Carn Dûm

Carn Dûm stands where the Misty Mountains bend west at their northern end, in the angle of hills that the realm of Angmar occupied. From the Shire it is far to the northeast, above the Ettenmoors and the old borders of Rhudaur. Nothing on the map lies further from the reach of Gondor.

The Witch-king of Angmar founded his realm around TA 1300 and made Carn Dûm his seat. From there he ran a long campaign of attrition against the three successor kingdoms of Arnor. Rhudaur fell first and became his vassal, Cardolan was overrun in TA 1409, and Arthedain held out alone until TA 1974, when Fornost was taken and Arvedui fled north.

The end came quickly. Eärnur brought a fleet and an army from Gondor, joined the forces of Círdan and the sons of Elrond, and broke the Angmar host on the fields between Lake Evendim and the North Downs in TA 1975. Glorfindel rode in the pursuit, and it was after this battle that he foretold the Witch-king would not fall by the hand of man. Angmar was destroyed and Carn Dûm left ruined.

The name reaches the story of the War of the Ring only once, on the Barrow-downs, when Merry wakes in the wight's barrow and cries that the men of Carn Dûm came on them by night, as though reliving the death of the man buried there. It is a reminder that the evil sent south from Carn Dûm outlived the fortress itself.

Events at this place

1. TA 1300 · Appendices

   Founding of Angmar at Carn Dûm

   The Witch-king established his realm in the far north and built his power at Carn Dûm, beginning the long war against Arnor's successor kingdoms.

2. TA 1975 · Appendices

   Destruction of Carn Dûm

   After the Battle of Fornost, Eärnur of Gondor with Círdan's elves and Glorfindel destroyed the realm of Angmar and its capital.

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