Barrow-downs

In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, the Barrow-downs or Tyrn Gorthad were a series of low hills east of the Shire, behind the Old Forest, and west of the village of Bree. Many of the hills were crowned with standing stones and barrows, hence their name.

History

The Barrow-downs were first inhabited by Men related to the Edain in the First Age, together with the Hills of Evendim to the north. They fled east as Easterlings invaded Eriador and passed on to Beleriand, but after these had left or been killed in the War of Wrath the Edain returned to their old homes.ME-ref|ROTK|Appendix A, iii, first section]

During the Second Age they were fairly numerous, and when they met with the Númenóreans the Barrow-downs were the first places where the Dúnedain emigrees from Númenor settled. When Elendil returned to Middle-earth, the Barrow-downs were incorporated in the kingdom of Arnor. The Downs were revered by the Númenóreans because they were rightly recognized as the first tombs of their ancestors, long before they had encountered the Elves of Beleriand.

After the split of Arnor the Barrow-downs became the capital of Cardolan. After Rhudaur fell to Angmar, the Dúnedain of Cardolan entrenched themselves here, but in ME-date|TA|1409 the realm fell and the Great Plague in 1636 killed any remaining Dúnedain hiding in the barrow-downs. The Barrow-wights were now sent there by the Witch-king. In the 1850's King Araval of Arthedain tried to recolonize Cardolan, but this failed because of the Barrow-wights. [ME-ref|PoME, See also [http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/a/araval.html Araval] at the Encylopedia of Arda]

Role in the Lord of the Rings

Traveling from the Old Forest to Bree, Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin while travelling through the downs were ensnared by a barrow-wight, probably in the same cairn which held the grave of the last prince of Cardolan. They were rescued by Tom Bombadil, and from the burial treasure received enchanted daggers — designed to slay the evil servants of Angmar.

Merry used his weapon to help destroy the Lord of the Nazgûl (aka. Witch-king of Angmar) in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Sam left his beside Frodo in Cirith Ungol but it was later returned to him by Gandalf, while Pippin made use of his dagger in the Battle of the Black Gate to slay a Troll-chief.

References

ee also

*Tumulus - burial mounds
*Megalith - standing stones

External links