Battle of Tumhalad
From the One Wiki to Rule Them All, the Lord of the Rings Encyclopedia.
| Battle of Tumhalad | |
|---|---|
| Conflict: The War of the Jewels | |
| Date: FA 495 | |
| Place: Plain of Tumhalad | |
| Outcome: Victory for the forces of Morgoth | |
| Combatants | |
| Elves of Nargothrond | Forces of Morgoth |
| Commanders | |
| Orodreth†, Gwindor† & Túrin Turambar | Morgoth, Glaurung |
| Strength | |
| An unknown some thousands of Elves and one Man | An unknown some thousands of Orcs and one Dragon |
| Casualties | |
| Most all the Host of Nargothrond except Túrin | Unknown, probably light |
| Other Battles of Beleriand |
|---|
|
Battle of the Lammoth - Battle of the Firth of Drengist - Battle of Tumhalad - Second Kinslaying - Fall of Gondolin - Third Kinslaying |
The Battle of Tumhalad was the last battle of the Elves of Nargothrond and the last of the pitched battles against the forces of Morgoth until the War of Wrath. It was fought on the plain of Tumhalad between the river Narog and its tributary, the river Ginglith in FA 495.
The battle was fought as result of a massive Orc-buildup beneath the Ered Wethrin and in the Pass of Sirion. Messengers from Círdan the Shipwright brought these tidings and a message from Círdan concerning a warning given to Círdan by the Vala Ulmo. Ulmo had told Círdan that the Elves of Nargothrond shouldn't fight abroad and stay in their fortress.
But Túrin Turambar, a man and an influential commander of Nargothrond's forces urged its king, Orodreth to venture out and fight the forces of Morgoth.
The Elves of Nargothrond, however, weren't used to battle in the open field for they had always waged a secret war, ambushing but never assaulting the forces of Morgoth. Also, the evil hosts were larger than anticipated and led by the Dragon, Glaurung.
The forces of Nargothrond couldn't withstand the assault and were driven towards the plain of Tumhalad, were most of them, including King Orodreth and his kinsman Gwindor, were slain. Only Túrin withstood the attack of Glaurung for he wore The Dragon Helm of Dor-lómin, an iron mask made by the dwarves.
The defeat suffered by the Elves paved the road for the Sack of Nargothrond by Glaurung, and the deaths of many captives, including Finduilas.
[edit] References
- The Silmarillion pgs. 212-13
- Unfinished Tales pgs. 155 & 159
- The Children of Húrin pg. 177
[edit] External link
- Battle of Tumhalad at Tolkien Gateway
