Tolkien Gateway - User contributions [en]

Siege of Barad-dûr

2009-07-26T16:22:41Z

Ringreaper:

{{battle
| image=[[Image:Abe Papakhian - I beheld....jpg|300px]]
| name= Siege of Barad-dûr
| conflict= [[War of the Last Alliance]]
| date= [[Second Age 3434|S.A. 3434]] - [[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]]
| result=Last Alliance victory, disembodiment of [[Sauron]]
| place= [[Barad-dûr]], [[Mount Doom]], [[Mordor]]
| side1=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance forces]]
| side2=Forces of [[Sauron]]
| commanders1=
{{Gil-galad blazon|died}}
[[Image:Tree_icon2.jpg]] [[Elendil]]†
* [[Isildur]]
* [[Anárion]]†
* [[Thranduil]]
* [[Durin IV]]
| commanders2= {{Sauron blazon}}
| forces1=Over 100,000 [[Elves]], [[Númenóreans|Men]], and [[Durin's Folk|Dwarves]]
| forces2=10,000-20,000 [[Orcs]], [[Southrons]], [[Easterlings]]
| casual1=Heavy
| casual2=Severe, nearly total
|}}

The '''Siege of Barad-dûr''' was the armed conflict that would end the [[Second Age]]. It was the direct result of the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], where passage into [[Mordor]] was won by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] at heavy cost.

==The Siege==
The Orcs that survived the slaughter at Dagorlad were surrounded in Barad-dûr, Sauron's dark stronghold. There, the forces of Gil-galad, Elendil and Thranduil laid siege to the tower, but could not breach its gates.

Sauron put together a strong defence with a seemingly unexhaustible supply of projectile and sorties, which inflicted heavy casualties on the Elves and Men. In [[Second Age 3440|S.A. 3440]], Anárion's helmet was crushed by a rock thrown down on him, and he died instantly.

A year later, however, Sauron went out with a sortie himself, and broke the leaguer. He came to [[Mount Doom]], where the two kings, Gil-galad and Elendil, fought with him. [[Narsil]], Elendil's sword, broke in two beneath him as he fell. Gil-galad was burned by the heat. But Sauron also fell, and [[Isildur]] cut [[The One Ring]] from his finger with what was left of Narsil. As Gil-galad's heralds [[Círdan]] and [[Elrond]] came up, they advised Isildur to destroy the Ring by throwing it in the fires of Mount Doom. But Isildur said:
<blockquote>''This I will have as weregild for my father's death, and my brother's. Was it not I who dealt the Enemy his death-blow?''[[#References|1]]</blockquote>

==Consequences==
The battle marked the (temporary) passing of Sauron, and the beginning of the [[Third Age]]. Gondor prospered, and built fortresses on all the entrances to Mordor: the [[Morannon]], [[Durthang]] and the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]].

Isildur remained in [[Minas Tirith]] some time[[#References|2]]. When he did return North, he and his sons were [[Battle of the Gladden Fields|ambushed]][[#References|3]]. The Ring was lost in the tumult.

With the death of Gil-galad, the [[Noldor]] were without a King as he left no heir. Elrond and Círdan returned to [[Lindon]].

Since the Ring was not unmade, Sauron was not completely destroyed: his spirit was able to live on. In the Third Age, he reassumed physical shape, and regained most of his old realm and allies.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]], the entire venture of the Last Alliance was combined into a short silhouette play, in which Isildur cut the Ring off Sauron's hand in battle, not when Sauron was already conquered.

[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]] also compresses the Battle of Dagorlad, the Siege, and the final duel into one, and for convenience reasons, places them all at Mount Doom, in a prologue similar to that of Ralph Bakshi. The main perspective of the entire prologue, ''One Ring to rule them All'', lies with Elrond. The death of Gil-galad is not mentioned, Anárion is cut completely, and the deaths of Elendil and Sauron are rewritten.
After coming forth, Sauron wreaks havoc among the Elves and Men, and a blow from his mace throws Elendil against the mountainside, killing him. Isildur tries to take up Narsil, but it breaks as Sauron steps on it. In a desperate strike, Isildur slashes the Ring, and four fingers, from Sauron's hand. Sauron's body comes to nothing.

In a later scene, aptly named ''The Fate of the Ring'', Elrond tells [[Gandalf]] of the final debate with Isildur, inside Mount Doom. Círdan is not present, and Isildur refuses by simply saying "No".

==References==
# [[Silmarillion]], [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]
# [[The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[The Council of Elrond]]
# [[Unfinished Tales]], [[The Disaster of the Gladden Fields]]

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

[[de:Belagerung von Barad-dûr]]

Siege of Barad-dûr

2009-07-26T16:19:26Z

Ringreaper:

{{battle
| image=[[Image:Abe Papakhian - I beheld....jpg|300px]]
| name= Siege of Barad-dûr
| conflict= [[War of the Last Alliance]]
| date= [[Second Age 3434|S.A. 3434]] - [[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]]
| result=Last Alliance victory, disembodiment of [[Sauron]]
| place= [[Barad-dûr]], [[Mount Doom]], [[Mordor]]
| side1=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance forces]]
| side2=Forces of [[Sauron]]
| commanders1=
{{Gil-galad blazon|died}}
[[Image:Tree_icon2.jpg]] [[Elendil]]†
* [[Isildur]]
* [[Anárion]]†
* [[Thranduil]]
* [[Durin IV]]
| commanders2= {{Sauron blazon}}
| forces1=Over 100,000 [[Elves]], [[Númenóreans|Men]], and [[Durin's Folk|Dwarves]]
| forces2=10,000-20,000 [[Orcs]], [[Southrons]], [[Easterlings]]
| casual1=Heavy
| casual2=Severe, nearly total
|}}

The '''Siege of Barad-dûr''' was the armed conflict that would end the [[Second Age]]. It was the direct result of the [[Battle of Dagorlad]], where passage into [[Mordor]] was won by the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] at heavy cost.

==The Siege==
The Orcs that survived the slaughter at Dagorlad were surrounded in Barad-dûr, Sauron's dark stronghold. There, the forces of Gil-galad, Elendil and Thranduil laid siege to the tower, but could not breach its gates.

Sauron put together a strong defence with a seemingly unexhaustible supply of projectile and sorties, which inflicted heavy casualties on the Elves and Men. In [[Second Age 3440|S.A. 3440]], Anárion's helmet was crushed by a rock thrown down on him, and he died instantly.

A year later, however, Sauron went out with a sortie himself, and broke the leaguer. He came to [[Mount Doom]], where the two kings, Gil-galad and Elendil, fought with him. [[Narsil]], Elendil's sword, broke in two beneath him as he fell. Gil-galad was burned by the heat. But Sauron also fell, and [[Isildur]] cut [[The One Ring]] from his finger with what was left of Narsil. As Gil-galad's heralds [[Círdan]] and [[Elrond]] came up, they advised Isildur to destroy the Ring by throwing it in the fires of Mount Doom. But Isildur said:
<blockquote>''This I will have as weregild for my father's death, and my brother's. Was it not I who dealt the Enemy his death-blow?''[[#References|1]]</blockquote>

==Consequences==
The battle marked the (temporary) passing of Sauron, and the beginning of the [[Third Age]]. Gondor prospered, and built fortresses on all the entrances to Mordor: the [[Morannon]], [[Durthang]] and the [[Tower of Cirith Ungol]].

Isildur remained in [[Minas Tirith]] some time[[#References|2]]. When he did return North, he and his sons were [[Battle of the Gladden Fields|ambushed]][[#References|3]]. The Ring was lost in the tumult.

With the death of Gil-galad, the [[Noldor]] were without a King as he left no heir. Elrond and Círdan returned to [[Lindon]].

Since the Ring was not unmade, Sauron was not completely destroyed: his spirit was able to live on. In the Third Age, he reassumed physical shape, and regained most of his old realm and allies.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
In [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]], the entire venture of the Last Alliance was combined into a short silhouette play, in which Isildur cut the Ring off Sauron's hand in battle, not when Sauron was already conquered.

[[Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring]] also compresses the Battle of Dagorlad, the Siege, and the final duel into one, and for convenience reasons, places them all at Mount Doom, in a prologue similar to that of Ralph Bakshi. The main perspective of the entire prologue, ''One Ring to rule them All'', lies with Elrond. The death of Gil-galad is not mentioned, Anárion is cut completely, and the deaths of Elendil and Sauron are rewritten.
After coming forth, Sauron wreaks havoc among the Elves and Men, and a blow from his mace throws Elendil against the mountainside, killing him. Isildur tries to take up Narsil, but it breaks as Sauron steps on it. In a desperate strike, Isildur slashes the Ring, and four fingers, from Sauron's hand. Sauron's body comes to nothing.

In a later scene, aptly named ''The Fate of the Ring'', Elrond tells [[Gandalf]] of the final debate with Isildur. Círdan is not present, and Isildur refuses by simply saying "No".

==References==
# [[Silmarillion]], [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]
# [[The Fellowship of the Ring]], [[The Council of Elrond]]
# [[Unfinished Tales]], [[The Disaster of the Gladden Fields]]

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

[[de:Belagerung von Barad-dûr]]

Mordor

2009-07-26T16:12:15Z

Ringreaper:

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Ted Nasmith - Across Gorgoroth.jpg|300px]]
| name = Mordor
| meaning = The Black Land
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Sauron]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Barad-dûr]]
| language = [[Black Speech]]
| location = East of [[Gondor]], South of [[Rhûn]]
| populous= [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Nurn]] slaves
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed =
| established = c. [[Second Age 1000|S.A. 1000]]
| fragmented = [[Second Age 3441|S.A. 3441]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 2943|T.A. 2943]]
| dissolved = [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]

}}
'''Mordor''' was the dwelling place of [[Sauron]], in the southeast of Middle-earth to the East of Anduin, the great river. [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] went there to destroy the [[One Ring]]. Mordor was unique because of the three enormous mountain ridges surrounding it, from the North, from the West and from the South, that protected this land from an unexpected invasion by any of the people living in those directions.

== Geography ==
Mordor was protected from three sides by mountain ranges, arranged roughly rectangularly: [[Ered Lithui]] in the north, [[Ephel Dúath]] in the west, and an unnamed (or possibly still called Ephel Dúath) range in the south. In the northwest corner of Mordor the deep valley of [[Udûn]] was the only entrance for large armies, and that is where Sauron built the Black Gate of Mordor. In front of the [[Morannon]] lay the [[Dagorlad]] or the ''Battle Plain''. Sauron's main fortress [[Barad-dûr]] was at the foothills of [[Ered Lithui]]. To southwest of Barad-dûr lay the arid plateau of [[Gorgoroth]] and [[Mount Doom]]; to the east lay the plain of [[Lithlad]]. A narrow pass led through Ephel Dúath and the fortress of [[Minas Morgul]] (earlier [[Minas Ithil]]) was guarding that; an even more difficult pass was guarded by the giant spider [[Shelob]] and the fortress of [[Cirith Ungol]]. Another known fortress was [[Durthang]] in northern Ephel Dúath.

The southern part of Mordor, [[Nurn]], was slighly more fertile, and moist enough to carry the inland [[sea of Núrnen]]. Nurn was made somewhat fertile because the ash blown from Mount Doom left its soil nutrient rich, thus allowing dry-land farming. Unfortunately, the inland sea of Núrn was salty, not freshwater.

To the west of Mordor was the narrow land of [[Ithilien]] with the city of [[Osgiliath]] and the great river [[Anduin]], to the northeast [[Rhûn]], and to the southeast, [[Khand]].

== Formation ==
Mordor was a relic of the devastating works of [[Morgoth]], apparently formed by massive volcanic eruptions. It was given the name Mordor already before Sauron settled there, because of its volcano [[Orodruin]] and its eruptions. Sauron however was the first to settle there.

== History ==

'''See also:''' [[Timeline]]

=== Early history ===

Sauron settled in Mordor 1,000 years after the end of the First Age, and it remained the pivot of his evil contemplations for the whole of the [[Second Age|Second]] and Third Ages of Middle-earth. In the north-western corner of this land stood Mount Doom or [[Orodruin]], where Sauron had forged the [[One Ring]]. Near Orodruin stood Sauron's stronghold [[Barad-dûr]]. After this time, Sauron was known as the [[Dark Lord|Dark Lord of Mordor]].

For two and a half thousand years, Sauron ruled Mordor uninterruptedly. Having wrought the Ring, it was from there that he launched the attack upon the Elves of [[Eregion]]. He was repelled by the Men of [[Númenor]]. He fought against the Men again, almost a thousand years later; that time, he was captured by the Númenóreans and brought to their island kingdom, eventually causing its destruction (see ''[[Akallabêth]]''). Immediately after [[Númenor]]'s destruction, Sauron returned to Mordor as a spirit and resumed his rule.

=== The Last Alliance and Third Age===

Sauron's rule was interrupted yet again when his efforts to overthrow the surviving Men and Elves failed, and they fought their way back to their foe's domain. After several years of siege, forces of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men came into Mordor. Sauron was defeated in a final battle on the slopes of Orodruin. For about a thousand years, Mordor was guarded by [[Gondor]] in order to prevent any evil forces from breaking out.

However Gondor had failed in the long run, and deprived of guard, Mordor began to fill with evil things again. [[Minas Ithil]] was conquered by the Nine [[Ringwraiths]]; other fortifications that were supposed to defend Gondor from the menace inside Mordor were turned into a means of shielding Mordor. By the time Sauron returned into Mordor after his false defeat in [[Dol Guldur]] (in the events that took place at the time of [[Bilbo Baggins]]'s [[The Hobbit|quest]]), Mordor was protected too well to be captured by any military might that was available in Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age. In the north of Mordor during the War of the Ring were the great garrisons and forges of war, while surrounding the bitter inland Sea of Núrnen to the south lay the vast fields tended for the provision of the armies by hordes of slaves brought in from lands to the east and south.

=== War of the Ring ===

During the War of the Ring, Sauron gathered all his forces to Mordor. After the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], a Host of the West went to the Black Gate. Sauron sent his army to destroy the Men of Gondor and Rohan, but then [[Frodo Baggins]] destroyed the One Ring and Mordor fell. The Dark Tower, the Black Gate and the Towers of Teeth collapsed to ruin. Mount Doom exploded. Both Sauron and his Ringwraiths were apparently destroyed.

After the ultimate defeat of Sauron, Mordor became mostly empty again as the [[Orcs]] inside it fled or were killed. Crippled by thousands of years of abuse and neglect, but capable of sustaining life, the land of Mordor was given to the defeated foes of Gondor as a consolation, as well as to the freed slaves of Nurn who were formerly forced to farm there to feed the armies of Mordor.

== Etymology ==
The term ''Mordor'' translates to "The Black Land" or "The Dark Land" in [[Sindarin]]. [[mor]] = "dark, black", [[dôr]] = "land" ([[The Silmarillion]], Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names).

==Inspiration==
It is not uncommon for names in Tolkien's fiction to have relevant meanings in several languages, both those invented by Tolkien, and "real" ones, but this of course happens with any two languages.

*A proposed etymology is [[Old English]] ''morðor'', which means "mortal sin" and later "murder".
*''Mordor'' is also a name cited in some Nordic mythologies referring to a land where its citizens practice evil without knowing it, imposed on themselves by the society long created for that purpose.

Tolkien is reported to have identified Mordor with the volcano of [[Stromboli]] off Sicily.<ref>[[Clyde S Kilby]], [[Dick Plotz]] ([[1968]]), "Many Meetings with Tolkien: An Edited Transcript of Remarks at the December 1966 [[Mythopoeic Society|TSA Meeting]]", ''Niekas'' (Niekas Publications, New Hampshire, USA) (19): 39–40 Referred to at tolkienguide.com and by another publication of the Niekas editor. Referred to at [http://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/wordpress/?p=3 tolkienguide.com ] and by [http://efanzines.com/ERM/veh36.htm another publication of the Niekas editor].</ref>

==Portrayals==
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] assumed that the lands of Mordor, [[Khand]], and [[Rhûn]] lay where the inland [[Sea of Helcar]] had been, and that the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and [[Sea of Núrnen]] were its remnants. The atlas was however published before ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', where it turned out that the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and Mordor existed already in the First Age.

The close proximity of Mount Doom and Barad-dûr in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] is non-canonical.

==See also==
* [[Sauron]]
* [[Barad-dûr]]
* [[Orodruin]]
* [[Black Gate]]

[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Mordor and Sauron]]

[[de:Mordor]]
[[fi:Mordor]]

Mordor

2009-07-26T16:09:59Z

Ringreaper:

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Ted Nasmith - Across Gorgoroth.jpg|300px]]
| name = Mordor
| meaning = The Black Land
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Sauron]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Barad-dûr]]
| language = [[Black Speech]]
| location = East of [[Gondor]], South of [[Rhûn]]
| populous= [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Nurn]] slaves
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed =
| established = c. [[Second Age 1000|S.A. 1000]]
|
| reorganized = [[Third Age 2943|T.A. 2943]]
| dissolved = [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]

}}
'''Mordor''' was the dwelling place of [[Sauron]], in the southeast of Middle-earth to the East of Anduin, the great river. [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] went there to destroy the [[One Ring]]. Mordor was unique because of the three enormous mountain ridges surrounding it, from the North, from the West and from the South, that protected this land from an unexpected invasion by any of the people living in those directions.

== Geography ==
Mordor was protected from three sides by mountain ranges, arranged roughly rectangularly: [[Ered Lithui]] in the north, [[Ephel Dúath]] in the west, and an unnamed (or possibly still called Ephel Dúath) range in the south. In the northwest corner of Mordor the deep valley of [[Udûn]] was the only entrance for large armies, and that is where Sauron built the Black Gate of Mordor. In front of the [[Morannon]] lay the [[Dagorlad]] or the ''Battle Plain''. Sauron's main fortress [[Barad-dûr]] was at the foothills of [[Ered Lithui]]. To southwest of Barad-dûr lay the arid plateau of [[Gorgoroth]] and [[Mount Doom]]; to the east lay the plain of [[Lithlad]]. A narrow pass led through Ephel Dúath and the fortress of [[Minas Morgul]] (earlier [[Minas Ithil]]) was guarding that; an even more difficult pass was guarded by the giant spider [[Shelob]] and the fortress of [[Cirith Ungol]]. Another known fortress was [[Durthang]] in northern Ephel Dúath.

The southern part of Mordor, [[Nurn]], was slighly more fertile, and moist enough to carry the inland [[sea of Núrnen]]. Nurn was made somewhat fertile because the ash blown from Mount Doom left its soil nutrient rich, thus allowing dry-land farming. Unfortunately, the inland sea of Núrn was salty, not freshwater.

To the west of Mordor was the narrow land of [[Ithilien]] with the city of [[Osgiliath]] and the great river [[Anduin]], to the northeast [[Rhûn]], and to the southeast, [[Khand]].

== Formation ==
Mordor was a relic of the devastating works of [[Morgoth]], apparently formed by massive volcanic eruptions. It was given the name Mordor already before Sauron settled there, because of its volcano [[Orodruin]] and its eruptions. Sauron however was the first to settle there.

== History ==

'''See also:''' [[Timeline]]

=== Early history ===

Sauron settled in Mordor 1,000 years after the end of the First Age, and it remained the pivot of his evil contemplations for the whole of the [[Second Age|Second]] and Third Ages of Middle-earth. In the north-western corner of this land stood Mount Doom or [[Orodruin]], where Sauron had forged the [[One Ring]]. Near Orodruin stood Sauron's stronghold [[Barad-dûr]]. After this time, Sauron was known as the [[Dark Lord|Dark Lord of Mordor]].

For two and a half thousand years, Sauron ruled Mordor uninterruptedly. Having wrought the Ring, it was from there that he launched the attack upon the Elves of [[Eregion]]. He was repelled by the Men of [[Númenor]]. He fought against the Men again, almost a thousand years later; that time, he was captured by the Númenóreans and brought to their island kingdom, eventually causing its destruction (see ''[[Akallabêth]]''). Immediately after [[Númenor]]'s destruction, Sauron returned to Mordor as a spirit and resumed his rule.

=== The Last Alliance and Third Age===

Sauron's rule was interrupted yet again when his efforts to overthrow the surviving Men and Elves failed, and they fought their way back to their foe's domain. After several years of siege, forces of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men came into Mordor. Sauron was defeated in a final battle on the slopes of Orodruin. For about a thousand years, Mordor was guarded by [[Gondor]] in order to prevent any evil forces from breaking out.

However Gondor had failed in the long run, and deprived of guard, Mordor began to fill with evil things again. [[Minas Ithil]] was conquered by the Nine [[Ringwraiths]]; other fortifications that were supposed to defend Gondor from the menace inside Mordor were turned into a means of shielding Mordor. By the time Sauron returned into Mordor after his false defeat in [[Dol Guldur]] (in the events that took place at the time of [[Bilbo Baggins]]'s [[The Hobbit|quest]]), Mordor was protected too well to be captured by any military might that was available in Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age. In the north of Mordor during the War of the Ring were the great garrisons and forges of war, while surrounding the bitter inland Sea of Núrnen to the south lay the vast fields tended for the provision of the armies by hordes of slaves brought in from lands to the east and south.

=== War of the Ring ===

During the War of the Ring, Sauron gathered all his forces to Mordor. After the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], a Host of the West went to the Black Gate. Sauron sent his army to destroy the Men of Gondor and Rohan, but then [[Frodo Baggins]] destroyed the One Ring and Mordor fell. The Dark Tower, the Black Gate and the Towers of Teeth collapsed to ruin. Mount Doom exploded. Both Sauron and his Ringwraiths were apparently destroyed.

After the ultimate defeat of Sauron, Mordor became mostly empty again as the [[Orcs]] inside it fled or were killed. Crippled by thousands of years of abuse and neglect, but capable of sustaining life, the land of Mordor was given to the defeated foes of Gondor as a consolation, as well as to the freed slaves of Nurn who were formerly forced to farm there to feed the armies of Mordor.

== Etymology ==
The term ''Mordor'' translates to "The Black Land" or "The Dark Land" in [[Sindarin]]. [[mor]] = "dark, black", [[dôr]] = "land" ([[The Silmarillion]], Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names).

==Inspiration==
It is not uncommon for names in Tolkien's fiction to have relevant meanings in several languages, both those invented by Tolkien, and "real" ones, but this of course happens with any two languages.

*A proposed etymology is [[Old English]] ''morðor'', which means "mortal sin" and later "murder".
*''Mordor'' is also a name cited in some Nordic mythologies referring to a land where its citizens practice evil without knowing it, imposed on themselves by the society long created for that purpose.

Tolkien is reported to have identified Mordor with the volcano of [[Stromboli]] off Sicily.<ref>[[Clyde S Kilby]], [[Dick Plotz]] ([[1968]]), "Many Meetings with Tolkien: An Edited Transcript of Remarks at the December 1966 [[Mythopoeic Society|TSA Meeting]]", ''Niekas'' (Niekas Publications, New Hampshire, USA) (19): 39–40 Referred to at tolkienguide.com and by another publication of the Niekas editor. Referred to at [http://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/wordpress/?p=3 tolkienguide.com ] and by [http://efanzines.com/ERM/veh36.htm another publication of the Niekas editor].</ref>

==Portrayals==
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] assumed that the lands of Mordor, [[Khand]], and [[Rhûn]] lay where the inland [[Sea of Helcar]] had been, and that the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and [[Sea of Núrnen]] were its remnants. The atlas was however published before ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', where it turned out that the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and Mordor existed already in the First Age.

The close proximity of Mount Doom and Barad-dûr in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] is non-canonical.

==See also==
* [[Sauron]]
* [[Barad-dûr]]
* [[Orodruin]]
* [[Black Gate]]

[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Mordor and Sauron]]

[[de:Mordor]]
[[fi:Mordor]]

Mordor

2009-07-26T16:08:38Z

Ringreaper:

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Ted Nasmith - Across Gorgoroth.jpg|300px]]
| name = Mordor
| meaning = The Black Land
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Sauron]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Barad-dûr]]
| language = [[Black Speech]]
| location = East of [[Gondor]], South of [[Rhûn]]
| populous= [[Orcs]], [[Trolls]], [[Nurn]] slaves
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed =
| established = c. [[Second Age 1000|S.A. 1000]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 2943|T.A. 2943]]
| dissolved = [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]]

}}
'''Mordor''' was the dwelling place of [[Sauron]], in the southeast of Middle-earth to the East of Anduin, the great river. [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] went there to destroy the [[One Ring]]. Mordor was unique because of the three enormous mountain ridges surrounding it, from the North, from the West and from the South, that protected this land from an unexpected invasion by any of the people living in those directions.

== Geography ==
Mordor was protected from three sides by mountain ranges, arranged roughly rectangularly: [[Ered Lithui]] in the north, [[Ephel Dúath]] in the west, and an unnamed (or possibly still called Ephel Dúath) range in the south. In the northwest corner of Mordor the deep valley of [[Udûn]] was the only entrance for large armies, and that is where Sauron built the Black Gate of Mordor. In front of the [[Morannon]] lay the [[Dagorlad]] or the ''Battle Plain''. Sauron's main fortress [[Barad-dûr]] was at the foothills of [[Ered Lithui]]. To southwest of Barad-dûr lay the arid plateau of [[Gorgoroth]] and [[Mount Doom]]; to the east lay the plain of [[Lithlad]]. A narrow pass led through Ephel Dúath and the fortress of [[Minas Morgul]] (earlier [[Minas Ithil]]) was guarding that; an even more difficult pass was guarded by the giant spider [[Shelob]] and the fortress of [[Cirith Ungol]]. Another known fortress was [[Durthang]] in northern Ephel Dúath.

The southern part of Mordor, [[Nurn]], was slighly more fertile, and moist enough to carry the inland [[sea of Núrnen]]. Nurn was made somewhat fertile because the ash blown from Mount Doom left its soil nutrient rich, thus allowing dry-land farming. Unfortunately, the inland sea of Núrn was salty, not freshwater.

