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{{sources}}{{expansion}}
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{{disambig-more|Mirkwood|[[Mirkwood (disambiguation)]]}}
{{disambig-more|Mirkwood|[[Mirkwood (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location
{{location infobox
| image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - Mirkwood.jpg|250px]]
| name=Mirkwood
| name=Mirkwood
| othernames=[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Mirkwood)|Taur-nu-Fuin]], Forest of Great Fear, [[Taur-e-Ndaedelos]], [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]], [[Mirkwood|Eryn Galen]], Wood of Greenleaves, [[Eryn Lasgalen]].
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Mirkwood.jpg|250px]]
| etymology=Anglicized [[Westron]] ''mirk'' + ''wood''
| caption="Mirkwood" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| othernames=[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Mirkwood)|Taur-nu-Fuin]], Forest of Great Fear, [[Taur-e-Ndaedelos]], Greenwood the Great, Eryn Galen, Wood of Greenleaves, [[Eryn Lasgalen]]
| location=East of the [[Misty Mountains]], south of [[Ered Mithrin]]
| type=Forest
| type=Forest
| location=East of the [[Misty Mountains]], south of [[Ered Mithrin]]
| inhabitants=[[Spiders]], [[Elves of Mirkwood|Wood-elves]], [[Orcs]], [[Nazgûl]]
| realms=[[Woodland Realm]], [[Dol Guldur]]
| description=Deep, thick, dark forest
| description=Deep, thick, dark forest
| events=[[Fall of Dol Guldur]]
| regions=
| references=
| towns=[[Amon Lanc]] (later [[Dol Guldur]]), [[Elvenking's Halls]], [[Rhosgobel]]
|}}
| inhabitants=[[Spiders]], [[Silvan Elves]], [[Woodmen]], [[Orcs]], [[Olog-hai]], [[Nazgûl]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle Under Trees]], [[Fall of Dol Guldur]]
}}
{{quote|Well, here is Mirkwood! ''[...]'' Greatest of the forests of the Northern world. I hope you like the look of it.|[[Gandalf]]<ref name="Queer">{{HM|H}}, "[[Queer Lodgings]]"</ref>}}
{{quote|Well, here is Mirkwood! ''[...]'' Greatest of the forests of the Northern world. I hope you like the look of it.|[[Gandalf]]<ref name="Queer">{{HM|H}}, "[[Queer Lodgings]]"</ref>}}


'''Mirkwood''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Mirkwood)|Taur-nu-Fuin]]'') or the '''Forest of Great Fear''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Taur-e-Ndaedelos]]'') was a great forest in [[Rhovanion (region)|Rhovanion]]. It was only known by these names in the latter part of the [[Third Age]], having previously been called [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Mirkwood|Eryn Galen]]'') and later became the [[Wood of Greenleaves]] ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Eryn Lasgalen]]'').
'''Mirkwood''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Mirkwood)|Taur-nu-Fuin]]'') or the '''Forest of Great Fear''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Taur-e-Ndaedelos]]'') was a great forest in [[Rhovanion]]. It was only known by these names in the latter part of the [[Third Age]], having previously been called [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]] ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Mirkwood|Eryn Galen]]'') and later became the [[Eryn Lasgalen|Wood of Greenleaves]] ([[Sindarin|S]]: ''[[Eryn Lasgalen]]'').


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
Mirkwood seems to have had much the same boundaries as it did at the end of the Third Age for most of its history. It was roughly rectangular in shape: stretching from the foothills of the [[Grey Mountains]] in the north to the [[North Undeep]] in the south, and from the east edge of the vale of [[Anduin]] to [[Erebor]].
Mirkwood seems to have had much the same boundaries as it did at the end of the Third Age for most of its history. It was roughly rectangular in shape: stretching from the foothills of the [[Grey Mountains]] in the north to the [[North Undeep]] in the south, and from the east edge of the vale of [[Anduin]] to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]].


