Easterlings: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
No edit summary
(17 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{race
{{people
| image=[[File:John Howe - Easterlings.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:John Howe - Easterlings.jpg|250px]]
| name=Easterlings
| name=The Easterlings
| dominions=lands east of and including [[Rhûn]]
| dominions=lands east of and including [[Rhûn]]; [[Rhovanion]]; [[March of Maedhros]]; [[Hithlum]]
| languages=presumably numerous; different from [[Common Speech]]
| languages=presumably numerous; different from [[Common Speech]]
| height=shorter than [[Númenóreans]]
| height=shorter than [[Númenóreans]]
| length=
| length=
| skincolor=
| skincolor=Swarthy in the [[First Age]]
| haircolor=
| haircolor=Dark
| feathers=
| feathers=
| distinctions=Alliance with [[Sauron]]; use of the war-wagons ([[Wainriders]])
| distinctions=Alliance with [[Sauron]]; use of the war-wagons ([[Wainriders]] and [[Balchoth]])
| lifespan=shorter than [[Númenóreans]]
| lifespan=shorter than Númenórean
| members=[[Khamûl]]
| members=[[Khamûl]], [[Easterlings (First Age)]] ([[Brodda]], [[Lorgan]], [[Ulfang]], [[Uldor]], [[Ulfast]], [[Ulwarth]], [[Bór]], [[Borlach]], [[Borlad]], [[Borthand]])
|}}
|}}
'''Easterlings''' were [[Men]] who lived in the [[East]] of [[Middle-earth]], and were enemies of the [[Free peoples]].  
The '''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.{{fact}}


== History ==
== History ==
In the [[First Age]], Men [[Awakening of Men|awoke]] in [[Hildórien]] in the [[East]]. Some of them were early corrupted by [[Morgoth]], prompting others (the [[Edain]]) to migrate westwards.<ref name=dm>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>
In the [[First Age]], Men [[Awakening of Men|awoke]] in [[Hildórien]] in the [[East]]. Some of them were early corrupted by [[Morgoth]], prompting others (the [[Edain]]) to migrate westwards.<ref name=dm>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>


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]].<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>
Centuries later, after [[Dagor Bragollach]], tribes of [[Men]] joined the Edain in [[Beleriand]], long after their arrival. These [[Easterlings (First Age)|Swarthy Men]] came from the east, probably [[Eriador]] and were also called "Easterlings". Two of their leaders were [[Bór]] and [[Ulfang]].<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref>


[[File:Easterling.jpg|thumb|right|An Easterling in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'']]
[[File:Easterling.jpg|thumb|right|An Easterling in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'']]
In the East, as well as in the [[South]] of [[Middle-earth]], wild and barbaric Men multiplied. In the [[Second Age]] [[Sauron]] escaped the judgment of the [[Valar]] and continued his former master's work, turning those Men to evil and dominating them.<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref><ref name=dm/> During the [[Dark Years]] Sauron dominated most of the [[Westlands]], and when Sauron was driven back to [[Mordor]], he continued his expansions eastwards gaining servants and worshippers.<ref name=dm/><ref>{{UT|Amroth}}</ref>
In the [[Second Age]] [[Sauron]] escaped the judgment of the [[Valar]] and continued his former master's work, turning the Men of the [[East]] and [[South]] to evil and dominating them. Under the authority of the Dark Lord, many towns and walls of stone were built, and those under his influence became numerous and armed with iron. To these men, Sauron was feared as a king and god.<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref><ref name=dm/> During the [[Dark Years]] Sauron dominated most of the [[Westlands]], and when Sauron was driven back to [[Mordor]], he continued his expansions eastwards gaining servants and worshippers.<ref name=dm/><ref>{{UT|Amroth}}</ref>
===Third Age===
===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.<ref>{{UT|6b}}</ref> Thus they encountered the lands of [[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.{{fact}}
After Sauron's defeat in the [[War of the Last Alliance]], these "Wild Men" were released by his tyranny but they still had [[The Darkness|darkness]] in their hearts. Evil and restless, they battled against each other and some withdrew to the hated west.<ref>{{UT|6b}}</ref> Thus they encountered the lands of [[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.{{fact}}


