Corsair Wars

The Corsair Wars are an ongoing conflict between the Corsairs of Umbar and the peoples of Gondor and Eriador.

Umbar was originally a Númenórean settlement which was later occupied by the King's Men who after the Downfall of Númenor became the Black Númenóreans when they no longer had a King to follow. This people gladly submitted to Sauron and followed him into war against the people of northwestern Middle-earth.

Umbar was twice conquered by Gondor, first by King Eärnil I, and later by King Hyarmendacil I, but was lost again when the Kin-strife of Gondor caused the Sons of Castamir to sail to Umbar and take control of the city, establishing an independent lordship arrayed against Gondor.

In Third Age 1448, these people became known as the Corsairs of Umbar, infamous for attacking Gondorian sailing vessels on sea.

Throughout the conflict, the Corsairs have struck out against Gondor repeatedly, killing King Aldamir in 1540 and King Minardil in 1634, raiding the Anfalas in 1810 and killing the Prince of Dol Amroth in 2746.

Gondor at times managed to strike back, such as when Umbardacil killed the last descendants of Castamir and when "Thorongil" (Aragorn) burned many Umbaran ships.

During the War of the Ring, the Corsairs attacked again to hinder the defense of Minas Tirith, but were soundly defeated by Aragorn and his Army of the Dead.