It was bisected by the ancient [[Old Forest Road]]. Later, when this road became unusable, a second path through the forest was made to the north. Between the two paths lay the [[Mountains of Mirkwood]]. The [[Forest River]] cut through the forest's northern end from its source in the western Grey Mountains, joined in the centre by the [[Enchanted River]] which flowed north from the Mountains of Mirkwood.
It was bisected by the ancient [[Old Forest Road]]. Later, when this road became unusable, a second path through the forest was made to the north. Between the two paths lay the [[Mountains of Mirkwood]]. The [[Forest River]] cut through the forest's northern end from its source in the western Grey Mountains, joined in the centre by the [[Enchanted River]] which flowed north from the Mountains of Mirkwood.
[[Image:CJRT - Map of Wilderland.jpg|thumb|right|Map of [[Wilderland]] by [[Christopher Tolkien]] showing the northern part of Mirkwood.]]
[[File:Christopher Tolkien - Map of Wilderland.jpg|thumb|right|Map of [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]] by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] showing the northern part of Mirkwood.]]
South of the Old Forest road the [[East Bight]] created the ''Narrows of the Forest'', only one hundred miles across. South and west of the narrows was the a hill called [[Amon Lanc]].
South of the Old Forest road the [[East Bight]] created the ''Narrows of the Forest'', only one hundred miles across. South and west of the narrows was the a hill called [[Amon Lanc]].


== History ==
== History ==


Originally called Greenwood the Great, the forest presumably once formed part of the vast primeval woodland which covered most of [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Years of the Trees]]. The [[Eldar]] passed through the area on their [[Great Journey|journey]] to [[Valinor]] and it was first populated at this time by the [[Nandor]], unwilling to cross the [[Misty Mountains]] settled in the wooded valleys of the river Anduin. They multiplied and were joined by wandering [[Avari]], becoming known as Silvan or Wood-elves.
Originally called Greenwood the Great, the forest may have once formed part of the vast primeval woodland which covered most of [[Middle-earth]] during the [[Years of the Trees]], possibly linked to Lothlórien across the Anduin.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}} p. 252</ref> The [[Eldar]] passed through the area on their [[Great Journey|journey]] to [[Valinor]] and it was first populated at this time by the [[Nandor]]. Unwilling to cross the [[Misty Mountains]], these Elves settled also in the wooded valleys of the river Anduin. They multiplied and were joined by wandering [[Avari]], becoming known as Silvan or Wood-elves.


The Old Forest Road was constructed very early in Greenwood's history, probably by [[Dwarves]] to carry traffic between their eastern and western clans, including the Dwarven colony in Erebor very close to the north-eastern edge of the forest.
The Old Forest Road was constructed very early in Greenwood's history by the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeard]] [[Dwarves]] to carry traffic between their territory in the Misty Mountains to [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], and the [[Iron Hills]].<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}</ref>


=== Second Age ===
=== Second Age ===


Greenwood first appeared to history in recognisable form on the arrival of the [[Sindar]] [[Oropher]] and his hold at the beginning of the Second Age. Oropher built his halls at Amon Lanc and was accepted as the leader of the Wood-elves of Greenwood, forming the [[Woodland Realm]].
In around the year {{SA|750}} the [[Sinda]] prince, [[Oropher]], removed from [[Lindon]] to Greenwood where he was taken by the Silvan Elves as their lord. This forested region to the east of the [[Anduin]] is where [[Silvan Elves]], of [[Nandor]] descent and the [[Avari]], lived.<ref>{{PM|Second}}</ref> Oropher built his halls at [[Amon Lanc]] and was accepted as the leader of the Wood-elves of Greenwood, later the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], forming the [[Woodland Realm]].
 
Presumably by this time [[Men]] had also settled in and around the forest in small numbers.


