Beleriand at the End of the First Age

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Beleriand at the End of the First Age (Atlas of Beleriand - Map 9)

After the War of Wrath, the last great battle in the First Age, the Beleriand was broken and swallowed by the Great Sea, Belegaer. Only few islands and rocks subsisted (such as Tol Morwen [1]), whereas a part of East Beleriand become the Lindon.

This map shows the junction between the map of the Lord of the Rings and the map of the Silmarillion. The problem of the junction was discussed previously by Charles Noad [2], Ronald E. Kyrmse [3] and Didier Willis [4]. The attempt of Karen W. Fonstad in her Atlas of Middle-Earth [5] was clearly unsuccessful.

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About the Atlas of Beleriand

This Atlas is a serie of ten maps (and more !) concerning geography, history and geopolitics of Beleriand, which is a territory of  the famous Legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, including the Silmarillion.

This map was firstly created to illustrate an essay (in french) dedicated to explore the geopolitics in Beleriand published on the website JRRVF (many thanks to Cedric for his support).This map was firstly released on Deviantart.

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Technical details

In these maps, two free fonts are used : Franklin Gothic Medium and Cardo by David J. Perry.

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Bibliography and references

[1] HOME XI p.296.

"As after indeed befell, and still the Tol Morwen stands alone in the water beyond the new coasts that were made in the days of the wrath of the Valar." 

See the awesome depiction of Tol Morwen published on DeviantART by digital-fantasy :www.deviantart.com/art/tol-mor…
[2] "A Note on the Geography of the First Age" in Amon Hen 38, april 1979.
[3] "The Geographical Relation between Beleriand and Eriador" in Mallorn 26, pp 25-26, september 1989.
[4] "Du Beleriand aux confins de Rhûn - Collags et reconstructions cartographiques" in the anthology Tolkien, le façonnement d'un monde 2014, pp 197-230.
[5] K. W. Fonstad, The Atlas of Middle-Earth, revised edition, Houghton Mifflin, 1991

Conquests of the Enemy

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 Conquests of the Enemy (Atlas of Beleriand - Map 8)

During the First Age, the powerful of Morgoth increased continuously. The deepest caves of Angband were full of treacherous weapons, slaves and soldiers. Morgoth applied one strategy, brutal conquest, for one result, domination. His power was embodied in Balrogs which commanded his troops.

On the enemy point of view, the division west/east of Beleriand is a major difficulty , due to the existence of two corridors between Ard-Galen and the inland. The east corridor (the Maglor's gap) was defended by the sons of Fëanor, and the west corridor (the Sirion's Vale) by sons of Finarfin. Morgoth may be divide his troops in two  groups.

The dragon Glaurung was the major asset of Morgoth, because he won all his battles (except his first  early release in 260). He breached the East in 455, and the West fifty years later. Glaurung alone could have conquier all the Beleriand, however he possessed his own will [1] and was killed by Túrin.

Finally Morgoth did not conquier all the Beleriand : Ulmo protected Nan Tathren and the Sirion, and the stronghold of Amon Ereb stands in the East.

Doriath was regularly attacked on two frontlines but was protected by the Girdle of Melian. When Thingol was killed, Melian left Doriath and the Girdle was dissolved. Then the kingdom was destroyed by the sons of Fëanor and his irrevocable oath, nor by the orks.



***

About the Atlas of Beleriand

This Atlas is a serie of ten maps (and more !) concerning geography, history and geopolitics of Beleriand, which is a territory of  the famous Legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, including the Silmarillion.

This map was firstly created to illustrate an essay (in french) dedicated to explore the geopolitics in Beleriand published on the website JRRVF (many thanks to Cedric for his support).This map was firstly released on Deviantart.

***

Technical details

In these maps, two free fonts are used : Franklin Gothic Medium and Cardo by David J. Perry.

