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Also known as the '''Mithlond''' was a haven (seaport) on the [[Gulf of Lune]] in the northwest of [[Middle-earth]]
{{location
| image=[[Image:Jef Murray - At the Grey Havens.jpg|250px]]
| name=Grey Havens
| type=Seaport
| location=Western [[Eriador]], central [[Lindon]]
| inhabitants=[[Elves]]
| realms=[[Lindon]]
| description=An important coastal port, at the mouth of the Lhûn river
| othernames=Mithlond
| etymology=See below
| events=
}}
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Mithlond.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
The '''Grey Havens''', also known as '''Mithlond''', was a seaport on the [[Gulf of Lune]] at the mouth of the River [[Lhûn]] in western [[Eriador]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>


Built by the [[Elves]] of [[Lindon]] at the beginning of the [[Second Age]], it was afterwards used by the Elves to leave Middle-earth for [[Valinor]].  [[Círdan]] the Shipwright and [[Galdor of the Havens]] lived there.
== History ==
Founded by the [[Elves of Lindon]] in {{SA|1}},<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> the Grey Havens were afterwards used by any of the Elves (whether [[Noldor]], [[Sindar]], or [[Silvan Elves|Silvan Elf]]) to leave Middle-earth for [[Valinor]].  [[Círdan]] was Lord of the Havens, but throughout the Second Age [[Gil-galad|Ereinion Gil-galad]], [[High King of the Noldor]], ruled all of [[Lindon]] from the Grey Havens.<ref name="SA"/>


[[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Frodo Baggins]] also went to Valinor from the Grey Havens, and a family tradition held that [[Sam Gamgee]] (having been himself a [[Ring-bearer]], albeit briefly) did likewise, in the year 1484 of the [[Shire (Middle-earth)|Shire]] Reckoning. (Fourth Age 61) It is unclear just what the [[Fate of the Elves of Middle-Earth]] was in the early Fourth Age and how long Círdan or his remaining folk dwelled at the Havens and continued to build the great ships that carried the Elves to the Blessed Realm.  
In {{SA|600}}, ''[[Entulessë]]'', a [[Númenórean]] ship headed by [[Captain of the King's Ships|Captain]] [[Vëantur]], arrived in Mithlond. It was the first time the Númenóreans landed in [[Middle-earth]].<ref name="B1">{{App|B1}}, entry "600"</ref><ref name="Island">{{UT|Island}}</ref>


==External links==
About {{TA|1000}} the [[Istari]] or Wizards arrived in [[Middle-earth]] at the Grey Havens.  Círdan, upon meeting [[Gandalf]], gave him [[Narya]], the Elven Ring of Fire.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>
* [http://www.lotrlibrary.com/agesofarda/beyondgreyhavens.asp Beyond the Grey Havens: Lord of the Rings Fanatics Library]
 
In {{TA|1975}}, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] brought a Gondorian fleet to the Grey Havens to aid [[Arthedain]] [[Angmar War|against]] [[Angmar]]. The fleet was so massive that the ships of Gondor filled the Grey Havens, as well as [[Forlond]] and [[Harlond]].<ref name="AppA">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>
 
In {{TA|3018}},<ref name="TA"/> Círdan sent [[Galdor of the Havens]] "on an errand" to [[Rivendell]] and he became Círdan's representative at the [[Council of Elrond]].<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>
 
Following the defeat of [[Sauron]] and the crowning of King [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]] in the [[War of the Ring]], [[Gandalf]], [[Elrond]], and [[Galadriel]] left [[Middle-earth]] for [[Valinor]] from the Grey Havens. The [[Last Riding of the Keepers]] was accompanied by [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Frodo Baggins]], who were given the honor of taking the [[Straight Road]] because they had both been a [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]].<ref>{{RK|VI9}}</ref>  Years later [[Fairbairn Family|Fairbairn]] family tradition held that [[Samwise Gamgee]] in {{FoA|61}} also sailed [[Aman|West]] from the Grey Havens because he too had been a Ring-bearer, even if just briefly.<ref>{{App|Later}}</ref> It is also said that after the death of King Elessar, [[Legolas]] sailed to the Valinor and took [[Gimli]] with him.
 
It is unclear how long the Grey Havens lasted into the [[Fourth Age]], as the number of Elves dwindled with the coming of the "Age of Men". Supposedly Círdan remained at the Havens until the last ship left from Middle-earth for the [[Aman|Blessed Realm]].
 
== Etymology ==
''Mithlond'' translates as "Grey Havens" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[mith]]'' "grey" and ''[[lond]]'' "harbour").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 28</ref>
 
==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Grey Havens|Images of Grey Havens]]
 
== External Links ==
* [http://www.lotrlibrary.com/agesofarda/beyondgreyhavens.asp Beyond the Grey Havens], an essay on the end of ''[[The Return of the King]]''
 
{{references}}
[[Category:Lindon]]
[[Category:Harbours]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
 
[[de:Graue Anfurten]]
[[fi:Harmaat Satamat]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/lindon/havres_gris]]

Revision as of 06:29, 14 May 2016

Grey Havens
Seaport
Jef Murray - At the Grey Havens.jpg
General Information
Other namesMithlond
LocationWestern Eriador, central Lindon
TypeSeaport
DescriptionAn important coastal port, at the mouth of the Lhûn river
RegionsLindon
InhabitantsElves
GalleryImages of Grey Havens

The Grey Havens, also known as Mithlond, was a seaport on the Gulf of Lune at the mouth of the River Lhûn in western Eriador.[1]

History

Founded by the Elves of Lindon in S.A. 1,[2] the Grey Havens were afterwards used by any of the Elves (whether Noldor, Sindar, or Silvan Elf) to leave Middle-earth for Valinor. Círdan was Lord of the Havens, but throughout the Second Age Ereinion Gil-galad, High King of the Noldor, ruled all of Lindon from the Grey Havens.[2]

In S.A. 600, Entulessë, a Númenórean ship headed by Captain Vëantur, arrived in Mithlond. It was the first time the Númenóreans landed in Middle-earth.[3][4]

About T.A. 1000 the Istari or Wizards arrived in Middle-earth at the Grey Havens. Círdan, upon meeting Gandalf, gave him Narya, the Elven Ring of Fire.[5]

In T.A. 1975, Prince Eärnur of Gondor brought a Gondorian fleet to the Grey Havens to aid Arthedain against Angmar. The fleet was so massive that the ships of Gondor filled the Grey Havens, as well as Forlond and Harlond.[6]

In T.A. 3018,[5] Círdan sent Galdor of the Havens "on an errand" to Rivendell and he became Círdan's representative at the Council of Elrond.[7]

Following the defeat of Sauron and the crowning of King Aragorn Elessar in the War of the Ring, Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel left Middle-earth for Valinor from the Grey Havens. The Last Riding of the Keepers was accompanied by Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins, who were given the honor of taking the Straight Road because they had both been a Ring-bearer.[8] Years later Fairbairn family tradition held that Samwise Gamgee in Fo.A. 61 also sailed West from the Grey Havens because he too had been a Ring-bearer, even if just briefly.[9] It is also said that after the death of King Elessar, Legolas sailed to the Valinor and took Gimli with him.

It is unclear how long the Grey Havens lasted into the Fourth Age, as the number of Elves dwindled with the coming of the "Age of Men". Supposedly Círdan remained at the Havens until the last ship left from Middle-earth for the Blessed Realm.

Etymology

Mithlond translates as "Grey Havens" in Sindarin (from mith "grey" and lond "harbour").[10]

See also

External Links

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age", entry "600"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor"
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
  10. ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 28
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