Corsairs of Umbar
From the One Wiki to Rule Them All, the Lord of the Rings Encyclopedia.
The Corsairs of Umbar are a nation of Men in Middle-earth known for their piracy of ships along the coasts of Gondor.
Umbar was an old Númenórean haven settled by the King's Men — a proud faction loyal to the King and opposed to the divine authority of the Valar. (See Elendili).
After the downfall of Númenor, the Umbar settlers further descended into evil, and were called the Black Númenóreans. They took to pillaging and piracy along the coasts of Gondor. During the Kin-strife, the defeated rebels of Gondor fled to Umbar — by this time Umbar became the hated enemy of Gondor. Over time these sailors drew to their number various outlaws and brigands from outlying settlements surrounding the Anduin, and they took to raiding along the southern Gondorian coast, intercepting merchant vessels and abducting women to bolster their dissident community. They were also slavers and would often seize a ship's crew along with her cargo; if any resisted, they would be thrown overboard.
By the time of the War of the Ring, the Corsairs had mixed with the Haradrim, becoming a mixed people where Númenórean blood was mostly gone.
During the War of the Ring at the time of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, a Corsair fleet on route to Harlond after overrunning Pelargir with intentions of further raids on Gondor and to aid the forces of Mordor in the battle. Aragorn, with the help of the Grey Company, Legolas, Gimli, and the Army of the Dead, drove the Corsairs off and captured their ships and rowed them to Minas Tirith to relieve the siege of the city. In that battle, the Dead fulfilled their oath to Isildur and were finally able to rest in peace.
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[edit] Ships
The Corsairs sailed large, dark, wooden ships with large black sails and were probably made to look dreadful.
[edit] Appearance in the Peter Jackson films
The Corsairs are only seen once for a few seconds in the movies. It is when Gandalf is talking to Pippin about who will fight for Sauron in the battle for Minas Tirith. The boats are also seen in a deleted scene.
[edit] Non-Canonical Information
[edit] Relationships with Goblins
NOTE: The following information is based on the video games.
Though this cannot be confirmed, it is possible that the Corsairs of Umbar are friends, or at least allies, of the Goblins of the Mountains. In the Lord of the Rings: Return of the King GBA game, there are a few Goblins and Goblin Drummers that appear in the Anduin River: Anduin Banks level along with the Corsairs.
More significant evidence is shown in the Battle for Middle-earth II game. The Corsairs, in Campaign Mode, join forces with the Goblins led by Gorkil and launch an assault upon the Grey Havens. While the attack fails in the Good Campaign, in the Evil Campaign the conjoined attack is completely successful, and thanks to the armada brought forth by the Corsairs the Grey Havens are destroyed.
