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'''Dunharrow''' was a refuge of the [[Rohirrim]] hidden in the [[White Mountains]] and fortified against attack.  
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Dunharrow.jpg|thumb|''Dunharrow'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
'''Dunharrow''' was a refuge of the [[Rohirrim]] hidden in the [[White Mountains]] south of [[Edoras]]<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref> and fortified against attack. Dunharrow was a clifftop overlooking [[Harrowdale]], the valley of the river [[Snowbourn]].
 
In order to reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the [[Stair of the Hold]] leading to the "[[Firienfeld]]", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers.
 
Large carved stones marked the entrance to the [[Dimholt]], a natural amphitheatre, which led into the [[Paths of the Dead]].<ref name="Muster">{{RK|V3}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
Dunharrow had been used as a refuge by the [[Middle Men]] of the White Mountains during the [[Second Age]] &mdash; nearly three mellennia before the establishment of the Kingdom of [[Rohan]].
[[File:Roger Garland - Theoden's army on the road to Dunharrow.JPG|left|thumb|"Theoden's army on the road to Dunharrow" by [[Roger Garland]]]]
Dunharrow had been used as a refuge sacred place by the [[Pre-Númenóreans|Pre-Númenórean]] [[Middle Men]] [[Oathbreakers|of the White Mountains]] during the [[Second Age]] &mdash; nearly three millennia before the establishment of the Kingdom of [[Rohan]].


Dunharrow was a clifftop overlooking Harrowdale, the valley of the river [[Snowbourn]]. In order to reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the Stair of the Hold. This path was lined with statues known as the [[Púkel-men]] &mdash; statues originally carved by the Men of the White Mountains, in the likeness of the [[Drúedain]]. After the stair was the "Firienfeld", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers.
Those Men of the White Mountains had lined the winding path with statues known as the [[Púkel-men]] &mdash; statues originally carved in the likeness of the [[Drúedain]].<ref name="Muster"/>


Large carved stones marked the entrance to the [[Dimholt]], a natural amphitheater, which led into the [[Paths of the Dead]].
When the [[Rohirrim]] came to the region, they recognised the "heathen fane" and they used it as a refuge.


== Etymology ==
When Rohan was invaded by the [[Dunlendings]] in {{TA|2758}} some Rohirrim, including [[Fréaláf]], took refuge in Dunharrow during the [[Long Winter]] of {{TA|2759|n}}; Fréaláf led a daring surprise raid from Dunharrow against the Dunlendings in spring, that recaptured [[Edoras]].


Tolkien made ''Dunharrow'' the Modern English form of [[Rohirric]] ([[Old English]]) ''Dūnhaerg'', meaning "the heathen fane on the hillside".
Some [[Orcs]] who fled the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]] tried to traverse Rohan and reach the [[White Mountains]]. Those invaders were hunted down by [[Brytta Léofa]]. However some were seen still lingering in Dunharrow, where King [[Walda]] was killed by an Orc in {{TA|2851}}.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>


[[Tolkien]] notes that he modernized the element ''haerg'' since ''harrow'' exists as an element in English place-names.<ref>{{HM|N}}, pp. 750-781</ref>  
[[Aragorn]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], and the [[Grey Company]] arrived at Dunharrow on [[7 March]] {{TA|3019}} and then left at dawn the next day to take the Paths of the Dead.  [[Théoden]] and his riders (with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]]) came to Dunharrow on [[9 March]] and rode out for [[Gondor]] on [[10 March|the 10th]].<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>


== Etymology ==
Tolkien made ''Dunharrow'' the Modern English form of [[Rohirric]] ([[Old English]]) ''Dúnharg'' (or ''Dūnhaerg''), meaning "the heathen fane on the hillside".<ref>{{App|E1}}, Note</ref><ref name="Nomen"/>


[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes that he modernised the element ''haerg'' since ''harrow'' exists as an element in English place-names.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, pp. 769</ref>
{{references}}
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[[category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[de:Dunharg]]
[[de:Dunharg]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:rohan:dunharrow]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:villes_tours_et_forteresses:rohan:dunharrow]]
[[fi:Dunharg]]
[[fi:Dunharg]]

Revision as of 09:33, 1 September 2019

Dunharrow by Ted Nasmith

Dunharrow was a refuge of the Rohirrim hidden in the White Mountains south of Edoras[1] and fortified against attack. Dunharrow was a clifftop overlooking Harrowdale, the valley of the river Snowbourn.

In order to reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the Stair of the Hold leading to the "Firienfeld", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers.

Large carved stones marked the entrance to the Dimholt, a natural amphitheatre, which led into the Paths of the Dead.[2]

History

"Theoden's army on the road to Dunharrow" by Roger Garland

Dunharrow had been used as a refuge sacred place by the Pre-Númenórean Middle Men of the White Mountains during the Second Age — nearly three millennia before the establishment of the Kingdom of Rohan.

Those Men of the White Mountains had lined the winding path with statues known as the Púkel-men — statues originally carved in the likeness of the Drúedain.[2]

When the Rohirrim came to the region, they recognised the "heathen fane" and they used it as a refuge.

When Rohan was invaded by the Dunlendings in T.A. 2758 some Rohirrim, including Fréaláf, took refuge in Dunharrow during the Long Winter of 2759; Fréaláf led a daring surprise raid from Dunharrow against the Dunlendings in spring, that recaptured Edoras.

Some Orcs who fled the War of the Dwarves and Orcs tried to traverse Rohan and reach the White Mountains. Those invaders were hunted down by Brytta Léofa. However some were seen still lingering in Dunharrow, where King Walda was killed by an Orc in T.A. 2851.[3]

Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and the Grey Company arrived at Dunharrow on 7 March T.A. 3019 and then left at dawn the next day to take the Paths of the Dead. Théoden and his riders (with Merry) came to Dunharrow on 9 March and rode out for Gondor on the 10th.[4]

Etymology

Tolkien made Dunharrow the Modern English form of Rohirric (Old English) Dúnharg (or Dūnhaerg), meaning "the heathen fane on the hillside".[5][6]

Tolkien notes that he modernised the element haerg since harrow exists as an element in English place-names.[6]

References

Route of the Fellowship of the Ring
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Rohan · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Dunharrow · Paths of the Dead · Gondor · Hill of Erech · Lamedon · Linhir · Lebennin · Pelargir · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Boromir
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen
Frodo and Sam
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Dead Marshes · Black Gate · Ithilien · Henneth Annûn · Cross-roads · Morgul Vale · Stairs of Cirith Ungol · Cirith Ungol · Shelob's Lair · Tower of Cirith Ungol · Mordor · Morgai · Plateau of Gorgoroth · Mount Doom · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Gandalf
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Celebdil† · Lothlórien · Fangorn Forest · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Merry
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Hornburg · Dunharrow · Drúadan Forest · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Pippin
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Amon Hen · Parth Galen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Gondor · Cair Andros · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard