Nirnaeth Arnoediad: Difference between revisions

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===Battle===
===Battle===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Gwindor's Charge.jpg|left|thumb|''Gwindor's Charge'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - Gwindor's Charge.jpg|left|thumb|''Gwindor's Charge'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
That same hour a small host of Orcs sallied forth from [[Angband]] to provoke the Western host to attack. Within sight of the [[Ered Wethrin]], [[Gwindor]]'s brother [[Gelmir]], captured during the Dagor Bragollach, was brought forth, and brutally slain. Enraged, Gwindor broke ranks and charged along with his men. From their hidden positions in the eastern hills, Fingon's forces suddenly charged along with them. The Orc host was taken by surprise and swiftly defeated, and the sudden charge of Fingon's army nearly foiled Morgoth's plans; the forces of Gwindor and Fingon pushed forth, reaching Angband itself.
Morgoth then moved forward with his plan, that same hour a host of Orcs sallied forth from [[Angband]] to provoke the western host to attack and another greater host was sent to meet Maedhros.<ref name="UT"/> The hearts of the Noldor grew restless and the captains wish to assail the Orc-host in the plains, but Fingon forbade this and to urge caution and to wait for the Orcs to assault the hills.<ref name="UT"/><ref group=note>In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' this warning was told by [[Húrin]].</ref> Within sight of the [[Ered Wethrin]], [[Gwindor]]'s brother [[Gelmir]], captured during the [[Dagor Bragollach]], was brought forth, and brutally slain. Enraged, Gwindor broke ranks and charged along with his men. From their hidden positions in the eastern hills, Fingon's forces suddenly charged along with them. The Orc host was taken by surprise and swiftly defeated, and the sudden charge of Fingon's army nearly foiled Morgoth's plans; the forces of Gwindor and Fingon pushed forth, reaching Angband itself.<ref name="NA"/>
 
Morgoth shook upon his throne as Gwindor's company pounded at his gates above. They burst through, and slew the guards on the steps of Angband itself, though Morgoth had trapped them. They were then ambushed with hidden forces set about Angband; all of Gwindor's company was slain and Gwindor himself was captured. From clandestine gates around Angband, thousands of Orcs erupted suddenly, repulsing the host of Fingon from the walls. The Elven army was driven back in great slaughter, and many [[Haladin]] fell fighting in the rearguard including their lord [[Haldir (Chieftain of the Haladin)|Haldir]].<ref name="NA"/>


Morgoth shook upon this throne as Gwindor's company pounded at his gates above. They burst through, and slew the guards on the steps of Angband itself, though Morgoth had trapped them. They were then ambushed with hidden forces set about Angband; all of Gwindor's company was slain and Gwindor himself was captured. From clandestine gates around Angband, thousands of Orcs erupted suddenly, repulsing the host of Fingon from the walls. The Elven army was driven back in great slaughter, and many [[Haladin]] fell fighting in the rearguard.
[[File:Joona Kujanen - The Fall of Azaghal.jpg|thumb|left|''The Fall of Azaghâl'' by [[:Category:Images by Joona Kujanen|Joona Kujanen]]]]
[[File:Joona Kujanen - The Fall of Azaghal.jpg|thumb|left|''The Fall of Azaghâl'' by [[:Category:Images by Joona Kujanen|Joona Kujanen]]]]
[[Turgon]], who had withheld his host from the reckless charge, now came upon the Orc host. The phalanx of Turgon broke through the Angband lines, and met with the guard of Fingon.  
[[Turgon]], who had withheld his host from the reckless charge, now came upon the Orc host. The phalanx of Turgon broke through the Angband lines, and met with the guard of Fingon.
 
