Pelargir

On the map, follow the Anduin south from Minas Tirith past the mouths of the Erui and Sirith: Pelargir is the last major port before the river splits into the delta and reaches the Bay of Belfalas. Its name means Garth of Royal Ships.

The Faithful of Númenor, the party who kept friendship with the Elves, founded the haven in SA 2350 as their chief harbor in Middle-earth, so it is older than Osgiliath and Minas Tirith by a thousand years. Under Gondor it built and berthed the royal fleet and controlled trade along the whole lower river.

The Kin-strife turned it into a battleground. Eldacar's rival Castamir made Pelargir his base and was killed at the Crossings of Erui; his sons escaped downriver and seized Umbar, and their descendants raided Gondor's coasts for centuries afterward.

On 13 March TA 3019 the Corsair fleet lay at Pelargir with fifty great ships when Aragorn arrived with the Grey Company and the Dead of Dunharrow. The Corsairs abandoned the ships in terror, Aragorn released the Oathbreakers, and the freed slaves and men of the southern fiefs manned the fleet and sailed upriver to the Harlond, arriving during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

Events at this place

1. SA 2350 · Appendices

   The haven founded

   The Faithful of Númenor built Pelargir on the Anduin as their principal harbor in Middle-earth.

2. TA 1447 · Appendices

   Castamir defeated

   Eldacar broke the usurper's forces and besieged Pelargir. Castamir's sons escaped by sea and took Umbar.

3. TA 3019, March 13 · The Lord of the Rings

   Aragorn takes the fleet

   On 13 March the Dead of Dunharrow emptied the Corsair ships at Pelargir, and Aragorn sailed them up to Minas Tirith.

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