Grey Havens: Difference between revisions

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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>
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>


In the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], the [[Lhûn]] was held in desperate defense of the Havens after [[Sauron]] had conquered almost all of [[Eriador]]. The beleaguered defenders were saved with the arrival of [[Tar-Minastir]]'s fleet and Sauron's forces were driven back.<ref name="Galadriel">{{UT|Concerning}}</ref>
In the [[War of the Elves and Sauron]], the [[Lhûn]] was held in desperate defence of the Havens after [[Sauron]] had conquered almost all of [[Eriador]]. The beleaguered defenders were saved with the arrival of [[Tar-Minastir]]'s fleet and Sauron's forces were driven back.<ref name="Galadriel">{{UT|Concerning}}</ref>


===Third Age===
===Third Age===
Line 36: Line 36:


===Later History===
===Later History===
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"/>
Following the defeat of [[Sauron]] and the crowning of King [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]] in the [[War of the Ring]], the last of the [[Noldor]] set sail from the Grey Havens and left Middle-earth for [[Valinor]].<ref name=rings/> Latest of all were the [[Last Riding of the Keepers|Three Keepers of the Rings]]; [[Gandalf]], [[Elrond]], and [[Galadriel]]. They were accompanied by [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Frodo Baggins]], who were given the honour of taking the [[Straight Road]] because they had both been [[Ring-bearers]].<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 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>
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>

Revision as of 14:19, 30 December 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 in Lindon
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 defence of the Havens after Sauron had conquered almost all of Eriador. The beleaguered defenders were saved with the arrival of Tar-Minastir's fleet and Sauron's forces were driven back.[5]

Third Age

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]

About 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]

Later History

Following the defeat of Sauron and the crowning of King Aragorn Elessar in the War of the Ring, the last of the Noldor set sail from the Grey Havens and left Middle-earth for Valinor.[3] Latest of all were the Three Keepers of the Rings; Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel. They were accompanied by Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins, who were given the honour of taking the Straight Road because they had both been Ring-bearers.[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