::Happy to see our concordance :D but, I'm not anglophone, and it's a so touchy subject that I don't think I'm able to write something right.{{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::::::I'll try to take care of it. I may take a bit to make sure I get everything right. If you or someone else wants to look over it when I change it to make sure there's no errors I would appreciate it! Additionally, should I include the three explanations offered in the Reader's Companion (foresight, reworking, translation), or leave it up to the reader? I'm a little hesitant to use just the three, because it's so speculative, and there's plenty of other options. We could probably discuss them in more depth on the Mistakes and inconsistencies page rather than here. Thoughts? --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 19:53, 5 March 2021 (UTC)

:::::::I'll read your § with pleasure :) I wouldn't include the explanations and let readers seach their owns.

Okay, I've changed it. Feel free to make any alterations you feel will make it better :) --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 21:14, 6 March 2021 (UTC)

:Nice job ; i've added something about the fact that nothing may explicitly lead to a derogatory feeling of the Dwarves about the name "Moria". My exemple is from Gloin words on LotR book 2, chap 2 "Glóin sighed. `Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world!" I really don't understand how to make a reference on Tolkien Gateway ^^ {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::Thank you! I went ahead and put in that reference for you, hopefully I did it right. The references can get a bit confusing at time, but using [[Help:References]] should help clear some of it up for you. Thank you for your work on this section, it's much better now, in my opinion. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 22:16, 7 March 2021 (UTC)

::: :D ; I'll get precccciiiously this reference about references ;) {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

== Hollin Gate ==

The search feature helpfully offers a redirect from this term to the page for Doors of Durin. But the page itself nowhere includes the term Hollin Gate, which is translated directly from the Book of Mazarbul when Gandalf reads from it while the Fellowship are huddled in the Chamber of Mazarbul. Notice also that Hammond & Scull's new index for LOTR includes this name under the entry for "Moria, doors of". [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 14:38, 30 May 2024 (UTC)

:I agree, I went ahead and at least added it to the "Other Names" section of the infobox. If you think we should also mention the name and where it comes from in the article itself that works for me. Good catch! [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] ([[User talk:Hyarion|talk]]) 17:59, 30 May 2024 (UTC)
::Seems as if it ought to appear in boldface text in the first paragraph where all the names are mentioned?? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 18:12, 30 May 2024 (UTC)

Talk:Doors of Durin

2024-05-30T14:38:12Z

Ed8r: /* Hollin Gate */ new section

Do we have a category for this type of entry? --[[User:Ebakunin|Ebakunin]] 14:59, 19 June 2006 (EDT)

:Not that I can think of, any suggestions? --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 15:03, 19 June 2006 (EDT)

::Dwarvish structures? --[[User:Narfil Palùrfalas|Narfil Palùrfalas]] 15:17, 19 June 2006 (EDT)

== not a riddle ==

The inscription says "Say 'friend' and enter." Gandalf mis-translated it. Only then did it become a riddle.

==Description in the narrative==
The narrative describes the shapes of the door as "two trees, each bearing crescent moons". In the drawing the trees don't bear crescent moons, but their branches are shaped like crescents.

Then Gimli notices the emblems of Durin, and Legolas notices "The Tree of the High Elves". In the drawing there is no tree other than the two trees. What this Tree is, it is not explained, but for some reason Foster identifies is as Galathilion from the Silmarillion. He also says that Galathilion, bearing crescents, is an emblem of the Eldar. [[User:Sage|Sage]] 11:58, 20 June 2014 (UTC)

== An Inconsistency ==

The 1st § should be erased because there's no source available (I've hardly searched them) and let think really wrong things about the subject. {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

:I think the point of the section is kinda missed now. The inconsistency lays on the chronology, not on the translation of the name of ''Khazad-dum'' as ''Moria'', which is not. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 12:53, 3 March 2021 (UTC)

:I think we should still include the bit about the name Moria not being widely used until after it was taken over by Durin's Bane, even though it appears on the doors. It's a notable inconsistency. There's discussion of it in the ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', pp. 281-2, for the statement "Durin, Lord of Moria" on the doors. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 15:52, 3 March 2021 (UTC)

:I "the name Moria not being widely used until after it was taken over by Durin's Bane" Grace18, could you give formal sources about this ? {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::''"Greatest of all the mansions of the Dwarves was Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, Hadhodrond in the Elvish tongue, that was afterwards in the days of its darkness called Moria."'' Quenta Silmarillion, of the Sindar.
::''"Khazad-dûm, the Dwarrowdelf, that is now called the Black Pit, Moria in the Elvish tongue."'' Gimli in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
::Both quotes seem to imply that the name Moria came to be used commonly only later, after its fall. Although, to be fair, this does not mean that the name was not used by the Elves earlier, and it is quite possible that it was. However, it ''was'' a derogatory term, ("Black Chasm"), even if only named for its being underground. And as pointed out in the Reader's Companion, the doors were made during a time of friendship between the Elves and Dwarves, while [[Durin III]] was ruler of Khazad-dȗm, and, "''Moria'' was hardly what the ruler of Khazad-dȗm would have chosen to have inscribed on his doors." There are several possible explanations with it, which are discussed in the Companion, and range from foresight on the part of Celebrimbor, to Gandalf simply translating "Hadhodrond" as he read off the inscription. In my opinion, it's still a notable inconsistency, at least worthy of a small note somewhere in the article. But you are right, it is difficult to pin down a definite source. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 01:27, 4 March 2021 (UTC)

:::I agree, what the Companion says is already enough. Gandalf translating "Hadhodrond" while reading Sindarin at the same time doesn't make sense. Anycase the statement about how the Sindar translated Dwarvish locations is unrelated with the topic and should be removed. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 09:30, 4 March 2021 (UTC)

::: thanks Grace18 :) Your first quote is a construction of Christopher ; the original says : "Greatest of these was Khazaddum that was after called in the days of its darkness Moria" (cf HOME 11 p 201). It is probable that "Hadhodrond" for Khazad-dûm doesn't exist in the mind of Tolkien when he was writting the LotR (1st appearance in "Quendi and Eldar" dated about 1959-60). So "Moria" may be the only sindarin word for Khazad-dum at the time of Celebrimbor when Tolkien writted the LotR. And a word "given without love by the Elves" doesn't mean that this word is an insult for the Dwarves. There's no evidence that it was derogatory for dwarves' minds. The only quote about that is "given without love" in Appendix F of the LotR.
::: And maybe "in the days of its darkness" refers to the time when the lord of Khazad-dûm got one of the Seven Rings (Thror had got one) which drove the Dwarves to dig more and more deeper and awaked their doom.
::: But I think that after the flight of the Dwarves from their home, they used to use "Moria" as the Elves because it was no more their "khazad-dûm".
::: There's too many "maybe" in this subject so it seems to me that Tolkien Gateway should expose the facts only, because conjectures are unlimited and some may solve the inconsistancy. Don't you think so ?
::: ok for erasing the statement about the elves' naming, but then, what should let in that section ? Maybe talking about "a POSSIBLE inconsistency" ... or erase the section ? {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::::You prove a good point. A lot of it is speculation based, and we definitely need to make that clear. But it is a relatively common question, and I think it would be good to address it. I'm good with changing the section to "A possible inconsistency", and using it to briefly discuss the question, and a couple possible explanations. I think if we do our best to present the known facts, we can leave it up to the reader to make a conclusion. Also, since we do have some reasonable arguments/explanations here, it might be worth touching up the [[Mistakes and inconsistencies in Tolkien's works# Factual mistakes|Doors of Durin section]] of our Mistakes and inconsistencies page. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 13:38, 4 March 2021 (UTC)

:::::Happy to see our concordance :D but, I'm not anglophone, and it's a so touchy subject that I don't think I'm able to write something right.{{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::::::I'll try to take care of it. I may take a bit to make sure I get everything right. If you or someone else wants to look over it when I change it to make sure there's no errors I would appreciate it! Additionally, should I include the three explanations offered in the Reader's Companion (foresight, reworking, translation), or leave it up to the reader? I'm a little hesitant to use just the three, because it's so speculative, and there's plenty of other options. We could probably discuss them in more depth on the Mistakes and inconsistencies page rather than here. Thoughts? --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 19:53, 5 March 2021 (UTC)

:::::::I'll read your § with pleasure :) I wouldn't include the explanations and let readers seach their owns.

Okay, I've changed it. Feel free to make any alterations you feel will make it better :) --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 21:14, 6 March 2021 (UTC)

:Nice job ; i've added something about the fact that nothing may explicitly lead to a derogatory feeling of the Dwarves about the name "Moria". My exemple is from Gloin words on LotR book 2, chap 2 "Glóin sighed. `Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world!" I really don't understand how to make a reference on Tolkien Gateway ^^ {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

::Thank you! I went ahead and put in that reference for you, hopefully I did it right. The references can get a bit confusing at time, but using [[Help:References]] should help clear some of it up for you. Thank you for your work on this section, it's much better now, in my opinion. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 22:16, 7 March 2021 (UTC)

::: :D ; I'll get precccciiiously this reference about references ;) {{Unsigned|Erendis}}

== Hollin Gate ==

The search feature helpfully offers a redirect from this term to the page for Doors of Durin. But the page itself nowhere includes the term Hollin Gate, which is translated directly from the Book of Mazarbul when Gandalf reads from it while the Fellowship are huddled in the Chamber of Mazarbul. Notice also that Hammond & Scull's new index for LOTR includes this name under the entry for "Moria, doors of". [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 14:38, 30 May 2024 (UTC)

Talk:Quest of the Ring

2024-05-20T14:58:51Z

Ed8r: /* page heading? */ Reply

== page heading? ==

As far as I could find, the quest is named only as "The Quest of Mount Doom" (Elrond, in the chapter "The Ring Goes South"). While it might be logical to also name this the "Quest of the Ring," as it seems to be identified by many fans, nowhere does this page quote either JRR or Christopher Tolkien or suggest why the page uses this heading. Shouldn't there be an explanation somewhere? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 16:40, 19 May 2024 (UTC)

:I agree. I used our [[Tolkien Gateway:Google Chrome|Chrome extension]] to lookup both phrases on [https://search.digitaltolkien.com/ Search Tolkien] and this supports your conclusion. I think it makes sense to move the article to the phrase used in the books. We'll just want to also make sure we also update any articles that link to this phrase. [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] ([[User talk:Hyarion|talk]]) 17:03, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
::The term [[Quest of the Ring]] appears in [[Letter 183]] of ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien|The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Revised and Extended Edition]]''. The term [[Quest of the Ring-bearer]] appears in the synopsis of ''[[The Two Towers]]'' and ''[[The Return of the King]]''. Despite this, however, I agree that the should be moved to the [[Quest of Mount Doom]] since ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' takes mors precedence than Tolkien's letters.[[User:Dour1234|Dour1234]] ([[User talk:Dour1234|talk]]) 18:39, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
:::Ah . . .*that's* where it's from. Well, I don't think LoTR is necessary more canon than Tolkien's Letters. As long as the page '''explains''' where it's from?? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 18:45, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
::::Tolkien's letters were published adter his lifetime, but the synopsis at the beginning of the second and third book contain the term that is used the most. Despite this, I still think the term in the narrative itself (said by a character) is more notable.[[User:Dour1234|Dour1234]] ([[User talk:Dour1234|talk]]) 18:48, 19 May 2024 (UTC)
:::::I think the page now clarifies all the different names for this quest and their sources. Thank you. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 14:58, 20 May 2024 (UTC)
:::"Quest of the Ring" is way more clear and is in relation with the Quest for the Silmaril. [[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] ([[User talk:LorenzoCB|talk]]) 06:16, 20 May 2024 (UTC)

