It is a black tower, a striking presence at the southern tip of
the Misty Mountains. While it would later become synonymous with the wizard Saruman,
it would be created by the earliest Gondorians, the survivors of Numenor.
Today, on Nerd of the Rings, we cover the history of Isengard.
While we don’t know for certain when Orthanc was constructed,
we do know who built it. After their home of the island realm of Numenor is destroyed, Isildur and
his brother Anarion found the realm of Gondor in 3320 SA. Over the centuries, the early Gondorians
would not only build the great cities of Minas Ithil, Osgiliath, and Minas Anor, but they would
also build some of the greatest fortresses and structures in all Middle-earth. These would
include stone bridges crossing the mighty Anduin River, the Argonath at the northern border of the
realm, the fortress that would later be known as Helm’s Deep, and the fortress of Isengard.
Isengard is built sometime between the founding of Gondor in 3320, and the formation of the
last alliance in 3430. Within the circle of Isengard, the Gondorians build a massive,
500-foot structure. It consists of four welded pillars of a deep, gleaming black stone. At its
top, the tower had four pinnacles opening out, and coming to a sharp point. Between the points
there was a polished floor which by later third age, would have many strange signs written on it.
It is described in detail in The Two Towers: A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs,
stood out from the shelter of the mountain-side, from which it ran and then returned again. One
entrance only was there made in it, a great arch delved in the southern wall.
Here through the black rock a long tunnel had been hewn, closed at either end with mighty
doors of iron. They were so wrought and poised upon their huge hinges, posts of steel driven
into the living stone, that when unbarred they could be moved with a light thrust of the arms,
noiselessly. One who passed in and came at length out of the echoing tunnel, beheld a plain,
a great circle, somewhat hollowed like a vast shallow bowl: a mile it measured from rim to rim.
When it is constructed by the early Gondorians, they place one of the
seven palantiri within the fortress. Its location on the northern border of Gondor
and being centrally located in Middle-earth itself makes it uniquely well positioned for a palantir
and for the protection of Gondor. As the Second Age gives way to the Third,
the Gondorians continue to man the fortress in defense of their realm. While the lands of
Calenardhon were never as densely populated as the southern lands of Gondor, it was vastly affected
by the Great Plague of 1636 TA, leading many of the surviving Gondorians to migrate eastward.
In the aftermath, the Tower of Orthanc is closed
and its keys are sent to Minas Tirith. Despite the massive depopulation of Calenardhon,
the fortress of Isengard would remain manned by a small garrison of soldiers.
They are led by a hereditary chieftain and play an important role in the protection of
Gondor’s northern border along the Isen. As time progresses, the chieftain and his company grow
more secretive and the chieftain becomes known as the Lord of Isengard. The Rohirrim would settle
the former Calenardhon and it is their belief that the men of Isengard were meddling in dark magic.
These were days long after the line of the Kings of Gondor had ended,
and the Ruling Stewards were forced to turn their attention to battles with their enemies
to the East and the South. In time, they quit sending emissaries to Isengard completely.
The Rohirrim likewise faced enemies invading from the East and neither realm,
in their preoccupation, realized the line of the Gondorian chieftains failed completely.
Over the years, these men had long intermingled with the Dunlendings,
who came to settle around Isengard. They take over Isengard and kill any of the Gondorian guards
who refuse to join them. A period of peace in Rohan would come to an end when these Dunlendings
would begin open hostilities against the Rohirrim. In response to these raids, King Deor of Rohan
leads an expedition north, where he discovers Isengard is under the control
of the Dunlendings. Unfortunately, Rohan didn’t have enough might to retake Isengard,
and Gondor could not send aid as they were facing troubles of their own.
Thus, Deor stations a mighty force of Rohirrim in the Westfold to discourage further raids.
The occupation of Isengard by the Dunlendings would lead to a time of warfare during the reign
of King Gram. Things would come to a head during the reign of Gram’s son, Helm Hammerhand. These
events are covered in full in my Helm Hammerhand video, but Wulf would lead the Dunlendings to
invade Rohan and overthrow Edoras. During the Long Winter, they laid siege to the Hornburg, and would
not only suffer during the brutal winter, but many would also be killed by Helm Hammerhand himself.
In the end, Helm’s nephew Frealaf would avenge his uncle and become the new
King. Near the end of 2759 TA, Frealaf drives the Dunlendings from Isengard,
reclaiming the realm. With both Gondor and Rohan suffering from war and the long winter,
they face a dilemma. History has shown the importance of guarding their northern border
and the risk of letting Isengard fall into enemy hands.
It just so happens that at this time, the wizard Saruman returns from his travels in the East.
