Corsairs of Umbar

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Corsairs of Umbar
People
John Howe - Corsairs 01.jpg
Corsairs by John Howe
General Information
OriginsBlack Númenóreans
LocationsUmbar, Harad
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. The corsairs were recognizable by their red sails, adorned with a black star or eye.[2]

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 Gondor fled to Umbar — by this time Umbar became the hated enemy of Gondor.[1]

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.[1] 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]

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