To the west of Mordor was the narrow land of [[Ithilien]] with the city of [[Osgiliath]] and the great river [[Anduin]], to the northeast [[Rhûn]], and to the southeast, [[Khand]].

== Formation ==
Mordor was a relic of the devastating works of [[Morgoth]], apparently formed by massive volcanic eruptions. It was given the name Mordor already before Sauron settled there, because of its volcano [[Orodruin]] and its eruptions. Sauron however was the first to settle there.

== History ==

'''See also:''' [[Timeline]]

=== Early history ===

Sauron settled in Mordor 1,000 years after the end of the First Age, and it remained the pivot of his evil contemplations for the whole of the [[Second Age|Second]] and Third Ages of Middle-earth. In the north-western corner of this land stood Mount Doom or [[Orodruin]], where Sauron had forged the [[One Ring]]. Near Orodruin stood Sauron's stronghold [[Barad-dûr]]. After this time, Sauron was known as the [[Dark Lord|Dark Lord of Mordor]].

For two and a half thousand years, Sauron ruled Mordor uninterruptedly. Having wrought the Ring, it was from there that he launched the attack upon the Elves of [[Eregion]]. He was repelled by the Men of [[Númenor]]. He fought against the Men again, almost a thousand years later; that time, he was captured by the Númenóreans and brought to their island kingdom, eventually causing its destruction (see ''[[Akallabêth]]''). Immediately after [[Númenor]]'s destruction, Sauron returned to Mordor as a spirit and resumed his rule.

=== The Last Alliance and Third Age===

Sauron's rule was interrupted yet again when his efforts to overthrow the surviving Men and Elves failed, and they fought their way back to their foe's domain. After several years of siege, forces of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men came into Mordor. Sauron was defeated in a final battle on the slopes of Orodruin. For about a thousand years, Mordor was guarded by [[Gondor]] in order to prevent any evil forces from breaking out.

However Gondor had failed in the long run, and deprived of guard, Mordor began to fill with evil things again. [[Minas Ithil]] was conquered by the Nine [[Ringwraiths]]; other fortifications that were supposed to defend Gondor from the menace inside Mordor were turned into a means of shielding Mordor. By the time Sauron returned into Mordor after his false defeat in [[Dol Guldur]] (in the events that took place at the time of [[Bilbo Baggins]]'s [[The Hobbit|quest]]), Mordor was protected too well to be captured by any military might that was available in Middle-earth at the end of the Third Age. In the north of Mordor during the War of the Ring were the great garrisons and forges of war, while surrounding the bitter inland Sea of Núrnen to the south lay the vast fields tended for the provision of the armies by hordes of slaves brought in from lands to the east and south.

=== War of the Ring ===

During the War of the Ring, Sauron gathered all his forces to Mordor. After the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], a Host of the West went to the Black Gate. Sauron sent his army to destroy the Men of Gondor and Rohan, but then [[Frodo Baggins]] destroyed the One Ring and Mordor fell. The Dark Tower, the Black Gate and the Towers of Teeth collapsed to ruin. Mount Doom exploded. Both Sauron and his Ringwraiths were apparently destroyed.

After the ultimate defeat of Sauron, Mordor became mostly empty again as the [[Orcs]] inside it fled or were killed. Crippled by thousands of years of abuse and neglect, but capable of sustaining life, the land of Mordor was given to the defeated foes of Gondor as a consolation, as well as to the freed slaves of Nurn who were formerly forced to farm there to feed the armies of Mordor.

== Etymology ==
The term ''Mordor'' translates to "The Black Land" or "The Dark Land" in [[Sindarin]]. [[mor]] = "dark, black", [[dôr]] = "land" ([[The Silmarillion]], Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names).

==Inspiration==
It is not uncommon for names in Tolkien's fiction to have relevant meanings in several languages, both those invented by Tolkien, and "real" ones, but this of course happens with any two languages.

*A proposed etymology is [[Old English]] ''morðor'', which means "mortal sin" and later "murder".
*''Mordor'' is also a name cited in some Nordic mythologies referring to a land where its citizens practice evil without knowing it, imposed on themselves by the society long created for that purpose.

Tolkien is reported to have identified Mordor with the volcano of [[Stromboli]] off Sicily.<ref>[[Clyde S Kilby]], [[Dick Plotz]] ([[1968]]), "Many Meetings with Tolkien: An Edited Transcript of Remarks at the December 1966 [[Mythopoeic Society|TSA Meeting]]", ''Niekas'' (Niekas Publications, New Hampshire, USA) (19): 39–40 Referred to at tolkienguide.com and by another publication of the Niekas editor. Referred to at [http://www.tolkienguide.com/modules/wordpress/?p=3 tolkienguide.com ] and by [http://efanzines.com/ERM/veh36.htm another publication of the Niekas editor].</ref>

==Portrayals==
In ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] assumed that the lands of Mordor, [[Khand]], and [[Rhûn]] lay where the inland [[Sea of Helcar]] had been, and that the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and [[Sea of Núrnen]] were its remnants. The atlas was however published before ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', where it turned out that the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and Mordor existed already in the First Age.

The close proximity of Mount Doom and Barad-dûr in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]] is non-canonical.

==See also==
* [[Sauron]]
* [[Barad-dûr]]
* [[Orodruin]]
* [[Black Gate]]

[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Mordor and Sauron]]

[[de:Mordor]]
[[fi:Mordor]]

Mordor

2009-07-26T16:06:39Z

Ringreaper:

Arathorn I

2009-07-26T16:02:49Z

Ringreaper:

{{royalty infobox
|image=
|name=Arathorn
|othernames=
|birth= T.A. 2693
|rule= T.A. 2784
|death= T.A. 2848
|age= 155
|realms= [[Rangers]]
|race=[[Men]]
|gender=Male
|height=
|hair=
|eyes=
|}}{{Pronounce|Arathorn.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Arathorn''' ([[Third Age|T.A.]] 2693 - 2848, died aged 155) was the twelth [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]], succeeding his father, [[Arassuil]], on his death in 2784.

Arathorn met an untimely death in 2848 (although, the ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'' says he lived his full life) when he was attacked by wolves. He was succeeded by his son, [[Argonui]].
==Genealogy==
<code>
[[Isildur]]
:
:
[[Arassuil]]
|
|
'''ARATHORN I'''
|
|
[[Argonui]]
|
|
[[Arador]]
</code>
==Etymology==
In a [[Letter 347|letter]] dated [[1972]], [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] gave the name the meaning "Eagle King" (from ''[[aran]]'' "king" and ''[[thoron]]'' "eagle". However, in work written in the late 50's (published in [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17), Tolkien gave "Steadfast King" (from ''[[aran]]'' "king" and ''thorn'' "steadfast") instead. Which stands is uncertain.

==Titles==
{{Sequence
|prev=[[Arassuil]]
|next=[[Argonui]]
|list=12th [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] <code>III</code> 2784 - 2848
|}}{{northernline}}
[[Category:Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]
[[Category:Dúnedain of the North]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[de:Arathorn I.]]
[[fi:Arathorn I]]

Arnor

2009-07-26T15:56:07Z

Ringreaper:

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Arnor map.gif|300px]]
| name = Arnor
| meaning= Land of the King, High Lands
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = (High) King of [[Arnor]] (and Gondor), King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| executive = Council of Arnor
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Annúminas]]
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = [[Eriador]]
| populous = [[Men]], [[Hobbit|Hobbits]], [[Elves]], [[Dúnedain]]
| currency =
| religious = State Eru worship
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Downfall of Númenor]] in [[Second Age 3319|S.A. 3319]]
| established = [[Second Age 3320|S.A. 3320]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]]
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974 ]]
| restored = [[Fourth Age 1|F.O. 1]]
| era = Second/Third/Fourth Ages
}}

{{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}}

'''Arnor''', or the '''Northern Kingdom''', was a kingdom of the [[Dúnedain]] in the land of [[Eriador]] in [[Middle-earth]]. It was the original seat of the [[Kings of Arnor|High King of Arnor]] who ruled over both Arnor and Gondor.

==History==

=== Early History ===

Arnor was founded at the end of the [[Second Age]] (S.A. 3320) by [[Elendil]], whose sons founded [[Gondor]] at the same time. The history of the [[Two Kingdoms|two kingdoms]] is intertwined; both kingdoms are known as the Realms of the [[Dúnedain]] in exile.

Before the foundation of Arnor there was already a sizable Númenórean population living there, a result of the slow emigration of [[Númenóreans]] which had started under [[Tar-Meneldur]] and [[Tar-Aldarion]]. Before the arrival of the [[Dúnedain]] Arnor was home to [[Middle Men]] of [[Edain]] stock, and the early colonists soon interbred with the indigenous population. Elendil and his people were aided by Noldorin High King Gil-galad and his people, and his ships sailed up the Lune river. He established the city of Annúminas as his capital. Arnor was originally favored over the more southern regions (Gondor) because the [[Elves]] under [[Gil-galad]] lived near it across the river [[Lhûn]].{{ref|1}} However, in later days after the Númenóreans fell under [[Sauron|Sauron's]] shadow they settled more to the south. This led to a situation where [[Elendil]] arrived in an area populated by people who, unlike his own [[Númenóreans]], were mainly still friends with the [[Elves]], and unlike [[Gondor]] to the south in Arnor much knowledge of the [[Elder Days]] was preserved. [[Image:Ann18.jpg|left|300px|thumb|''Palace Complex at Annúminas'' by Steven White, Jr.]]

=== The [[Palantíri]] ===

The '''[[Palantíri]]''' or 'seeing stones' were spherical stones that could communicate with each other and give visual impressions to a skilled remote user. These stones were divided originally between [[Elendil]] and his two sons. They were usually heavily guarded and under the control of the kings. There were seven of these stones in total, with three of them assigned to the northern kingdom, with the other four going to Gondor.{{ref|2}} They were:

* the [[Elostirion-stone]], in the tower of [[Elostirion]], and was used to communicate with the master stone in [[Tol Eressëa]] of the Elves, along the Straight Road. It could not contact the other Middle-Earth stones.

* the [[Amon Sûl-stone]], in the watchtower of [[Amon Sûl]]. A large stone, it was often used to contact its corresponding large stone in Gondor, at the great dome in [[Osgiliath]].

* the [[Annúminas-stone]], in the capital city of [[Annúminas]]. Though one of the lesser stones, it was the stone most often used by the [[Kings of Arnor]].

=== [[War of the Last Alliance]] ===

[[Image:Peter Jackson's Isildur2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Isildur'' in Peter Jackson's ''Fellowship of the Ring'']] At the end of the Second Age, Arnor allied itself with Noldorin High King [[Gil-galad]] in a great alliance opposing Sauron, the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In conjunction with southern forces from Gondor, they confronted Sauron's armies in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. This war was fought over a period of several years on the [[Battle of Dagorlad|Dagorlad plain]] and in Mordor itself, at the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. Both [[Elendil]] and his son [[Anárion]] were slain in this conflict, but [[Isildur]] cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and prevailed. [[Elrond]], Gil-galad's herald, urged Isildur to cast it into Mt. Doom and destroy it, but Isildur refused, and the Ring survived. Arnor suffered heavy casualties in the war, and some parts of the land were partially depopulated. {{ref|3}}

Arnor's second king [[Isildur]] (also King of [[Gondor]]) was killed in [[Third Age 2|T.A. 2]] by [[Orcs]] in the disastrous [[Battle of the Gladden Fields]]. His three eldest sons were killed with him, but the fourth and youngest, [[Valandil]], who had remained at [[Rivendell]] due to his youth, became king of Arnor (T.A 2). [[Isildur]] also lost the [[One Ring]] at this time, when it slipped off his finger as he tried to escape pursuing Orcs. Arnor never fully recovered from this devastating loss of its manpower.

Because [[Valandil]] and his heirs did not claim the throne of [[Gondor]] the realms were split, but Arnor's ruler kept the title [[High King]], whereas in the south the ruler was 'just' King.

=== Decline and Breakup ===

{{Transcribed|Arnor_tengwar.png|Arnor|Tengwar, Sindarin mode}}
Arnor's capital was [[Annúminas]] on [[Lake Evendim]], but by [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]] [[Fornost Erain]] had become the capital instead as Annúminas became depopulated and was slowly abandoned.

 After the death of its tenth king, [[Eärendur]], in [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]], Arnor was shaken by civil war between the three sons of [[Eärendur]]. The eldest son, [[Amlaith]], claimed Kingship over all Arnor but was reduced to only ruling the region of Arthedain as his kingdom, while the other sons founded the breakaway kingdoms of [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].

Arnor was refounded ''de jure'' by [[Arthedain|Arthedain's]] king [[Argeleb I]], when [[Cardolan]] placed itself under the suzerainty of Arthedain. However, even Arthedain was eventually destroyed. The people of Arnor were mostly wiped out by the continuing wars, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in [[the Shire]], Men survived in [[Bree]] and probably other villages, and the [[Dúnedain]] of Arnor created new homes in the [[Angle of Eriador|Angle]] south of [[Rivendell]], where some of them became known as the [[Rangers of the North]].{{ref|1018}}

=== Conflict with Angmar ===

[[Image:Grant Gould - The Witch King.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''The Witch King'' by Eliot Gould]] Arnor's greatest enemy in the north by the middle of the Third Age was Angmar, ruled by the [[Witch-king|Witch King of Angmar]]. During the reign of Malvegil (c. [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]), this new power arose beyond the [[Ettenmoors]]. This land became populated with the Orcs and men of Sauron, and began attacking Rhudaur and Cardolan. Eventually this Witch-king was identified as in fact the chief of Sauron's Ringwraiths. Years later, Argeleb I of [[Arthedain]], reasserted control over [[Cardolan]], and fortified a line along the [[Weather Hills]]. Despite this action, Argeleb fell in battle with Angmar and its ally, [[Rhudaur]]. His son Arveleg, however, counterattacked in conjunction with Cardolan and drove the enemy back. He held this frontier in force for quite some years successfully.

[[Image:BFME2 - Weathertop.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''Weathertop'' from BFME2]] Then in [[Third Age 1409|T.A. 1409]], Angmar crossed the Hoarwell river into Cardolan and attacked again. This time, Weathertop was captured and Arveleg fell in battle. While Amon Sûl fell, the palantír was recovered and taken to Fornost. While Cardolan was laid waste, Angmar was eventually stopped by Elven forces from [[Lindon]] and [[Rivendell]], where [[Elrond]] countered them.

=== The [[Great Plague]] ===

Another threat appeared to the northern successor kingdoms, this time one that swords and spears could not deter. A [[Great Plague|major plague]] began in the east, in the vicinity of the [[Sea of Rhûn]], northeast of [[Mordor]]. After doing great damage in [[Rhovanion]], it struck [[Osgiliath]] in Gondor in [[Third age|T.A. 1636]], killing [[Telemnar|King Telemnar]] and his family. In seriously affected areas, the plague killed 50% or more of the populace. This plague, which barely affected western Gondor, spread northwards to [[Cardolan]].

In Cardolan, it struck severely, wiping out the last of Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] at the [[Barrow-downs]]. The Witch-king, exploiting the tragedy, sent evil spirits, the [[Barrow-wights]], to infest the area. The Hobbits of the Shire were damaged by it, but not heavily. The plague lost its strength, however, at this point, so that most of [[Arthedain]] was unaffected.{{ref|5}}

=== The Fall of Arthedain ===

In [[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974]], the final chapter in [[Arthedain|Arthedain's]] history began. The Witch-king attacked during the harsh winter weather. The capital of [[Fornost]] fell, and the remaining Arnorian forces were driven over the Lune river into Lindon. King [[Arvedui]] was compelled to flee to [[Forochel]], and ask aid of the Snowmen there. His son, [[Aranarth]], journeyed to [[Círdan]] at the Havens to inform him of Arthedain's fall. Círdan responded by sending a ship north to rescue Arvedui. When the [[Snowmen of Forochel]] saw the ship arrive, they were uncomfortable and nervous about the escape plan.{{ref|6}} Their chief replied to Arvedui:
{{quote|Do not mount on this sea-monster! If they have them, let the seamen bring us food and other things that we need, and you may stay here till the Witch-king goes home. For in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm is long.|''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018}}

It turned out that the Snowmen were right. A storm blew in that night and drove the ice towards the shore, and the ship was crushed and sank, with great loss of life, including King Arvedui. He unfortunately fulfilled [[Malbeth the Seer|Malbeth the Seer's]] prophecy about him at his birth that he would be the 'Last king' of Arthedain. So the North-kingdom ended, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in the Shire. They eventually chose a [[Thain]] from among themselves to replace the King, and the first of these was [[Bucca of the Marish]], in [[Third Age 1979|T.A. 1979]].

=== Showdown with Angmar ===

Envoys from Arthedain had journeyed to Gondor to ask assistance from the southern Dúnedain in fighting the Witch-king's forces. Gondor, however, was preoccupied with its own threats from the [[Easterlings]], and so could not respond immediately. Gondor had been in a weakened condition since the death of King Ondoher and his two sons in the [[Battle of the Camp]] fighting the Easterlings in [[Third Age 1944|T.A. 1944]]. [[Arvedui]] of Arnor tried to claim the southern throne but this claim was rejected by Gondor. [[Eärnil]], the victorious commander in the above battle and a member of the royal house, claimed the throne, and was confirmed by the Gondorian royal council.{{ref|5}}

[[Image:Amir Salehi - Servant of Death.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Servant of Death'' by Amir Salehi]]King Arvedui sent increasingly urgent messages to Gondor about the crisis he faced from Angmar's continuing assaults. [[Eärnil II]] was unable to react quickly due to his need to order Gondor after succeeding to the throne, however. The king sent his son and heir [[Eärnur]] north to the Havens with a powerful fleet. Unfortunately, it was not in time to save [[Arthedain]], and the northern kingdom perished. When Eärnur's naval forces landed in the [[Grey Havens]], they dazzled both Men and Elves with their size and majesty. From these ships debarked the most powerful army seen in the north of Middle-earth in centuries. Círdan's people were quite impressed with the strength of Gondor's army, particularly its [[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|cavalry forces]], dominated by riders from the [[Vales of Anduin]]. [[Círdan]] and Eärnur combined their forces, along with the remnant of Arnor's army, in the greatest joint Elf-Man army since the [[War of the Last Alliance]]; this great [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]] re-crossed the River Lune and marched northward. {{ref|rotk1026}} These allies drove relentlessly toward the Arnorian capital of [[Fornost]], where the Witch-king had occupied the palace complex there.

=== Angmar is Vanquished ===

When the Witch-king saw the invading [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host]], he failed to take it for the serious threat that it in fact was. Instead of awaiting the invaders in the fortress city of Fornost, he confidently marched his forces out to meet them in the open. He expected to defeat them as easily as had vanquished Arvedui's forces the previous year. But there was an appreciable difference this time-- the ground and naval might of Gondor. The allied Host continued to advance, and instead of establishing a merely defensive position, they attacked him from the [[Hills of Evendim]], and a [[Battle of Fornost|large battle]] broke out. The Witch-king's army could not stand before the allies, however, and began to retreat back towards their capital. Any hopes for an orderly withdrawl were in vain, however.

[[Image:Lena - Glorfindel.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''Glorfindel'' by Lena]][[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|Gondorian cavalry forces]], attacking from the north, routed the forces of Angmar, and put them to flight signaling an end to what became known as the [[Battle of Fornost]]. The Witch-king, in full flight, forsook his new conquests, and made for Angmar. But the cavalry under [[Eärnur]] continued the pursuit and rode down what remained of his forces. To add to his difficulties, an Elven force under [[Glorfindel]] also attacked from [[Rivendell]], and completed his forces' destruction. At the last, the Witch-king charged Eärnur in frustration, but his horse shied away from the evil wraith. As Eärnur once again mastered his horse, Glorfindel uttered his famous prophecy:
{{quote|Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|''The Lord of the Rings'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1027.}}
This prophecy would not be fulfilled until a thousand years later, at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

=== [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] ===

After the death of King Arvedui, his son, [[Aranarth]], perceived that the northern Dúnedain had become too few to reestablish the realm of [[Arthedain]]. He took his dwindling people and turned them into nomads who traveled from place to place in [[Eriador]]. Instead of calling himself a king or prince, he assumed the title [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]]. Through them the royal line of Arnor was maintained successfully for a thousand years until the refounding of Arnor in [[Fourth Age 1|F.O. 1]]. Aranarth brought his son [[Arahael]] to [[Rivendell]] and gave him to [[Elrond]] for safekeeping until he was grown. This became a tradition that was followed through the rest of the Third Age. Also brought to Elrond were the heirlooms of the House of Elendil: the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]], the [[Ring of Barahir]], the shards of [[Narsil]], and the [[Star of Elendil]].{{ref|rotk1018}}

So the Dúnedain survived in the shadows, waiting for a better day when the kingdom of Arnor would be reborn. There were sixteen Chieftains in direct descent, with [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]] being the last. There were many perils in Eriador in that time, and many of the Chieftains died premature deaths. One of these was Aragorn II's father, [[Arathorn II]], who was slain by Orcs raiding the area.

=== [[War of the Ring]] ===

[[Image:ME-GondorKing.png|right|175px|thumb|Banner of Arnor (Reunited Kingdom)]] The Kingdom of Arnor had been fallen for a thousand years by the time the [[War of the Ring]] broke out, but northern forces did participate in the War. [[Aragorn II]] was a [[Rangers of the North|Dúnedain Ranger of the North]], and there were several hundred of them operating during the conflict. A company of this group accompanied Aragorn through the [[Paths of the Dead]] and during the attack on [[Umbar]] which captured the Corsair fleet. They were with him at the last battle, fighting under his banner, at the [[Battle of the Morannon]], where [[Sauron]] was finally thrown down.

There was conflict in other areas of the North. There were three different invasions of [[Lorien]], which were thrown back by the Elven army under [[Celeborn]] and [[Thranduil]]. Finally, Celeborn and led an attack resulting in the [[Fall of Dol Guldur|capture of Dol Guldur]] and put an end to Sauron's northern threat.

There was also a battle fought in the [[Shire]], between Saruman's [[Ruffians]] and [[Hobbit]] militia forces. This was the last battle fought in the [[War of the Ring]], and resulted in the death of Saruman and the death or capture of his followers. This became known as the [[Battle of Bywater]], and represents the Hobbit contribution to the War.{{ref|10}}

== Restoration and the [[Reunited Kingdom]] ==

[[Image:Rowena Morrill - The Last Steward of Gondor.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''The Last Steward of Gondor'' by Rowena Morrill]]Faramir, son of Denethor II the last Ruling Stewart, presented his rod of office to the new king, and received it back from him. [[Aragorn II]] then was crowned by [[Gandalf]] as [[Aragorn Elessar|King Elessar]], refounded the Kingdom of Arnor as part of the [[Reunited Kingdom]], and made [[Annúminas]] his new capital city.{{ref|rotk1019}} He was wed to the Elven princess Arwen, who became [[Arwen Evenstar|Queen Evenstar]] of Arnor and Gondor. After the fall of [[Sauron]] Arnor was safe again for human resettlement, and although it remained less populated than [[Gondor]] to the south, in time Arnor became a more densely populated region again, even if it had dwindled in size due to the independence of the [[Shire]]. The area encompassed by the Reunited Kingdom now encompassed the territory of the [[Two Kingdoms]] at their greatest extent. In the North, this included all the land between the [[Lune|River Lune]] and the [[Misty Mountains]], and in the South included all the land between Dunland in the west, to the [[Far Harad]] southwards, to [[Rhûn]] in the east. The reborn kingdom continued on into the Fourth Age, with [[Eldarion]] eventually succeeding his father to the throne of this now empire-sized state.

== Regions of Arnor ==

* [[Arthedain]], core of the north-kingdom bordering the Lune
* [[Cardolan]], south of the [[Great East Road]], east of the Brandywine
* [[Rhudaur]], between the Weather Hills and the [[Misty Mountains]]

== Cities, Fortresses and Watchtowers ==

* [[Annúminas]], the old capital on the shore of Lake Evendim
* [[Fornost]], the new capital of the successor state of Arthedain
* [[Bree]], a trading center located on the Great East Road
* [[Lond Daer]], an old harbor town founded by Númenóreans
* [[Amon Sûl]], also called Weathertop, a watchtower on the highest of the Weather Hills
* [[Elostirion]], a watchtower in the Tower Hills
* [[Tharbad]], a fortified town and port along the River Greyflood on the southern border of Arnor

== Languages ==

The people of Arnor were of Númenórean stock, so the predominant language spoken by them was [[Westron]]. With the proximity of the Elves of [[Lindon]], at least some of the population, especially the upper classes, were probably fluent in Quenya and Eldarin.

== Etymology ==

'''Arnor''' was the colloquial name for the '''North Kingdom'''. The North Kingdom, as the land was called at its conception, was also known as ''Turmen Follondiéva'' in [[Quenya]] and ''Arthor na Forlonnas'' in [[Sindarin]]. These names quickly fell out of use, in favor of ''Arnor'': the ''Land of the King'', so called for the kingship of [[Elendil]], and to seal its precedence over the [[Gondor|southern realm]]. In full, poetic Sindarin, it was called ''Arannor'', which mirrored its Quenya name, '''Arandórë'''{{ref|n1}}. Though technically ''Arandórë'' would have a Sindarin form ''Ardor'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] chose ''Arnor'' because it sounded better. This linguistic change was ascribed to a later, Mannish development of Sindarin.{{ref|n2}}.

== References ==

# {{note|1}} ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 360.
# {{note|2}} ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 362.
# {{note|3}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.
# {{note|4}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], pp. 1017-1018.
# {{note|5}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1023.
# {{note|6}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.
# {{note|7}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1017.
# {{note|8}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1019.
# {{note|9}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1017.
# {{note|10}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[The Scouring of the Shire]], pp. 992-996.
# {{note|11}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1020.
# {{note|e1}} [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "Words, Phrases and Passages in ''The Lord of the Rings''" (edited by [[Christopher Gilson]]), published in [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17 (July [[2007]]), p. 28.
# {{note|e2}} ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 347]] ([[December 17]], [[1972]]); see also ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', p. 17.

