Grey Havens: Difference between revisions

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(I agree with the thought but that doesn't mean removing all information about the Last Ship.)
(Expanded on some information)
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| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=Mithlond
| othernames=Mithlond
| location=Western [[Eriador]] on the [[Gulf of Lune]]
| location=The shores of the [[Gulf of Lune]]
| type=Port
| type=Elf-haven
| description=An important coastal port, at the mouth of the Lhûn river
| description=The harbours of [[Círdan]]
| regions=
| regions=
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The '''Grey Havens''', also known as '''Mithlond''', was a seaport on the [[Gulf of Lune]] at the mouth of the River [[Lhûn]] in western [[Eriador]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>
The '''Grey Havens''', also known as '''Mithlond''', was a seaport on the [[Gulf of Lune]] at the mouth of the River [[Lhûn]] in western [[Eriador]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>


== History ==
==History==
Founded by the [[Elves of Lindon]] in {{SA|1}},<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> the Grey Havens were afterwards used by any of the Elves (whether [[Noldor]], [[Sindar]], or [[Silvan Elves|Silvan Elf]]) to leave Middle-earth for [[Valinor]]. [[Círdan]] was Lord of the Havens throughout the [[Second Age|Second]], [[Third Age|Third]], and early [[Fourth Age]].<ref name="SA"/>
===Second Age===
Founded by the [[Elves of Lindon]] in {{SA|1}},<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> the Grey Havens were known for their good harbourage and many ships; these were used by any of the [[Eldar]] to leave Middle-earth for [[Eressëa]] or [[Valinor]]. [[Círdan]] was Lord of the Havens from its foundation and into the [[Fourth Age]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>


In {{SA|600}}, ''[[Entulessë]]'', a [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] ship headed by [[Captain of the King's Ships|Captain]] [[Vëantur]], arrived in Mithlond. It was the first time the Númenóreans landed in [[Middle-earth]].<ref name="B1">{{App|B1}}, entry "600"</ref><ref name="Island">{{UT|Island}}</ref>
In {{SA|600}}, ''[[Entulessë]]'', a [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] ship headed by [[Captain of the King's Ships|Captain]] [[Vëantur]], arrived in Mithlond and it was there that the Númenóreans first landed in [[Middle-earth]].<ref name="Island">{{UT|Island}}</ref>


About {{TA|1000}} the [[Istari]] or Wizards arrived in [[Middle-earth]] at the Grey Havens. Círdan, upon meeting [[Gandalf]], gave him [[Narya]], the Elven Ring of Fire.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>
In the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], the [[Lhûn]] was held in desperate defense of the Havens. [[Sauron]] had mastered all of [[Eriador]] but he dared not assail the Grey Havens for fear of the power of the [[Númenóreans]].<ref name="Galadriel">{{UT|Concerning}}</ref><ref name=rings/>


In {{TA|1975}}, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] brought a Gondorian fleet to the Grey Havens to aid [[Arthedain]] [[Angmar War|against]] [[Angmar]]. The fleet was so massive that the ships of Gondor filled the Grey Havens, as well as [[Forlond]] and [[Harlond]].<ref name="AppA">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>
===Later History===
After the fall of [[Gil-galad]] (during the time of the [[Kings of Arnor]]), the Grey Havens was still home to the largest population of [[Noldor]] in [[Middle-earth]], aside from [[Rivendell]] in [[Eriador]]. [[Cirdan]] remained the Lord of the Havens and ruled the [[Elves of Lindon]] from Mithlond.<ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref> <ref name=rings/>
 
In c. {{TA|1000}}, the [[Istari]] or Wizards arrived in [[Middle-earth]] at the Grey Havens. Círdan, upon meeting [[Gandalf]], gave him [[Narya]], the Ring of Fire.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>
 
In {{TA|1975}}, Prince [[Eärnur]] of [[Gondor]] brought a fleet of [[Gondorians]] to the Grey Havens to aid [[Arthedain]] [[Angmar War|against]] [[Angmar]]. The fleet was so massive that the ships of Gondor filled the Grey Havens, as well as [[Forlond]] and [[Harlond]].<ref name="AppA">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>


In {{TA|3018}},<ref name="TA"/> Círdan sent [[Galdor of the Havens]] "on an errand" to [[Rivendell]] and he became Círdan's representative at the [[Council of Elrond]].<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>
In {{TA|3018}},<ref name="TA"/> Círdan sent [[Galdor of the Havens]] "on an errand" to [[Rivendell]] and he became Círdan's representative at the [[Council of Elrond]].<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>


