Timeline Event
Sauron captures Minas Tirith on Tol Sirion
Event Type: Military/Strategic
Age: 1st Age
Years: 0457 ~ 0458
Description:
An event in the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach; see that entry for an overview:
[The] pass of Sirion was pierced and Tol-sirion retaken and its dread towers rebuilt....
The War of the Jewels, HoME Vol 11, Part 1, The Grey Annals
For nigh on two years after the Dagor Bragollach the Noldor still defended the western pass about the sources of Sirion, for the power of Ulmo was in that water, and Minas Tirith withstood the Orcs. But at length, after the fall of Fingolfin, Sauron, greatest and most terrible of the servants of Morgoth..., came against Orodreth, the warden1 of the tower upon Tol Sirion. Sauron was become now a sorcerer of dreadful power..., foul in wisdom, cruel in strength..., twisting what he ruled, lord of werewolves; his dominion was torment. He took Minas Tirith by assault, for a dark cloud of fear fell upon those that defended it; and Orodreth was driven out, and fled to Nargothrond. Then Sauron made it into a watchtower for Morgoth, a stronghold of evil, and a menace; and the fair isle of Tol Sirion became accursed, and it was called Tol-in-Gaurhoth, the Isle of Werewolves. No living creature could pass through that vale that Sauron did not espy from the tower where he sat. And Morgoth held now the western pass, and his terror filled the fields and woods of Beleriand. Beyond Hithlum he pursued his foes relentlessly, and he searched out their hiding-places and took their strongholds one by one.
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 18, Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin
Notes
1 [Upon] the isle of Tol Sirion in the midst of the river [Finrod] built a mighty watch-tower, Minas Tirith; but after Nargothrond was made he committed that fortress mostly to the keeping of Orodreth his brother.
The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 14, Of Beleriand and its Realms
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 9Dec09
