Dorthonion
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In the fictional world of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, Dorthonion ("Land of Pines"), later Taur-nu-Fuin, was a highland region of the First Age, lying immediately to the north of Beleriand, and south of the plains of Ard-galen, later Anfauglith, that bordered Morgoth's stronghold of Thangorodrim. It is notable in its function as a dangerous stage and scene in the adventures of many major characters in several of Tolkien's books and other works such as: The Silmarillion, The Lays of Beleriand and most recently, The Children of Húrin.[1] Similar to the other great forests[2] of Tolkien's legendarium such as Mirkwood, Fangorn and Lothlórien[3] it provides a transitional device in the invented history of Tolkien's Middle-earth and important episodes in the heroic quests of his characters such as Beren, Lúthien, Beleg and Túrin.
Dorthonion was 60 leagues east to west. In the north it rose gradually from the plains, with great pine forests. The Ered Gorgoroth (Mountains of Terror) formed the southern boundary of Dorthonion, bending to the north on the east side to create the Pass of Aglon between Dorthonion and Hills of Himring. To the south and west of Dorthonion were the Echoriath (Encircling Mountains), which surrounded the hidden kingdom of Gondolin. The upper reaches of the River Sirion passed between the western slopes of Dorthonion and the Ered Wethrin (Mountains of Shadow).
Dorthonion was originally ruled by Angrod and Aegnor, sons of Finarfin, but it was overrun by Morgoth in the Dagor Bragollach, after which it was known as Taur-nu-Fuin ("Forest under Night").
The north-eastern slopes of Dorthonion were known as Ladros, which was a fief given to Boromir of the House of Bëor. Here Barahir and later his son Beren dwelt in the wilderness.
Along with the other lands west of the Ered Luin, Taur-nu-Fuin was mostly destroyed in the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age. Its highest parts survived as the island Tol Fuin (Isle of Night), part of the western isles.
[edit] References
- ^ The Guardian, Book Review, John Crace, The Children of Húrin by JRR Tolkien, April 4, 2007.
- ^ New York Times Book Review, The Hobbit, by Anne T. Eaton, March 13, 1938, "After the dwarves and Bilbo have passed ...over the Misty Mountains and through forests that suggest those of William Morris's prose romances." (emphasis added)
- ^ Lobdell, Jared, A Tolkien Compass, ISBN-13-0875483160, p. 84, "only look at The Lord of the Rings for the briefest of times to catch a vision of ancient forests, of trees like men walking, of leaves and sunlight, and of deep shadows."
[edit] External links
- Tolkien in the land of Arthur: the Old Forest episode from The Lord of the Rings. Mythopoeic Society, 2006. An article discussing the significance of forests in Tolkien's work, in particular, the Old Forest with comparisons to other myths and romances.
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