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First Battle of the Fords of Isen

2024-08-13T22:58:07Z

Hnani: /* The Battle */ (In the second paragraph, last sentence) I changed "But retreat was often delayed" into "But the retreat was delayed".

{{battle
| name=First Battle of the Fords of Isen
| image = The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers - First Battle of the Fords of Isen.jpg
| conflict=[[War of the Ring]]
| date=[[25 February]] {{TA|3019}}
| place=The Fords of Isen, and the along road to Isengard 20 miles north
| result=Saruman succeeds in achieving the death of Théodred, Saruman's forces retreat
| side1=Men from the Westfold and Edoras
| side2=Orcs, Uruks and [[Dunlendings]]
| commanders1=*[[Théodred]]
*[[Grimbold]]
*[[Elfhelm]]
| commanders2=Unknown
| forces1=* 11 mounted companies and 1 company of archers (around 1400)
* Men from the Westfold
* Four companies from Edoras, reinforcement (nearly 500)
| forces2=Over 2000 Uruks, Dunlendings and orc wolf-riders
| casual1=Théodred, several hundred Rohirrim
| casual2=Hundreds more than the Rohirrim
|}}{{wotr}}
The '''First Battle of the Fords of Isen''' was the first of [[Battles of the Fords of Isen|two conflicts]] at the [[Fords of Isen]], and marked the beginning of the [[War of the Ring]]. On [[25 February|February 25]], {{TA|3019}}, [[Saruman]] attacked the [[Rohirrim]] army under [[Théodred]], [[Grimbold]] and [[Elfhelm]]. Saruman's main objective was to kill Théodred. After Théodred was slain Saruman's army withdrew.

The [[Second Battle of the Fords of Isen|second battle]] followed seven days later.

==History==
===Prelude===

The chief obstacles to an easy conquest of [[Rohan]] by Saruman were Théodred and [[Éomer]]. They were devoted to the [[Théoden|King]] and were high in his affections, as his only son and his sister-son. They did all that they could to thwart the influence that [[Gríma]] gained when the King's health began to fail. It was Gríma's policy to bring his chief opponents into discredit with Théoden. But the steadfast loyalty of Théodred and Éomer to their king even in his apparent dotage made it very difficult for Gríma to achieve this. Gríma therefore tried to play them one against the other in the mind of Théoden, representing Éomer as ever eager to increase his authority. In this he achieved some success, which bore fruit when Saruman at last succeeded in achieving the death of Théodred.

===Saruman's Strategy===

Saruman had given special orders that Théodred should at all costs be slain.
All his fiercest warriors were engaged in reckless assault upon Théodred and his guard, disregarding other events in the battle, which might otherwise have resulted in a much more damaging defeat for the Rohirrim. The river [[Isen]] came down swiftly from its sources above [[Isengard]]. In the flat land of the [[Gap of Rohan|Gap]] the river became deep and rapid and it could only be crossed at the [[Fords of Isen]]. Saruman had an advantage as he could send his troops down either side of the Isen and attack the fords, if they were held against him, from both sides. On the other hand, Théodred might send his troops across the fords, either to engage Saruman's troops or to defend the western bridge-head. But if they were worsted then they would have no retreat except back over the fords with the enemy at their heels, and possibly also awaiting them on the eastern banks.

===The Battle===

Saruman's attack was not unforeseen, but it came sooner than was expected. Théodred's scouts had warned him of a mustering of troops, at the [[Gate of Isengard]], mainly on the west side of the Isen. He therefore manned the approaches, east and west, to the fords with sturdy men from the [[Westfold]]. He also left three companies of [[Rohirrim|Riders]], along with horse-herds and spare mounts, on the east bank. Théodred himself passed over with the main strength of his cavalry: eight companies and a company of archers, intending to overthrow Saruman's army before it was fully prepared. Saruman however had not revealed his true intentions nor the full strength of his forces.

Some twenty miles north of the fords Théodred encountered the enemy's vanguard and scattered it, however when he attacked the main host he found that the enemy was in fact prepared for the assault, behind trenches manned by pikemen. And Théodred in the leading [[Éored]] was brought to a stand and was almost surrounded. He was extricated by the onset of the companies coming up behind him.
But when he looked eastward he was dismayed. Away east of the river he saw other forces now hasting towards the fords. He at once ordered a retreat. But the retreat was delayed, when the rearguard under Grimbold was obliged to turn and drive back their pursuers.

When they finally reached the fords the day was waning. Théodred set Grimbold in command of the garrison on the west bank, stiffened with fifty dismounted riders.
The rest of the riders and all the horses he at once sent across the river, while he along with his company manned the eyot in the midst of the river, to cover the retreat of Grimbold if he was driven back. This was barely done when Saruman's eastern forces came down with unexpected speed. The eastern force was much smaller than the western force, but it was more dangerous. In its van were some [[Dunlendings|Dunlending]] horsemen and a pack of [[wolf-riders]]. Behind them came two battalions of [[Uruk-hai|Uruks]], heavily armed and trained to move at great speed. The garrison of the east bank was swept away by the sudden attack and the riders who had just crossed the river were caught still in disarray, and though they fought desperately they were driven from the fords with the Uruks in pursuit.

