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'''First Battle''' was the first of the five great battles in the [[Wars of Beleriand]], fought soon after the destruction of the [[Two Trees]] of [[Valinor]], and before the [[Return of the Noldor]] to [[Middle-earth]]. After his own return to [[Middle-earth]], [[Melkor]] loosed legions of [[Orcs]] upon [[Thingol]] and [[Círdan]], at that time the two greatest lords of [[Beleriand]]. Though the [[Elves]] managed to save both their kingdoms of [[Doriath]] and the [[Falas]], the Orcs roamed Beleriand freely after this battle until the coming of the [[Noldor]].  
{{battle
| name=First Battle
| image=[[File:Elena Kukanova - King of Doriath.jpg|300px]]
| conflict= [[Wars of Beleriand]]
| date={{YT|1497}}
| place= Across [[Beleriand]], but especially on the plains east and west of [[Doriath]]
| result= Partial victories for both sides
*The [[Falas]] is besieged
*[[Orcs]] wander freely throughout [[Beleriand]]
*[[Girdle of Melian]] created
| side1=[[Iathrim]]<br />
[[Falathrim]]<br />
[[Laiquendi]]<br />
[[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains|Naugrim]]
| side2=Forces of [[Morgoth]]
| commanders1=
[[Thingol]]<br />
[[Círdan]]<br />
[[Denethor (Nando)|Denethor]] †
| commanders2=
[[Morgoth]]
| forces1=Unknown
| forces2=Unknown, force split into two hosts; western and eastern
| casual1=Unknown, but heavy [[Laiquendi]] losses<ref name="Sindar">{{S|10}}</ref>
| casual2=Western host:<br />
*Unknown<br />
Eastern host:<br />
*Heavy, few survivors<ref>{{S|10}}, p. 106 'few returned indeed to Angband'</ref>
|}}
The '''First Battle''', sometimes called the '''First Battle of Beleriand''', was the first great battle of the [[Wars of Beleriand]] fought between the forces of [[Morgoth]] and the [[Elves]] and [[Dwarves]] in Beleriand.
 
==Background==
While Melkor was imprisoned in [[Valinor]], there was peace in Beleriand. The Dwarves passed over the [[Blue Mountains]] into Beleriand and established the cities [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]]. They came in contact with the [[Sindar]] and a friendship grew between the two races. [[Melian]], having the foresight of the [[Maiar]], advised [[Thingol]] that the peace of [[Arda]] would not last forever. Thus, Thingol set out to build a strong dwelling for himself and his people in case evil would awaken again in [[Middle-earth]]. Together with the Dwarves, they built [[Menegroth]], the Thousand Caves.<ref name="Sindar" />
 
Later the Dwarves came to Thingol and told him of the sighting of evil creatures roaming far and wide in [[Beleriand]], learning the ways of the land and awaiting the return of their lord. Thingol then ordered his people to be armed and the Dwarves smithied weapons and armour for the Elves. Together they drove out the evil creatures, and for time there was peace.<ref name="Sindar" />
 
East of the Blue Mountains in [[Eriador]] dwelt some of the [[Nandor]] that wandered around the [[Anduin]]. They were troubled by the fell beasts of the north so [[Denethor (son of Lenwë)|Denethor]], son of [[Lenwë]], led much of the Nandor west across the Blue Mountains after hearing rumour of the might of Thingol's realm. Thingol welcomed them as long lost kin and they dwelt in [[Ossiriand]].<ref name="Sindar" />
 
After Melkor served three ages of imprisonment, he was released, but soon turned to evil again, and destroyed the [[Two Trees]] with the aid of [[Ungoliant]]. While the [[Noldor]] still toiled through [[Araman]] Morgoth had returned to Middle-earth with the [[Silmarils]] and rebuilt his old fortress of [[Angband]].
 
==History==
===Prelude===
Shortly before the [[Return of the Noldor]] to Middle-earth, Morgoth launched his attack upon Beleriand, thinking to gain the mastery of the land quickly. The Orcs had long been breeding and multiplying and Morgoth filled them with purpose. From the gates of Angband issued a great army, it broke into two hosts which passed west between [[Sirion]] and [[Narog]] and east between [[Celon]] and [[Gelion]].<ref name="Sindar" /> Some of the bands even climbed the passes of [[Anach]] and [[Aglon]], for the [[Orcs]] were said to have "passed silently into the highlands of the north."<ref name="Sindar" />
 
===Battle===
In [[West Beleriand]], the bulk of the western host camped on the plain between Narog and Sirion, hurrying throughout West Beleriand; and Thingol was cut off from Círdan at [[Eglarest]].<ref name="Sindar" /> Led by Círdan, the [[Elves of the Havens]] countered but were driven back within their walls and besieged.<ref name="Sindar" />
 
