Beleriand
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Place from Tolkien's Legendarium A map of Beleriand |
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| Name | Beleriand |
|---|---|
| Realm(s) | Amon Ereb, Angband, Arvernien, Doriath, East Beleriand, Gondolin, Hithlum, March of Maedhros, Nargothrond, Ossiriand, Pass of Aglon (Estolad, Falas, Himlad, Ladros, Maglor's Gap, Nevrast, Tol Sirion, Thargelion) |
| Lifespan | Start of Years of the Trees to end of First Age |
In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Beleriand was a region in northwestern Middle-earth during the First Age. Originally, the name belonged only to the area around the Bay of Balar, but in time, the name was applied to the entire land. Beleriand was originally inhabited by Elves, and later also by Men.
To the west and south it had a long shore with the Great Sea Belegaer, to the north were the highland regions of Hithlum, Dorthonion and the hills of Himring, to the east the Ered Luin reached nearly to the sea. The land of Nevrast in the northwest was sometimes considered part of Beleriand.
The River Sirion, the chief river of Beleriand, running north to south, divided it into West Beleriand and East Beleriand. Crossing it east to west was a series of hills and a sudden drop in elevation known as Andram, the Long Wall. (The river sank into the ground at the Fens of Sirion, and reemerged below the Andram at the Gates of Sirion). To the east of the Long Wall, was the River Gelion and its six tributaries draining the Ered Luin, in an area known as Ossiriand, or the Land of Seven Rivers. The River Brethin and the River Nenning were the two lesser rivers of the western land of Falas.
In Y.S. 583, Beleriand was mostly destroyed in the War of Wrath by the Valar against Morgoth. Only a small section of East Beleriand remained, and was known as Lindon. Evidence shows that other parts of East Beleriand survived into the Second Age, but were completely destroyed with Númenor.[citation needed] One reference to a part that was not destroyed was made by in the Silmarillion to the places of death of Túrin Turambar, Morwen and Nienor Níniel.
In addition, fulfilling a prophecy, the graves of Túrin Turambar and Morwen survived as the island Tol Morwen. Likewise, a part of Dorthonion became Tol Fuin, and the Hill of Himring became the island of Himling. All of these together were known as the Western Isles.
Realms of Beleriand:
- Amon Ereb (founded Y.S. c. 1)
- Arvernien (founded Y.S. c. 511)
- Angband (founded Y.T. prior to 1090, expanded 1496)
- Doriath (f.k.a. Eglador; Y.T. 1152)
- East Beleriand (founded Y.S. c. 1)
- Gondolin (founded Y.S. c. 104)
- Hithlum (founded Y.S. c. 1)
- March of Maedhros (founded Y.S. c. 1)
- Estolad (founded Y.S. c. 310)
- Nargothrond (founded Y.S. c. 50)
- Ossiriand (l.k.a. Lindon; founded Y.T. 1350)
- Pass of Aglon (founded Y.S. c. 1)
[edit] Concept and creation
Beleriand had many different names in Tolkien's early writings:[citation needed]
- Broceliand, Broseliand (borrowed from medieval romance)
- Golodhinand, Noldórinan ("valley of the Gnomes")
- Geleriand
- Bladorinand
- Belaurien
- Arsiriand
- Lassiriand
- Ossiriand (later used as a name for the easternmost part of Beleriand).
[edit] External links
- Parma Endorion: Essays on Middle-earth (3rd edition) by Michael Martinez
| Realms from J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium during the First Age | |
|---|---|
| Noldorin realms: | Dor-lómin • Dorthonion • East Beleriand • Gondolin • Himlad • Hithlum • Maglor's Gap • March of Maedhros • Nargothrond • Nevrast • Thargelion • Tol Sirion |
| Sindarin realms: | Falas • Doriath |
| Avarin and Nandorin realms: | Dorwinion • Lórinand • Ossiriand |
| Realms of the Edain (Men): | Brethil • Dor-lómin • Estolad • Ladros |
| Realms of the Ents: | Fangorn forest • Forests of Eriador • Forests of South Beleriand |
| Realms of the Dwarves: | Belegost • Khazad-dûm • Nogrod |
| Realms of the enemy: | Angband • Dor Daedeloth • Utumno |
