Great Plague
 | |
|---|---|
| Great Plague | |
| Event | |
| Other names | Dark Plague |
| Location | Harad, Gondor, Eriador, Rhovanion, Rhûn (possibly) |
| Date | T.A. 1635-7; effects visible for the next 200 years |
| Result | Possibly hundreds thousands of lives incl. half of the population in Rhovanion |
| Participants | Men of Darkness, Gondorians, Dúnedain of Arnor, Hobbits, Woodmen |
| Description | Pestilence from south of Mordor, spreading north, west and then north |
The Great Plague, also known as the Dark Plague was a disastrous pestilence that killed untold numbers of people, possibly up into the hundreds of thousands. The plague was brought by an evil wind from the east. It concided with a Shadow deepening in Mirkwood, and the reappearance of evil things.[1]
The Great Plague began in the east beyond Mordor and hit Rhûn and Rhovanion, and after it had passed, more than half the folk of the Kingdom of Rhovanion had been killed[2]. The Plague also hit the enemies of Gondor, otherwise they could overwhelm the weakened kingdom easily, but this didn't affect Sauron, who could wait.[1]
It first reached Gondor in T.A. 1636 (just a couple of years after King Minardil had been killed at Pelargir by the Corsairs of Umbar). The Plague was devastating in Gondor; Osgiliath was especially hit hard, suffering the highest casualties outside of Rhovanion. Many fled the city and removed to Ithilien and Anórien, and Minas Anor became the King's seat. The casualties were so high that the fortresses guarding Mordor were abandoned as the troops were recalled.[1] The new king, Telemnar was killed together with his kin, followed by the White Tree of Gondor, as well as many others of the Dúnedain;[3] two centuries after the Kin-strife, this further destroyed the people of Gondor.[1]
From there the plague spread west and then north, making Eriador desolate.[3] Dunland suffered less from the Plague than most due to their self-isolation.[4] However, the Plague regained strength as it went north, and Minhiriath (the southern part of Cardolan) was especially hit hard. The joint garrison (of the North and South Kingdoms) at Tharbad ceases to exist.[5] The last of the Dúnedain of Cardolan died on the Barrow-downs, and evil spirits from Angmar and Rhudaur entered the realm.[6]
While the Shire suffered greatly,[3] the plague lessened passing northward until the northern part of Arthedain was scarcely affected.[6] Arthedain still defended Fornost Erain to the north.
The Plague marked the beginning of the desolation of Eriador,[3] that continued being depopulated from Men for the rest of the Age.[7] The exact date the plague ended is not known but for the next two centuries Gondor, as well as its enemies, did little but try and regain strength. Historians believed that the Plague was caused by Sauron since the Shadow deepened in Mirkwood, foretelling his return in the (now unguarded) Mordor.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Southern Line: Heirs of Anarion"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "(i) The Northmen and the Wainriders"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Battles of the Fords of Isen"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix D: The Port of Lond Daer"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "Notes", #59
| Preceded by: Kin-Strife | Major events of Middle-earth T.A. 1635 - c 200 years later | Followed by: Watchful Peace |