Talk:Quest of the Ring

2024-05-19T18:45:00Z

Ed8r: /* page heading? */ Reply

Talk:Quest of the Ring

2024-05-19T16:40:23Z

Ed8r: /* page heading? */ new section

Dwarves

2024-05-16T14:32:45Z

Ed8r: /* Inspiration */ typo

{{sources}}
{{race infobox
| name=Dwarves
| image=[[File:Alarie - A bunch of dwarves.jpg|250px]]
| caption="A bunch of dwarves" by [[:Category:Images by Alarie|Alarie]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''[[Khazâd]]'' ([[Khuzdul|K]])''Naugrim'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''Nogothrim'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''[[Hadhod]]rim'' ([[Sindarin|S]])''[[Casari]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=Descended from the seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] created by [[Aulë]]
| location=[[Khazad-dûm]][[Belegost]][[Nogrod]][[Amon Rûdh]][[Nulukkizdîn]][[Erebor]][[Iron Hills]][[Aglarond]][[Grey Mountains]] (incl. [[Dáin's hall]])[[Blue Mountains]] (incl. [[Thorin's hall]])[[Gundabad]][[Rhûn]] (possibly the [[Orocarni]])
| affiliation=[[Alliance of Dwarves and Men]][[Union of Maedhros]][[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]][[Fellowship of the Ring]][[Thorin and Company]]
| rivalry=[[Elves]][[Dragons]][[Orcs]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]][[Westron]][[Sindarin]]<ref name="S10">{{S|10}}</ref>[[Iglishmêk]] (sign language)[[Dalish]]
| people='''Clans:''' [[Longbeards]], [[Firebeards]], [[Broadbeams]], [[Ironfists]], [[Stiffbeards]], [[Blacklocks]], [[Stonefoots]] '''Cultures: '''[[Dwarves of Belegost]], [[Dwarves of Erebor]], [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]], [[Dwarves of Nogrod]], [[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains]], [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]], [[Petty-dwarves]]
| members=[[Durin]], [[Gimli]], [[Thorin]], [[Dáin Ironfoot]], [[Azaghâl]], [[Mîm]], [[Balin]]
| lifespan=''[[#Lifespan|See below]]''
| distinctions=Stocky; bearded; never bald; especially hardy and loyal; notoriously stubborn
| height=At least 4 feet (1.22 m)<ref>{{NM|P2vi}}, ''Heights'', p. 195</ref>
| hair=Blond, brown, black, blue, red, and (when older) grey or white{{fact}}
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=Often axes, swords, bows, mattocks
}}
{{quote|Since they were to come in the days of the power of [[Morgoth|Melkor]], [[Aulë]] made the dwarves strong to endure. Therefore they are stone-hard, stubborn, fast in friendship and in enmity, and they suffer toil and hunger and hurt of body more hardily than all other speaking peoples; and they live long, far beyond the span of Men, yet not forever.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]"}}

The '''Dwarves''', or '''''[[Khuzd|Khazâd]]''''' in their own tongue, were beings of short stature, often friendly with [[Hobbits]] although long suspicious of [[Elves]]. They were typically blacksmiths and stoneworkers by profession, unrivalled in some of their arts even by the Elves.

While there were seven Houses of the Dwarves, the most prominent was that of the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]].

==Origins==
{{main|Fathers of the Dwarves}}
Unlike Elves and [[Men]], the Dwarves are not counted among the [[Children of Ilúvatar]]. Their creator was [[Aulë#Names and etymology|Mahal]], known as [[Aulë]] the Smith. Aulë created the Seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]], from whom all other Dwarves are descended, deep beneath an unknown mountain somewhere in [[Middle-earth]]. However, Aulë did not have the divine power to grant independent life to any creation, and the dwarves were bound to his will. [[Ilúvatar]] came and reprimanded Aulë, who confessed his desire to create more living things, but in repentance lifted his hammer to destroy the dwarves. Even as the blow was about to land, the dwarves cowered and begged for mercy, as Ilúvatar had taken pity and given true life to the creations of his child, including them in His plan for [[Arda]]. However, Ilúvatar did not wish them to wake before the [[Elves]], whom he intended to be the first-born. Ilúvatar granted the Dwarves life, and therefore they are known as the Adopted Children of Ilúvatar, but he bade Aulë lay them to sleep in their chamber deep beneath the mountain, and they were to awake after the [[Awakening of the Elves]].<ref name=S2>{{S|2}}</ref>
[[File:Artigas - The Seven Houses of the Khazad.jpg|thumb|The Seven Houses of the Khazad by [[:Category:Images_by_Artigas|Artigas]] ]]
The Seven Fathers awoke in their places in pairs with their wives, though [[Durin|Durin I]] had awoken alone. The seven different groups of Dwarf-folk originated in the locations where the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves first awoke.<ref name=pmxnotes>{{PM|XNotes}}</ref>

The seven clans of the Dwarves were:<ref name="PMX">{{PM|X}}</ref>

* '''[[Longbeards]]''', ''Durin's Folk'', originally from [[Gundabad]].
* '''[[Firebeards]]''' and '''[[Broadbeams]]''', originally from the [[Blue Mountains]].
* '''[[Ironfists]]''' and '''[[Stiffbeards]]''', originated in the [[East]].
* '''[[Blacklocks]]''' and '''[[Stonefoots]]''', originated in the [[East]].

Durin settled in the caves above [[Kheled-zâram]] which later became the greatest of Dwarf realms, [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]]. Therefore the halls of the Longbeards were not located near the halls of another Dwarf-kingdom.

There was also an eighth group of Dwarves that was not a separate member from these seven kindreds, but composed of exiles from each: the [[Petty-dwarves]], who were hunted like animals to the point of extinction by the [[Elves]] in the First Age.

==History==
===First Age===
Sometime after the Elves had awakened at [[Cuiviénen]],<ref group="note">In one of the texts associated with the chapter ''[[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]'' of ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' in ''[[The War of the Jewels]]'', it is said that the awakening of the Dwarves might have taken place at the time of the departure of the Eldar over the sea - in other words, either in c. {{YT|1132}} (when the [[Vanyar]] and the [[Noldor]] departed) or in c. {{YT|1150}} (when the [[Teleri]] departed).</ref><ref>{{WJ|13}}, pp. 211-212</ref> the seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]] were released from their stone chambers. The eldest of them, called [[Durin the Deathless|Durin]], wandered until he founded the city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] in the natural caves beneath three peaks: [[Barazinbar]], [[Zirakzigil]], and [[Bundushathûr]]. The city, populated by the Longbeards or [[Durin's Folk]], grew and prospered continuously through Durin's life (which was so long that he was called Durin the Deathless, also a reference to the belief by his people that he would be reincarnated seven times).

Far to the west of Khazad-dûm, the great Dwarf-cities of [[Belegost]] and [[Nogrod]] were founded in [[Ered Luin]] (the Blue Mountains) during the [[Years of the Trees]], before the arrival of the Elves in [[Beleriand]]. The [[Dwarves of Belegost]] were the first to forge mail of linked rings, and they also traded weaponry with the Sindar and carved the [[Menegroth|Thousand Caves of Menegroth]] for [[Thingol]], the Lord of Beleriand. In Nogrod, the Smith [[Telchar]] forged [[Narsil]] and [[Angrist]], two of the most fateful weapons in the history of Arda, as well as the famed [[Dragon-helm]] of [[Dor-Lómin]].

It is said that some Dwarves in the far [[East]] had fallen under the [[Shadow]] and were of evil mind when the ancestors of the [[Edain]] had encountered them.<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, #28</ref>

The [[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains]] fought against the forces of Melkor during the First Age, and the Dwarves of Belegost were the only people able to withstand dragon-fire in the [[Battle of Unnumbered Tears]], when [[Lord of Belegost|Lord]] [[Azaghâl]], who died in the battle, stabbed Glaurung, the first dragon. The [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] fought against Melkor as well. However, they slew [[Thingol]] out of greed and stole the [[Silmaril]] they had been charged to set into the necklace called [[Nauglamír]]. A number of retaliatory actions ensued, and the Nogrod army was destroyed by a force of [[Laiquendi]] and [[Ents]]. Both dwarf kingdoms would eventually be destroyed, along with nearly all of Beleriand, after the [[War of Wrath]], with the dwarvish refugees mainly resettling in Khazad-dûm.

During those times of war in Beleriand, the [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]] prospered in relative peace colonizing the [[Iron Hills]] and the [[Grey Mountains]] and traded with the ancestors of the [[Northmen]].<ref>{{PM|Relations}}, pp. 302-303</ref>

===Second Age===
In the [[Second Age]], around the year {{SA|40|n}},<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> the Firebeards and Broadbeams who lived in Nogrod and Belegost left the destruction behind and came to [[Khazad-dûm]], increasing its wealth and power.<ref name=AppA3/>

The Dwarves had little participation in most of the important events involving the other races. However their friendship with the Elves became more close than ever; the Dwarves of [[Moria]] maintained close connections to the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] of [[Eregion]]; the [[Doors of Durin]] of Moria were built to facilitate the communication between the two people, and was constructed jointly by both races.

When Eregion was sacked by [[Sauron]]'s forces, the Dwarves assailed them from behind however, it was too late to stop him from conquering all [[Eriador]].<ref name="UTGalad">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>
[[File:Liz Danforth - Annatar and the Seven Rings.png|thumb|[[Liz Danforth]] - ''Annatar and the seven rings'']]
When "[[Annatar]]" distributed the Rings of Power, he gave [[seven Rings|seven]] to Dwarf Lords in order to subdue and control them. However, they did not have the same effect as they did over Men. Dwarves did not shift into the [[wraith-world]] and in fact resisted domination. The Rings only augmented their greed and ability to create riches.

At the end of the Age, very few Dwarves participated in the [[War of the Last Alliance]], with some joining the side of [[Sauron]]. Some of the [[Dwarves of Moria]] joined the great host of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

===Third Age===

[[File:Angus McBride - Dwarves.jpg|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''The Dwarves are upon You!'']]
As [[Sauron]]'s [[shadow]] became stronger around {{TA|1300}}, evil things like the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] began multiplying, harassing the Dwarves.<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref>

In [[Third Age 1980]], after centuries of greedy digging for ''[[mithril]]'' and other minerals, the Dwarves woke a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] that was sleeping in the deeps of the Misty Mountains since the First Age. The Dwarves fled Khazad-dum, which from then on was called ''Moria'', which means "Black pit".

Most of Durin's folk left for the [[Grey Mountains]] in the North, while some followed the new king, [[Thráin I]], who briefly went to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] in {{TA|1999}}. For more than 300 years the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] prospered until the Dragons in the far North started to gain strength. Some fled to the [[Iron Hills]], while most followed the new king [[Thrór]] to Erebor to start a new [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]. There, they prospered for over 200 years until the dragon [[Smaug]] descended in {{TA|2770}}. The King and his company went in exile South, while most of the survivors went to the Iron Hills.

Durin's folk settled in [[Dunland]], and in {{TA|2790}} King Thrór travelled North to Moria where he was killed by the [[Orcs|Goblin]] king [[Azog]]. Thrór's son [[Thráin|Thráin II]] (who had received the Last of the Seven Rings from his father before his departure) summoned all the Houses of Dwarves to war. Thus began the [[War of Dwarves and Orcs]], in which the Dwarves destroyed all the Goblin strongholds in the [[Misty Mountains]] culminating to the great [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] where all the dwarven clans united. The Goblin hosts issuing from Moria were strong and relentless until the arrival of fresh [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]]. The Battle ended with the victory of Dwarves, but at great cost. The Dwarven clans, however, were unwilling to repopulate Moria. Thráin, therefore, came to the [[Blue Mountains]] and established his [[Thorin's Halls|realm]] there.

