Timeline Event
Invasion of Gondor by Wainriders and Haradrim: Overview
Event Type: Military/Strategic
Age: 3rd Age - The Kings
Dates: July 8, 1944 ~ July 22, 1944
Description:
The culminating war in Gondor's Wars with the Wainriders; see that entry for a description of the enemy and a timeline of the wars:
The Prelude
Calimehtar withdrew to Gondor [after the Battle against the Wainriders at Dagorlad], which enjoyed for a time (from 1899 to 1944) a respite from war before the great assault in which the line of its kings came near to its end.
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: The Northmen and the Wainriders
Forthwini, son of Marhwini, indeed warned King Ondoher (who succeeded his father Calimehtar in the year 1936) that the Wainriders of Rhovanion were recovering from their weakness and fear, and that he suspected that they were receiving new strength from the East.... But Gondor could do no more at that time than gather and train as great an army as it could find or afford. Thus when the assault came at last it did not find Gondor unprepared, though its strength was less than it needed.
The War
Ondoher was aware that his southern enemies were preparing for war, and he had the wisdom to divide his forces into a northern army and a southern. The latter was the smaller, for the danger from that quarter was held to be less [1]. It was under the command of Eärnil, a member of the Royal House, being a descendant of King Telumehtar, father of Narmacil II. His base was at Pelargir. The northern army was commanded by King Ondoher himself. This had always been the custom of Gondor, that the King, if he willed, should command his army in a major battle, provided that an heir with undisputed claim to the throne was left behind. Ondoher came of a warlike line, and was loved and esteemed by his army, and he had two sons, both of age to bear arms: Artamir the elder, and Faramir some three years younger.
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: The Northmen and the Wainriders
Also see the following entries:
10-11 July: Battle against the Haradrim at Poros
12-13 July: Battle against the Wainriders at the Morannon
12 July: Ondoher, King of Gondor, Dies in Battle
12-13 July: Ondoher's Heirs Die in Battle
20-21 July: Battle of the Camp
The Aftermath
After the deaths of Ondoher and both his sons at the Morannon Arvedui, last king of the northern realm, laid claim to the crown of Gondor; but his claim was rejected, and in the year following the Battle of the Camp Eärnil became King.
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: The Northmen and the Wainriders
Notes
1. Justly. For an attack proceeding from Near Harad -- unless it had assistance from Umbar, which was not at that time available -- could more easily be resisted and contained. It could not cross the Anduin, and as it went north passed into a narrowing land between the river and the mountains. [Author's note.]
Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: Notes, Note 14
[Note: the dates are chosen arbitrarily to encompass all the events from the Battle against the Haradrim at Poros through the Battle of the Camp.]
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 7.18.04