Barad Eithel

From Tolkien Gateway
Barad Eithel
Fortress
Barad Eithel by Matěj Čadil
"Barad Eithel" by Matěj Čadil
General Information
Pronunciationbah-rad ay-thel
LocationEred Wethrin
TypeFortress
People and History
InhabitantsNoldor
EventsNirnaeth Arnoediad
GalleryImages of Barad Eithel

Barad Eithel (S. "Tower of the Well"[1]) was the mountain fortress of Fingolfin and his son Fingon, thus the seat of the High Kings of the Noldor (until the Nirnaeth Arnoediad).

It was set in the eastern foothills of the Ered Wethrin, at Eithel Sirion, the source of the River Sirion.[2] It was here that the Battle of Unnumbered Tears took place, and where Fingon was slain, giving Morgoth the chance to take control over the chief stronghold of both Mithrim and Dor-lómin.[3]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Barad Eithel is Sindarin meaning "Tower of the Well" referring to the Wells of Sirion; from barad "tower" and eithel "well".[4]

References