In East Beleriand, King Thingol took the offensive, leading out the Sindar of Menegroth and the Forest of [[Region]].<ref name="Sindar" /> He called upon Denethor who led a host of Elves from Ossiriand. The eastern host of Orcs were assailed on both its sides by the Eldar and a battle ensued north of the [[Andram]]. The [[Orcs]] prevailed over Denethor and encircled him on [[Amon Ereb]], where he fell before he could be rescued by Thingol's host, for the lightly-armed [[Elves of Ossiriand]] were no match for the iron-clad and heavily-armed Orcs.<ref name="Sindar" /> When help arrived, the Elves routed the Orcs of Morgoth and of the few Orcs who escaped, most fell later to the axes of the [[Dwarves of the Blue Mountains|Dwarves of Mount Dolmed]].<ref name="Sindar" /> 
 
===Aftermath===
[[File:Steamey - Making the Girdle of Melian.jpg|250px|right|thumb|"Making the Girdle of Melian" by [[:Category:Images by Steamey|Steamy]]]]
The western host overran West Beleriand and the [[Falas]], while the eastern host of [[Morgoth]] was destroyed.<ref name="Sindar" />
 
After the battle, Thingol withdrew his people into [[Neldoreth]] and Region, and Melian used her power to encircle this dominion with an invisible wall of shadows and bewilderment known as the [[Girdle of Melian]].<ref name="Sindar" />  The land of [[Eglador]] was thereafter called [[Doriath]], the Guarded Realm.<ref name="Sindar" /> The Orcs of Morgoth remained free to wander Beleriand, except in the [[Falas]] and Doriath.<ref name="Sindar" />
 
The death of Denethor in this battle led the Elves of Ossiriand to pledge to never again name a king or participate in the wars between other Elves and Morgoth.<ref name="Sindar" /> After that time, many of Denethor's people left Ossiriand for the guarded forests of Doriath: these settled in [[Arthórien]] and became known as the [[Guest-elves]], others merged with the [[Sindar]].<ref name="Sindar"/><ref name=UT>{{UT|2d}}</ref><ref name=WJP1>{{WJ|P1}}, pp. 112-3</ref> Those few that remained took up a secretive existence, camouflaging themselves in green. From that time on, they were known as the [[Laiquendi]], the Green-elves.<ref name="Sindar" />
 
The [[Havens of the Falas]] were besieged for a few months until the Return of the Noldor forced the [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath]] and the Orcs withdrew to fight the Noldor under [[Fëanor]] (which occurred shortly after).<ref name="S|Return">{{S|Return}}</ref>
 
==Other versions of the legendarium==
An early description of the battle first appears in ''[[The Earliest Annals of Valinor]]'', though it was pencilled hastily later on the manuscript<ref>{{SM|2}}</ref>. In the later development of the story it is part of ''[[The Later Annals of Valinor]]'' and ''[[Quenta Silmarillion (Lost Road)|Quenta Silmarillion]]''.<ref>{{LR|P2VI}}</ref>
 
The battle was never considered to be one of the 'major battles' in the [[Wars of Beleriand]] until later it was mentioned as so in ''[[The Grey Annals]]''.<ref>{{GA|38}}</ref> The first [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath|encounter between the Orcs and Noldor]] in Beleriand was originally considered to be the 'First Battle of Beleriand', however Tolkien seems to have changed this idea overtime and had Morgoth's battle with the Sindar in Beleriand, before the Return of the Noldor, as the 'First Battle' which would retroactively move the Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle-under-Stars) as the second battle.<ref>{{GA|36|note}}</ref> It is unclear whether Tolkien was considering having a name for the new 'First Battle' or overlooked it but it is notable that a alternative name is absent when comparing to the other battles. In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'' Christopher simply left it as it is.
 
{{references}}


{{warsofbeleriand}}
{{warsofbeleriand}}


[[Category:Battles]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Elder Days]]
[[Category:Sieges]]
[[de:Erste große Schlacht von Beleriand]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/aa/guerres/premiere_bataille_de_beleriand]]
[[fi:Beleriandin Sotien ensimmäinen taistelu]]

Revision as of 02:26, 15 April 2021

First Battle
Elena Kukanova - King of Doriath.jpg
Conflict: Wars of Beleriand
Date: Y.T. 1497
Place: Across Beleriand, but especially on the plains east and west of Doriath
Outcome: Partial victories for both sides
Combatants

Iathrim
Falathrim
Laiquendi
Naugrim

Forces of Morgoth

Commanders

Thingol
Círdan
Denethor †

Morgoth

Strength

Unknown

Unknown, force split into two hosts; western and eastern

Casualties

Unknown, but heavy Laiquendi losses[1]

Western host:

  • Unknown

Eastern host:

  • Heavy, few survivors[2]

The First Battle, sometimes called the First Battle of Beleriand, was the first great battle of the Wars of Beleriand fought between the forces of Morgoth and the Elves and Dwarves in Beleriand.

