2020-08-05
110
This detailed map is based on the Tolkien drawing of Cirith Ungol and the Pass.
The road in the main pass from Minas Morgul led up the south side of the river and finally wound left to meet the road from Cirith Ungol before descending to the bridge over the trough. Shelob’s Lair was to the left of the tunnel through which Gollum led them, and there was also a side tunnel leading to the left, to the cellars of the fortress. The 'Horns' were peaks on either side of the path where it emerged from the tunnel.
I have probably made the bridge too long, but it was necessary to show clearly how it related to the trough between the Ephel Dúath and the Morgai ridge. (The Stairs of Cirith Ungol; The Choices of Master Samwise; Bk 2; The Land of Shadow; Bk 3.) The Dark Pass was higher than Orodruin, which was 4500 ft above the plain, which in turn I estimate to have been about 500 feet above sea level. The Passes must, therefore, have been over 5000 feet up.
The route continues on Map 47.
Pelennor
There were streams and homesteads within the wall of Rammas Echor. This ran from the mountains back to the mountains for 30 miles. At its furthest point, to the north-east, the wall was twelve miles from the City Gate, while at its shortest, to the south-east, it was little more than three miles. (Minas Tirith; Bk 3.)
There had once been bridges at Osgiliath, but these had all been destroyed, and now there were only boat bridges and fords. (The Council of Elrond; Bk 1; The Black Gate Opens; Bk 3.) The road from the city to Osgiliath led through a gate guarded by two towers and a walled causeway to the ruins. South-east of the City Gate were the quays and landings of Harlond. (Minas Tirith; Bk 3.) In my opinion these must have been outside the Rammas Echor. The Outwall rose from the very brink of the river along the south-east stretch where the quays lay 'beneath the wall'. (Minas Tirith; Bk 3.) It is arguable that the harbour lay within the wall but this seems improbable to me for strategic reasons, as it would have meant that there was a break in the defensive line of the wall.
|
|
|
The southern road from Pelargir wound sharply round the slopes of Mount Mindolluin and entered the Rammas Echor by a gate only a mile or two from the City itself – presumably the same gate that gave access to the port.
Gandalf and Pippin arrived on 9th March. The beginning of their ride is shown in Map 30 and the whole course of the route is detailed in Map 33.
Minas Tirith
There is a very full and detailed description of the layout of Minas Tirith (Minas Tirith; Bk 3) which I have tried to follow. There is also a picture of the Citadel which shows the road running up out of the tunnel in the 'prow' and into the tunnel leading from the sixth level to the Citadel. This is shown as being a little north-east, as the 'prow' itself is due east.
The road swung across from north to south round the east side of the city, passing through the prow-like spur in a tunnel at each level. It must have joined the square in front of the Gate from the south.
The Tombs of the Kings were in the dip between the main mountain wall and the high spur on which the City itself was built and the path to it wound down from the fifth level. On the sixth level were the stables (Minas Tirith; Bk 3) and by the south wall of this level were the Houses of Healing. (The Pyre of Denethor; Bk 3.) The Old Guesthouse, which had two wings running back from the street, was in the Lampwrights’ Street, on the lowest level, running straight to the City Gate.
The tower of the Citadel itself, which, following the picture of the Citadel, I have shown on the north side of the seventh circle, rose 700 ft above the City Gate.
Dunharrow
The map of Dunharrow is based on the drawing by Tolkien as well as on the text. Harrowdale was about half a mile wide where the road from the hills to the west, the road to Dunharrow and the road to Edoras met. The Muster took place here, at a place where the Snowbourn ran close to the western hills.
Two villages are mentioned as lying between Edoras and Dunharrow: Underharrow and Upbourn. Only Underharrow appears on the map. (The Muster of Rohan; Bk 3.)
The Dwimorberg, beneath which Dunharrow and the Dimholt Gate were situated, was south of the mountain Írensaga and north of the Starkhorn. (The Muster of Rohan; Bk 3; see also Map 42.)
The road to the Hold on Firienfeld led up some hundreds of feet to a shelf in the eastern cliffs, winding steeply with a stone 'Púkel-man' at each turn. At the top the road to the Dark Door was lined by standing stones. The camp was mostly to the right of the road and the Gate itself was hidden among dark trees, though they do not appear in the picture. (The Passing of the Grey Company; The Muster of Rohan; Bk 3.)
