Borlach

2007-06-17T21:52:29Z

201.65.131.82: fixing typo

'''Borlach''' was one of the sons of [[Bór]], who entered the service of [[Maedhros]] and [[Maglor]], the eldest [[Sons of Fëanor]]. He fought in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]], and was faithful to the [[Noldor]], taking a part in the slaying of [[Ulfang]]'s sons before he was himself slain.

==Etymology==
''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]] by [[Ruth S. Noel]] states Borlach translates to "Flaming Hand" in [[Sindarin]]

[[Category:Easterlings]]
[[Category:Sindarin words]]

Nirnaeth Arnoediad

2007-06-17T21:48:26Z

201.65.131.82:

{| border="1" cellpadding="4" style="float: right; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; width: 300px; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; clear: right; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; background-color:#F9EBD1;"
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!colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background:#960018; color: #f9f9f9;"|'''Nirnaeth Arnoediad'''
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|colspan="2" style="font-size: 90%; text-align: center; padding:0;"|
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| colspan="2" |'''Conflict''': [[War of the Jewels]]
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| colspan="2" |'''Date''': 472F.A.
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| colspan="2" |'''Place''': [[Anfauglith]]
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| colspan="2" |'''Outcome''': A decisive victory for Angband brought about by the [[Treachery of Men|betrayal of the Easterlings]] (to a lesser or greater extent). Also caused a great depopulation of the fighting men of the Ñoldor and [[House of Hador]] in [[Hithlum]] leading to its subjugation 
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!colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background: #960018; color: #f9f9f9;"|Combatants
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The [[Union of Maedhros]] consisting of an alliance of the [[Ñoldor]], [[Edain]], [[Easterlings]] and [[Dwarves]]
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Angband
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!colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background:#960018; color: #f9f9f9;"|Commanders
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* [[Fingon]]†
* [[Turgon]]
* [[Sons of Fëanor]]
* [[Húrin Thalion]]
* [[Huor]]†
* [[Haldir of the Haladin|Haldir]]†
* [[Azaghâl|Azaghâl of Belegost]]†
* [[Bór]]†

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* [[Gothmog%2C_Lord_of_Balrogs|Gothmog]]
* [[Glaurung]]
* [[Ulfang the Black]]†

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!colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background:#960018; color: #f9f9f9"|Strength
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Many of the Ñoldor and Edain; most of the fighting men of [[Dor-lómin]],ten thousand elves of [[Gondolin]] under Turgon, a company of elves from [[Nargothrond]] and of the [[people of Haleth]] from [[Brethil]] and the Easterling [[House of Bór]]

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Multiple Hosts consisting of [[Balrogs]], [[orcs]] and [[trolls]]. Supplemented by the traitor [[Easterlings]]

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!colspan="2" style="text-align: center; background:#960018; color: #f9f9f9"|Casualties
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Huge, a crippling blow to those opposing [[Morgoth]]. All Men of Dor-lómin except Húrin slain (Húrin made captive) and many leaders and their men either slain (Azaghâl, Haldir) or barely escaping (The Sons of Fëanor, Turgon). Others like Gwindor were taken captive.

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Sizable, particularly in early points of the battle when the western host of the Union broke cover and charged but ultimately a small percentage of the total hosts commited.

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The '''Nirnaeth Arnoediad''' or '''(Battle of) Unnumbered Tears''' was the disastrous Fifth Battle in the Wars of [[Beleriand]]. The name was taken from the [[Doom of Mandos]]: "Tears unnumbered ye shall shed...".

In the year 473 of the [[Years of the Sun]] in the [[First Age]], [[Maedhros]] decided that taking the offense against [[Angband]] might help the [[Noldor]] regain their former lands. In the almost two decades since their defeat in the [[Dagor Bragollach]], the Noldor had lost control over the entire north of Beleriand, and were for the most part reduced to refugees dwelling in [[Hithlum]] and [[Nargothrond]]. [[Gondolin]] was shut and unknown.

Under the [[Union of Maedhros]] all the [[Elves]] of Beleriand, as well as the [[Edain]], [[Dwarves]], and the newly arrived [[Easterlings]] were invited to combine in arms and fight Morgoth. The Union first cleared Beleriand and Dorthonion from the Orcs, and then gathered to assault [[Thangorodrim]].

The plan was for Maedhros's host to attack and draw out the army of Angband, after which Fingon's host would attack from the [[Ered Wethrin]], taking the offensive in the west.

