Grey Havens
| Grey Havens | |
|---|---|
| Elf-haven | |
 | |
| "At the Grey Havens" by Jef Murray | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | Mithlond |
| Location | The shores of the Gulf of Lune |
| Type | Elf-haven |
| Description | The harbours of Círdan |
| People and History | |
| Inhabitants | Elves of Lindon |
| Created | S.A. 1[1] |
| Gallery | Images 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.[2]
History
Second Age
Founded by the Elves of Lindon in S.A. 1,[1] the Grey Havens were known for their good harbourage and many ships; these were used by any of the Eldar to leave Middle-earth for Eressëa or Valinor. Círdan was Lord of the Havens from its foundation and into the Fourth Age.[3]
In S.A. 600, Entulessë, a Númenórean ship headed by Captain Vëantur, arrived in Mithlond and it was there that the Númenóreans first landed in Middle-earth.[4]
In the War of the Elves and Sauron, the Lhûn was held in desperate defense of the Havens. Sauron had mastered all of Eriador but he dared not assail the Grey Havens for fear of the power of the Númenóreans.[5][3]
Later History
After the fall of Gil-galad (during the time of the Kings of Arnor), the Grey Havens was still home to the largest population of Noldor in Middle-earth, aside from Rivendell in Eriador. Cirdan remained the Lord of the Havens and ruled the Elves of Lindon from Mithlond.[6] [3]
In c. T.A. 1000, the Istari or Wizards arrived in Middle-earth at the Grey Havens. Círdan, upon meeting Gandalf, gave him Narya, the Ring of Fire.[7]
In T.A. 1975, Prince Eärnur of Gondor brought a fleet of Gondorians 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.[8]
In T.A. 3018,[7] Círdan sent Galdor of the Havens "on an errand" to Rivendell and he became Círdan's representative at the Council of Elrond.[9]
As the coronation of Aragorn II Elessar ushered in the Dominion of Men, the last of the Noldor set sail from the Grey Havens and left Middle-earth forever.[3] Latest of all the Three Keepers of the Rings, Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel, left Middle-earth for Valinor from the Grey Havens soon after.[10] Years later, Fairbairn family tradition held that Samwise Gamgee in Fo.A. 61 also sailed West from the Grey Havens.[11]
The Grey Havens were maintained into the Fourth Age (for the last mentioning of Mithlond was Samwise Gamgee's departure West in Fo.A. 61),[11] but it was recognized that eventually, its purpose would reach an end when no more Elves wished to cross the Sea. At that time, Círdan would abandon the Grey Havens and finally travel the Straight Road himself. At some unknown date, Celeborn eventually sought the Grey Havens and with Círdan, they took the Last Ship together.[12][13]
Etymology
Mithlond translates as "Grey Havens" in Sindarin (from mith "grey" and lond "harbour").[14]
External Links
- Beyond the Grey Havens, an essay on the end of The Return of the King
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
- ↑ 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 3.2 3.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Note on the Shire Records"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen"
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 28