As soon as the enemy gained control of the eastern end of the fords, a company of men and orc-men appeared, mail-clad and armed with axes. They assailed the eyot from both sides. At the same time Grimbold on the west bank was attacked by Saruman's forces on that side. When he looked eastward he was dismayed to see the axe-men driving Théodred's men from the shores of the eyot towards the low knoll in its centre. At once Grimbold, taking a few men that stood near him ran back to the eyot. So fierce was his onset that he clove his way through the rear of the
attackers, till with two others he reached Théodred standing alone on the knoll.
But he was too late. As he came to his side Théodred fell, hewn down by a great orc-man. Grimbold slew the attacker and stood over the body of Théodred, thinking him dead; and there he would himself soon have died, but for the coming of Elfhelm.

Elfhelm had been riding in haste from [[Edoras]], leading four companies in answer to Théodred's summons. When he reached the junction of the horse-road and the road down from the [[Deeping-coomb|Deeping]], his outriders reported that two wolf-riders had been seen abroad on the fields. Sensing that something was amiss, he did not turn aside to [[Helm's Deep]] for the night as he had intended but rode with all speed towards the fords. And though his men and horses were weary, as he came in sight of the east banks, he ordered his companies to charge. It was the turn of the [[Orcs of Isengard|Isengarders]] to be surprised. Few stood their ground. Most fled northwards, pursued by two of Elfhelm's companies. The others he dismounted to guard the east bank, but at once with the men of his own company rushed to the eyot. The axe-men were now caught between the surviving defenders and the onslaught of Elfhelm, with both banks still held by the Rohirrim. They fought on, but before long were slain to a man. Elfhelm himself, however sprang up to the knoll and there he found Grimbold fighting two great axe-men for the possession of Théodred's body. One Elfhelm at once slew, and the other fell before Grimbold.

When they stooped to lift the body, they found that Théodred still breathed; but he lived only long enough to speak his last words. Then a harsh horn sounded, and
then all was silent. The attack on the west bank ceased and the enemy there faded away into the dark.

===Aftermath===

The Rohirrim held the Fords of Isen; but their losses were heavy, the King's son was dead, they were leaderless, and did not know what might yet befall. When the grey light of dawn returned, there was no sign on the Isengarders, except for those many that they left dead upon the field. Many men who had been scattered by the sudden assault began to return, some still mounted, others leading recaptured horses. Later on in the morning, most of Théodred's Riders that had been driven south down the river came back battle-worn but in good order. They had a similar tale to tell. They came to a stand on a low hill, and prepared to defend it. Though it was now full night, a horn was sounded, and soon they discovered that the enemy had gone. After some time they began cautiously to advance north again. But when they reached the Fords they were surprised to see the Rohirrim in command.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - First Battle of the Fords of Isen.jpg|thumb|250px|First Battle of the Fords of Isen from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'']]
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Éomer and his riders encounter the aftermath of the battle, and retrieve the ailing body of [[Théodred]]. After one of his riders swears vengeance to [[Mordor]], Éomer sets him straight that it is [[Saruman]]'s doing.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard]]'':'''
:The battle is recreated in the game, matching the description from The Unfinished Tales.

{{references}}
*{{UT|Isen}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the War of the Ring]]
[[de:Schlacht an den Furten des Isen]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/3a/guerres/premiere bataille des gues de l isen]]
[[fi:Taistelut Rautkymin Kahlaamolla]]

Faramir's defence of Osgiliath

2024-08-13T22:25:22Z

Hnani: /* The Battle */ changed likely typo "scratch" to "scant".

{{Unnamed}}
{{disambig-more|Battle of Osgiliath|[[Battle of Osgiliath (disambiguation)]]}}
{{battle
|name=Faramir's defence of Osgiliath
| image = Donato Giancola - Faramir at Osgiliath.jpg
|conflict=[[War of the Ring]]
|date=[[12 March]] {{TA|3019}}
|place=The ruins of western [[Osgiliath]]
|result=Victory for [[Sauron]], gaining the crossing of the Anduin River
|side1=[[Gondor]]
|side2=[[Mordor]]
|commanders1=
* [[Faramir]]
|commanders2=
* [[Sauron]]
* [[Witch-king of Angmar]]
|forces1=Unknown, the men of Gondor
|forces2=Unknown, forces of Mordor, Southrons, Haradwaith
|casual1=Unknown
|casual2=Unknown
}}
{{wotr}}

'''Faramir's defence of Osgiliath''' was a futile attempt to stem the offensive of Sauron's army advancing from [[Minas Morgul]] towards [[Minas Tirith]] through the ruins of the city on the [[Anduin]].

