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Timeline Event

Sauron's forces blockade the West Road to Minas Tirith

Event Type: Military/Strategic

Age: 3rd Age - Ring War

Date: March 11, 3019

Description:

An event in the prelude to the Siege of Minas Tirith; see that entry for an overview:
The last word to come from outside the walls was brought by men flying down the northward road ere the Gate was shut. They were the remnant of the guard that was kept at that point where the way from Anórien and Rohan ran into the townlands: Ingold led them....

'There is no news of the Rohirrim,' he said. 'Rohan will not come now.... The new host that we had tidings of has come.... They hold the northward road; and many have passed on into Anórien. The Rohirrim cannot come.'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 4, The Siege of Gondor

They were less than a day's ride from the out-walls of Minas Tirith that encircled the townlands. Scouts had been sent ahead. Some had not returned. Others hastening back had reported that the road was held in force against them. A host of the enemy was encamped upon it, three miles west of Amon Dîn, and some strength of men was already thrusting along the road and was no more than three leagues away. Orcs were roving in the hills and woods along the roadside.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 5, The Ride of the Rohirrim

[Said Théoden,] 'And our scouts say that they have cast trenches and stakes across the road. We cannot sweep them away in sudden onset.'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 5, The Ride of the Rohirrim

[Companies] of the enemy were swiftly setting up... great engines for the casting of missiles....

At first men laughed and did not greatly fear such devices. For the main wall of the City was of great height and marvellous thickness....

'Nay,' they said, 'not if the Nameless One himself should come, not even he could enter here while we yet live.' But some answered: 'While we yet live? How long? He has a weapon that has brought low many strong places since the world began. Hunger. The roads are cut. Rohan will not come.'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 4, The Siege of Gondor

Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 3Sep04, 14Mar08

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