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{{disambig-more|The Fall|[[The Fall (disambiguation)]]}}
{{disambig-two|the battle|chapter of the same name|[[The Fall of Nargothrond]]}}
{{expansion}}
{{battle
{{battle
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - Finduilas is Led Past Turin at the Sack of Nargothrond.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - Finduilas is Led Past Túrin at the Sack of Nargothrond.jpg|250px]]
| name=Fall of Nargothrond
| name=Fall of Nargothrond
| conflict=[[War of the Jewels]]
| conflict=[[War of the Jewels]]
| date=[[First Age 494|F.A. 494]]
| date={{FA|495}}<ref>{{GA|275}}</ref><ref>{{S|Turin}}, 'when four hundred and ninety-five years had passed since the rising of the Moon'</ref>
| place=[[Nargothrond]]
| place=[[Nargothrond]]
| result=Utter destruction of Nargothrond
| result=Victory for [[Morgoth]]
| side1=Elves
* Utter destruction of Nargothrond
| side2=Orcs
| side1=[[Elves of Nargothrond]]
| commanders1=*[[Orodreth]]
| side2=Forces of [[Morgoth]]
*[[Húrin]]
| commanders1=Unknown
| commanders2=[[Glaurung]]
| commanders2=[[Glaurung]]
| forces1=Thousands of [[Noldor]] warriors{{fact}}
| forces1=Unknown
| forces2=Thousands of Orcs{{fact}}
| forces2=Unknown
| casual1=The Elves of Nargothrond are annihilated, survivors are enslaved {{fact}}
| casual1=Majority of the inhabitants killed or enslaved, few survivors
| casual2=Mild{{fact}}
| casual2=Unknown
}}
}}
The '''Fall of Nargothrond''' was the overthrow and destruction of the city by that name, wrought by [[Glaurung]] and his hordes, in [[First Age 494]].
The '''Fall of Nargothrond''', also known as the '''Sack of Nargothrond''', was the overthrow and destruction of the city by that name, wrought by [[Glaurung]] and his hordes, in {{FA|495}}.


==Prelude==
==Background==
When it was known in [[Nargothrond]] that [[Mormegil]] was actually [[Túrin]], he was honored by [[Orodreth]] and became even more powerful within the realm. Wishing to make greater war against [[Morgoth]], Túrin ordered the construction of a mighty [[Bridge of Nargothrond|bridge over Narog]], so the host of Nargothrond could cross the river more easily.


Since its foundation by [[Finrod]], the [[Elves of Nargothrond]] had pursued a secretive war against [[Morgoth]], hunting their enemies by stealth and ambush rather than going to open war. When [[Túrin]] was led there by [[Gwindor]], though, he counselled a different strategy to [[Orodreth]], who had by that time succeeded his brother Finrod as King in Nargothrond. Orodreth therefore built a bridge from his doors across the [[Narog]], and went to open war with Morgoth.
In the spring of {{FA|495}}, the Elves [[Gelmir (messenger of Círdan)|Gelmir]] and [[Arminas]] came to Nargothrond in name of [[Círdan]], bringing news from [[Ulmo]]: [[Eithel Sirion]] had been tainted by [[Morgoth]], so his power was now withdrawn from the [[Sirion]]; therefore, Nargothrond had to close its [[Doors of Felagund|Doors]] and its bridge destroyed, so the Enemy would not find the hidden realm.<ref>{{CH|11}}</ref> Orodreth was troubled with this warning, but Túrin didn't hearken it, and kept the open war against the Orcs.


This was a foolhardy strategy. In centuries of searching, Morgoth had been unable to find the fortress of [[Nargothrond]], but now not only was its location revealed, but the new bridge removed the defense of the River Narog. [[Glaurung]] was sent out from [[Angband]] with an army of [[Orcs]] to capture the city.
==History==
===Prelude===
{{main|Battle of Tumhalad}}
After hearing reports of a great mustering of Orcs under the shadow of [[Ered Wethrin]], Túrin counselled Orodreth, to meet them in open battle. The army of Nargothrond went forth to meet them but were driven back into the field of [[Tumhalad]] and were utterly defeated, and Orodreth was slain there. The Orc-host led by [[Glaurung]] then moved towards the hidden stronghold.


==The Battle==
===Battle===
The guards of Nargothrond were aware of what had happened in Tumhalad but were powerless to stop the assault of the enemies, as the [[Bridge of Nargothrond|bridge over Narog]] proved a ruin and could not be swiftly destroyed. Thus, Glaurung and his [[Orcs]] crossed the river, and the dragon unleashed his fire upon the [[Doors of Felagund]] and passed through. The great halls and chambers were plundered and destroyed, those with arms were driven off or killed and the women and maidens, including Orodreth's daughter [[Finduilas]], were herded to be taken as slaves to [[Angband]].


The army of Nargothrond went out to meet Glaurung on the field of [[Tumhalad]], some miles north of the citadel. They were routed, and those [[Elves]] left in the city awaiting their return, instead found the [[Dragons|Dragon]] and his Orcs crossing their bridge and entering the citadel. These people, including Orodreth's daughter [[Finduilas]], were captured by the Orcs and driven northward.
Coming late to the sack were Túrin and some few other survivors of Tumhalad. Túrin crossed the bridge full of woe, and nobody could stop him, so he reached the entry to the realm, where the captives were dragged out. Then Glaurung came out and lay between Túrin and the bridge, saluting him. Túrin was alone, as his followers had fled, but tried to attack the dragon. Glaurung casted a spell upon him, halting him completely moveless, and forced to watch as the captives were driven away. Then Glaurung released Túrin, knowing the evils this would cause.