[[File:Angelo Montanini - Dori.jpg|thumb|[[Angelo Montanini]] - ''Dori'']]
The Wizard [[Gandalf]] was instrumental into helping Thráin's son Thorin in reclaiming the Kingdom of Erebor. Thorin gathered around him [[Thorin and Company|twelve dwarves]], mostly from his own line, and was joined by [[Gandalf]] and [[Bilbo Baggins]]. The [[Quest of Erebor]] ended with the death of [[Smaug]]. After a quarrel with the Men and Elves over the unguarded hoard, the Dwarves - assisted by those from the [[Iron Hills]] - united with the Men and Elves to fight the attacking Goblins and Wargs, in what was called the [[Battle of Five Armies]], where Thorin was killed.

[[Gimli]] son of Glóin joined the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] as a representative of the Dwarves and befriended [[Legolas]] during the [[War of the Ring]].

===Later history===
Not much is known about the Dwarves after the [[Third Age]]. After the [[War of the Ring]], [[Gimli]] brought a part of Durin's Folk from Erebor to the Glittering Caves behind Helm's Deep and founded a colony there. Subsequently, Gimli went on many travels with his friend Legolas, and History lost track of their fate. Through their friendship and influence, the feud between the two races that had lasted for millennia finally ended, shortly before the departure of the last Elves from Middle-earth. It is rumoured that Gimli and Legolas eventually boarded a ship that sailed down the river Anduin, out to sea and across to Valinor in the year {{FoA|120}}. Gimli would thus have become the only Dwarf to ever be permitted to cross to the Undying Lands.

[[Durin VII]] (the Last), retook and brought Khazad-dûm back to its original splendour, and the Longbeards lived there till the "world grew old and the days of Durin's race ended".<ref name="PMX" />

==Characteristics==
[[File:BFME2 - Dwarf 4.jpg|thumb||Dwarves as portrayed in ''[[The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'' game]]
They were 4.5–5 feet (1.35–1.52 m) tall and their more distinctive characteristic was their beard which they have from the beginning of their lives, male and females alike; and it is said that they could die of shame if they were subjected to shaving.<ref name=wj13>{{WJ|13}}</ref>

They had a tendency toward gold lust and committed their share of rash and greedy acts. Among these was the dispute over the [[Nauglamír]], which led to the slaying of Elu [[Thingol]] and stirred up the initial suspicion between Elves and Dwarves to open hatred.<ref name=rings/>

Dwarves generally lived far from the sea and avoided getting on boats, as they disliked the sound of the ocean and were afraid of it.<ref name="S10" />

===Wicked Dwarves===
Of the people of Middle-earth, Dwarves are the most resistant to corruption and influence of Morgoth and later Sauron. The seven rings of Power of the dwarves did not turn them to evil, but it did amplify their greed and lust for gold. It is said that very few wilfully served the side of darkness.<ref name="Other">{{App|Other}}</ref>

In the First Age, the [[Petty Dwarves]] that dwelt in [[Beleriand]] were descendants of Dwarves exiled for evil deeds from their great mansions of their kind.<ref>{{NM|P3}}, pp. 304-305</ref> And after their [[Awakening of Men|Awakening]], some [[Men]] had met Dwarves of the [[East]] who had fallen under the [[Shadow]] and were of evil mind and were distrustful of their race.<ref name=pmxnotes/>{{rp|n. 28}} Of the Seven Houses, few fought on either side during the [[War of the Last Alliance]] at the end of the Second Age, and it's known that none from the House of Durin ever fought on the side of evil.<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

During the early parts of the Third Age (or at least in legends of the previous), it is known that in some places wicked dwarves had made alliances with [[Orcs]].<ref>{{H|Hill}}</ref> Those most likely came from the Dwarves of the far eastern mansions.<ref name=pmxnotes/>{{rp|n. 28}}

However, it is said that there was an enmity between some Dwarves and some Men of old (who were jealous of the Dwarves's wealth and works), and the latter alleged evil things about the Dwarves.<ref name="Other" />

===Skills and industries===
{{quote|For buying and selling and exchange were their delight, and the winning of wealth thereby; and this they gathered rather to hoard than to use, save in further trading.|''Quenta Silmarillion''<ref name=wjdwarves>{{WJ|13}}</ref>{{rp|p. 204}}}}
[[File:Lída Holubová - Dwarven smith.jpg|thumb|''Dwarven smith'' by [[Lída Holubová]]]]
As creations of Aulë, they were attracted to the substances of Arda and crafts. They mined and worked precious metals throughout the mountains of Middle-earth. They were considered unrivalled in arts such as smithing, crafting, metalworking, and masonry, even by the [[Noldor]].<ref name=S2>{{S|2}}</ref>

The Dwarves were the greatest miners ever to exist in [[Middle-earth]], building immense halls under mountains where they built their cities. They built many famed halls including [[Menegroth]], the fairest dwelling of any king that has been east of the [[Sea]],<ref name=S2/> [[Nargothrond]],<ref name=return>{{S|Return}}</ref> [[Khazad-dum]], the grandest mansions of the Dwarves,<ref name="S10" /> the [[Elvenking's Halls]],<ref group="note">In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', it is stated by [[Gimli]] that the Dwarves aided in the making of [[Thranduil]]'s halls. However, in the ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', it is stated that Thranduil's halls "were not to be compared with [[Menegroth]]. He had not the arts nor wealth nor the aid of the Dwarves."</ref><ref>{{TT|Road}}</ref> and the [[Kingdom Under the Mountain]].

In the darkness of [[Arda]] already the Dwarves wrought great works for even from the first days of their Fathers they had marvellous skill with metals and with stone; but in that ancient time iron and copper they loved to work, rather than silver and gold.<ref name="S10" />

In the tempering of steel alone of all crafts the Dwarves were never outmatched even by the [[Noldor]], and in the making of mail of linked rings, which was first contrived by the [[Dwarves of Belegost|smiths of Belegost]], their work had no rival. During the third age of the captivity of [[Melkor]], the Dwarves smithied for [[Thingol]]; for they were greatly skilled in such work, though none among them surpassed the [[Dwarves of Nogrod|craftsmen of Nogrod]], of whom [[Telchar]] the smith was greatest in renown.<ref name="S10" />

They were also capable masons and smiths - Dwarven smithing skills were said to be unrivalled, and their masonry creations were bested by none. The crafting skills of the Dwarves were unmatched; they crafted objects of great beauty out of gems and metals. They crafted many famed weapons, armours, and items of art and beauty, among them [[Narsil]], the sword of [[Elendil]], the [[Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin]] and the necklace [[Nauglamír]], the most prized treasure in [[Nargothrond]] and the most famed Dwarven work of the [[Elder Days]].<ref name=doriath>{{S|Doriath}}</ref>

In the [[Third Age]], Dwarves wrought with patient craft works of metal and stone that now none can rival.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> However, as stated by [[Gloin son of Groin|Gloin]] at the [[Council of Elrond]], the [[Dwarves of Erebor]] have surpassed their predecessors in mining and building before [[Smaug]] descended on the [[Lonely Mountain]], but not in metal-work, smithing or the making of mail, as their predecessors' secrets have been long lost.<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>

===Hardiness===
The Dwarves were created by Aulë to be strong, resistant to fire and the evils of Morgoth. They were hardier than any other race, secretive, stubborn, and steadfast in enmity or loyalty.

The Dwarves are described as "the most redoubtable warriors of all the Speaking Peoples"<ref name="PMX" /> — a warlike race who would fight fiercely against whoever aggrieved them including Dwarves of "other mansions and lordships".<ref name="S10" /> Highly skilled in the making of weapons and armour, their main weapon is the battle axe, but they also use bows, swords, shields, and mattocks.<ref>{{H|15}}</ref>

They are resistant to fire, more than Elves or Men.<ref>{{S|20}}</ref> Sickness was almost unknown to the Dwarves, as they were immune to human diseases.<ref name=PMAiv/>

They were generally less corruptible than Men. When Sauron attempted to enslave the Free Folk of Middle-earth using the [[Rings of Power]], the Elves completely resisted his power (indeed, his hand had never sullied the [[Three Rings]]), while the [[Nine Rings]] utterly corrupted the Men who bore them into the [[Ringwraiths]]. In contrast, the Dwarves were sturdy and resistant enough that Sauron was not able to dominate them using the [[Seven Rings]]. At most, the Seven Rings sowed strife among the Dwarves and filled their wearers with an insatiable greed for gold, but they did not turn them into wraiths subservient to the Dark Lord, and he considered his plan to have failed. Sauron was furious at the Dwarves' resistance, spurring his drive to recapture the Seven Rings from them.

Another example was [[Gimli]], who, while [[Saruman]] used the power in his voice and the [[Rohirrim]] were spell-bound by his magic, Gimli was unmoved and commented that Saruman's words cannot be trusted, causing Saruman to be angered enough to lose his charm.<ref>{{TT|Voice}}</ref>

===Lifespan===
The lifespan of Dwarves was varied depending on their "breed".<ref name=PMAiv>{{PM|Aiv}}</ref> The [[Longbeards]] were particularly long-lived,<ref name=PMAiv/> but by the Third Age, their lifespan was diminished and they lived, on average, 250 years.<ref name=PMAiv/> The [[Kings of Durin's Folk]] named "Durin" were particularly long-lived.<ref name=PMAiv/> Occasionally they would live up to 300 years of age, and [[Dwalin]] reached the rare lifespan of 340 years (comparable to a Middle Man living to 100).<ref name=PMAiv/>

Until they were around 30 years of age, Dwarves were considered too young for heavy labour or war (hence the slaying of Azog by [[Dain Ironfoot]] at age 32 was a great feat). By the age of 40, Dwarves were hardened into the appearance that they would keep for most of their lives. Between the approximate ages of 40 and 240, most Dwarves were equally hale and able to work and fight with vigour. They took on the appearance of age only about ten years before their death, wrinkling and greying rapidly, but never going bald.

Although Dwarves did not suffer from diseases, corpulence could affect them. In prosperous circumstances, many grew fat by the age of 200 and became physically inept.<ref name=PMAiv>{{PM|Aiv}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[Earth-bread]] was a root well known to Dwarves, but almost unknown to Elves or Men. [[Coffee]] was at least known to Hobbits and Dwarves.

