Corsairs of Umbar

The Corsairs of Umbar consisted of pirates and bandits. They were also known as Númenóreans, who inhabit the middle part of the earth (Middle-Earth). They fantasize about doing particular fraudulent acts such as ship piracy in the deep shores of Gondor. The King’s Men inhabited a historical Númenórean harbor called Umbar. The King’s followers were loyal to him and these men did not agree with the Valar's spiritual reign.

At the time when Númenor was defeated, all of the dwellers of Umbar became more vicious. After that, they presented themselves as the Black Númenóreans. These Black Númenóreans did more looting and sacking in the shores of Gondor. Throughout TA 933, Umbar fell into the hands of Gondor. Later on, Umbar was eventually conquered by the Black Númenóreans and Haradrim up to TA 1050. Then the war ceased after they were conquered by King Hyarmendacil I of Gondor. At the time of the Kin-strife (discord of the people), the fallen Gondor renegades went to Umbar. They were now known as Corsairs; many of them were Dúnedain. Now, Umbar was a loathed nemesis of Gondor, during TA 1448 up to TA 1810.

These alarming sea thieves grew in number, recruiting felons and lawbreakers from Anduin's communities. They committed different crimes, such as stealing without guilt in the deepest waters of Gondor. These evil men also seized mercantile ships and captured women and made them part of these pirates’ group of outlaws. These pirates repeatedly abduct the crews of vessels as well as their cargoes and valuables. If these victims fought back, they will be mercilessly expelled out into the deep and scary ocean. In the period of TA 1810, Umbar was reconquered by Gondor, but only for a moment. On TA 1846, Umbar was seized by Haradrim, and a new set of Corsairs arrived. Following this, and during the War of the Ring, these Corsairs blended with the Southrons.

They became a diverse nation, and the presence of Númenórean descent was no longer evident. At the time of the War of the Ring and the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, one Corsair flew to Harlond right after assaulting Pelargir. He was planning to invade Gondor and become an ally of Morodor in the vicious war. Aragorn, all together with the Grey Company, Legolas, Gimli, and the Dead Army, fought fiercely with the Corsairs. They seized their boats then paddled them to Minas Tirith. This was done to ease the tension within the community. Throughout the war, the Dead people made an affirmation to Isildur and thereafter ultimately laid to rest.

In the epic film, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, [1] directed and written by Peter Jackson, the characters of the Corsairs were shown only once, as a matter of seconds only. Gandalf was having a conversation with Pippin and they were talking about who among them will battle against Sauron. The war will take place in Minas Tirith. Whoever fights against Sauron will have to prepare before slaying him. In the lengthy adaptation, the ships were also shown in an episode when Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli commanded the Army of the Dead to fight against the Corsairs. They were terrified at that moment and afterward besieged the boats. The director Peter Jackson made a short appearance as a Corsair in this episode.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King video game illustrates some Goblins and Goblin Drummers appear along the rivers and banks of Anduin, on board the Corsairs. Throughout the sport of The Battle for Middle-Earth II, [2] in Campaign Mode, the Corsairs, allied side by side with the Goblins, headed by Gorkil attacked the Grey Havens violently. Whereas the battle was unfortunate within the smart Campaign, the battle within the Evil Campaign where two forces joined mutually was victorious. They were thus grateful to finally exterminate the fleet of the Corsairs, the Grey Havens. The Corsairs were the exceptional army assigned to safeguard the Inns of the Goblins.

In the fantasy film, The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II, the Corsairs used sharp knives as their main weapon. Corsairs are much more resilient than the usual Orcs, and they use daggers to kill their opponents. They also made use of explosives like firebombs, although not that much lethal than their sharp weapons. These firebombs can result in slow fires, can burn their opponents, or do other light damages. In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the Corsairs owned catapults or ballistas affixed on their water vessels.

1. ^The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003).
2. ^The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II.