=== Third Age ===
=== Third Age ===


The first millennium of the Third Age probably saw the creation of the East Bight by men living in the eastern eaves of the forest. These men may have formed part of the [[Rhovanion (Realm)|Kingdom of Rhovanion]] led by [[Vidugavia]]. Men, such as the [[Éothéod]], and [[Hobbits]] also lived in the vale of Anduin and were likely responsible for the retreat of the forest's western border.
The first millennium of the Third Age probably saw the creation of the East Bight by men living in the eastern eaves of the forest. These men may have formed part of the [[Rhovanion|Kingdom of Rhovanion]] led by [[Vidugavia]]. Men, such as the [[Éothéod]], and [[Hobbits]] also lived in the vale of Anduin and were likely responsible for the retreat of the forest's western border.


At the beginning of the Third Age [[Thranduil]] replaced [[Oropher]] as king of the Woodland Realm. Probably as a result of massive losses at the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] the Silvan population of Greenwood was diminished and became mainly concentrated in the hills then known as [[Emyn Duir]]. This included the abandonment of Amon Lanc, and around the turn of the first millennium [[Sauron]], under the guise of the '[[Necromancer]]', returned to Middle-earth and in {{TA|1050}} built a fortress there. The hill and the fortress together become known as [[Dol Guldur]], the "Hill of Sorcery".
At the beginning of the Third Age [[Thranduil]] replaced [[Oropher]] as king of the Woodland Realm. Probably as a result of massive losses at the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] the Silvan population of Greenwood was diminished and became mainly concentrated in the hills then known as [[Mountains of Mirkwood|Emyn Duir]]. This included the abandonment of Amon Lanc, and around the turn of the first millennium [[Sauron]], under the guise of the '[[Necromancer]]', returned to Middle-earth and in {{TA|1050}} built a fortress there. The hill and the fortress together become known as [[Dol Guldur]], the "Hill of Sorcery".


Sauron's arrival caused a darkening of Greenwood, and it is at this point it became known as Mirkwood. The children of [[Shelob]], giant [[spiders]], as well as bats and orcs in Dol Guldur's service occupied the forest and it became thicker, darker and covered in cobwebs.<ref>{{H|Flies}}</ref>
Sauron's arrival caused a darkening of Greenwood, and at this point it became known as Mirkwood. The children of [[Shelob]], giant [[spiders]], as well as bats and orcs in Dol Guldur's service occupied the forest and it became thicker, darker and covered in cobwebs.<ref>{{H|Flies}}</ref>


This caused the Silvan population of Mirkwood to retreat even further, residing apparently exclusively in [[Thranduil's halls]] at the eastern end of the Forest River. The ancient Old Forest Road was abandoned by men and Dwarves alike, with a new but seldom used path being made further from Dol Guldur and the Hobbits near the forest's eastern border migrated away.
This caused the Silvan population of Mirkwood to retreat even further, residing apparently exclusively in the [[Elvenking's Halls]] at the eastern end of the Forest River. The ancient Old Forest Road was abandoned by men and Dwarves alike, with a new but seldom used path being made further from Dol Guldur and the Hobbits near the forest's eastern border migrated away.


Mirkwood remained a place of fear throughout the Third Age, though the kingdoms of [[Erebor]] and [[Dale]] flourished briefly in the time of the [[Kings under the Mountain]]. This prosperity was ended by the arrival of the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] who brought yet further desolation to the area north-eastern Mirkwood. Small homesteads of 'Woodmen' are also recorded as living in the western edge of the forest south of the old road in [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]].<ref>{{HM|H}}, "Map of Wilderland"</ref>
Mirkwood remained a place of fear throughout the Third Age, though the kingdoms of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] and [[Dale]] flourished briefly in the time of the [[King under the Mountain|Kings under the Mountain]]. This prosperity was ended by the arrival of the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] who brought yet further desolation to the area north-eastern Mirkwood. Small homesteads of 'Woodmen' are also recorded as living in the western edge of the forest south of the old road in {{TA|2941|n}}.<ref>{{HM|H}}, "Map of Wilderland"</ref>


In {{TA|2850}} [[Gandalf]] visited Mirkwood and discovered that the Necromancer was none other than Sauron, who had regained his powers, millennia after the Battle of Dagorlad.
In {{TA|2850|n}} [[Gandalf]] visited Mirkwood and discovered that the Necromancer was none other than Sauron, who had regained his powers, millennia after the Battle of Dagorlad.


