The Battle of Fornost fought in T.A. 1975 was the final Battle of the Witch-King Angmar and his men.
This conflict would continue for centuries, and in TA 1974, the armies of Angmar came upon Fornost Erain, the capital of Arthedain, and laid siege to the city. The walls were breached in the winter, and in the chaos of its sacking, King Arvedui rode forth with his Royal Regiment to attack and retreat into the North Downs. This surprised the enemy allowed King Arvedui's wife and sons to flee the city with many of its residents. The city fell and its ruin was complete, but King. Arvedui held out in the North Downs before fleeing northwest. Arvedui, the last king of Athedain, would perish in the Ice Bay of Forochel when Cirdan's ships they had boarded were destroyed upon the grinding ice.
With the fall of Fornost, it confirmed Angmar's victory, but the battle was not over. In early TA 1975, Earnur, with his fleet of ships, had arrived too late to help the Arthedainians, but they along with the Elvesof Lindon and the remaining Northern Dunedain led by Aranarth, King Arvedui's eldest son. This 'Host of The West 'alliance advanced east over the river Lune to challenge the Witch-king's dominance over Eriador. The armies of Angmar, getting word of this build-up of might, marched west to attack.
But the Host of the West had already driven east, and ambushed the army of Angmar in the Hills of Evendim. Angmar retreated, and there was a great battle on the plains of Eriador between Lake Nenuial and Fornost. Gondor's mounted soldiers rode fast and attacked the rear of the army of Angmar and they were routed. The Witch-king of Angmar then absconded eastward along with his few remaining soldiers, but Glorfindel's army from Rivendell intercepted him from the south. Despite his armies being destroyed, the Witch-king escaped from the field of battle after being confronted by Captain Eärnur of Gondor. The Witch-king caused fear in Eärnur's horse causing it to bolt, and he faded into the shadows and was not seen again in the north.. [1] Despite his eventual defeat, Sauron was highly appreciative of the Witch-king's endeavor in the north for nearly seven centuries. Sauron considered the wreckage of northern kingdoms of the Dúnedain a more critical mission accomplished by the Dark Powers than the Witch-King's territories' loss.
History
The Battle of Fornost was the last battle in the long-running war between the The Witch-king of Angmar and the last of the kingdoms of Arnor; Arthedain. Since the Witch-king of Angmar came to the north around TA 1300, He influenced the Hillmen of Rhudaur to join him and oust the remaining Dúnedain that still lingered there. This was quickly done, and Rhudaur would fight on the side of Angmar for centuries. They led raids on the Arthedain defences along the Weather Hills, and spearheaded the Witch-king's invasion of Cardolan and Arthedain in TA 1409. The Witch-king's armies were eventually driven back, but the cost was the ending of the line of Isildur of Cardolan; the death of King Arveleg I of Arthedain; and the destruction of the Tower of Amon Sûl.This conflict would continue for centuries, and in TA 1974, the armies of Angmar came upon Fornost Erain, the capital of Arthedain, and laid siege to the city. The walls were breached in the winter, and in the chaos of its sacking, King Arvedui rode forth with his Royal Regiment to attack and retreat into the North Downs. This surprised the enemy allowed King Arvedui's wife and sons to flee the city with many of its residents. The city fell and its ruin was complete, but King. Arvedui held out in the North Downs before fleeing northwest. Arvedui, the last king of Athedain, would perish in the Ice Bay of Forochel when Cirdan's ships they had boarded were destroyed upon the grinding ice.
With the fall of Fornost, it confirmed Angmar's victory, but the battle was not over. In early TA 1975, Earnur, with his fleet of ships, had arrived too late to help the Arthedainians, but they along with the Elvesof Lindon and the remaining Northern Dunedain led by Aranarth, King Arvedui's eldest son. This 'Host of The West 'alliance advanced east over the river Lune to challenge the Witch-king's dominance over Eriador. The armies of Angmar, getting word of this build-up of might, marched west to attack.
But the Host of the West had already driven east, and ambushed the army of Angmar in the Hills of Evendim. Angmar retreated, and there was a great battle on the plains of Eriador between Lake Nenuial and Fornost. Gondor's mounted soldiers rode fast and attacked the rear of the army of Angmar and they were routed. The Witch-king of Angmar then absconded eastward along with his few remaining soldiers, but Glorfindel's army from Rivendell intercepted him from the south. Despite his armies being destroyed, the Witch-king escaped from the field of battle after being confronted by Captain Eärnur of Gondor. The Witch-king caused fear in Eärnur's horse causing it to bolt, and he faded into the shadows and was not seen again in the north.. [1] Despite his eventual defeat, Sauron was highly appreciative of the Witch-king's endeavor in the north for nearly seven centuries. Sauron considered the wreckage of northern kingdoms of the Dúnedain a more critical mission accomplished by the Dark Powers than the Witch-King's territories' loss.
Aftermath
At the end of the Battle, the Northern province sought their freedom from the Witch-King. The remaining Dunedains became nomads after Arthedain's destruction. Aranarth, the son of Arvedui, later led the nomads. However, the Witch-king reached Mordor in 1980. This conflict between the Witch-king and Gondor warriors continued for several years until the loss of the last king of Gondor. The Stewards later ruled Gondor.Portrayal In Adaptations
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Galadriel refers to the Battle of Fornost when he delivers the dialogue "when Angmar fell." He also states that the Battle brought about the Witch-king's destruction with his body carried and wrapped at the "High Fells of Rhudaur."Online Game
The Battle of Fornost is a part of The Battle for Middle-Earth II, Rise of the Witch-King. This Battle takes place at the heart of Angmar. Glorfindel and Eärnur lead the troops along with Elrond. Here the player must maneuver his way through several potholes before encountering the Witch-King. The mission is deemed complete after the eradication of the Witch-king.References
Categories:
Angmar War