Pelennor Fields

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The Pelennor Fields (S, pron. [peˈlenːor]) were the townlands and fields of Minas Tirith, capital of Gondor. They lay just outside the city, on the west bank of the river Anduin. The land ran down toward the river in slopes and terraces. The City of Minas Tirith was located on the southwestern corner of the fields, at the foot of Mount Mindolluin. After Minas Ithil had fallen and been renamed Minas Morgul, the Pelennor Fields were walled by the great wall of Rammas Echor, to prevent an invasion.

A road ran northeast across the Pelennor Fields to the Causeway Forts on the river bank; a distance of 12 miles. The North-way led from the City through the fields to the Forannest, or north-gate, before turning westward to become the Great West Road to Rohan. The South Road came from the southern provinces of Gondor and passed through the Pelennor Fields on the way to Minas Tirith. A number of other paths also criss-crossed the fields.

The Pelennor Fields were home to farmers and herdsmen who had barns, pens, livestock, granaries, and kilns for drying hops and malt which were located on the Pelennor. The fields were fertile farmland, with tilled fields, orchards, and small brooks flowing down to the Anduin.

Battle of the Pelennor Fields

Main article: Battle of the Pelennor Fields

During the War of the Ring, the Pelennor Fields were the location of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, when Sauron's Orcs and evil Men overran the Rammas Echor and besieged the city. The people and livestock had been evacuated before the invasion but the homes and trees were burned. Trenches were carved through the fields and filled with fire. It was on these fields that Théoden King was slain, and that most of the great battle was fought.

After the Battle

After the battle, the grass began to grow back on the fields, Snowmane's Howe, where Theoden's horse was buried, grew especially green. The location at which the Lord of the Nazgûl and his Fell beast had been killed was stained black and no grass grew from the scorched earth.

On May 1st T.A. 3019 the coronation of King Elessar took place and those of Gondor and Rohan gathered on the Pelennor Fields to witness the event.

Etymology

The name Pelennor translates to "Fenced Land" (pelen + nor) in Sindarin. The field was called by several other names as well, such as Fields of Pelennor, the Pelennor, and the townlands.

The laws of Sindarin syllable stress dictate that the second syllable of Pelennor is stressed. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for readers of Tolkien to stress the first syllable.

References