==See also==

* [[Kings of Arnor]]
* [[Kings of Gondor]]
* [[Gondor]]
* [[War of the Last Alliance]]
* [[War of the Ring]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[de:Arnor]]
[[fi:Arnor]]

Arnor

2009-07-26T15:53:22Z

Ringreaper:

{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Arnor map.gif|300px]]
| name = Arnor
| meaning= Land of the King, High Lands
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = (High) King of [[Arnor]] (and Gondor), King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| executive = Council of Arnor
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Annúminas]]
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = [[Eriador]]
| populous = [[Men]], [[Hobbit|Hobbits]], [[Elves]], [[Dúnedain]]
| currency =
| religious = State Eru worship
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Downfall of Númenor]] in [[Second Age 3319|S.A. 3319]]
| established = [[Second Age 3320|S.A. 3320]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 1349|T.A. 1349]]
| fragmented = [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]]
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974 ]]
| restored = [[Fourth Age 1|F.O. 1]]
| era = Second/Third/Fourth Ages
}}

{{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}}

'''Arnor''', or the '''Northern Kingdom''', was a kingdom of the [[Dúnedain]] in the land of [[Eriador]] in [[Middle-earth]]. It was the original seat of the [[Kings of Arnor|High King of Arnor]] who ruled over both Arnor and Gondor.

==History==

=== Early History ===

Arnor was founded at the end of the [[Second Age]] (S.A. 3320) by [[Elendil]], whose sons founded [[Gondor]] at the same time. The history of the [[Two Kingdoms|two kingdoms]] is intertwined; both kingdoms are known as the Realms of the [[Dúnedain]] in exile.

Before the foundation of Arnor there was already a sizable Númenórean population living there, a result of the slow emigration of [[Númenóreans]] which had started under [[Tar-Meneldur]] and [[Tar-Aldarion]]. Before the arrival of the [[Dúnedain]] Arnor was home to [[Middle Men]] of [[Edain]] stock, and the early colonists soon interbred with the indigenous population. Elendil and his people were aided by Noldorin High King Gil-galad and his people, and his ships sailed up the Lune river. He established the city of Annúminas as his capital. Arnor was originally favored over the more southern regions (Gondor) because the [[Elves]] under [[Gil-galad]] lived near it across the river [[Lhûn]].{{ref|1}} However, in later days after the Númenóreans fell under [[Sauron|Sauron's]] shadow they settled more to the south. This led to a situation where [[Elendil]] arrived in an area populated by people who, unlike his own [[Númenóreans]], were mainly still friends with the [[Elves]], and unlike [[Gondor]] to the south in Arnor much knowledge of the [[Elder Days]] was preserved. [[Image:Ann18.jpg|left|300px|thumb|''Palace Complex at Annúminas'' by Steven White, Jr.]]

=== The [[Palantíri]] ===

The '''[[Palantíri]]''' or 'seeing stones' were spherical stones that could communicate with each other and give visual impressions to a skilled remote user. These stones were divided originally between [[Elendil]] and his two sons. They were usually heavily guarded and under the control of the kings. There were seven of these stones in total, with three of them assigned to the northern kingdom, with the other four going to Gondor.{{ref|2}} They were:

* the [[Elostirion-stone]], in the tower of [[Elostirion]], and was used to communicate with the master stone in [[Tol Eressëa]] of the Elves, along the Straight Road. It could not contact the other Middle-Earth stones.

* the [[Amon Sûl-stone]], in the watchtower of [[Amon Sûl]]. A large stone, it was often used to contact its corresponding large stone in Gondor, at the great dome in [[Osgiliath]].

* the [[Annúminas-stone]], in the capital city of [[Annúminas]]. Though one of the lesser stones, it was the stone most often used by the [[Kings of Arnor]].

=== [[War of the Last Alliance]] ===

[[Image:Peter Jackson's Isildur2.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Isildur'' in Peter Jackson's ''Fellowship of the Ring'']] At the end of the Second Age, Arnor allied itself with Noldorin High King [[Gil-galad]] in a great alliance opposing Sauron, the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In conjunction with southern forces from Gondor, they confronted Sauron's armies in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. This war was fought over a period of several years on the [[Battle of Dagorlad|Dagorlad plain]] and in Mordor itself, at the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. Both [[Elendil]] and his son [[Anárion]] were slain in this conflict, but [[Isildur]] cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and prevailed. [[Elrond]], Gil-galad's herald, urged Isildur to cast it into Mt. Doom and destroy it, but Isildur refused, and the Ring survived. Arnor suffered heavy casualties in the war, and some parts of the land were partially depopulated. {{ref|3}}

Arnor's second king [[Isildur]] (also King of [[Gondor]]) was killed in [[Third Age 2|T.A. 2]] by [[Orcs]] in the disastrous [[Battle of the Gladden Fields]]. His three eldest sons were killed with him, but the fourth and youngest, [[Valandil]], who had remained at [[Rivendell]] due to his youth, became king of Arnor (T.A 2). [[Isildur]] also lost the [[One Ring]] at this time, when it slipped off his finger as he tried to escape pursuing Orcs. Arnor never fully recovered from this devastating loss of its manpower.

Because [[Valandil]] and his heirs did not claim the throne of [[Gondor]] the realms were split, but Arnor's ruler kept the title [[High King]], whereas in the south the ruler was 'just' King.

=== Decline and Breakup ===

{{Transcribed|Arnor_tengwar.png|Arnor|Tengwar, Sindarin mode}}
Arnor's capital was [[Annúminas]] on [[Lake Evendim]], but by [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]] [[Fornost Erain]] had become the capital instead as Annúminas became depopulated and was slowly abandoned.

 After the death of its tenth king, [[Eärendur]], in [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]], Arnor was shaken by civil war between the three sons of [[Eärendur]]. The eldest son, [[Amlaith]], claimed Kingship over all Arnor but was reduced to only ruling the region of Arthedain as his kingdom, while the other sons founded the breakaway kingdoms of [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].

Arnor was refounded ''de jure'' by [[Arthedain|Arthedain's]] king [[Argeleb I]], when [[Cardolan]] placed itself under the suzerainty of Arthedain. However, even Arthedain was eventually destroyed. The people of Arnor were mostly wiped out by the continuing wars, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in [[the Shire]], Men survived in [[Bree]] and probably other villages, and the [[Dúnedain]] of Arnor created new homes in the [[Angle of Eriador|Angle]] south of [[Rivendell]], where some of them became known as the [[Rangers of the North]].{{ref|1018}}

=== Conflict with Angmar ===

[[Image:Grant Gould - The Witch King.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''The Witch King'' by Eliot Gould]] Arnor's greatest enemy in the north by the middle of the Third Age was Angmar, ruled by the [[Witch-king|Witch King of Angmar]]. During the reign of Malvegil (c. [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]), this new power arose beyond the [[Ettenmoors]]. This land became populated with the Orcs and men of Sauron, and began attacking Rhudaur and Cardolan. Eventually this Witch-king was identified as in fact the chief of Sauron's Ringwraiths. Years later, Argeleb I of [[Arthedain]], reasserted control over [[Cardolan]], and fortified a line along the [[Weather Hills]]. Despite this action, Argeleb fell in battle with Angmar and its ally, [[Rhudaur]]. His son Arveleg, however, counterattacked in conjunction with Cardolan and drove the enemy back. He held this frontier in force for quite some years successfully.

[[Image:BFME2 - Weathertop.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''Weathertop'' from BFME2]] Then in [[Third Age 1409|T.A. 1409]], Angmar crossed the Hoarwell river into Cardolan and attacked again. This time, Weathertop was captured and Arveleg fell in battle. While Amon Sûl fell, the palantír was recovered and taken to Fornost. While Cardolan was laid waste, Angmar was eventually stopped by Elven forces from [[Lindon]] and [[Rivendell]], where [[Elrond]] countered them.

=== The [[Great Plague]] ===

Another threat appeared to the northern successor kingdoms, this time one that swords and spears could not deter. A [[Great Plague|major plague]] began in the east, in the vicinity of the [[Sea of Rhûn]], northeast of [[Mordor]]. After doing great damage in [[Rhovanion]], it struck [[Osgiliath]] in Gondor in [[Third age|T.A. 1636]], killing [[Telemnar|King Telemnar]] and his family. In seriously affected areas, the plague killed 50% or more of the populace. This plague, which barely affected western Gondor, spread northwards to [[Cardolan]].

In Cardolan, it struck severely, wiping out the last of Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] at the [[Barrow-downs]]. The Witch-king, exploiting the tragedy, sent evil spirits, the [[Barrow-wights]], to infest the area. The Hobbits of the Shire were damaged by it, but not heavily. The plague lost its strength, however, at this point, so that most of [[Arthedain]] was unaffected.{{ref|5}}

=== The Fall of Arthedain ===

In [[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974]], the final chapter in [[Arthedain|Arthedain's]] history began. The Witch-king attacked during the harsh winter weather. The capital of [[Fornost]] fell, and the remaining Arnorian forces were driven over the Lune river into Lindon. King [[Arvedui]] was compelled to flee to [[Forochel]], and ask aid of the Snowmen there. His son, [[Aranarth]], journeyed to [[Círdan]] at the Havens to inform him of Arthedain's fall. Círdan responded by sending a ship north to rescue Arvedui. When the [[Snowmen of Forochel]] saw the ship arrive, they were uncomfortable and nervous about the escape plan.{{ref|6}} Their chief replied to Arvedui:
{{quote|Do not mount on this sea-monster! If they have them, let the seamen bring us food and other things that we need, and you may stay here till the Witch-king goes home. For in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm is long.|''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018}}

It turned out that the Snowmen were right. A storm blew in that night and drove the ice towards the shore, and the ship was crushed and sank, with great loss of life, including King Arvedui. He unfortunately fulfilled [[Malbeth the Seer|Malbeth the Seer's]] prophecy about him at his birth that he would be the 'Last king' of Arthedain. So the North-kingdom ended, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in the Shire. They eventually chose a [[Thain]] from among themselves to replace the King, and the first of these was [[Bucca of the Marish]], in [[Third Age 1979|T.A. 1979]].

=== Showdown with Angmar ===

Envoys from Arthedain had journeyed to Gondor to ask assistance from the southern Dúnedain in fighting the Witch-king's forces. Gondor, however, was preoccupied with its own threats from the [[Easterlings]], and so could not respond immediately. Gondor had been in a weakened condition since the death of King Ondoher and his two sons in the [[Battle of the Camp]] fighting the Easterlings in [[Third Age 1944|T.A. 1944]]. [[Arvedui]] of Arnor tried to claim the southern throne but this claim was rejected by Gondor. [[Eärnil]], the victorious commander in the above battle and a member of the royal house, claimed the throne, and was confirmed by the Gondorian royal council.{{ref|5}}

[[Image:Amir Salehi - Servant of Death.jpg|right|250px|thumb|''Servant of Death'' by Amir Salehi]]King Arvedui sent increasingly urgent messages to Gondor about the crisis he faced from Angmar's continuing assaults. [[Eärnil II]] was unable to react quickly due to his need to order Gondor after succeeding to the throne, however. The king sent his son and heir [[Eärnur]] north to the Havens with a powerful fleet. Unfortunately, it was not in time to save [[Arthedain]], and the northern kingdom perished. When Eärnur's naval forces landed in the [[Grey Havens]], they dazzled both Men and Elves with their size and majesty. From these ships debarked the most powerful army seen in the north of Middle-earth in centuries. Círdan's people were quite impressed with the strength of Gondor's army, particularly its [[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|cavalry forces]], dominated by riders from the [[Vales of Anduin]]. [[Círdan]] and Eärnur combined their forces, along with the remnant of Arnor's army, in the greatest joint Elf-Man army since the [[War of the Last Alliance]]; this great [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]] re-crossed the River Lune and marched northward. {{ref|rotk1026}} These allies drove relentlessly toward the Arnorian capital of [[Fornost]], where the Witch-king had occupied the palace complex there.

=== Angmar is Vanquished ===

When the Witch-king saw the invading [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host]], he failed to take it for the serious threat that it in fact was. Instead of awaiting the invaders in the fortress city of Fornost, he confidently marched his forces out to meet them in the open. He expected to defeat them as easily as had vanquished Arvedui's forces the previous year. But there was an appreciable difference this time-- the ground and naval might of Gondor. The allied Host continued to advance, and instead of establishing a merely defensive position, they attacked him from the [[Hills of Evendim]], and a [[Battle of Fornost|large battle]] broke out. The Witch-king's army could not stand before the allies, however, and began to retreat back towards their capital. Any hopes for an orderly withdrawl were in vain, however.

[[Image:Lena - Glorfindel.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''Glorfindel'' by Lena]][[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|Gondorian cavalry forces]], attacking from the north, routed the forces of Angmar, and put them to flight signaling an end to what became known as the [[Battle of Fornost]]. The Witch-king, in full flight, forsook his new conquests, and made for Angmar. But the cavalry under [[Eärnur]] continued the pursuit and rode down what remained of his forces. To add to his difficulties, an Elven force under [[Glorfindel]] also attacked from [[Rivendell]], and completed his forces' destruction. At the last, the Witch-king charged Eärnur in frustration, but his horse shied away from the evil wraith. As Eärnur once again mastered his horse, Glorfindel uttered his famous prophecy:
{{quote|Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land. Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|''The Lord of the Rings'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1027.}}
This prophecy would not be fulfilled until a thousand years later, at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].

=== [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] ===

After the death of King Arvedui, his son, [[Aranarth]], perceived that the northern Dúnedain had become too few to reestablish the realm of [[Arthedain]]. He took his dwindling people and turned them into nomads who traveled from place to place in [[Eriador]]. Instead of calling himself a king or prince, he assumed the title [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]]. Through them the royal line of Arnor was maintained successfully for a thousand years until the refounding of Arnor in [[Fourth Age 1|F.O. 1]]. Aranarth brought his son [[Arahael]] to [[Rivendell]] and gave him to [[Elrond]] for safekeeping until he was grown. This became a tradition that was followed through the rest of the Third Age. Also brought to Elrond were the heirlooms of the House of Elendil: the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]], the [[Ring of Barahir]], the shards of [[Narsil]], and the [[Star of Elendil]].{{ref|rotk1018}}

So the Dúnedain survived in the shadows, waiting for a better day when the kingdom of Arnor would be reborn. There were sixteen Chieftains in direct descent, with [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]] being the last. There were many perils in Eriador in that time, and many of the Chieftains died premature deaths. One of these was Aragorn II's father, [[Arathorn II]], who was slain by Orcs raiding the area.

=== [[War of the Ring]] ===

[[Image:ME-GondorKing.png|right|175px|thumb|Banner of Arnor (Reunited Kingdom)]] The Kingdom of Arnor had been fallen for a thousand years by the time the [[War of the Ring]] broke out, but northern forces did participate in the War. [[Aragorn II]] was a [[Rangers of the North|Dúnedain Ranger of the North]], and there were several hundred of them operating during the conflict. A company of this group accompanied Aragorn through the [[Paths of the Dead]] and during the attack on [[Umbar]] which captured the Corsair fleet. They were with him at the last battle, fighting under his banner, at the [[Battle of the Morannon]], where [[Sauron]] was finally thrown down.

There was conflict in other areas of the North. There were three different invasions of [[Lorien]], which were thrown back by the Elven army under [[Celeborn]] and [[Thranduil]]. Finally, Celeborn and led an attack resulting in the [[Fall of Dol Guldur|capture of Dol Guldur]] and put an end to Sauron's northern threat.

There was also a battle fought in the [[Shire]], between Saruman's [[Ruffians]] and [[Hobbit]] militia forces. This was the last battle fought in the [[War of the Ring]], and resulted in the death of Saruman and the death or capture of his followers. This became known as the [[Battle of Bywater]], and represents the Hobbit contribution to the War.{{ref|10}}

== Restoration and the [[Reunited Kingdom]] ==

[[Image:Rowena Morrill - The Last Steward of Gondor.jpg|left|250px|thumb|''The Last Steward of Gondor'' by Rowena Morrill]]Faramir, son of Denethor II the last Ruling Stewart, presented his rod of office to the new king, and received it back from him. [[Aragorn II]] then was crowned by [[Gandalf]] as [[Aragorn Elessar|King Elessar]], refounded the Kingdom of Arnor as part of the [[Reunited Kingdom]], and made [[Annúminas]] his new capital city.{{ref|rotk1019}} He was wed to the Elven princess Arwen, who became [[Arwen Evenstar|Queen Evenstar]] of Arnor and Gondor. After the fall of [[Sauron]] Arnor was safe again for human resettlement, and although it remained less populated than [[Gondor]] to the south, in time Arnor became a more densely populated region again, even if it had dwindled in size due to the independence of the [[Shire]]. The area encompassed by the Reunited Kingdom now encompassed the territory of the [[Two Kingdoms]] at their greatest extent. In the North, this included all the land between the [[Lune|River Lune]] and the [[Misty Mountains]], and in the South included all the land between Dunland in the west, to the [[Far Harad]] southwards, to [[Rhûn]] in the east. The reborn kingdom continued on into the Fourth Age, with [[Eldarion]] eventually succeeding his father to the throne of this now empire-sized state.

== Regions of Arnor ==

* [[Arthedain]], core of the north-kingdom bordering the Lune
* [[Cardolan]], south of the [[Great East Road]], east of the Brandywine
* [[Rhudaur]], between the Weather Hills and the [[Misty Mountains]]

== Cities, Fortresses and Watchtowers ==

* [[Annúminas]], the old capital on the shore of Lake Evendim
* [[Fornost]], the new capital of the successor state of Arthedain
* [[Bree]], a trading center located on the Great East Road
* [[Lond Daer]], an old harbor town founded by Númenóreans
* [[Amon Sûl]], also called Weathertop, a watchtower on the highest of the Weather Hills
* [[Elostirion]], a watchtower in the Tower Hills
* [[Tharbad]], a fortified town and port along the River Greyflood on the southern border of Arnor

== Languages ==

The people of Arnor were of Númenórean stock, so the predominant language spoken by them was [[Westron]]. With the proximity of the Elves of [[Lindon]], at least some of the population, especially the upper classes, were probably fluent in Quenya and Eldarin.

== Etymology ==

'''Arnor''' was the colloquial name for the '''North Kingdom'''. The North Kingdom, as the land was called at its conception, was also known as ''Turmen Follondiéva'' in [[Quenya]] and ''Arthor na Forlonnas'' in [[Sindarin]]. These names quickly fell out of use, in favor of ''Arnor'': the ''Land of the King'', so called for the kingship of [[Elendil]], and to seal its precedence over the [[Gondor|southern realm]]. In full, poetic Sindarin, it was called ''Arannor'', which mirrored its Quenya name, '''Arandórë'''{{ref|n1}}. Though technically ''Arandórë'' would have a Sindarin form ''Ardor'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] chose ''Arnor'' because it sounded better. This linguistic change was ascribed to a later, Mannish development of Sindarin.{{ref|n2}}.

== References ==

# {{note|1}} ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 360.
# {{note|2}} ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]], p. 362.
# {{note|3}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.
# {{note|4}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], pp. 1017-1018.
# {{note|5}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1023.
# {{note|6}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.
# {{note|7}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1017.
# {{note|8}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1019.
# {{note|9}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1017.
# {{note|10}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[The Scouring of the Shire]], pp. 992-996.
# {{note|11}} ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1020.
# {{note|e1}} [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "Words, Phrases and Passages in ''The Lord of the Rings''" (edited by [[Christopher Gilson]]), published in [[Parma Eldalamberon]] 17 (July [[2007]]), p. 28.
# {{note|e2}} ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'', [[Letter 347]] ([[December 17]], [[1972]]); see also ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', p. 17.

==See also==

* [[Kings of Arnor]]
* [[Kings of Gondor]]
* [[Gondor]]
* [[War of the Last Alliance]]
* [[War of the Ring]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[de:Arnor]]
[[fi:Arnor]]

Disaster of the Gladden Fields

2009-07-26T15:50:51Z

Ringreaper:

{{battle
| image=
| name= Battle of the Gladden Fields
| conflict= Post-[[War of the Last Alliance|Alliance War]]
| date= T.A. 2
| result=Death of Isildur, loss of the [[One Ring]]
| place= Gladden Fields, north of Rohan
| side1=*Isildur's Guard
| side2=*[[Orc]]s
| commanders1=*[[Isildur]]
| commanders2=*Unknown
| forces1=*Isildur
*Isildur's three sons [[Elendur]], [[Aratan]] & [[Ciryon]]
*200 Knights and Soldiers
*Less then 20 Archers
| forces2=*Said to be up to ten times the number of Númenóreans
| casual1=*Isildur
*Entire escort save three
| casual2=*Unknown
|}}
The '''Battle of Gladden Fields''' was an ambush on [[Isildur]] and his personal guard at the beginning of the [[Third Age]]. The [[Dúnedain]] were outnumbered as much as ten to one. The great [[Men]] of [[Númenor]] towered above the tallest Orcs, their Swords and Spears far outreached the weapons of their enemies, but the Orcs of the Mountains were stiffened and commanded by grim servants of [[Barad-dûr]]. Slowly but steadily the Orcs achieved the upper hand. During the last stand, when it became clear that defeat was imminent Elendur ordered Isildur to put on the ring and flee. Isildur put on the [[One Ring]] and fled. When he reached the [[Anduin]], he tried to swim across it, but the Ring betrayed him and slipped off his finger as he swam. As he rose out of the water in the moonlight, prowling [[Orcs]] shot him. [[Arnor]] never fully recovered from this grave loss of its manpower.

===Events leading up to the Battle===
After the fall of Sauron, Isildur, son and heir of [[Elendil]], returned to [[Gondor]]. There he assumed the [[Elendilmir]] as King of Arnor. He remained in [[Gondor]] for a year, restoring its order and defining its bounds; but the greater part of the army of Arnor returned to [[Eriador]] by the Númenórean road from the fords of [[Isen]] to [[Fornost]]. When at last he decided to return to his own realm, he was in haste for he wished to go first to [[Rivendell]], for he had left his wife and youngest son [[Valandil]] there. Therefore he decided to take the shortest route by making his way north from [[Osgiliath]] up the [[Vales of Anduin]] to [[High Pass|Cirith Forn en Andrath]] the high-climbing pass that led down to [[Imladris]].

With Isildur went his three sons [[Elendur]], [[Aratan]] and [[Ciryon]] and his guard of two hundred knights and soldiers, stern men of Arnor and war-hardened. On the twentieth day they came within sight of the distant forest crowning the highlands, it was raining heavily and the Anduin had swollen with swift water. They wished to gain the ancient paths of the [[Silvan Elves]] that ran near the eaves of the Forest near the entrance of the Vales between [[Lórien]] and [[Amon Lanc]].

So it came to pass that late in the afternoon of the thirtieth day of their journey, they were passing the north borders of the [[Gladden Fields]]. The fair day was waning and clouds were gathering above the distant mountains. To their right the Forest loomed above them, suddenly as the sun plunged into a cloud the [[Orcs]] attacked.

===The Battle===
The [[Dúnedain]] saw the Orcs issuing from the forest and moving down the slopes yelling their war-cries. In the dim light their number could not be guessed but the Dúnedain were plainly many times, even to ten times outnumbered. Isildur commanded a [[Thangail]] to be drawn up, if the land had been flatter or the slope in his favour he would have formed his company into a [[Dirnaith]], hoping to cleave a way through them and scatter them in dismay. Isildur realized that they were on their own: [[Moria]] and Lórien were far behind and [[Thranduil]] was four days' march ahead.

Isildur ordered [[Ohtar]] his esquire to take the [[Shards of Narsil]] and flee and save the Shards from capture at all costs.

The Orcs let fly a hail of arrows, and then suddenly hurled a great mass of their chief warriors down the slope against the Dúnedain, hoping to break the shield-wall. But it stood firm, the arrows had little effect on the Númenórean armour. The great Men of Númenor towered above the tallest Orcs, their Swords and Spears far outreached the weapons of their enemies. After the initial attack the Orcs faltered and it seemed that they were withdrawing, the Dúnedain had slain many Orcs. Isildur ordered the men to resume the march at once, but he was mistaken. The Orcs of the Mountains were stiffened and commanded by servants of Barad-dûr, and there was cunning and a relentless hatered in their attacks.

The Dúnedain had gone scarcely a mile when the Orcs attacked again. This time the Orcs attacked on a wide front, which bent into a crescent and soon closed into an unbroken ring about the Dúnedain. Isildur could do nothing for he had too few archers to be of any effect and moreover the Orcs were at a distance out of range of even the dreaded steel-bows of Númenor.

The Orcs closed in on all the sides, flinging themselves on the Dúnedain with reckless ferocity. Some of the greater Orcs leaped two at a time, and with their weight dead or alive bore down a [[Dúnadan]], so that other strong claws could drag him out and slay him. The Orcs might have paid five to one in this exchange but for them it was too cheap. Ciryon was slain in this way and Aratan was mortally wounded while trying to save him.

===Isildur's Fall===
{{quote|My King, Ciryon is dead and Aratan is dying. Your last counselor must advise you, nay command you, as you commanded Ohtar. Go! Take your burden, and at all costs bring it to the Keepers: even at the cost of abandoning your men and me!|Elendur}}

As the battle progressed it became clear that defeat was imminent, Elendur sought Isildur who was rallying men on the east side where the assault was heaviest. The Orcs still feared the Elendilmir that Isildur bore on his brow and avoided him. Elendur commanded Isildur to take the Ring and flee, so Isildur put on the Ring and suddenly the Elendilmir of the West which could not be quenched blazed forth. Men and Orcs gave way in fear and Isildur vanished into the night and was never seen again.

