The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
The ancient name of Eryn Galen ('Greenwood') fell out of use in about III 1050, when the Shadow began to fall on the Forest, and it became known as Taur-nu-Fuin or 'Mirkwood'
Location
Rhovanion, to the east of the Vales of Anduin
Races
Division
The Wood-elves derived mainly from the Silvan Elves
Settlements
At the time the Forest was known as Eryn Galen, the Wood-elves dwelt in its central and southern reaches
Important peaks
Emyn Duir, the Dark Mountains, later known as the Mountains of Mirkwood; in the south of the Forest was the hill of Amon Lanc, where Dol Guldur was raised
Pronunciation
e'roon ga'len
Meaning
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 6 December 2022
  • This entry is complete

Eryn Galen

The Greenwood

Map of Eryn Galen
Note that some features shown on this map, such as Erebor and Dale, belong to a later period of history, and did not exist during the period that the Forest was known as Eryn Galen.
Note that some features shown on this map, such as Erebor and Dale, belong to a later period of history, and did not exist during the period that the Forest was known as Eryn Galen.

The Elvish name for the great forest of Mirkwood before the Shadow of Dol Guldur spread from its southern regions. The name translates as 'green wood', and so the old Mannish name for the Forest was 'Greenwood the Great'. After the coming of the Necromancer, the name of the Forest was changed to Taur-nu-Fuin or the better known 'Mirkwood', and so it remained for nearly two thousand years until the end of the Third Age. After the final Fall of Sauron, the darkness was lifted and the Forest was renamed by Celeborn and Thranduil; they chose a new name that reflected the ancient one, and so the Greenwood of ancient Eryn Galen became Eryn Lasgalen, the Wood of Greenleaves.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 6 December 2022
  • This entry is complete

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