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Dates
Built in II 3320 or shortly thereafter
Held by the Dunlendings from III 2710 to III 2759
Held by Saruman from III 2759 to III 3019
Effectively destroyed by the Ents on 3 March III 3019
Location
The valley of Nan Curunír, in the southern feet of the Misty Mountains
Origins
Built by Elendil and his sons
Race
Men1
Meaning
'iron2 enclosure'
Other Names
Angrenost

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About this entry:

  • Updated 25 July 2004
  • Updates planned: 27

Isengard

The fortress of Saruman

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Map of Isengard

A Gondorian fortification at the southern end of the Misty Mountains, at the source of the River Isen. It was granted to the Wizard Saruman by Steward Beren of Gondor, and destroyed by the Ents during the War of the Ring, though its central tower of Orthanc remained standing.


Notes

1

At least, it was built by Men and maintained by them for most of its history. Saruman, though, was not a Man - he was a Wizard, and hence of the 'race' of the Ainur.

2

Isengard wasn't literally made of iron, of course - the word isen, 'iron', refers to the exceedingly hard rock from which it was actually made.

See also...

Angrenost, Aragorn Elessar, Athrad Angren, Battles of the Fords of Isen, Beechbone, Bregalad, Brytta Léofa, Company of the Ring, Council of the Wise, Fords of Isen, Forest of Fangorn, Fréaláf Hildeson, Gate of Isengard, Gram, Great Orcs, [See the full list...]

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