Glanduin
Glanduin | |
---|---|
General Information | |
Other names | Swanfleet |
Location | South-eastern Eriador, separating Eregion from Enedwaith |
The Glanduin was a river of Eriador and a northern arm of the Gwathló.
Course
Beginning in the Hithaeglir south of Khazad-dûm, it flowed west-north-west until it was met by the Sirannon near the old location of Ost-in-Edhil, the capital of the Noldor of Eregion. From there the Glanduin flowed westward towards the Mitheithel, which it met in the Swanfleet marshes (Nîn-in-Eilph) north-east of Tharbad. There was an old ford across the Glanduin east of the falls that dropped down into the marshy lowlands.[1]
Beyond their joining both rivers became the Gwathló.[2]
History
In the Second Age the Glanduin formed the southern boundary of Eregion. In the Third Age it was part of the southern boundary of Arnor.[3]
The old ford was used by Frodo and the other travellers journeying north after the War of the Ring.[1]
Etymology
Glanduin is Sindarin, and means "Border-river".[4]
Note
The name "Glanduin" applied to the whole river during the time of Eregion and Arnor. However, by the time of the War of the Ring, it only applied to the swift upper course of the river, and usually it was referred to as the Swanfleet river (not River), simply meaning the river that flowed into the Nîn-in-Eilph.[3]
In an annotation to Pauline Baynes, J.R.R. Tolkien clarified that R. Glanduin should be placed near mountains, and that the name should refer to the upper part; the lower part should be named Swanfleet.[5]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Many Partings"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix D: The Port of Lond Daer"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, Index
- ↑ Daniel Helen, "Tolkien’s annotated map of Middle-earth transcribed" dated 10 November 2015, The Tolkien Society (accessed 24 March 2018)