Hoarwell: Difference between revisions

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The river '''Hoarwell''', or '''[[Mitheithel]]''' was a river traversing eastern [[Eriador]].
The river '''Hoarwell''', or '''[[Mitheithel]]''' was a river traversing eastern [[Eriador]].
==Course==
==Course==
It began in the northern [[Misty Mountains]] west of the [[Rhimdath]] River and about 100 miles north of [[Rivendell]].  The Hoarwell flowed west past the [[Ettenmoors]] and then curved southward, skirting the western edge of the [[Trollshaws]].  Flowing under the [[Last Bridge]] on the [[East-West Road]], it coursed southward until it was joined by the [[Bruinen]] or "Loudwater".  The Hoarwell turned southwest until it met with the [[Glanduin]], forming the fenland called ''Nîn-in-Eilph'' or "[[Swanfleet]]".  Beyond this point the combined waters were called the [[Gwathló]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>
It began in the northern [[Misty Mountains]] west of the [[Rhimdath]] River and about 100 miles north of [[Rivendell]].  The Hoarwell flowed west past the [[Ettenmoors]] and then curved southward, skirting the western edge of the [[Trollshaws]].  Flowing under the [[Last Bridge]] on the [[East-West Road]], it coursed southward until it was joined by the [[Bruinen]] or "Loudwater".  The Hoarwell turned southwest until at [[Tharbad]] it met with the [[Glanduin]], forming the fenland called ''Nîn-in-Eilph'' or "[[Swanfleet]]".  Beyond this point the combined waters were called the [[Gwathló]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
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==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Hoar means "grey" and well in English placenames usually has the meaning of "spring, source".
Hoar means "grey" and well in English placenames usually has the meaning of "spring, source".
The [[Sindarin]] name ''Mitheithel'' has the same meaning, "grey-spring".<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 267</ref>
==Other versions of the legendarium==
==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the 1937 version of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' the Hoarwell was described as a rushing ''red'' river coming from the mountains ''in front'' of the company.  In the 1966 edition the adjective "red" was removed and the river came from the north in order to match the geography of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.
In the 1937 version of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' the Hoarwell was described as a rushing ''red'' river coming from the mountains ''in front'' of the company.  In the 1966 edition the adjective "red" was removed and the river came from the north in order to match the geography of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.

Revision as of 09:59, 7 December 2014

Hoarwell
River
File:Mitheithel.png
General Information
Other namesMitheithel
LocationEastern Eriador
TypeRiver
DescriptionA rushing river[1]
RegionsArnor
Rhudaur

The river Hoarwell, or Mitheithel was a river traversing eastern Eriador.

Course

It began in the northern Misty Mountains west of the Rhimdath River and about 100 miles north of Rivendell. The Hoarwell flowed west past the Ettenmoors and then curved southward, skirting the western edge of the Trollshaws. Flowing under the Last Bridge on the East-West Road, it coursed southward until it was joined by the Bruinen or "Loudwater". The Hoarwell turned southwest until at Tharbad it met with the Glanduin, forming the fenland called Nîn-in-Eilph or "Swanfleet". Beyond this point the combined waters were called the Gwathló.[2]

History

The Hoarwell was within the boundaries of Arnor when the realm was founded.[3] In T.A. 861[4] when Arnor was dismembered, the river was within the confines of Rhudaur.[3]

Around 1150 the Stoors came over the Redhorn Pass and settled in the Angle, the land between the Hoarwell and the Loudwater. When Angmar became powerful about 1300 these hobbits moved over the Hoarwell and settled near Bree.[4]

In May, 2941[4] Thorin and Company crossed the Hoarwell on the Last Bridge (and later that night encountered the trolls).[1]

On 11 October 3018, Glorfindel drove the Black Riders from the Last Bridge[5] and left a beryl on the roadway to show that the path was safe.[6] Two days later, after finding the elf-stone, Aragorn led the hobbits across the bridge.[5]

Etymology

Hoar means "grey" and well in English placenames usually has the meaning of "spring, source".

The Sindarin name Mitheithel has the same meaning, "grey-spring".[7]

Other versions of the legendarium

In the 1937 version of The Hobbit the Hoarwell was described as a rushing red river coming from the mountains in front of the company. In the 1966 edition the adjective "red" was removed and the river came from the north in order to match the geography of The Lord of the Rings.

Notes

References