Isildur was a man of great strength and endurance such that few even of the Dúnedain of that age could equal. He covered a great distance and when he reached the Anduin, he tried to swim across it, but the Ring betrayed him and slipped off his finger as he swam. As he rose out of the water in the moonlight, prowling Orcs shot him. No trace of his body was ever found by [[Elves]] or [[Men]].

===Survivors===
Of the two hundred Númenórean knights only three survived. Two of them were [[Ohtar]] and his companion who brought the Shards of Narsil to Rivendell. The third was [[Estelmo]], he was Elendur's esquire, and was one of the last to fall; he was stunned by a club and not slain, and he was later found alive under Elendur's body.

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[de:Verhängnis auf den Schwertelfeldern]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:3a:guerres:bataille_des_champs_d_iris]]
[[fi:Kurjenmiekkakenttien murhenäytelmä (KTK)]]

Rivendell

2009-07-26T15:49:24Z

Ringreaper:

{{cleanup}}{{sources}}
{{location
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Rivendell.jpg|300px]]
| name=Rivendell
| othernames=[[Imladris]], the [[Last Homely House]]
| etymology=Riven (cloven) + dell
| type=Valley/City
| location=West of [[Hithaeglir]]
| inhabitants=[[Elves]]
| realms=[[Elrond]]'s dominion
| description=Hidden valley with permanent elven settlement
| events=[[Quest of Erebor]], [[Council of Elrond]]
| references=''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''
|}}

'''Rivendell''' is an [[Elves|Elven]] outpost in [[Middle-earth]]. It is also referred to as "The Last Homely House East of the Sea", a reference to [[Valinor]], which is west of the sea. It is established by [[Elrond]] in the [[Second Age]] of Middle-earth (four or five thousand years before the [[War of the Ring]]). Besides Elrond himself, notable Elves who lived there include [[Arwen]] and [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel]].

During the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] in the [[Second Age]], Rivendell was under siege by the forces of [[Sauron]].

In TA 1409, [[Angmar]] besieged Rivendell to prevent it from aiding [[Arthedain]] and [[Cardolan]], which were attacked at the same time.

In the [[Quest for Erebor]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] stopped off at Rivendell with the Dwarves on the way to the [[Lonely Mountain]] and also on the way back to the [[Shire]] with [[Gandalf]].

Years later, [[Frodo Baggins]] and his [[Hobbit]] companions journey to Rivendell, where they meet with Bilbo, who had retired there after his 111th birthday, spending his time on his memoir, ''[[The Hobbit|There and Back Again]]''. Several other Elves, [[Dwarves]] and [[Men]] also arrive at Rivendell on separate errands; at the Council of Elrond they learn that all of their errands are related to the fate of the [[One Ring]], and they must decide what to do about it. In the end it is the Hobbits who influence the decision.

Rivendell is located at the edge of a narrow gorge of the [[Bruinen|Bruinen River]] (one of the main approaches to Rivendell comes from a nearby ford of Bruinen), but well hidden in the moorlands and foothills of the [[Hithaeglir]] or the [[Misty Mountains]].

==Etymology==
The [[Sindarin]] translation of Rivendell is '''''Imladris''''', meaning "Deep Valley of the Cleft". Rivendell is the translation of [[Westron]] ''[[Karningul]]''.

==Inspiration==
A possible inspiration could have been [[wikipedia:Lauterbrunnen|Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland]], which Tolkien visited in [[1911]]:

{{quote|I am….delighted that you have made the acquaintance of Switzerland, and of the very part that I once knew best and which had the deepest effect on me. The hobbit’s journey from Rivendell to the other side of the Misty Mountains, including the glissade down the slithering stones into the pine woods, is based on my adventures in 1911 (he was 19 and traveled to Lauterbrunnen)……Our wanderings mainly on foot in a party of 12 are not now clear in sequence, but leave many vivid pictures as clear as yesterday." (He talks of similar conditions of the travel of Bilbo camping out, walking mountain paths, carrying packs).|[[Letter 306]]}}

==Portrayal in Adaptations ==

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game, located between Trollshaws and the Misty Mountains. Elves are able to quick travel to the city if they have earned the trait, have it equiped and have one travel ration. Rivendell is also one of the places that players can choose as Elven character's homeland.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Rivendell|Images of Rivendell]]
==External links==
*[http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/Rivimages/realriv.html Rivendell in Switzerland]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Elven Cities]]
[[Category:Elven Realms]]
[[Category:Sieges]]

[[de:Bruchtal]]
[[fi:Rivendell]]

Rivendell

2009-07-26T15:48:03Z

Ringreaper:

{{cleanup}}{{sources}}
{{location
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Rivendell.jpg|300px]]
| name=Rivendell
| othernames=[[Imladris]], the [[Last Homely House]]
| etymology=Riven (cloven) + dell
| type=Valley/City
| location=West of [[Hithaeglir]]
| inhabitants=[[Elves]]
| realms=[[Elrond]]'s dominion
| description=Hidden valley with permanent elven settlement
| events=[[Quest of Erebor]], [[Council of Elrond]]
| references=''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''
|}}

'''Rivendell''' is an [[Elves|Elven]] outpost in [[Middle-earth]]. It is also referred to as "The Last Homely House East of the Sea", a reference to [[Valinor]], which is west of the sea. It is established by [[Elrond]] in the [[Second Age]] of Middle-earth (four or five thousand years before the [[War of the Ring]]). Besides Elrond himself, notable Elves who lived there include [[Arwen]] and [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel]].

During the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] in the [[Second Age]], Rivendell was under siege by the forces of [[Sauron]].

In TA 1409, [[Angmar]] besieged Rivendell to prevent it from aiding [[Arthedain]] and [[Cardolan]].

In the [[Quest for Erebor]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] stopped off at Rivendell with the Dwarves on the way to the [[Lonely Mountain]] and also on the way back to the [[Shire]] with [[Gandalf]].

Years later, [[Frodo Baggins]] and his [[Hobbit]] companions journey to Rivendell, where they meet with Bilbo, who had retired there after his 111th birthday, spending his time on his memoir, ''[[The Hobbit|There and Back Again]]''. Several other Elves, [[Dwarves]] and [[Men]] also arrive at Rivendell on separate errands; at the Council of Elrond they learn that all of their errands are related to the fate of the [[One Ring]], and they must decide what to do about it. In the end it is the Hobbits who influence the decision.

Rivendell is located at the edge of a narrow gorge of the [[Bruinen|Bruinen River]] (one of the main approaches to Rivendell comes from a nearby ford of Bruinen), but well hidden in the moorlands and foothills of the [[Hithaeglir]] or the [[Misty Mountains]].

==Etymology==
The [[Sindarin]] translation of Rivendell is '''''Imladris''''', meaning "Deep Valley of the Cleft". Rivendell is the translation of [[Westron]] ''[[Karningul]]''.

==Inspiration==
A possible inspiration could have been [[wikipedia:Lauterbrunnen|Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland]], which Tolkien visited in [[1911]]:

{{quote|I am….delighted that you have made the acquaintance of Switzerland, and of the very part that I once knew best and which had the deepest effect on me. The hobbit’s journey from Rivendell to the other side of the Misty Mountains, including the glissade down the slithering stones into the pine woods, is based on my adventures in 1911 (he was 19 and traveled to Lauterbrunnen)……Our wanderings mainly on foot in a party of 12 are not now clear in sequence, but leave many vivid pictures as clear as yesterday." (He talks of similar conditions of the travel of Bilbo camping out, walking mountain paths, carrying packs).|[[Letter 306]]}}

==Portrayal in Adaptations ==

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game, located between Trollshaws and the Misty Mountains. Elves are able to quick travel to the city if they have earned the trait, have it equiped and have one travel ration. Rivendell is also one of the places that players can choose as Elven character's homeland.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Rivendell|Images of Rivendell]]
==External links==
*[http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/Rivimages/realriv.html Rivendell in Switzerland]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Elven Cities]]
[[Category:Elven Realms]]
[[Category:Sieges]]

[[de:Bruchtal]]
[[fi:Rivendell]]

Rivendell

2009-07-26T15:47:27Z

Ringreaper:

{{cleanup}}{{sources}}
{{location
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Rivendell.jpg|300px]]
| name=Rivendell
| othernames=[[Imladris]], the [[Last Homely House]]
| etymology=Riven (cloven) + dell
| type=Valley/City
| location=West of [[Hithaeglir]]
| inhabitants=[[Elves]]
| realms=[[Elrond]]'s dominion
| description=Hidden valley with permanent elven settlement
| events=[[Quest of Erebor]], [[Council of Elrond]]
| references=''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''
|}}

'''Rivendell''' is an [[Elves|Elven]] outpost in [[Middle-earth]]. It is also referred to as "The Last Homely House East of the Sea", a reference to [[Valinor]], which is west of the sea. It is established by [[Elrond]] in the [[Second Age]] of Middle-earth (four or five thousand years before the [[War of the Ring]]). Besides Elrond himself, notable Elves who lived there include [[Arwen]] and [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel]].

During the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] in the [[Second Age]], Rivendell was under siege by the forces of [[Sauron]].

In TA 1409, [[Angmar]] besieged Rivendell to prevent it from aiding [[Arthedain]] and Cardolan.

In the [[Quest for Erebor]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] stopped off at Rivendell with the Dwarves on the way to the [[Lonely Mountain]] and also on the way back to the [[Shire]] with [[Gandalf]].

Years later, [[Frodo Baggins]] and his [[Hobbit]] companions journey to Rivendell, where they meet with Bilbo, who had retired there after his 111th birthday, spending his time on his memoir, ''[[The Hobbit|There and Back Again]]''. Several other Elves, [[Dwarves]] and [[Men]] also arrive at Rivendell on separate errands; at the Council of Elrond they learn that all of their errands are related to the fate of the [[One Ring]], and they must decide what to do about it. In the end it is the Hobbits who influence the decision.

Rivendell is located at the edge of a narrow gorge of the [[Bruinen|Bruinen River]] (one of the main approaches to Rivendell comes from a nearby ford of Bruinen), but well hidden in the moorlands and foothills of the [[Hithaeglir]] or the [[Misty Mountains]].

==Etymology==
The [[Sindarin]] translation of Rivendell is '''''Imladris''''', meaning "Deep Valley of the Cleft". Rivendell is the translation of [[Westron]] ''[[Karningul]]''.

==Inspiration==
A possible inspiration could have been [[wikipedia:Lauterbrunnen|Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland]], which Tolkien visited in [[1911]]:

{{quote|I am….delighted that you have made the acquaintance of Switzerland, and of the very part that I once knew best and which had the deepest effect on me. The hobbit’s journey from Rivendell to the other side of the Misty Mountains, including the glissade down the slithering stones into the pine woods, is based on my adventures in 1911 (he was 19 and traveled to Lauterbrunnen)……Our wanderings mainly on foot in a party of 12 are not now clear in sequence, but leave many vivid pictures as clear as yesterday." (He talks of similar conditions of the travel of Bilbo camping out, walking mountain paths, carrying packs).|[[Letter 306]]}}

==Portrayal in Adaptations ==

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game, located between Trollshaws and the Misty Mountains. Elves are able to quick travel to the city if they have earned the trait, have it equiped and have one travel ration. Rivendell is also one of the places that players can choose as Elven character's homeland.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Rivendell|Images of Rivendell]]
==External links==
*[http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/Rivimages/realriv.html Rivendell in Switzerland]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Elven Cities]]
[[Category:Elven Realms]]
[[Category:Sieges]]

[[de:Bruchtal]]
[[fi:Rivendell]]

Rivendell

2009-07-26T15:46:30Z

Ringreaper:

{{cleanup}}{{sources}}
{{location
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Rivendell.jpg|300px]]
| name=Rivendell
| othernames=[[Imladris]], the [[Last Homely House]]
| etymology=Riven (cloven) + dell
| type=Valley/City
| location=West of [[Hithaeglir]]
| inhabitants=[[Elves]]
| realms=[[Elrond]]'s dominion
| description=Hidden valley with permanent elven settlement
| events=[[Quest of Erebor]], [[Council of Elrond]]
| references=''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[Unfinished Tales]]''
|}}

'''Rivendell''' is an [[Elves|Elven]] outpost in [[Middle-earth]]. It is also referred to as "The Last Homely House East of the Sea", a reference to [[Valinor]], which is west of the sea. It is established by [[Elrond]] in the [[Second Age]] of Middle-earth (four or five thousand years before the [[War of the Ring]]). Besides Elrond himself, notable Elves who lived there include [[Arwen]] and [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel]].

During the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]] in the [[Second Age]], Rivendell was under siege by the forces of [[Sauron]].

In TA 1409, [[Angmar]] besieged Rivendell to prevent it from aiding Athedain and Cardolan.

In the [[Quest for Erebor]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] stopped off at Rivendell with the Dwarves on the way to the [[Lonely Mountain]] and also on the way back to the [[Shire]] with [[Gandalf]].

Years later, [[Frodo Baggins]] and his [[Hobbit]] companions journey to Rivendell, where they meet with Bilbo, who had retired there after his 111th birthday, spending his time on his memoir, ''[[The Hobbit|There and Back Again]]''. Several other Elves, [[Dwarves]] and [[Men]] also arrive at Rivendell on separate errands; at the Council of Elrond they learn that all of their errands are related to the fate of the [[One Ring]], and they must decide what to do about it. In the end it is the Hobbits who influence the decision.

Rivendell is located at the edge of a narrow gorge of the [[Bruinen|Bruinen River]] (one of the main approaches to Rivendell comes from a nearby ford of Bruinen), but well hidden in the moorlands and foothills of the [[Hithaeglir]] or the [[Misty Mountains]].

==Etymology==
The [[Sindarin]] translation of Rivendell is '''''Imladris''''', meaning "Deep Valley of the Cleft". Rivendell is the translation of [[Westron]] ''[[Karningul]]''.

==Inspiration==
A possible inspiration could have been [[wikipedia:Lauterbrunnen|Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland]], which Tolkien visited in [[1911]]:

{{quote|I am….delighted that you have made the acquaintance of Switzerland, and of the very part that I once knew best and which had the deepest effect on me. The hobbit’s journey from Rivendell to the other side of the Misty Mountains, including the glissade down the slithering stones into the pine woods, is based on my adventures in 1911 (he was 19 and traveled to Lauterbrunnen)……Our wanderings mainly on foot in a party of 12 are not now clear in sequence, but leave many vivid pictures as clear as yesterday." (He talks of similar conditions of the travel of Bilbo camping out, walking mountain paths, carrying packs).|[[Letter 306]]}}

==Portrayal in Adaptations ==

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Rivendell is one of the major cities in the game, located between Trollshaws and the Misty Mountains. Elves are able to quick travel to the city if they have earned the trait, have it equiped and have one travel ration. Rivendell is also one of the places that players can choose as Elven character's homeland.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Rivendell|Images of Rivendell]]
==External links==
*[http://scv.bu.edu/~aarondf/Rivimages/realriv.html Rivendell in Switzerland]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Elven Cities]]
[[Category:Elven Realms]]
[[Category:Sieges]]

[[de:Bruchtal]]
[[fi:Rivendell]]

Surprise attack on Umbar

2009-07-26T15:40:29Z

Ringreaper:

{{unnamed}}
{{battle|
image=[[Image:John Howe - Corsairs of Umbar.jpg|300px]]|
name=Surprise Attack on Umbar|
conflict=[[Corsair Wars]]|
date=[[Third Age 2980|T.A. 2980]]|
place=The [[Haven of Umbar]]|
result=Victory for Gondorian naval forces, Destruction of much of the Corsair Navy|
side1=[[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Naval Forces|Gondorian Navy]]|
side2=[[Corsairs of Umbar]]|
commanders1=[[Image:ME-Gondor.png|45px]] [[Thorongil]]|
commanders2=[[Image:ME-Harad.png|45px]] [[Captain of Umbar]]|†
forces1=Unknown, less than 100 ships, several hundreds raiders and sailors|
forces2=Unknown, est. thousands of Corsair soldiers and sailors, hundreds of ships|
casual1=Unknown, light|
casual2=Unknown, many ships and an est. hundreds of sailors, Captain of Umbar|
}}

The '''Surprise Attack on Umbar''' was a sea battle that took place in TA 2980.

==Prelude to the Battle==

During the reign of [[Ecthelion II]], [[Steward of Gondor]] the realm [[Umbar]] was a grave seafaring threat to the [[Southern Fiefs]] of Gondor. The [[Corsairs]] attacked trade ships, fishing vessels, and [[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Naval Forces|Gondorian Navy]] ships, as as the Gondorian coast.
The Steward's most trusted counselor was a man the people called [[Thorongil]]. He was very concerned about what the Corsairs could do to the coasts, and voiced his worries often to [[Ecthelion]]. Finally Ecthelion gave him permission to tackle this menace.

==The Attack==

When all was prepared Thorongil led his small naval task force into the Gulf of Umbar to the Havens, and catching the Corsairs unprepared and unaware, they burned and destroyed many of their ships. During the battle Thorongil slew the [[Captain of Umbar]] on the quays, and then withdrew his forces with little loss.

==Aftermath==

Thanks to the brilliance of Thorongil, the threat of [[Umbar]] was definitely deterred. Many of their ships were destroyed along with many of their sailors.
Thorongil would have received much praise and honor for his victory, but when they reached [[Pelargir]] he would not return to [[Minas Tirith]] for his awards.
He sent a message of farewell to [[Ecthelion]], saying: "Other tasks now call me, lord, and much time and many perils must pass, ere I come again to Gondor, if that be my fate." Though no one could guess what those tasks could be, or by whom he was summoned, they did know where went. For he took a boat and crossed the [[Anduin]] river, and there he said farewell to his companions and went on alone; and when he was last seen he was headed toward the [[Mountains of Shadow]]. This Thorongil turned out to be a young [[Aragorn II]].

==References==
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]].

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

User:Ringreaper

2009-07-25T09:35:44Z

Ringreaper:

Hey guys! This hard working wiki "artist" does works on the Combine Overwiki, Wookieepedia, BIONICLEsector01, and of course, Tolkien Gateway.

User:Ringreaper

2009-07-25T09:28:36Z

Ringreaper: New page: Hey guys! This hard working wiki "artist" does works on the [Combine Overwiki],

Hey guys! This hard working wiki "artist" does works on the [Combine Overwiki],

Palantíri

2009-07-25T09:20:25Z

Ringreaper:

{{objects
| image=[[Image:Raphael Rau - Palantir.jpg|250px]]
| name=Palantíri
| othernames=Seeing Stones
| derivation=[[S.]] ''[[palan]]'' "far, distant, wide" + ''[[tir]]'' "watch, guard"
| location=Various locations in [[Endor]]
| ownedby=[[Elendil]] and his line, [[Ruling Stewards]], [[Saruman]]
| maker=[[Noldor]] (likely [[Fëanor]])
| appearance=Smooth, round, dark stones
| references=''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Palantíri]]''
|}}
{{quote|The ''palantír'' replied to each, but all those in [[Gondor]] were ever open to the view of [[Osgiliath]]. Now it appears that, as the [[Tower of Orthanc|rock of Orthanc]] has withstood the storms of time, so there the ''palantír'' of that tower has remained. But alone it could do nothing but see small images of things far off and days remote. Very useful, no doubt, that was to [[Saruman]]; yet it seems that he was not content. Further and further abroad he gazed, until he cast his gaze upon [[Barad-dûr]]. Then he was caught!|[[Gandalf]], ''[[The Palantír]]''}}
The '''''palantíri''''' (sometimes translated as "''Seeing Stones''") were stones that could be used in communication with one another, and also to see many things across the face of the world. When its master looked in it, he could communicate with other Stones and anyone who might be looking into them; people of great power can manipulate the Stones to see virtually any part of the world.

==History==
===Origin and Early History===
The ''palantíri'' were made by the Noldor of [[Valinor]] in the [[Uttermost West]], possibly by [[Fëanor]]. Many ''palantíri'' were made, but the number is not known. Some of the stones were given to the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Númenor]] as a gift during the [[Second Age]] by [[Gil-galad]]. Of these, [[Elendil]] took seven with him on his flight to [[Middle-earth]] upon the [[Downfall of Númenor]], and in time they were distributed among seven places: four in [[Gondor]] and three in [[Arnor]]. They were used largely for communication, but also to see what was occuring through the realms. Their existence was common knowledge, but no-one was allowed easy access to them save for kings and rulers, appointed wardens, or by royal command.

===Third Age and beyond===
One by one the stones vanished from public knowledge or were lost. The [[Osgiliath-stone]] fell into [[Anduin]] during the [[Kin-strife]] and burning of that city in [[Third Age 1437|T.A. 1437]]. When [[Arvedui]], [[King of Arnor]], was shipwrecked and his line ended in [[Third Age 1975|T.A. 1975]], he drowned with the ''palantíri'' of [[Amon Sûl-stone|Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas-stone|Annúminas]], the only communicating stones of Arnor. When [[Minas Ithil]] fell in [[Third Age 2002|2002]], the stone was assumed destroyed in general. The wiser and more foresighted men of Gondor decided that in case Sauron had seized the Stone, they would stop using the [[Anor-stone]] to prevent any contact with the [[Dark Lord]]. As the [[Elostirion-stone]] was locked away and could not answer the other stones anyway, the only remaining stone was the [[Orthanc-stone]], which became useless to the Gondorians. When [[Beren (Steward of Gondor)|Beren]] gave [[Saruman]] the deserted but secure [[Orthanc]] in [[Third Age 2759|2759]], he likely assumed that Saruman, head of the leading order against Sauron, would keep it safe.

Several of these hidden or lost stones came to light during the [[War of the Ring]]. Previous to this, Saruman used his ''palantír'' to gain knowledge, and eventually was caught when he dared to looked toward [[Mordor]]. Thus, the above war was greatly affected by these stones. Later, upon Saruman's downfall, its rightful master [[Aragorn II]] twisted it to his will, so that it no longer had a connection with the stolen Ithil stone.

The second ''palantír'' to be revealed was that of Minas Anor. Denethor, too, had glanced toward Mordor with it, but his great hate of incarnate evil and power of will prevented him from being snared, though it taxed him greatly. Partially because of what he saw he eventually committed suicide in the darkest hour. This stone was later used by King [[Aragorn II]], though it is said that anyone of weaker will who looked into it would see the writhing hands of Denethor in his final agony.

The final fate of most of the stones is unknown. The Elostirion-stone was taken west with the [[Ringbearer]]s in [[Third Age 3021|3021]] of the [[Third Age]], severing the last link of [[Middle-earth]] to [[Valinor]]. The stones of Anor and Orthanc are believed to have been reinstated in the [[Reunited Kingdom]] and used officially once more. The Ithil-stone may have been destroyed in the fall of Barad-dûr, but it is also possible that it too was found and reused in the Reunited Kingdom. Whether or not the other three lost stones were ever found is never indicated; the Osgiliath-stone may have rolled into the Sea, or it may have lain still in the Anduin. The stones of Arnor, however, were lost in the frozen seas of [[Forochel]], and therefore it is highly unlikely that they could ever be recovered.

==Appearance==
They were perfect spheres, appearing to be made of solid glass or deep black crystal. The smallest stones were one foot in diameter; the larger stones too large for a single man to bear. They were unbreakable save, some thought, by the fires of [[Orodruin]].

==The Stones==

* The '''[[Master-stone]]''' was not one of the seven, but remained in the [[Tower of Avallonë]] in [[Tol Eressëa]]. It was the master stone. It apparently could not communicate with the stones of [[Middle-earth]], or at least is not mentioned having done so.

* The '''[[Osgiliath-stone]]''' was the largest stone among the seven, and chief among them. It was placed in a prominent building in [[Osgiliath]], the capital city of the kingdom of [[Gondor]]. The ceiling of its chamber was painted to resemble a starry sky, and gave its name (''os-giliath'', the [[Dome of Stars]]) to the city itself. It was too large for one man to carry.

* The '''[[Elostirion-stone]]''', also known as the '''[[Elendil Stone]]''', was placed by [[Elendil]] in the tower of [[Elostirion]] in the [[Emyn Beraid]], just west of [[The Shire]]. The tower and stone were maintained and guarded by [[Círdan]] and the [[Lindon]]-[[elves]]. Elendil used it to looked back along the [[Straight Road]] to [[Eressëa]] and even the [[Tower of Avallonë]] and the [[Master-stone]], and though it is indicated that he tried, he could not see the fallen Númenor. It could not be used in communication with the other stones, and was unique in this respect.

* The '''[[Amon Sûl-stone]]''' was placed in the watch-tower of [[Amon Sûl]]. It was the largest and most powerful of the [[Arnor]]ian ''palantíri'' and the one most used in communication with [[Gondor]]. Like the Osgiliath-stone, it "could not be lifted by one man."

* The ''''[[Annúminas-stone]]''' was also placed in Arnor, in the city of [[Annúminas]].

* The '''[[Ithil-stone]]''' was placed in [[Minas Ithil]], in the mountains that came to be known as the [[Ephel Dúath]]. When Minas Ithil fell to the [[Nazgûl]], the Ithil-stone was taken to [[Barad-dûr]] and used by [[Sauron]].

* The '''[[Orthanc-stone]]''' was placed in the great tower built by the [[Dúnedain]] in the Second Age at the southern end of the [[Misty Mountains]], [[Orthanc]]. It fell into the hands of the wizard [[Saruman]], who used it to garner information on his neighbors and their activities. The stone was also partially responsible for Saruman's fall from grace, as he was using it when he came upon [[Sauron]], and was ensnared by him. After the [[War of the Ring]], the Orthanc-stone remained in the custody of the Kings of Gondor in the [[Fourth Age]].

* The '''[[Anor-stone]]''' was placed at [[Minas Anor]], later renamed [[Minas Tirith]] and made the capital of [[Gondor]]. It was kept an unused secret by the Ruling Stewards until it was ultimately used by Steward [[Denethor]] to watch his land, and he eventually even challenged Sauron in a battle of wills. [[Denethor]] did not become corrupted, but the great effort of will that this required of him led him to age quickly. [[Denethor]] was holding the stone when he committed suicide on a funeral pyre, and after this, only people of exceeding power could see in it anything other than two flaming hands.

