Isengard

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The name Isengard refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Isengard (disambiguation).
Isengard
Fortress
Ted Nasmith - Orthanc in the Second Age.jpg
General Information
Other namesAngrenost[1]
LocationSouthern tip of the Misty Mountains[2]
Nan Curunír[3]
TypeFortress
DescriptionA circular wall of rock that enclosed the valley, in the centre of which stood the stone tower of Orthanc[2]
RegionsGondor[4]
Saruman's domain[5]
Treegarth of Orthanc in the Reunited Kingdom[6]
People and History
InhabitantsDúnedain[5]
Dunlendings[4]
Saruman[3]
Orcs[3]
Wicked men[3]
Ents[6]
Huorns[6]
EventsBattle of Isengard[7]
GalleryImages of Isengard
"My business is with Isengard tonight— with the rock and stone."
Treebeard[7]

Isengard ("Iron Fortress", Angrenost in Sindarin[1]) was a great fortress located within a valley at the southern end of the Misty Mountains near the Gap of Rohan. In the centre of the Ring of Isengard stood the stone tower of Orthanc.[2]

Description

The fortress of Isengard was located in a valley at the southern tip of the Misty Mountains; the Ring of Isengard was a great wall of stone that ran out from the mountain-side and then back again. The only entrance to Isengard was found delved into the southern wall of Isengard. One entering Isengard would pass through its only gate, travel down the long tunnel and pass through the iron doors to come to the plain of Isengard. In the centre of the plain, half a mile from the gate, stood the looming tower of Orthanc. For most of its history the lands of Isengard were green and a river ran from the mountains to form a lake. However after the treason of Saruman all green things that grew were removed and the river was dammed. The inner-ring was riddled with houses which cut into the walls. About the plain great shafts had been dug deep and many stone-flags paved the roads of the surface.[7][8]

A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs, stood out from the shelter of the mountain-side, from which it ran and then returned again. One entrance only was there made in it, a great arch delved in the southern wall. Here through the black rock a long tunnel had been hewn, closed at either end with mighty doors of iron. They were so wrought and poised upon their huge hinges, posts of steel driven into the living stone, that when unbarred they could be moved with a light thrust of the arms, noiselessly. One who passed in and came at length out of the echoing tunnel, beheld a plain, a great circle, somewhat hollowed like a vast shallow bowl: a mile it measured from rim to rim.
J.R.R. Tolkien[8]

History

Second Age

Isengard by Rob Alexander

It is unknown exactly when Isengard was first established. However it must have been built between S.A. 3320, the year in which the realms of Gondor and Arnor were established, and S.A. 3430, the year in which the Last Alliance of Elves and Men was formed.[9] The Ring of Isengard, and the tower of Orthanc therein, were built by the Dúnedain, the Exiles of Númenor, as a fortress on the north-western tip of Gondor. Within Orthanc was placed one of the seven seeing stones, the palantíri.[5] This stone would be later referred to as the Orthanc-stone.[10]

Third Age

Calenardhon, a region never densely populated, suffered greatly at the hands of the T.A. 1636 Dark Plague. Orthanc was thus closed and its keys were sent to Minas Tirith.[11] The fortress of Isengard, however, remained manned by a small garrison led by a hereditary Gondorian chieftain. This company grew more secretive as time progressed; its chieftain became known as the "Lord of Isengard" and they were believed to meddle in dark magic by the Rohirrim.[4]

The attention of the Stewards of Gondor turned eastwards and their emissaries to Isengard eventually ceased completely. In their neglect they (and the Rohirrim) did not realise that the line of Gondorian chieftains had failed. The people had long intermingled with the Dunlendings and became more friendly to them than to the 'wild Northmen'. Dunlendings were allowed to settle in and around Isengard. They seized control of the fortress and killed any of the ancient Isengard guards who were unwilling to merge with them. During the reign of King Déor they became openly hostile to the Rohirrim. Déor could not besiege the fortress and Egalmoth, the Steward of Gondor, was unable to send help. Instead Déor kept a strong force of riders in the north of the Westfold.[4] The occupation lasted through the reign of King Gram.[12]

In T.A. 2758, Wulf led the Dundlendings into a great invasion of Rohan. Despite impressive victories, they were eventually defeated by the Rohirrim. The Dundlendings who occupied Isengard suffered considerably in the Long Winter. They capitulated and were driven out by Fréaláf (soon to be the new king of Rohan) near the end of T.A. 2759.[12][4]

