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'''Cair Andros''' was a large river-island in the [[Anduin|Anduin River]], to the east of the land of [[Anórien]]. It was held in defence against [[Mordor]] by [[Gondor]] to prevent crossings of the [[Great River]], though these defences were breached during the [[War of the Ring]].
[[File:Roger Garland - Middle-earth Panorama (Rauros).jpg|250px|thumb|Cair Andros depicted below Rauros. Art by [[Roger Garland]]]]
'''Cair Andros''' was a large river-island in the [[Anduin|Anduin River]] that resembled a ship, hence the name.


The island itself was long and narrow, a little over ten miles in length. At its northern end, sharp rocks split the waters of the Anduin in a bubbling foam that gave the island its name. Cair Andros was covered with trees for much of its length.
==Geography==
The island itself was long and narrow, like a ship, a little over ten miles in length.<ref name="MapGondor">{{RK|Map}}</ref> Its northern end of sharp rocks, like a "high prow" of a ship, split the waters of the upstream Anduin in a bubbling foam , and this gave the island its name.<ref name="Stewards">{{App|Stewards}}, entry for Steward Túrin II Footnote relating to Cair Andros</ref> Cair Andros was covered with trees.<ref name="Cormallen">{{RK|VI4}}</ref>


Strategically, the island was of immense importance: apart from the bridge at [[Osgiliath]], it was the only practical means for an army from the east to cross the Anduin into Gondor's heartlands. The [[Gondorians]] took this risk seriously. [[Amon Dîn]], the first of the [[Beacon-hills]], was set up originally to warn the citizens of [[Minas Tirith]] if Cair Andros was ever breached.
The island was located to the east of the land of [[Anórien]] and about fifty miles<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 79</ref> north of [[Minas Tirith]].<ref name="MapGondor"/> Because of its location it was of strategic importance, and was one of the only practical means for an army to cross the river (the others were the bridge of [[Osgiliath]] and, until the formation of [[Rohan]], the [[Undeeps]]). As such, the island housed [[Gondorian]] fortifications at various points of history.


Gondor took steps to fortify the island, too, but the history of these fortifications is difficult to establish. We know that it was manned at the time of King [[Ondoher]]'s fall in [[Third Age]] 1944, but whatever defences were in place at that time were apparently abandoned, since [[Denethor II|Denethor's]] great-grandfather [[Túrin II]] found it necessary to fortify the island again in about the year 2900.
==History==
Historians in [[Gondor]] believed that the [[Drúedain]] were the first men who crossed the Anduin in the [[First Age]].  They believed that they came from lands south of Mordor, turned north into Ithilien and probably crossed the Anduin near Cair Andros before settling in the vales of the [[White Mountains]] and the wooded lands at their northern feet.<ref>{{UT|12b}}</ref>


The Gondorian defences fell on March 10, 3019. On the same day that the [[Witch-king of Angmar]] rode from [[Minas Morgul]] with the armies that would besiege Minas Tirith, Sauron released a smaller force (though still numbering more than 6,000 Orcs and Men) from the [[Morannon]]. They overwhelmed the defenders of Cair Andros, and used the island to cross into Anórien. It was this northern force that blocked the eastward progress of the Rohirrim as they rode to Gondor's aid, though after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], the [[Rohirrim]] chased them down and pushed them back out of Anórien.
Upon the establishment of the realm of Gondor, the island grew in strategic importance. Gondor took steps to fortify the island, too.  In {{TA|1248}} [[Minalcar]], [[Regent of Gondor|regent]] to King [[Narmacil I]], defeated the [[Easterlings]] and upon his return fortified the west bank of the Anduin up to the [[Limlight]],<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Minalcar</ref> which may have included the fortification of Cair Andros.  


They retreated to Cair Andros, and apparently held the island for some days. In his march on Mordor, [[Aragorn]] let one thousand scared young men from Rohan and Lossarnach go from his main army to retake the island if necessary, and hold it. They must have succeeded, since the last we hear of the island of Cair Andros, its moorings were used by the ships of Gondor, as glimpsed by [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] after completing his Quest.
The island was also manned at the time of King [[Ondoher]]'s fall<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, (i) The Northmen and the Wainriders</ref> in {{TA|1944|n}}.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Ondoher</ref>
 
After the granting of [[Calenardhon]] to the [[Éothéod]] in {{TA|2510}} (who created the realm of [[Rohan]])<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> Cair Andros remained a vulnerable crossing-point for the [[Gondorians]] who took Cair Andros' risk seriously. [[Amon Dîn]], the first of the [[Warning beacons of Gondor|Beacon-hills]], was set up originally to keep watch over any attempt by enemies to cross the Anduin at or near Cair Andros and to warn the citizens of [[Minas Tirith]] with its beacon.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}, Note 51</ref>
 
Centuries later, [[Túrin II]] fortified the island again in about the year {{TA|2900|n}} to protect Anórien.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}, entry for Steward Túrin II</ref>
 
===War of the Ring===
On the same day that the [[Witch-king]] rode from [[Minas Morgul]] with the armies that would [[Siege of Gondor|besiege Minas Tirith]], Sauron released a smaller force (more than 6,000 Orcs and Men) from the [[Morannon]]. They overwhelmed the Gondorian defenses of Cair Andros on [[10 March]], {{TA|3019}} and used the island to cross into Anórien.<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref> This force blocked the eastward progress of the [[Rohirrim]] as they rode to Gondor's aid.<ref>{{RK|V4}}</ref>
 
However the Rohirrim used the secret ride down [[Stonewain Valley]]<ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref> and, after the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], they chased that force down and pushed them back out of Anórien.<ref>{{RK|V9}}</ref> Apparently the island was held by that force for some days.  
 