Background

While Melkor was imprisoned in Valinor, there was peace in Beleriand. The Dwarves passed over the Blue Mountains into Beleriand and established the cities Nogrod and Belegost. They came in contact with the Sindar and a friendship grew between the two races. Melian, having the foresight of the Maiar, advised Thingol that the peace of Arda would not last forever. Thus, Thingol set out to build a strong dwelling for himself and his people in case evil would awaken again in Middle-earth. Together with the Dwarves, they built Menegroth, the Thousand Caves.[1]

Later the Dwarves came to Thingol and told him of the sighting of evil creatures roaming far and wide in Beleriand, learning the ways of the land and awaiting the return of their lord. Thingol then ordered his people to be armed and the Dwarves smithied weapons and armour for the Elves. Together they drove out the evil creatures, and for time there was peace.[1]

East of the Blue Mountains in Eriador dwelt some of the Nandor that wandered around the Anduin. They were troubled by the fell beasts of the north so Denethor, son of Lenwë, led much of the Nandor west across the Blue Mountains after hearing rumour of the might of Thingol's realm. Thingol welcomed them as long lost kin and they dwelt in Ossiriand.[1]

After Melkor served three ages of imprisonment, he was released, but soon turned to evil again, and destroyed the Two Trees with the aid of Ungoliant. While the Noldor still toiled through Araman Morgoth had returned to Middle-earth with the Silmarils and rebuilt his old fortress of Angband.

History

Prelude

Shortly before the Return of the Noldor to Middle-earth, Morgoth launched his attack upon Beleriand, thinking to gain the mastery of the land quickly. The Orcs had long been breeding and multiplying and Morgoth filled them with purpose. From the gates of Angband issued a great army, it broke into two hosts which passed west between Sirion and Narog and east between Celon and Gelion.[1] Some of the bands even climbed the passes of Anach and Aglon, for the Orcs were said to have "passed silently into the highlands of the north."[1]

Battle

In West Beleriand, the bulk of the western host camped on the plain between Narog and Sirion, hurrying throughout West Beleriand; and Thingol was cut off from Círdan at Eglarest.[1] Led by Círdan, the Elves of the Havens countered but were driven back within their walls and besieged.[1]

In East Beleriand, King Thingol took the offensive, leading out the Sindar of Menegroth and the Forest of Region.[1] He called upon Denethor who led a host of Elves from Ossiriand. The eastern host of Orcs were assailed on both its sides by the Eldar and a battle ensued north of the Andram. The Orcs prevailed over Denethor and encircled him on Amon Ereb, where he fell before he could be rescued by Thingol's host, for the lightly-armed Elves of Ossiriand were no match for the iron-clad and heavily-armed Orcs.[1] When help arrived, the Elves routed the Orcs of Morgoth and of the few Orcs who escaped, most fell later to the axes of the Dwarves of Mount Dolmed.[1]

Aftermath

"Making the Girdle of Melian" by Steamy

The western host overran West Beleriand and the Falas, while the eastern host of Morgoth was destroyed.[1]

After the battle, Thingol withdrew his people into Neldoreth and Region, and Melian used her power to encircle this dominion with an invisible wall of shadows and bewilderment known as the Girdle of Melian.[1] The land of Eglador was thereafter called Doriath, the Guarded Realm.[1] The Orcs of Morgoth remained free to wander Beleriand, except in the Falas and Doriath.[1]

The death of Denethor in this battle led the Elves of Ossiriand to pledge to never again name a king or participate in the wars between other Elves and Morgoth.[1] After that time, many of Denethor's people left Ossiriand for the guarded forests of Doriath: these settled in Arthórien and became known as the Guest-elves, others merged with the Sindar.[1][3][4] Those few that remained took up a secretive existence, camouflaging themselves in green. From that time on, they were known as the Laiquendi, the Green-elves.[1]

The Havens of the Falas were besieged for a few months until the Return of the Noldor forced the Dagor-nuin-Giliath and the Orcs withdrew to fight the Noldor under Fëanor (which occurred shortly after).[5]

Other versions of the legendarium

An early description of the battle first appears in The Earliest Annals of Valinor, though it was pencilled hastily later on the manuscript[6]. In the later development of the story it is part of The Later Annals of Valinor and Quenta Silmarillion.[7]

The battle was never considered to be one of the 'major battles' in the Wars of Beleriand until later it was mentioned as so in The Grey Annals.[8] The first encounter between the Orcs and Noldor in Beleriand was originally considered to be the 'First Battle of Beleriand', however Tolkien seems to have changed this idea overtime and had Morgoth's battle with the Sindar in Beleriand, before the Return of the Noldor, as the 'First Battle' which would retroactively move the Dagor-nuin-Giliath (Battle-under-Stars) as the second battle.[9] It is unclear whether Tolkien was considering having a name for the new 'First Battle' or overlooked it but it is notable that a alternative name is absent when comparing to the other battles. In The Silmarillion Christopher simply left it as it is.

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar", p. 106 'few returned indeed to Angband'
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Narn i Hîn Húrin (The Tale of the Children of Húrin)", "Túrin in Doriath"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part One. The Grey Annals", pp. 112-3
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Return of the Noldor"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "II. The Earliest 'Silmarillion' (The 'Sketch of the Mythology')"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, VI. Quenta Silmarillion"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": §38
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "The Grey Annals": Note on §36


War of the Great Jewels
First Battle · Dagor-nuin-Giliath · Dagor Aglareb · Dagor Bragollach · Nirnaeth Arnoediad · War of Wrath
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