Finally, Maedhros arrived, but before he could make junction with Fingon and Turgon, Morgoth unleashed his last strength and all of Angband was emptied; wolves, wolfriders, Balrogs, dragons and with them [[Glaurung]]. Union forces could yet have prevailed, but [[Uldor]] turned ranks and attacked Maedhros in the rear, while more of his kin came down from the mountains and attacked from the east. [[Maglor]] slew Uldor in single combat<ref group=note>In ''[[The Grey Annals]]'' Uldor was slained by Cranthir (Caranthir)</ref>, [[Bór]] and his sons slew [[Ulfast]] and [[Ulwarth]] and they themselves were slain, but could not turn the tide of the battle. Under assault from three sides, the eastern host was scattered, and only the valour of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Belegost]] helped them escape, as their lord [[Azaghâl]] and his forces held off Glaurung, allowing the [[sons of Fëanor]] to escape into [[Ossiriand]].<ref name="NA"/>


Finally, Maedhros arrived, but before he could make junction with Fingon and Turgon, [[Glaurung]] the dragon and [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]] lord of [[Balrogs|Balrog]]s intercepted him.  Union forces could yet have prevailed, but [[Uldor]], son of Ulfang and a traitor, turned ranks and attacked Maedhros in the rear, while more of his kin came down from the mountains and attacked from the east. [[Maglor]] slew Uldor in single combat, but could not turn the tide of the battle. Under assault from three sides, the eastern host was scattered, and only the valour of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Belegost]] helped them escape, as their lord [[Azaghâl]] and his forces held off Glaurung, allowing the [[sons of Fëanor]] to escape into Ossiriand.
[[Image:Jenny Dolfen - Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears.jpg|thumb|right|''Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
[[Image:Jenny Dolfen - Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears.jpg|thumb|left|''Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears'' by [[Jenny Dolfen]]]]
[[Azaghâl]] and his army fought with fierce iron masks on, and they were able to resist the fire far better than any Elf or Man. Then Glaurung trampled Azaghâl beneath his feet, but Azaghâl ran a dagger through Glaurung's stomach, and the dragon fled in pain.  Many beasts retreated with him. In a solemn ceremony, the Dwarves picked up their fallen leader, abandoning the battle, and marched him home in a great procession. Their wrath was so great that none troubled them.<ref name="NA"/>
[[Azaghâl]] and his army fought with fierce iron masks on, and they were able to resist the fire far better than any Elf or Man. Then Glaurung trampled Azaghâl beneath his feet, but Azaghâl ran a dagger through Glaurung's stomach, and the dragon fled in pain.  Many of Morgoth's forces retreated with him. In a solemn ceremony, the Dwarves picked up their fallen leader, abandoning the battle, and marched him home in a great procession. Their wrath was so great that none troubled them.


All this had not helped the western host, who were attacked by many Orcs under Gothmog. Gothmog cut a path to Fingon and fought him in single combat. Fingon fell under his might, and [[Húrin]] begged Turgon to retreat back to Gondolin. [[Huor]] and Húrin and the remaining [[Men of Dor-lómin]] formed a living wall across the [[Fen of Serech]], buying time for Turgon to escape with most of the surviving Elves of the north. Acting as a rearguard, these Men were almost all slain &ndash; Huor fell when his eye was pierced by a poisoned arrow. His brother Húrin fought ferociously to buy his allies time to escape, fighting until his axe withered away. Morgoth had ordered him to be taken alive, however; he killed no fewer than seventy Orcs and Trolls before he became pinned under their corpses, and was later taken prisoner by Gothmog.
All this had not helped the western host, who were attacked by many Orcs under [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]]. Gothmog cut a path to Fingon and fought him in single combat. Fingon was hewed by his black axe and his body beaten with maces. [[Húrin]] begged Turgon to retreat back to Gondolin, knowing now he was the last of the [[House of Fingolfin]] and Gondolin still remained hidden so Morgoth would still know fear in his heart. [[Huor]] then said to the king that from his house the hope of Elves and Men will come and 'from me and you a new star shall arise.' Huor and Húrin and the remaining [[Men of Dor-lómin]] formed a living wall across the [[Fen of Serech]], buying time for Turgon to escape with what remained of the Elves of Gondolin and Fingon's host. Acting as a rearguard, these Men were almost all slain &ndash; Huor fell when his eye was pierced by a poisoned arrow. His brother Húrin fought ferociously to buy his allies time to escape, fighting until his axe withered away. Morgoth had ordered him to be taken alive, however; he killed no fewer than seventy Orcs<ref group=note>In ''[[The Grey Annals]]'' it was a hundred Orcs</ref> and Trolls before he became pinned under their corpses, and was later taken prisoner by Gothmog.<ref name="NA"/>


