Lindon

Lindon is a land located in the westernmost land of the continent of Middle-earth and one of the last surviving realms of the Noldor Elves.

Lindon
Gil-Galad's emblem

Climate and ecology

Lindon is located west of the Ered Luin (Blue Mountains), and is divided into two regions: Forlindon (North Lindon) and Harlindon (South Lindon), which are separated by the Gulf of Lune. The western part of Lindon stretches out to the Great Sea, Belegaer.

The regions and their biome types are as follows:

Forlindon:

B14 - Moss-lichen tundras with low creeping shrubs

C15 - West Norwegian coastal and fjord vegetation complex of birch and pine forests

C16 - Anglo-Irish birch forests

D8 - Scandinavian-east European spruce forests

D50 - Scottish dwarf shrub-rich pine forests

E4 - Scottish boreo-montane heaths

F1 - West Irish-west British hyperoceanic, moss- and lichen-rich sessile oak forests

F2 - East Irish-British oak forests

F11 - Subatlantic-Central European oak forests

F28 - Irish pedunculate oak-ash forests

F32 - Irish-British-Norman mixed pedunculate ash-oak forests

F131 - Galium odoratum-fir-beech forests

P16 - West Caspian sand-dune vegetation complexes with Convolvulus persicus

S7 - Irish-British-west Norwegian montane blanket bogs

S8 - Atlantic-subatlantic Sphagnum magellanicum-raised bogs

T4 - Birch carrs

U7 - Irish-British hardwood alluvial forests

Harlindon

C16 - Anglo-Irish birch forests

D8 - Scandinavian-east European spruce forests

F3 - British hygrophilous oak forests

F11 - Subatlantic-Central European oak forests

F31 - British pedunculate oak-ash forests

F32 - Irish-British-Norman mixed pedunculate ash-oak forests

F104 - South British beech forests

F131 - Galium odoratum-fir-beech forests

P19 - West European salt-marsh vegetation

U7 - Irish-British hardwood alluvial forests

U27 - Submontane-montane grey alder forests

U28 - Pedunculate oak-ash forests

History

The history of Lindon is divided into ten periods, from its foundation at the dawn of the Second Age, to its decline and abandonment in the Third Age.

First Age

The lands that today comprise Lindon were once part of the region of Ossiriand, the fair Land of Seven Rivers. The region was inhabited by the Green-elves, and it was mostly spared from the ravages of the Wars of the First Age. After the cataclysmic War of Wrath most of Beleriand sank beneath the sea, and Lindon was among the few regions that remained.

Second Age

In the Second Age, many Elves, led by High King Gil-galad, populated Lindon, making it a center of resistance against Sauron. It was from here that the Last Alliance of Elves and Men marched to war against Sauron, culminating in his defeat at the end of the Second Age.

Period 1 – YS 587 – SA 100: Founding Period

This period is marked by a very communal ‘we’re all in this together’ attitude. People put aside old grievances largely, and came together to really try their hand at a utopian project. There’s a lot of construction projects especially during the first half of the period, and people are still figuring out how to organize and where to live together. The Sindar/Noldor division arises early, but not along extremely strict lines. Forlond was a more diverse city than Harlond, which was likely founded by Celeborn out of a largely separatist desire. Most of the Nandor and Doriathrim settled in Harlond first, while the Noldor of Fëanor and the Noldor of Gondolin settled in Forlond, while the Falathrim and the Edain settled in Mithlond until the Edain left for Númenor.

Period 2 – SA100-600: Isolation Period

This period is marked by the departure of the Fëanorian Elves, many of the nobility of Doriath who hadn’t gone east, and even some of the Nandor of Beren. It seems to have been that Celeborn was considered the de-facto ruler of the Doriath element, and Galadriel also had their love for her devotion to Melian, but the respect of the Fëanorians for being his niece. They ruled the Nandor who seemed to be a considerable presence in Evendim and the forests west of Lhûn. This realm of theirs is almost a region of Lindon itself, and was marked by a lack of communication with Númenor or Khazad-dûm.

Period 3 – SA600-1200: Expansion Period

This period is marked by increased trade and interaction with the Elves of Eregion, Lórinand, and Greenwood, as well as the Dwarves of Ered Luin and Khazad-dûm, and the men of Eriador and Númenor. These are the glory days of Lindon, where no defenses are needed, trade is vibrant, and Eriador is full of hustle, bustle, and society.

Period 4 – SA1200-1693: Watchful Period

This period is marked by an increase in defensive structure and armaments, preparing for war against Sauron whom they now perceive as a threat, culminating in open war. More walls, watchtowers, beacons, etc, but still rich trade and culture and vibrant growth.