[[Image:Galadriel dol guldur bfmeII.JPG|thumb|240px|left|Galadriel casts down the walls of Dol Guldur.''.]]
[[File:Galadriel dol guldur bfmeII.JPG|thumb|240px|left|Galadriel casts down the walls of Dol Guldur.''.]]
The shadow over Mirkwood was lifted, albeit temporarily, in [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]] when the [[White Council]], prompted by the [[wizard]] [[Gandalf|Gandalf's]] discovery of his true identity, drove Sauron from Dol Guldur. Gandalf also instigated [[The Hobbit#Synopsis|the Quest for Erebor]] which resulted in the slaying of Smaug in the same year. The combination of these two events allowed the re-established kingdoms of Erebor and Dale, as well as the Woodland Realm and a confederacy of Woodmen led by the [[Beornings]] to flourish for a brief period.
The shadow over Mirkwood was lifted, albeit temporarily, in {{TA|2941|n}} when the [[White Council]], prompted by the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]]'s discovery of his true identity, drove Sauron from Dol Guldur. Gandalf also instigated the [[Quest of Erebor]] which resulted in the slaying of Smaug in the same year. The combination of these two events allowed the re-established kingdoms of Erebor and Dale, as well as the Woodland Realm and a confederacy of Woodmen led by the [[Beornings]] to flourish for a brief period.


However, only ten years after these events Sauron, now based in [[Mordor]], sent the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] and the other [[Nazgûl]] to secretly reoccupy Dol Guldur and begin amassing an army of Orcs and [[Easterlings]] there. In [[Third Age 3018|3018]] these attacked the Woodland Realm, as well as Dale, Erebor and [[Lothlórien|Lórien]], in the opening moves of the [[War of the Ring]].
However, only ten years after these events Sauron, now based in [[Mordor]], sent the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] and the other [[Nazgûl]] to secretly reoccupy Dol Guldur and begin amassing an army of Orcs and [[Easterlings]] there. In {{TA|3018|n}} these attacked the Woodland Realm, as well as Dale, Erebor and Lórien, in the opening moves of the [[War of the Ring]].


On [[Third Age 3019#March|March 19 3019]] Thranduil repulsed Sauron's forces in the bloody [[Battle Under Trees]] and mounted a campaign to clear northern Mirkwood of Sauron's servants. At the same time the elves of Lórien led by [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]] assaulted and destroyed Dol Guldur, and began to cleanse the southern part of the forest. Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest on [[Elven New Year]] and formally renamed the forest Eryn Lasgalen. They then agreed to divide it between the Woodland Realm from the northern edge of the forest to the mountains, the Beornings from the mountains to the Narrows and [[East Lórien]] from the Narrows south.
On 19 March {{TA|3019|n}} Thranduil repulsed Sauron's forces in a bloody battle under the trees and mounted a campaign to clear northern Mirkwood of Sauron's servants. At the same time the elves of Lórien led by [[Celeborn]] and [[Galadriel]] assaulted and destroyed Dol Guldur, and began to cleanse the southern part of the forest. Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest on [[Elven New Year]] and formally renamed the forest Eryn Lasgalen. They then agreed to divide it between the Woodland Realm from the northern edge of the forest to the mountains, the Beornings from the mountains to the Narrows and [[East Lórien]] from the Narrows south.


