Battles of Beleriand

Project started by Fingolfin-(TV)
December 31, 2007


Articles > Elves > Events


First Battle:
    See "The First Conflict of the Battles of Beleriand" by Varda-(Valar)

Second Battle: Dagor-nuin-Giliath
    The second battle in the wars of Beleriand was Dagor-nuin-Giliath, which means "the battle under the stars" as the moon hadn't risen yet.
    After having abandoned Fingolfin at Losgar, Fëanor and his people were attacked by the Orcs near Lake Mithrim.
    Even though the Orcs were in greater numbers than the Noldor, the supreme battle skills and equipment of the Elves forced the Orcs to retreat with great losses. The Noldor hunted down the Orcs until they reached the large plain of Ard-Galen where they encountered some other Orcs, who were headed south to attack the ports of Falas. There Celegorm, Fëanor's son, ambushed the Orcs with a part of the Elven army and managed to throw the Orcs into the marshes of Serech.
    From the great host that left Angband, only a few returned.
    Finally, as the Elves were headed against Angband, Fëanor, who went in front of the the army due to his rage, was attacked by the Balrogs at Dor Daedeloth. Later, Fëanor died from his wounds, leaving upon his sons the task of defeating Melkor and taking back the Silmarils.
    This battle lasted for ten days.
 
Third Battle: Dagor Aglareb
     The third battle in the Wars of Beleriand was Dagor Aglareb, which means "the glorious battle".
     The main battle took place at the March of Maedhros where the High King of the Noldor, Fingolfin, along with Maedhros, Fëanor's eldest son, swiftly defeated the main army of the minions of Melkor. At the same time, several elven squads killed some groups of Orcs that were separated from the main army.
     After this battle started the Siege of Angband that lasted for 400 years.

Fourth Battle: Dagor Bragollach
     The fourth battle in the wars of Beleriand was Dagor Bragollach, which means "the battle of the sudden fire". The beginning of this battle ends the siege of Angband and with it the "classical age" of the Noldor.
      The battle began as rivers of lava flowed from Thangorodrim. Glaurung, the Balrogs and great numbers of Orcs made up the vast army that issued from Angband.
      Their enemies were the Noldor, the Grey-elves and the Men.
      The Orcs managed to take all the forts of the Noldor, except Himring, where the Orcs fled in fear of the great power of Fëanor's eldest son, Maedhros. But the Noldor suffered great losses, many of their princes were killed, and their cavalry was wiped out by Glaurung.
      After the battle, many Elves fled to Nargothrond and Doriath. As a result the power of Thingol was enlarged.
      At the end of the battle, the High King of the Noldor, Fingolfin, in his despair, believing that all the great Houses of the Noldor were defeated, went to fight Melkor and died after a gallant fight with the fallen Vala.
      The relic known as the Ring of Barahir was awarded to Barahir after saving Felagund from a difficult situation: Felagund was surrounded by Orcs during this battle. This ring belonged to Aragorn during the Lord of the Rings and is recognised as one of the relics of the House of the Kings of Gondor.
     After this battle the war never really stopped in Beleriand. Tolkien sets as the end of this battle the arrival of spring.

Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad
    See "Nirnaeth Arnoediad: The Battle of Unnumbered Tears"

Sixth Battle:
    [Varda's addition: This is called the Great Battle and The War of Wrath. Earendil's coming released the Valar from oaths, so that they did battle with Morgoth and ended his harm against the First and Secondborn.]

(Note: Fingolfin-TV is the author of all parts that do not say "addition" unless it is a link out.)

References:
"1st edition of Silmarillion in the Greek language”. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien: The Silmarillion, 1977
(Fingolfin-TV had to translate from Greek to English, not an easy task.)
    "Of the Sindar" 1st Battle actually in Beleriand
    "Of the Return of the Noldor" Kinslaying, 2nd and 3rd Battles
    "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin" 4th Battle
    "Of Maeglin", "Of the Fifth Battle", mentions in "Of Turin Turambar", mention in "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin": 5th Battle.
    "Of the Voyage of Earendil" The Great Battle
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