The Dwarves didn't have relationships with animals, didn't harbour even [[dogs]] and wouldn't mount a [[horse]] willingly. For this reason they found the [[Northmen]] useful [[Alliance of Dwarves and Men|trade allies]] in the Second Age.<ref>{{PM|Relations}}</ref><ref name=pmxnotes/>{{rp|n. 29}} In earlier times, whenever the Dwarves were unable to barter for grain, they practiced agriculture using a plough-like tool that they invented. However, Dwarves did not enjoy doing such labour.<ref>{{NM|P3v}}, Second paragraph</ref>

===Family===
The Dwarves' numbers, although they sometimes flourished, often faced periods of decline, especially in periods of war. The slow increase of their population was due to the rarity of [[Dwarf-women]], who made up only about a third of the total population. Dwarves seldom wedded before the age of ninety or more, and rarely had so many as four children. They took only one husband or wife in their lifetime, and were jealous, as in all matters of their rights. The number of Dwarf-men that married was actually less than half, for not all the Dwarf-women took husbands; some desired none, some wanted one they could not have and would have no other. Many Dwarf-men did not desire marriage because they were absorbed in their work.<ref name=AppA3>{{App|A3}}</ref><ref name=PMAiv/>

Dwarf-women seldom walked abroad, and that only in great need. When they did travel, they were so alike Dwarf-men in voice, appearance, and garb that it was hard for other races to tell them apart. They were likewise seldom named in genealogies, joining their husbands' families. The only Dwarf-woman named in Tolkien's legendarium is [[Dís]], sister of Thorin Oakenshield, who was given a place in the records because of the gallant deaths of her sons, Fíli and Kíli. The scarcity of women, their rare mention, and their identical looks with the males, coupled with the Dwarves' secretive culture, led many to mistakenly believe that Dwarves were born out of stone, and upon death, they returned to that stone.<ref name=AppA3/><ref name=PMAiv/>

Dwarves are fiercely devoted to their parents and children. In their desire for their children to grow up hardy and enduring, they may treat them harshly, but they will protect them at all costs. Dwarves resent injuries to their children and to their parents more than injuries to themselves.<ref name=PMAiv/>

===Religion===
The Dwarves loved and revered the Vala Aulë.<ref name="S10" /><ref name=S2>{{S|2}}</ref>

Of old, the Elves believed that the Dwarves would have no future in [[Arda Unmarred]], but the Dwarves themselves held to a promise that Ilúvatar would hallow them and adopt them as his Children. They maintained that after death Aulë (Mahal) cared for them, gathering them to the [[Halls of Mandos]] with the other Children of Ilúvatar, though in halls set apart. It is said that after the Last Battle they will work alongside Aulë in the remaking of Arda.<ref name=S2/>

===Reincarnation===
The Dwarves believed that the reappearance of the person of one of the Dwarf-fathers (in the lines of their kings), is not one of re-birth, but of the preservation of the body of a former king, to which at intervals their spirit would return.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Michaël Devaux]] (ed.), ''[[La Feuille de la Compagnie 3|La Feuille de la Compagnie, vol.3, J.R.R. Tolkien, l'effigie des Elfes]]'', "Fragments on elvish reincarnation", "III. Some notes on 'rebirth', reincarnation by restoration, among Elves. With a note on the Dwarves"</ref>

===Language===
{{main|Khuzdul}}
The Dwarven language was created by Aulë, and was called ''[[Khuzdul]]''. It was a strange language to Elves and Men, and few non-Dwarves learned it, because it was difficult and the Dwarves kept it secret, preferring to communicate in the languages of their neighbours. Only one Khuzdul phrase was well known to outsiders: the ancient battle cry, going back to at least the First Age: "''Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!''", which means "Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!". The Dwarves taught Khuzdul carefully to their children, as a learned language, not a cradle-tongue, and thus the language changed very little over the ages, unlike those of other races. The Dwarves also devised a secret language of gestures to communicate between themselves in silence, the ''[[iglishmêk]]''.<ref>{{WJ|Quendi}}, p. 395</ref>

Certainly in the First Age when they first made contact with the Elves, the only tongue in Beleriand would have been Sindarin at that time as the Noldor had not yet returned from Aman. As a logical consequence, therefore, Sindarin was a language used by the dwarves.<ref name="S10" /> But the Dwarves were swift to learn and indeed were more willing to learn the [[Elven-tongue]] than to teach their own to those of alien race.<ref name="S10" /> In fact, the Dwarves were so impressed by the Elvish runes (The Cirth of Daeron) for writing Sindarin that they adopted them for use in their own tongue and used them forever more.

Dwarves had great interest in languages since their first contact with other peoples and had good hability to pronounce foreigner sounds from other languages. However, they could not conceal their voices, which were deep in tone, with laryngeal coloration, so among themselves they could even speak with a laryngeal whisper.<ref>{{NM|P3xix}}, p. 371</ref>

==Other names==
The Dwarves called themselves the ''[[Khazâd]]'', the name Aulë gave them; this was adapted as '''''Hadhodrim''''' in [[Sindarin]], and '''''Casari''''' in [[Quenya]]. ''Casari'' was the common word for Dwarves among the [[Noldor]], but the [[Sindar]] usually called them ''Naugrim'' or ''Nogothrim'' ("the Stunted People").<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref>

An epithet for the Dwarves in [[Quenya]] was '''''Aulëonnar''''' ("Children of Aulë").<ref>{{PM|Last}}, p. 391, fn. 22</ref>

In their dealings with people of other races, the Dwarves did not reveal their true names, rather adopting new names in other languages (the [[petty-dwarves]] were an exception). During the Third Age, the Longbeards used [[northern Mannish]] names in public.
==Etymology==
Before Tolkien, the term ''dwarfs'' (with a different spelling) was used, as seen in ''Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs''.

According to Tolkien, the "real 'historical'" plural of ''dwarf'' is ''dwarrows'' or ''dwerrows''. He once referred to ''dwarves'' as "a piece of private bad grammar",<ref>{{L|17}}</ref> but in [[Appendix F]] to ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' he explains that if we still spoke of dwarves regularly, English might have retained a special plural for the word ''dwarf'' as with ''man''. The form ''dwarrow'' only appears in the word ''Dwarrowdelf'', a name for [[Moria]]. Tolkien used ''Dwarves'', instead, which corresponds with ''Elf'' and ''Elves'', making its meaning more apparent. The use of a different term also serves to set Tolkien's Dwarves apart from the similarly-named creatures in mythology and fairy-tales.

The original editor of ''The Lord of the Rings'' "corrected" Tolkien's ''dwarves'' to ''dwarfs''.<ref>{{L|138}}</ref>

The enduring popularity of Tolkien's books has led to the popular use of the term ''dwarves'' to describe this race in fantasy literature.
==Inspiration==
[[Wikipedia:Dwarf (folklore)|Dwarfs]] are beings of Germanic folklore, usually associated with metallurgy.<ref name=brackman/> Many the names of Dwarven characters in the [[Legendarium]] are taken or inspired from the Old Norse ''[[Völuspá]]''.

At several points Tolkien noted that his Dwarves have jewish traits: both were "''at once natives and aliens in their habitations, speaking the languages of the country, but with an accent due to their own private tongue...''"<ref>{{L|176}}</ref> a tongue which he based on [[Hebrew]].

{{quote|The dwarves of course are quite obviously, couldn't you say that in many ways they remind you of the Jews? Their words are Semitic obviously, constructed to be Semitic. [...] There's a tremendous love of the artefact, and of course the immense warlike capacity of the Jews, which we tend to forget nowadays.|J.R.R. Tolkien to [[Denys Gueroult]]<ref name=interview>''[[An Interview with J.R.R.T.]]''; the second phrase was edited out of the broadcast but published in Zak Cramer's "Jewish Influences in Middle-earth" (''[[Mallorn 44]]'' [[2006]]: p. 10).</ref>}}

Rebecca Brackman notes that the Dwarves's creation tale resembles the role between Jews and Christians: while the Jews held the holy Law and were God's first chosen people, according to early and medieval understanding, this role has been superseded and replaced by Christianity, much like how the Dwarves were created first, but were superseded by the Elves and Men as Children of Iluvatar, according to His plan.<ref name=brackman/>

According to Brackman Tolkien's Dwarves in ''The Hobbit'' display some (anti-)semitic tropes following popular perception. Such tropes are the beards, the greed for gold, cowardliness and complaining for several things, serving as comic relief; they don't seem to participate in the heroic culture of the Elven and Mannish characters and have their own value system ("dwarves are not heroes, but calculating folk with a great idea of the value of [[money]]"<ref>{{H|12}}, p. 211</ref>). Those marginalizing stereotypes were circulating both in the medieval sources Tolkien was studying, but also in his contemporary culture.<ref name=brackman/>

Wayne Harden has noted that the war-cry of the Dwarves is similar to the historical [[Wikipedia:Gurkha|Gurkha]] cry, "The Gurkhas are upon you!"<ref name=brackman/>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the earliest versions of Tolkien's [[Legendarium]] such as [[The Book of Lost Tales]], the dwarves were evil beings, not unlike the dwarfs of Norse mythology, and sometimes allied by [[Melko]].<ref name=brackman>Brackmann, Rebecca ([[2010]]) "[https://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol28/iss3/ 'Dwarves are Not Heroes': Antisemitism and the Dwarves in J.R.R. Tolkien's Writing]", [[Mythlore]]: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature: Vol. 28: No. 3, Article 7.</ref>

In an earlier version of the legendarium it is hinted that the Dwarves do not know about Ilúvatar, or that they disbelieve his existence, but later writings contradict that suggestion.<ref>{{LT2|IV}}</ref>

While the Dwarves in ''The Hobbit'' are comical, outside the heroic culture, with several unpleasant qualities stereotypically attributed to the Jews, Gimli in ''The Lord of the Rings'' is displayed heroic and steadfast and is not motivated by profit or revenge; it is also suggested that the monetary value Dwarves give to gold and gems actually comes from appreciation of their natural beauty, perceived as "greed" in ''The Hobbit''. The backstory laid out in [[Appendix A|"Durin's Folk"]] and ''[[The Quest of Erebor]]'' suggests that Thorin's aggressive and greedy behavior was stemming from his Dwarvish sense of duty, and perhaps spurred by the [[Ring of Thrór]], rather than inherited racial traits.<ref name=brackman/> Christine Chism argued that Tolkien, having Jews in mind, responded to the cultural turmoil around the time of WWII.<ref>Chism, Christine. "Middle-earth, the Middle Ages, and the Aryan Nation." In ''[[Tolkien the Medievalist]]''. Ed. [[Jane Chance]]. London: Routledge, [[2003]]. pp. 63-92.</ref>

Concerning the hostile views between Dwarves and Elves in the First Age, [[Christopher Tolkien]] notes that "the long enduring 'hostile' view has at last virtually vanished" in ''[[The Later Quenta Silmarillion]]''.<ref name=wjdwarves/>{{rp|p. 206}}

==External links==
*"[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2013/02/did-tolkien-coin-plural-dwarves.html Did Tolkien coin the plural “dwarves”?]" by [[Jason Fisher]]

{{references|notes}}
{{dwarvenclans}}
[[Category:Dwarves| ]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[de:Zwerge]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/nains/nains]]
[[fi:Kääpiöt]]

Dunlendings

2024-04-02T14:28:55Z

Ed8r: /* Third Age */

{{people infobox
| name=Dunlendings
| image=[[File:Turner Mohan - Men of Dunland.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Men of Dunland" by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Gwathuirim'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| origin=
| location=[[Dunland]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]], [[Saruman]]
| rivalry=[[Rohirrim]]
| language=[[Dunlendish]]; some could speak "broken" [[Westron]].<ref>{{App|F1}}</ref>
| members=[[Freca]], [[Wulf]], [[Squint-eyed southerner]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=Dark
| skin=Dark
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}

'''Dunlendings''', also known as the '''Gwathuirim''', were the ferocious, tall and vicious [[men]] that lived in [[Dunland]], close to [[Rohan]]. Also called the ''Wild Men of Dunland'', they had long been enemies of the [[Rohirrim]], because they were jealous that the rich lands of the old [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] province of Calenardhon were granted by the Gondorians to the Rohirrim instead of them.

== History ==
=== Origins ===
{{seealso|Pre-Númenóreans}}
The ancestors of the Dunlendings were also the ancestors of the [[Haladin]],<ref>{{PM|Atani}}</ref> the second of the Three Houses of the [[Edain]] who were reclusive, kept separate from the [[House of Bëor|Bëorians]] or the [[House of Hador|Hadorians]] and their language was different from [[Taliska|those spoken]] by the other Edain.

Those who remained in [[Eriador]], settled upon either side of the [[Gwathló]] or in the [[White Mountains|Ered Nimrais]]; especially those in [[Minhiriath]], were (as later [[Gondorian]] historians recognized) akin to the Haladin.

In the [[Second Age]] those peoples ranged over much of future [[Gondor]] and [[Eriador]], and dwelt in the forests of the shorelands. But the [[Númenóreans]] returning to [[Middle-earth]] treated them ruthlessly and devastated their forests. While the [[Men of the Mountains]] survived in isolated places, others (overcoming their fear of the Elves) fled from Minhiriath into [[Eryn Vorn]]; those from [[Enedhwaith]] took refuge in the eastern mountains that would become [[Dunland]].<ref>{{UT|6d}}</ref> Some moved even further north until they reached what became the [[Bree-land]], those were the [[Men of Bree]] who would be absorbed into [[Arnor]].

