Minas Tirith (First Age)
From the One Wiki to Rule Them All, the Lord of the Rings Encyclopedia.
Minas Tirith was the tower on Tol Sirion that guarded the Pass of Sirion.
[edit] History
Minas Tirith was built early in the First Age by Finrod Felagund, to keep watch upon the doings of Morgoth on the northern plain of Ard-galen. Finrod entrusted it to Orodreth, his nephew and he ruled and held it for his uncle to guard the vale of Sirion for many hundreds of years.
[edit] Time of Sauron's Dominion
In FA 457 it was invaded by Sauron in the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach and Orodreth was powerless to stop him from taking the isle, and fled south. Sauron, then also known as Gorthaur, renamed the island (and presumably the tower as well) Tol-in-Gaurhoth or Isle of Werewolves Afterwards, Sauron began breeding large wolves in the isle which he sent evil spirits in, turning them into werewolves.
About ten years later during the Quest for the Silmaril, Beren Erchamion and Finrod were imprisoned there by Sauron. Finrod was slain, but Beren was rescued by Lúthien and the Hound Huan. Huan killed the wolves and Lúthien got control over the isle's magic from Sauron. The isle was destroyed and cleansed and remained clean afterwards. Defeated, Sauron had to give up his mastery over the tower, which was reduced to ruins. Finrod was buried there.
Although the land around the Pass of Sirion did remain under the rule of the Ñoldor for a few more years, they did not attempt to rebuild the tower.
In the Third Age the name Minas Tirith was the later name of Minas Anor.
