Battle of Unnumbered Tears

The Battle of Unnumbered Tears (Nirnaeth Arnoediad) was the fifth great battle of the Wars of Beleriand. This was when Morgoth razed the last bastions of resistance against him and took control of Beleriand.

Having lost control of the plains south of the Thangorodrim, as well as Dorthonion in the Battle of Sudden Flame, the Elves were relegated to Hithlum, Nargothrond, Gondolin and Doriath.

High King Fingon, his brother Turgon and one of the sons of Fëanor were commanders of a great host of the Noldor roused against Morgoth, who rose up against their challenge.

The Battle was great and terrible, with many of the Noldor slain by the forces of Morgoth. Among them were High King Fingon, brought low by the great Balrog Gothmog.

With this, Morgoth had complete dominance in all of northern Beleriand, and spread outwards from there, raiding the entire continent. This led to the Fall of the Falas, the Sack of Bar-en-Danwedh, the Battle of Tumhalad, the Fall of Nargothrond and the Fall of Gondolin.

It might have ended with the full usurpation of Beleriand by Morgoth, had it not been for Eärendil and Elwing, who succeeded in travelling west to Valinor and recruiting the Valar to stand against the Dark Lord.