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[[Image:John Howe - Corsairs.jpg|thumb|300px|''Corsairs'' by [[John Howe]]]]
{{people infobox
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]]" a proud faction loyal to the King and opposed to the divine authority of the [[Valar]].
| name=Corsairs of Umbar
| image=[[File:John Howe - Corsairs 01.jpg|250px]]
| caption=Corsairs by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| origin=Founded by the sons and supporters of [[Castamir|Castamir the Usurper]]
| location=[[Umbar]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=[[Gondorians]]
| language=
| members=[[Angamaitë]], [[Sangahyando]], [[Captain of the Haven]]
| lifespan=
| distinctions=Sea-raiders and pirates
| height=
| hair=Dark
| skin=Dark
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
The '''Corsairs of Umbar''' were sea-raiders and pirates of the [[Umbar|Haven of Umbar]]. Umbar was an old [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] haven settled by the "[[King's Men]]" or Black Númenóreans,<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref> a proud faction loyal to the King and opposed to the divine authority of the [[Valar]].  


After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], the Umbar settlers further descended into evil, and were called the Black Númenoreans. They took to pillaging and piracy along the coasts of [[Gondor]]. During the [[Kin-strife]], the defeated rebels of Gondor fled to Umbar — by this time Umbar became the hated enemy of Gondor.
==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]].  


By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], the Corsairs had mixed with the [[Haradrim]], becoming a mixed people where Númenórean blood was mostly gone. During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], a fleet of Corsairs was raiding [[Lebennin]] when [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] captured their ships and rowed them to [[Minas Tirith in Gondor|Minas Tirith]] to relieve the siege of the city.
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"/>


They allied with the [[Haradrim]] against Gondor; in {{TA|1540}} King [[Aldamir]] was slain during that war.<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref>
[[Angamaite]] and [[Sangahyando]], the descendants of Castamir, led the Corsairs to ravage [[Pelargir]], killing King [[Minardil]] who was there ({{TA|1634}}). In the following years Gondor suffered by the [[Great Plague]] and Corsairs raided the Gondorian [[Outlands|coasts]] up to [[Anfalas]], until [[Umbardacil]] avenged Minardil's death, slew the last descendants of Castamir, drove away the Corsairs and retook Umbar ({{TA|1810}}).<ref name="Gondor"/><ref name=ta/>
Eventually, Umbar was taken by the [[Haradrim]]<ref name="Gondor"/> 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]].<ref name=Stewards/>
In {{TA|2746}} the Corsairs were involved in a conflict with [[Dol Amroth]], where the fifteenth [[Princes of Dol Amroth|Prince of Dol Amroth]] was slain.<ref name="Elendil">{{PM|Elendil}}, p. 222</ref>
The Corsairs prepared for long a great force of three fleets. In {{TA|2758}} the fleets sailed from Umbar and [[Harad]] and raided and landed on the Gondorian coasts, as north as the mouth of [[Isen]]. Travelling up [[Lefnui]] and Isen they helped the [[Dunlendings]] who were occupying [[Rohan]]. Before the spring of {{TA|2759|n}}, [[Beregond (Steward of Gondor)|Beregond]] overcame the invaders.<ref name=Stewards/><ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>
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 on Umbar|surprise attack]], burning a great part of their ships and overthrowing the [[Captain of the Haven]].<ref name=Stewards>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>
During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], a fleet of Corsairs was raiding [[Lebennin]] when [[Aragorn]] captured their ships<ref>{{RK|V9}}</ref> and rowed them to [[Minas Tirith]] to relieve the siege of the city.<ref name=pelennor>{{RK|V6}}</ref>
The threat was finally subdued during the reign of King Elessar.<ref name="Gondor"/>
==Culture==
The corsairs's fleet included dromunds, and ships with deep hulls and many oars. Some had black sails.<ref name=pelennor/> Other were recognizable by their red sails, adorned with a black star or eye.<ref>{{webcite|website=TS|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/2015/11/tolkiens-annotated-map-of-middle-earth-transcribed|articlename=Tolkien’s annotated map of Middle-earth transcribed|dated=10 November 2015|accessed=11 November 2015}}</ref>
==Inspiration==
The Corsairs were possibly inspired by the [[Wikipedia:Barbary Pirates|Pirates of the Barbary Coast]].<ref>[[John M. Bowers]], ''[[Tolkien's Lost Chaucer]]'' (2019) p. 170</ref>
==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}}
[[Category:Black Númenóreans]]
[[Category:Haradrim]]
[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Korsaren]]
[[fi:Umbarin Merirosvot]]

Revision as of 06:33, 15 October 2020

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
AffiliationSauron
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]

They allied with the Haradrim against Gondor; in T.A. 1540 King Aldamir was slain during that war.[2]

Angamaite and Sangahyando, the descendants of Castamir, led the Corsairs to ravage Pelargir, killing King Minardil who was there (T.A. 1634). In the following years Gondor suffered by the Great Plague and Corsairs raided the Gondorian coasts up to Anfalas, until Umbardacil avenged Minardil's death, slew the last descendants of Castamir, drove away the Corsairs and retook Umbar (T.A. 1810).[1][2]

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.[3]

In T.A. 2746 the Corsairs were involved in a conflict with Dol Amroth, where the fifteenth Prince of Dol Amroth was slain.[4]

The Corsairs prepared for long a great force of three fleets. In T.A. 2758 the fleets sailed from Umbar and Harad and raided and landed on the Gondorian coasts, as north as the mouth of Isen. Travelling up Lefnui and Isen they helped the Dunlendings who were occupying Rohan. Before the spring of 2759, Beregond overcame the invaders.[3][5]

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.[3]

During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, a fleet of Corsairs was raiding Lebennin when Aragorn captured their ships[6] and rowed them to Minas Tirith to relieve the siege of the city.[7]

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

Culture

The corsairs's fleet included dromunds, and ships with deep hulls and many oars. Some had black sails.[7] Other were recognizable by their red sails, adorned with a black star or eye.[8]

Inspiration

The Corsairs were possibly inspired by the Pirates of the Barbary Coast.[9]

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