Easterlings: Difference between revisions

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Easterlings first enter the records of [[Gondor]] in {{TA|490}} and [[Tarostar]] managed a first victory against the Easterlings in {{TA|500}}. In {{TA|541}} they invaded [[Ithilien]] but [[Turambar (King of Gondor)|Turambar of Gondor]] destroyed the horde and conquered new territory in [[Rhûn]] for Gondor.<ref name=gondor/>
Easterlings first enter the records of [[Gondor]] in {{TA|490}} and [[Tarostar]] managed a first victory against the Easterlings in {{TA|500}}. In {{TA|541}} they invaded [[Ithilien]] but [[Turambar (King of Gondor)|Turambar of Gondor]] destroyed the horde and conquered new territory in [[Rhûn]] for Gondor.<ref name=gondor/>


In the following centuries the Easterlings cease, while Gondor was free to extent its borders to [[Harondor|the south]]. That was until the days of [[Narmacil I]] when the Easterlings resumed their attacks. In {{TA|1248}} an Easterling army marched in the lands between [[Rhovanion]] and the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and forces from Gondor - aided by Northmen of [[Rhovanion]] - defeated them and destroyed their camps and settlements east of the Inland Sea.<ref name=gondor/>
In the following centuries the Easterlings cease, while Gondor was free to extent its borders to [[South Gondor|the south]]. That was until the days of [[Narmacil I]] when the Easterlings resumed their attacks. In {{TA|1248}} an Easterling army marched in the lands between [[Rhovanion]] and the [[Sea of Rhûn]] and forces from Gondor - aided by Northmen of [[Rhovanion]] - defeated them and destroyed their camps and settlements east of the Inland Sea.<ref name=gondor/>
 
This victory was followed by a period when Gondor was again occupied with the south and the [[Corsairs of Umbar]].


This victory was followed by a period when Gondor was again occupied with the south and the [[Corsairs of Umbar]].
===The Wainriders===
===The Wainriders===
During that time tribes of Easterlings form the confederacy known as the '''[[Wainriders]]''' (q.v.) who would trouble the Kingdom and the Northmen.<ref name=gondor>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>  
During that time tribes of Easterlings form the confederacy known as the '''[[Wainriders]]''' (q.v.) who would trouble the Kingdom and the Northmen.<ref name=gondor>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>  

Revision as of 15:34, 1 December 2014

John Howe - Easterlings

Easterlings were Men who lived in the East of Middle-earth, and were enemies of the Free peoples.

The Easterlings were a significant threat to Gondor; they were a more regimented force than the Orcs or even the Haradrim. It is likely that Sauron drew much of his inspiration for his Orc armies from these wicked men. Sauron suffered a harsh and heavy defeat from the Last Alliance, who vanquished his numerically superior Orcs with a ranked and ordered army. The Easterlings were all this and more, so Sauron greatly valued his alliance with the men of Rhûn.[source?]

History

In the First Age, Men awoke in the East. Some of them were already corrupted by Morgoth, enabling others (the Edain) to migrate westwards.[1]

Centuries later, after Dagor Bragollach, tribes of Men joined the Edain in Beleriand, long after their arrival. These Swarthy Men came from the east, probably Eriador and were also called "Easterlings". Two of their leaders were Bór and Ulfang.[2]

In the East, as well as in the South of Middle-earth, wild and barbaric Men multiplied, and in the Second Age Sauron was ever at work, turning them to evil and dominating them[3] continuing his former master's work.[1] During the Dark Years, after being driven back to Mordor, Sauron continued his expansions eastwards gaining servants and worshippers.[1][4]

Third Age

After Sauron's defeat in the War of the Last Alliance, these "Wild Men" were released by his tyranny but they still had darkness in their hearts. Evil and restless, they battled against each other and some withdrew to the hated west.[5] Thus they encountered Gondor and since then, tribes brought trouble periodically with several attacks and migrations. Even some Northmen joined forces with the Easterlings because of greed or because of feuds with their kinsmen.[source?]

Easterlings first enter the records of Gondor in T.A. 490 and Tarostar managed a first victory against the Easterlings in T.A. 500. In T.A. 541 they invaded Ithilien but Turambar of Gondor destroyed the horde and conquered new territory in Rhûn for Gondor.[6]

In the following centuries the Easterlings cease, while Gondor was free to extent its borders to the south. That was until the days of Narmacil I when the Easterlings resumed their attacks. In T.A. 1248 an Easterling army marched in the lands between Rhovanion and the Sea of Rhûn and forces from Gondor - aided by Northmen of Rhovanion - defeated them and destroyed their camps and settlements east of the Inland Sea.[6]

This victory was followed by a period when Gondor was again occupied with the south and the Corsairs of Umbar.

The Wainriders

During that time tribes of Easterlings form the confederacy known as the Wainriders (q.v.) who would trouble the Kingdom and the Northmen.[6]

Gondor was weakened by the Great Plague and the Wainriders defeated the Gondorian army in T.A. 1856, raiding the lands of Rhovanion and enslaving its people. Some of these lands eventually were reclaimed by King Calimehtar.

In T.A. 1944 the Wainriders, allied with the Haradrim of Near Harad and the Variags of Khand, managed a brief victory, but they were defeated in their camp during their celebrations.

After this defeat the might of the Wainriders was broken although still held Rhovanion, and they retreated east. During these struggles Sauron reclaimed Mordor unnoticed.

In T.A. 2063 Sauron retreated from Dol Guldur to the east. During the Watchful Peace he managed to create a strong alliance between the various tribes of Easterlings.

The Balchoth

The Balchoth were a fierce race southeast of Mirkwood. Under orders of Dol Guldur.[7] no doubt related to the Wainriders.[8] In T.A. 2510 they and Orcs overran the plains of Calenardhon and almost destroyed the army of Steward Cirion, but were defeated by the Éothéod.[7][8]

War of the Ring

Easterlings serving Mordor fought in the War of the Ring alongside the Haradrim and Variags. They appeared in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and the Battle of Dale.

In the Fourth Age some Easterlings were subdued by King Elessar and King Éomer.[9]

Culture

The Easterlings were in general more primitive than Gondor. They were motivated by Sauron to hate Gondor and seek its riches.

The weapons that the Easterlings used were primarily crude,[8] jagged spears, making them especially effective against cavalry, as well as a shorter, odd, glaive-like version used for close combat.

Some like the Wainriders and the Balchoth had large chaiots, wagons and wains [8] which they used to run their foes down. Easterlings (such as those of the Pelennor Fields) were bearded and used axes.

References