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The '''Attack on Dol Guldur''' was an expedition launched by the [[White Council]] in 2941 of the Third Age against the fortress of [[Dol Guldur]] in southern [[Mirkwood]].
The '''Attack on Dol Guldur''' was an expedition launched by the [[White Council]] in {{TA|2941}} against the fortress of [[Dol Guldur]] in southern [[Mirkwood]].


==History==
==Prelude==
===Prelude===
When Sauron re-emerged, he established Dol Guldur on [[Amon Lanc]] after {{TA|1000}}. His corrupting [[shadow]] was only known as the Necromancer, and as a result [[Thranduil]] led his people away. The Council of the Wise long feared the Necromancer might indeed be Sauron. [[Gandalf]] himself had entered Dol Guldur at everal points, finally confirming that Sauron was its master. At first [[Saruman]] opposed the idea of an attack as he was searching for the [[One Ring]] in the area by then, but later, fearing that Sauron was also looking of the Ring, he finally agreed to an attack in {{TA|2941|n}}.<ref name=TA>{{App|TA}}</ref>
Dol Guldur was established after [[Third Age]] {{TA|1000|n}} following [[Sauron]]'s return to [[Middle-earth]], although his identity was hidden and was known as the Necromancer. Dol Guldur was originally known as ''Amon Lanc'' ("Bald Hill"), and had been the capital of Oropher's Silvan Elves, who had departed north to the Dark Mountains (later known as the Mountains of Mirkwood). After Sauron took over Amon Lanc, [[Thranduil]], son of [[Oropher]], led his people over the [[Forest River]], where they remained.


The Council of the Wise long feared the Necromancer might indeed be Sauron, and in {{TA|2063|n}} [[Gandalf]] went to Dol Guldur, and Sauron, not yet powerful, fled to the East. In {{TA|2460|n}} Sauron returned there, just as [[the One Ring]] was found by [[Sméagol]]. However, the Ring disappeared with [[Sméagol]] under the [[Misty Mountains]].
==The Battle==
Gandalf carefully planned the attack to occur at the same time as the [[Quest of Erebor]], knowing that Sauron and [[Smaug]] could not assist each other.{{fact}} After leaving [[Thorin and Company]] at the outskirts of [[Mirkwood]],<ref>{{H|Queer}}</ref> he joined the White Council and they marched against the great fortress.  


In {{TA|2845|n}} [[Thráin II]], [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's folk-in-exile]] and holder of the last of the [[Seven Rings|Seven Rings of the Dwarves]], was imprisoned in Dol Guldur's dungeons. In {{TA|2850|n}} Gandalf again entered fortress, finding the dying Thráin, and Gandalf was entrusted with the map and key to give to [[Thorin]], although Thráin could not tell him his own or his son's name before he died. Gandalf confirmed Sauron was the master of Dol Guldur at that time.
Of the actual battle not much can be said (if this was simply a duel between great powers, or if it involved the use of armies of any kind). Thanks to the devices of Saruman, the Wise drove him out from Dol Guldur,{{fact}} and Sauron, having already made his plans, fled to his ancient realm of [[Mordor]].<ref name=TA/>


Gandalf returned to the [[White Council]] and urged an attack on Dol Guldur, but was overruled by [[Saruman]], who had begun searching for the One Ring in the area by then. In {{TA|2941|n}} Saruman finally agreed to an attack, which occurred at the same time as the Quest of Erebor. This was carefully planned by Gandalf, so that Sauron and [[Smaug]] could not assist each other.
==Aftermath==
 
With victory theirs, Gandalf immediately left for [[Erebor]], where he would take part in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|Clouds}}</ref> After these events, Gandalf and Elrond dicussed their victories and agreed that it would be better if the Necromancer were banished from the world altogether.<ref>{{H|Stages}}</ref>
===The Battle===
Not much is known of the actual battle (if this was simply a duel between great powers, or if it involved the use of armies of any kind) besides that the White Council marched against the great fortress, and that Sauron fled to [[Mordor]], his plans now ready. Gandalf mentioned that it was due to the devices of Saruman that Sauron was driven from Dol Guldur.
 
