White pillar
This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name. |
White Pillar | |
---|---|
Monument | |
General Information | |
Location | Highest hill of the headland above the Haven of Umbar |
Type | Monument |
Description | Tall white pillar crowned with a globe of crystal |
Regions | Early Gondor, Umbar |
The White Pillar was a monument erected upon the highest hill of the headland overlooking Umbar. The great pillar was white with a crystal globe set on top. The globe absorbed the rays of the Sun or the Moon and shone like a star that could, in clear weather, be seen far out to sea or even upon the south coasts of Gondor.[1]
History
In S.A. 3261 the Númenórean King Ar-Pharazôn landed at Umbar and humbled the might of Sauron.[2] Although Ar-Pharazôn's reign represented the darkest times of Númenor, culminating in disaster, Elendil and his exiled followers remembered the landing with pride; they erected the White Pillar in memory of the event, commemorating the power of their race, and the humiliaton of the Dark Lord.
At the end of the Kin-strife between the factions of Eldacar and Castamir, the sons of the usurper sailed with their followers from Pelargir to Umbar in T.A. 1448, removing the city from Gondor's control.[3] After Umbar fell under the domination of Sauron's servants the memorial of his humiliation was destroyed.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"