===Aftermath===
===Aftermath===

Revision as of 09:35, 3 June 2020

This article is about the battle. For the chapter of the same name, see The Battle of Unnumbered Tears.
Nirnaeth Arnoediad
Mysilvergreen - The Battle of Unnumbered Tears.jpg
Conflict: Wars of Beleriand
Date: F.A. 472
Place: Anfauglith and the Fen of Serech
Outcome: Decisive victory for Morgoth
Combatants

Union of Maedhros

Forces of Morgoth
Easterlings (under Ulfang)[note 1]

Commanders

Template:Maedhros blazon
Template:Fingon blazon
Turgon
Mablung
Beleg
Gwindor
Húrin Thalion
Haldir
Bór
Azaghâl of Belegost
Caranthir
Maglor
Huor

Morgoth
Gothmog
Glaurung
Uldor
Unnamed Captain of Morgoth[1]

Strength

Unknown, only mentioned 10,000 Gondolindrim[2]

Unknown, full strength of Angband including Balrogs, Wolves, Orcs, Dragons[note 2]

Casualties

Heavy

Unknown

The Nirnaeth Arnoediad, also known as the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, was the fifth battle in the Wars of Beleriand fought between the forces of Morgoth and the Union of Maedhros. Its name was taken from the first words of the Doom of Mandos: "Tears unnumbered ye shall shed...". The battle was a pivotal moment in the war as the northern power of the Elves was totally destroyed allowing Morgoth to exercise his dominance over Beleriand.

Background

Main article: Union of Maedhros

In the almost two decades since their defeat in the Dagor Bragollach, the Noldor had lost control over the entire north of Beleriand, and were, for the most part, reduced to refugees dwelling in Hithlum and Nargothrond. Gondolin was shut up and unknown.

In F.A. 468,[3] Maedhros after hearing the deeds of Beren and Lúthien perceived Morgoth was not unassailable and planned to take the offence against Angband before Morgoth would destroy them all one by one. Thus he set out plans to reunite the foes of Morgoth under a new league, the Union of Maedhros.[2]

Under this Union of Maedhros all the Elves of Beleriand, as well as the Edain, Dwarves, and the newly arrived Easterlings were invited to combine in arms and fight Morgoth. The smithies of Nogrod and Belegost were busy preparing weapons and the Easterlings following Bór and Ulfang were trained for war. In west Beleriand the Noldor in Hithlum prepared as well as the Men of the house of Hador and people of Haleth. The Elves of Falas also came. Tidings of the Union also came to Turgon.[2]

Because of the evil deeds of Celegorm and Curufin it hindered Maedhros' plans, Orodreth the king of Nargothrond refused to participate, but Gwindor joined the Union, commanding a group of Elves against his will. From Doriath, where Thingol had sworn never to fight beside any son of Fëanor, came only Mablung and Beleg, who did not wish to remain behind.[note 3][2]

A year later[4] Maedhros made the first trial of his strength and cleared the northward regions of Beleriand of Orcs and regained much of the land the Elves lost in the Dagor Bragollach, even Dorthonion was freed. Unbeknown to Maedhros Ulfang and his followers were in secret league with Morgoth and he was well aware of the plans of the Union from his spies.[2]

Strategy and array

The Union of Maedhros was divided into two hosts, the western host was commanded by Fingon and the eastern host was commanded by Maedhros.

Western Host

Eastern Host

The strategy of the Union was for Maedhros to march in force into Anfauglith, there he hoped Morgoth would respond by sending out his armies to meet the eastern host. The western host would remain hidden in the woods and valleys east of Ered Wethrin waiting for the firing of a great beacon in Dorthonion. Upon firing of the beacon Fingon would lead his host and engage the host of Morgoth from the west hoping to break it like hammer and anvil. The western host was reinforced later when Turgon unexpectedly came forth with ten thousand Gondolindrim.[2]

History

Prelude

Then When Fingon heard afar the great trumpet of Turgon, the shadow passed and his heart was uplifted, and he shouted aloud: 'Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatarni, utúlie'n aurë! The day has come! Behold, people of the Eldar and Fathers of Men, the day has come!' And all those who heard his great voice echo in the hills answered crying: 'Auta i lómë! The night is passing!'
—The Children of Húrin, The Battle of Unnumbered Tears