===Third Age===
[[File:John Howe - Dunlending.jpg|thumb|''Dunlending'' by [[John Howe]]]]
Because of the Númenórean advance, those peoples, including the Dunlendings, remained bitter enemies of the [[West]].<ref>{{PM|Atani}}</ref> The hostility of the Dunlendings prevented the [[Dúnedain]] from populating permanent settlements in Enedhwaith except in the fortified town of [[Tharbad]].<ref name=note76>{{PM|XNotes}}, note 76</ref>

While some of the [[Pre-Númenóreans]] were absorbed into the population of Gondor and Arnor, the Dunlendings remained unaffected, independent and even unfriendly to the Dúnedain, holding their own manners and [[Dunlendish|language]].<ref name="lang">{{App|Men}}, p. 1130</ref> However the Dunlendings also remained hostile to those with [[Orc]]-blood.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}</ref> The Dunlendings also dwelled alongside the [[Stoors|Stoor]] Hobbits during their [[Wandering Days]] and the latter even formed a related language to theirs.<ref>{{App|Hobbits}}, p. 1130</ref>

The Dunlendings suffered from the [[Great Plague]] less than other peoples owing to their isolation<ref name="lang"/> and were still found in the foothills of the Misty Mountains. By the time of the [[Ruling Stewards]] they ceased to be subjects of Gondor and, being surrounded by barbarous folk,<ref name="GC">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref> they moved to settle the region of [[Calenardhon]] as Gondor ceased to man the garrisons during the [[Watchful Peace]].<ref name="Isen">{{UT|Isen}}</ref>

Some Dunlendings approached the Gondorian fortress of [[Isengard|Angrenost]] that was manned by a small garrison led by a hereditary Gondorian chieftain, the [[Lord of Isengard]], and mingled with the Gondorians. With time the line of the original chieftains eventually failed.<ref name="Isen"/>

=== Arrival of the Rohirrim ===
[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Dunlendings.jpg|thumb|right|''Dunlendings'' by [[Angelo Montanini]]]]
In {{TA|2510}} Gondor granted Calenardhon passed to the [[Eotheod]] who came from [[Rhovanion]] and the wild hillmen and herd-folk who the Dunlendings viewed as competitors and usurpers. As the ensuing enmity did not concern the [[Stewards of Gondor]], the Dunlendings kept hostilities to the [[Rohirrim]] and attacked whenever the latter were weak or in trouble.<ref name="Isen"/>

Because of their connections, the people of Isengard remained friendlier to the Dunlendings than to the 'wild Northmen', allowing them to settle in and around the [[Ring of Isengard]]. Eventually the Dunlendings seized control of the fortress and killed any of the ancient guards who didn't merge with them.<ref name="Isen"/>

[[Kings of Rohan|Kings]] [[Brego]] and [[Aldor]] drove the Dunlendings out of [[Rohan]] beyond the Isen until Enedhwaith. After the death of King Aldor, and as Isengard became more friendly to them, the Dunlendings passed and settled northern [[Westfold]], the mountain glens around the Ring, and southern eaves of [[Fangorn Forest]], becoming openly hostile.<ref name="Isen"/> In some places, the two peoples mingled in some peaceful circumstances; and the dark-haired Landlord [[Freca]] from the lands near [[Adorn]] had Dunlendish blood.<ref name="Mark">{{App|Mark}}</ref>

During the reign of King [[Déor]], they began raiding over the Isen; when it became clear that the raiders were coming from near Isengard, in {{TA|2710}} Déor led an expedition to the north. He found and defeated a host of Dunlendings, but discovered that Isengard was hostile. He was unable to drive them out as [[Egalmoth (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Egalmoth]] could not send help.<ref name="Isen"/> The occupation lasted through the reign of King [[Gram]] and they continued to raid and harass the Rohirrim.<ref name="Mark"/>

===Usurpation===
The worst of these incidents was when Freca's son, [[Wulf]], allied with the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] who were in turn stirred by [[Sauron]], keeping safe his properties at [[Adorn]]. Joining his kin from outside of Rohan with enemies of Gondor that had landed in the mouths of [[Lefnui]] and Isen, Rohan was invaded from the East, the Isen and Isengard, and finally Wulf took [[Edoras]] in {{TA|2758}}. Gondor, fighting Corsair fleets, could not help<ref name="Mark"/> as the people of Rohan survived the crisis due to the leadership of King [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]], the usurping Dunlendings were reduced after the [[Long Winter]] and finished off by [[Fréaláf]]. The Rohirrim now kept a strong force in north Westfold.<ref name="Isen"/>

Eventually many Dunlendings were found later in the Westfold of Rohan, until [[Folcwine]], aided by Gondor, reconquered it.<ref name="Mark"/> But the people remaining between [[Isen]] and [[Adorn]] were largely of mixed blood, and not loyal to Edoras.<ref name="Isen"/>

The Dunlendings were employed by the [[wizard]] [[Saruman]] to serve Sauron's purposes by attacking and raiding the cities and settlements of Rohan. Since [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]] had corrupted the mind of King [[Théoden]], the fighting men of the Rohirrim were absent for the most part. As a result, the Dunlendings easily overpowered the old men and young boys who remained.

Wild Men were also present at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] (Battle of Helm's Deep), as well as [[Half-orcs]], derived from [[Orcs]] and the [[Men]] of Dunland. The fighting was vicious, but the Dunlendings surrendered after [[Gandalf]] appeared. In contrast, the Orcs fled into the forest of [[Fangorn Forest|Fangorn]] and were destroyed by [[Huorns]].

[[Saruman]]'s defeat at Isengard put a stop to Dunlending aggression in Rohan. However, the [[Battle of Bywater|Scouring of the Shire]] by Saruman, under the alias of [[Sharkey]], was carried out with the backing of a considerable number of Dunlendings.

== Etymology ==
''Dunlendings'' is a name in [[Rohanese]]<ref name=Dunlendings>{{HM|N}}, p. 755, entry "Dunlendings"</ref> (represented by [[Old English]]<ref>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1136</ref>) given to them by the [[Rohirrim]], which refers to the people's swarthy and dark-haired appearance.<ref name=OfMen>{{App|Men}}, p. 1130</ref> The name ''Dunlendings'' contains the [[Old English|English]] element ''dunn'',<ref name=OfMen/> which means "dark, dusky, dull-hued".<ref name=Dunlendings/><ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 769, entry "Dunland"</ref> The name appears to be derived from ''Dunland'' and the suffix ''-ings'', which denotes a people-group (as in ''[[Rohirrim|Eorlings]]'', ''[[Bardings]]'', ''[[Beornings]]'', etc.).

A [[Sindarin]] name for the Dunlendings was '''''Gwathuirim'''''.<ref name=note76/> It is suggested that the name ''Gwathuirim'' contain the elements ''[[gwathui]]'' ("shadowy") + ''[[-rim]]'' ("people").<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=http://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-391631781.html|articlename=S. ''Gwathuirim'' coll.|website=Eldamo|accessed=10 March 2022}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In an earlier draft of the chapter Flotsam and Jetsam Aragorn comments that the regiments of rather tall, dark-haired, not particularly evil-looking men that Merry watched coming from Isengard to attack Rohan are Dunlanders. Aragorn describes them as an upland folk from the west of the Misty Mountains, remnants of the old peoples that once dwelt in Rohan and all about to the north and south of the White Mountains (which were called Black Mountains in this earlier draft).<ref>{{WR|1|IV}}, p. 51 and p. 52</ref> In the earliest draft of the chapter the Muster of Rohan it is mentioned that the forgotten men who built [[Dunharrow]] went away to mingle with the people of Dunland or the folk of Lebennin. It it also mentioned that some folk reckoned as Rohirrim and that spoke the language of Rohan, but dark with grey eyes with the blood of the forgotten men in their veins lived at Dunharrow. In this earliest draft no Pûkel-men are mentioned.<ref>{{WR|3|II}}, (ii) The Muster of Rohan, draft A, p. 236</ref> In a later draft it is also mentioned that Dunlanders came to the muster at Dunharrow to fight against the forces of Sauron.<ref>{{WR|3|II}}, (ii) The Muster of Rohan, draft F, p. 247 and draft G. p. 249</ref> In an outline for Book Five some folk from Dunland come to Minas Tirith to join Gondor in the fight against Sauron.<ref>{{WR|3|II}}, (iii) Sketches for Book Five, p. 253</ref>

==Inspiration==
It is possible that the rivalry between the primitive Dunlendings and the blond-haired, pseudo-Anglo-Saxon Rohirrim who migrated into the lands neighboring them was meant by Tolkien to be analagous to the real life conflicts that arose between the Anglo-Saxons in England and neighboring [[Celtic]] peoples.

This is supported by the fact that placenames of [[Bree-land]] like [[Bree]],<ref>{{HM|N}}, pp. 766 entry '''Bree'''</ref><ref>{{HM|UI}}, p. 16 entry ''Bree''</ref> [[Archet]]<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 765 entry '''Archet'''</ref> and [[Combe]]<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 150</ref> are Celtic. The [[Stoors|Stoor]] [[Hobbits]] (who had stayed long in [[Dunland]]<ref>{{App|TA}}, entries for the year 1150 and ''c.'' 1630, pp. 1085</ref>), have Celtic elements in their names,<ref name=Translation>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1135</ref> such as [[Gorhendad Oldbuck|Gorhendad]]<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 115</ref> or [[Saradoc Brandybuck|Saradoc]]<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 422</ref>.<ref>{{FR|Hobbits}}, p. 6 "the folk of the Marish, and of Buckland, [...] came for the most part later into the Shire from south-away; and they sill had many peculiar names"</ref> Tolkien mentioned that the survival of traces of the older language of the Stoors and the Bree-men resembled the survival of Celtic elements in England.<ref name=Translation/>

==Portrayals in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Dunlendings.jpg|thumb|left|Men and Women of Dunland]]
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'''''
:The Dunlendings are not a unified entity, but rather a collection of clans named after their spirit animal (ox, boar, stag, falcon, dragon etc.) who often raid one another, with some weaker clans either enslaved or outright wiped out. Many wish to see all of Dunland unified as one and that dream was exploited by [[Saruman]], although not all clans joined with him and many oppose his influence either openly or in secret. Large clans span over multiple villages, and each village is led by a hereditary "Brenin" advised by a council of "Brehures". Most Dunlendings are simple farmers and herdsmen and their buildings are made of wood, straw and raw stone. All Dunlending men and women of age feature prominent facial markings, whether they are face paint or permanent tattoos is not specified.

{{references}}
[[Category:Dunlendings| ]]
[[category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Dunländer]]
[[fr:encyclo:peuples:hommes:dunlendings]]
[[fi:Mustainmaalaiset]]

Dunlendings

2024-04-02T14:27:11Z

Ed8r: /* History */

{{people infobox
| name=Dunlendings
| image=[[File:Turner Mohan - Men of Dunland.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Men of Dunland" by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Gwathuirim'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| origin=
| location=[[Dunland]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]], [[Saruman]]
| rivalry=[[Rohirrim]]
| language=[[Dunlendish]]; some could speak "broken" [[Westron]].<ref>{{App|F1}}</ref>
| members=[[Freca]], [[Wulf]], [[Squint-eyed southerner]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=
| hair=Dark
| skin=Dark
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}

'''Dunlendings''', also known as the '''Gwathuirim''', were the ferocious, tall and vicious [[men]] that lived in [[Dunland]], close to [[Rohan]]. Also called the ''Wild Men of Dunland'', they had long been enemies of the [[Rohirrim]], because they were jealous that the rich lands of the old [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] province of Calenardhon were granted by the Gondorians to the Rohirrim instead of them.

