Fall of Nargothrond

From Tolkien Gateway
Revision as of 19:31, 21 March 2014 by 50.150.142.142 (talk)
The name The Fall refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see The Fall (disambiguation).
"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
This article or section needs expansion and/or modification. Please help the wiki by expanding it.
Fall of Nargothrond
Ted Nasmith - Finduilas is Led Past Túrin at the Sack of Nargothrond.jpg
Conflict: War of the Jewels
Date: F.A. 495[1][2]
Place: Nargothrond
Outcome: Victory for Morgoth; Utter destruction of Nargothrond
Combatants

Elves

Orcs

Commanders

Glaurung

Strength

Thousands of Noldor warriors[source?]

Thousands of Orcs[source?]

Casualties

The Elves of Nargothrond are annihilated, survivors are enslaved[source?]

Mild[source?]

The Fall of Nargothrond was the overthrow and destruction of the city by that name, wrought by Glaurung and his hordes, in F.A. 495.

Prelude

Since its foundation by Finrod, the Elves of Nargothrond had pursued a secretive war against Morgoth, hunting their enemies by stealth and ambush rather than going to open war. When Túrin was led there by Gwindor, though, he counselled a different strategy to Orodreth, who had by that time succeeded his brother Finrod as King in Nargothrond. Orodreth therefore built a bridge from his doors across the Narog, and went to open war with Morgoth.

This was a foolhardy strategy. In centuries of searching, Morgoth had been unable to find the fortress of Nargothrond, but now not only was its location revealed, but the new bridge removed the defense of the River Narog. Glaurung was sent out from Angband with an army of Orcs to capture the city.

The Battle

The army of Nargothrond went out to meet Glaurung on the field of Tumhalad, some miles north of the citadel. They were routed, and those Elves left in the city awaiting their return, instead found the Dragon and his Orcs crossing their bridge and entering the citadel. These people, including Orodreth's daughter Finduilas, were captured by the Orcs and driven northward.

Coming late to the sack were Túrin and some few other survivors of the Battle of Tumhalad. At the sight of the Dragon, Túrin's companions fled, but Túrin himself was placed under Glaurung's dragon-spell, and forced to watch as the captives were driven away. Then Glaurung released Túrin, knowing the evils this would cause, and settled to enjoy his newly-sacked domain.

See also

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §275
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Túrin Turambar", 'when four hundred and ninety-five years had passed since the rising of the Moon'