White Mountains: Difference between revisions
| (8 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{sources}} | {{sources}} | ||
{{location | {{location | ||
| image=[[ | | image=[[File:Raine Kuusi - Dusk.jpg|250px]] | ||
| name=White Mountains | | name=The White Mountains | ||
| othernames=Ered Nimrais | | othernames=Ered Nimrais | ||
| etymology= | | etymology= | ||
| Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
| events= | | events= | ||
| references= | | references= | ||
}} | |||
The '''White Mountains''', or '''''[[White Mountains#Etymology|Ered Nimrais]]''''' was a great mountain range that lay between [[Calenardhon]]/[[Rohan]] in the North and [[Gondor]] in the South. They ran 600 miles (965 kilometers) from [[Thrihyrne]] in the north-west to [[Mindolluin]] and [[Amon Tirith]] in the east. A low spur sprung off southwest, and ended at [[Ras Morthil]]. | The '''White Mountains''', or '''''[[White Mountains#Etymology|Ered Nimrais]]''''' was a great mountain range that lay between [[Calenardhon]]/[[Rohan]] in the North and [[Gondor]] in the South. They ran 600 miles (965 kilometers) from [[Thrihyrne]] in the north-west to [[Mindolluin]] and [[Amon Tirith]] in the east. A low spur sprung off southwest, and ended at [[Ras Morthil]]. | ||
==Geographic Features== | ==Geographic Features== | ||
===Important Peaks=== | ===Important Peaks=== | ||
The mountain range’s notable peaks were, from west to east, [[Thrihyrne]], [[Starkhorn]], [[Dwimorberg]], [[ | The mountain range’s notable peaks were, from west to east, [[Thrihyrne]], [[Starkhorn]], [[Dwimorberg]], [[Írensaga]], [[Amon Anwar|Halifirien]], [[Calenhad]], [[Min-Rimmon]], [[Erelas]], [[Nardol]], [[Eilenach]], [[Amon Dîn]], [[Mindolluin]] and [[Amon Tirith]]. | ||
At the foot of Thrihyrne was the valley known as [[Helm's Deep]], and the [[Glittering Caves]] of | At the foot of Thrihyrne was the valley known as [[Helm's Deep]], and the [[Glittering Caves]] of Aglarond were underneath its spurs. | ||
The three mountains Starkhorn, Dwimorberg and Irensaga enclosed the valley of [[Dunharrow]], and the Dwimorberg was also the home of the [[Paths of the Dead]]. | The three mountains Starkhorn, Dwimorberg and Irensaga enclosed the valley of [[Dunharrow]], and the Dwimorberg was also the home of the [[Paths of the Dead]]. | ||
Halifirien, Calenhad, Min-Rimmon, Erelas, Nardol, Eilenach, and Amon Dîn were strategically chosen hilltops on the northern side of the range. They were the [[Warning beacons of Gondor]]. There was probably a beacon-row on the south side too. | Halifirien, Calenhad, Min-Rimmon, Erelas, Nardol, Eilenach, and Amon Dîn were strategically chosen hilltops on the northern side of the range. They were the [[Warning beacons of Gondor]]. There was probably a beacon-row on the south side too. | ||
===Passes=== | ===Passes=== | ||
| Line 46: | Line 46: | ||
In the [[Second Age]], the White Mountains were populated by a people related to the Dunlendings who had been servants of [[Sauron]]. They swore allegiance to [[Isildur]], but betrayed him and were cursed: they became known as the [[Oathbreakers]]. | In the [[Second Age]], the White Mountains were populated by a people related to the Dunlendings who had been servants of [[Sauron]]. They swore allegiance to [[Isildur]], but betrayed him and were cursed: they became known as the [[Oathbreakers]]. | ||
The valley on the southern side were under the rule of the [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]], and the lords of [[Blackroot Vale]], [[Ringló Vale]], [[Tumladen]] and [[Lossarnach]] were loyal fiefs.<ref name=rkmap/> | |||
The valley on the southern side were | |||
From {{TA|2510}}, the northern vales and hills became under the rule of the Rohirrim, mighty horselords from the North. They settled in [[Helm's Deep]], [[Dunharrow]] and [[Grimslade]], and built their capital [[Edoras]] on an outlying hill.<ref name=rkmap>{{RK|Map}}</ref> | |||
In the early [[Fourth Age]], [[Gimli]], son of [[ | After the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] in {{TA|2799}}, thousands of [[orcs]] fled south and troubled Rohan for two generations. Although the [[Rohirrim]] fought them off, some Orcs managed to reach the Mountains; King [[Walda]] was killed by an Orc at [[Dunharrow]].<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref> | ||
In the early [[Fourth Age]], [[Gimli]], son of [[Glóin]] led a colony of [[Dwarves]] and settled in the [[Glittering Caves]], of which he had discovered the value during the [[Battle of the Hornburg]].<ref>{{App|Durin}}</ref> | |||
==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The [[Sindarin]] name of the White Mountains, '''''Ered Nimrais''''', consists of ''[[ered]]'' ("mountains") and ''nimrais'' ("white-peaks; pale-horns").<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 33</ref> | |||
==See also== | |||