On [[23 March]],<ref name="Great"/> in his march on Mordor, [[Aragorn]] gave a leave to one thousand scared young men from Rohan and [[Lossarnach]] from his main army, with orders to retake the island if necessary.<ref>{{RK|V10}}</ref> They must have succeeded, because many ships lay by its shores, as glimpsed by [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] from the [[Field of Cormallen]] on [[8 April]]. After many days of camping in the Field of Cormallen the Captains of the West went aboard ship with all their men and sailed from Cair Andros down Anduin to Osgiliath.<ref name="Cormallen"/>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Cair Andros translates to "Ship of Long Foam". ''[[cirya|Cair]]'' means "ship", ''[[and]]'' means "long", and ''[[ros]]'' means (in this context at least) ''foam''.
''Cair Andros'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Ship of Long Foam",<ref name="Stewards"/> from ''[[cirya|cair]]'' ("ship") + ''[[and]]'' ("long") + ''[[ros]]'' ("foam").<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, entries ''[[and|an(d)]]'', ''[[ros]]''</ref>


{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Islands]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]


[[de:Cair Andros]]
[[de:Cair Andros]]
[[fi:Cair Andros]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:eaux:iles:cair_andros]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:eaux:iles:cair_andros]]
[[fi:Cair Andros]]

Revision as of 16:08, 26 September 2021

Cair Andros depicted below Rauros. Art by Roger Garland

Cair Andros was a large river-island in the Anduin River that resembled a ship, hence the name.

Geography

The island itself was long and narrow, like a ship, a little over ten miles in length.[1] Its northern end of sharp rocks, like a "high prow" of a ship, split the waters of the upstream Anduin in a bubbling foam , and this gave the island its name.[2] Cair Andros was covered with trees.[3]

The island was located to the east of the land of Anórien and about fifty miles[4] north of Minas Tirith.[1] Because of its location it was of strategic importance, and was one of the only practical means for an army to cross the river (the others were the bridge of Osgiliath and, until the formation of Rohan, the Undeeps). As such, the island housed Gondorian fortifications at various points of history.

History

Historians in Gondor believed that the Drúedain were the first men who crossed the Anduin in the First Age. They believed that they came from lands south of Mordor, turned north into Ithilien and probably crossed the Anduin near Cair Andros before settling in the vales of the White Mountains and the wooded lands at their northern feet.[5]

Upon the establishment of the realm of Gondor, the island grew in strategic importance. Gondor took steps to fortify the island, too. In T.A. 1248 Minalcar, regent to King Narmacil I, defeated the Easterlings and upon his return fortified the west bank of the Anduin up to the Limlight,[6] which may have included the fortification of Cair Andros.

The island was also manned at the time of King Ondoher's fall[7] in 1944.[8]

After the granting of Calenardhon to the Éothéod in T.A. 2510 (who created the realm of Rohan)[9] Cair Andros remained a vulnerable crossing-point for the Gondorians who took Cair Andros' risk seriously. Amon Dîn, the first of the Beacon-hills, was set up originally to keep watch over any attempt by enemies to cross the Anduin at or near Cair Andros and to warn the citizens of Minas Tirith with its beacon.[10]

Centuries later, Túrin II fortified the island again in about the year 2900 to protect Anórien.[11]

War of the Ring

On the same day that the Witch-king rode from Minas Morgul with the armies that would besiege Minas Tirith, Sauron released a smaller force (more than 6,000 Orcs and Men) from the Morannon. They overwhelmed the Gondorian defenses of Cair Andros on 10 March, T.A. 3019 and used the island to cross into Anórien.[12] This force blocked the eastward progress of the Rohirrim as they rode to Gondor's aid.[13]

However the Rohirrim used the secret ride down Stonewain Valley[14] and, after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, they chased that force down and pushed them back out of Anórien.[15] Apparently the island was held by that force for some days.

On 23 March,[12] in his march on Mordor, Aragorn gave a leave to one thousand scared young men from Rohan and Lossarnach from his main army, with orders to retake the island if necessary.[16] They must have succeeded, because many ships lay by its shores, as glimpsed by Frodo from the Field of Cormallen on 8 April. After many days of camping in the Field of Cormallen the Captains of the West went aboard ship with all their men and sailed from Cair Andros down Anduin to Osgiliath.[3]

Etymology

Cair Andros is Sindarin for "Ship of Long Foam",[2] from cair ("ship") + and ("long") + ros ("foam").[17]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor"
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards", entry for Steward Túrin II Footnote relating to Cair Andros
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Field of Cormallen"
  4. Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 79
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Drúedain", "Further notes on the Drúedain"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", entry for King Minalcar
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", (i) The Northmen and the Wainriders
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", entry for King Ondoher
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", Note 51
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards", entry for Steward Túrin II
  12. 12.0 12.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Siege of Gondor"
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Ride of the Rohirrim"
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Last Debate"
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Black Gate Opens"
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", entries an(d), ros
Route of the Fellowship of the Ring
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Rohan · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Dunharrow · Paths of the Dead · Gondor · Hill of Erech · Lamedon · Linhir · Lebennin · Pelargir · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Boromir
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen
Frodo and Sam
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Dead Marshes · Black Gate · Ithilien · Henneth Annûn · Cross-roads · Morgul Vale · Stairs of Cirith Ungol · Cirith Ungol · Shelob's Lair · Tower of Cirith Ungol · Mordor · Morgai · Plateau of Gorgoroth · Mount Doom · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Gandalf
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Celebdil† · Lothlórien · Fangorn Forest · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Merry
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Hornburg · Dunharrow · Drúadan Forest · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Pippin
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Amon Hen · Parth Galen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Gondor · Cair Andros · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard