The Atlas of Middle-earth

by Karen Wynn Fonstad

  After the Ring was destroyed on March 25, when Sauron’s servants were bereft of their driving force, all those who had been assaulted came forth and routed the remaining troops: Celeborn and Thranduil to Dol Guldur; and the besieged in Erebor against the Easterlings.9 So the North was saved by their valor—and as Gandalf said, ‘"Think of what might have been . . . savage swords in Eriador, night in Rivendell.’”10

  The Battle of the Pelennor Fields

  March 15, T.A. 3019

  ALTHOUGH SAURON’S MALICE was not directed solely toward Gondor, it was against Minas Tirith that the chief thrust was made. Miraculously, the city did not fall. Faramir was “ten times outnumbered” at the Causeway forts,1 and the Rohirrim “at their onset were thrice outnumbered by the Haradrim alone.”2 Even a very conservative estimate would indicate that the forces of Mordor overwhelmed those of Gondor by at least four to one. Added to the Ores of Mordor were allies from Near and Far Harad, Khand, and Rhûn,3 most of whom had gone to the Morannon for the muster and issued forth with the main army.4 Nowhere was there a count given for the teaming masses, except that the Haradrim were thrice the Rohirrim (who numbered six thousand).5 Yet several references attested to the Enemies’ enormous numbers: The Morgul-host was greater than any army that had issued “from that vale since the days of Isildur’s might; . . . and yet it was but one and not the greatest of the hosts that Mordor now sent forth.”6 The Mordor-host from the Black Gate included “battalions of Ores of the Eye, and countless companies of Men of a new sort.”7 The Enemy was so great that many were merely held in reserve for the anticipated sacking of the City.8 Faramir commented that “we may make the Enemy pay ten times our loss at the passage and yet rue the exchange.”9

  Gondor’s forces might have been more, but fearing the Corsairs of Umbar, the populous southern fiefs held back all but “a tithe of their strength.”10

  The outcompanies of Gondor totaled “less than three thousands,”11 and the Tower Guard had at least three companies (possibly of 400 to 500 troops each), plus an out-garrison.12 All told, probably fewer than five thousand faced the oncoming Black Tide. These were the estimated forces on the field of battle:

  Captain Arrived from Troops

  I. Gondor and Allies Southern Fiefs13

  Forlong Lossarnach 200 “well-armed”

  Dervorin Ringló Vale 300

  Duinhir Morthond 500 “bowmen”

  Golasgil Anfalas 150 (est.) “scantily equipped”

  —— Larnedon 50 (est.) “hillmen”

  —— Ethir Anduin 100 “fisher-folk”

  Hirluin Pinnath Gelin 300

  Imrahil Dol Amroth 1200 (est.) (700 plus “a company” on horse)

  Guard of Minas Tirith

  Denethor Minas Tirith 2000 (est.)

  Rohirrim

  Théoden/Éomer Rohan 6000 cavalry14

  Aragorn

  Dúnedain The North 3015

  —— Southern Fiefs 1000 (est.)16

  TOTAL ESTIMATED FORCES OF GONDOR 11,250

  II. Mordor and Allies

  Mordor and Morgul-host

  Angmar/Gothmog Barad-dûr, Minas Morgul 20,000 (est.)

  Allies

  Haradrim Near and Far Harad 18,00017

  Harad

  Others Rhûn, Khand 7000 (est.)

  TOTAL ESTIMATED FORCES OF MORDOR Minimum 45,000

  Having taken East Osgiliath the previous June, Sauron’s workers had prepared many barges for the crossing, and on March 12 the vanguard of the Morgul-host swarmed over Anduin.18 Faramir retreated from Osgiliath to the forts on the Rammas Echor, where he held out for a day, until the Enemy had bridged the river and poured across.19 Meanwhile, the army from the Black Gate had taken Cair Andros on March 10 and arrived from the northeast, and between the two hosts the Rammas was breached both north and east and the Pelennor overrun.20 Faramir spent the afternoon in an organized retreat from the Causeway Forts; but when he was only a quarter mile from the city gates, the Nazgûl swooped down, driving both men and horses into disorder. The Haradrim nearby were attacking as well, and Faramir was struck by a Southron arrow.21 Only the ride of Prince Imrahil, leading all the city’s mounted men, saved Faramir and his troops.22 The sortie was soon recalled, however, and the Gates were shut. All the Pelennor was abandoned to the Enemy, who quickly dug trenches and filled them with fire. The closest was just outside of bowshot from the city walls, and there were placed the catapults and siege-towers.23 From fire, battle, and horror of the Ring-wraiths, the valor of the besieged was beaten down. During the second night, that of March 14, troops moved against the wall in their siege-towers, and Angmar called for the great battering ram: Grond.24 Just before dawn the Great Gates were shattered, and Gandalf stood alone, defying the Chief Nazgûl; but from afar the horns of Rohan blew wildly, and the Battle was joined.25

  TO THE BATTLE

  When the Rohirrim reached the north gate of the Rammas, they scattered the few Ores and poured through the breaches. Théoden sent Elfhelm to the right toward the siege-towers, Grimbold to the left, and Éomer’s company straight ahead; but the King outran them all, galloping into the midst of the foes. Most of the forces of Mordor were probably encamped near the City, and the Rohirrim overran the northern half of the Pelennor with relative ease.26 Théoden was first to reach the road to the river, about a mile east of the city gates. The Haradrim were south of the road, and their captain led his cavalry toward the King, but Théoden and his guard countered and were the victors when suddenly the horses went wild because of the approach of Angmar, Chief of the Nazgûl.27

  The tragic scene found by Éomer spurred the Rohirrim to new feats. On through the cavalry and the ranks of marching Haradrim Éomer charged, but the horses swerved away from the mûmakil. Meanwhile, Prince Imrahil had led forth all the forces in the City, but was unable to reach Éomer; and the reserve forces of Mordor had been sent across the river.28 By midmorning the troops of Gondor were once more badly outmanned, and the battle had become grim, Éomer was engulfed atop a hillock only a mile from the landings at Harlond when Aragorn’s ships arrived. When Éomer attacked anew from the north, Imrahil from the west, and Aragorn from the south, the “great press of foes” between were “caught between the hammer and the anvil.” The forces of Gondor, though still outnumbered, continued the struggle throughout the day and won the victory.29

  Upper: THE SIEGE Lower: THE BATTLE

  Left: TO THE BATTLE Right: THE BATTLE

  The Battle of the Morannon

  March 25, T.A. 3019

  TWO DAYS AFTER the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Aragorn led forth an army to challenge Sauron at his own Black Gate. The numbers were clearly stated as 1000 cavalry and 6000 infantry.1 On the long march Aragorn burned the bridge to Minas Morgul, and left a strong guard at the Cross-roads in case enemies came through the Morgul Pass or up the south road.2 Two days march north there was an ambush at the very spot where Faramir had trapped the Haradrim, but Aragorn’s scouts forewarned him; and he sent horsemen west to attack the enemy flank.3

  Upon reaching the desolation of the Morannon, some of the Men became so faint-hearted that Aragorn sent them southwest to recapture Cair Andros. Between these and the forces left at the Cross-roads, a thousand troops had been removed from the original 7000.4 After the departure of the emissary at the Black Gate, the host of Gondor faced “forces ten times, and more than ten times their match.”5 In a desperate attempt to meet the onslaught, Aragorn had placed his troops in rings around two great hills of rubble opposite the gate.6 On the left he stood with Gandalf, with the sons of Elrond and the Dúnedain on the front line where the thrust would be strongest. On the hill to his right were Éomer and Imrahil, with the knights of Dol Amroth and picked Men of the Tower of Guard in the front. With them stood Pippin and Beregond.7

  Enemies quickly surrounded them: A great host issued from the Morannon, Ores streamed down from hills on each side of the rampart, and Easterlings marched from beyond the northern tower where they had hidden next to the moun
tain slopes. The first to cross the moat-like mire were Hill-trolls, one of whom injured Beregond and was in turn slain by Pippin.8 The Trolls were quickly followed and Gondor’s forces surrounded when eagles appeared and swooped toward the Nazgûl; but the Nazgûl fled toward Mt. Doom and disappeared in the ensuing holocaust.9 Then Sauron’s creatures destroyed themselves, leaving only the Men of Rhûn and Harad to do battle. Most fled or surrendered, but some fought on, and finally all were subdued.10

  Upper Left: THE SKIRMISH Lower Left: TO THE BATTLE Right: THE BATTLE

  The Battle of By water

  November 3, T.A. 3019

  UPON RETURNING TO THE SHIRE and discovering the changes that had occurred during their absence, the four friends decided to raise the Shire and rid the Hobbits of the ruffian Men who were doing Sharkey’s bidding. They arrived in Bywater the afternoon of November 2, and a brief skirmish ensued against the Chief’s Men from Bag End. Merry’s horncall attracted about two hundred sturdy Hobbits, who hid between (and possibly in) buildings all along the main road through town. At the intersection of the road with South Lane, a bonfire was lit, behind which Tom Cotton stood waiting. At each end of town a barrier was placed across the road, and when some twenty Men trooped in from Hobbiton, the western barrier was opened. Once inside, the ruffians found themselves surrounded. Several tried to escape back west, but when the leader was shot, the rest surrendered.1

  The next morning shortly after ten, the main Battle of Bywater was fought. Messages had been sent the day before to the large group of ruffians quartered at Waymeet, and they were marching east, joined by others along the way. There were more than one hundred; but for once the enemy was outnumbered, for in addition to the Hobbits who had gathered the previous evening in Bywater, Pippin led in another hundred from Tookland. Merry had chosen an advantageous site where the Bywater Road cut through high banks topped by hedges. A barricade of overturned carts blocked the far end; and after the ruffians entered the cutting, more carts were quickly placed behind them. Once more the Hobbits surrounded the enemies. This time, however, about twenty Men managed to escape back over the second barricade, and many of the rest scaled the western bank. With all the force thrown against one spot, the Hobbits on that side were giving way, until Merry and Pippin brought reinforcements from the east bank. Merry slew the leader, then drew his archers into a wide circle around the remnant. During the attempted escape, seventy of the ruffians were killed and afterward were buried in a nearby sand-pit: the Battle Pit.2 Thus ended the last battle of the War of the Rings.

  Pathways

  IN The Lord of the Rings, unlike The Hobbit, Tolkien gave considerable information about distances covered, time spent in travel, and campsite locations. Hundreds of clues gleaned from the story and the appendices provided the data for not only these pathway maps, but also the base maps themselves. Stated distances occasionally differed from those shown on Tolkien’s maps, so the maps were altered slightly to more closely agree with the text. Complete agreement was not always possible, however, so the distances shown along pathways may sometimes not measure exactly the same on the accompanying scale; but they do agree with the text or with estimates made from its passages, using three miles per league as suggested by Tolkien.1

  When mileages were not listed for a day or several days, they were estimated by measuring the distance on Tolkien’s map along the route between known campsites, and dividing it equally between the days (allowing for stated variations, such as longer hours in travel or faster or slower speed). To determine if the various estimates seemed reasonable in relation to each other and to the Primary World, a table was compiled to allow comparison. Although a few of the rates of travel seemed unusually fast or slow (for reasons explained with the related maps), most appeared to be fairly consistent when allowing for such variables as rugged terrain, need for haste, and physical or psychological hindrances. When one day’s journey had distinct stages these were listed individually. Most of the journeys were on foot, with occasional rides on boats or horses. The range of speeds in general were:

  Walking—Most commonly, about 2.0 to 2.5 mph (24 to 30 minutes per mile) was maintained, but rose to 3.0 mph (20 minutes per mile) run by the Ores and their pursuers: Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas.

  Riding—Ponies: 3.4 mph, jogging (17.6 minutes per mile). Horses of Rohan: 6.7 mph, galloping (9.0 minutes per mile). Horses of the Dúnedain: 7.0 mph, galloping (8.6 minutes per mile). Shadowfax: 20 mph, galloping (3.0 minutes per mile).

  Boating—Small boats with the current: drifting, 2.8 mph (21.4 minutes per mile); paddling, 4.1 mph (14.6 minutes per mile). Ships against the current: rowing, 4.7 mph (12.8 minutes per mile); sailing, 7.2 mph (8.3 minutes per mile).

  It was also interesting to note that Ents could travel ten miles per hour (six minutes per mile); and that while the Ores were no faster than the three friends, their endurance was phenomenal—fifty-six hours with only one camp and two other stops!

  The hours listed were calculated based upon a 7 A.M. sunrise and a 5 P.M. sunset in December and January, and a 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. day in September and March. Unless otherwise stated in the story, the various travellers were assumed to have taken full advantage of the dawn-to-dusk sunlight hours when going by day, or the dusk-to-dawn nighttime hours when walking in the dark. Whenever late starts, long rests, and other variations occurred, the hours were reduced or lengthened appropriately.

  Dates gave some confusion when marches lasted into the following day, or two separate journeys occurred on the same day. On the table the date has been followed by information relating to any march or marches that began at any time on that date. The date listed beside each campsite denoted the time the travellers finally stopped at a given location to rest. The chronology utilized the Shire Calendar,2 and the new day began at midnight according to the Shire-folk;3 so a few times when the march began after midnight but before dawn, or (more commonly) if the wanderers did not rest until after midnight, the date listed on the table or map, respectively, was that of the new day, which had not yet dawned in the western lands.

  The History of Middle-earth is fascinating in its revelations of the evolution of the tale, and Tolkien’s meticulous calculations and rewritings make the chronology accurate. Nevertheless, here as elsewhere in the Atlas, with few exceptions, the pathway table and maps are based on “The Tale of Years,” for that was the final authority, synchronized with the published tale.4

  Only Tolkien’s tremendous attention to detail made it possible to trace the pathways so closely; yet as with other maps, assumptions and estimates had to be made, and those judgments are certainly open to interpretation. The following table, therefore, has been put forth not as a statement of absolutes, but merely as a composite listing of the calculations used to produce the accompanying maps.

  BAG END TO RIVENDELL

  Bag End to Rivendell

  THE HOBBITS HIKED OUT FROM BAG END at dusk on September 23. They headed toward the Green Hill Country, walking for about three hours. After they ate they continued until they were very tired. The next day they started after 10 A.M. About an hour after dusk, while the Hobbits were hiding from a Black Rider, Elves appeared and led the Hobbits “some miles” to the ridge overlooking Woodhall. The next day the Hobbits went cross-country to Farmer Maggot’s, then rode in his wagon to the ferry. They reached Crickhollow in the evening of September 25.1

  To put off pursuit by the Black Riders the Hobbits cut through the Old Forest. In spite of rugged terrain and capture by Old Man Willow, they managed to reach Bombadil’s house at twilight the same day. They stayed all the next day, as well, and on September 28 headed north toward the Great East Road.2 Tom had told them to stay on the western skirts of the Barrow-downs, but the Hobbits unintentionally turned slightly east. After their unplanned afternoon sleep, dark fell and they were captured by a Barrow-wight. They were freed by Bombadil the next morning, but it was probably almost noon before they set out. Near dusk they reached the Road, and “plodded slowly” the las
t four miles to Bree.3

  The attack on the inn delayed the Company’s departure until ten the next morning. Strider led them north through the Chetwood toward Archet, taking many turnings to confuse the trail. October 1 they steered east, and on the second they left the Chetwood and by nightfall were into the western part of the Midgewater Marshes. The next day was all spent in the Marshes, and it was not until the morning of the fourth that the fens were left behind. That night they camped by a stream that ran from the Weather Hills. Strider estimated they could reach the Hills by noon of the next day (October 5), but the walk actually took until evening.4 The morning of October 6 they headed south along a path that “ran cunningly” to the northern slope of Weathertop. After reaching the hill about noon, Strider led Frodo and Merry on the half-hour climb to the summit. It was probably only a mile or two, though Weathertop’s size has been exaggerated on the map, making it appear longer. After spotting Black Riders on the Road below, the travellers remained in the dell west of Weathertop for the rest of the day, and the night as well.5

  At moonrise the Riders attacked, and Frodo was injured; so it was necessary to divide the stores among the hikers to allow Frodo to ride the pack-pony. As soon as day was full, on October 7, the Company crossed the Road and entered the thickets on the south. The land was “wild and pathless,” and “their journey was slow.” Still, they marched more quickly than they had in the woods, marshes, and hill-lands west of Weathertop. In little more than five days they covered the 120 miles to the Last Bridge.6