***

Bibliography and references

[1] HoMe V p254

Journey of a Silmaril

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Journey of a Silmaril (Atlas of Beleriand - Map 7)

Year after year, at the end of the First Age, the elfs were pushed up to the west coast and overseas in the island of Balar. This defeat is linked to the unstoppable progress of the troops of Morgoth, and the destiny of the Silmaril regained by Beren and Lúthien followed by the dreadful Oath of Fëanor.

The dates of the First Age given in this map come mostly from the text "The Tale of years" published in "The War of The Jewels" [1].

At the end of the First Age born the valiants seeds of the Second Age : Elrond, Elros and Gil-Galad.


***
About the Atlas of Beleriand

This Atlas is a serie of ten maps (and more !) concerning geography, history and geopolitics of Beleriand, which is a territory of  the famous Legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, including the Silmarillion.

This map was firstly created to illustrate an essay (in french) dedicated to explore the geopolitics in Beleriand published on the website JRRVF (many thanks to Cedric for his support).This map was firstly released on Deviantart.

***

Technical details

In these maps, two free fonts are used : Franklin Gothic Medium and Cardo by David J. Perry.

***

Bibliography and references

[1] HoMe XI pp342-354

The Divisions of Beleriand

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The Divisions of Beleriand (Atlas of Beleriand - Map 6)

The Doriath, ruled by Elwë Thingol, chief of Sindar, and his wife Melian the Maia, is a powerful and central kingdom in Beleriand. The tongue of Doriath was Doriathrin [1], which provided several toponyms in Beleriand.  Etymologies, an elfic dictionary published in The Lost Road (HoMe IV), provide some details on the composition of names [2].

The river Sirion, passing through Doriath, naturally divided Beleriand in two parts : East and West Beleriand. On an external point of view, the structuration east/west roots on the former maps drawn by Tolkien, with one central part (including Menegroth) and two extensions east/west [3]. The central map includes Menegroth, Nargothrond and Gondolin which means this is the geographical core of the Tolkien's Great Tales and Legendarium [4].


***

About the Atlas of Beleriand

This Atlas is a serie of ten maps (and more !) concerning geography, history and geopolitics of Beleriand, which is a territory of  the famous Legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, including the Silmarillion.

This map was firstly created to illustrate an essay (in french) dedicated to explore the geopolitics in Beleriand published on the website JRRVF (many thanks to Cedric for his support).This map was firstly released on Deviantart.

***

Technical details

In these maps, two free fonts are used : Franklin Gothic Medium and Cardo by David J. Perry.

***

Bibliography and references

[1] See Ardalambion website, section "Doriathrin - the Mothertongue of Lúthien" :
[2] HoMe IV pp347-400
[3] HoMe III p219
[4] The three Great Tales concerns Beren & Lúthien, the children of Húrin, and the fall of Gondolin (see HoMe X p373).

The Fortified Plain

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The Fortified Plain (Atlas of Beleriand - Map 5)

During the Siege of Angband (F.A. 7-455), Morgoth was surrounded by the Ñoldor around the plain of Ard-Galen. The Black Enemy was entrenched in the citadel of Angband.

The plain was framed by the mountains, which are pierced with many passes and kept by strongholds [1]. The plain were guarded by many guards and spies : elvish horse riders in the lowland plains, and majestic eagles nestled in the Crissaegrim [2].

Morgoth was surrounded by the Ñoldor, and the southern mountains was a natural barrier to his extension. Although he was entrenched in his fortress of Angband, he get an indefinite supply produced by slaves in deep underground caves.

In front of him, the elf alliance was fragile due to many frictions between the allied forces. In addition, elfs hesitated to start an unsure war [3].  However, during four centuries, this alliance was sufficient to stop the orks at the gates of Beleriand.  The situation changed dramatically with the sudden attack of Morgoth and the beginning of the Dagor Bragollach, the prelude to the defeat for the elfs.  At this time, Ard-Galen the green plain was burned to become an ash plain, and was called  Anfauglith.

