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[[Image:Jef Murray - At the Grey Havens.jpg|thumb|''At the Grey Havens'' by [[Jef Murray]]]]
{{location infobox
The '''Grey Havens''', also known as '''Mithlond''', was a seaport on the [[Gulf of Lune]] in the northwest of [[Middle-earth]].
| name=Grey Havens
| image=[[File:Jef Murray - At the Grey Havens.jpg|250px]]
| caption="At the Grey Havens" by [[Jef Murray]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Mithlond
| location=The shores of the [[Gulf of Lune]]
| type=Elf-haven
| description=The harbours of [[Círdan]] in [[Lindon]]
| regions=
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Elves of Lindon]]
| created={{SA|1}}<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=
}}
The '''Grey Havens''', also known as '''Mithlond''', was a seaport on the [[Gulf of Lune]] at the mouth of the River [[Lhûn]] in western [[Eriador]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>


== History ==
==History==
Built by the [[Elves of Lindon]] at the beginning of the [[Second Age]], it was afterwards used by Elves of any tribe (whether [[Noldor]], [[Sindar]], or [[Silvan Elves|Silvan Elf]]) to leave Middle-earth for [[Valinor]]. [[Círdan the Shipwright]] was Lord of the Havens, but throughout the Second Age [[Ereinion Gil-galad]], [[High King of the Noldor]], ruled all of [[Lindon]] from the Grey Havens.
===Second Age===
Founded by the [[Elves of Lindon]] in {{SA|1}},<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> the Grey Havens were known for their good harbourage and many ships; these were used by any of the [[Eldar]] to leave Middle-earth for [[Eressëa]] or [[Valinor]]. [[Círdan]] was Lord of the Havens from its foundation and into the [[Fourth Age]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>


As recounted in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', Círdan sent [[Galdor of the Havens]] "on errand" to [[Rivendell]] as his representative at the [[Council of Elrond]].
In {{SA|600}}, ''[[Entulessë]]'', a [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] ship headed by [[Captain of the King's Ships|Captain]] [[Vëantur]], arrived in Mithlond and it was there that the Númenóreans first landed in [[Middle-earth]].<ref name="Island">{{UT|Island}}</ref>


Following the defeat of [[Sauron]] and the crowning of King [[Aragorn Elessar]], [[Gandalf]], [[Elrond]], and [[Galadriel]] left [[Middle-earth]] for [[Valinor]] from the Grey Havens. They were accompanied by [[Bilbo]] and [[Frodo Baggins]], who were given the honor of taking the [[Straight Road]] because they had both been a [[Ring-bearer]]. Years later, [[Fairbairn Family|Fairbairn]] family tradition held that [[Sam Gamgee]] also sailed [[Aman|West]] from the Grey Havens because he too had been a Ring-bearer, even if just briefly.
In the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], the [[Lhûn]] was held in desperate defence of the Havens after [[Sauron]] had conquered almost all of [[Eriador]]. The beleaguered defenders were saved with the arrival of [[Tar-Minastir]]'s fleet and Sauron's forces were driven back.<ref name="Galadriel">{{UT|Concerning}}</ref>


It is unclear how long the Grey Havens lasted into the [[Fourth Age]], as the number of Elves dwindled with the coming of the "Age of Men". Supposedly Círdan remained at the Havens until the last ship left from Middle-earth for the [[Blessed Realm]].
===Third Age===
After the fall of [[Gil-galad]] (during the time of the [[Kings of Arnor]]), the Grey Havens was still home to the largest population of [[Noldor]] in [[Middle-earth]], aside from [[Rivendell]] in [[Eriador]]. [[Cirdan]] remained the Lord of the Havens and ruled the [[Elves of Lindon]] from Mithlond.<ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref> <ref name=rings/>


== Etymology ==
About {{TA|1000}}, the [[Istari]] or Wizards arrived in [[Middle-earth]] at the Grey Havens. Círdan, upon meeting [[Gandalf]], gave him [[Narya]], the Ring of Fire.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>
Mithlond translates as "Grey Havens" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[mith]]'' = "grey" and ''[[lond]]'' = "haven(s), port").
 
In {{TA|1975}}, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] brought a fleet of [[Gondorians]] to the Grey Havens to aid [[Arthedain]] [[Angmar War|against]] [[Angmar]]. The fleet was so massive that the ships of Gondor filled the Grey Havens, as well as [[Forlond]] and [[Harlond]].<ref name="AppA">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>
 
In {{TA|3018}},<ref name="TA"/> Círdan sent [[Galdor of the Havens]] "on an errand" to [[Rivendell]] and he became Círdan's representative at the [[Council of Elrond]].<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>
 
===Later history===
Following the defeat of [[Sauron]] and the crowning of King [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]] in the [[War of the Ring]], the last of the [[Noldor]] set sail from the Grey Havens and left Middle-earth for [[Valinor]].<ref name=rings/> Latest of all were the [[Last Riding of the Keepers|Three Keepers of the Rings]]; [[Gandalf]], [[Elrond]], and [[Galadriel]]. They were accompanied by [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Frodo Baggins]], who were given the honour of taking the [[Straight Road]] because they had both been [[Ring-bearers]].<ref>{{RK|VI9}}</ref> Years later, [[Fairbairn Family|Fairbairn]] family tradition held that [[Samwise Gamgee]] in {{FoA|61}} also sailed [[Aman|West]] from the Grey Havens.<ref name="Later"/>