==Usage==
[[Image:Saruman with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Saruman]] with Palantir from Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]The purpose of the stones in general was dual: to communicate with one another, and to see afar. All the stones save for the Elostirion-stone could be used in communication with one another, although the bigger and more powerful stones were favored for this use over long distances. The great Osgiliath-stone could spy on communication by the lesser stones, and a few others apparently also had special abilities. The stones' gaze could penetrate beyond any solid object, such as into deep caverns, but required light to see anything. A technique called ''[[shrouding]]'' was used when something was to be kept secret from any possible watchers using the stones. Knowledge of this technique was lost in time, although Sauron probably knew of it.

The user or "surveyer" of a ''palantír'' would first assure himself that the stone was oriented properly. Usually the stones were held firmly so that this did not have to occur at each viewing. Then the surveyer would take up a position facing the direction he would want to look; for instance, if he wished to look west, he would stand on the eastern side of the stone. The major stones, however, could be rotated, and thus did not require moving about. The stones were apparently controlled by will power; although chance largely dictated precisely upon what the gaze of the stones lay, the surveyer could manipulate and shift the gaze by merely concentrating, even when not touching the stone. This concentrating, however, was quite taxing, and so was not generally used save in urgent situations. Zooming in could be accomplished through the same methods, and standing three feet away from the stone achieved the best clarity and widest scope. Stronger and more skilled surveyers could generally see more easily and with less difficulty than others.

To communicate with another stone, the viewer would orient himself and look toward the location of that stone, and the two stones would automatically connect with one another unless one was being used in another conversation. The surveyer would transmit his thoughts to the other stone by thinking, but the person on the other end would hear it in his head. The surveyer and his contact would see one another, but sounds could not be transmitted save through the above method of thought.

The stones were generally placed in bowls or depressions in tables of black marble, oriented through trial and error so that the poles of the stone aligned with the center of the world. The kings usually appointed deputies to look in the stone regularly, or on command, or in times of emergency. Others not authorized by the king could use them, but it took a great amount of willpower, and things were often less clear.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Palantíri|Images of Palantíri]]

[[Category:Palantíri]]
[[Category:Objects]]

Fall of Fornost

2009-07-25T09:17:39Z

Ringreaper: /* Aftermath */

{{battle
| name=Fall of Fornost
| image=
| conflict=War of Angmar
| date=[[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974]]
| place=[[Fornost Erain]]
| result=Decisive Angmar victory
| side1=Men, Elves, Hobbits
| side2=Angmar
| commanders1=King Arvedui
| commanders2=Witch-king
| forces1=Est. 2-10,000 Men of Arnor, several thousand Elves from, Lindon, Rivendell, and Lothlórien, and 500 Hobbit archers
| forces2=Est. 10-40,000 Orcs, Trolls, Evil Men from Rhudaur and elsewhere, Wolves, other evil creatures
| casual1=Est. Hundreds or even thousands of Men and Elves, along with all 500 Hobbits
| casual2=Est. Thousands
|}}

The '''Fall of Fornost''' was an event that resulted from the defeat of the forces of [[Arnor]], and the taking of their capitol city of [[Fornost]] by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] and his armies.

== Leading Up to the Siege ==

By the year [[Third Age 1974]] things were looking very grim for the Dúnedain of Arnor. The [[Great Plague]] three hundred years previously had killed most of the people of [[Cardolan]] which later fell to the Witch King. And even with the aid of [[Elves]] and [[Hobbits]] most of the now diminished and totally demoralized people of Arnor were now waiting to make their final stand at Fornost, capitol city of [[Arthedain]].

== Opposing Forces ==

For the forces of [[Eriador]] exact numbers are not known, but it can be estimated that at the most ten thousand [[Men of Arnor]] were present at the city. Along with likely several thousand Elves of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], and five hundred Hobbits archers from [[the Shire]].

For the forces of [[Angmar]] it can be estimated that there was at least twenty thousand or at the most forty thousand [[Orcs]], Trolls, Evil Men, Wolves, and all other manner of evil creatures.

== The Battle ==

Not much detail is known about what happened, but we know that the forces of Angmar were the decisive victors, and that most of the forces of Eriador were driven west over the River [[Lhûn]]. While King [[Arvedui]] and some of his guard held out north of Fornost, among the [[North Downs]], they could not hold this position for long. When it became untenable, Arvedui fled northwest.

== Aftermath ==

With Arthedain in his hands, the Witch King had conquered all of Arnor. Arvedui perished in the [[Icebay of Forochel]] when a ship sent to rescue him sank in a storm. The Witch King took the throne in the king's palace, until a year later in [[Third Age 1975|T.A. 1975]] when the forces of Eriador had regrouped with newly arrived reinforcements from [[Gondor]]. In the [[Battle of Fornost]] his army was destroyed, and he himself fled east over the [[Misty Mountains]].
Fornost was not resettled after the war. It became a deserted place, feared by the men of [[Bree]], who called it Deadman's Dike. Not until a thousand years later after the [[War of the Ring]] under King [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] was it refounded.

==Sources==
*[[Appendix A]]

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Fall of Fornost

2009-07-25T09:13:53Z

Ringreaper:

{{battle
| name=Fall of Fornost
| image=
| conflict=War of Angmar
| date=[[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974]]
| place=[[Fornost Erain]]
| result=Decisive Angmar victory
| side1=Men, Elves, Hobbits
| side2=Angmar
| commanders1=King Arvedui
| commanders2=Witch-king
| forces1=Est. 2-10,000 Men of Arnor, several thousand Elves from, Lindon, Rivendell, and Lothlórien, and 500 Hobbit archers
| forces2=Est. 10-40,000 Orcs, Trolls, Evil Men from Rhudaur and elsewhere, Wolves, other evil creatures
| casual1=Est. Hundreds or even thousands of Men and Elves, along with all 500 Hobbits
| casual2=Est. Thousands
|}}

The '''Fall of Fornost''' was an event that resulted from the defeat of the forces of [[Arnor]], and the taking of their capitol city of [[Fornost]] by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] and his armies.

== Leading Up to the Siege ==

By the year [[Third Age 1974]] things were looking very grim for the Dúnedain of Arnor. The [[Great Plague]] three hundred years previously had killed most of the people of [[Cardolan]] which later fell to the Witch King. And even with the aid of [[Elves]] and [[Hobbits]] most of the now diminished and totally demoralized people of Arnor were now waiting to make their final stand at Fornost, capitol city of [[Arthedain]].

== Opposing Forces ==

For the forces of [[Eriador]] exact numbers are not known, but it can be estimated that at the most ten thousand [[Men of Arnor]] were present at the city. Along with likely several thousand Elves of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], and five hundred Hobbits archers from [[the Shire]].

For the forces of [[Angmar]] it can be estimated that there was at least twenty thousand or at the most forty thousand [[Orcs]], Trolls, Evil Men, Wolves, and all other manner of evil creatures.

== The Battle ==

Not much detail is known about what happened, but we know that the forces of Angmar were the decisive victors, and that most of the forces of Eriador were driven west over the River [[Lhûn]]. While King [[Arvedui]] and some of his guard held out north of Fornost, among the [[North Downs]], they could not hold this position for long. When it became untenable, Arvedui fled northwest.

== Aftermath ==

With Arthedain in his hands, the Witch King had conquered all of Arnor. Arvedui perished in the [[Bay of Forochel]] when a ship sent to rescue him sank in a storm. The Witch King took the throne in the king's palace, until a year later in [[Third Age 1975|T.A. 1975]] when the forces of Eriador had regrouped with newly arrived reinforcements from [[Gondor]]. In the [[Battle of Fornost]] his army was destroyed, and he himself fled east over the [[Misty Mountains]].
Fornost was not resettled after the war. It became a deserted place, feared by the men of [[Bree]], who called it Deadman's Dike. Not until a thousand years later after the [[War of the Ring]] under King [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] was it refounded.

==Sources==
*[[Appendix A]]

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Fall of Fornost

2009-07-25T09:13:13Z

Ringreaper:

{{battle
| name=Fall of Fornost
| image=
| conflict=War of Angmar
| date=[[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974]]
| place=[[Fornost Erain]]
| result=Decisive Angmar victory
| side1=Men, Elves, Hobbits
| side2=Angmar
| commanders1=King Arvedui+
| commanders2=Witch-king
| forces1=Est. 2-10,000 Men of Arnor, several thousand Elves from, Lindon, Rivendell, and Lothlórien, and 500 Hobbit archers
| forces2=Est. 10-40,000 Orcs, Trolls, Evil Men from Rhudaur and elsewhere, Wolves, other evil creatures
| casual1=Est. Hundreds or even thousands of Men and Elves, along with all 500 Hobbits
| casual2=Est. Thousands
|}}

The '''Fall of Fornost''' was an event that resulted from the defeat of the forces of [[Arnor]], and the taking of their capitol city of [[Fornost]] by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] and his armies.

== Leading Up to the Siege ==

By the year [[Third Age 1974]] things were looking very grim for the Dúnedain of Arnor. The [[Great Plague]] three hundred years previously had killed most of the people of [[Cardolan]] which later fell to the Witch King. And even with the aid of [[Elves]] and [[Hobbits]] most of the now diminished and totally demoralized people of Arnor were now waiting to make their final stand at Fornost, capitol city of [[Arthedain]].

== Opposing Forces ==

For the forces of [[Eriador]] exact numbers are not known, but it can be estimated that at the most ten thousand [[Men of Arnor]] were present at the city. Along with likely several thousand Elves of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], and five hundred Hobbits archers from [[the Shire]].

For the forces of [[Angmar]] it can be estimated that there was at least twenty thousand or at the most forty thousand [[Orcs]], Trolls, Evil Men, Wolves, and all other manner of evil creatures.

== The Battle ==

Not much detail is known about what happened, but we know that the forces of Angmar were the decisive victors, and that most of the forces of Eriador were driven west over the River [[Lhûn]]. While King [[Arvedui]] and some of his guard held out north of Fornost, among the [[North Downs]], they could not hold this position for long. When it became untenable, Arvedui fled northwest.

== Aftermath ==

With Arthedain in his hands, the Witch King had conquered all of Arnor. Arvedui perished in the [[Bay of Forochel]] when a ship sent to rescue him sank in a storm. The Witch King took the throne in the king's palace, until a year later in [[Third Age 1975|T.A. 1975]] when the forces of Eriador had regrouped with newly arrived reinforcements from [[Gondor]]. In the [[Battle of Fornost]] his army was destroyed, and he himself fled east over the [[Misty Mountains]].
Fornost was not resettled after the war. It became a deserted place, feared by the men of [[Bree]], who called it Deadman's Dike. Not until a thousand years later after the [[War of the Ring]] under King [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] was it refounded.

==Sources==
*[[Appendix A]]

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Fall of Fornost

2009-07-25T09:11:00Z

Ringreaper: /* Aftermath */

{{battle
| name=Fall of Fornost
| image=
| conflict=War of Angmar
| date=[[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974]]
| place=[[Fornost Erain]]
| result=Decisive Angmar victory
| side1=Men, Elves, Hobbits
| side2=Angmar
| commanders1=King Arvedui
| commanders2=Witch-king
| forces1=Est. 2-10,000 Men of Arnor, several thousand Elves from, Lindon, Rivendell, and Lothlórien, and 500 Hobbit archers
| forces2=Est. 10-40,000 Orcs, Trolls, Evil Men from Rhudaur and elsewhere, Wolves, other evil creatures
| casual1=Est. Hundreds or even thousands of Men and Elves, along with all 500 Hobbits
| casual2=Est. Thousands
|}}

The '''Fall of Fornost''' was an event that resulted from the defeat of the forces of [[Arnor]], and the taking of their capitol city of [[Fornost]] by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] and his armies.

== Leading Up to the Siege ==

By the year [[Third Age 1974]] things were looking very grim for the Dúnedain of Arnor. The [[Great Plague]] three hundred years previously had killed most of the people of [[Cardolan]] which later fell to the Witch King. And even with the aid of [[Elves]] and [[Hobbits]] most of the now diminished and totally demoralized people of Arnor were now waiting to make their final stand at Fornost, capitol city of [[Arthedain]].

== Opposing Forces ==

For the forces of [[Eriador]] exact numbers are not known, but it can be estimated that at the most ten thousand [[Men of Arnor]] were present at the city. Along with likely several thousand Elves of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], and five hundred Hobbits archers from [[the Shire]].

For the forces of [[Angmar]] it can be estimated that there was at least twenty thousand or at the most forty thousand [[Orcs]], Trolls, Evil Men, Wolves, and all other manner of evil creatures.

== The Battle ==

Not much detail is known about what happened, but we know that the forces of Angmar were the decisive victors, and that most of the forces of Eriador were driven west over the River [[Lhûn]]. While King [[Arvedui]] and some of his guard held out north of Fornost, among the [[North Downs]], they could not hold this position for long. When it became untenable, Arvedui fled northwest.

== Aftermath ==

With Arthedain in his hands, the Witch King had conquered all of Arnor. Arvedui perished in the Bay of Forochel when a ship sent to rescue him sank in a storm. Thereby taking the throne in the king's palace, until a year later in [[Third Age 1975|T.A. 1975]] when the forces of Eriador had regrouped with newly arrived reinforcements from [[Gondor]]. In the [[Battle of Fornost]] his army was destroyed, and he himself fled east over the [[Misty Mountains]].
Fornost was not resettled after the war. It became a deserted place, feared by the men of [[Bree]], who called it Deadman's Dike. Not until a thousand years later after the [[War of the Ring]] under King [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] was it refounded.

==Sources==
*[[Appendix A]]

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Fall of Fornost

2009-07-25T09:08:21Z

Ringreaper: /* Aftermath */

{{battle
| name=Fall of Fornost
| image=
| conflict=War of Angmar
| date=[[Third Age 1974|T.A. 1974]]
| place=[[Fornost Erain]]
| result=Decisive Angmar victory
| side1=Men, Elves, Hobbits
| side2=Angmar
| commanders1=King Arvedui
| commanders2=Witch-king
| forces1=Est. 2-10,000 Men of Arnor, several thousand Elves from, Lindon, Rivendell, and Lothlórien, and 500 Hobbit archers
| forces2=Est. 10-40,000 Orcs, Trolls, Evil Men from Rhudaur and elsewhere, Wolves, other evil creatures
| casual1=Est. Hundreds or even thousands of Men and Elves, along with all 500 Hobbits
| casual2=Est. Thousands
|}}

The '''Fall of Fornost''' was an event that resulted from the defeat of the forces of [[Arnor]], and the taking of their capitol city of [[Fornost]] by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] and his armies.

== Leading Up to the Siege ==

By the year [[Third Age 1974]] things were looking very grim for the Dúnedain of Arnor. The [[Great Plague]] three hundred years previously had killed most of the people of [[Cardolan]] which later fell to the Witch King. And even with the aid of [[Elves]] and [[Hobbits]] most of the now diminished and totally demoralized people of Arnor were now waiting to make their final stand at Fornost, capitol city of [[Arthedain]].

== Opposing Forces ==

For the forces of [[Eriador]] exact numbers are not known, but it can be estimated that at the most ten thousand [[Men of Arnor]] were present at the city. Along with likely several thousand Elves of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], and five hundred Hobbits archers from [[the Shire]].

For the forces of [[Angmar]] it can be estimated that there was at least twenty thousand or at the most forty thousand [[Orcs]], Trolls, Evil Men, Wolves, and all other manner of evil creatures.

== The Battle ==

Not much detail is known about what happened, but we know that the forces of Angmar were the decisive victors, and that most of the forces of Eriador were driven west over the River [[Lhûn]]. While King [[Arvedui]] and some of his guard held out north of Fornost, among the [[North Downs]], they could not hold this position for long. When it became untenable, Arvedui fled northwest.

== Aftermath ==

With Arthedain in his hands, the Witch King had conquered all of Arnor. Arvedui perished in the bay of Thereby taking the throne in the king's palace, until a year later in [[Third Age 1975|T.A. 1975]] when the forces of Eriador had regrouped with newly arrived reinforcements from [[Gondor]]. In the [[Battle of Fornost]] his army was destroyed, and he himself fled east over the [[Misty Mountains]].
Fornost was not resettled after the war. It became a deserted place, feared by the men of [[Bree]], who called it Deadman's Dike. Not until a thousand years later after the [[War of the Ring]] under King [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] was it refounded.

==Sources==
*[[Appendix A]]

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Tharbad

2009-07-24T20:20:32Z

Ringreaper:

{{cleanup}}
'''Tharbad''' was a ford on the southern edge of [[Eriador]], high up along the once densely forested banks of the [[Gwathló]],

==Geography==
The land of Tharbad was almost flat, with sluggish waters tending to spread into fenland. Above Tharbad the river forked, with both branches having converged from out of a network of swamps, pools and eyots. It was populated by [[swans]], and many other waterbirds.<ref name="GC">{{HM|UT}}, [[The History of Galadriel and Celeborn]]</ref> This huge fenland north-east of Tharbad, which the elves named '[[Nîn-in-Eilph]]'
==History==
===Second Age===
In the early [[Second Age]] the '[[Swanfleet]]', entered the southern part of the [[Ñoldor]]in realm [[Eregion]]. In the sixth century of that Age [[Aldarion]] went much on land as well as sea, and went up the River Gwathló as far as Tharbad, and there met [[Galadriel]].''<ref>{{HM|UT}}, [[Aldarion and Erendis]]</ref>

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

By [[Second Age 1695]], the Númenóreans were devastating the forests below Tharbad, and had been obliged to build forts both at the Haven and along the river, to protect their ship-building yards and wood-stores from the local population, who were understandably hostile, treated as enemies<ref name="GC"/>

Despite overrunning all of Eriador in the war which began in that year, Sauron's armies had eventually been forced back to the fortified River Gwathló, where they were held. Beforehand, Sauron had not enough force to spare for any assault upon the forts, but late in the war he had summoned more forces, which were approaching from the south-east, and were indeed in [[Enedwaith]] at the Crossing of Tharbad, which was only lightly held.<ref name="GC"/>

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

Tharbad is not mentioned in surviving records for more than 1500 years after the war: the whole region was largely ignored by the elves and the Númenóreans following the destruction of Eregion and the forests "and the continued hostility of the surviving natives."<ref>{{HM|PM}}</ref>

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

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

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

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

These fortifications around the town were "raised there on great earthworks on both sides of the river.." (UT), and '[[Greenway|The Great South Road]]', which was built at the same time to connect the two nations, passed across the bridge via "long causeways that carried the road to it on either side across the fens.." (UT).
===Third Age===
Some things did not change, however : Tharbad was the only settlement of Númenóreans in [[Enedwaith]], because the area beyond the fortified town "was of little concern to them, except for the patrolling and upkeep of the Great Royal Road" (UT). To this end, "A considerable garrison of soldiers, mariners and engineers [were] kept there until the seventeenth century of the Third Age.." (UT).

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

''..because the land and clime of Eriador, especially in the east, worsened and became unfriendly.''<Ref>{{HM|AA}}</ref>

Their departure and the deterioration in the weather occurred around the time of the [[Great Plague]] of T.A. 1636, which almost completely depopulated [[Cardolan]], one of Arnor's 'successor states' with whom Gondor shared Tharbad. Cardolan's few surviving [[Dúnedain]] - including those in Tharbad - fled west to [[Arthedain]]. Gondor too was devastated, and in the years following the Plague, traffic along the road through Tharbad would have declined considerably, as "many parts of Eriador (had become) desolate." (LR): little wonder that "from then onwards, the region fell quickly into decay.." (UT).

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

''..ceased in fact to be subjects of Gondor; the Royal Road was unkempt in Enedwaith, and the Bridge of Tharbad became ruinous, and was replaced only by a dangerous ford.''<ref>{{HM|UT}}, [[The Battles of the Fords of Isen]]</ref>

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

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

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

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

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

==Etymology==
[[Sindarin]] for 'The Crossing Place'
==Inspiration==
Tharbad was possibly inspired by the Hall Green village in Warwickshire, England.
{{quote|...Hall Green village was only a little distance away [from Sarehole] down a lane and '''across a ford.'''|[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]}}
{{references}}

[[Category:Cities in Eriador]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Arnor]]

Angmar

2009-07-24T20:13:26Z

Ringreaper:

{{expansion}}
{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Angmar-map.gif|300px]]
| name = Angmar
| meaning = ''Iron Home'', [[Sindarin]]
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Carn Dum]]
| language = mostly [[Black Speech]]
| location = northeast of [[Arnor]], South of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]
| populace= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1975|T.A 1975]]
| restored =
}}

{{Pronounce|Angmar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angmar''' ('Iron Home', [[Sindarin]]) was a region and kingdom founded in [[Third Age]] 1300 in the far north of the [[Misty Mountains]] by the evil Lord of the [[Ringwraiths]], who became known as the "[[Witch-king of Angmar]]". Since the Witch-king was a vassal of the Dark Lord [[Sauron]], it is presumed that Angmar's wars against the successor kingdoms of [[Arnor]] were done at Sauron's bidding.

The capital of Angmar was [[Carn Dûm]].

Soon after Angmar was founded it waged war against the divided [[Dúnedain]] realms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. The Witch-king conquered [[Rhudaur]], the weakest of Arnor's successor kingdoms, and replaced its [[Dúnedain]] king with one of the native [[Hill-men]], a wild tribe of men possibly descended from the "accursed" kin of [[Ulfang]].

Now under the Witch-King's control, Rhudaur in 1356 invaded Arthedain and in the attack, Arthedain's King,[[Argeleb I]], was slain. However, with the aid of the armies of Cardolan, Arthedain managed to maintain a line of defense along the [[Weather Hills]].

In 1409 Angmar attacked [[Rivendell]] and Cardolan, besiegeing the former and destroying all of the latter's settlements except its capital in the [[Barrow-downs]]. Since Rhudaur had fallen under Angmar's control, this left Arthedain, without any allies that could aid them to a great extent, which struggled on for another 500 years. The last people of Cardolan died in the [[Great Plague]], allowing Angmar to send [[Barrow-wights]] to infest the Barrow-downs.

In 1974 Angmar amassed its forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. Angmar took Arthedain's capital [[Fornost]], thereby destroying the last kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A year later, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] arrived to aid Arthedain, but he was too late. His army utterly defeated the forces of Angmar in the [[Battle of Fornost]], but the Witch-king was not slain. He escaped and fled to [[Mordor]], but his kingdom of Angmar was no more.

== Etymology ==
Angmar means "Iron Home" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ang]]'' = "iron" and ''[[-mbar|mar]]'' = "home, dwelling")

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
:Angmar is a playable faction in the game, featuring mostly noncanon heroes and units. Moreover, in the campaign section of the game Angmar is besieged in [[Carn Dum]] by [[Glorfindel]] and his [[Elves]], however he wins the siege and destroys [[Arnor]] and [[Fornost]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Angmar was not completely destoryed after the [[Battle of Fornost]]. Rather, the Witch-King changed [[Eärnur]] into a wraith to watch over his kingdom until it could rise once more. By the time of the War of the Ring the kingdom of Angmar was once again at its former glory.

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin words]]
[[de:Angmar]]
[[fi:Angmar]]

War of the Elves and Sauron

2009-07-24T20:08:33Z

Ringreaper:

{{expansion}}

{{War
|previous=[[Wars of Beleriand]]
|next=[[War of the Last Alliance]]
|image=[[Image:Eregion-map.gif]]
|name=War of the Elves and Sauron
|begin=1693 SA
|end=1701 SA
|place=Eriador
|result=Eregion destroyed, Sauron defeated and driven from Eriador
|battles=[[Sack of Eregion]], [[First Siege of Imladris]], and [[The Battle of the Gwathló]]
|side1=Noldor and Sindarin Elves, Numenóreans, and Dwarves of Durin's folk
|side2=Orcs, Evil Men, and other creatures of Sauron
|commanders1=
{{Gil-galad blazon}}
*[[Celebrimbor]] †
*[[Elrond]]
*[[Ciryatur]]
*[[Durin III]]
|commanders2=
{{Sauron blazon}}
}}
The '''War of the Elves and Sauron''' was a great war fought in the [[Second Age]].

== The War Begins ==
For many years the [[Númenóreans]] brought their ships into Lindon, and they were welcomed. But when [[Gil-galad]] began to fear that Sauron would bring open war into Eriador, he sent messages to [[Númenor]]; and on the shores of Lindon the Númenóreans began to build up a force and supplies for war. When Sauron invaded Eriador in 1695, Gil-galad called Númenor for aid. Then King [[Tar-Minastir]] sent out a great navy; but it was delayed, and did not reach the coasts until the year 1700.

[[Image:Angus_McBride_-_Celebrimbor.gif|left|thumb|''Celebrimbor'' by Angus McBride.]]

By that time all of Eriador fell under Sauron's control, save only besieged [[Imladris]] (Rivendell), and he reached the line of the river [[Lhûn]]. [[Celebrimbor]] was captured when Ost-in-Edhil fell, and was then later executed by Sauron. He had sent for more forces, which were coming from the south-east, and were in [[Enedwaith]] at the crossing of [[Tharbad]], which was only lightly held. Gil-galad and the Númenóreans were holding the Lhûn in a desperate attempt to defend the [[Grey Havens]], when finally the great army of [[Tar-Minastir]] arrived; and Sauron's host was heavily driven back. The fleets' admiral [[Ciryatur]] sent part of his ships to make a landing farther south.

[[Sauron]] was driven away south-east after a great slaughter at [[Sarn Ford]]; and though strengthened by his force at Tharbad he suddenly found a host of Númenóreans to his rear, for Ciryatur's detachment of ships landed at the mouth of the [[Gwathló]], where there was the small harbor of [[Lond Daer| Vinyalondë]].

