Corsairs of Umbar: Difference between revisions

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| pronun=
| othernames=
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| origin=[[Black Númenóreans]]
| origin=Founded by the sons and supporters of [[Castamir|Castamir the Usurper]]
| location=[[Umbar]], [[Harad]]
| location=[[Umbar]]
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| rivalry=[[Gondorians]]
| rivalry=[[Gondorians]]
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==History==
==History==
After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], the Umbar settlers further descended into evil, and were called the [[Black Númenóreans]]. They took to pillaging and piracy along the coasts of [[Gondor]].  
After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], the Umbar settlers further descended into evil and were called the [[Black Númenóreans]]. They took to pillaging and piracy along the coasts of [[Gondor]].  


During the [[Kin-strife]], the defeated rebels of [[Castamir]] fled Gondor to Umbar — by this time Umbar became the hated enemy of Gondor and a welcome refuge for its enemies. Ever since they claimed [[Harondor]].<ref name="Gondor"/>
During the [[Kin-strife]], the defeated rebels of [[Castamir]] fled Gondor to Umbar — by this time Umbar became the hated enemy of Gondor and a welcome refuge for its enemies. Ever since they claimed [[Harondor]].<ref name="Gondor"/>

Revision as of 03:12, 30 January 2019

Corsairs of Umbar
People
John Howe - Corsairs 01.jpg
Corsairs by John Howe
General Information
OriginsFounded by the sons and supporters of Castamir the Usurper
LocationsUmbar
RivalriesGondorians
MembersAngamaitë, Sangahyando, Captain of the Haven
Physical Description
DistinctionsSea-raiders and pirates
Hair colorDark
Skin colorDark

The Corsairs of Umbar were sea-raiders and pirates of the Haven of Umbar. Umbar was an old Númenórean haven settled by the "King's Men" or Black Númenóreans,[1] a proud faction loyal to the King and opposed to the divine authority of the Valar.

History

After the Downfall of Númenor, the Umbar settlers further descended into evil and were called the Black Númenóreans. They took to pillaging and piracy along the coasts of Gondor.

During the Kin-strife, the defeated rebels of Castamir fled Gondor to Umbar — by this time Umbar became the hated enemy of Gondor and a welcome refuge for its enemies. Ever since they claimed Harondor.[1]

Angamaite and Sangahyando, the descendants of Castamir, led the Corsairs again Pelargir where stayed King Minardil and slew him (T.A. 1634). In the following years the Corsairs raided the Gondorian coasts up to Anfalas, until Umbardacil avenged Minardil's death, retook Umbar and slew the last descendants of Castamir (T.A. 1810).[1]

Eventually Umbar was taken by the Haradrim[1] and mixed with the Corsairs. The Númenórean blood was mostly gone in that mixed people. The Corsairs once more harried the coasts of Gondor during the time of Cirion.[2]

In T.A. 2758 three Corsair fleets attacked and waged war on all the Gondorian coasts until Beregond overcame the invaders.[2]

In the time of Ecthelion II, a man under his service known as Thorongil, warned him that the Corsairs were a great peril for the Southern Fiefs. With a small fleet, Thorongil made a surprise attack, burning a great part of their ships and overthrowing the Captain of the Haven.[2]

During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, a fleet of Corsairs was raiding Lebennin when Aragorn captured their ships[3] and rowed them to Minas Tirith to relieve the siege of the city.[4]

The threat was finally subdued during the reign of King Elessar.[1]

Culture

The corsairs were recognizable by their red sails, adorned with a black star or eye.[5]

Portrayal in adaptations

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

Corsairs are from the Mordor faction, and are equipped with knives and fire-bombs.

2014: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Corsairs were led by four brothers who falsely call themselves the Heirs of Castamir. These were Azruthor, Dolgimil, Azgarzôr, and the eldest Balakhôr the Scourge. The player negotiated with a Corsair named Jajax, who ended up siding with the player against the Heirs and their followers.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Last Debate"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
  5. "Tolkien’s annotated map of Middle-earth transcribed" dated 10 November 2015, The Tolkien Society (accessed 11 November 2015)