Coming late to the sack were Túrin and some few other survivors of the [[Battle of Tumhalad]]. At the sight of the Dragon, Túrin's companions fled, but Túrin himself was placed under Glaurung's dragon-spell, and forced to watch as the captives were driven away. Then Glaurung released Túrin, knowing the evils this would cause, and settled to enjoy his newly-sacked domain.
===Aftermath===
The captives were taken away towards [[Angband]] but Glaurung stayed and destroyed the bridge over the [[Narog]]. He gathered all the treasures of the city and laid upon them and rested. The survivors of the sack eventually made their way to Doriath,<ref>{{S|Turin}}</ref> some possibly fled as far as the [[Mouths of Sirion]].


==Other versions of the Legendarium==
The battle appears in Tolkien's earliest writings of the [[Narn i Chîn Húrin (tale)|Narn]] in [[Turambar and the Foalókë]]. There are a few differences between the early version of the tale and later writings, one of which is the absence of the great bridge that was built over the Narog.<ref>{{LT2|II}}</ref> Túrin is present during the sack defending the home of Galweg the father of Failivrin ([[Finduilas]]). Flinding ([[Gwindor]]) is also beside him and falls not soon after pierced by arrows. Glorund arrives much later during the sack and his confrontation with Túrin is remarkably different than in The Silmarillion.<ref name="com">{{LT2|IIn}}</ref> The treasures of the Rodothlim were laid above the stream and Glorund slept before it in the open, which Christopher pointed out in his notes that this was odd and uncharacteristic.<ref name="com"/>
==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of the Fall of Nargothrond|Images of the Fall of Nargothrond]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]

Revision as of 10:50, 13 April 2020

This article is about the battle. For the chapter of the same name, see The Fall of Nargothrond.
Fall of Nargothrond
Ted Nasmith - Finduilas is Led Past Túrin at the Sack of Nargothrond.jpg
Conflict: War of the Jewels
Date: F.A. 495[1][2]
Place: Nargothrond
Outcome: Victory for Morgoth
  • Utter destruction of Nargothrond
Combatants

Elves of Nargothrond

Forces of Morgoth

Commanders

Unknown

Glaurung

Strength

Unknown

Unknown

Casualties

Majority of the inhabitants killed or enslaved, few survivors

Unknown

The Fall of Nargothrond, also known as the Sack of Nargothrond, was the overthrow and destruction of the city by that name, wrought by Glaurung and his hordes, in F.A. 495.

Background

When it was known in Nargothrond that Mormegil was actually Túrin, he was honored by Orodreth and became even more powerful within the realm. Wishing to make greater war against Morgoth, Túrin ordered the construction of a mighty bridge over Narog, so the host of Nargothrond could cross the river more easily.

In the spring of F.A. 495, the Elves Gelmir and Arminas came to Nargothrond in name of Círdan, bringing news from Ulmo: Eithel Sirion had been tainted by Morgoth, so his power was now withdrawn from the Sirion; therefore, Nargothrond had to close its Doors and its bridge destroyed, so the Enemy would not find the hidden realm.[3] Orodreth was troubled with this warning, but Túrin didn't hearken it, and kept the open war against the Orcs.

History

Prelude

Main article: Battle of Tumhalad

After hearing reports of a great mustering of Orcs under the shadow of Ered Wethrin, Túrin counselled Orodreth, to meet them in open battle. The army of Nargothrond went forth to meet them but were driven back into the field of Tumhalad and were utterly defeated, and Orodreth was slain there. The Orc-host led by Glaurung then moved towards the hidden stronghold.

Battle

The guards of Nargothrond were aware of what had happened in Tumhalad but were powerless to stop the assault of the enemies, as the bridge over Narog proved a ruin and could not be swiftly destroyed. Thus, Glaurung and his Orcs crossed the river, and the dragon unleashed his fire upon the Doors of Felagund and passed through. The great halls and chambers were plundered and destroyed, those with arms were driven off or killed and the women and maidens, including Orodreth's daughter Finduilas, were herded to be taken as slaves to Angband.

Coming late to the sack were Túrin and some few other survivors of Tumhalad. Túrin crossed the bridge full of woe, and nobody could stop him, so he reached the entry to the realm, where the captives were dragged out. Then Glaurung came out and lay between Túrin and the bridge, saluting him. Túrin was alone, as his followers had fled, but tried to attack the dragon. Glaurung casted a spell upon him, halting him completely moveless, and forced to watch as the captives were driven away. Then Glaurung released Túrin, knowing the evils this would cause.

Aftermath

The captives were taken away towards Angband but Glaurung stayed and destroyed the bridge over the Narog. He gathered all the treasures of the city and laid upon them and rested. The survivors of the sack eventually made their way to Doriath,[4] some possibly fled as far as the Mouths of Sirion.

Other versions of the Legendarium

The battle appears in Tolkien's earliest writings of the Narn in Turambar and the Foalókë. There are a few differences between the early version of the tale and later writings, one of which is the absence of the great bridge that was built over the Narog.[5] Túrin is present during the sack defending the home of Galweg the father of Failivrin (Finduilas). Flinding (Gwindor) is also beside him and falls not soon after pierced by arrows. Glorund arrives much later during the sack and his confrontation with Túrin is remarkably different than in The Silmarillion.[6] The treasures of the Rodothlim were laid above the stream and Glorund slept before it in the open, which Christopher pointed out in his notes that this was odd and uncharacteristic.[6]

See also

References