== [[The Battle of the Gwathló]] ==
In this battle Sauron was utterly routed and narrowly escaped himself. The remnants of his army were assailed in eastern [[Calenardhon]], and with only a bodyguard he fled to what was later called [[Dagorlad]], where broken and humiliated he returned to Mordor, and vowed vengeance against Númenór. The host that was besieging Imladris was caught between [[Elrond]] and [[Gil-galad]], and totally destroyed. [[Eriador]] was cleansed of enemies but lay largely in ruins.

== References ==
* ''[[The Return of the King]]'', "''The Tale of Years (Appendix B)''"

[[Category:Conflicts of the Second Age]]
[[Category:Wars and Battles]]

Surprise attack on Umbar

2009-07-24T20:01:13Z

Ringreaper:

{{unnamed}}
{{battle|
image=[[Image:John Howe - Corsairs of Umbar.jpg|300px]]|
name=Surprise Attack on Umbar|
conflict=[[Corsair Wars]]|
date=[[Third Age 2980|T.A. 2980]]|
place=The [[Haven of Umbar]]|
result=Victory for Gondorian naval forces, Destruction of much of the Corsair Navy|
side1=[[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Naval Forces|Gondorian Navy]]|
side2=[[Corsairs of Umbar]]|
commanders1=[[Image:ME-Gondor.png|45px]] [[Thorongil]]|
commanders2=[[Image:ME-Harad.png|45px]] [[Captain of Umbar]]|
forces1=Unknown, less than 100 ships, several hundreds raiders and sailors|
forces2=Unknown, est. thousands of Corsair soldiers and sailors, hundreds of ships|
casual1=Unknown, light|
casual2=Unknown, many ships and an est. hundreds of sailors, Captain of Umbar|
}}

The '''Surprise Attack on Umbar''' was a sea battle that took place in TA 2980.

==Prelude to the Battle==

During the reign of [[Ecthelion II]], [[Steward of Gondor]] the realm [[Umbar]] was a grave seafaring threat to the [[Southern Fiefs]] of Gondor. The [[Corsairs]] attacked trade ships, fishing vessels, and [[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Naval Forces|Gondorian Navy]] ships, as as the Gondorian coast.
The Steward's most trusted counselor was a man the people called [[Thorongil]]. He was very concerned about what the Corsairs could do to the coasts, and voiced his worries often to [[Ecthelion]]. Finally Ecthelion gave him permission to tackle this menace.

==The Attack==

When all was prepared Thorongil led his small naval task force into the Gulf of Umbar to the Havens, and catching the Corsairs unprepared and unaware, they burned and destroyed many of their ships. During the battle Thorongil slew the [[Captain of Umbar]] on the quays, and then withdrew his forces with little loss.

==Aftermath==

Thanks to the brilliance of Thorongil, the threat of [[Umbar]] was definitely deterred. Many of their ships were destroyed along with many of their sailors.
Thorongil would have received much praise and honor for his victory, but when they reached [[Pelargir]] he would not return to [[Minas Tirith]] for his awards.
He sent a message of farewell to [[Ecthelion]], saying: "Other tasks now call me, lord, and much time and many perils must pass, ere I come again to Gondor, if that be my fate." Though no one could guess what those tasks could be, or by whom he was summoned, they did know where went. For he took a boat and crossed the [[Anduin]] river, and there he said farewell to his companions and went on alone; and when he was last seen he was headed toward the [[Mountains of Shadow]]. This Thorongil turned out to be a young [[Aragorn II]].

==References==
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]].

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Carn Dûm

2009-07-24T11:18:09Z

Ringreaper:

{{sources}}

{{location
| image= [[Image:Stephen Walsh - Carn Dum.JPG|300px]]
| name= Carn Dum
| type= Fortress
| location= Located at the western end of the [[Mountains of Angmar]], south of [[Forodwaith]], northwest of [[Mount Gundabad]]
| inhabitants= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]]
| realms= [[Angmar]]
| description= various versions, see below
| othernames=
| etymology= name derivered from its location and number of inhabitans.
| events= Assaults towards [[Arnor]], Under siege in the [[Battle of Fornost]].
| references=
|}}

{{Pronounce|Carn Dum.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Carn Dûm''' was the capital of [[Angmar]].

==History==
Established on the very western end of the [[Mountains of Angmar]], it was inhabited by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] and his many servants: [[Men of Darkness]], [[Orcs]], and other fell creatures. From here he based his attacks on the three petty realms of [[Arnor]], quickly managing to destroy [[Rhudaur]] and weaken [[Cardolan]].

[[Arthedain]] fell in the [[Battle of Fornost]] in [[Third Age 1974]], but the Witch-king was routed by [[Glorfindel of Rivendell|Glorfindel]] and in [[Third Age 1975|1975]] Angmar itself fell under an assault, and Carn Dûm was sieged by the [[Dúnedain]] of [[Gondor]], the survivors of [[Arnor]], and [[Elves]] of [[Lindon]]. Carn Dûm was utterly destroyed, although some Orcs survived there until at least the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]] and possibly after as well, until they were wiped out by [[Elessar]], [[High King]] of the [[Reunited Kingdom]].{{fact}}
==Etymology==
The etymology of ''Carn Dûm'' is uncertain. Concerning the [[primary world|real world]] languages, it could be [[wikipedia:Gaelic|Gaelic]], in which it roughly translates as "mountain fortress";<ref>[http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/c/carndum.html Carn Dûm] at the [[Encyclopedia of Arda]]</ref> although Tolkien uses Celtic elements for some translated [[Mannish]] names, this would have been the only instance where he uses Gaelic. It is unknown whether this is just coincidence or not.

Though [[Sindarin]] in form and sound, neither words ''carn'' and ''dûm'' have been attested in Sindarin. ''Carn'' could be a form of ''[[caran]]'', "red" possibly also seen in ''[[carcharoth|'''Car'''charoth]]'', "red maw".

''[[Dûm]]'' is a [[Khuzdul]] word meaning "halls, mansions". The name could be [[Khuzdul]] (like [[Gundabad]] nearby) but [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] used ''K'' for this language instead of ''C''.<ref>{{HM|AE}}, "Pronounciation of Words and Names"</ref>

Other than that, it could be some unrecorded [[Avarin]] or [[Mannish]] language.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Carn Dûm|Images of Carn Dûm]]

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
:Carn Dum is the capital of [[Angmar]]. The campaign begins with its construction, and it is besieged once by [[Glorfindel]]. Carn dum is also playabe in the skirmish section of the game.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Carn Dum is a region in the game. It is ruled by Angmar's shadow that has returned to this city in the form of the False King, Mordirith, Steward of Angmar.

{{references}}
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Orc-Dwellings]]
[[Category:Fortresses of Evil]]
[[de:Carn Dûm]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:eriador:carn_dum]]
[[fi:Carn Dûm]]

Angmar

2009-07-24T11:16:10Z

Ringreaper:

{{expansion}}
{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Angmar-map.gif|300px]]
| name = Angmar
| meaning = ''Iron Home'', [[Sindarin]]
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Carn Dum]]
| language = mostly [[Black Speech]]
| location = northeast of [[Arnor]], South of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]
| populace= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1975|T.A 1975]]
| restored =
}}

{{Pronounce|Angmar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angmar''' ('Iron Home', [[Sindarin]]) was a region and kingdom founded in [[Third Age]] 1300 in the far north of the [[Misty Mountains]] by the evil Lord of the [[Ringwraiths]], who became known as the "[[Witch-king of Angmar]]". Since the Witch-king was a vassal of the Dark Lord [[Sauron]], it is presumed that Angmar's wars against the successor kingdoms of [[Arnor]] were done at Sauron's bidding.

The capital of Angmar was [[Carn Dûm]].

Soon after Angmar was founded it waged war against the divided [[Dúnedain]] realms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. The Witch-king conquered [[Rhudaur]], the weakest of Arnor's successor kingdoms, and replaced its [[Dúnedain]] king with one of the native [[Hill-men]], a wild tribe of men possibly descended from the "accursed" kin of [[Ulfang]].

Now under the Witch-King's control, Rhudaur in 1356 invaded Arthedain and in the attack, Arthedain's King,[[Argeleb I]], was slain. However, with the aid of the armies of Cardolan, Arthedain managed to maintain a line of defense along the [[Weather Hills]].

In 1409 Angmar attacked [[Rivendell]] and Cardolan, besigeing the former and destroying all of the latter's settlements except its capital in the [[Barrow-downs]]. Since Rhudaur had fallen under Angmar's control, this left Arthedain, without any allies that could aid them to a great extent, which struggled on for another 500 years. The last people of Cardolan died in the [[Great Plague]], allowing Angmar to send [[Barrow-wights]] to infest the Barrow-downs.

In 1974 Angmar amassed its forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. Angmar took Arthedain's capital [[Fornost]], thereby destroying the last kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A year later, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] arrived to aid Arthedain, but he was too late. His army utterly defeated the forces of Angmar in the [[Battle of Fornost]], but the Witch-king was not slain. He escaped and fled to [[Mordor]], but his kingdom of Angmar was no more.

== Etymology ==
Angmar means "Iron Home" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ang]]'' = "iron" and ''[[-mbar|mar]]'' = "home, dwelling")

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
:Angmar is a playable faction in the game, featuring mostly noncanon heroes and units. Moreover, in the campaign section of the game Angmar is besieged in [[Carn Dum]] by [[Glorfindel]] and his [[Elves]], however he wins the siege and destroys [[Arnor]] and [[Fornost]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Angmar was not completely destoryed after the [[Battle of Fornost]]. Rather, the Witch-King changed [[Eärnur]] into a wraith to watch over his kingdom until it could rise once more. By the time of the War of the Ring the kingdom of Angmar was once again at its former glory.

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin words]]
[[de:Angmar]]
[[fi:Angmar]]

Angmar

2009-07-24T11:15:20Z

Ringreaper:

{{expansion}}
{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Angmar-map.gif|300px]]
| name = Angmar
| meaning = ''Iron Home'', [[Sindarin]]
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Carn Dum]]
| language = mostly [[Black Speech]]
| location = northeast of [[Arnor]], South of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]
| populace= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1975|T.A 1975]]
| restored =
}}

{{Pronounce|Angmar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angmar''' ('Iron Home', [[Sindarin]]) was a region and kingdom founded in [[Third Age]] 1300 in the far north of the [[Misty Mountains]] by the evil Lord of the [[Ringwraiths]], who became known as the "[[Witch-king of Angmar]]". Since the Witch-king was a vassal of the Dark Lord [[Sauron]], it is presumed that Angmar's wars against the successor kingdoms of [[Arnor]] were done at Sauron's bidding.

The capital of Angmar was [[Carn Dûm]].

Soon after Angmar was founded it waged war against the divided [[Dúnedain]] realms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. The Witch-king conquered [[Rhudaur]], the weakest of Arnor's successor kingdoms, and replaced its [[Dúnedain]] king with one of the native [[Hill-men]], a wild tribe of men possibly descended from the "accursed" kin of [[Ulfang]].

Now under the Witch-King's control, Rhudaur in 1356 invaded Arthedain and in the attack, Arthedain's King,[[Argeleb I]], was slain. However, with the aid of the armies of Cardolan, Arthedain managed to maintain a line of defense along the [[Weather Hills]].

In 1409 Angmar attacked [[Rivendell]] and Cardolan, besigeing the former and destroying all of the latter's settlements except its capital in the [[Barrow-downs]]. Since Rhudaur had fallen under Angmar's control, this left Arthedain, without any allies that could aid them to a great extent, which struggled on for another 500 years. The last people of Cardolan died in the [[Great Plague]], allowing Angmar to send Barrow-wights to infest the Barrow Downs.

In 1974 Angmar amassed its forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. Angmar took Arthedain's capital [[Fornost]], thereby destroying the last kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A year later, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] arrived to aid Arthedain, but he was too late. His army utterly defeated the forces of Angmar in the [[Battle of Fornost]], but the Witch-king was not slain. He escaped and fled to [[Mordor]], but his kingdom of Angmar was no more.

== Etymology ==
Angmar means "Iron Home" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ang]]'' = "iron" and ''[[-mbar|mar]]'' = "home, dwelling")

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
:Angmar is a playable faction in the game, featuring mostly noncanon heroes and units. Moreover, in the campaign section of the game Angmar is besieged in [[Carn Dum]] by [[Glorfindel]] and his [[Elves]], however he wins the siege and destroys [[Arnor]] and [[Fornost]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Angmar was not completely destoryed after the [[Battle of Fornost]]. Rather, the Witch-King changed [[Eärnur]] into a wraith to watch over his kingdom until it could rise once more. By the time of the War of the Ring the kingdom of Angmar was once again at its former glory.

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin words]]
[[de:Angmar]]
[[fi:Angmar]]

Angmar

2009-07-24T11:11:41Z

Ringreaper:

{{expansion}}
{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Angmar-map.gif|300px]]
| name = Angmar
| meaning = ''Iron Home'', [[Sindarin]]
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Carn Dum]]
| language = mostly [[Black Speech]]
| location = northeast of [[Arnor]], South of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]
| populace= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1975|T.A 1975]]
| restored =
}}

{{Pronounce|Angmar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angmar''' ('Iron Home', [[Sindarin]]) was a region and kingdom founded in [[Third Age]] 1300 in the far north of the [[Misty Mountains]] by the evil Lord of the [[Ringwraiths]], who became known as the "[[Witch-king of Angmar]]". Since the Witch-king was a vassal of the Dark Lord [[Sauron]], it is presumed that Angmar's wars against the successor kingdoms of [[Arnor]] were done at Sauron's bidding.

The capital of Angmar was [[Carn Dûm]].

Soon after Angmar was founded it waged war against the divided [[Dúnedain]] realms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. The Witch-king conquered [[Rhudaur]], the weakest of Arnor's successor kingdoms, and replaced its [[Dúnedain]] king with one of the native [[Hill-men]], a wild tribe of men possibly descended from the "accursed" kin of [[Ulfang]].

Now under the Witch-King's control, Rhudaur in 1356 invaded Arthedain and in the attack, Arthedain's King,[[Argeleb I]], was slain. However, with the aid of the armies of Cardolan, Arthedain managed to maintain a line of defense along the [[Weather Hills]].

In 1409 Angmar attacked [[Rivendell]] and Cardolan, besigeing the former and destroying all of the latter's settlements except its capital in the Barrow-downs. Since Rhudaur had fallen under Angmar's control, this left Arthedain, without any allies that could aid them to a great extent, which struggled on for another 500 years.

In 1974 Angmar amassed its forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. Angmar took Arthedain's capital [[Fornost]], thereby destroying the last kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A year later, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] arrived to aid Arthedain, but he was too late. His army utterly defeated the forces of Angmar in the [[Battle of Fornost]], but the Witch-king was not slain. He escaped and fled to [[Mordor]], but his kingdom of Angmar was no more.

== Etymology ==
Angmar means "Iron Home" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ang]]'' = "iron" and ''[[-mbar|mar]]'' = "home, dwelling")

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
:Angmar is a playable faction in the game, featuring mostly noncanon heroes and units. Moreover, in the campaign section of the game Angmar is besieged in [[Carn Dum]] by [[Glorfindel]] and his [[Elves]], however he wins the siege and destroys [[Arnor]] and [[Fornost]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Angmar was not completely destoryed after the [[Battle of Fornost]]. Rather, the Witch-King changed [[Eärnur]] into a wraith to watch over his kingdom until it could rise once more. By the time of the War of the Ring the kingdom of Angmar was once again at its former glory.

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin words]]
[[de:Angmar]]
[[fi:Angmar]]

Angmar

2009-07-24T11:10:21Z

Ringreaper:

{{expansion}}
{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Angmar-map.gif|300px]]
| name = Angmar
| meaning = ''Iron Home'', [[Sindarin]]
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Carn Dum]]
| language = mostly [[Black Speech]]
| location = northeast of [[Arnor]], South of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]
| populace= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1975|T.A 1975]]
| restored =
}}

{{Pronounce|Angmar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angmar''' ('Iron Home', [[Sindarin]]) was a region and kingdom founded in [[Third Age]] 1300 in the far north of the [[Misty Mountains]] by the evil Lord of the [[Ringwraiths]], who became known as the "[[Witch-king of Angmar]]". Since the Witch-king was a vassal of the Dark Lord [[Sauron]], it is presumed that Angmar's wars against the successor kingdoms of [[Arnor]] were done at Sauron's bidding.

The capital of Angmar was [[Carn Dûm]].

Soon after Angmar was founded it waged war against the divided [[Dúnedain]] realms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. The Witch-king conquered [[Rhudaur]], the weakest of Arnor's successor kingdoms, and replaced its [[Dúnedain]] king with one of the native [[Hill-men]], a wild tribe of men possibly descended from the "accursed" kin of [[Ulfang]].

Now under the Witch-King's control, Rhudaur in 1356 invaded Arthedain and in the attack, Arthedain's King,[[Argeleb I]], was slain. However, with the aid of the armies of Cardolan, Arthedain managed to maintain a line of defense along the [[Weather Hills]].

In 1409 Angmar attacked [[Rivendell]] and Cardolan, besigeing the former and destroying all of the latter's settlements except its capital in the Barrow-downs. Since Rhudaur had fallen under Angmar's control, this left Arthedain, without any allies that could aid them to a great extent, which struggled on for another 500 years.

In 1974 Angmar amassed its forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. Angmar took the Arthedain capital [[Fornost]], thereby destroying the last kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A year later, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] arrived to aid Arthedain, but he was too late. His army utterly defeated the forces of Angmar in the [[Battle of Fornost]], but the Witch-king was not slain. He escaped and fled to [[Mordor]], but his kingdom of Angmar was no more.

== Etymology ==
Angmar means "Iron Home" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ang]]'' = "iron" and ''[[-mbar|mar]]'' = "home, dwelling")

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
:Angmar is a playable faction in the game, featuring mostly noncanon heroes and units. Moreover, in the campaign section of the game Angmar is besieged in [[Carn Dum]] by [[Glorfindel]] and his [[Elves]], however he wins the siege and destroys [[Arnor]] and [[Fornost]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Angmar was not completely destoryed after the [[Battle of Fornost]]. Rather, the Witch-King changed [[Eärnur]] into a wraith to watch over his kingdom until it could rise once more. By the time of the War of the Ring the kingdom of Angmar was once again at its former glory.

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin words]]
[[de:Angmar]]
[[fi:Angmar]]

Angmar

2009-07-24T11:08:21Z

Ringreaper:

{{expansion}}
{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Angmar-map.gif|300px]]
| name = Angmar
| meaning = ''Iron Home'', [[Sindarin]]
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Carn Dum]]
| language = mostly [[Black Speech]]
| location = northeast of [[Arnor]], South of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]
| populace= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1975|T.A 1975]]
| restored =
}}

{{Pronounce|Angmar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angmar''' ('Iron Home', [[Sindarin]]) was a region and kingdom founded in [[Third Age]] 1300 in the far north of the [[Misty Mountains]] by the evil Lord of the [[Ringwraiths]], who became known as the "[[Witch-king of Angmar]]". Since the Witch-king was a vassal of the Dark Lord [[Sauron]], it is presumed that Angmar's wars against the successor kingdoms of [[Arnor]] were done at Sauron's bidding.

The capital of Angmar was [[Carn Dûm]].

Soon after Angmar was founded it waged war against the divided [[Dúnedain]] realms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. The Witch-king conquered [[Rhudaur]], the weakest of Arnor's successor kingdoms, and replaced its [[Dúnedain]] king with one of the native [[Hill-men]], a wild tribe of men possibly descended from the "accursed" kin of [[Ulfang]].

Now under the Witch-King's control, Rhudaur in 1356 invaded Arthedain and in the attack, Arthedain's King,[[Argeleb I]], was slain. However, with the aid of the armies of Cardolan, Arthedain managed to maintain a line of defense along the [[Weather Hills]].

In 1409 Angmar attacked [[Rivendell]] and Cardolan, besigeing the former and destroying all of the latter's settlements except its capital in the Barrow-downs. Before this time, Rhudaur had disappeared, leaving Arthedain, without any allies that could aid them to a great extent, which struggled on for another 500 years.

In 1974 Angmar amassed its forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. Angmar took the Arthedain capital [[Fornost]], thereby destroying the last kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A year later, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] arrived to aid Arthedain, but he was too late. His army utterly defeated the forces of Angmar in the [[Battle of Fornost]], but the Witch-king was not slain. He escaped and fled to [[Mordor]], but his kingdom of Angmar was no more.

== Etymology ==
Angmar means "Iron Home" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ang]]'' = "iron" and ''[[-mbar|mar]]'' = "home, dwelling")

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
:Angmar is a playable faction in the game, featuring mostly noncanon heroes and units. Moreover, in the campaign section of the game Angmar is besieged in [[Carn Dum]] by [[Glorfindel]] and his [[Elves]], however he wins the siege and destroys [[Arnor]] and [[Fornost]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Angmar was not completely destoryed after the [[Battle of Fornost]]. Rather, the Witch-King changed [[Eärnur]] into a wraith to watch over his kingdom until it could rise once more. By the time of the War of the Ring the kingdom of Angmar was once again at its former glory.

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin words]]
[[de:Angmar]]
[[fi:Angmar]]

Angmar

2009-07-24T11:07:35Z

Ringreaper:

{{expansion}}
{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Angmar-map.gif|300px]]
| name = Angmar
| meaning = ''Iron Home'', [[Sindarin]]
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Carn Dum]]
| language = mostly [[Black Speech]]
| location = northeast of [[Arnor]], South of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]
| populace= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1975|T.A 1975]]
| restored =
}}

{{Pronounce|Angmar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angmar''' ('Iron Home', [[Sindarin]]) was a region and kingdom founded in [[Third Age]] 1300 in the far north of the [[Misty Mountains]] by the evil Lord of the [[Ringwraiths]], who became known as the "[[Witch-king of Angmar]]". Since the Witch-king was a vassal of the Dark Lord [[Sauron]], it is presumed that Angmar's wars against the successor kingdoms of [[Arnor]] were done at Sauron's bidding.

The capital of Angmar was [[Carn Dûm]].

Soon after Angmar was founded it waged war against the divided [[Dúnedain]] realms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. The Witch-king conquered [[Rhudaur]], the weakest of Arnor's successor kingdoms, and replaced its [[Dúnedain]] king with one of the native [[Hill-men]], a wild tribe of men possibly descended from the "accursed" kin of [[Ulfang]].

Now under the Witch-King's control, Rhudaur in 1356 invaded Arthedain and in the attack, Arthedain's King,[[Argeleb I]], was slain. However, with the aid of the armies of Cardolan, Arthedain managed to maintain a line of defense along the [[Weather Hills]].

In 1409 Angmar attacked [[Rivendell]] and Cardolan, besigeing the former and destroying all of the latter's settlements except its capital in the Barrow-downs. Before this time, Rhudaur had disappeared, leaving Arthedain, without any allies that could aid them to a great extent, struggled on for another 500 years.

In 1974 Angmar amassed its forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. Angmar took the Arthedain capital [[Fornost]], thereby destroying the last kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A year later, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] arrived to aid Arthedain, but he was too late. His army utterly defeated the forces of Angmar in the [[Battle of Fornost]], but the Witch-king was not slain. He escaped and fled to [[Mordor]], but his kingdom of Angmar was no more.

== Etymology ==
Angmar means "Iron Home" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ang]]'' = "iron" and ''[[-mbar|mar]]'' = "home, dwelling")

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
:Angmar is a playable faction in the game, featuring mostly noncanon heroes and units. Moreover, in the campaign section of the game Angmar is besieged in [[Carn Dum]] by [[Glorfindel]] and his [[Elves]], however he wins the siege and destroys [[Arnor]] and [[Fornost]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Angmar was not completely destoryed after the [[Battle of Fornost]]. Rather, the Witch-King changed [[Eärnur]] into a wraith to watch over his kingdom until it could rise once more. By the time of the War of the Ring the kingdom of Angmar was once again at its former glory.

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin words]]
[[de:Angmar]]
[[fi:Angmar]]

Angmar

2009-07-24T11:01:57Z

Ringreaper:

{{expansion}}
{{kingdom
| image = [[Image:Angmar-map.gif|300px]]
| name = Angmar
| meaning = ''Iron Home'', [[Sindarin]]
| type = Dictatorship
| headofstate = [[Witch-King of Angmar]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital = [[Carn Dum]]
| language = mostly [[Black Speech]]
| location = northeast of [[Arnor]], South of [[Forodwaith (lands)|Forodwaith]]
| populace= [[Orcs]], [[Men of Darkness]]
| currency =
| religious =
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = [[Third Age 1300|T.A. 1300]]
| established =
| reorganized =
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1975|T.A 1975]]
| restored =
}}

{{Pronounce|Angmar.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Angmar''' ('Iron Home', [[Sindarin]]) was a region and kingdom founded in [[Third Age]] 1300 in the far north of the [[Misty Mountains]] by the evil Lord of the [[Ringwraiths]], who became known as the "[[Witch-king of Angmar]]". Since the Witch-king was a vassal of the Dark Lord [[Sauron]], it is presumed that Angmar's wars against the successor kingdoms of [[Arnor]] were done at Sauron's bidding.

The capital of Angmar was [[Carn Dûm]].

Soon after Angmar was founded it waged war against the divided [[Dúnedain]] realms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]. The Witch-king conquered [[Rhudaur]], the weakest of Arnor's successor kingdoms, and replaced its [[Dúnedain]] king with one of the native [[Hill-men]], a wild tribe of men possibly descended from the "accursed" kin of [[Ulfang]].

Now under the Witch-King's control, Rhudaur in 1356 invaded Arthedain and in the attack, Arthedain King [[Argeleb I]] was slain. However, with the aid of the armies of Cardolan, Arthedain managed to maintain a line of defense along the [[Weather Hills]].