==Prelude==
[[10 March|Two days]] after the departure of [[Frodo Baggins]] from [[Henneth Annûn]], [[Faramir]] barely returned to [[Minas Tirith]] from [[Cair Andros]], since he was almost caught by [[fell beasts]] of the five [[Nazgûl]] until [[Gandalf]] saved him.<ref name="Osgiliath">{{RK|V4}}</ref><ref name="App">{{App|Great}}</ref>

Early in the morning of [[11 March|the next day]] [[Denethor]] ordered his son back to Osgiliath, hoping to make the Enemy pay dearly for the crossing of the river. Despite his warnings that [[Sauron]] could easily afford to lose ten times [[Gondor]]'s losses, and that those so far afield would find retreat perilous, Denethor insisted that Faramir defend the ruined city because no army could cross the river north of Cair Andros or southwards towards [[Lebennin]]. After the meeting of the Council Faramir took what strength he could to Osgiliath.<ref name="Osgiliath" />

==The Battle==
On 12 March, {{TA|3019}},<ref name="App" /> Sauron's army met and pushed Faramir's scant forces west out of Osgiliath. Although the Enemy did pay dearly for the crossing, it was less than hoped. In secret, numerous floats and barges had been built in East Osgiliath which allowed Sauron's forces to swarm like beetles upon the defenders.<ref name="Osgiliath" />

==Aftermath==
Under the Enemy's pressure, Faramir was forced to retreat with his men back to the [[Causeway Forts]] where the ongoing battle resumed. On [[13 March]],<ref name="App" /> this fight was also lost, while Faramir himself was gravely wounded by a poisonous arrow of the [[Haradrim]] and struck down by the [[Black Breath]]. Only a sortie by [[Imrahil]] and his knights saved him and the rest of the remaining soldiers from that onset.<ref name="Osgiliath" /> Sauron's army advanced and the [[Siege of Gondor]] would begin.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''

:Orcs, led by [[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]], swarm across the Anduin and engage Faramir's garrison throughout the ruins of western Osgiliath. When his forces begin to be overwhelmed and the city is clearly lost, he leads a retreat back to Minas Tirith, harried by the Ringwraiths along the way. Denethor then delusionally orders Faramir to lead a counter-attack to retake Osgiliath, despite Faramir's complaint that the city is completely overrun. The [[Pelennor Fields]] are not protected by the [[Rammas Echor]] and there are no [[Causeway Forts]] on the road between Osgiliath and Minas Tirith.
{{references}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the War of the Ring]]

Osgiliath

2024-08-13T22:16:44Z

Hnani: In the "2009: The Lord of the Rings: Conquest" I added a grammatically-correct space between the first and second sentence (there was none between the words "films" and "It". [However I also noticed that in the "2015: The Lord of the Rings Online" the hyperlink Mablung links to the First Age counterpart, and not the Ithilien ranger character (an edit beyond my pay-grade).] Thank you for reading.

__NOTOC__
{{location infobox
| name=Osgiliath
| image=Alan Lee - The Window on the West.jpg
| caption="The Window on the West" by [[Alan Lee]]
| pronun={{respell|os|gil|ee-ath}}
| othernames=Old Gondor, City of Ghosts
| location=[[Anduin]], between [[Minas Tirith]] and [[Minas Morgul]]
| type=City
| description=Stone-built city spanning the [[Anduin]]
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]]
| created=c. {{SA|3320}}
| destroyed={{TA|2475}} [[Ruin of Osgiliath]]
| events=[[Anárion's defence of Osgiliath]] [[Kin-strife]] [[War of the Ring]]
}}
{{Quote|Then Osgiliath, which in the waning of the people had long been deserted, became a place of ruins and a city of ghosts.|''[[The Silmarillion]]'', "[[Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age]]"}}

'''Osgiliath''' was the old capital city of [[Gondor]].<ref name="UI">{{HM|UI}}, p. 232</ref> The city stood on boths sides of the river [[Anduin]]<ref name="UI" /> at a point approximately half way between the cities of [[Minas Anor]] to the south-west and [[Minas Ithil]] to the north-east, and north of the nearby [[Emyn Arnen]].<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref>

In the Great Hall of the city the thrones of the sons of [[Elendil]] were set side by side. In its days of glory, the city featured quays to handle sea-going vessels that came up from the sea, a great stone bridge supporting houses and towers of stone, and the [[Dome of Stars]], which housed the [[Osgiliath-stone]], the greatest of the seven ''[[Palantíri]]''.<ref name="rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

==History==
Founded by [[Isildur]] and [[Anárion]]<ref name="rings" /> near the end of the [[Second Age]], Osgiliath was designated the capital of the southern Númenórean kingdom in exile, [[Gondor]].

Soon after its founding, Sauron attacked and [[First Fall of Minas Ithil|took]] [[Minas Ithil]] in {{SA|3429}} and then moved westward. While Isildur sought aid from the north, [[Anárion's defence of Osgiliath|Anárion defended the city]].<ref>{{App|SA}}</ref> When the army of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]] arrived and later defeated [[Sauron]] the threat to the city was lifted.<ref name="rings" /> Thereafter, for over a thousand years, Osgiliath was the capital of Gondor, as well as its largest and most important city.
[[File:Matěj Čadil - Osgiliath.jpg|thumb|left|''Osgiliath'' by [[Matěj Čadil]]]]

The beginning of the city's decline came in {{TA|1437}} when it was sacked and burned, after [[Siege of Osgiliath|a siege]] by the rebel [[Castamir]]'s forces during the [[Kin-strife]]. It was during this siege that the Osgiliath-stone was lost in the River. The [[Great Plague]] of {{TA|1636|n}} led to further depopulation with many victims, and some fled to the western dales or [[Ithilien]]; few returned and the city began to fall into ruin; the [[King's House]] was moved to the more secure [[Minas Anor]] in {{TA|1640|n}}.<ref name="ta">{{App|TA}}</ref>

