Grey Havens

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Grey Havens
Port
Jef Murray - At the Grey Havens.jpg
"At the Grey Havens" by Jef Murray
General Information
Other namesMithlond
LocationWestern Eriador on the Gulf of Lune
TypePort
DescriptionAn important coastal port, at the mouth of the Lhûn river
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

Founded by the Elves of Lindon in S.A. 1,[1] the Grey Havens were afterwards used by any of the Elves (whether Noldor, Sindar, or Silvan Elf) to leave Middle-earth for Valinor. Círdan was Lord of the Havens throughout the Second, Third, and early Fourth Age.[1]

In S.A. 600, Entulessë, a Númenórean ship headed by Captain Vëantur, arrived in Mithlond. It was the first time the Númenóreans landed in Middle-earth.[3][4]

About T.A. 1000 the Istari or Wizards arrived in Middle-earth at the Grey Havens. Círdan, upon meeting Gandalf, gave him Narya, the Elven Ring of Fire.[5]

In T.A. 1975, Prince Eärnur of Gondor brought a Gondorian fleet 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.[6]

In T.A. 3018,[5] Círdan sent Galdor of the Havens "on an errand" to Rivendell and he became Círdan's representative at the Council of Elrond.[7]

Following the defeat of Sauron and the crowning of King Aragorn Elessar in the War of the Ring, Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel left Middle-earth for Valinor from the Grey Havens. The Last Riding of the Keepers was accompanied by Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins, who were given the honor of taking the Straight Road because they had both been a Ring-bearer.[8] Years later Fairbairn family tradition held that Samwise Gamgee in Fo.A. 61 also sailed West from the Grey Havens because he too had been a Ring-bearer, even if just briefly.[9].

The Last Ship, carried Cirdan and Celeborn sometime in the Fourth Age.[10]

Etymology

Mithlond translates as "Grey Havens" in Sindarin (from mith "grey" and lond "harbour").[11]

External Links

References