In 1409 Angmar attacked Cardolan, destroying all its settlements except its capital in the Barrow-downs. Before this time, Rhudaur had disappeared, leaving Arthedain without any allies that could aid them to a great extent except Rivindell, struggled on for another 500 years.

In 1974 Angmar amassed its forces and launched a final assault on Arthedain. Angmar took the Arthedain capital [[Fornost]], thereby destroying the last kingdom of the Dúnedain.

A year later, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] arrived to aid Arthedain, but he was too late. His army utterly defeated the forces of Angmar in the [[Battle of Fornost]], but the Witch-king was not slain. He escaped and fled to [[Mordor]], but his kingdom of Angmar was no more.

== Etymology ==
Angmar means "Iron Home" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ang]]'' = "iron" and ''[[-mbar|mar]]'' = "home, dwelling")

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch King]]'':'''
:Angmar is a playable faction in the game, featuring mostly noncanon heroes and units. Moreover, in the campaign section of the game Angmar is besieged in [[Carn Dum]] by [[Glorfindel]] and his [[Elves]], however he wins the siege and destroys [[Arnor]] and [[Fornost]].

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Angmar was not completely destoryed after the [[Battle of Fornost]]. Rather, the Witch-King changed [[Eärnur]] into a wraith to watch over his kingdom until it could rise once more. By the time of the War of the Ring the kingdom of Angmar was once again at its former glory.

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin words]]
[[de:Angmar]]
[[fi:Angmar]]

Cardolan

2009-07-24T10:46:14Z

Ringreaper:

{{kingdom
| image =[[Image:Cardolanrotwk.jpg|300px]]
| name = Cardolan
| meaning = Red Hill Land
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = [[King of Cardolan]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital =
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = Northern Eriador
| populace= [[Men]] and [[Hobbits]]
| currency =
| religious = Belief in [[Eru Ilúvatar]]
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = Disolution of Arnor
| established = [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 1349|T.A. 1349]]
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1636|T.A. 1636]]
| restored =
}}
{{Pronounce|Cardolan.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Cardolan''' was a breakaway realm of the [[Dúnedain]] kingdom of [[Arnor]]. After the death of its tenth King, [[Eärendur, King of Arnor|Eärendur]], his sons divided the kingdom into the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Rhudaur]] and Cardolan.

==History==
Cardolan stretched from the river [[Baranduin]] to the [[Mitheithel]]. Its northern border was the [[Great East Road]], but Cardolan also claimed the Weather Hills, which contained the fortress of [[Amon Sûl]]. Amon Sûl housed a [[palantíri|palantír]], and for this reason it was also claimed by Rhudaur. This lead to a bitter conflict which continued until Rhudaur became a vassal of Angmar after the line of the [[Dúnedain]] failed there.

When the kingdom of [[Angmar]] appeared in northern [[Eriador]], Cardolan became the most important ally of Arthedain. It had to fight the combined armies of both Angmar and Rhudaur. It soon became apparent that Cardolan could not hold back the forces of Angmar, and in its last years the people became entrenched in their capital region, [[Barrow-downs|Tyrn Gorthad]]. In TA 1636 those people who remained in the Barrow-downs died from the [[Great Plague]]. Angmar then sent [[Barrow-wights]] to infest and haunt the downs. Arthedain managed to reconquer the land briefly, but few people wished to live there on account of the Barrow-wights, and Cardolan was soon lost again.

After the final fall of Arnor, and the destruction of Angmar at the [[Battle of Fornost]], Cardolan remained an unpopulated area until the reestablishment of the northern kingdom under king [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] at the end of the Third Age.

==Etymology==
The name Cardolan appears to be [[Sindarin]] for "Red Hill Land".

{{references}}
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

[[de:Cardolan]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:royaumes:cardolan]]
[[fi:Cardolan]]

Cardolan

2009-07-24T10:33:10Z

Ringreaper:

{{kingdom
| image =[[Image:Cardolanrotwk.jpg|300px]]
| name = Cardolan
| meaning = Red Hill Land
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = [[King of Cardolan]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital =
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = Northern Eriador
| populace= [[Men]] and [[Hobbits]]
| currency =
| religious = Belief in [[Eru Ilúvatar]]
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = Disolution of Arnor
| established = [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 1349|T.A. 1349]]
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1636|T.A. 1636]]
| restored =
}}
{{Pronounce|Cardolan.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Cardolan''' was a breakaway realm of the [[Dúnedain]] kingdom of [[Arnor]]. After the death of its tenth King, [[Eärendur, King of Arnor|Eärendur]], his sons divided the kingdom into the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Rhudaur]] and Cardolan.

==History==
Cardolan stretched from the river [[Baranduin]] to the [[Mitheithel]]. Its northern border was the [[Great East Road]], but Cardolan also claimed the Weather Hills, which contained the fortress of [[Amon Sûl]]. Amon Sûl housed a [[palantíri|palantír]], and for this reason it was also claimed by Rhudaur. This lead to a bitter conflict which continued until Rhudaur became a vassal of Angmar after the line of the [[Dúnedain]] failed there.

When the kingdom of [[Angmar]] appeared in northern [[Eriador]], Cardolan became the most important ally of Arthedain. It had to fight the combined armies of both Angmar and Rhudaur. It soon became apparent that Cardolan could not hold back the forces of Angmar, and in its last years the people became entrenched in their capital region, [[Barrow-downs|Tyrn Gorthad]]. In TA 1636 those people who remained in the Barrow-downs died from the Great Plague. Angmar then sent [[Barrow-wights]] to infest and haunt the downs. Arthedain managed to reconquer the land briefly, but few people wished to live there on account of the Barrow-wights, and Cardolan was soon lost again.

After the final fall of Arnor, and the destruction of Angmar at the [[Battle of Fornost]], Cardolan remained an unpopulated area until the reestablishment of the northern kingdom under king [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] at the end of the Third Age.

==Etymology==
The name Cardolan appears to be [[Sindarin]] for "Red Hill Land".

{{references}}
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

[[de:Cardolan]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:royaumes:cardolan]]
[[fi:Cardolan]]

Cardolan

2009-07-24T10:32:21Z

Ringreaper:

{{kingdom
| image =[[Image:Cardolanrotwk.jpg|300px]]
| name = Cardolan
| meaning = Red Hill Land
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = [[King of Cardolan]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital =
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = Northern Eriador
| populace= [[Men]] and [[Hobbits]]
| currency =
| religious = Belief in [[Eru Ilúvatar]]
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = Disolution of Arnor
| established = [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 1349|T.A. 1349]]
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1636|T.A. 1636]]
| restored =
}}
{{Pronounce|Cardolan.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Cardolan''' was a breakaway realm of the [[Dúnedain]] kingdom of [[Arnor]]. After the death of its tenth King, [[Eärendur, King of Arnor|Eärendur]], his sons divided the kingdom into the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Rhudaur]] and Cardolan.

==History==
Cardolan stretched from the river [[Baranduin]] to the [[Mitheithel]]. Its northern border was the [[Great East Road]], but Cardolan also claimed the Weather Hills, which contained the fortress of [[Amon Sûl]]. Amon Sûl housed a [[palantíri|palantír]], and for this reason it was also claimed by Rhudaur. This lead to a bitter conflict which continued until Rhudaur became a vassal of Angmar after the line of the [[Dúnedain]] failed there.

When the kingdom of [[Angmar]] appeared in northern [[Eriador]], Cardolan became the most important ally of Arthedain. It had to fight the combined armies of both Angmar and Rhudaur. It soon became apparent that Cardolan could not hold back the forces of Angmar, and in its last years the people became entrenched in their capital region, [[Barrow-downs|Tyrn Gorthad]]. In TA 1636 those people who remained in the Barrow-downs died from the Great Plague. Angmar then sent [[Barrow weights]] to infest and haunt the downs. Arthedain managed to reconquer the land briefly, but few people wished to live there on account of the Barrow-wights, and Cardolan was soon lost again.

After the final fall of Arnor, and the destruction of Angmar at the [[Battle of Fornost]], Cardolan remained an unpopulated area until the reestablishment of the northern kingdom under king [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] at the end of the Third Age.

==Etymology==
The name Cardolan appears to be [[Sindarin]] for "Red Hill Land".

{{references}}
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

[[de:Cardolan]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:royaumes:cardolan]]
[[fi:Cardolan]]

Cardolan

2009-07-24T10:26:43Z

Ringreaper:

{{kingdom
| image =[[Image:Cardolanrotwk.jpg|300px]]
| name = Cardolan
| meaning = Red Hill Land
| type = Monarchy
| hidep=yes
| headofstate = [[King of Cardolan]]
| executive =
| legislative =
| judicial =
| capital =
| language = [[Westron]]
| location = Northern Eriador
| populace= [[Men]] and [[Hobbits]]
| currency =
| religious = Belief in [[Eru Ilúvatar]]
| holiday =
| anthem =
| formed = Disolution of Arnor
| established = [[Third Age 861|T.A. 861]]
| reorganized = [[Third Age 1349|T.A. 1349]]
| fragmented =
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1636|T.A. 1636]]
| restored =
}}
{{Pronounce|Cardolan.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Cardolan''' was a breakaway realm of the [[Dúnedain]] kingdom of [[Arnor]]. After the death of its tenth King, [[Eärendur, King of Arnor|Eärendur]], his sons divided the kingdom into the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Rhudaur]] and Cardolan.

==History==
Cardolan stretched from the river [[Baranduin]] to the [[Mitheithel]]. Its northern border was the [[Great East Road]], but Cardolan also claimed the Weather Hills, which contained the fortress of [[Amon Sûl]]. Amon Sûl housed a [[palantíri|palantír]], and for this reason it was also claimed by Rhudaur. This lead to a bitter conflict which continued until Rhudaur became a vassal of Angmar after the line of the [[Dúnedain]] failed there.

When the kingdom of [[Angmar]] appeared in northern [[Eriador]], Cardolan became the most important ally of Arthedain. It had to fight the combined armies of both Angmar and Rhudaur. It soon became apparent that Cardolan could not hold back the forces of Angmar, and in its last years the people became entrenched in their capital region, [[Barrow-downs|Tyrn Gorthad]]. This position became unholdable after Angmar sent [[barrow-wights|evil spirits]] to inhabit the downs. Arthedain could provide little aid, as it was itself under attack. Around T.A. 1409 Cardolan was destroyed, and its former inhabitants accepted the King of Arthedain as their lord. Arthedain managed to reconquer the land briefly, but few people wished to live there on account of the Barrow-wights, and Cardolan was soon lost again.

After the final fall of Arnor, and the destruction of Angmar at the [[Battle of Fornost]], Cardolan remained an unpopulated area until the reestablishment of the northern kingdom under king [[Aragorn II|Elessar]] at the end of the Third Age.

==Etymology==
The name Cardolan appears to be [[Sindarin]] for "Red Hill Land".

{{references}}
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]

[[de:Cardolan]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:royaumes:cardolan]]
[[fi:Cardolan]]

Disaster of the Gladden Fields

2009-07-24T10:16:57Z

Ringreaper:

{{battle
| image=
| name= Battle of the Gladden Fields
| conflict= Post-[[War of the Last Alliance|Alliance War]]
| date= III 2
| result=Death of Isildur, loss of the [[One Ring]]
| place= Gladden Fields, north of Rohan
| side1=*Isildur's Guard
| side2=*[[Orc]]s
| commanders1=*[[Isildur]]
| commanders2=*Unknown
| forces1=*Isildur
*Isildur's three sons [[Elendur]], [[Aratan]] & [[Ciryon]]
*200 Knights and Soldiers
*Less then 20 Archers
| forces2=*Said to be up to ten times the number of Númenóreans
| casual1=*Isildur
*Entire escort save three
| casual2=*Unknown
|}}
The '''Battle of Gladden Fields''' was an ambush on [[Isildur]] and his personal guard at the beginning of the [[Third Age]]. The [[Dúnedain]] were outnumbered as much as ten to one. The great [[Men]] of [[Númenor]] towered above the tallest Orcs, their Swords and Spears far outreached the weapons of their enemies, but the Orcs of the Mountains were stiffened and commanded by grim servants of [[Barad-dûr]]. Slowly but steadily the Orcs achieved the upper hand. During the last stand, when it became clear that defeat was imminent Elendur ordered Isildur to put on the ring and flee. Isildur put on the [[One Ring]] and fled. When he reached the [[Anduin]], he tried to swim across it, but the Ring betrayed him and slipped off his finger as he swam. As he rose out of the water in the moonlight, prowling [[Orcs]] shot him. [[Arnor]] never fully recovered from this grave loss of its manpower.

===Events leading up to the Battle===
After the fall of Sauron, Isildur, son and heir of [[Elendil]], returned to [[Gondor]]. There he assumed the [[Elendilmir]] as King of Arnor. He remained in [[Gondor]] for a year, restoring its order and defining its bounds; but the greater part of the army of Arnor returned to [[Eriador]] by the Númenórean road from the fords of [[Isen]] to [[Fornost]]. When at last he decided to return to his own realm, he was in haste for he wished to go first to [[Rivendell]], for he had left his wife and youngest son [[Valandil]] there. Therefore he decided to take the shortest route by making his way north from [[Osgiliath]] up the [[Vales of Anduin]] to [[High Pass|Cirith Forn en Andrath]] the high-climbing pass that led down to [[Imladris]].

With Isildur went his three sons [[Elendur]], [[Aratan]] and [[Ciryon]] and his guard of two hundred knights and soldiers, stern men of Arnor and war-hardened. On the twentieth day they came within sight of the distant forest crowning the highlands, it was raining heavily and the Anduin had swollen with swift water. They wished to gain the ancient paths of the [[Silvan Elves]] that ran near the eaves of the Forest near the entrance of the Vales between [[Lórien]] and [[Amon Lanc]].

So it came to pass that late in the afternoon of the thirtieth day of their journey, they were passing the north borders of the [[Gladden Fields]]. The fair day was waning and clouds were gathering above the distant mountains. To their right the Forest loomed above them, suddenly as the sun plunged into a cloud the [[Orcs]] attacked.

===The Battle===
The [[Dúnedain]] saw the Orcs issuing from the forest and moving down the slopes yelling their war-cries. In the dim light their number could not be guessed but the Dúnedain were plainly many times, even to ten times outnumbered. Isildur commanded a [[Thangail]] to be drawn up, if the land had been flatter or the slope in his favour he would have formed his company into a [[Dirnaith]], hoping to cleave a way through them and scatter them in dismay. Isildur realized that they were on their own: [[Moria]] and Lórien were far behind and [[Thranduil]] was four days' march ahead.

Isildur ordered [[Ohtar]] his esquire to take the [[Shards of Narsil]] and flee and save the Shards from capture at all costs.

The Orcs let fly a hail of arrows, and then suddenly hurled a great mass of their chief warriors down the slope against the Dúnedain, hoping to break the shield-wall. But it stood firm, the arrows had little effect on the Númenórean armour. The great Men of Númenor towered above the tallest Orcs, their Swords and Spears far outreached the weapons of their enemies. After the initial attack the Orcs faltered and it seemed that they were withdrawing, the Dúnedain had slain many Orcs. Isildur ordered the men to resume the march at once, but he was mistaken. The Orcs of the Mountains were stiffened and commanded by servants of Barad-dûr, and there was cunning and a relentless hatered in their attacks.

The Dúnedain had gone scarcely a mile when the Orcs attacked again. This time the Orcs attacked on a wide front, which bent into a crescent and soon closed into an unbroken ring about the Dúnedain. Isildur could do nothing for he had too few archers to be of any effect and moreover the Orcs were at a distance out of range of even the dreaded steel-bows of Númenor.

The Orcs closed in on all the sides, flinging themselves on the Dúnedain with reckless ferocity. Some of the greater Orcs leaped two at a time, and with their weight dead or alive bore down a [[Dúnadan]], so that other strong claws could drag him out and slay him. The Orcs might have paid five to one in this exchange but for them it was too cheap. Ciryon was slain in this way and Aratan was mortally wounded while trying to save him.

===Isildur's Fall===
{{quote|My King, Ciryon is dead and Aratan is dying. Your last counselor must advise you, nay command you, as you commanded Ohtar. Go! Take your burden, and at all costs bring it to the Keepers: even at the cost of abandoning your men and me!|Elendur}}

As the battle progressed it became clear that defeat was imminent, Elendur sought Isildur who was rallying men on the east side where the assault was heaviest. The Orcs still feared the Elendilmir that Isildur bore on his brow and avoided him. Elendur commanded Isildur to take the Ring and flee, so Isildur put on the Ring and suddenly the Elendilmir of the West which could not be quenched blazed forth. Men and Orcs gave way in fear and Isildur vanished into the night and was never seen again.

Isildur was a man of great strength and endurance such that few even of the Dúnedain of that age could equal. He covered a great distance and when he reached the Anduin, he tried to swim across it, but the Ring betrayed him and slipped off his finger as he swam. As he rose out of the water in the moonlight, prowling Orcs shot him. No trace of his body was ever found by [[Elves]] or [[Men]].

===Survivors===
Of the two hundred Númenórean knights only three survived. Two of them were [[Ohtar]] and his companion who brought the Shards of Narsil to Rivendell. The third was [[Estelmo]], he was Elendur's esquire, and was one of the last to fall; he was stunned by a club and not slain, and he was later found alive under Elendur's body.

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[de:Verhängnis auf den Schwertelfeldern]]
[[fr:encyclo:evenements:3a:guerres:bataille_des_champs_d_iris]]
[[fi:Kurjenmiekkakenttien murhenäytelmä (KTK)]]

Surprise attack on Umbar

2009-07-23T20:18:37Z

Ringreaper:

{{unnamed}}
{{battle|
image=[[Image:John Howe - Corsairs of Umbar.jpg|300px]]|
name=Surprise Attack on Umbar|
conflict=[[Corsair Wars]]|
date=[[Third Age 2980|T.A. 2980]]|
place=The [[Haven of Umbar]]|
result=Victory for Gondorian naval forces, Destruction of much of the Corsair Navy|
side1=[[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Naval Forces|Gondorian Navy]]|
side2=[[Corsairs of Umbar]]|
commanders1=[[Image:ME-Gondor.png|45px]] [[Thorongil]]|
commanders2=[[Image:ME-Harad.png|45px]] [[Captain of Umbar]]|
forces1=Unknown, less than 100 ships, several hundreds raiders and sailors|
forces2=Unknown, est. thousands of Corsair soldiers and sailors, hundreds of ships|
casual1=Unknown, light|
casual2=Unknown, many ships and an est. hundreds of sailors, Captain of Umbar|
}}

The '''Surprise Attack on Umbar''' was a sea battle that took place in 2980 TA.

==Prelude to the Battle==

During the reign of [[Ecthelion II]], [[Steward of Gondor]] the realm [[Umbar]] was a grave seafaring threat to the [[Southern Fiefs]] of Gondor. The [[Corsairs]] attacked trade ships, fishing vessels, and [[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Naval Forces|Gondorian Navy]] ships, as as the Gondorian coast.
The Steward's most trusted counselor was a man the people called [[Thorongil]]. He was very concerned about what the Corsairs could do to the coasts, and voiced his worries often to [[Ecthelion]]. Finally Ecthelion gave him permission to tackle this menace.

==The Attack==

When all was prepared Thorongil led his small naval task force into the Gulf of Umbar to the Havens, and catching the Corsairs unprepared and unaware, they burned and destroyed many of their ships. During the battle Thorongil slew the [[Captain of Umbar]] on the quays, and then withdrew his forces with little loss.

==Aftermath==

Thanks to the brilliance of Thorongil, the threat of [[Umbar]] was definitely deterred. Many of their ships were destroyed along with many of their sailors.
Thorongil would have received much praise and honor for his victory, but when they reached [[Pelargir]] he would not return to [[Minas Tirith]] for his awards.
He sent a message of farewell to [[Ecthelion]], saying: "Other tasks now call me, lord, and much time and many perils must pass, ere I come again to Gondor, if that be my fate." Though no one could guess what those tasks could be, or by whom he was summoned, they did know where went. For he took a boat and crossed the [[Anduin]] river, and there he said farewell to his companions and went on alone; and when he was last seen he was headed toward the [[Mountains of Shadow]]. This Thorongil turned out to be a young [[Aragorn II]].

==References==
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]].

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Surprise attack on Umbar

2009-07-23T20:15:57Z

Ringreaper:

{{unnamed}}
{{battle|
image=[[Image:John Howe - Corsairs of Umbar.jpg|300px]]|
name=Surprise Attack on Umbar|
conflict=[[Corsair Wars]]|
date=[[Third Age 2980|T.A. 2980]]|
place=The [[Haven of Umbar]]|
result=Victory for Gondorian naval forces, Destruction of much of the Corsair Navy|
side1=[[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Naval Forces|Gondorian Navy]]|
side2=[[Corsairs of Umbar]]|
commanders1=[[Image:ME-Gondor.png|45px]] [[Thorongil]]|
commanders2=[[Image:ME-Harad.png|45px]] [[Captain of Umbar]]|
forces1=Unknown, less than 100 ships, several hundreds raiders and sailors|
forces2=Unknown, est. thousands of Corsair soldiers and sailors, hundreds of ships|
casual1=Unknown, light|
casual2=Unknown, many ships and an est. hundreds of sailors|
}}

The '''Surprise Attack on Umbar''' was a sea battle that took place in 2980 TA.

==Prelude to the Battle==

During the reign of [[Ecthelion II]], [[Steward of Gondor]] the realm [[Umbar]] was a grave seafaring threat to the [[Southern Fiefs]] of Gondor. The [[Corsairs]] attacked trade ships, fishing vessels, and [[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Naval Forces|Gondorian Navy]] ships, as as the Gondorian coast.
The Steward's most trusted counselor was a man the people called [[Thorongil]]. He was very concerned about what the Corsairs could do to the coasts, and voiced his worries often to [[Ecthelion]]. Finally Ecthelion gave him permission to tackle this menace.

==The Attack==

When all was prepared Thorongil led his small naval task force into the Gulf of Umbar to the Havens, and catching the Corsairs unprepared and unaware, they burned and destroyed many of their ships. During the battle Thorongil slew the [[Captain of Umbar]] on the quays, and then withdrew his forces with little loss.

==Aftermath==

Thanks to the brilliance of Thorongil, the threat of [[Umbar]] was definitely deterred. Many of their ships were destroyed along with many of their sailors.
Thorongil would have received much praise and honor for his victory, but when they reached [[Pelargir]] he would not return to [[Minas Tirith]] for his awards.
He sent a message of farewell to [[Ecthelion]], saying: "Other tasks now call me, lord, and much time and many perils must pass, ere I come again to Gondor, if that be my fate." Though no one could guess what those tasks could be, or by whom he was summoned, they did know where went. For he took a boat and crossed the [[Anduin]] river, and there he said farewell to his companions and went on alone; and when he was last seen he was headed toward the [[Mountains of Shadow]]. This Thorongil turned out to be a young [[Aragorn II]].

==References==
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]].

[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Ithilien

2009-07-18T10:23:40Z

Ringreaper:

{{Pronounce|Ithilien.mp3|Ardamir}}
[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_First_Sight_of_Ithilien.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''First Sight of Ithilien'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
'''Ithilien''' was a region and fiefdom of [[Gondor]].

Ithilien, or ''Moon-land'', was the only part of [[Gondor]] on the eastern side of the [[Anduin]], wedged in between the river and the [[Ephel Dúath]]. The region was further divided into North and South Ithilien.

It was a fair and prosperous land during the [[Second Age]] and the first part of the [[Third Age]], when Gondor was strong and Mordor deserted. Of old its chief city was ''Minas Ithil'', the Tower of the Moon, but when this was captured by Mordor it was renamed [[Minas Morgul]], the Tower of Black Sorcery. After this event, the majority of the people of Ithilien fled across the Anduin to escape war, but the [[Stewards of Gondor]] still kept scouts there, operating out of secret locations such as [[Henneth Annûn]]. Those who stayed fled in T.A. 2954 when [[Mount Doom]] erupted.

During the [[War of the Ring]], in early May [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]], [[Gollum]] leads [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] through Ithilien on their way to [[Cirith Ungol]] and into Mordor. After witnessing an ambush of [[Haradrim]], the hobbits were found by [[Faramir (son of Denethor II)|Faramir]], the son of the Steward [[Denethor II|Denethor]], but are allowed to continue when he is satisfied they are not agents of [[Sauron]].

During the [[Fourth Age]], Ithilien was ruled by the [[Prince of Ithilien|Princes of Ithilien]], a line that started with Faramir and [[Éowyn]], who became known as the White Lady of Ithilien. Minas Morgul was not repopulated, and Faramir had his throne in [[Emyn Arnen]]. After the fall of Sauron, [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]] brought elves from [[Greenwood the Great|Greenwood]], and they dwelt in Ithilien, and once again it became the fairest country in all the westlands.

==References==
* ''[[The Two Towers]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Return of the King]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendices|Appendix]] [[Appendix B|B]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Gondor]]

Ithilien

2009-07-18T10:23:21Z

Ringreaper:

{{Pronounce|Ithilien.mp3|Ardamir}}
[[Image:Ted_Nasmith_-_First_Sight_of_Ithilien.jpg|right|thumb|250px|''First Sight of Ithilien'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
'''Ithilien''' was a region and fiefdom of [[Gondor]].

Ithilien, or ''Moon-land'', was the only part of [[Gondor]] on the eastern side of the [[Anduin]], wedged in between the river and the [[Ephel Dúath]]. The region was further divided into North and South Ithilien.

It was a fair and prosperous land during the [[Second Age]] and the first part of the [[Third Age]], when Gondor was strong and Mordor deserted. Of old its chief city was ''Minas Ithil'', the Tower of the Moon, but when this was captured by Mordor it was renamed [[Minas Morgul]], the Tower of Black Sorcery. After this event, the majority of the people of Ithilien fled across the Anduin to escape war, but the [[Stewards of Gondor]] still kept scouts there, operating out of secret locations such as [[Henneth Annûn]]. Those who stayed fled in [[T.A. 2954]] when [[Mount Doom]] erupted.