Following the defeat of [[Sauron]] and the crowning of King [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]] in the [[War of the Ring]], [[Gandalf]], [[Elrond]], and [[Galadriel]] left [[Middle-earth]] for [[Valinor]] from the Grey Havens. The [[Last Riding of the Keepers]] was accompanied by [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Frodo Baggins]], who were given the honor of taking the [[Straight Road]] because they had both been a [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]].<ref>{{RK|VI9}}</ref> Years later [[Fairbairn Family|Fairbairn]] family tradition held that [[Samwise Gamgee]] in {{FoA|61}} also sailed [[Aman|West]] from the Grey Havens because he too had been a Ring-bearer, even if just briefly.<ref>{{App|Later}}</ref>.
As the coronation of [[Aragorn II Elessar]] ushered in the [[Dominion of Men]], the last of the [[Noldor]] set sail from the Grey Havens and left Middle-earth forever.<ref name=rings/> Latest of all the Three Keepers of the Rings, [[Gandalf]], [[Elrond]], and [[Galadriel]], left [[Middle-earth]] for [[Valinor]] from the Grey Havens soon after.<ref>{{RK|VI9}}</ref> Years later, [[Fairbairn Family|Fairbairn]] family tradition held that [[Samwise Gamgee]] in {{FoA|61}} also sailed [[Aman|West]] from the Grey Havens.<ref name="Later"/>


The [[Last Ship]], carried [[Cirdan]] and [[Celeborn]] sometime in the [[Fourth Age]].<ref>{{FR|Prologue}}</ref>
The Grey Havens were maintained into the [[Fourth Age]] (for the last mentioning of Mithlond was [[Samwise Gamgee]]'s departure [[West]] in {{FoA|61}}),<ref name="Later">{{App|Later}}</ref> but it was recognized that eventually, its purpose would reach an end when no more Elves wished to cross the [[Sea]]. At that time, Círdan would abandon the Grey Havens and finally travel the [[Straight Road]] himself. At some unknown date, [[Celeborn]] eventually sought the Grey Havens and with Círdan, they took the [[Last Ship]] together.<ref name=prologue>{{FR|Records}}</ref><ref name=AppTale>{{App|Tale}}</ref>


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==

Revision as of 03:56, 12 November 2020

Grey Havens
Elf-haven
Jef Murray - At the Grey Havens.jpg
"At the Grey Havens" by Jef Murray
General Information
Other namesMithlond
LocationThe shores of the Gulf of Lune
TypeElf-haven
DescriptionThe harbours of Círdan
People and History
InhabitantsElves of Lindon
CreatedS.A. 1[1]
GalleryImages of Grey Havens

The Grey Havens, also known as Mithlond, was a seaport on the Gulf of Lune at the mouth of the River Lhûn in western Eriador.[2]

History

Second Age

Founded by the Elves of Lindon in S.A. 1,[1] the Grey Havens were known for their good harbourage and many ships; these were used by any of the Eldar to leave Middle-earth for Eressëa or Valinor. Círdan was Lord of the Havens from its foundation and into the Fourth Age.[3]

In S.A. 600, Entulessë, a Númenórean ship headed by Captain Vëantur, arrived in Mithlond and it was there that the Númenóreans first landed in Middle-earth.[4]

In the War of the Elves and Sauron, the Lhûn was held in desperate defense of the Havens. Sauron had mastered all of Eriador but he dared not assail the Grey Havens for fear of the power of the Númenóreans.[5][3]

Later History

After the fall of Gil-galad (during the time of the Kings of Arnor), the Grey Havens was still home to the largest population of Noldor in Middle-earth, aside from Rivendell in Eriador. Cirdan remained the Lord of the Havens and ruled the Elves of Lindon from Mithlond.[6] [3]

In c. T.A. 1000, the Istari or Wizards arrived in Middle-earth at the Grey Havens. Círdan, upon meeting Gandalf, gave him Narya, the Ring of Fire.[7]

In T.A. 1975, Prince Eärnur of Gondor brought a fleet of Gondorians to the Grey Havens to aid Arthedain against Angmar. The fleet was so massive that the ships of Gondor filled the Grey Havens, as well as Forlond and Harlond.[8]

In T.A. 3018,[7] Círdan sent Galdor of the Havens "on an errand" to Rivendell and he became Círdan's representative at the Council of Elrond.[9]

As the coronation of Aragorn II Elessar ushered in the Dominion of Men, the last of the Noldor set sail from the Grey Havens and left Middle-earth forever.[3] Latest of all the Three Keepers of the Rings, Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel, left Middle-earth for Valinor from the Grey Havens soon after.[10] Years later, Fairbairn family tradition held that Samwise Gamgee in Fo.A. 61 also sailed West from the Grey Havens.[11]

The Grey Havens were maintained into the Fourth Age (for the last mentioning of Mithlond was Samwise Gamgee's departure West in Fo.A. 61),[11] but it was recognized that eventually, its purpose would reach an end when no more Elves wished to cross the Sea. At that time, Círdan would abandon the Grey Havens and finally travel the Straight Road himself. At some unknown date, Celeborn eventually sought the Grey Havens and with Círdan, they took the Last Ship together.[12][13]

Etymology

Mithlond translates as "Grey Havens" in Sindarin (from mith "grey" and lond "harbour").[14]

External Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Second Age"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age" [map]
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Note on the Shire Records"
  13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen"
  14. ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 28
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