Himring

Infobox LOTR place
image_place=
image_caption=
place_name = Hill of Himring, Isle of Himring
place_alias = Ever-cold
place_description = Capital of the realm
place_realm = March of Maedhros
place_lord = Maedhros
place_type = Fortified hill and city
place_built=
place_time= Peopled F.A. 7;
Overrun F.A. 472;
Foots drowned F.A. 545-587

In J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium, Himring ME- _la. him|continually|ring|cold was a high hill in northeast Beleriand. After the Drowning of Beleriand during the War of Wrath, the peak of Himring remained above the waves as the Isle of Himring. [Most canonical maps give the Island's name as "Himling", but this spelling is erroneous: it was originally a name used by J. R. R. Tolkien for the Hill itself, later replaced by "Himring". The Island appears only once on an early map for "The Lord of the Rings" and is labeled "Himling" there. Since the map was later than the change, Christopher Tolkien decided to retain this spelling onto his map for the "Unfinished Tales" (included also into recent editions of "The Lord of the Rings"). But in a rough note, which is contemporary with J. R. R. Tolkien's map, the Hill itself is called "Himling", suggesting that the Isle's name is an equal slip. See "The Treason of Isengard", p. 124 and note 18, and "Unfinished Tales", note on the map in Introduction.]

The great fortress on Himring was built when the Sons of Fëanor went east after Thingol became aware of the Kinslaying at Alqualondë. It was the chief stronghold of Maedhros, from which he guarded the northeastern border region that became known as the March of Maedhros.

The Hill of Himring is described as "wide-shouldered, bare of trees, and flat upon its summit, surrounded by many lesser hills". [ME-ref|Silm|Ch. 14 "Of Beleriand and its Realms"] To the east of them was Maglor's Gap and Ered Luin; to the west the Pass of Aglon, which Curufin and Celegorm guarded. In the wooded hills around Himring were the springs of the rivers Celon and Little Gelion.

The fortress upon Himring was the only in the East Beleriand to stand firm through the Dagor Bragollach, and many survivors from the surrounding regions, including Maedhros' brother Maglor, rallied there. But in the Battle of Unnumbered Tears the Sons of Fëanor were utterly defeated; the March of Maedhros was no more, and the Hill of Himring was garrisoned by the soldiers of Angband. [ME-ref|WotJ|The Grey Annals, p. 77]

References