=== Fourth Age ===
=== Fourth Age ===
Line 63: Line 64:


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
''Mirkwood'' is the Anglicized form of the Norse name ''[[wikipedia:Myrkviðr|Myrkviðr]]'' or ''mirkiwidu'', originally hailing from [[Poetic Edda|Eddaic poems]]. Myrkviðr was the name of a "dark boundary-forest ... the great forest that divided the land of the Goths from the land of the Huns".<ref>{{HM|SG}}, pp. 131, 227-8, 372</ref> In a letter to his grandson Michael, Tolkien says that "''Mirkwood'' is not an invention of mine", and continues to discuss the origin of the name in [[Old English]] and [[Old Norse]] writings.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Michael George Tolkien 29 July 1966]]" (letter; partly published as [[letter 289]])</ref>
''Mirkwood'' is the Anglicized form of the Norse name ''[[wikipedia:Myrkviðr|Myrkviðr]]'' or ''mirkiwidu'', originally hailing from [[Poetic Edda|Eddaic poems]]. Myrkviðr was the name of a "dark boundary-forest ... the great forest that divided the land of the Goths from the land of the Huns".<ref>{{HM|SG}}, pp. 131, 227-8, 372</ref> In a letter to his grandson Michael, Tolkien says that "''Mirkwood'' is not an invention of mine", and continues to discuss the origin of the name in [[Old English]] and [[Old Norse]] writings.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Michael George Tolkien (29 July 1966)]]" (letter; partly published as [[letter 289]])</ref>


Projected into Old English, the term appears as ''Myrcwudu'' in Tolkien's ''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings|The Lost Road]]'', as a poem sung by [[Ælfwine]]<ref>{{HM|LR}}: "The Lost Road: (iii) The unwritten chapters": ''[[King Sheave]]'' and note to line 150</ref>:
Projected into Old English, the term appears as ''Myrcwudu'' in Tolkien's ''[[The Lost Road and Other Writings|The Lost Road]]'', as a poem sung by [[Ælfwine]]<ref>{{HM|LR}}: "The Lost Road: (iii) The unwritten chapters": ''[[King Sheave]]'' and note to line 150</ref>:
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Sea-danes and Goths, Swedes and Northmen,  
Sea-danes and Goths, Swedes and Northmen,
Franks and Frisians, folk of the islands,  
Franks and Frisians, folk of the islands,
Swordmen and Saxons, Swabes and English,  
Swordmen and Saxons, Swabes and English,
and the Langobards who long ago  
and the Langobards who long ago
beyond Myrcwudu a mighty realm  
beyond Myrcwudu a mighty realm
and wealth won them in the Welsh countries  
and wealth won them in the Welsh countries
where Ælfwine Eadwine's heir  
where Ælfwine Eadwine's heir
in Italy was king. All that has passed.
in Italy was king. All that has passed.
</poem>
</poem>


The first recorded use of the word ''Mirkwood'' is found in [[William Morris]]'s ''[[The House of the Wolfings]]'' ([[1888]]).<ref>[[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] (HarperCollins''Publishers'' 2008), ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'': "Prologue", p. 13</ref>
The name ''Mirkwood'' was also used by [[William Morris]] in his novel ''[[The House of the Wolfings]]'' ([[1888]]).<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 13</ref>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Mirkwood is the setting of two large chapters of the game: the first one involves rescuing of Dwarves from the Spiders, while the second covers the Halls of King [[Thranduil]] and subsequent escape.
 
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Several missions of both good and evil campaigns take place in Mirkwood. In the Evil campaign, the [[Witch-King]] is reclaiming [[Dol Guldur]] for Sauron, while in the Good campaign [[Legolas]] and elven archers pursue the escaped [[Gollum]].
 
'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Mirkwood is one the battlefields for the non-storyline engagements.
 
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Mirkwood makes appearance in both Good campaign and non-storyline skirmishes, in both cases the map is very different from the one in the first game.