Period 4.5 – SA1693-1701: War of the Elves and Sauron

Devastation of Eriador, destruction or shutting off of major trading and cultural partners. Wandering Nandor of Eriador likely retreat behind the Ered Luin into Harlindon and Forlindon, and many Elves die in battle. Imladris founded by Elrond as an extension of Lindon’s power, and Númenórean armaments are stored/built in Lindon.

Period 5 – SA1701-3117: Guarded Period

This period is marked by a maintenance of the status quo in Lindon, its borders stop at the Lhûn, and Imladris is beset by wilderness on all sides. Trade with Númenor becomes more and more difficult, until it is eventually shut off entirely in 3117.

Period 6 – SA3117-3430: Preparation Period

This period is marked by a preparation for coming war with either Sauron or Númenor or both. Lindon is concerned, and for much of the second half of this period they are helping Arnor to begin its life as a Kingdom, organizing and colonizing the natives of Eriador and allying with Lindon and Imladris.

Period 6.5 – SA3431-TA1: Last Alliance

This war marks the culmination of Lindon’s might and power, and they never recover after this. Their king is destroyed, and much of their population decimated both as casualties of the war, and by leaving Middle-earth.

Third Age

During the Third Age, Lindon decreased in importance as the Elves began to leave Middle-earth for the Undying Lands. Despite this, it remained a haven for Elves under the lordship of Círdan the Shipwright, who remained at the Grey Havens, the chief city of Lindon. It is from the Grey Havens that Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, along with Gandalf and many of the Elves, eventually depart Middle-earth at the end of "The Lord of the Rings".

Period 7 – TA1-1000: Decline Period

This period marks a steady decline in Lindon’s power and population, held at bay only by the power of Narya, which halts the Fading which quickly begins to consume Middle-earth at large. Likely most of the remaining Sindar in Middle-earth live in Harlond and Mithlond at this point, since Lórien and Greenwood are primarily Nandorin in makeup.

Period 8 – TA1000-1975: Fading Period

After Narya is gone, the decline of Lindon accelerates, and they are no longer free of conflict. They become involved in two wars helping Arnor against Angmar, and their ability to do so becomes less and less.

Period 9 – TA1975-3021: Abandonment Period

After the last war with Angmar, Lindon rapidly declines, until Imladris is the new center of Noldorin power in Middle-earth, not Forlond, and many Sindar have left entirely. By the end of the period, it is likely that Forlond and Harlond are abandoned.

Period 10 – FA1-sometime after 171: Waiting Period

Mithlond is basically a ghost town, only having enough Elves there under Círdan to continue building and manning ships for the remaining Elves in Middle-earth, until Círdan himself takes the Last Ship and Mithlond is left empty.

Culture

As a realm of the Noldor Elves, Lindon is renowned for its beauty, wisdom, and skill in craft. It is a place of song and feasting, where a faint memory of the Elder Days lives on. Lindon is also an important spiritual and cultural site for the Elves, as it is one of the last visible reminders of the lost glory of Beleriand from the First Age.

Economy

Lindon's economy was once based on seafaring, crafts, and trade with other Elven realms, and with the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains. The Grey Havens, in particular, was once an important trading port. The Elves of Lindon were skilled jewel-crafters and were renowned for their beautiful and intricate works of art.

By the late Third Age, the economy of Lindon has decayed significantly as its population left Middle Earth. Agriculture are crafts are still present, but most advanced economic activity revolves around the Havens, building ships for the voyage to the Undying Lands.

Governance

Lindon is ruled by Círdan the Shipwright, one of the oldest and wisest Elves in Middle-earth.

Architecture

There are two types of settlements in Lindon.

Firstly, the Elven cities and towns. There are three cities - Mithlond, Harlond and Forlond, and between 5-8 smaller towns on the coast or further inland. The city and towns of Harlindon are mainly Sindar in origin, and Mithlond would have mainly been inhabited by the remnants of Círdan’s people, the Falathrim (who were also Sindar). The city and towns of Forlindon, however, would have been built and inhabited mainly by the Noldor - there is therefore a distinction between Mithlond/Harlond and Forlond in terms of architecture.

Secondly, the settlements of the more rustic woodland Elves, living in harmony with nature in the forests of Lindon. These are by a mix of Sindar and Laiquendi Elves, and clearly look very different to the cities.

Most of these settlements are abandoned, and are in various states of ruination.

Further reading

Lindon - Tolkien Gateway

Lindon - Henneth Annun Story Archive