He offers to Frealaf and Steward Beren of Gondor that he could take up residence at Isengard.
Both Frealaf and Beren gladly welcome the idea of one of the Istari guarding their northern border.
Beren gives Saruman the keys of Orthanc and the valley comes to be known as Nan Curunir - the
Valley of Saruman. After the final meeting of the White Council in 2953, Saruman makes Isengard his
permanent residence and begins fortifying it. By now, he already covets the One Ring.
As he anticipated, Saruman discovered the palantir in the tower of Orthanc
and around the year 3000 TA, he uses it for the first time. Sauron, using the Ithil-stone
that had been moved to Barad-dur, begins corrupting the wizard’s mind to his will.
He would continue operating in secret, searching for the ring. It is also around this time, and
perhaps slightly before, that Saruman would begin amassing orcs in the caverns beneath Isengard.
Nearly 20 years later, Gandalf the Grey comes to Isengard seeking Saruman’s
advice. (July 10, 3018) Saruman reveals his treachery and demands Gandalf to join him. When
Gandalf refuses, he is imprisoned atop Orthanc. In the two months that he spends atop the tower,
Gandalf sees Isengard transformed as the trees and greenery that had once covered the area
are replaced by pits and forges. Orcs and wolves come to dwell in Isengard, forming Saruman’s army.
Gandalf would finally be rescued by Gwaihir on September 18, and two days later,
the Nazgul arrive at Isengard. They are sent by Sauron after failing in their search east of the
Misty Mountains, for he believed Saruman now had information regarding the ring.
However, we are told that even the nazgul had not the strength to assault
the Ring of Isengard. Instead, Saruman’s voice speaks from the very gate of Isengard itself,
telling the Witch-king that Gandalf had departed toward Rohan, and the nazgul ride off.
Saruman would send forth his armies from Isengard during the early days of the War of the Ring. His
offensive against Rohan begins on February 25, 3019, as the Fellowship passes the Argonath,
Saruman’s forces attack the Rohirrim in the first Battle of the Fords of Isen. The orcs
are victorious and Saruman’s goal of killing Theoden’s son Theodred is achieved. On March 2,
Saruman launches a second offensive in the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen.
The army includes not only the Uruk-hai Saruman had bred in the caverns below
Isengard, but also Dunlendings, the longtime enemies of Rohan.
With Isengard unleashed, Saruman’s army would continue on to Helm’s Deep. That night, another
battle would be fought - the Battle of Isengard. Unlooked for, the Ents of Fangorn Forest would
fight back at Saruman for the destruction he had wrought upon their woods. Treebeard and his ents
overrun the small group of orcs and men left in the fortress. While they take control of Isengard,
they are unable to assail Orthanc itself, for it was mightily made.
Theoden, Gandalf, and the victorious men of Rohan, arrive on March 5 to parley with Saruman.
It is then that Gandalf breaks Saruman’s staff and expels him from the order of the Istari.
Gandalf leaves Treebeard in command of Isengard and the former wizard within. When Gandalf and
the Fellowship return to Isengard on their way home after Sauron’s downfall,
they learn that Treebeard allowed Saruman to leave. (Aug 22, 3019)
When they arrive, Treebeard welcomes them to the Treegarth of Orthanc and in the time since their
last visit, the ents had destroyed the Ring of Isengard and filled the circle with orchards
and trees. A stream flows into a clear lake where the great tower of Orthanc still stands.
In one of his many moves to set the world right, Aragorn decrees that the ents shall have complete
control over the new Treegarth of Orthanc. He has the palantir recovered from Saruman returned
to the tower. At this time, Orthanc is searched and they discover that Saruman had hoarded many
jewels and heirlooms that were not rightfully his. With Gimli’s assistance, a hidden door in the
tower is discovered. They find a small golden case that had been used by Isildur to bear the One Ring
and the Elendilmir - an heirloom that had been lost since Isildur’s death in the Anduin river.
King Elessar takes the Elendilmir and establishes his full kingship of Arnor as well as Gondor.
Presumably, Treebeard and his ents would continue their work
of undoing the evils of Saruman and restoring Isengard to its former glory.
as always i want to say a huge thank you to my patreon supporters who make this channel possible
tom de bombadil 19 listen me the cinder mandu pendu andrew carlisle the mighty mim team
weasel rabbi rob thomas sky carcass slide belts dane ragnerson seliman
zettrock burtleberg grand strategy nerd graham derek the dark-haired
one wyland michael wu and debbie if you enjoyed the artwork in this video
check out the artists in the description and purchase prints of their great work for yourself
thanks so much for watching and subscribing and we'll see you next time on nerd of the rings