Tol-in-Gaurhoth

From Tolkien Gateway
Revision as of 22:39, 24 February 2021 by Fredeghar (talk | contribs)
Tol-in-Gaurhoth
Island fortress
Alan Lee - On the bridge of woe, in mantle wrapped at dead of night, she sat and sang.jpg
"On the bridge of woe, in mantle wrapped at dead of night, she sat and sang" by Alan Lee
General Information
Other namesformerly known as "Tol Sirion"
LocationUpper Sirion
TypeIsland fortress
People and History
InhabitantsSauron, Draugluin, Werewolves, Thuringwethil
CreatedF.A. 457
GalleryImages of Tol-in-Gaurhoth

Tol-in-Gaurhoth or Isle of Werewolves, also called Wizard's Isle[1] was a fortress held by Sauron in the First Age, once called Tol Sirion.

History

Tol-in-Gaurhoth began as the Minas Tirith of Finrod Felagund, and was held by Orodreth for his uncle to guard the vale of Sirion. However, Orodreth was powerless to stop Sauron from taking the isle, and fled south. Sauron began breeding large wolves in the isle which he sent evil spirits into, turning them into werewolves.

Ten years later during the Quest for the Silmaril, Beren Erchamion, seeking the Silmaril, enlisted Finrod's aid, but they were captured passing the isle when Sauron defeated Finrod in a spell contest. Their companions were slain one-by-one by werewolves. Finrod saved Beren's life, but died himself.

Lúthien and the Hound Huan came to Beren's rescue, and Huan killed the wolves sent against him. After Draugluin was killed Sauron went out in wolf-form but was defeated. Lúthien got control over the isle's magic from Sauron, who fled, and Minas Tirith was reduced to ruins. Finrod was buried there.[2] The isle remained clean afterwards, but after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad it was retaken by Morgoth and its towers rebuilt.[3]

Etymology

Tol-in-Gaurhoth is Sindarin for "Isle of Werewolves", from tol ("isle") + plural i (definite article) + gaur ("wereworf") + hoth ("host").[4]

References