== History ==
=== Origins ===
{{seealso|Pre-Númenóreans}}
The ancestors of the Dunlendings were also the ancestors of the [[Haladin]],<ref>{{PM|Atani}}</ref> the second of the Three Houses of the [[Edain]] who were reclusive, kept separate from the [[House of Bëor|Bëorians]] or the [[House of Hador|Hadorians]] and their language was different from [[Taliska|those spoken]] by the other Edain.

Those who remained in [[Eriador]], settled upon either side of the [[Gwathló]] or in the [[White Mountains|Ered Nimrais]]; especially those in [[Minhiriath]], were (as later [[Gondorian]] historians recognized) akin to the Haladin.

In the [[Second Age]] those peoples ranged over much of future [[Gondor]] and [[Eriador]], and dwelt in the forests of the shorelands. But the [[Númenóreans]] returning to [[Middle-earth]] treated them ruthlessly and devastated their forests. While the [[Men of the Mountains]] survived in isolated places, others (overcoming their fear of the Elves) fled from Minhiriath into [[Eryn Vorn]]; those from [[Enedhwaith]] took refuge in the eastern mountains that would become [[Dunland]].<ref>{{UT|6d}}</ref> Some moved even further north until they reached what became the [[Bree-land]], those were the [[Men of Bree]] who would be absorbed into [[Arnor]].

===Third Age===
[[File:John Howe - Dunlending.jpg|thumb|''Dunlending'' by [[John Howe]]]]
Because of the Númenórean advance, those peoples, including the Dunlendings, remained bitter enemies of the [[West]].<ref>{{PM|Atani}}</ref> The hostility of the Dunlendings prevented the [[Dúnedain]] to populate permanent settlements in Enedhwaith except in the fortified town of [[Tharbad]].<ref name=note76>{{PM|XNotes}}, note 76</ref>

While some of the [[Pre-Númenóreans]] were absorbed into the population of Gondor and Arnor, the Dunlendings remained unaffected, independent and even unfriendly to the Dúnedain, holding their own manners and [[Dunlendish|language]].<ref name="lang">{{App|Men}}, p. 1130</ref> However the Dunlendings also remained hostile to those with [[Orc]]-blood.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}</ref> The Dunlendings also dwelled alongside the [[Stoors|Stoor]] Hobbits during their [[Wandering Days]] and the latter even formed a related language to theirs.<ref>{{App|Hobbits}}, p. 1130</ref>

The Dunlendings suffered from the [[Great Plague]] less than other peoples owing to their isolation<ref name="lang"/> and were still found in the foothills of the Misty Mountains. By the time of the [[Ruling Stewards]] they ceased to be subjects of Gondor and, being surrounded by barbarous folk,<ref name="GC">{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref> they moved to settle the region of [[Calenardhon]] as Gondor ceased to man the garrisons during the [[Watchful Peace]].<ref name="Isen">{{UT|Isen}}</ref>

Some Dunlendings approached the Gondorian fortress of [[Isengard|Angrenost]] that was manned by a small garrison led by a hereditary Gondorian chieftain, the [[Lord of Isengard]], and mingled with the Gondorians. With time the line of the original chieftains eventually failed.<ref name="Isen"/>

=== Arrival of the Rohirrim ===
[[Image:Angelo Montanini - Dunlendings.jpg|thumb|right|''Dunlendings'' by [[Angelo Montanini]]]]
In {{TA|2510}} Gondor granted Calenardhon passed to the [[Eotheod]] who came from [[Rhovanion]] and the wild hillmen and herd-folk who the Dunlendings viewed as competitors and usurpers. As the ensuing enmity did not concern the [[Stewards of Gondor]], the Dunlendings kept hostilities to the [[Rohirrim]] and attacked whenever the latter were weak or in trouble.<ref name="Isen"/>

Because of their connections, the people of Isengard remained friendlier to the Dunlendings than to the 'wild Northmen', allowing them to settle in and around the [[Ring of Isengard]]. Eventually the Dunlendings seized control of the fortress and killed any of the ancient guards who didn't merge with them.<ref name="Isen"/>

[[Kings of Rohan|Kings]] [[Brego]] and [[Aldor]] drove the Dunlendings out of [[Rohan]] beyond the Isen until Enedhwaith. After the death of King Aldor, and as Isengard became more friendly to them, the Dunlendings passed and settled northern [[Westfold]], the mountain glens around the Ring, and southern eaves of [[Fangorn Forest]], becoming openly hostile.<ref name="Isen"/> In some places, the two peoples mingled in some peaceful circumstances; and the dark-haired Landlord [[Freca]] from the lands near [[Adorn]] had Dunlendish blood.<ref name="Mark">{{App|Mark}}</ref>

During the reign of King [[Déor]], they began raiding over the Isen; when it became clear that the raiders were coming from near Isengard, in {{TA|2710}} Déor led an expedition to the north. He found and defeated a host of Dunlendings, but discovered that Isengard was hostile. He was unable to drive them out as [[Egalmoth (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Egalmoth]] could not send help.<ref name="Isen"/> The occupation lasted through the reign of King [[Gram]] and they continued to raid and harass the Rohirrim.<ref name="Mark"/>

===Usurpation===
The worst of these incidents was when Freca's son, [[Wulf]], allied with the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] who were in turn stirred by [[Sauron]], keeping safe his properties at [[Adorn]]. Joining his kin from outside of Rohan with enemies of Gondor that had landed in the mouths of [[Lefnui]] and Isen, Rohan was invaded from the East, the Isen and Isengard, and finally Wulf took [[Edoras]] in {{TA|2758}}. Gondor, fighting Corsair fleets, could not help<ref name="Mark"/> as the people of Rohan survived the crisis due to the leadership of King [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]], the usurping Dunlendings were reduced after the [[Long Winter]] and finished off by [[Fréaláf]]. The Rohirrim now kept a strong force in north Westfold.<ref name="Isen"/>

Eventually many Dunlendings were found later in the Westfold of Rohan, until [[Folcwine]], aided by Gondor, reconquered it.<ref name="Mark"/> But the people remaining between [[Isen]] and [[Adorn]] were largely of mixed blood, and not loyal to Edoras.<ref name="Isen"/>

The Dunlendings were employed by the [[wizard]] [[Saruman]] to serve Sauron's purposes by attacking and raiding the cities and settlements of Rohan. Since [[Gríma|Gríma Wormtongue]] had corrupted the mind of King [[Théoden]], the fighting men of the Rohirrim were absent for the most part. As a result, the Dunlendings easily overpowered the old men and young boys who remained.

Wild Men were also present at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] (Battle of Helm's Deep), as well as [[Half-orcs]], derived from [[Orcs]] and the [[Men]] of Dunland. The fighting was vicious, but the Dunlendings surrendered after [[Gandalf]] appeared. In contrast, the Orcs fled into the forest of [[Fangorn Forest|Fangorn]] and were destroyed by [[Huorns]].

[[Saruman]]'s defeat at Isengard put a stop to Dunlending aggression in Rohan. However, the [[Battle of Bywater|Scouring of the Shire]] by Saruman, under the alias of [[Sharkey]], was carried out with the backing of a considerable number of Dunlendings.

== Etymology ==
''Dunlendings'' is a name in [[Rohanese]]<ref name=Dunlendings>{{HM|N}}, p. 755, entry "Dunlendings"</ref> (represented by [[Old English]]<ref>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1136</ref>) given to them by the [[Rohirrim]], which refers to the people's swarthy and dark-haired appearance.<ref name=OfMen>{{App|Men}}, p. 1130</ref> The name ''Dunlendings'' contains the [[Old English|English]] element ''dunn'',<ref name=OfMen/> which means "dark, dusky, dull-hued".<ref name=Dunlendings/><ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 769, entry "Dunland"</ref> The name appears to be derived from ''Dunland'' and the suffix ''-ings'', which denotes a people-group (as in ''[[Rohirrim|Eorlings]]'', ''[[Bardings]]'', ''[[Beornings]]'', etc.).

A [[Sindarin]] name for the Dunlendings was '''''Gwathuirim'''''.<ref name=note76/> It is suggested that the name ''Gwathuirim'' contain the elements ''[[gwathui]]'' ("shadowy") + ''[[-rim]]'' ("people").<ref name=Eldamo>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=http://www.eldamo.org/content/words/word-391631781.html|articlename=S. ''Gwathuirim'' coll.|website=Eldamo|accessed=10 March 2022}}</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In an earlier draft of the chapter Flotsam and Jetsam Aragorn comments that the regiments of rather tall, dark-haired, not particularly evil-looking men that Merry watched coming from Isengard to attack Rohan are Dunlanders. Aragorn describes them as an upland folk from the west of the Misty Mountains, remnants of the old peoples that once dwelt in Rohan and all about to the north and south of the White Mountains (which were called Black Mountains in this earlier draft).<ref>{{WR|1|IV}}, p. 51 and p. 52</ref> In the earliest draft of the chapter the Muster of Rohan it is mentioned that the forgotten men who built [[Dunharrow]] went away to mingle with the people of Dunland or the folk of Lebennin. It it also mentioned that some folk reckoned as Rohirrim and that spoke the language of Rohan, but dark with grey eyes with the blood of the forgotten men in their veins lived at Dunharrow. In this earliest draft no Pûkel-men are mentioned.<ref>{{WR|3|II}}, (ii) The Muster of Rohan, draft A, p. 236</ref> In a later draft it is also mentioned that Dunlanders came to the muster at Dunharrow to fight against the forces of Sauron.<ref>{{WR|3|II}}, (ii) The Muster of Rohan, draft F, p. 247 and draft G. p. 249</ref> In an outline for Book Five some folk from Dunland come to Minas Tirith to join Gondor in the fight against Sauron.<ref>{{WR|3|II}}, (iii) Sketches for Book Five, p. 253</ref>

==Inspiration==
It is possible that the rivalry between the primitive Dunlendings and the blond-haired, pseudo-Anglo-Saxon Rohirrim who migrated into the lands neighboring them was meant by Tolkien to be analagous to the real life conflicts that arose between the Anglo-Saxons in England and neighboring [[Celtic]] peoples.

This is supported by the fact that placenames of [[Bree-land]] like [[Bree]],<ref>{{HM|N}}, pp. 766 entry '''Bree'''</ref><ref>{{HM|UI}}, p. 16 entry ''Bree''</ref> [[Archet]]<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 765 entry '''Archet'''</ref> and [[Combe]]<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 150</ref> are Celtic. The [[Stoors|Stoor]] [[Hobbits]] (who had stayed long in [[Dunland]]<ref>{{App|TA}}, entries for the year 1150 and ''c.'' 1630, pp. 1085</ref>), have Celtic elements in their names,<ref name=Translation>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1135</ref> such as [[Gorhendad Oldbuck|Gorhendad]]<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 115</ref> or [[Saradoc Brandybuck|Saradoc]]<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 422</ref>.<ref>{{FR|Hobbits}}, p. 6 "the folk of the Marish, and of Buckland, [...] came for the most part later into the Shire from south-away; and they sill had many peculiar names"</ref> Tolkien mentioned that the survival of traces of the older language of the Stoors and the Bree-men resembled the survival of Celtic elements in England.<ref name=Translation/>

==Portrayals in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Dunlendings.jpg|thumb|left|Men and Women of Dunland]]
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'''''
:The Dunlendings are not a unified entity, but rather a collection of clans named after their spirit animal (ox, boar, stag, falcon, dragon etc.) who often raid one another, with some weaker clans either enslaved or outright wiped out. Many wish to see all of Dunland unified as one and that dream was exploited by [[Saruman]], although not all clans joined with him and many oppose his influence either openly or in secret. Large clans span over multiple villages, and each village is led by a hereditary "Brenin" advised by a council of "Brehures". Most Dunlendings are simple farmers and herdsmen and their buildings are made of wood, straw and raw stone. All Dunlending men and women of age feature prominent facial markings, whether they are face paint or permanent tattoos is not specified.