==Portrayal in Adaptations==
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Mirkwood is a Russian server, it is created and maintained by [[IT Territory]].<ref>{{webcite|author=William Dobson|articleurl=http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/23/lord-of-the-rings-online-launches-in-korea-and-russia/|articlename=Lord of the Rings Online launches in Korea and Russia|dated=23 April 2009|website=Massively|accessed=2 January 2012}}</ref>
:Southern Mirkwood and Dol Guldur are the setting of the game's second expansion, ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood]]''. In its storyline, Celeborn and Galadriel organize a military campaign against Dol Guldur while the Fellowship still resides in Lothlorien (not to be confused with the later battle during the War of the Ring). The announced goal is to saw chaos into Orc forces by destroying as many of their troops, weapons and supplies as possible, to delay an inevitable assault upon Lothlorien. The true purpose, however, is to distract the Eye of Sauron from the company departing down the shores of Anduin. An assault by the Golden Host of the Galadhrim is successful despite minor losses and after establishing multiple camps throughout southern Mirkwood arrives at the walls of the fortress itself. However, without the White Lady they do not have the means of bringing down the walls, so the Elves prepare to swiftly fall back beyond Anduin before the main forces of the Enemy arrive.
 
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Mirkwood is the setting of one the missions in the game, where [[Eradan]], [[Farin]] and [[Andriel]] have to rescue [[Radagast|Radagast the Brown]] from a giant spider.
 
'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:Mirkwood scenes were shot both on set in the studio and on location.


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 87: Line 106:
*[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)]]
*[[Taur-nu-Fuin (Dorthonion)]]
{{references}}
{{references}}
 
{{companyroute}}
[[Category:Forests]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Regions]]
[[Category:Forests]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[de:Düsterwald]]
[[de:Düsterwald]]
[[fr:Forêt Noire]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/forets/rhovanion/foret_noire]]
[[fi:Synkmetsä]]
[[fi:Synkmetsä]]

Revision as of 00:02, 31 August 2018

Template:Countdown

The name Mirkwood refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Mirkwood (disambiguation).
Mirkwood
Forest
J.R.R. Tolkien - Mirkwood.jpg
"Mirkwood" by J.R.R. Tolkien
General Information
Other namesTaur-nu-Fuin, Forest of Great Fear, Taur-e-Ndaedelos, Greenwood the Great, Eryn Galen, Wood of Greenleaves, Eryn Lasgalen
LocationEast of the Misty Mountains, south of Ered Mithrin
TypeForest
DescriptionDeep, thick, dark forest
People and History
InhabitantsSpiders, Silvan Elves, Woodmen, Orcs, Olog-hai, Nazgûl
EventsBattle Under Trees, Fall of Dol Guldur
GalleryImages of Mirkwood
"Well, here is Mirkwood! [...] Greatest of the forests of the Northern world. I hope you like the look of it."
Gandalf[1]

Mirkwood (S: Taur-nu-Fuin) or the Forest of Great Fear (S: Taur-e-Ndaedelos) was a great forest in Rhovanion. It was only known by these names in the latter part of the Third Age, having previously been called Greenwood the Great (S: Eryn Galen) and later became the Wood of Greenleaves (S: Eryn Lasgalen).

Geography

Mirkwood seems to have had much the same boundaries as it did at the end of the Third Age for most of its history. It was roughly rectangular in shape: stretching from the foothills of the Grey Mountains in the north to the North Undeep in the south, and from the east edge of the vale of Anduin to Erebor.

It was bisected by the ancient Old Forest Road. Later, when this road became unusable, a second path through the forest was made to the north. Between the two paths lay the Mountains of Mirkwood. The Forest River cut through the forest's northern end from its source in the western Grey Mountains, joined in the centre by the Enchanted River which flowed north from the Mountains of Mirkwood.

File:Christopher Tolkien - Map of Wilderland.jpg
Map of Wilderland by J.R.R. Tolkien showing the northern part of Mirkwood.

South of the Old Forest road the East Bight created the Narrows of the Forest, only one hundred miles across. South and west of the narrows was the a hill called Amon Lanc.