*[[:Category:Images of the White Mountains|Images of the White Mountains]] | |||
{{ | {{References}} | ||
* ''[[The Two Towers]]'', passim. | * ''[[The Two Towers]]'', passim. | ||
* ''[[The Return of the King]]'', passim. | * ''[[The Return of the King]]'', passim. | ||
| Line 66: | Line 67: | ||
* ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]''. | * ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]''. | ||
* ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''. | * ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]''. | ||
[[Category:Gondor]] | [[Category:Gondor]] | ||
[[Category:Rohan]] | [[Category:Rohan]] | ||
Revision as of 17:24, 6 July 2015
|
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made. |
| The White Mountains | |
|---|---|
| Mountain range | |
 | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | Ered Nimrais |
| Location | Between Gondor and Rohan |
| Type | Mountain range |
| Description | Tall, snow-capped mountains |
| Regions | Gondor and Rohan |
| Inhabitants | Men, Dwarves |
The White Mountains, or Ered Nimrais was a great mountain range that lay between Calenardhon/Rohan in the North and Gondor in the South. They ran 600 miles (965 kilometers) from Thrihyrne in the north-west to Mindolluin and Amon Tirith in the east. A low spur sprung off southwest, and ended at Ras Morthil.
Geographic Features
Important Peaks
The mountain range’s notable peaks were, from west to east, Thrihyrne, Starkhorn, Dwimorberg, Írensaga, Halifirien, Calenhad, Min-Rimmon, Erelas, Nardol, Eilenach, Amon Dîn, Mindolluin and Amon Tirith.
At the foot of Thrihyrne was the valley known as Helm's Deep, and the Glittering Caves of Aglarond were underneath its spurs.
The three mountains Starkhorn, Dwimorberg and Irensaga enclosed the valley of Dunharrow, and the Dwimorberg was also the home of the Paths of the Dead.
Halifirien, Calenhad, Min-Rimmon, Erelas, Nardol, Eilenach, and Amon Dîn were strategically chosen hilltops on the northern side of the range. They were the Warning beacons of Gondor. There was probably a beacon-row on the south side too.
Passes
There were no passes over the White Mountains. If the Fellowship of the Ring were to avoid the Gap of Rohan, they would have to follow the coast around Ras Morthil on the cape of Andrast. The only passage through the mountain range was at the Paths of the Dead, but only the most courageous (or foolhardy) ever ventured that route.
Rivers
Several rivers sprung from the White Mountains, among them the Adorn, the Deeping-stream, the Snowbourn and Mering Stream on the north side, and, on the south side, the Erui, the Ringló, the Ciril, the Morthond and the Lefnui.
History
Origins
The White Mountains were presumably made by the Vala Aulë when he helped in the construction of Arda. It is also possible that the were created by Melkor, and served the same goal as the Misty Mountains.
A local legend among the indigenous people of Gondor told of giants making the mountains, to keep Men out of their lands by the Sea. One of them, Stiffneck or Tarlang died there and some peaks are his neck and head; the stones he was carrying were known as Cûl Veleg and Cûl Bîn.[1]
Inhabitants
Throughout history, the White Mountains were inhabited by Men, Drúedain, Dunlendings, Rohirrim, Gondorians, Orcs, and Dwarves.
The Drúedain lived along its northern edges, leaving Púkel-men at Starkhorn and Drúwaith Iaur. They resettled to a forest that would later be named after them: Tawar in-Drúedain.
In the Second Age, the White Mountains were populated by a people related to the Dunlendings who had been servants of Sauron. They swore allegiance to Isildur, but betrayed him and were cursed: they became known as the Oathbreakers.
The valley on the southern side were under the rule of the King of Gondor, and the lords of Blackroot Vale, Ringló Vale, Tumladen and Lossarnach were loyal fiefs.[2]
From T.A. 2510, the northern vales and hills became under the rule of the Rohirrim, mighty horselords from the North. They settled in Helm's Deep, Dunharrow and Grimslade, and built their capital Edoras on an outlying hill.[2]
After the Battle of Azanulbizar in T.A. 2799, thousands of orcs fled south and troubled Rohan for two generations. Although the Rohirrim fought them off, some Orcs managed to reach the Mountains; King Walda was killed by an Orc at Dunharrow.[3]
In the early Fourth Age, Gimli, son of Glóin led a colony of Dwarves and settled in the Glittering Caves, of which he had discovered the value during the Battle of the Hornburg.[4]
Etymology
The Sindarin name of the White Mountains, Ered Nimrais, consists of ered ("mountains") and nimrais ("white-peaks; pale-horns").[5]
See also
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings, omitted entry quoted in Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull, The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, pp. 536-7
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 33