Over the next few hundred years, Gondor endured many military defeats east of the [[Anduin]], especially the [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|taking]] of [[Minas Ithil]] in {{TA|2002|n}}. Osgiliath became vulnerable to attack and was widely believed to be haunted, as its population continued to shrink. Osgiliath was finally abandoned by the remaining civilian population after being [[Ruin of Osgiliath|overrun]] by [[Uruk-hai]] in {{TA|2475|n}}, although the orcs were defeated by Steward [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]].<ref name="ta" />

Over the following centuries, the western part of the ruined city was under the control of Gondor, and was at times provided with a military garrison as a means of defending the crossing of the Anduin. The eastern part, with [[Ithilien]], was disputed territory, under Gondor's control for most of the rule of [[Denethor|Denethor II]], but in June of {{TA|3018|n}} it was [[Sauron's attack on Osgiliath|taken and occupied]] by [[Sauron]]'s forces and its last bridge fell. This attack some later considered to be the beginning of the [[War of the Ring]].<ref name="great">{{App|Great}}</ref>

In the following March, well into the War, Sauron launched a full-scale invasion of Gondor west of the Anduin, and despite the [[Rangers of Ithilien|Rangers']] [[Faramir's defence of Osgiliath|defence of the western part of the city]], Osgiliath quickly fell to Sauron's forces,<ref name="great" /> but it was reclaimed by Gondor after Sauron's ultimate defeat a few weeks later.

==Etymology==
''Osgiliath'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Citadel of the Stars"<ref>{{FR|Council}}, p. 244</ref> or "Fortress of the Stars",<ref name="RGEO">{{RGEO|Notes}}, p. 65</ref><ref>{{L|347}}, p. 426</ref> being a combination of ''[[ost]]'' ("citadel", "fortress") + ''[[giliath]]'' ("hosts of stars").<ref name="UI" />

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Osgiliath in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:War in Middle Earth - Osgiliath.png|Osgiliath in ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Concept Art of Osgiliath.png|Concept art from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Osgiliath.png|Osgiliath in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|''The Two Towers'' Extended Edition]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Osgiliath.jpg|View of Osgiliath in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Osgiliath map.jpg|Map of Osgiliath in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery>

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:Osgiliath is one of the many maps of this game. The maps shows the bridge but the city itself is not shown.

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:After capturing [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Faramir]] takes them to Osgiliath, in the hope of harnessing the power of [[The One Ring|the Ring]] to the betterment of Gondor. Osgiliath is fully ruined, and partly flooded. After being attacked by several [[fell beasts|winged Nazgûl]], Faramir releases them.

:In a scene in the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extended edition)|Extended Edition]], Faramir has a flashback. [[Boromir]] reclaims the city for Gondor, and the soldiers feast. The scene is meant to highlight the relation between Boromir, Faramir and [[Denethor]].

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:[[Gothmog (Lieutenant of Morgul)|Gothmog]] and his [[orcs]] finally breach the defences of the Gondorian troopers, and beat them back with heavy losses. [[Madril]] is slain, as are several others. On their retreat to [[Minas Tirith]], they are beset by the [[Nazgûl]], only to be saved by [[Gandalf]].

:Not impressed by Faramir's deeds, and more upset about the loss of Osgiliath, Denethor sends his son back to Osgiliath, but his company is slaughtered, and Faramir badly wounded. This scene replaced the defence of the [[Causeway Forts]] in the book.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Osgiliath is featured in the game with it's appeareance being based on Peter Jackson's [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|films]]. It appear's in both good and evil campaign.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Concept art of Osgiliath was created by [[Snowblind Studios]] and appears in the trailer '''[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKu_v_NH7Ro&feature=player_embedded#! The Lord of the Rings: War in the North - Dev Video: Art Direction Process]'''. It is unknown if Osgiliath will appear in the game.

'''2015: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Osgiliath exists in three different versions in the game. Before the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], Osgiliath is overrun by the [[Minas Morgul|Morgul]]-host, while [[Mablung]] and [[Damrod]] lead the surviving [[Rangers of Ithilien]] in the city into hiding in the culverts. After the Battle the situation is reversed: the city has been reclaimed as the Host of the West makes its way to the Black Gate, but remaining enemies still hold out in the culverts below. A third version of the city, set in T.A. 3018 during the [[Sauron's attack on Osgiliath]] is the battleground for player-versus-monster-player fights; this version is notable for having all bridges across the Anduin still intact.

:The notable landmarks are the Gates of the Moon at the eastern entrance to the city are beyond which is the Court of [[Isildur]], the Gates of the Sun at the western entrance beyond which is the Court of [[Anárion]], The Palace of [[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]] in the north-west corner of the city, [[Meneldil]]'s Square, Rómendacil's Square, the Theatre of [[Cemendur (King of Gondor)|Cemendur]] and the [[Dome of Stars]].

{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[de:Osgiliath]]
[[fi:Osgiliath]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes tours et forteresses/gondor/osgiliath]]

Mithril-coat

2024-08-07T20:04:40Z

Hnani: /* History */ I remembered a moment in Moria where an arrow struck Frodo and sprung back. Verbatim quote: "Arrows fell among them. One struck Frodo and sprang back. Another pierced Gandalf ’s hat and stuck there like a black feather." This is just before the bridge crossing, and I have no written text for a page citation. I see that argument could be made the Frodo's life perhaps was not literally saved, but I thought to try to include reference here. I do hope (though incomeplere) it is helpful

__NOTOC__
[[File:Matěj Čadil - It's a pretty thing, isn't it.jpg|thumb|''It's a pretty thing, isn't it'' by [[Matěj Čadil]]]]
The '''mithril coat''' or '''mithril mail''' was a [[Dwarf-mail]] coat made of [[mithril]], owned by [[Bilbo]] and [[Frodo Baggins]].