History

Originally called Greenwood the Great, the forest may have once formed part of the vast primeval woodland which covered most of Middle-earth during the Years of the Trees, possibly linked to Lothlórien across the Anduin.[2] The Eldar passed through the area on their journey to Valinor and it was first populated at this time by the Nandor. Unwilling to cross the Misty Mountains, these Elves settled also in the wooded valleys of the river Anduin. They multiplied and were joined by wandering Avari, becoming known as Silvan or Wood-elves.

The Old Forest Road was constructed very early in Greenwood's history by the Longbeard Dwarves to carry traffic between their territory in the Misty Mountains to Erebor, and the Iron Hills.[3]

Second Age

In around the year S.A. 750 the Sinda prince, Oropher, removed from Lindon to Greenwood where he was taken by the Silvan Elves as their lord. This forested region to the east of the Anduin is where Silvan Elves, of Nandor descent and the Avari, lived.[4] Oropher built his halls at Amon Lanc and was accepted as the leader of the Wood-elves of Greenwood, later the Elves of Mirkwood, forming the Woodland Realm.

Third Age

The first millennium of the Third Age probably saw the creation of the East Bight by men living in the eastern eaves of the forest. These men may have formed part of the Kingdom of Rhovanion led by Vidugavia. Men, such as the Éothéod, and Hobbits also lived in the vale of Anduin and were likely responsible for the retreat of the forest's western border.

At the beginning of the Third Age Thranduil replaced Oropher as king of the Woodland Realm. Probably as a result of massive losses at the Battle of Dagorlad the Silvan population of Greenwood was diminished and became mainly concentrated in the hills then known as Emyn Duir. This included the abandonment of Amon Lanc, and around the turn of the first millennium Sauron, under the guise of the 'Necromancer', returned to Middle-earth and in T.A. 1050 built a fortress there. The hill and the fortress together become known as Dol Guldur, the "Hill of Sorcery".

Sauron's arrival caused a darkening of Greenwood, and at this point it became known as Mirkwood. The children of Shelob, giant spiders, as well as bats and orcs in Dol Guldur's service occupied the forest and it became thicker, darker and covered in cobwebs.[5]

This caused the Silvan population of Mirkwood to retreat even further, residing apparently exclusively in the Elvenking's Halls at the eastern end of the Forest River. The ancient Old Forest Road was abandoned by men and Dwarves alike, with a new but seldom used path being made further from Dol Guldur and the Hobbits near the forest's eastern border migrated away.

Mirkwood remained a place of fear throughout the Third Age, though the kingdoms of Erebor and Dale flourished briefly in the time of the Kings under the Mountain. This prosperity was ended by the arrival of the Dragon Smaug who brought yet further desolation to the area north-eastern Mirkwood. Small homesteads of 'Woodmen' are also recorded as living in the western edge of the forest south of the old road in 2941.[6]

In 2850 Gandalf visited Mirkwood and discovered that the Necromancer was none other than Sauron, who had regained his powers, millennia after the Battle of Dagorlad.

Galadriel casts down the walls of Dol Guldur..

The shadow over Mirkwood was lifted, albeit temporarily, in 2941 when the White Council, prompted by the Wizard Gandalf's discovery of his true identity, drove Sauron from Dol Guldur. Gandalf also instigated the Quest of Erebor which resulted in the slaying of Smaug in the same year. The combination of these two events allowed the re-established kingdoms of Erebor and Dale, as well as the Woodland Realm and a confederacy of Woodmen led by the Beornings to flourish for a brief period.

However, only ten years after these events Sauron, now based in Mordor, sent the Witch-king of Angmar and the other Nazgûl to secretly reoccupy Dol Guldur and begin amassing an army of Orcs and Easterlings there. In 3018 these attacked the Woodland Realm, as well as Dale, Erebor and Lórien, in the opening moves of the War of the Ring.