The words "Guarded Plain" describe well Ard-Galen, but they actually apply to Talath Dirnen, the desert plain between Nargothrond and Doriath in West Beleriand.

***

About the Atlas of Beleriand

This Atlas is a serie of ten maps (and more !) concerning geography, history and geopolitics of Beleriand, which is a territory of  the famous Legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, including the Silmarillion.

This map was firstly created to illustrate an essay (in french) dedicated to explore the geopolitics in Beleriand published on the website JRRVF (many thanks to Cedric for his support).This map was firstly released on Deviantart.

***

Technical details

In these maps, two free fonts are used : Franklin Gothic Medium and Cardo by David J. Perry.

***

Bibliography and references

[1] The fortress of Tol Sirion was drawn by Tolkien, see the book "Pictures of JRR Tolkien" number 36.
[2] Silmarillion p102

"For Manwë to whom all birds are dear, and to whom they bring news upon Taniquetil from Middle-earth, had sent forth the race of Eagles, commanding them to dwell in the crags of the North, and to keep watch upon Morgoth;" 

[3] Silmarillion p138

"But because the land was fair and their kingdoms wide, most of the Noldor were content with things as they were, trusting them to last, and slow to begin an assault in which many must surely perish were it in victory or in defeat Therefore they were little disposed to hearken to Fingolfin, and the sons of Fëanor at that time least of all." 

The lands of Men

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The lands of Men (Atlas of Beleriand - Map 4)

This map shows the settlements of the Men in Beleriand. Men awoke in far East, in Hildórien, when the Sun appeared above Middle-Earth [1]. Three centuries later, men arrived in East Beleriand and they were discovered by the Ñoldor elf Finrod in the Blue Mountains.

The heroes of men (Húrin, Túrin, Beren, etc) come from the Three Houses of the Edain, the noblest men in Beleriand.

The settlement of men in Estolad (leaded by Baran and Marach) involved frictions with the Nandor elfs of Ossiriand and Arthórien [2]. On the Tolkien's map, no river or water appears in Estolad ; however this is a green and fertile country [3].

At the end of the First Age, the Beleriand was drowned, and the Edain was invited to live in the great island of Númenor.

***

About the Atlas of Beleriand

This Atlas is a serie of ten maps (and more !) concerning geography, history and geopolitics of Beleriand, which is a territory of  the famous Legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, including the Silmarillion.

This map was firstly created to illustrate an essay (in french) dedicated to explore the geopolitics in Beleriand published on the website JRRVF (many thanks to Cedric for his support).This map was firstly released on Deviantart.

***

Technical details

In these maps, two free fonts are used : Franklin Gothic Medium and Cardo by David J. Perry.

***

Bibliography and references

[1] HoMe IV p249
[2] HoMe XI p112
[3] Silmarillion XVII p131

"But Marach, hearing that the people of Bëor were dwelling in a green and fertile land, came down the Dwarf-road, and settled in the country south ; and east of the dwellings of Baran son of Bëor; and there was great friendship between those peoples." 

Kingdoms of the Ñoldor

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Kingdoms of the Ñoldor (Atlas of Beleriand - Map 3)

This map shows the settlements of the Ñoldor in Beleriand. All the Ñoldor are gathered by the desire to revenge the death of their ancestor Finwë, killed by Morgoth and Ungoliantë [1].

Although the colors seem well distributed, the positions of elfs are not equivalent. The sons of Finarfin occupy the most dangerous territories, probably because their father Finarfin go back to Valinor. Angrod and Aegnor settled in the northern slopes of Dorthonion [2], at a stone's throw from the hosts of Morgoth. Galadriel was the daugther of Finarfin, but she did not ruled a land although she went often to Doriath as a guest. The territories of Fingolfin are depicted in blue because his banner was blue and silver.

In this map, the territory of Maglor is extended far in the north and east because the Ñoldor encircle literally the Enemy entrenched in Angband [3]. Although there is no town or fortress, the riders of Fëanor dwell in this region [4].