==History==
The most famous of the items made from ''mithril'' was the "small '''coat of mail'''" that had been made for a young elf-prince long before the [[Quest of Erebor]]. It was retrieved from the hoard of the dragon [[Smaug]], and given to [[Bilbo Baggins]] by [[Thorin]].<ref>{{H|Home}}</ref>

A "kingly gift" (in [[Gimli]]'s estimation), the ''mithril''-coat was worth more than the entire worth of the Shire.<ref name="Journey">{{FR|Journey}}, p. 317</ref> Bilbo kept it as decoration in [[Bag End]]. He later lent it to [[Mathom-house]] museum in [[Michel Delving]],<ref>{{FR|Finding}}, p. 13</ref><ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> but he took it back before leaving the [[Shire]] for [[Rivendell]]. [[Third Age 3018|Years later]], he gave it to his nephew [[Frodo Baggins]] in [[Rivendell]].<ref>{{FR|South}}, p. 277</ref> Frodo wore it during the [[Quest of the Ring|Quest]] to [[Mount Doom]]. It saved Frodo several times; the first when he was nearly skewered by the spear of an [[Orcs|Orc]] in the Mines of Moria<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}, p. 325</ref>, again shortly before crossing the Bridge of Khazad-dûm [citation needed], and a third time when he was struck by an arrow while on the river [[Anduin]].<ref>{{FR|River}}, p. 385</ref>

The coat was later taken by the Orcs who captured Frodo in the pass above [[Cirith Ungol]],<ref>{{RK|Tower}}, p. 905</ref> and it was passed on to the Dark Lord's servants at [[Barad-dûr]]. When the coat was displayed before the hosts of [[Aragorn]] at the Gates of Mordor, many despaired, thinking Frodo had been captured or killed, and the Ring taken.<ref name="Gate">{{RK|Gate}}, pp. 889</ref> Gandalf reclaimed it from Sauron's lieutenant<ref name="Gate" /> and was later able to return it to Frodo after the battles were won.<ref>{{RK|Cormallen}}, p. 954</ref> After the [[Battle of Bywater]], the coat once again saved Frodo's life when [[Saruman]] attempted to assassinate him at [[Bag End]].<ref>{{RK|Scouring}}, p. 1019</ref>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the original editions of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bilbo's mail was of "silvered steel". It was altered to ''mithril'' in a [[1966]] revision.<ref>{{HH|While}}, (ii) ''The Arkenstone as Silmaril'', note 13</ref>

==Inspiration==
In the ''[[wikipedia:Hervarar Saga|Hervarar saga]]'', which was a cycle dealing with the magic sword ''Tyrfing'' (and from which Tolkien borrowed, for instance, the names [[Dwalin]] and [[Durin]]), the hero Orvar-Odd wore a ''silken mailcoat'' which nothing could pierce (''Oddr svarar: "ek vil berjask við Angantýr, hann mun gefa stór högg með Tyrfingi, en ek trúi betr skyrtu minni, enn brynju þinni, til hlífðar"'').

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Mithril vest.jpg|thumb|The coat as depicted in the movies]]
'''2001-2003: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' film series]]'''
:The coat follows closely the same narrative, save it is not shown after Frodo's recovery.
{{references}}
[[Category:Armor]]
[[de:Mithril-Hemd]]
[[fi:Bilbon mithril-paita]]

Harad

2024-07-26T14:49:20Z

Hnani: in the chapter "Third Age and later history" in the 5th paragraph, third line i changed the possible typo "thread" to "threat."

{{location infobox
| name=Harad
| image=Christopher_Tolkien_-_Map_of_Harad.jpg
| caption=Map of Harad drawn by [[Christopher Tolkien]]
| pronun={{respell|ha|rad|}} ([[Sindarin|S]])
| othernames=''Haradwaith'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''[[Hyarmen]]'' ([[Quenya|Q]]), ''[[Sunlands]]'' ([[Hobbitish|H]]), ''Sutherland'' ([[Westron|W]]), South (W), Southlands (W)
| location=Southern lands of [[Middle-earth]], south of [[South Gondor]] and [[Mordor]]
| type=Region
| description=A vast hot area, filled with deserts and dark forests
| regions=[[Near Harad]] and [[Far Harad]]
| towns=[[Umbar]] At least one inland city
| inhabitants=[[Haradrim]], [[Istari]], [[Númenóreans]], [[Black Númenóreans]]
| created=Between the [[Days before days]] and the [[Years of the Trees]]
| destroyed=
| events=Destruction of [[Ormal]] [[Ar-Pharazôn]] captures [[Sauron]] [[Corsair Wars]] [[Surprise Attack on Umbar]]
}}

'''Harad''', also known as the '''South''', refers to the little-known lands in southern [[Middle-earth]]. The great region is located south of [[Harondor]] and [[Mordor]]. Very little is known of the [[Dark Land|southern lands]] beyond the great [[Sea of Ringil]].

