Battles of Beleriand

Previous war: Battle of the Powers
Next war: War of the Elves and Sauron
Wars of Beleriand
Beginning: Y.T. 1497	End: F.A. 587
Place: Throughout Beleriand and the lands northward
Outcome: Decisive victory for the Valar, expulsion of Morgoth from Arda
Major battles: First Battle of Beleriand, Dagor-nuin-Giliath, Battle of the Lammoth, Dagor Aglareb, Dagor Bragollach, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Fall of the Falas, War of Wrath
Combatants
Host of the Valar, Noldor, Sindar, Dwarves of the Blue Mountains, and Edain	Hosts of Angband
Commanders
Eönwë Ingwion Template:Thingol blazon Template:Fëanor blazon Template:Maedhros blazon Template:Fingolfin blazon Template:Fingon blazon Template:Eärendil blazon Template:Finarfin blazon Template:Finrod blazon Turgon† Círdan Azaghâl of Belegost†	Template:Morgoth blazon Template:Sauron blazon Ancalagon† Gothmog† Glaurung† Thuringwethil† Draugluin† Carcharoth† Ulfang†

The Wars of Beleriand or Battles of Beleriand, also known as the War of the Jewels (as the Silmarilli led to most of them) were a series of conflicts in the centuries leading up to the end of the First Age. The conflict was between the forces of Morgoth and the Elves of Beleriand, with their Edain (and sometimes Dwarf) allies.

From his mighty fortress of Angband, Morgoth used this base from which to launch his attacks on the peoples of Beleriand. While the Noldor had some victories, the Doom of Mandos always hung over their efforts. Many Men fell in these battles on both sides, and for a long time after the Elves had scorn for the Houses who supported Morgoth.

Significant Battles

The following are the major battles in this long, extended conflict.

1. The First Battle of Beleriand was fought before the Noldor arrived, and was fought by the Sindar, Laiquendi, and Dwarves of the Blue Mountains.
2. The Second Battle was the Dagor-nuin-Giliath, or Battle-under-Stars, fought by the Noldor following Fëanor and his Seven Sons.
   • During this battle the Battle of the Lammoth was fought by the host of Fingolfin.
3. The Third Battle was the Dagor Aglareb, or Glorious Battle, which led to the Siege of Angband.
   • Various minor battles were fought during the Siege which are not counted among the majors, such as an Orc-attack in Drengist and the Battle of the Gelion-Ascar Stockade.
4. The Fourth Battle was the disastrous Dagor Bragollach, or Battle of Sudden Flame, in which Ard-galen burned and many Noldor, including King Fingolfin, were slain.
   • Battle of Aglon Pass, where the fëanorians had to retreat towards Himring.
   • Massacre at Tarn Aeluin, in which the House of Bëor was destroyed.
5. The Fifth Battle was the Nirnaeth Arnoediad or Battle of Unnumbered Tears, in which the Union of Maedhros was utterly broken by Morgoth.
   • The Fall of the Falas, in which the havens of Brithombar and Eglarest were sacked and fell, took place after the Nírnaeth.
   • The Sack of Bar-en-Danwedh, in which the Gaurwaith were destroyed and Dor-Cúarthol lost.
   • The Battle of Tumhalad, followed by the Sack of Nargothrond, where the city was destroyed by Glaurung and his Orcs.
   • The Fall of Gondolin, in which Morgoth's hosts besieged and destroyed the Noldor and their citadel of Gondolin, killing King Turgon.
6. The Sixth and Last Battle of Beleriand was the War of Wrath, which defeated Morgoth, ended the First Age of Arda and destroyed most of Beleriand.
   • The Battle of Eglarest, in which Ingwion and his host of Vanyar landed in Eglarest and defeated the Orcs who held the Haven.

See also

There were other parallel conflicts where Morgoth was not involved, but were directly or indirectly connected to the main War, and the Silmarilli.

• The Kinslayings, three conflicts caused by the House of Feanor against other Elves to claim the Silmarilli.
  • Kinslaying at Alqualonde
  • Second Kinslaying
  • Third Kinslaying
• A brief conflict involving the Dwarves coveting the Nauglamir.
  • Battle of the Thousand Caves
  • Battle of Sarn Athrad