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[[Image:Dunharrow.jpg|thumb|''Dunharrow'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Dunharrow.jpg|thumb|''Dunharrow'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
'''Dunharrow''' was a refuge of the [[Rohirrim]] hidden in the [[White Mountains]] and fortified against attack. Dunharrow was a clifftop overlooking [[Harrowdale]], the valley of the river [[Snowbourn]].  
'''Dunharrow''' was a refuge of the [[Rohirrim]] hidden in the [[White Mountains]] south of [[Edoras]]<ref>{{RK|Map}}</ref> and fortified against attack. Dunharrow was a clifftop overlooking [[Harrowdale]], the valley of the river [[Snowbourn]].  


In order to reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the [[Stair of the Hold]] leading to the "[[Firienfeld]]", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers.
In order to reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the [[Stair of the Hold]] leading to the "[[Firienfeld]]", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers.


Large carved stones marked the entrance to the [[Dimholt]], a natural amphitheater, which led into the [[Paths of the Dead]].
Large carved stones marked the entrance to the [[Dimholt]], a natural amphitheatre, which led into the [[Paths of the Dead]].<ref name="Muster">{{RK|V3}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Roger Garland - Theoden's army on the road to Dunharrow.JPG|left|thumb|"Theoden's army on the road to Dunharrow" by [[Roger Garland]]]]
Dunharrow had been used as a refuge sacred place by the [[Pre-Númenóreans|Pre-Númenórean]] [[Middle Men]] [[Oathbreakers|of the White Mountains]] during the [[Second Age]] &mdash; nearly three millennia before the establishment of the Kingdom of [[Rohan]].
Dunharrow had been used as a refuge sacred place by the [[Pre-Númenóreans|Pre-Númenórean]] [[Middle Men]] [[Oathbreakers|of the White Mountains]] during the [[Second Age]] &mdash; nearly three millennia before the establishment of the Kingdom of [[Rohan]].


Those Men of the White Mountains had lined the winding path with statues known as the [[Púkel-men]] &mdash; statues originally carved in the likeness of the [[Drúedain]].  
Those Men of the White Mountains had lined the winding path with statues known as the [[Púkel-men]] &mdash; statues originally carved in the likeness of the [[Drúedain]].<ref name="Muster"/>


When the [[Rohirrim]] came to the region, the recognized the "heathen fane" and they used it as a refuge.
When the [[Rohirrim]] came to the region, they recognised the "heathen fane" and they used it as a refuge.
 
When Rohan was invaded by the [[Dunlendings]] in {{TA|2758}} some Rohirrim, including [[Fréaláf]], took refuge in Dunharrow during the [[Long Winter]] of {{TA|2759|n}}; Fréaláf led a daring surprise raid from Dunharrow against the Dunlendings in spring, that recaptured [[Edoras]].
 
Some [[Orcs]] who fled the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]] tried to traverse Rohan and reach the [[White Mountains]]. Those invaders were hunted down by [[Brytta Léofa]]. However some were seen still lingering in Dunharrow, where King [[Walda]] was killed by an Orc in {{TA|2851}}.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref>
 
[[Aragorn]], [[Gimli]], [[Legolas]], and the [[Grey Company]] arrived at Dunharrow on [[7 March]] {{TA|3019}} and then left at dawn the next day to take the Paths of the Dead.  [[Théoden]] and his riders (with [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]]) came to Dunharrow on [[9 March]] and rode out for [[Gondor]] on [[10 March|the 10th]].<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
Tolkien made ''Dunharrow'' the Modern English form of [[Rohirric]] ([[Old English]]) ''Dúnharg'' (or ''Dūnhaerg''), meaning "the heathen fane on the hillside".<ref>{{App|E1}}, Note</ref><ref name="Nomen"/>
Tolkien made ''Dunharrow'' the Modern English form of [[Rohirric]] ([[Old English]]) ''Dúnharg'' (or ''Dūnhaerg''), meaning "the heathen fane on the hillside".<ref>{{App|E1}}, Note</ref><ref name="Nomen"/>


[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes that he modernized the element ''haerg'' since ''harrow'' exists as an element in English place-names.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, pp. 769</ref>  
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes that he modernised the element ''haerg'' since ''harrow'' exists as an element in English place-names.<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, pp. 769</ref>  
 
==Other versions of the legendarium==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Dunharrow.jpg|thumb|Obsolete drawing of Dunharrow by Tolkien]]
Tolkien had made an illustration of Dunharrow and the [[Firienfeld]], that was first published in ''[[The Lord of the Rings 1977 Calendar]]''. That illustration represented an earlier conception of the [[Dark Door]], that didn't fit the description in the published text. [[Christopher Tolkien]] noted that the [[Dimholt]] and the pillar of stone are absent. Tolkien himself had added the note 'No longer fits story'.<ref>{{HM|PT}}, picture 29. Dunharrow</ref>
 