On the morning of Midsummer the trumpets of the Eldar greeted the rising of the sun and hosts of Fingon and Maedhros gathered in the west and east. Fingon on the walls of Eithel Sirion saw his host arrayed, hidden in the woods and he looked to the east and through the dust he saw the glint of steel and indeed Maedhros had set forth into Anfauglith. A dark cloud gathered about Thangorodrim and the wrath of Morgoth was aroused and he accepted the challenge. A shadow of doubt fell upon the heart of Fingon then suddenly a cry went up of wonder and joy, as Turgon had come unsummoned and unlooked for with his host - "ten thousand strong, with bright mail and long swords and spears like a forest".[2]

Fingon received Turgon's army with the cry "Utúlie'n aurë!" and they stationed guarding the passes of Sirion and he became hopeful. Morgoth through his spies had learned of the battle plan, and his treacherous servants had delayed Maedhros' march to prevent swift union of the two forces.[2]

Battle

Gwindor's Charge by Peter Xavier Price

Morgoth then moved forward with his plan, that same hour a host of Orcs sallied forth from Angband to provoke the western host to attack and another greater host was sent to meet Maedhros.[1] The hearts of the Noldor grew restless and the captains wish to assail the Orc-host in the plains, but Fingon forbade this and to urge caution and to wait for the Orcs to assault the hills.[1][note 4] Within sight of the Ered Wethrin, Gwindor's brother Gelmir, captured during the Dagor Bragollach, was brought forth, and brutally slain. Enraged, Gwindor broke ranks and charged along with his men. From their hidden positions in the eastern hills, Fingon's forces suddenly charged along with them. The Orc host was taken by surprise and swiftly defeated, and the sudden charge of Fingon's army nearly foiled Morgoth's plans; the forces of Gwindor and Fingon pushed forth, reaching Angband itself.[2]

Morgoth shook upon his throne as Gwindor's company pounded at his gates above. They burst through, and slew the guards on the steps of Angband itself, though Morgoth had trapped them. They were then ambushed with hidden forces set about Angband; all of Gwindor's company was slain and Gwindor himself was captured. From clandestine gates around Angband, thousands of Orcs erupted suddenly, repulsing the host of Fingon from the walls. The Elven army was driven back in great slaughter, and many Haladin fell fighting in the rearguard including their lord Haldir.[2]

The Fall of Azaghâl by Joona Kujanen

Turgon, who had withheld his host from the reckless charge, now came upon the Orc host. The phalanx of Turgon broke through the Angband lines, and met with the guard of Fingon.

Finally, Maedhros arrived, but before he could make junction with Fingon and Turgon, Morgoth unleashed his last strength and all of Angband was emptied; wolves, wolfriders, Balrogs, dragons and with them Glaurung. Union forces could yet have prevailed, but Uldor turned ranks and attacked Maedhros in the rear, while more of his kin came down from the mountains and attacked from the east. Maglor slew Uldor in single combat[note 5], Bór and his sons slew Ulfast and Ulwarth and they themselves were slain, but could not turn the tide of the battle. Under assault from three sides, the eastern host was scattered, and only the valour of the Dwarves of Belegost helped them escape, as their lord Azaghâl and his forces held off Glaurung, allowing the sons of Fëanor to escape into Ossiriand.[2]

Nirnaeth Arnoediad - Unnumbered Tears by Jenny Dolfen

Azaghâl and his army fought with fierce iron masks on, and they were able to resist the fire far better than any Elf or Man. Then Glaurung trampled Azaghâl beneath his feet, but Azaghâl ran a dagger through Glaurung's stomach, and the dragon fled in pain. Many beasts retreated with him. In a solemn ceremony, the Dwarves picked up their fallen leader, abandoning the battle, and marched him home in a great procession. Their wrath was so great that none troubled them.[2]

