White Towers
| White Towers | |
|---|---|
| Towers | |
 | |
| "The End of the Age" by Ted Nasmith | |
| General Information | |
| Location | Western Eriador, in the Tower Hills |
| Type | Towers |
| Description | Three great white towers where one of the Palantíri was posted |
| Major towns | Undertowers[1] |
| People and History | |
| Inhabitants | Elves of Lindon |
| Created | After S.A. 3320[note 1] |
| Gallery | Images of the White Towers |
The White Towers were three tall towers located in the Emyn Beraid west of the Shire. The westernmost tower, called Elostirion,[2] had a palantír which looked ever westward towards Valinor.[3] The Shire-hobbits could see them shining far off in the moonlight; they said that from the top of Elostirion one could view the Sea.[4]
History[edit | edit source]
The White Towers were built on the Emyn Beraid by Gil-galad as a gift to Elendil,[5] perhaps after the founding of Arnor (S.A. 3320[6]).
They were sometimes the destination of pilgrimage by Wandering Companies of Elves who would gaze to Valinor through the palantír. Such a band, led by Gildor Inglorion, met Frodo, Sam, and Pippin in the Woody End of the Shire on 24 September T.A. 3018.[7]
With time, the Shire-hobbits grew estranged from the Elves and the concept of the Sea became a word of terror and death, and they avoided looking upon the towers on the west.[4]
In September 3021[8] the Last Riding of the Keepers of the Rings, including Frodo and Sam, passed the White Towers on their way to the Grey Havens.[9]
Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]
1988: J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth:
- The White Towers can be seen at the background of the Towers Hills map.
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ The towers were said to have been built by Gil-galad for his friend Elendil. The tallest of these, Elostirion, was built to hold one of the palantíri of the North-kingdom. They must therefore have been raised after Elendil and his sons had settled in Middle-earth, and after the division of the Seeing-stones had been agreed upon, so S.A. 3320 is the earliest possible date.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Palantíri", note 2
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Palantíri", note 16
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Concerning Hobbits"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Three is Company"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
