In 1635, Third Age, the Great Plague first appeared in the winter that would wreak havoc on Men (and Hobbits). At the time Argeleb II was ruling the North-kingdom of the Dúnedain and Telemnar was ruling in Gondor the South-kingdom of the Dúnedain. Of Telemnar's kingdom it was said, "...a plague came upon dark winds out of the east, and it smote the King and his children, and many of the people of Gondor perished" (p. 296, The Silmarillion). In the North-kingdom nearly all the people of Cardolan died as well. "The Hobbits and all other peoples suffered greatly, but the plague lessened as it passed northwards, and the northern parts of Arthedain were little affected" (p. 321, The Return of the King).
Another people group greatly affected by the Great Plague were the Northmen (later known as the Eotheod) who had aided Gondor in the Kin-strife. "These Northmen were descendents of the same race of Men as those who in the First Age passed into the West of Middle-earth and became allies of the Eldar in their wars with Morgoth" (p. 288, Unfinished Tales). As much as the large cities of Gondor were decimated by the Plague it was worse for the Northmen as they had little skill in healing and little protection from winter when the plague first hit for they were a widespread people. "When the Plague had passed it is said that more than half of the folk of Rhovanion had perished, and of their horses also" (p. 289, Unfinished Tales).
The results of so much death were widespread. In Gondor, Osgiliath was hit hard by the Plague and was partly deserted and fell into ruin. Also at the death of King Telemnar and his children the White Trees of Minas Anor died. "But Tarandor, his nephew, who succeeded him, replanted a seedling in the citadel" (p. 328, The Return of the King). Tarandor moved the King's house Minas Anor permentaly away from Osgiliath. But that was not the worst consequence that befell. "Then for weariness and fewness of men the watch on the borders of Mordor ceased and the fortresses that guarded the passes were unmanned" (p. 328, The Return of the King). Much evil, in the form of dark shapes, came of this stirring secretly in Mordor at first. "It is said that these were indeed the Ulairi, who Sauron called the Nazgul, the Nine Ringwraiths that had long remained hidden, but returned now to prepare the ways of their Master, for he had begun to grow again" (p. 296-297, The Silmarillion).
As for the Northmen, their great losses also proved ill for Gondor. "They were in fact a bulwark of Gondor, keeping its northern and eastern frontiers from invasion; though that was not fully realised by the Kings until the bulwark was weakened and at last destroyed" (p. 288, Unfinished Tales). A quick personal story; I have an affinity for the word bulwark. I didn't grow up in a home that regularly attended church though sometimes when visiting my grandparents we went to their old Lutheran church. I have vivid memories of this beautiful limestone/sandstone building, with a stained glass windows, a balcony, and huge bell tower. And though I had little spiritual interest or knowledge I remember the powerful organ blasting the old hymn and everyone raising their voices to sing; "A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing...". I didn't know what a bulwark was then, and I was probably taken by the word fortress as I was predisposed to battles, and knights, and fighting as any young boy. I guess interest in such things hasn't gone away as evidenced by this blog.
In the North-kingdom losses were also felt. "It was at this time that an end came of the Dúnedain of Cardalon, and evil spirits out of Angmar and Rhuduar entered into the deserted mounds and dwelt there" (p. 321, The Return of the King). Remember, the chief of the Ringwraiths was lord of Angmar. These burial mounds were the Barrowdowns and it is said they date back to the First Age built by the forefathers of the Edain. As a result the Dúnedain revered them and buried their lords in them as well. "Some say that the mound in which the Ring-bearer was imprisoned had been the grave of the last prince of Cardolan, who fell in the war of 1409"(p. 321, The Return of the King). I realize we are a long way from Frodo as of yet but that is a cool piece of legend.
"Later it was noted that these evil things happened even as the Shadow grew deep in Greenwood, and many evil things reappeared, signs of the arising of Sauron. It is true that the enemies of Gondor also suffered, or they might have overwhelmed it in its weakness; but Sauron could wait, and it may well be that the opening of Mordor was what he chiefly desired" (p. 328, The Return of the King).
Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 1635-1637
Today's reading comes from: Unfinished Tales, page 288-289; The Return of the King, page 321 and 328; The Silmarillion, pages 296-297
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