All this had not helped the western host, who were attacked by many Orcs under Gothmog. Gothmog cut a path to Fingon and fought him in single combat. Fingon was hewed by his black axe and his body beaten with maces. Húrin begged Turgon to retreat back to Gondolin, knowing now he was the last of the House of Fingolfin and Gondolin still remained hidden so Morgoth would still know fear in his heart. Huor then said to the king that from his house the hope of Elves and Men will come and 'from me and you a new star shall arise.' Huor and Húrin and the remaining Men of Dor-lómin formed a living wall across the Fen of Serech, buying time for Turgon to escape with what remained of the Elves of Gondolin and Fingon's host. Acting as a rearguard, these Men were almost all slain – Huor fell when his eye was pierced by a poisoned arrow. His brother Húrin fought ferociously to buy his allies time to escape, fighting until his axe withered away. Morgoth had ordered him to be taken alive, however; he killed no fewer than seventy Orcs[note 6] and Trolls before he became pinned under their corpses, and was later taken prisoner by Gothmog.[2]

Aftermath

Morgoth's victory was near complete, as he had destroyed all the people of Hithlum and had scattered the sons of Fëanor away from Himring. Morgoth's Orcs razed all of Beleriand except for Doriath, which was still protected by the Girdle of Melian, and sacked the havens of the Falas.

The Hill of Slain by Ted Nasmith

Morgoth betrayed his servants the Easterlings, shutting them in Hithlum under penalty of death, and denied to them the fertile lands of Beleriand. Morgoth's destruction was not entirely complete, however, for Turgon, now High King of the Noldor after the death of Fingon, had evaded capture, and his city Gondolin was still unknown to Morgoth. While the Union's attack inflicted fairly heavy losses on Morgoth's forces, this was largely irrelevant compared to how utterly Morgoth had broken the power of so many of his enemies in the battle. His armies would take time to regain their former strength, however, and thus he remained dormant once more for some time, seeking out the hidden city of Gondolin and the last bastion of his enemies. Gwindor himself was one of few prominent survivors of the battle and was enslaved in Morgoth's mines for fourteen years before finally escaping. He returned and warned the King of Nargothrond that Ulmo had advised against fighting open war with Morgoth; the King did not heed his advice, however, and at the Battle of Tumhalad, followed by the Sack of Nargothrond, the Elves there were completely eradicated.

The Noldor ultimately recovered from the battle but remained hidden within Gondolin away from Morgoth's wrath, where they stayed clandestine and defensively rebuilt their forces. It wasn't until some 38 years after Nirnaeth Arnoediad that Morgoth obtained the location of Gondolin, and besieged it in order to finalize his annihilation of the Noldor and to cement his domination of Middle-earth.

Morgoth had personally laid waste to Ard-Galen, turning it into a dust-choked wasteland of fire and poisonous gas, known from then on as Anfauglith. It was here that many Elves and Men were slain and thrown into great piles on a hill in the midst of the desolate landscape; referred to as the Hill of Slain by the Elves, grass grew on that hill long after the battle but nowhere else in Anfauglith.

Etymology

Nirnaeth (or Nírnaeth) Arnoediad (or Arnediad) is Sindarin for "Tears Uncountable".[5][6]

Note that the "oe" of "Arnoediad" is not the Sindarin diphthong "oe", but rather the single umlaut vowel "œ", better represented with a digraph.[7]

Other versions of the Legendarium

See also

Notes

  1. There is no mention of Ulfang taking part in the battle and it is noted that his son Uldor was the leader of the treachery, commanding his forces. It is unknown if he was alive or dead by that time or still alive after. In the appendix of The Lost Road it states that Ulfand (earlier form of Ulfang) was born in year 100, died 170. When comparing the dates with the earliest Annals of Beleriand Ulfand died two years before the battle which started at 172.
  2. In the Annals of Beleriand it is written that there were 100,000 Orcs and 1000 Balrogs when Morgoth emptied Angband. It is unclear if this number was definite since Tolkien had revised the number of Balrogs significantly over the development of the story.
  3. In the The Grey Annals Thingol sends a small force of Grey-elves with Mablung, Beleg is not mentioned to have gone to war.
  4. In The Silmarillion this warning was told by Húrin.
  5. In The Grey Annals Uldor was slained by Cranthir (Caranthir)
  6. In The Grey Annals it was a hundred Orcs

References


War of the Great Jewels
First Battle · Dagor-nuin-Giliath · Dagor Aglareb · Dagor Bragollach · Nirnaeth Arnoediad · War of Wrath