The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
The Wizard Saruman occupied the vale from III 2759 to III 3019 (260 years)
Location
Running into the Misty Mountains near their southern end
Race
Division
Order
Settlements
Source
The sources of the river Isen lay at the head of the vale
Meaning
A reference to the Wizard Saruman, who settled for a time at Isengard within the vale
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 3 January 2024
  • This entry is complete
Map of the Wizard's Vale

In the upper valley of the Isen, the river flowed southward through the last southern heights and hills of the Misty Mountains before running out into the Gap of Rohan. In that valley, in the early years of their settlement in Middle-earth, the Dúnedain had built an impenetrable fortress ringed by rock: Angrenost, or Isengard as it was known in the language of the Rohirrim who settled there long afterwards.

More than two centuries before the War of the Ring, the Wizard Saruman came to Steward Beren in Minas Tirith, and proposed that he should be granted Isengard as a dwelling-place. Seeing advantage in having such a powerful ally guarding the Gap of Rohan, Beren agreed, and granted Saruman the Key of Orthanc. From that time on, the valley where Isengard stood became known as Nan Curunír, which literally translates as the 'Valley of Saruman'. Curunír was the Elvish equivalent of Saruman's name, but when rendered into the Common Speech, Nan Curunír is known simply as 'the Wizard's Vale'.


See also...

Valley of Saruman

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 3 January 2024
  • This entry is complete

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