Eriador

From Tolkien Gateway
Eriador
Tengwar, Sindarin mode

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Template:Pronounce-small Eriador is a large region in Middle-earth. In the Second Age, and possibly much earlier, it was largely forested, but the Dúnedain felled most of the forests to build Ships out of them. Much of it was encompassed in the early Third Age by the kingdom of Arnor, which later split into the rival kingdoms of Rhudaur, Arthedain and Cardolan. The Shire occupies part of the former kingdom of Arthedain, while Bree and its neighbouring villages lie on the border with the former Cardolan. The Barrow-wights dwell within ancient burial mounds constructed in the First Age by the Edain as they journeyed to Beleriand. Other important places in Eriador are Rivendell and the abandoned kingdoms of Eregion and Angmar. By the time of the War of the Ring, Eriador was largely deserted.

Boundaries

Important rivers were the Lune (Elvish Lhûn), the Brandywine (Elvish Baranduin) and the Greyflood.

Inhabitants

  • Elves, who dwelled in Rivendell in the East; the Grey Havens in the West and during the Second Age, Eregion.
  • Men, dwelled in Bree in central Eriador; in Dunland in the South and the Eryn Vorn to the Southwest.
  • Dwarves, Lived in the Blue Mountains on Eastern side of both the Northern, and Southern ranges.
  • Hobbits, lived in the Shire, and some in Bree, in central Eriador

Etymology

Eriador is Sindarin and is derived from erja-, "solitary" and dor, "land": "Solitary Land".