==History==
===Before the First Age===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Lamp of the Valar.jpg|thumb|left|"Ormal, The Lamp of the Valar" by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]In the [[Days before days|primordial times]] of [[Arda]], the southern land of Middle-earth was illuminated by one of the [[Two Lamps|two mighty lamps]], named [[Ormal]], atop a mighty pillar. Ormal was made by [[Aulë]], filled by [[Varda]] and hallowed by [[Manwë]] in the south of the world while the [[Valar]] still dwelt on [[Almaren]]. Both lamps were eventually destroyed by an assault by [[Morgoth|Melkor]],<ref name="Rend">{{S|Days}}</ref> and the destruction of Ormal created the southern Sea of Ringil.<ref>{{SM|5b}}</ref><ref>{{SM|5e}}</ref>

During the period in which Melkor bred monsters of diverse shapes and kinds that troubled [[Endor]], his realm spread from [[Utumno]] over the southern lands of Middle-earth.<ref>{{S|3}}, p. 54</ref>

===First Age===
Some of the first [[Men]] leaving [[Rhûn]], after the [[Awakening of Men|awakening]] in [[Hildórien]], eventually settled in Harad and became the ancestors of the [[Haradrim]].<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}, p. 306</ref><ref>{{S|12}}</ref> Historians of [[Gondor]] believed that the [[Drúedain]] came from lands south of [[Mordor]], that they turned north into [[Ithilien]] before they reached the coasts of Harad and were the first Men to cross the [[Anduin]].<ref>{{UT|12b}}, pp. 339-40</ref>

The coast south of Harad extended much farther west before the ruin of Beleriand.<ref>{{NM|P1vii}}, entry VY 1130/95, p. 52</ref>

===Second Age===
When the Men of [[Númenor]] began sailing east they explored the coasts of [[Middle-earth]], including the coast lands of Harad. The Númenóreans initially benefited the people in the lands they explored by teaching them many things about agriculture and craftsmanship.<ref name="Akallabeth">{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref><ref>{{App|Numenor}}, entry for the time after Minastir</ref> The Númenóreans later made settlements on the southern coasts, including the Havens of [[Umbar]].

In the 9th century of the Second Age, the great mariner [[Tar-Aldarion|Aldarion]] sailed to the haven of [[Lond Daer|Vinyalondë]] and then sailed along the coasts southwards, far beyond any place yet reached by the Númenóreans. On his return northwards he barely escaped being shipwrecked in the Harad.<ref>{{UT|Wife}}</ref>

After the reign of [[Tar-Ciryatan]], the Númenóreans began to set themselves up as lords in Middle-earth as they demanded tribute of goods and wealth, causing the oppression of the Haradrim. The Númenóreans expanded their control over Harad and Sauron did not at first dare to challenge them. But after the forging of the [[Rings of Power]] and the emergence of the [[Nazgûl]], Sauron began to attack the Númenórean settlements on the coast.<ref name="Akallabeth" />

After the forging of the Rings of Power almost all men east and south of the [[Ered Luin]] were under [[Sauron|Sauron's]] rule. Sauron was both their king and their god. These men grew strong and built many towns and walls made from stone and they were fierce in war and armed with iron.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref>

Umbar was fortified in {{SA|2280|n}}.<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>

[[Ar-Pharazôn]], the king of Númenor, landed at [[Umbar]] in {{SA|3261|n}}<ref name="SA" /> with a great fleet and the people on the coasts fled before them. Ar-Pharazôn and his host marched through Harad to meet Sauron's forces, but they fled from the Númenóreans and Sauron allowed himself to be taken to Númenor where he corrupted the King and his followers. Under Sauron's influence, the Númenóreans became even more ruthless to the locals of Harad, enslaving them and using them for sacrifices.<ref name="Akallabeth" />

During the stay of Sauron in Númenor many of the Númenóreans who sailed east from Númenor and made fortresses and dwellings upon the coasts of the southlands in Middle-earth were already bent to his will.<ref name="Rings" />

The Númenóreans who lived in Harad survived the [[Downfall of Númenor|drowning]] of Númenor in {{SA|3319|n}}. They were later called [[Black Númenóreans]] in Gondor,<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Eärnil I, footnote 1</ref><ref>{{RK|Gate}}</ref> because they still served Sauron in Middle-earth after the drowning of Númenor. They fought with Sauron during the [[War of the Last Alliance]] against the Alliance of Elves and Men. Two of those númenórean lords, [[Herumor]] and [[Fuinur]] rose to power among the Haradrim.<ref name="Rings" />

===Third Age and later history===
[[File:Lída Holubová - Harad.jpg|thumb|''Harad'' by [[Lída Holubová]]]]
The settlements of the Númenóreans beyond Umbar had been absorbed or had become hostile to Gondor and parts of Sauron's dominions because they were made by men that were already corrupted by Sauron in Númenor.<ref>{{UT|Istari}}</ref>

King [[Eärnil I]] of Gondor laid siege by sea and land to Umbar and in {{TA|933|n}}<ref name="APTA">{{App|TA}}</ref> conquered Umbar, which became a great fortress of Gondor. Three years later in {{TA|936|n}}<ref name="APTA" /> Eärnil I was lost with many ships and men in a storm near Umbar.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Eärnil I</ref>

The Men of the Harad, led by the lords that had been driven from Umbar, came with great power against Umbar and laid siege to it. King [[Ciryandil]] fell in the siege of Umbar in {{TA|1015|n}}.<ref name="APTA" /><ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Ciryandil</ref>

Umbar was under a siege for many years, but could not be taken because of the sea-power of Gondor. King [[Ciryaher]] of Gondor came from the north by sea and by land and crossed the river Harnen. His armies defeated the Men of the Harad and the kings of Harad were forced to acknowledge the overlordship of Gondor in {{TA|1050|n}}.<ref name="APTA" /><ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Ciryaher</ref>

After the [[Kin-strife]], [[Castamir]]'s sons with others of their kin and with many people of the fleets sailed away from [[Pelargir]] and seized Umbar in {{TA|1448|n}}.<ref name="APTA" /> They made a refuge for all enemies of King [[Eldacar]] and a Lordship independent of Gondor at Umbar. Umbar remained at war with Gondor for many lives of men and was a threat to the coastlands of Gondor and to all traffic on the sea. After Gondor lost Umbar to the rebels, Gondor's control over the Men of the Harad was loosened.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Eldacar</ref>

King [[Telumehtar Umbardacil|Telumehtar]] of Gondor conquered Umbar in {{TA|1810|n}}. During that war the last descendants of Castamir perished and Umbar was again held for a while by the kings of Gondor.<ref name="APTA" /><ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Telumehtar</ref>

After the [[War of the Ring]] the newly crowned king of the [[Reunited Kingdom]], [[Aragorn|Elessar]], made peace with the Men of Harad<ref>{{RK|VI5}}</ref> and completely subdued Umbar.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, entry for King Elessar</ref><ref name="Éomer">{{App|Mark}}, Third Line, entry for King Éomer</ref>

==Geography==
Harad was located south of Mordor, with the [[Ephel Dúath|Mountains of Shadow]] forming part of the northern border of Harad. The River Harnen flowed westward from the Mountains of Shadow to the [[Bay of Belfalas]] and was Harad's border with South Gondor - a deserted region contested between [[Gondor]] and Harad. The Harad Road ran from Harad northward through South Gondor and on to [[Ithilien]].

To the north-east of Harad was [[Khand]], a land that also had ties with Sauron. It is not known how far eastward or southward Harad stretched. On the west, Harad was bounded by the Bay of [[Belfalas]] and the [[Belegaer|Sea]].

The northernmost part of Harad was called [[Near Harad]] and the southern part was [[Far Harad]]. On the coast there was a natural harbour with a narrow cape curving around it. The coastal region around the harbour was known as Umbar, and the harbour was called the Havens of Umbar. The seafaring raiders known as the [[Corsairs of Umbar|Corsairs]] lived there. At the eastern end of the harbour was the City of the Corsairs.<ref>{{FR|Map}}</ref> Somewhere in Harad was the inland city that [[Berúthiel]] came from.<ref name="Interview">{{webcite|author=[[Daphne Castell]]|articleurl=https://fantasticmetropolis.com/i/tolkien|articlename=The Realms of Tolkien|dated=|website=[https://fantasticmetropolis.com/i/tolkien ''The Realms of Tolkien'']|accessed=15 January 2021}}.</ref>

There were fortresses and dwellings upon the coasts in the south.<ref name="Rings" /> There were also fields<ref name="Éomer" /> and "dark forests" with [[apes]] in the south.<ref>{{TT|Deep}}</ref> In Harad lived also [[camels]] and the gigantic [[Oliphaunts]],<ref>''[[A Map of Middle-earth]]''</ref><ref name="Gate">{{TT|IV3}}</ref> which were used by the Haradrim as moving war towers.

Harad was called the "[[Sunlands]]" by the [[Hobbits]] of [[the Shire]],<ref name="Gate" /> suggesting the climate was warmer and sunnier. Even the constellations in Harad's night sky down in the southern hemisphere<ref>{{UT|Istari}}, note 10</ref> were different from those in northern Middle-earth ([[Aragorn]] had travelled far into Harad "where the stars are strange".<ref name="Council">{{FR|II2}}</ref>

==Inhabitants==
[[Image:Jan Pospisil - Haradrim Camp.jpg|thumb|200px|right|''Haradrim Camp'' by [[Jan Pospíšil]]]]
{{main|Haradrim}}
The Men of Harad were also known as the ''Haradrim'' to the peoples of north-western Middle-earth. There were many tribes of the Haradrim often mutually hostile. The men of [[Near Harad]] were brown-skinned, with black hair and dark eyes,<ref name="Gate" /> while the men of [[Far Harad]] were described as black-skinned with white eyes and red tongues like "[[half-trolls]]".<ref>{{RK|Battle}}</ref>

==Etymology==
''Harad'' means "South" in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{App|E1i}}</ref> The word is derived from [[Sundocarme|root]] [[KHYAR]], and is cognate to [[Quenya]] ''[[hyarmen]]'' ("south").<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, entry "KHYAR"</ref> It is also called [[Haradwaith]] which includes ''[[gwaith]]'' ("people"). An early name of Harad was ''(Sun)Harrowland'', which is derived from the [[Old English]] name of the Aethiopans, ''Sigerhearwan'', and therefore meaning "Aethiopia" (See also: ''[[Sigelwara Land]]'').<ref name="Fangorn">{{TI|Fangorn}}, note 4</ref> The [[Men]] of Harad were called [[Haradrim]] ("Southern-host").<ref name="Council" />