Under Maedhros in the east were gathered the remainder of the [[sons of Fëanor]], the Elves and Men of [[Himring]] under Maedhros and [[Bór]], and the men of Amon Ereb under [[Caranthir]] and [[Ulfang]].

Under Fingon in the west were gathered the Elves and Men of [[Hithlum]], the Elves of the [[Falas]], the [[Haladin]] of Brethil and the companies sent from [[Nargothrond]] and the two elves of [[Doriath]], [[Beleg Cúthalion|Beleg]] and [[Mablung]].

Because of the evil deeds of [[Celegorm]] and [[Curufin]], two of Maedhros's brothers, Nargothrond would send only a small company of men under [[Gwindor]]. From Doriath, where [[Thingol]] had sworn never to support any son of Fëanor, came only [[Mablung]] and [[Beleg]], who did not wish to remain behind. However, [[Turgon]] unexpectedly came forth with over ten thousand elves from [[Gondolin]], doubling the force of the west.

But Morgoth through his spies had learned of the battle plan, and his spy Ulfang, who proved to be a traitor, delayed Maedhros. Meanwhile a small force of Orcs went forth from Angband, provoking the western host. Within sight of the Ered Wethrin, Gwindor's brother ''Gelmir'', captured during the Dagor Bragollach, was brought forth, and brutally slain. Enraged, Gwindor broke ranks, and with him most of Fingon's troops as well as a part of Turgon's host. Their rage was so great that they nearly destroyed the Orc host and foiled Morgoth's plans.

It is said that Morgoth trembled as Gwindor's company pounded at his gates. They burst through, and slew the guards on the steps of Angband. But then, they were surrounded by hidden forces, and all were slain or taken. From hidden gates around Angband thousands of Orcs erupted, driving back the host of Fingon from the walls. The elven army was driven back with great slaughter. Many Haladin fell in the rearguard.

Turgon, who had withheld his host from the reckless charge, now came upon the orc host. The phalanx of Turgon broke through the Angband lines, and met with the guard of Fingon. The meeting of the two brothers was glad.

Finally Maedhros arrived, but before he could meet with Fingon and Turgon [[Glaurung]] the dragon and [[Gothmog]] lord of [[Balrogs]] met him. Still they may have won, but Uldor, son of Ulfang and a traitor, turned ranks and attacked Maedhros in the rear, while more of his kin came down from the mountains and attacked. The eastern host was scattered, and only the valour of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Belegost]] helped them escape, as their lord '''Azaghâl''' and his forces held off [[Glaurung]], allowing the sons of Fëanor to escape into Ossiriand.

Azaghâl and his army fought with fierce iron masks on, and they were able to resist the fire far better than any Elf or Man. Then Glaurung trampled Azaghâl beneath his feet, but Azaghâl ran a dagger through Glaurung's stomach, and the dragon fled in pain, screaming. With him fled many of the host of Morgoth. In a solemn ceremony the Dwarves picked up their fallen leader, forgetting about the battle, and they marched his corpse home. Their wrath was so great that none troubled them.

All this had not helped the western host, who were attacked by many Orcs under Gothmog. Fingon fell under his might, and [[Húrin]] begged Turgon to retreat to Gondolin. [[Huor]] and Húrin and the remaining Men of [[Dor-lómin]] formed a living wall across the [[Fen of Serech]], buying time for Turgon to escape with most of the surviving Elves of the north. The Men of Dor-lómin were all slain, until Huor fell when his eye was pierced by a poisoned arrow, and his brother Húrin was captured alive when he was pinned under a mountain of slain Orcs and Trolls.

Morgoth's victory was near complete, as he had destroyed all the people of Hithlum and had scattered the sons of Fëanor away from Himring. Morgoth's Orcs razed all of [[Beleriand]] except for [[Doriath]], which was still protected by the Girdle of [[Melian]], and sacked the havens of the [[Falas]].

Morgoth betrayed his servants the [[Easterlings]], trapping them in [[Hithlum]] under penalty of death, and denied them the fertile lands of [[Beleriand]]. Still Morgoth knew fear, for Turgon, now High King of the Ñoldor after the death of Fingon in the battle, had survived, and his city Gondolin was still unknown to Morgoth.

==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Nirnaeth Arnoediad|Images of Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]

{{warsofbeleriand}}

[[Category:Battles]]

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Borlach

Nirnaeth Arnoediad