{{references}}
[[Category:Dunlendings| ]]
[[category:Servants of Saruman]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Dunländer]]
[[fr:encyclo:peuples:hommes:dunlendings]]
[[fi:Mustainmaalaiset]]

Citadel of Gondor

2024-03-23T19:00:40Z

Ed8r: /* Description */ typo

[[File:Ted Nasmith - At the Court of the Fountain.jpg|thumb|''At the Court of the Fountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The '''Citadel of Minas Tirith''',<ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry for ''Tower of Ecthelion'', p. 514</ref><ref name=UIHighCourt>{{HM|UI}}, entry for ''High Court'', p. 515</ref><ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry for ''White Tower'', p. 361</ref> '''Citadel'''<ref name=MT>{{RK|MT}}</ref>{{rp|752}} or '''High City'''<ref name=Steward>{{RK|Steward}}</ref>{{rp|972}} was the topmost seventh walled circle of the city of [[Minas Tirith]].<ref name=UIHighCourt/><ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry for ''High City'', p. 638</ref>

== Description ==
The Citadel was a strong fortress<ref name=MT/>{{rp|761}} on the top of the [[Hill of Guard]], on which the city of Minas Tirith was built,<ref>{{HM|N}}, entry for ''Hill of Guard'', p. 772</ref> 700 feet above the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith]].<ref name=MT/>{{rp|752}} It consisted of the topmost seventh wall in the shape of a circle with seven towers at equal distances along the wall, of which one tower stood next to the gate of the Citadel. On its eastern side was a battlement on the top of a pier of rock, which looked like a ship-keel and rose from the ground behind the Great Gate on the lowest circle of walls of the city.<ref name=Plan>{{SD|Partings}}, p. 67 citing from a plan of the Citadel that was drawn by J.R.R. Tolkien on a manuscript</ref>

The entrance to the Citadel was on the east side and was carved into the rock. A sloping lamp-lit tunnel led up to the seventh gate, which was guarded by the [[Guards of the Citadel]].<ref name=MT/>{{rp|752-3}}

The [[Tower of Ecthelion]]<ref name=MT/>{{rp|751}} and the [[Hall of the Kings]]<ref name=Steward/>{{rp|968}} were in the centre of the Citadel.<ref name=Plan/> In front of (i.e. east of) the Tower of Ecthelion was<ref name=Plan/> the [[Court of the Fountain (Minas Tirith)|Court of the Fountain]] where the [[White Tree of Gondor|White Tree]] had grown and died<ref name=MT/>{{rp|753}} and grew again after King [[Aragorn]] had found and planted a seedling of it.<ref name=Steward/>{{rp|971}} Behind (i.e. west of) the Tower of Ecthelion stood<ref name=Plan/> the [[King's House]].<ref>{{App|TA}}, entry for the year 1640, p. 1086</ref> To the right of (i.e. north of) the Tower of Ecthelion was<ref name=Plan/> the [[Great Hall of Feasts]].<ref name=Partings>{{RK|Partings}}, p. 975</ref> The Citadel also contained barracks for the Guard, a storehouse and buttery for the Guard,<ref name=MT/>{{rp|762}} a mess for the Guard in a small hall on the north side,<ref name=MT/>{{rp|772}} a house for guests close to the walls on the north side,<ref name=MT/>{{rp|759}} armories<ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 807</ref> and deep vaults.<ref>{{RK|Siege}}, p. 814</ref>

It is possible that [[Éomer]], the new [[King of Rohan]], referred to the city of Minas Tirith in general and not to the Citadel of Minas Tirith as the topmost seventh circle of the city, when he said that the dead [[Théoden]], his uncle and former King of Rohan, lay in the "Citadel of Gondor".<ref>{{RK|Houses}}, p. 868</ref><ref group=note>The only instance, where the term Citadel of Gondor is used is in the statement made by Éomer who is not from the city of Minas Tirith. [[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] use the term Citadel of Minas Tirith in their index in their book ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]''.</ref> At the time of his statement the body of Théoden had been laid on a bed of state in front of the dais in the Hall of the Kings<ref>{{RK|Houses}}, p. 861</ref> and was later laid in a tomb in the [[Hallows]] of Minas Tirith,<ref name=Steward/>{{rp|969}}<ref name=Partings/> which were located behind (i.e. west of) the fifth circle of the city.<ref name=MT/>{{rp|752}}

== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In a preliminary draft of what would later become the chapter "[[The Steward and the King]]" it is mentioned that the house in which the Companions of the Ring lived together with Gandalf was in the citadel.<ref>{{SD|King}}, p. 57</ref> In an earlier version of what would later become the chapter "[[Many Partings]]", Merethrond is said to be in the citadel. A page for this passage contains a plan of the citadel, which shows the shape of the wall, the locations of the towers, of the White Tower and the Hall of the Kings, of the Court of the Fountain, of the King's House and of the Hall of Feasts and outlines of other buildings.<ref>{{SD|Partings}}, p. 67</ref>

{{references|n}}
[[Category:Minas Tirith]]
[[de:Veste]]

Southward Road

2024-02-24T20:31:52Z

Ed8r: /* Course */

The '''Southward Road''' was a road in [[Ithilien]].

==Course==
The Southward Road ran from the [[Black Gate]] southwards through the narrow strip of land between the mountains of the [[Ephel Dúath]] and the river [[Anduin]].<ref>{{TT|Gate}}, "a third that went towards him", "and went off southwards, p. 639</ref><ref>{{TT|Pool}}, "the Southward road", p. 691</ref>

The road had been constructed a long time ago and ran southwards in a straight and level course, sometimes cutting through the slopes of hillsides or across streams on stone bridges in the form of a wide shapely arch until at last it became a straight country cart-road.<ref>{{TT|Herbs}}, "the southward road", pp. 649-50</ref>

Just north of the Cross-roads the Southward Road wound its way near the feet of the [[Ephel Dúath]] until it descended to the [[Cross-roads]] of the Fallen King, where it met the [[Morgul-road|road]] that went from [[Osgiliath]] to [[Minas Morgul]].<ref>{{TT|Journey}}, "the Southward Road", pp. 701-2</ref>

It is not known if the name ''Southward Road'' was another name for the '''North Road'''<ref>{{UT|Northmen}}</ref> of Ithilien or for the [[Harad Road]], which means ''South Road''<reF group=note>The [[Sindarin]] word [[Harad]] means "south" (ref. Parma Eldalamberon, Issue 17, entry S '''harad''', p. 88).</ref> or if the name ''Southward Road'' was only used for a part of the road, which continued under the name ''Harad Road'' or ''South Road'' after the Cross-roads<ref>[[Catherine McIlwaine]], ''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'', "Map of part of Gondor", p. 389</ref><ref>{{WR|2|VII}}, Minas Morghul and the Cross-roads (map), p. 181</ref><ref group=note>The road that runs from the [[Morannon]] to the Cross-roads and then on to the river Poros is unnamed on the [[General Map of Middle-earth]], the [[Map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor]] and on the map of [[The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age]]. On those maps only the part of the road south of the river Poros is named Harad Road. The part of the road that runs from the Cross-roads in Ithilien south towards the river Poros is named Harad Road and South Road on the Map of a part of Gondor and on the map of Minas Morghul and the Cross-roads, respectively, which were drawn by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] during the writing of The Lord of the Rings.</ref> or after a point lying further to the south, such as after the [[Crossings of Poros]].<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref><ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref><ref>[[Christopher Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]] (older editions)'', [[General Map of Middle-earth]]</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, Hammond and Scull assume that the Southward Road ran from the Black Gate to Harad, p. 484</ref>

{{references|Notes}}

[[Category:Roads and streets]]
[[Category:Gondor]]

Southward Road

2024-02-24T20:31:10Z

Ed8r: /* Course */

The '''Southward Road''' was a road in [[Ithilien]].

==Course==
The Southward Road ran from the [[Black Gate]] southwards through the narrow strip of land between the mountains of the [[Ephel Dúath]] and the river [[Anduin]].<ref>{{TT|Gate}}, "a third that went towards him", "and went off southwards, p. 639</ref><ref>{{TT|Pool}}, "the Southward road", p. 691</ref>

The road had been constructed a long time ago and ran southwards in a straight and level course, sometimes cutting through the slopes of hillsides or crosse streams on stone bridges in the form of a wide shapely arch until at last it became a straight country cart-road.<ref>{{TT|Herbs}}, "the southward road", pp. 649-50</ref>

Just north of the Cross-roads the Southward Road wound its way near the feet of the [[Ephel Dúath]] until it descended to the [[Cross-roads]] of the Fallen King, where it met the [[Morgul-road|road]] that went from [[Osgiliath]] to [[Minas Morgul]].<ref>{{TT|Journey}}, "the Southward Road", pp. 701-2</ref>

It is not known if the name ''Southward Road'' was another name for the '''North Road'''<ref>{{UT|Northmen}}</ref> of Ithilien or for the [[Harad Road]], which means ''South Road''<reF group=note>The [[Sindarin]] word [[Harad]] means "south" (ref. Parma Eldalamberon, Issue 17, entry S '''harad''', p. 88).</ref> or if the name ''Southward Road'' was only used for a part of the road, which continued under the name ''Harad Road'' or ''South Road'' after the Cross-roads<ref>[[Catherine McIlwaine]], ''[[Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth]]'', "Map of part of Gondor", p. 389</ref><ref>{{WR|2|VII}}, Minas Morghul and the Cross-roads (map), p. 181</ref><ref group=note>The road that runs from the [[Morannon]] to the Cross-roads and then on to the river Poros is unnamed on the [[General Map of Middle-earth]], the [[Map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor]] and on the map of [[The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age]]. On those maps only the part of the road south of the river Poros is named Harad Road. The part of the road that runs from the Cross-roads in Ithilien south towards the river Poros is named Harad Road and South Road on the Map of a part of Gondor and on the map of Minas Morghul and the Cross-roads, respectively, which were drawn by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] during the writing of The Lord of the Rings.</ref> or after a point lying further to the south, such as after the [[Crossings of Poros]].<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref><ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref><ref>[[Christopher Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]] (older editions)'', [[General Map of Middle-earth]]</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, Hammond and Scull assume that the Southward Road ran from the Black Gate to Harad, p. 484</ref>

{{references|Notes}}

[[Category:Roads and streets]]
[[Category:Gondor]]

Great Plague

2024-02-06T15:45:56Z

Ed8r: /* History */

{{events
| image=[[File:Steven Cavallo - Plague.jpg|250px]]
| event=Great Plague
| othernames=Dark Plague
| location=[[Rhûn]], [[Rhovanion]], [[Gondor]], [[Eriador]]
| date={{TA|1635}}-[[Third Age 1637|7]]; effects visible for the next 200 years
| result=Possibly hundreds of thousands of deaths
| partof=
| participants=[[Sauron]], [[Easterlings]], [[Northmen]], [[Woodmen]], [[Kelvar]], [[Gondorians]], [[Dunlendings]], [[Dúnedain of Arnor]], [[Hobbits]]
| description=Plague from [[Rhun]], spreading north, west and then north
}}

The '''Great Plague''', also known as the '''Dark Plague''', was a deadly plague that spread out of the [[Rhûn|east]] into [[Rhovanion]], [[Gondor]], and [[Eriador]] during the [[Third Age]]. The mortality rate of the epidemic possibly numbered in the hundreds of thousands as it killed untold numbers of people and animals.<ref name="south"/>

== History ==
[[File:Sage - Great Plague.png|thumb|left|The effects of the plague; more intense color shows worse effect (based on interpretation in the ''[[Atlas of Middle-earth]]'').]]

