The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Ten days in I 1
Location
Mithrim and the lands east across Ered Wethrin
Races
Fought between Elves and Orcs (and other creatures of Morgoth)
Division
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 22 April 2023
  • This entry is complete

Battle-under-Stars

The Dagor-nuin-Giliath

Map of the Battle-under-Stars
(1)The Noldor, newly returned to Middle-earth, are attacked by Orcs at their camp in Mithrim. Despite the advantage of surprise, the Orcs are defeated by the Elves.
(2)The routed Orcs retreat across the mountains of Ered Wethrin, pursued by the Noldor.
(3)The Orcs are joined by another army coming up from the south.
(4)The combined force of Orcs is driven into the Fen of Serech and destroyed by Celegorm.
(5)Fëanor pursues a band of Orcs fleeing northward toward Angband, but he is intercepted by Balrogs and mortally wounded.
(1)The Noldor, newly returned to Middle-earth, are attacked by Orcs at their camp in Mithrim. Despite the advantage of surprise, the Orcs are defeated by the Elves.
(2)The routed Orcs retreat across the mountains of Ered Wethrin, pursued by the Noldor.
(3)The Orcs are joined by another army coming up from the south.
(4)The combined force of Orcs is driven into the Fen of Serech and destroyed by Celegorm.
(5)Fëanor pursues a band of Orcs fleeing northward toward Angband, but he is intercepted by Balrogs and mortally wounded.

When Fëanor and his followers landed in Middle-earth, the Sun and the Moon had not yet risen, and the Hither Lands still lay in near darkness beneath the stars. The returning Noldor had hardly set their camp in the land of Mithrim when hordes of Orcs crossed the Mountains of Shadow and launched an attack. Morgoth hoped to claim a decisive victory before the Eldar could establish themselves in Beleriand, but he was disappointed: the Orcs were routed and slaughtered by the Elves.

This victory became known as the Battle-under-Stars, or Dagor-nuin-Giliath in Elvish. Though it saw the defeat of the Orcs of Morgoth, the battle was won at a great cost. Fëanor, imagining that he could press on to defeat Morgoth himself, was ambushed by Balrogs and mortally wounded. Though he was rescued from his attackers, he succumbed to his wounds soon afterwards.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 22 April 2023
  • This entry is complete

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