Places in Middle-earth
Umbar
Type: Kingdoms, Realms, Lands
Region: Mordor/Allies
Location: A large realm built up around the Havens of Umbar; originally built by the Black Númenóreans, it changed hands many times.
Description:
The great cape and land-locked firth of Umbar had been Númenórean land since days of old; but it was a stronghold of the King's Men, who were afterwards called the Black Númenóreans, corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil. After the fall of Sauron their race swiftly dwindled or became merged with the Men of Middle-earth, but they inherited without lessening their hatred of Gondor.
The Bay of Belfalas, showing Umbar and its environs.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion, Footnote
... Umbar, where was the mighty haven of the Númenóreans that no hand had wrought.
The Silmarillion, Akallabêth
Umbar... became a great harbour and fortress of the power of Gondor.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion
In [Hyarmendacil's] day Gondor reached the summit of its power. The realm then extended... south to the River Harnen, and thence along the coast to the peninsula and haven of Umbar.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion
[The Haradrim] contested the designs of Gondor to occupy the coast-lands beyond R. Harnen; they therefore tried to take Umbar, where Gondor maintained a great fort and haven.
The Peoples of Middle-earth, HoME Vol 12, Part 1, Ch 7, The Heirs of Elendil
History
History: Second Age
2280 Umbar is made into a great fortress of Númenor.
3261 Ar-Pharazôn sets sail and lands at Umbar.
From The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Second Age
History: Third Age
933 King Eärnil I takes Umbar, which becomes a fortress of Gondor.
1015 King Ciryandil slain in the siege of Umbar, but Gondor's navy and the strength of the fortress prevent it's being taken.
1050 Hyarmendacil conquers Harad. Umbar is no longer menaced.
1448 The Kin-strife. Castamir having been slain by Eldacar, his sons escape with many followers and ships and seize Umbar.
There they made a refuge for all the enemies of the king, and a lordship independent of his crown. Umbar remained at war with Gondor for many lives of men, a threat to its coastlands and to all traffic on the sea.
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion
1540 King Aldamir slain in war with the Harad and Corsairs of Umbar.
1810 King Telumehtar Umbardacil retakes Umbar and drives out the Corsairs.
1856 After the battles with the Wainriders, Gondor withdraws from all eastern lands except Ithilien. Umbar was again lost.
2758 Fleets from Umbar and Harad attack the coasts of Gondor, with landings as far north as the mouth of the Isen.
2980 Aragorn, as Thorongil, burns the ships of the Corsairs at the Havens of Umbar.
3019 Aragorn captures the fleet of the Corsairs at Pelargir.
Dates from The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, The Tale of Years: The Third Age
Some information from Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: The Northmen and the Wainriders
Contributors:
Lyllyn 28.Jan04
Elena Tiriel 5Sep11
