Tharbad

Tharbad ('Road-Crossing') was a major settlement of Arnor. It sat at the intersection of the Gwathló River and the North-South Road.

Summary

Tharbad was founded as a Númenórean settlement sometime before SA 883. There were many lumber camps in Enedwaith and Minhiriath, providing timber for the harbour of Lond Daer; with this in mind, it stands to reason that Tharbad was heavily fortified at this time, to protect the Númenórean workers from attacks by native Middle-men. In SA 1695, Sauron invaded Eregion. Within five years he controlled all of Eriador (save for Imladris, which was besieged), until Tar-Minastir arrived from Númenor and defeated him at Tharbad.

Roughly 100 years later, the Men of Númenor began to establish permanent colonies in Middle-earth. Tharbad grew slowly during this time, if at all. However, when Númenor fell in SA 3320, the city became an important link between the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor. A mighty bridge was built across the Gwathló, and forts were built on both sides of the river. Tharbad flourished for many years, until the Great Plague in TA 1636 when "most of the people of Cardolan perished, especially in Minhiriath." The bridge fell into ruin, replaced by a perilous ford.

For some time over the next millennium, the area was occupied by Dunlendings. However, following the Fell Winter in TA 2911, the Gwathló flooded disastrously, making Tharbad uninhabitable.