==See also==
The Grey Havens were maintained into the [[Fourth Age]] (for the last mentioning of Mithlond was [[Samwise Gamgee]]'s departure [[West]] in {{FoA|61}}),<ref name="Later">{{App|Later}}</ref> but it was recognized that eventually, its purpose would reach an end when no more Elves wished to cross the [[Sea]]. At that time, Círdan would abandon the Grey Havens and finally travel the [[Straight Road]] himself. At some unknown date, [[Celeborn]] eventually sought the Grey Havens and with Círdan, they took the [[Last Ship]] together.<ref name=prologue>{{FR|Records}}</ref><ref name=AppTale>{{App|Tale}}</ref>
* [[:Category:Images of Grey Havens|Images of Grey Havens]]


== External Links ==
== Etymology ==
* [http://www.lotrlibrary.com/agesofarda/beyondgreyhavens.asp Beyond the Grey Havens], an essay on the end of ''[[The Return of the King]]''
{{pronounce|Sindarin - Mithlond.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
''Mithlond'' is [[Sindarin]] for "Grey Havens", from ''[[mith]]'' ("grey") + ''[[lond]]'' ("harbour").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 28</ref>


[[Category:Eriador]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Cities]]
[[Category:Cities, towns and villages]]
[[Category:Elven Realms]]
[[Category:Harbours]]
[[Category:Lindon]]
[[de:Graue Anfurten]]
[[de:Graue Anfurten]]
[[fi:Harmaat Satamat]]
[[fi:Harmaat Satamat]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/villes_tours_et_forteresses/lindon/havres_gris]]

Revision as of 14:59, 29 September 2021

Grey Havens
Elf-haven
Jef Murray - At the Grey Havens.jpg
"At the Grey Havens" by Jef Murray
General Information
Other namesMithlond
LocationThe shores of the Gulf of Lune
TypeElf-haven
DescriptionThe harbours of Círdan in Lindon
People and History
InhabitantsElves of Lindon
CreatedS.A. 1[1]
GalleryImages of Grey Havens

The Grey Havens, also known as Mithlond, was a seaport on the Gulf of Lune at the mouth of the River Lhûn in western Eriador.[2]

History

Second Age

Founded by the Elves of Lindon in S.A. 1,[1] the Grey Havens were known for their good harbourage and many ships; these were used by any of the Eldar to leave Middle-earth for Eressëa or Valinor. Círdan was Lord of the Havens from its foundation and into the Fourth Age.[3]

In S.A. 600, Entulessë, a Númenórean ship headed by Captain Vëantur, arrived in Mithlond and it was there that the Númenóreans first landed in Middle-earth.[4]

In the War of the Elves and Sauron, the Lhûn was held in desperate defence of the Havens after Sauron had conquered almost all of Eriador. The beleaguered defenders were saved with the arrival of Tar-Minastir's fleet and Sauron's forces were driven back.[5]

Third Age

After the fall of Gil-galad (during the time of the Kings of Arnor), the Grey Havens was still home to the largest population of Noldor in Middle-earth, aside from Rivendell in Eriador. Cirdan remained the Lord of the Havens and ruled the Elves of Lindon from Mithlond.[6] [3]

About T.A. 1000, the Istari or Wizards arrived in Middle-earth at the Grey Havens. Círdan, upon meeting Gandalf, gave him Narya, the Ring of Fire.[7]

In T.A. 1975, Prince Eärnur of Gondor brought a fleet of Gondorians to the Grey Havens to aid Arthedain against Angmar. The fleet was so massive that the ships of Gondor filled the Grey Havens, as well as Forlond and Harlond.[8]

In T.A. 3018,[7] Círdan sent Galdor of the Havens "on an errand" to Rivendell and he became Círdan's representative at the Council of Elrond.[9]

Later history

Following the defeat of Sauron and the crowning of King Aragorn Elessar in the War of the Ring, the last of the Noldor set sail from the Grey Havens and left Middle-earth for Valinor.[3] Latest of all were the Three Keepers of the Rings; Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel. They were accompanied by Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins, who were given the honour of taking the Straight Road because they had both been Ring-bearers.[10] Years later, Fairbairn family tradition held that Samwise Gamgee in Fo.A. 61 also sailed West from the Grey Havens.[11]

The Grey Havens were maintained into the Fourth Age (for the last mentioning of Mithlond was Samwise Gamgee's departure West in Fo.A. 61),[11] but it was recognized that eventually, its purpose would reach an end when no more Elves wished to cross the Sea. At that time, Círdan would abandon the Grey Havens and finally travel the Straight Road himself. At some unknown date, Celeborn eventually sought the Grey Havens and with Círdan, they took the Last Ship together.[12][13]

Etymology

Mithlond is Sindarin for "Grey Havens", from mith ("grey") + lond ("harbour").[14]

References