The orange crown indicates the succession order for the title of High King of the Ñoldor.

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About the Atlas of Beleriand

This Atlas is a serie of ten maps (and more !) concerning geography, history and geopolitics of Beleriand, which is a territory of  the famous Legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, including the Silmarillion.

This map was firstly created to illustrate an essay (in french) dedicated to explore the geopolitics in Beleriand published on the website JRRVF (many thanks to Cedric for his support).This map was firstly released on Deviantart.

***

Technical details

In these maps, two free fonts are used : Franklin Gothic Medium and Cardo by David J. Perry.

***

Bibliography and references

[1] HoMe X, pp 248, 294, 298
[2] HoMe XI, p 38

"but Angrod and Egnor held the north slopes of Dorthonion as far as Aglon where began the March of Maidros aforesaid." 

[3] Silmarillion §13 Of the Return of the Noldor

"But the Noldor being again united set a watch upon the borders of Dor Daedeloth, and Angband was beleaguered from west, and south, and east" 

[4] Silmarillion §14 Of Beleriand and Its Realms

"In that region, upon the March of Maedhros and in the lands behind, dwelt the sons of Fëanor with many people; and their riders passed often over the vast northern plain, Lothlann the wide and empty, east of Ard-galen, lest Morgoth should attempt any sortie towards East Beleriand." 

Fifty shades of Grey elves

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The Grey Elves of Beleriand (Atlas of Beleriand - Map 2)

This map shows the settlements of the Teleri (plural form of Teler) who remained in Beleriand. The Teleri was divided in two tribes : Sindar and Laiquendi. Sindar (plural form of Sinda) is an elfic word meaning Grey Elves and Laiquendi means the Green Elves. Their territories are obviously depicted in grey and green respectively.

The Sindar were in Beleriand before the arrival of the Ñoldor, and Elwë Thingol was considered as their High King. Some Sindar dwelled in Mithrim [1] and probably in Nevrast [2]. Then, they left Nevrast when Turgon decided to move for the hidden city of Gondolin.


Doriath was enclosed in a magical barrier, the Girdle of Melian, which protected the kingdom of Thingol up to his death. This kingdom covered by forests was divided in several parts : Brethil, Region, Neldoreth, Nivrim, Arthórien and Brethil [4]. After the First Battle, some Nandor from Ossiriand settled in Arthórien [5], including the elf Ithilbor, father of the famous Saeros killed by Túrin Turambar.

Eöl is called the Dark Elve and he lived alone in the shadows of the forest of Nan Elmoth. After the tragic death of Eöl and his wife Aredhel in Gondolin, Nan Elmoth came back probably to Doriath.

Lenwë, Elwë (Thingol) and Nōwë (most known as Círdan [3]) were the lord elves who drove the clan elves from Cuiviénen, the Water of Awakening.


***

About the Atlas of Beleriand

This Atlas is a serie of ten maps (and more !) concerning geography, history and geopolitics of Beleriand, which is a territory of  the famous Legendarium of J.R.R. Tolkien, including the Silmarillion.

This map was firstly created to illustrate an essay (in french) dedicated to explore the geopolitics in Beleriand published on the website JRRVF (many thanks to Cedric for his support).This map was firstly released on Deviantart.

***

Technical details

In these maps, two free fonts are used : Franklin Gothic Medium and Cardo by David J. Perry.

***

Bibliography and references

[1] HoMe XI pp378,410
[2] Silmarillion XV p117, HoMe XI p45

"Then Ulmo returned to the sea, and Turgon sent forth all his people, even to a third part of the Noldor of Fingolfin's following, and a yet greater host of the Sindar"

[3] HoMe XII p392
[4] Silmarillion XII p135

"Now Brethil was claimed as part of his realm by King Thingol, though it was not within the Girdle of Melian, and he would have denied it to Haleth"

[5] HoMe XI 112