On 19 March 3019 Thranduil repulsed Sauron's forces in a bloody battle under the trees and mounted a campaign to clear northern Mirkwood of Sauron's servants. At the same time the elves of Lórien led by Celeborn and Galadriel assaulted and destroyed Dol Guldur, and began to cleanse the southern part of the forest. Celeborn and Thranduil met in the midst of the forest on Elven New Year and formally renamed the forest Eryn Lasgalen. They then agreed to divide it between the Woodland Realm from the northern edge of the forest to the mountains, the Beornings from the mountains to the Narrows and East Lórien from the Narrows south.

Fourth Age

Though initially they prospered as the darkness was lifted, the elves of the Wood of Greenleaves were destined either to depart for Valinor or fade into rustic forest spirits. The forest probably then ultimately fell under the dominion of men, the descendent of the Beornings and the men of Dale.

Etymology

Mirkwood is the Anglicized form of the Norse name Myrkviðr or mirkiwidu, originally hailing from Eddaic poems. Myrkviðr was the name of a "dark boundary-forest ... the great forest that divided the land of the Goths from the land of the Huns".[7] In a letter to his grandson Michael, Tolkien says that "Mirkwood is not an invention of mine", and continues to discuss the origin of the name in Old English and Old Norse writings.[8]

Projected into Old English, the term appears as Myrcwudu in Tolkien's The Lost Road, as a poem sung by Ælfwine[9]:

Sea-danes and Goths, Swedes and Northmen,
Franks and Frisians, folk of the islands,
Swordmen and Saxons, Swabes and English,
and the Langobards who long ago
beyond Myrcwudu a mighty realm
and wealth won them in the Welsh countries
where Ælfwine Eadwine's heir
in Italy was king. All that has passed.

The name Mirkwood was also used by William Morris in his novel The House of the Wolfings (1888).[10]

Portrayal in adaptations

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Mirkwood is the setting of two large chapters of the game: the first one involves rescuing of Dwarves from the Spiders, while the second covers the Halls of King Thranduil and subsequent escape.

2004: The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring:

Several missions of both good and evil campaigns take place in Mirkwood. In the Evil campaign, the Witch-King is reclaiming Dol Guldur for Sauron, while in the Good campaign Legolas and elven archers pursue the escaped Gollum.

2004: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth:

Mirkwood is one the battlefields for the non-storyline engagements.

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

Mirkwood makes appearance in both Good campaign and non-storyline skirmishes, in both cases the map is very different from the one in the first game.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Southern Mirkwood and Dol Guldur are the setting of the game's second expansion, The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood. In its storyline, Celeborn and Galadriel organize a military campaign against Dol Guldur while the Fellowship still resides in Lothlorien (not to be confused with the later battle during the War of the Ring). The announced goal is to saw chaos into Orc forces by destroying as many of their troops, weapons and supplies as possible, to delay an inevitable assault upon Lothlorien. The true purpose, however, is to distract the Eye of Sauron from the company departing down the shores of Anduin. An assault by the Golden Host of the Galadhrim is successful despite minor losses and after establishing multiple camps throughout southern Mirkwood arrives at the walls of the fortress itself. However, without the White Lady they do not have the means of bringing down the walls, so the Elves prepare to swiftly fall back beyond Anduin before the main forces of the Enemy arrive.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

Mirkwood is the setting of one the missions in the game, where Eradan, Farin and Andriel have to rescue Radagast the Brown from a giant spider.

2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):

Mirkwood scenes were shot both on set in the studio and on location.

See also

References

Route of Thorin and Company
Bag End · Green Dragon · The Shire · Lone-lands · Last Bridge · Trollshaws · Trolls' cave · Rivendell · High Pass · Front Porch · Goblin-town · Goblin-gate · Eagle's Eyrie · Carrock · Beorn's Hall · Wilderland · Forest Gate · Elf-path · Mirkwood · Elvenking's Halls · Forest River · Lake-town · Long Lake · River Running · Desolation of the Dragon · Ravenhill · Back Door · Lonely Mountain · Great Hall of Thráin