Easterlings first enter the records of [[Gondor]] in {{TA|490}} and [[Tarostar]] managed a first victory against them in {{TA|500}}. In {{TA|541}} they invaded [[Ithilien]] but [[Turambar (King of Gondor)|Turambar of Gondor]] destroyed the horde and conquered a 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 them in {{TA|500}}. In {{TA|541}} they invaded [[Ithilien]] but [[Turambar (King of Gondor)|Turambar of Gondor]] destroyed the horde and conquered a new territory in [[Rhûn]] for Gondor.<ref name=gondor/>
Line 40: Line 38:
In {{TA|1944}} the Wainriders, allied with the [[Haradrim]] of [[Near Harad]] and the [[Variags]] of [[Khand]], managed a brief victory against Gondor, despite the assistance by the [[Éothéod]]; eventually they were [[Battle of the Camp|defeated]] in their camp during their celebrations.  
In {{TA|1944}} the Wainriders, allied with the [[Haradrim]] of [[Near Harad]] and the [[Variags]] of [[Khand]], managed a brief victory against Gondor, despite the assistance by the [[Éothéod]]; eventually they were [[Battle of the Camp|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.  
After this defeat the might of the Wainriders was broken although still held Rhovanion, and they retreated east. Most importantly, King [[Ondoher]] and both his sons were slain in that assault, an event that led to the extinction for the line of the [[Kings of Gondor]].  


In {{TA|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.  
In {{TA|2063}} the Necromancer (who was actually Sauron) retreated from [[Dol Guldur]] for some centuries. That period was known as the [[Watchful Peace]] for the [[Westlands]], but during that time Sauron retreated to the East and managed to create a strong alliance between the various tribes of Easterlings.


===The Balchoth===
===The Balchoth===
Line 61: Line 59:
The weapons that the Easterlings used were primarily crude,<ref name=cirion/> jagged spears, making them especially effective against cavalry, as well as a shorter, odd, glaive-like version used for close combat.  
The weapons that the Easterlings used were primarily crude,<ref name=cirion/> 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 chariots, wagons and wains <ref name=cirion/> which they used to run their foes down. Easterlings (such as those of the [[Pelennor Fields]]) were bearded and used axes.
Some like the Wainriders and the Balchoth had large chariots, wagons and wains<ref name=cirion/> which they used to run their foes down, as well as live in and used to fortify their camps. Easterlings (such as those of the [[Pelennor Fields]]) were bearded and used axes.
 
==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Easterlings|Images of Easterlings]]
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Men]]

Revision as of 18:24, 29 May 2016

The Easterlings
People
John Howe - Easterlings.jpg
General Information
MembersKhamûl, Easterlings (First Age) (Brodda, Lorgan, Ulfang, Uldor, Ulfast, Ulwarth, Bór, Borlach, Borlad, Borthand)
Physical Description
Lifespanshorter than Númenórean
DistinctionsAlliance with Sauron; use of the war-wagons (Wainriders and Balchoth)
Average heightshorter than Númenóreans
GalleryImages of The Easterlings

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

History

In the First Age, Men awoke in Hildórien in the East. Some of them were early corrupted by Morgoth, prompting 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 Second Age Sauron escaped the judgment of the Valar and continued his former master's work, turning the Men of the East and South to evil and dominating them. Under the authority of the Dark Lord, many towns and walls of stone were built, and those under his influence became numerous and armed with iron. To these men, Sauron was feared as a king and god.[3][1] During the Dark Years Sauron dominated most of the Westlands, and when Sauron was driven back to Mordor, he 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 the lands of 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 them in T.A. 500. In T.A. 541 they invaded Ithilien but Turambar of Gondor destroyed the horde and conquered a new territory in Rhûn for Gondor.[6]

In the following centuries the Easterlings cease, while Gondor was free to extend 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. Forces from Gondor - aided by Northmen of Rhovanion - defeated them and destroyed their camps and settlements east of the Inland Sea.[6]

After this defeat the Easterlings disappeared from the Gondorian records for some period, during which 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, raided the lands of Rhovanion and enslaved 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 against Gondor, despite the assistance by the Éothéod; eventually 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. Most importantly, King Ondoher and both his sons were slain in that assault, an event that led to the extinction for the line of the Kings of Gondor.

In T.A. 2063 the Necromancer (who was actually Sauron) retreated from Dol Guldur for some centuries. That period was known as the Watchful Peace for the Westlands, but during that time Sauron retreated to the East and 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] and 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]

In T.A. 2545 some Easterlings renewed their attacks and entered the new-founded Rohan. Thus Eorl fell fighting in the Wold.[9]

During these struggles Sauron reclaimed Mordor unnoticed in T.A. 2941.

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.[10]

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 chariots, wagons and wains[8] which they used to run their foes down, as well as live in and used to fortify their camps. Easterlings (such as those of the Pelennor Fields) were bearded and used axes.

See also

References