The Great Plague began beyond [[Mordor]] in [[Rhûn]]. It was believed by historians to have been caused by [[Sauron]] as the plague coincided with a [[Shadow]] deepening in [[Mirkwood]], foretelling his return in the unguarded [[Mordor]] and the reappearance of evil things.<ref name="south"/>

During the cold winter of {{TA|1635}}, the plague was brought by dark winds to [[Rhovanion]]. The [[Northmen]] suffered great casualties since they were less skilled in the art of healing than [[Gondor]] was. After the plague had passed, more than half of the folk of the Kingdom of Rhovanion had been killed along with their horses.<ref>{{UT|Northmen}}</ref> The plague also hit the enemies of Gondor, who otherwise could easily have overwhelmed the weakened kingdom. Though this didn't affect [[Sauron]], as he could wait.<ref name="south"/>

The plague first reached [[Gondor]] in {{TA|1636}}, just a couple of years after King [[Minardil]] had been killed at [[Pelargir]] by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]]. It was devastating in Gondor; [[Calenardhon]] and [[Osgiliath]] were especially hit hard, with Calenardhon being nearly completely abandoned<ref>{{UT|Palantiri}}</ref> and Osgiliath suffering the highest casualties outside of [[Rhovanion]]. Many fled the city and removed to [[Ithilien]] and [[Anórien]], and [[Minas Anor]] became the [[King's House|King's seat]]. The casualties were so high that the fortresses guarding [[Mordor]] were abandoned as the troops were recalled.<ref name="south"/> The new king, [[Telemnar]], was killed along with his children, many others of the [[Dúnedain]], and the [[White Tree of Gondor]].<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref> Coming two centuries after the [[Kin-strife]], this further destroyed the people of Gondor.<ref name="south">{{App|South}}</ref>

From there the plague spread west and then north, desolating many of the lands in [[Eriador]].<ref name=ta/> [[Dunland]] suffered less than most, due to having little contact with other regions.<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref> However, the plague gained strength as it went north, and [[Cardolan]], [[Minhiriath]] in particular, was hit especially hard. The joint garrison of the North and South Kingdoms at [[Tharbad]] ceased to exist.<ref>{{UT|6d}}</ref> The last of the Dúnedain of Cardolan died on the [[Barrow-downs]], and evil spirits from [[Angmar]] and [[Rhudaur]] entered the realm.<ref name="north">{{App|North}}</ref>

While [[The Shire]] suffered greatly,<ref name=ta/> the plague lessened as it passed northward until the northern part of [[Arthedain]] was scarcely affected,<ref name="north"/> still being capable of defending [[Fornost Erain]] from Angmar.

The plague marked the beginning of the desolation of [[Eriador]],<ref name=ta/> where the population of [[Men]] continued to decline for the rest of the [[Age]].<ref>{{PM|XNotes}}, #59</ref> The exact date that the plague ended is not known, but for the next two centuries, Gondor, as well as its allies and enemies, did little but try to regain strength.<ref name="south"/>

== Portrayal in adaptations ==
'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Great Plague is revealed to be an evil of [[Sauron]], created by his chief poisoner Lhaereth the Stained. Various versions of it were tested in [[Rhûn]] before a suitable variant was unleashed onto the lands in the west. However, despite the devastation it brought, the plague was deemed a failure by Sauron for not being deadly enough, and Lhaereth fell out of his favor for many years hence. It is revealed that the [[Rangers of the North]] could heal those affected by the plague with [[Athelas|Kingsfoil]]. After the downfall of Sauron, the player works with two Rangers to stop Lhaereth from unleashing a new and improved variant of the Great Plague.

== See also ==
* [[Evil Breath]], the pestilence outbreak in the late [[First Age]]

{{references}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Kin-Strife]]
| list=Major events of [[Middle-earth]]
| dates={{TA|1635}} - c 200 years later
| next=[[Watchful Peace]]
}}
{{seq-end}}

[[Category:Events]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:History of the Shire]]
[[Category:Third Age]]
[[de:Große Pest]]
[[fi:Suuri Rutto]]

Talk:Great Plague

2024-02-06T15:44:11Z

Ed8r: /* Question about (apparently) conflicting information */ new section

Was it ever said what the symptoms of the Great Plague were? Was it a boils and rashes sort of thing, or maybe like the bubonic plague, spread through infected animals?--[[User:Quidon88|Quidon88]] 13:08, 4 January 2007 (EST)

:I don't think it was (at least, I can't remember a reference to one). I have always got the impression that it wasn't like the bubonic plague at all but rather more like the 1918 Flu Pandemic (or Spanish Flu Pandemic, if you like) - an event which Tolkien would've been well aware of. I don't really know how to explain myself as I can't remember specific references, bu I just have a ''feeling'' it was more along the lines of a flu pandemic. — {{User:Mith/sig}} 15:25, Sunday 7th of January 2007 (GMT)

It's probably based on the Bubonic plague and enflueza, which came right after World War 1 killing 50-90 million people. The plague came spread because the troops and such were bringing home diseases from France and Belgium.
Considering that Tolkien would have lived through this plague I would assume that he based the Great Plague off this experience. --[[User:Dwarf Lord|Dwarf Lord]] 15:16, 7 January 2007 (EST)

== Question about (apparently) conflicting information ==

This page says "the plague gained strength as it went north." But what is that assumption based on? The only comment in LOTR specifically about its strength as it spread is "the plague lessened as it passed northwards," which is also mentioned on this page, and coming so soon after the other, seems to directly contradict it. [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:44, 6 February 2024 (UTC)

Talk:Oath of Eorl

2024-01-11T15:32:59Z

Ed8r: /* missing definite article */ Reply

== missing definite article ==

On the basis of my assumption that the quote showing Eorl's oath was taken from ''Unfinished Tales'', I have added the definite article that was missing preceding the reference to ''Mundburg'' in the title "the Lord of '''the''' Mundburg" [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 21:25, 10 January 2024 (UTC)

:Here's a shout-out to Akhorahil, who found my typo and proceeded to update the entire block quote--many thanks! [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:32, 11 January 2024 (UTC)

Talk:Oath of Eorl

2024-01-10T21:25:28Z

Ed8r: /* missing definite article */ new section

Oath of Eorl

2024-01-10T21:20:50Z

Ed8r: /* The Oath */

[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl 2020.jpg|300px|thumb|''The Oathtaking of Cirion and Eorl'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
{{Quote|In happy hour did Eorl ride from the North, and never has any league of peoples been more blessed, so that neither has ever failed the other, nor shall fail.|'' [[Aragorn]] to [[Eomer]] to in [[The Return of the Ring]]'', "[[The Steward and the King]]"}}

The '''Oath of Eorl''', also called the '''Oath of Cirion''',<ref>{{VT|42a}}, p. 20</ref> was the alliance sworn between the nations of [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]].

Also agreed was whenever help was needed, the two kingdoms would aid each other. The signal that help was needed was the [[Red Arrow]], a symbol of danger. For faster communication between the two allies, the [[warning beacons of Gondor]] were used. These beacons were placed on seven hills along the northern ridge of the [[White Mountains]].

==History==
===The Oath===
The Oath was first sworn in {{TA|2510}} by [[Cirion]], the twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor, and by [[Eorl]], King of the [[Éothéod]] (later first King of Rohan) following the [[Battle of the Field of Celebrant]]. The Oath stated that the province of [[Calenardhon]] would be forever of Rohan, established its borders, and an alliance between the kingdoms. The two rulers swore their oaths on the [[Halifirien]] hill at the site of the [[Tomb of Elendil]].

Eorl spoke his oath in [[Rohanese]]:

{{blockquote|Hear now all peoples who bow not to the Shadow in the East, by the gift of the Lord of the Mundberg we will come to dwell in the land that he names Calenardhon, and therefore I vow in my own name and on behalf of the Éothéod of the North that between us and the Great People of the West there shall be friendship for ever: their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoever evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength. This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the Shadow fall upon them and they become accursed.|Eorl}}

In addition to his oath, Cirion spoke an invocation in [[Quenya]] and the [[Westron|Common Speech]], calling the [[Valar]] and [[Ilúvatar|Eru]] to witness the oaths that were taken.

{{blockquote|Vanda sina termaruva Elenna-nóreo alcar enyalien ar Elendil Vorondo voronwë. Nai tiruvantes i hárar mahalmassen mi Númen ar i Eru i or ilyë mahalmar eä tennoio.|Cirion}}

Which in Westron translates to "This oath shall stand in memory of the glory of the Land of the Star, and of the faith of Elendil the Faithful, in the keeping of those who sit upon the thrones of the West and of the One who is above all thrones for ever."

Eru's name was very rarely invoked in oaths, and indeed had not been since the time of the [[Last Alliance]]. Among people of Númenórean descent, it was held that only the King could call upon Eru, but Cirion had that authority as Steward and regent for the King.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>

===Later history===
In {{TA|2710}}, King [[Déor]] asked the help of [[Egalmoth (Steward of Gondor)|Steward Egalmoth]] to drive off the [[Dunlendings]] from the occupied [[Ring of Isengard]], but the Steward was unable to send help<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref> (possibly because of a renewed war against the [[Orcs of Mordor]]<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, p.205</ref>).

During the rule of [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Beren]], both nations where overwhelmed; Gondor by the [[Corsairs of Umbar]] and Rohan by the Dunlendings, and couldn't help each other. After the [[Long Winter]] however, as the Rohirrim started to repel the invaders, Gondor afforded sending help from both west and east of the [[White Mountains]] to assist them.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref><ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - And They Clasped Hand in Hand.jpg|thumb|''And they clasped hand in hand'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Gondor sent great help to King [[Folcwine]] who reconquered the [[Westmarch (disambiguation)|west-march]] from the Dunlendings. In {{TA|2885}}, when [[Ithilien]] was invaded in great strength, Folcwine sent many men, led by his twin prince sons, to Gondor. With their aid Steward [[Túrin II]] won a victory at the [[Crossings of Poros]], though the princes [[Fastred (son of Folcwine)|Fastred]] and [[Folcred]] were slain.<ref>{{App|Mark}}</ref>

During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Red Arrow]] was brought to King [[Théoden]] of Rohan by [[Hirgon|a messenger of Gondor]] while [[Minas Tirith]] was besieged by [[Sauron]], and Théoden rode out with the [[Muster of Rohan]] to the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

The Oath was renewed by [[Aragorn]] and [[Éomer]] upon their accessions to the thrones of Gondor and Rohan.

==External links==
*[http://glaemscrafu.jrrvf.com/english/cirion.html Text, translation and audio] at [[Glǽmscrafu]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Oaths and prophecies]]
[[Category:Quenya texts]]
[[Category:Third Age]]
[[de:Eid von Eorl]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/3a/serment_d_eorl]]
[[fi:Cirionin vala]]

Talk:Great Gate of Minas Tirith

2023-12-25T15:38:59Z

Ed8r: /* illustration */ Reply

== illustration ==

I am surprised this page includes an illustration that does not match Tolkien's description of the gates as "rolling." If its "iron doors rolled back before them" to allow Gandalf and Pippin to enter, then they would not have swung on hinges?? [[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:21, 25 December 2023 (UTC)

:If we can find a more accurate depiction I'd be in favor of having this one replaced. Is there a particular illustration you have in mind? [[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] ([[User talk:Hyarion|talk]]) 15:31, 25 December 2023 (UTC)
::*chuckle* I almost had added a comment about the fact that I do not know of a more accurate illustration. Honestly, it is only in my most recent re-re-re(etc)-reading that it struck me what a rolling gate must look like.
::[[User:Ed8r|Ed8r]] ([[User talk:Ed8r|talk]]) 15:38, 25 December 2023 (UTC)

Talk:Great Gate of Minas Tirith

2023-12-25T15:21:32Z

Ed8r: /* illustration */ new section