==Other versions of the legendarium==
Early variant names for Harad were ''Harwan'', ''Sunharrowland'' and ''Harrowland''.<ref>{{TI|Fangorn}}, p. 435</ref> In early drafts of ''[[The Return of the King]]'', the portion of Harad directly south of Mordor was named the [[Desert of Lostladen]], Lothlann, or Lothland.<ref>{{WR|3|XIV}}, pp. 413, 426 (note 35), 435, 439 (note 4)</ref> In an early sketch of the chapter "[[The Last Debate]]", the region was called the Lothland desert,<ref>{{WR|3|XIV}}, p. 426</ref> to which [[Christopher Tolkien]] noted that the name ''Lostladen'' is likely related to the names ''[[Lothlann]]''/''Lothland'' found in the [[The Etymologies|''Etymologies'']].<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, pp. 367, 370</ref>

In the earliest narrative of the legendarium in ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'', Tolkien mentioned some obscure descriptions of the lands of the South: [[Melko]] raised the great tower [[Helkar]] to house the southern of the [[Two Lamps]] fashioned by [[Aulë]] to illuminate Middle-earth.<ref>{{LT1|III}}, pp. 69-70</ref> In the original text, [[Palisor]], where the [[Elves]] woke, is placed in the south of the world.<ref>{{LT2|In}}, p. 49</ref>

Tolkien mentioned the movement of Men, after the [[Palisor|War of Palisor]], leading to the darkening of their skin.<ref name="Palisor">{{LT1|X}}, p. 336</ref> Additionally, it was revealed that [[Manwë]] was unaware of where the beginning of Men should be, whether the north, south or east.<ref>{{LT1|IX}}, p. 317</ref> After the death of [[Nuin]] at the bands of the Goblins through the treachery of Men, many kindreds of Men were driven to the southern forests.<ref name="Palisor" /> [[Lindo]] spoke of the "untrodden wilds" of the South.<ref>{{LT1|X}}, pp. 34.</ref> The southern lands, where the Sun burnt hot, had mighty tawny [[cats]].<ref>{{LT2|In}}, p. 47</ref> The southern lands also had a blue sky, whose color was surpassed by the eyes of [[Eärendel]].<ref>{{LT2|III}}, p. 165</ref>

Eärendel also travelled to the south. After the building of [[Wingilot]], Eärendel searches for [[Elwing]] and is blown far to the South where he encounters [[Wirilómë]] before escaping eastward.<ref>{{LT2|V}}, pp. 260</ref> In his voyage wih [[Voronwe]] on Wingilot to the south dark regions and fire mountains are mentioned.<ref>{{LT2|V}}</ref><ref group="note">The habited land in question featuring "Dark regions, Fire mountains, Tree-men, Pygmies, and Sarqindi or cannibal-ogres" is probably to the south of Haradwaith rather than the [[Dark Lands]], due to another note mentioning some southern Isles beyond that region, and these can only be the hills that became islands mentioning in ''[[The Chaining of Melko]]'', which must have been a product of the tumults that lead to the formation of the [[Inner Seas]], when the [[Belegaer]] and [[Eastern Sea]] flowed into the [[Sea of Ringil]]. And as we know, it was South of the Inner Seas that the South Lands were located. Ergo, Eärendil simply visited areas that would later be part of the [[Black Númenórean]] southern realms, beyond the realm of [[Umbar]]. J.R.R. Tolkien mentioned that Africa lies south of Harad in an interview and also wrote that the coast south of Haradwaith extended much farther west before the ruin of Beleriand.</ref> Additionally, In 1930, Tolkien wrote how Eärendil fought and slew [[Ungoliant]] in the South, which resulted in light coming to many places which had yet long been hid.<ref>{{SM|Quenta}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
In an interview from 1967, when asked what lay south of Harad, Tolkien replied "And south of Harad is Africa, the hot countries."<ref>{{webcite|author=Henry Resnick|articleurl=https://efanzines.com/Niekas/Niekas-18.pdf|articlename=An Interview with Tolkien|dated=2 March 1966|website=Niekas Volume 18 (archived on eFanzines.com)|accessed=7 October 2021}}, p. 41</ref> Given the descriptions of the inhabitants of Middle-earth's southern lands,<ref name="Gate">{{TT|IV3}}</ref> the early etymologies of their name,<ref name="Fangorn" /> and the overall shape of the southern lands as shown in the [[Ambarkanta maps]],<ref>{{SM|Ambar}}, pp. 250-1</ref> it is likely that Harad may have been based on the lands of [[Wikipedia:North Africa|northern]] and [[Wikipedia:Northeast Africa|northeastern Africa]] and perhaps the [[Wikipedia:Middle East|Middle East]] in our world. In addition, apart from the peninsula and firth of Umbar, the shape of the coastline of Harad south of the mouth of the river Harnen on the [[General Map of Middle-earth]] is similar to the shape of the coastline of the northwestern coast of Africa south of the city of [[Wikipedia:Tangier|Tangier]].

{{references|note}}
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Sindarin nouns]]
[[Category:Southern lands]]
[[de:Harad]]
[[fi:Harad]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/regions/harad]]