Battle of Isengard

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This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
The name Isengard refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Isengard (disambiguation).
Battle of Isengard
Ted Nasmith - The Wrath of the Ents.jpg
Conflict: War of the Ring
Date: March 3, T.A. 3019
Place: Isengard
Outcome: Drowning of Isengard, more or less complete victory for the Ents
Combatants

Ents, Huorns, Merry and Pippin

Isengard

Commanders
  • Treebeard (their leader, but technically did not "lead")
Strength

Unknown

Unknown

Casualties

Beechbone, otherwise numbers unmentioned

The entire force, except for Saruman and Wormtongue

The last march of the Ents, or the battle of Isengard, was a battle fought during the War of the Ring.[1]

The Battle

Spurred on by Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, the Ents, followed by Huorns, invaded the Ring of Isengard from Fangorn Forest. The defenders of Isengard were Orcs and Men led (if not personally) by Saruman. The attackers surrounded Isengard, destroyed its gates, crumbled its walls and broke the dam, which flooded Isengard and the pits that Saruman used to create his war machines.

Several Ents were scorched and burned, notably Beechbone. The entire force of Orcs and Men that defended Isengard were destroyed, which may have been around one or two thousand.

Aftermath

In the end, the Ents took over Isengard. After Saruman's death and the end of the War of the Ring, the Ents made it one of the most beautiful gardens left in all of Middle-earth.

Inspiration

Tolkien later noted that the destruction of Isengard by the Ents was based off of personal disappointment in MacBeth, when "Birnham Wood is come to castle Dunsinane". Tolkien was less than thrilled that it amounted to men walking on stage with leaves in their hats; he decided that when he did the scene for himself, he would do it correctly.

War of the Ring
Osgiliath (1) · Moria · Isen (1) · Rauros · Isen (2) · Fangorn · Isengard · Hornburg · Osgiliath (2) · Siege of Gondor · Dale · Pelennor Fields · Black Gate · Dol Guldur · Bywater


References