Pass of Aglon
| Pass of Aglon | |
|---|---|
| Pass | |
 | |
| "Aglon" by Matěj Čadil | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | The Narrow Pass |
| Location | Between Dorthonion and Himring |
| Type | Pass |
| Description | A cold, windy, narrow pass, steep-sided on the west |
| People and History | |
| Inhabitants | Fëanorian Noldor |
| Events | Battle of the Pass of Aglon, Nirnaeth Arnoediad |
| Gallery | Images of Aglon |
The Pass of Aglon, also called the Gorge of Aglon[1] or just Aglon, was the pass between Dorthonion and the uplands west of Himring, to the north-east of Beleriand.[2]
Geography
The Pass of Aglon was about six leagues in length, with the western side bordering the Dorthonion plateau rising in very high steep walls. It was chilly since a bitter wind continuously blew through the pass from the lands to the north.[3]
History
Two of the Sons of Fëanor, Celegorm and Curufin, heavily fortified this area, augmented by extra forces in Himlad.[3] About ten leagues to the east, the pair's elder brother Maedhros had built upon the Hill of Himring his stronghold, thus protecting this weak point in the chain of kingdoms created by the Noldor after the Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle-under-Stars).[3]
In F.A. 402, Orcs attempted to break through the Pass, but the people of Bëor helped Maedhros and Maglor throw back the invaders.[4]
In F.A. 455,[5] during the Dagor Bragollach, Orcs broke through Celegorm and Curufin's fortifications and Aglon was lost, leaving Maedhros' stronghold in Himring the main centre for the forces of Fëanor's sons. Maedhros later took back the Pass for a time.[6] However, after Nirnaeth Arnoediad in 472,[7] the Sons of Fëanor were scattered, the Pass of Aglon fell under Morgoth's domination,[8] and it was garrisoned by Orcs.[1] The Pass was never recovered, along with all of the land of northern Beleriand.
Etymology
Aglon is Sindarin for "Narrow Pass".[9]
Other versions of the legendarium
The name Pass of Aglond appears in a text and on a map within J.R.R. Tolkien's final writings. Christopher Tolkien ignored the d when redrawing the map, believing it to be an original element. However, he notes that though it may seem like an original element, the d could have been added much later.[10]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §242
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Map of Beleriand and the Lands to the North"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beleriand and its Realms"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §125
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §148
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §219
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names", entry "Aglon"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: III. Maeglin", Note 3