During the [[War of the Ring]], in early May [[Third Age 3019|T.A. 3019]], [[Gollum]] leads [[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Samwise Gamgee]] through Ithilien on their way to [[Cirith Ungol]] and into Mordor. After witnessing an ambush of [[Haradrim]], the hobbits were found by [[Faramir (son of Denethor II)|Faramir]], the son of the Steward [[Denethor II|Denethor]], but are allowed to continue when he is satisfied they are not agents of [[Sauron]].

During the [[Fourth Age]], Ithilien was ruled by the [[Prince of Ithilien|Princes of Ithilien]], a line that started with Faramir and [[Éowyn]], who became known as the White Lady of Ithilien. Minas Morgul was not repopulated, and Faramir had his throne in [[Emyn Arnen]]. After the fall of Sauron, [[Legolas of Mirkwood|Legolas]] brought elves from [[Greenwood the Great|Greenwood]], and they dwelt in Ithilien, and once again it became the fairest country in all the westlands.

==References==
* ''[[The Two Towers]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Return of the King]]'', passim.
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendices|Appendix]] [[Appendix B|B]]

[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Gondor]]

Misty Mountains

2009-07-16T20:20:38Z

Ringreaper:

{{location
| image=[[Image:J.R.R._Tolkien_-_The_Misty_Mountains_looking_West_from_the_Eyrie_towards_Goblin_Gate.jpg|250px]]
| name=Misty Mountains
| othernames=Hithaeglir, Mountains of Mist
| etymology=
| type=Mountain Range
| location=Between [[Eriador]] and [[Wilderland]], and [[Rohan]]'s northern border
| inhabitants=[[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's folk]], Orcs, Trolls, [[Giants]], Men, [[Silvan]] and [[Sindar]] Elves, [[Ents]], [[Eagles]]
| realms=[[Khazad-dûm]], numerous Orc-realms
| description=The largest mountain range in [[Middle-earth]]
| events=The [[Great Journey]] of the Elves, awakening of [[Durin I]], awakening of the [[Balrog]], dominion of the Orcs, [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]
| references=''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[The Silmarillion]], [[The Lord of the Rings]]''
|}}

The '''Misty Mountains''' or '''Mountains of Mist''' ('''''Hithaeglir''''' in [[Sindarin]]{{ref|1}}) was a great mountain range that lay between [[Eriador]] in the west and the Great River [[Anduin]] in the east. They ran 795 miles (1,280 kilometers) from [[Mount Gundabad]] in the far north to [[Methedras]] in the south. Some of the peaks may have been as high as 12,000 feet (3,660 meters){{ref|2}}.

== Geographic Features ==
The most important peaks were [[Mount Gundabad]], [[Redhorn]], [[Silvertine]], [[Cloudyhead]], and [[Methedras]].

=== Important Peaks ===
The northernmost peak of the Misty Mountains was Mount Gundabad, where according to legend [[Durin I|Durin]], eldest of the [[Seven Fathers of the Dwarves]], awoke. Later it became a haven for Orcs.

The greatest [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] realm in Middle-Earth, [[Khazad-dûm]], was located at the midpoint of the Misty Mountains. The city was built under three peaks, Redhorn (''[[Caradhras]]'' in Sindarin), Silvertine (''[[Celebdil]]''), and Cloudyhead (''[[Fanuidhol]]''). Inside Silvertine the Dwarves built the [[Endless Stair]], a stairway from the foundations of the mountain to its peak. The southernmost mountain was Methedras (Sindarin for "Last Peak").
[[Image:Alan Lee - The Redhorn Gate.jpg|thumb|250px|''The Redhorn Gate'' by [[Alan Lee]]]]
=== Passes over the Misty Mountains ===
The most important passes were the [[High Pass]] and the [[Redhorn Pass]]. There was also a pass at the source of the [[Gladden River]].

=== Routes around the Misty Mountains ===
The [[Gap of Rohan]] was a passable valley between the southernmost peak of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost of the [[White Mountains]]. In the far north the Misty Mountains formed a '''T''' with the [[Grey Mountains]], preventing a northern route around them.

== History ==
=== Origins ===
The Misty Mountains were created by the [[Vala]] [[Melkor]] during the [[Years of the Trees]] as a hindrance for [[Oromë]], who would hunt his fell creatures. They would later serve as a deterrent for the Elves during the [[Great Journey]], causing some to turn south. The Elves that would not cross the Misty Mountains would become the [[Nandor]].

=== Inhabitants ===
[[Dwarves]], [[Orcs]], [[Elves]], [[Men]], [[Hobbits]], [[Eagles]], and [[Ents]] all lived beneath or alongside the Misty Mountains.

====Dwarves====
The great Dwarven city of [[Khazad-dûm]] (later called the "Black Pit" of [[Moria]]) was located near the middle of the mountain chain. There [[Durin's folk]] lived for thousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as far east as the [[Iron Hills]]. Until the awakening of [[Durin's Bane]], which drove the Dwarves from their city. It also seems that some Dwarves either before or after the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.

When the Dwarves were strong, the mountains were generally free of Orcs, but when the [[Shadow]] was strong, Orcs bred in Mount Gundabad, in [[Goblin-town]] (where [[Bilbo]] found the [[One Ring]]), later in Moria itself, and everywhere in between.

====Elves====
The Elven enclave of [[Rivendell]], the home of [[Elrond]], was built in the western foothills beneath High Pass. On the eastern side of the mountains, near the source of the [[Silverlode]] river, lay the Kingdom of [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lorien]] under the rule of Lord [[Celeborn, Lord of Lórien|Celeborn]] and Lady [[Galadriel]]. While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed them.

====Men====
The land east of the Misty Mountains and south of the Grey Mountains was the ancestral home of the [[Éothéod]], the forefathers of the [[Rohirrim]]. Their capital was [[Framsburg]].

====Wraiths====
In the [[Third Age]] the [[Witch-king of Angmar|Witch-king]] built the Kingdom of [[Angmar]] in the western lands between the Misty Mountains and the Mountains of Angmar. The evil country was peopled by fallen Men, Orcs, and other creatures of [[Sauron]]. Its capital was [[Carn Dûm]]. At the southern tip of the Misty Mountains, beneath Methedras, was [[Isengard]], which was originally a [[Gondor|Gondorian]] fortress but was later given to [[Saruman]]. In the Third Age the south lands were protected by [[Rohan]].

====Hobbits====
Hobbits lived for untold years along the foothills of the Misty Mountains near the [[Vales of Anduin]]. Around Third Age 1050, the Hobbit group known as the [[Harfoots]] migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Men and the Shadow growing in [[Mirkwood]]. Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the [[Stoors]] and [[Fallohides]], migrated east as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.
====Eagles====
Near the east exit of Goblin-town was the Eagles kept an eyrie to keep watch on the Orcs. Much further south, Ents guarded [[Fangorn Forest]], the last remnant of the great [[Southern Forest]] that surrounded the Misty Mountains eons ago.

=== In the Third Age ===
[[Thorin and Company]] used the High Pass to cross the Misty Mountains, and were captured by the Orcs of Goblin-town.

Later the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] tried to cross Redhorn Pass, after choosing not to use the High Pass or the Gap of Rohan because of the threat of Orcs patrols or Saruman's forces. A powerful blizzard blocked the Redhorn Pass, forcing the Fellowship to journey through Moria. There they faced the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] that ruled the mines. Gandalf slew the Balrog by throwing it from the Silvertine, but sacrificied his own life in doing so.

== "Misty Mountains" Outside of Tolkien ==
* [[Led Zeppelin]] recorded a song, "[[Misty Mountain Hop]]", which seems to have borrowed the name but little else from Tolkien. Several other Led Zeppelin songs contain Tolkien references.
* Robert Jordan's fantasy series ''The Wheel of Time'' also features a mountain range called the ''Mountains of Mist''.

== Notes ==
# {{note|1}} The Hithaeglir were mispelled as "Hithaiglin" on the original ''[[The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]]'' map.
# {{note|2}}Their height as calculated in ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' by [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]]. This would make the Misty Mountains of similar height as the Alps in Europe, which makes sense, since Tolkien visited the Alps in his youth and was greatly impressed by them.

==References==
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Over Hill and Under Hill]]
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire]]
* ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Riddles in the Dark]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Many Meetings]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Council of Elrond]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Ring goes South]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[A Journey in the Dark]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]
* ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Lothlórien (chapter)|Lothlórien]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]]
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix B]]
* ''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan]]
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of Aulë and Yavanna]]
* ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', [[Of the Coming of the Elves and the Captivity of Melkor]]
* [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''

[[category:Mountain ranges]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Orc-Dwellings]]
[[Category:Dwarven Realms]]

Isengard

2009-07-16T20:18:34Z

Ringreaper:

[[Image:Rob_Alexander_-_Isengard.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Isengard'' by [[Rob Alexander]]]]
'''Isengard''' ("Iron Fortress", '''Angrenost''' in [[Sindarin]]), was a great fortress at the southern tip of the [[Misty Mountains]].

{{quote|My business is with Isengard tonight— with the rock and stone.| [[Treebeard]]}}

Isengard was built in the mid-[[Second Age]] around the [[Towers|tower]] of [[Orthanc]] by the [[Númenor]]eans in exile. Its location was at the north-western corner of the Southern Kingdom of [[Gondor]], guarding the [[Fords of Isen]] from enemy incursions into [[Calenardhon]] together with the fortress of [[Aglarond]] to its south.

The river Angren (or [[Isen]]) began at [[Methedras]] behind Isengard, which also formed its northern wall. The other three sides were guarded by a large wall, known as the '''Ring of Isengard''', which was only breached by the inflow of the river Angren at the north-east through a portcullis, and the [[Gate of Isengard]] at the south, at both shores of the river.

Isengard was a green and pleasant place, with many large trees and grass fields, fed by the Angren. Orthanc stood in the exact centre.

During the early [[Third Age]] the land of [[Calenardhon]] became depopulated, and the last warden of Orthanc was recalled to [[Minas Tirith]]. Isengard remained guarded by a small company, led by a hereditary captain, much like happened in Angrenost at the time.

After Calenardhon was given to the [[Éothéod]] by [[Cirion]], [[Steward of Gondor]], and became [[Rohan]], Isengard remained part of Gondor, although Gondor almost forgot about it. The small guard intermarried much with the [[Dunlendings]], until the fortress became a Dunlending fortress in all but name. Orthanc however remained closed, as the Steward of Gondor alone held the keys.

During the rule of [[Rohan|Rohan's]] King [[Déor]] it turned out that Isengard had become openly hostile to the [[Rohirrim]]. Using Isengard as their base, the Dunlendings continued to raid Rohan during Déor's son [[Gram|Gram's]] rule, until during the rule of Gram's son [[Helm Hammerhand]] a Dunlending lord, [[Freca]] and his son [[Wulf]] nearly managed to destroy the Rohirrim. The Rohirrim eventually won, taking Isengard, and guarding it for Gondor.

During the time of the [[Beren, Steward of Gondor|Steward of Gondor Beren]], [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] suddenly reappeared from the [[East]], and he offered to guard Isengard. Beren gladly gave him the keys to Orthanc, and Saruman settled there. After him the valley became known as [[Nan Curunír]] ("Valley of Saruman"). For a while Saruman aided the weaked Rohirrim, but he soon stoped and began to fortify the valley.

During the [[War of the Ring]] Isengard was Saruman's base of operations against the Rohirrim, and he defiled the valley, cutting down its trees and damming and diverting the Angren. Isengard's valley was destroyed by deep pits, used for breeding [[Uruk-hai]] and smithying weapons. Isengard became home to countless [[Orcs]], whom Saruman used to try to conquer Rohan. In 3441, an army of [[Ents]] and [[Huorns]] led by [[Treebeard]] of [[Fangorn Forest|Fangorn]] attacked Isengard, taking the fortress, although they could not take Orthanc.

The [[Hobbits]] [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] and [[Peregrin Took]] as the new "doorwardens" received [[Théoden]] King of Rohan, [[Aragorn]] and [[Gandalf]] at the gates. Saruman was confronted but refused to beg for pardon, and he was released into Treebeard's guard together with his servant [[Gríma Wormtongue]]. Saruman abandoned Isengard after [[Sauron]]'s defeat, playing off Treebeard's hatred of caging any living thing in order to manipulate him into letting him leave.

During the [[Fourth Age]] Isengard was restored, and Treebeard replanted many trees. The Ents tore down the walls of the ring, and named the new forest the '''Treegarth of Orthanc'''. Orthanc became again a tower of the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]].

== See Also ==
* [[Orthanc]]
* [[:Category:Images of Isengard]]
-----

[[Category:Isengard and Saruman]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]

Isengard

2009-07-16T20:17:11Z

Ringreaper:

[[Image:Rob_Alexander_-_Isengard.jpg|right|thumb|300px|''Isengard'' by [[Rob Alexander]]]]
'''Isengard''' ("Iron Fortress", '''Angrenost''' in [[Sindarin]]), was a great fortress at the southern tip of the [[Misty Mountains]].

{{quote|My business is with Isengard tonight— with the rock and stone.| [[Treebeard]]}}

Isengard was built in the mid-[[Second Age]] around the [[Towers|tower]] of [[Orthanc]] by the [[Númenor]]eans in exile. Its location was at the north-western corner of the Southern Kingdom of [[Gondor]], guarding the [[Fords of Isen]] from enemy incursions into [[Calenardhon]] together with the fortress of [[Aglarond]] to its south.

The river Angren (or [[Isen]]) began at [[Methedras]] behind Isengard, which also formed its northern wall. The other three sides were guarded by a large wall, known as the '''Ring of Isengard''', which was only breached by the inflow of the river Angren at the north-east through a portcullis, and the [[Gate of Isengard]] at the south, at both shores of the river.

Isengard was a green and pleasant place, with many large trees and grass fields, fed by the Angren. Orthanc stood in the exact centre.

During the early [[Third Age]] the land of [[Calenardhon]] became depopulated, and the last warden of Orthanc was recalled to [[Minas Tirith]]. Isengard remained guarded by a small company, led by a hereditary captain, much like happened in Angrenost at the time.

After Calenardhon was given to the [[Éothéod]] by [[Cirion]], [[Steward of Gondor]], and became [[Rohan]], Isengard remained part of Gondor, although Gondor almost forgot about it. The small guard intermarried much with the [[Dunlendings]], until the fortress became a Dunlending fortress in all but name. Orthanc however remained closed, as the Steward of Gondor alone held the keys.

During the rule of [[Rohan|Rohan's]] King [[Déor]] it turned out that Isengard had become openly hostile to the [[Rohirrim]]. Using Isengard as their base, the Dunlendings continued to raid Rohan during Déor's son [[Gram|Gram's]] rule, until during the rule of Gram's son [[Helm Hammerhand]] a Dunlending lord, [[Freca]] and his son [[Wulf]] nearly managed to destroy the Rohirrim. The Rohirrim eventually won, taking Isengard, and guarding it for Gondor.

During the time of the [[Beren, Steward of Gondor|Steward of Gondor Beren]], [[Saruman|Saruman the White]] suddenly reappeared from the [[East]], and he offered to guard Isengard. Beren gladly gave him the keys to Orthanc, and Saruman settled there. After him the valley became known as [[Nan Curunír]] ("Valley of Saruman"). For a while Saruman aided the weaked Rohiirrim, but he soon stoped and began to fortify it.

During the [[War of the Ring]] Isengard was Saruman's base of operations against the Rohirrim, and he defiled the valley, cutting down its trees and damming and diverting the Angren. Isengard's valley was destroyed by deep pits, used for breeding [[Uruk-hai]] and smithying weapons. Isengard became home to countless [[Orcs]], whom Saruman used to try to conquer Rohan. In 3441, an army of [[Ents]] and [[Huorns]] led by [[Treebeard]] of [[Fangorn Forest|Fangorn]] attacked Isengard, taking the fortress, although they could not take Orthanc.

The [[Hobbits]] [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] and [[Peregrin Took]] as the new "doorwardens" received [[Théoden]] King of Rohan, [[Aragorn]] and [[Gandalf]] at the gates. Saruman was confronted but refused to beg for pardon, and he was released into Treebeard's guard together with his servant [[Gríma Wormtongue]]. Saruman abandoned Isengard after [[Sauron]]'s defeat, playing off Treebeard's hatred of caging any living thing in order to manipulate him into letting him leave.

During the [[Fourth Age]] Isengard was restored, and Treebeard replanted many trees. The Ents tore down the walls of the ring, and named the new forest the '''Treegarth of Orthanc'''. Orthanc became again a tower of the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of [[Aragorn|King Elessar]].

== See Also ==
* [[Orthanc]]
* [[:Category:Images of Isengard]]
-----

[[Category:Isengard and Saruman]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]

Helm's Deep

2009-07-16T20:13:15Z

Ringreaper:

{{disambig-more|Helm's Deep|[[Helm's Deep (disambiguation)]]}}
{{cleanup}}

{{location
| image=[[Image:J.R.R._Tolkien_-_Helm%27s_Deep_and_the_Hornburg.jpg|300px]]
| name=Helm's Deep
| type=Valley/Stronghold
| location=[[White Mountains]]
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]], Later [[Rohirrim]]
| realms=Firstly [[Gondor]], then [[Rohan]]
| description=
| othernames=
| etymology=
| events=[[Battle of Helm's Deep]]
| references=[[The Two Towers]]
|}}
'''Helm's Deep''' was a large valley in the north-western [[Ered Nimrais]] (White Mountains) below the [[Thrihyrne]].

==History==
The valley was blocked over its entire width by the trench and rampart called ''[[Helm's Dike]]'' and behind that lay the fortress called by Men the ''[[Hornburg]]'', at the entrance to the [[Glittering Caves]].

Originally the valley was home to a small [[Gondor]]ian regiment, but after [[Calenardhon]] became [[Rohan]] it became an encampment of the [[Rohirrim]], where the guards of the [[Fords of Isen]] lived.

During the war with the [[Dunlendings]] under [[Wulf]], the Rohirrim under King [[Helm Hammerhand]] and many of his people sought refuge in the keep, where they held out during the winter of [[Third Age 2758]] and [[Third Age 2759|2759]].

A long causeway wound up to the great gate of the fortress itself. Inside the keep there were stables and an armoury, as well as a great hall in the rear which was dug out of the mountainside. There also was a great tower the top of which consisted of the great horn of [[Helm Hammerhand]]. The Deep which stood next to the fortress was barred by the long Deeping Wall, which consisted of solid rock except for a small culvert which allowed water from the [[Deeping-stream|Deeping Stream]] to enter; this rendered a fresh supply in sieges of great length. Access to the fortress from within the Deep was made possible by a long stair which led to the Hornburg's rear gate.

During the [[War of the Ring]] the fortress guarding Helm's Deep again became the refuge of some of the Rohirrim, now under King [[Théoden]], and the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] was fought there.

[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Sieges]]

Minas Morgul

2009-07-16T20:08:34Z

Ringreaper:

{{cleanup}}
 
{{location
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Tower of the Moon.jpg|250px]]
| name=Minas Morgul
| othernames=Minas Ithil, Tower of the Moon, Tower of the Rising Moon, Moon-tower, Tower of Black Sorcery, Dead City.
| etymology=[[S.]] ''[[minas]]'' "tower" + ''[[mor]]'' "black, dark" + ''[[gûl]]'' "magic, sorcery" 
[[S.]] ''[[minas]]'' "tower" + ''[[ithil]]'' "moon"
| type=Tower/City
| location=on [[Ephel Dúath]], Western [[Mordor]]
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]], [[Orcs]]
| realms=[[Mordor]]
| description=
| events=
| references=
|}}
'''Minas Morgul''' (originally called '''Minas Ithil''') was the twin city of [[Minas Tirith (Gondor)|Minas Tirith]] before its fall to the forces of [[Sauron]] in the [[Third Age]].

==History==

===Second Age===

After the destruction of [[Númenor]], [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion son of Elendil|Anárion]], the sons of [[Elendil]], landed in [[Gondor]]. Isildur built Minas Ithil near the mountainous border of [[Mordor]], while Anárion built [[Minas Anor]]. When [[Sauron]] returned after escaping Númenor's destruction, he attacked the exiles of Númenor, and his forces took Minas Ithil by storm. When the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] defeated Sauron in the year 3429 of the [[Second Age]], Minas Ithil was restored as a watchtower.

===Third Age===

In the year 1980 of the Third Age, the [[Nazgûl]] returned to Mordor (after the defeat of the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] in the north of Middle-earth).
The [[Ringwraiths]] laid siege to Minas Ithil shortly after their return, in 2002, and they took the city for their master, Sauron (who was still hidden at the time).
Minas Ithil was occupied by fell creatures, and it changed into a foul, evil place. As a result, it came to be called Minas Morgul, which in the tongue of Gondor means "The Tower of Dark Sorcery". Its palatiri, the Ithil-stone, was captured and later used by Sauron to influence Denethor during the War of the Ring.

Following the events of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', the bridge leading to [[Morgul Vale]] was pulled down by the Army of the West and its fields set aflame, and they met no opposition as the entire city's garrison had been killed at the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Minas Morgul abandoned and fell into decay as it had become too foul for human habitation. After the War of the Ring, [[Faramir son of Denethor II|Faramir]] was made Prince of [[Ithilien]] by King [[Aragorn II|Elessar]], who advised him to make his abode in the [[Emyn Arnen]] southeast of Minas Tirith. Faramir ruled from there with his new bride [[Éowyn]], for King Elessar counseled that even though Minas Morgul was completely abandoned, the land was such a terror on the minds of Men that it would not be fit for habitation or even human contact for many years. Eventually, the city was rebuilt as Minas Ithil and the evil that tainted the land was at last gone.

==Description==

===City of the Nazgûl===

Terror and war were directed against [[Gondor]] from Minas Morgul until [[Ithilien]] was deserted. During the [[War of the Ring]], the army that attacked [[Osgiliath]] and undertook the [[Siege of Gondor]] came from Minas Morgul.

In fashion Minas Morgul seems to have been much like Minas Ithil, except for the replacement of beauty by terror. The top most course of the tower revolved slowly, and the walls of Morgul shone with a pale, frightening light.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Minas Morgul|Images of Minas Morgul]]

[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Sieges]]

[[de:Minas Morgul]]
[[fi:Minas Morgul]]

Minas Morgul

2009-07-16T20:08:05Z

Ringreaper: /* Third Age */

{{cleanup}}
 
{{location
| image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Tower of the Moon.jpg|250px]]
| name=Minas Morgul
| othernames=Minas Ithil, Tower of the Moon, Tower of the Rising Moon, Moon-tower, Tower of Black Sorcery, Dead City.
| etymology=[[S.]] ''[[minas]]'' "tower" + ''[[mor]]'' "black, dark" + ''[[gûl]]'' "magic, sorcery" 
[[S.]] ''[[minas]]'' "tower" + ''[[ithil]]'' "moon"
| type=Tower/City
| location=on [[Ephel Dúath]], Western [[Mordor]]
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]], [[Orcs]]
| realms=[[Mordor]]
| description=
| events=
| references=
|}}
'''Minas Morgul''' (originally called '''Minas Ithil''') was the twin city of [[Minas Tirith (Gondor)|Minas Tirith]] before its fall to the forces of [[Sauron]] in the [[Third Age]].

==History==

===Second Age===

After the destruction of [[Númenor]], [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion son of Elendil|Anárion]], the sons of [[Elendil]], landed in [[Gondor]]. Isildur built Minas Ithil near the mountainous border of [[Mordor]], while Anárion built [[Minas Anor]]. When [[Sauron]] returned after escaping Númenor's destruction, he attacked the exiles of Númenor, and his forces took Minas Ithil by storm. When the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] defeated Sauron in the year 3429 of the [[Second Age]], Minas Ithil was restored as a watchtower.

===Third Age===

In the year 1980 of the Third Age, the [[Nazgûl]] returned to Mordor (after the defeat of the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] in the north of Middle-earth).
The [[Ringwraiths]] laid siege to Minas Ithil shortly after their return, in 2002, and they took the city for their master, Sauron (who was still hidden at the time).
Minas Ithil was occupied by fell creatures, and it changed into a foul, evil place. As a result, it came to be called Minas Morgul, which in the tongue of Gondor means "The Tower of Dark Sorcery".Its palatiri, the Ithil-stone, was captured and later used by Sauron to influence Denethor during the War of the Ring.

Following the events of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', the bridge leading to [[Morgul Vale]] was pulled down by the Army of the West and its fields set aflame, and they met no opposition as the entire city's garrison had been killed at the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Minas Morgul abandoned and fell into decay as it had become too foul for human habitation. After the War of the Ring, [[Faramir son of Denethor II|Faramir]] was made Prince of [[Ithilien]] by King [[Aragorn II|Elessar]], who advised him to make his abode in the [[Emyn Arnen]] southeast of Minas Tirith. Faramir ruled from there with his new bride [[Éowyn]], for King Elessar counseled that even though Minas Morgul was completely abandoned, the land was such a terror on the minds of Men that it would not be fit for habitation or even human contact for many years. Eventually, the city was rebuilt as Minas Ithil and the evil that tainted the land was at last gone.

==Description==

===City of the Nazgûl===

Terror and war were directed against [[Gondor]] from Minas Morgul until [[Ithilien]] was deserted. During the [[War of the Ring]], the army that attacked [[Osgiliath]] and undertook the [[Siege of Gondor]] came from Minas Morgul.

In fashion Minas Morgul seems to have been much like Minas Ithil, except for the replacement of beauty by terror. The top most course of the tower revolved slowly, and the walls of Morgul shone with a pale, frightening light.

== See also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Minas Morgul|Images of Minas Morgul]]

[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Mordor]]
[[Category:Sieges]]

[[de:Minas Morgul]]
[[fi:Minas Morgul]]