Carrock

From Tolkien Gateway
Carrock
Eyot
Alan Lee - The Carrock.jpg
"The Carrock" by Alan Lee
General Information
LocationIn the river Anduin, Rhovanion
TypeEyot
DescriptionLarge rock with steps to the base
History
EventsT.A. 2941 - Thorin and Company reach the Carrock
GalleryImages of the Carrock

The Carrock was a stony eyot in the upper reaches of the River Anduin, to the north of the Old Ford.[1] The river looped around the rock although there was a ford of stones (probably the Ford of Carrock) to the eastern bank, while there was a swirling channel under its western cliff. At the base was a little cave with adjacent steps that led to a flat space upon the top.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

Anduin apparently had several such eyots, which Beorn called carrocks, but he referred to that particular one as "the Carrock" being closer to his home. Beorn built stairs reaching to its top, and sometimes would be seen climbing to the top in the form of a bear to look at the Moon or the Misty Mountains.[2]

In T.A. 2941,[3] Thorin and Company were placed on the summit by the Eagles. They bathed and rested at the cave.

According to Bilbo's account of his journey, Radagast the Brown's home, Rhosgobel, was near the Carrock.[2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The use of the name Carrock might be inspired by Welsh carreg "rock, stone".[4] or Old English carr "especially applied to isolated rocks standing in the sea just off the Scottish and Northumbrian coasts" and by the fact that the root Celtic word is itself an anomaly that has caused scholars of the Celtic languages much puzzlement. The various forms of it in celtics langages do not follow the normal laws of sound-changes which is the kind of thing that attracted Tolkien’s attention.[5]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

J.R.R. Tolkien experimented with a number of names before he settled upon the Carrock — he first considered Sorneldin, then Sinrock, then Lamrock before making his final choice.[6]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

After the Eagles take Thorin and Company to the Carrock, Thorin and Bilbo reconcile after Thorin's heavy resentment against Bilbo. Contrary to the books, Erebor is clearly visible from the rock.

2014: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Carrock is located in the "Vales of Anduin" region, where one can access the Eagles' Eyrie via Great Eagle. A secret cave located in the base of The Carrock, can only be accessed by the kin of Beorn and Grimbeorn.

See also[edit | edit source]

References

Route of Thorin and Company
Bag End · Green Dragon · The Shire · Lone-lands · Last Bridge · Trollshaws · Trolls' cave · Rivendell · High Pass · Front Porch · Goblin-town · Goblin-gate · Eagle's Eyrie · Carrock · Beorn's Hall · Wilderland · Forest Gate · Elf-path · Mirkwood · Elvenking's Halls · Forest River · Lake-town · Long Lake · River Running · Desolation of the Dragon · Ravenhill · Back Door · Lonely Mountain · Great Hall of Thráin