Tolkien made two other drawings of Dunharrow , which were published in [[Sauron Defeated]] and also represented earlier conceptions that do not fit the description in the published text.<ref>{{SD|Appendix}}, p. 140 and p. 141, p. 136 and p. 137</ref>
 
{{references}}
{{references}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Rohan]]

Revision as of 18:04, 30 March 2021

Dunharrow by Ted Nasmith

Dunharrow was a refuge of the Rohirrim hidden in the White Mountains south of Edoras[1] and fortified against attack. Dunharrow was a clifftop overlooking Harrowdale, the valley of the river Snowbourn.

In order to reach the refuge, a winding path had to be used, known as the Stair of the Hold leading to the "Firienfeld", a large grassy area for the encampment of soldiers and refuge-seekers.

Large carved stones marked the entrance to the Dimholt, a natural amphitheatre, which led into the Paths of the Dead.[2]

History

"Theoden's army on the road to Dunharrow" by Roger Garland

Dunharrow had been used as a refuge sacred place by the Pre-Númenórean Middle Men of the White Mountains during the Second Age — nearly three millennia before the establishment of the Kingdom of Rohan.

Those Men of the White Mountains had lined the winding path with statues known as the Púkel-men — statues originally carved in the likeness of the Drúedain.[2]

When the Rohirrim came to the region, they recognised the "heathen fane" and they used it as a refuge.

When Rohan was invaded by the Dunlendings in T.A. 2758 some Rohirrim, including Fréaláf, took refuge in Dunharrow during the Long Winter of 2759; Fréaláf led a daring surprise raid from Dunharrow against the Dunlendings in spring, that recaptured Edoras.

Some Orcs who fled the War of the Dwarves and Orcs tried to traverse Rohan and reach the White Mountains. Those invaders were hunted down by Brytta Léofa. However some were seen still lingering in Dunharrow, where King Walda was killed by an Orc in T.A. 2851.[3]

Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and the Grey Company arrived at Dunharrow on 7 March T.A. 3019 and then left at dawn the next day to take the Paths of the Dead. Théoden and his riders (with Merry) came to Dunharrow on 9 March and rode out for Gondor on the 10th.[4]

Etymology

Tolkien made Dunharrow the Modern English form of Rohirric (Old English) Dúnharg (or Dūnhaerg), meaning "the heathen fane on the hillside".[5][6]

Tolkien notes that he modernised the element haerg since harrow exists as an element in English place-names.[6]

Other versions of the legendarium

Obsolete drawing of Dunharrow by Tolkien

Tolkien had made an illustration of Dunharrow and the Firienfeld, that was first published in The Lord of the Rings 1977 Calendar. That illustration represented an earlier conception of the Dark Door, that didn't fit the description in the published text. Christopher Tolkien noted that the Dimholt and the pillar of stone are absent. Tolkien himself had added the note 'No longer fits story'.[7]

Tolkien made two other drawings of Dunharrow , which were published in Sauron Defeated and also represented earlier conceptions that do not fit the description in the published text.[8]

References

Route of the Fellowship of the Ring
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Rohan · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Dunharrow · Paths of the Dead · Gondor · Hill of Erech · Lamedon · Linhir · Lebennin · Pelargir · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Boromir
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen
Frodo and Sam
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Dead Marshes · Black Gate · Ithilien · Henneth Annûn · Cross-roads · Morgul Vale · Stairs of Cirith Ungol · Cirith Ungol · Shelob's Lair · Tower of Cirith Ungol · Mordor · Morgai · Plateau of Gorgoroth · Mount Doom · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Gandalf
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Celebdil† · Lothlórien · Fangorn Forest · Edoras · Hornburg · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Cair Andros · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Merry
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Parth Galen · Amon Hen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Hornburg · Dunharrow · Drúadan Forest · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard
Pippin
Rivendell · Eregion · Caradhras · Moria · Lothlórien · Caras Galadhon · Anduin · Amon Hen · Parth Galen · Emyn Muil · Eastemnet · Fangorn Forest · Wellinghall · Derndingle · Isengard · Rohan · Anórien · Gondor · Minas Tirith · Osgiliath · Cross-roads · Ithilien · Dagorlad · Black Gate · Field of Cormallen · Gondor · Cair Andros · Minas Tirith · Anórien · Rohan · Edoras · Isengard