The fourth battle of the Wars of Beleriand and the most disastrous for the Noldor. The name means Battle of the Unnumbered Tears in Sindarin.
The battle was initiated by the sons of Feanor in an attempt to reclaim the Silmarils from Morgoth and to defeat the evil forces which were steadily creeping into Beleriand from Angband. The forces sent against Morgoth were formidable: the host of the sons of Feanor was joined by Turgon's forces from Mithrim, humans from Ossiriand, Hithlum and Brethil and small companies from elsewhere, including a company led by Gwindor from Nargothrond. Turgon also sent a host forth from Gondolin after hearing of the situation. However, the elves were weakened by the absence of larger contingents from Doriath and Nargothrond, as a result of preceding events in which Elwe of Doriath had obtained a Silmaril and in which the sons of Feanor had made a bid for power in Nargothrond.
The armies were split into two forces. The eastern force, led by Maedhros, was to draw Morgoth's forces out, after which the western force, led by Fingon, was to attack Angband. However, treachery by humans of the house of Ulfang waylaid the eastern force, and the western force was drawn into battle early by a force of Orcs under orders to bring them to Angband. They believed they were fighting the whole army and were drawn into a tactically undesirable position, chasing the Orcs across Anfauglith. But they were ambushed outside Angband and mostly slain.
Turgon's arrival and the eventual appearance of Maedhros's forces turned the tide, but the elves were defeated when the house of Ulfang turned coat and attacked Maedhros in the rear. In the resulting debacle, Fingon was slain, the sons of Feanor lost their armies and were put to flight, Turgon fled back to Gondolin under a rearguard action and Morgoth's forces overran northern Beleriand, and total defeat was prevented only by a valiant defensive fight by the humans of Hithlum along the river Sirion. Eventually they were defeated; Hurin, lord of the humans of Hithlum, was captured and tortured; the people of Hithlum were killed or subjugated.
Morgoth's forces then besieged and ultimately broke the fortresses at Eglarest and Vinyamar, overrunning all of Beleriand save Doriath, Balar, Nargothrond and Gondolin.
The battle was initiated by the sons of Feanor in an attempt to reclaim the Silmarils from Morgoth and to defeat the evil forces which were steadily creeping into Beleriand from Angband. The forces sent against Morgoth were formidable: the host of the sons of Feanor was joined by Turgon's forces from Mithrim, humans from Ossiriand, Hithlum and Brethil and small companies from elsewhere, including a company led by Gwindor from Nargothrond. Turgon also sent a host forth from Gondolin after hearing of the situation. However, the elves were weakened by the absence of larger contingents from Doriath and Nargothrond, as a result of preceding events in which Elwe of Doriath had obtained a Silmaril and in which the sons of Feanor had made a bid for power in Nargothrond.
The armies were split into two forces. The eastern force, led by Maedhros, was to draw Morgoth's forces out, after which the western force, led by Fingon, was to attack Angband. However, treachery by humans of the house of Ulfang waylaid the eastern force, and the western force was drawn into battle early by a force of Orcs under orders to bring them to Angband. They believed they were fighting the whole army and were drawn into a tactically undesirable position, chasing the Orcs across Anfauglith. But they were ambushed outside Angband and mostly slain.
Turgon's arrival and the eventual appearance of Maedhros's forces turned the tide, but the elves were defeated when the house of Ulfang turned coat and attacked Maedhros in the rear. In the resulting debacle, Fingon was slain, the sons of Feanor lost their armies and were put to flight, Turgon fled back to Gondolin under a rearguard action and Morgoth's forces overran northern Beleriand, and total defeat was prevented only by a valiant defensive fight by the humans of Hithlum along the river Sirion. Eventually they were defeated; Hurin, lord of the humans of Hithlum, was captured and tortured; the people of Hithlum were killed or subjugated.
Morgoth's forces then besieged and ultimately broke the fortresses at Eglarest and Vinyamar, overrunning all of Beleriand save Doriath, Balar, Nargothrond and Gondolin.
The battle is recounted in JRR Tolkien's The Silmarillion.
by Andy April 28, 2004
Get the Nirnaeth Arnoediadmug. A Jail wife/bitch that will keep the cell smelling spring-time fresh as well as looking warm and inviting.
By adding a simple wood veneer lampshade to the caged light, Martha was able to warmth and color to the cold gray concrete cell.
by andy March 17, 2004
Get the martha stewartmug. by Andy September 02, 2004
Get the Dirty Joey the 2ndmug. by andy February 09, 2005
Get the penile fussymug. by Andy July 13, 2003
Get the Brummiemug. 1) Noldorin Elf, brother of Finrod, who was next in line to the throne of Nargothrond when Finrod was slain by Sauron. The weak-willed Orophin was usurped by Celegorm and Curufin, but took power with the aid of Beren after his return. He established Nargothrond as an unassailable hidden realm, but succumbed to pressure form Turin to adopt a more aggressive approach, and was slain in the sacking of Nargothrond.
2) Elf, brother of Haldir and Rumil, one of the three who encountered the Fellowship of the Ring on the borders of Lorien. He couldn't speak Westron.
2) Elf, brother of Haldir and Rumil, one of the three who encountered the Fellowship of the Ring on the borders of Lorien. He couldn't speak Westron.
Both are Tolkien characters.
by Andy July 22, 2004
Get the Orophinmug. As in Korean slang, "shoot" means, when I say 'I'll shoot', it means same as 'I'll pick up the tab', 'I'll pay for it'.
by Andy December 08, 2003
Get the Shootmug.