===Aftermath===
It is unclear if the Council actually ever entered the fortress because Dol Guldur remained staffed by the [[Witch-king|lieutenant of Barad-dûr]], and later [[Khamûl]] until the fortress's destruction during the [[War of the Ring]]. 
 
With victory theirs, Gandalf immediately left for Erebor, where he would take part in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].


However Dol Guldur was not destroyed; it remained standing, staffed by the [[Witch-king|lieutenant of Barad-dûr]], and later [[Khamûl]].<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}, note 1, p. 352</ref> It was not before the [[War of the Ring]] when the fortress was finally [[Fall of Dol Guldur|destroyed]].
==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:The Attack on Dol Guldur appears in ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'' as a secondary plot thread. [[Gandalf]], who has been imprisoned by [[Sauron|the Necromancer]] at the end of [[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug|the second film]], is rescued by [[Galadriel]], [[Elrond]] and [[Saruman]]. The three of them defeat the [[Nazgûl]] but Galadriel uses [[Phial of Galadriel|her phial]] to challenge Sauron: he flees to [[Mordor|the east]].
:The Attack on Dol Guldur appears in ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'' as a secondary plot thread. [[Gandalf]], who has been imprisoned by [[Sauron|the Necromancer]] at the end of [[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug|the second film]], is rescued by [[Galadriel]], [[Elrond]] and [[Saruman]]. The three of them defeat the [[Nazgûl]] but Galadriel uses [[Phial of Galadriel|her phial]] to challenge Sauron: he flees to [[Mordor|the east]].
 
{{references}}
==See also==
 
*[[Fall of Dol Guldur]]
 
{{references}}<small>
* {{HM|H}}
* {{HM|AA}}; {{HM|AB}}
* {{HM|UT}}
</small>
[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]

Revision as of 13:48, 26 December 2014

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Attack on Dol Guldur
Angus McBride - Dol Guldur.jpg
Date: T.A. 2941
Place: Dol Guldur
Outcome: Victory for the White Council
Combatants

The White Council

Forces of Sauron

Commanders
Strength

The White Council

Orcs from Dol Guldur

The Attack on Dol Guldur was an expedition launched by the White Council in T.A. 2941 against the fortress of Dol Guldur in southern Mirkwood.

Prelude

When Sauron re-emerged, he established Dol Guldur on Amon Lanc after T.A. 1000. His corrupting shadow was only known as the Necromancer, and as a result Thranduil led his people away. The Council of the Wise long feared the Necromancer might indeed be Sauron. Gandalf himself had entered Dol Guldur at everal points, finally confirming that Sauron was its master. At first Saruman opposed the idea of an attack as he was searching for the One Ring in the area by then, but later, fearing that Sauron was also looking of the Ring, he finally agreed to an attack in 2941.[1]

The Battle

Gandalf carefully planned the attack to occur at the same time as the Quest of Erebor, knowing that Sauron and Smaug could not assist each other.[source?] After leaving Thorin and Company at the outskirts of Mirkwood,[2] he joined the White Council and they marched against the great fortress.

Of the actual battle not much can be said (if this was simply a duel between great powers, or if it involved the use of armies of any kind). Thanks to the devices of Saruman, the Wise drove him out from Dol Guldur,[source?] and Sauron, having already made his plans, fled to his ancient realm of Mordor.[1]

Aftermath

With victory theirs, Gandalf immediately left for Erebor, where he would take part in the Battle of Five Armies.[3] After these events, Gandalf and Elrond dicussed their victories and agreed that it would be better if the Necromancer were banished from the world altogether.[4]

However Dol Guldur was not destroyed; it remained standing, staffed by the lieutenant of Barad-dûr, and later Khamûl.[5] It was not before the War of the Ring when the fortress was finally destroyed.

Portrayal in adaptations

2014: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies:

The Attack on Dol Guldur appears in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies as a secondary plot thread. Gandalf, who has been imprisoned by the Necromancer at the end of the second film, is rescued by Galadriel, Elrond and Saruman. The three of them defeat the Nazgûl but Galadriel uses her phial to challenge Sauron: he flees to the east.

References