Saruman's domain

When Saruman returned from his travels into the east of Middle-earth, he offered to make Isengard his home and to command the defences of the West. This was welcomed by King Fréaláf of Rohan and Steward Beren of Gondor alike. In T.A. 2759,[13] Saruman was given the keys of Orthanc.[5] The valley in which Isengard resided soon became known as "Nan Curunír", the "Valley of Saruman" or the "Wizard's Vale".[3][8]

In T.A. 2851, the White Council met and Saruman overruled Gandalf when he urged an attack on Dol Guldur. It soon became clear that Saurman desired to possess the One Ring himself.[14] In T.A. 2953, following the last meeting of the White Council, Saruman took Isengard for his own and fortified it.[14] As Lord of Isengard, Saruman began to bring trouble to Rohan by aiding its enemies.[15] Saruman's corruption was complete when, in circa T.A. 3000, he used the palantír of Orthanc and was enticed by Sauron.[14]

On 10 July, T.A. 3018, Gandalf arrived at Isengard.[16] Saruman revealed his true colours and demanded that Gandalf submit to him and Sauron. He refused and was imprisoned in Orthanc. From the pinnacle of the tower Gandalf could see that Isengard had been transformed; in place of trees and grass were pits and forges, and Saruman was gathering an army of orcs and wolves.[2] On 18 September, T.A. 3018, Gandalf was borne away by Gwaihir the eagle.[16]

Believing that Saruman knew the location of the One Ring, Sauron sent the Nazgûl to Isengard. The Witch-king arrived at the gate of Isengard two days after Gandalf's escape (or, according to a different account, on the very day of his escape). But the Lord of Morgul and his company did not have the strength to assault the Ring of Isengard. He departed after Saruman told them that he believed Gandalf knew the whereabouts of the Ring.[17]

Isengard became Saruman's base of operations during the War of the Ring. His war with Rohan began on 25 February, T.A. 3019, with the First Battle of the Fords of Isen. The forces of Isengard were victorious and Saruman's main objective, the killing of Théodred (son of King Théoden), was achieved. With another victory at the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen on 2 March, the forces of Isengard won passage into the plains of Rohan and marched towards defeat at the Battle of the Hornburg (on 3 March).[16][4]

After the Flood by Jef Murray

My business is with Isengard tonight, with rock and stone.
Treebeard[7]

On 2 March, the Battle of Isengard began when the Ents of Fangorn Forest began their attack.[16] They overran the orcs and men therein, but were unable to assail the tower of Orthanc.[7]

On 5 March, Merry and Pippin, now the "doorwardens" of Isengard, welcomed Théoden, Éomer, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.[8] They parleyed with Saruman, but he refused to co-operate.[18]

On 22 August, T.A. 3019,[19] Treebeard, now in command of Isengard,[8] allowed Saurman and Gríma to depart from what remained of the fortress. Before they went, they handed over the keys of Orthanc. This Treebeard told to Gandalf and company when they travelled through Isengard on their journey home.[6]

The Treegarth of Orthanc and the Fourth Age

Main article: Treegarth of Orthanc

Following the Battle of Isengard, the Ents destroyed the Ring of Isengard and filled the land with gardens of orchards and trees. A stream ran into a small clear lake, in the middle of which stood the black-stone tower of Orthanc. Whilst the Treegarth of Orthanc became part of the Reunited Kingdom, King Elessar granted the Ents complete self-governance of what was formerly Isengard.[6]

Etymology

Angrenost
Tengwar, Sindarin mode

Isengard means "Iron-courd" in Old English (see also Isen): "It was so called because of the great hardness of the stone in that place and especially in the central tower of Orthanc."[20]

Isen is an old English variant form of iron; and gard a Germanic word meaning 'enclosure (round a dwelling)' which appears in English garth/yard or Old Norse Asgard, Midgard etc.[20]

It is used here to show an archaic Westron name of the place, translation of Sindarin Angrenost.[20]

Portrayal in adaptations

Isengard in Adaptations

Films

2001-3: The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy:

Peter Jackson's Isengard is reflective of J.R.R. Tolkien's descriptions of the fortress.

Games

1988: J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth:

Isengard is one of the many battlefields of this game.

2011: The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard:

Isengard is a new region that will be released in the new expansion The Lord of the Rings Online: Rise of Isengard.[21]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Treebeard"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Battles of the Fords of Isen", Appendix (ii)
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Many Partings"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Flotsam and Jetsam"
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Road to Isengard"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Palantír"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Palantíri"
  12. 12.0 12.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl"
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards"
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl", "The Kings of the Mark"
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Hunt for the Ring"
  18. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Voice of Saruman"
  19. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 772
  21. Justin Olivetti, "Through Turbine's palantír: Developers outline LotRO's future" dated 21 April 2011, MASSIVELY by joystiq (accessed 23 December 2011)