Fall of Amon Sûl

The Fall of Amon Sûl was a major event of the Angmar War, occurring in Third Age 1409 when the Witch-king of Angmar led a great invasion of Arnor. The assault resulted in the destruction of the Tower of Amon Sûl upon Weathertop, the death of King Arveleg I, and the loss of much of Cardolan.

Background

Amon Sûl was the chief watchtower of Arnor, raised by Elendil in Second Age 3320 to guard the Weather Hills and house the greatest of the northern palantíri. After the division of Arnor into Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur, the tower lay near the borders of all three kingdoms and was of strategic importance. By the late fourteenth century of the Third Age, Rhudaur had fallen under Angmar’s sway, while Cardolan and Arthedain struggled to resist the Witch-king’s growing power.

The Invasion of 1409

In Third Age 1409, Angmar launched its largest campaign yet against the North-kingdom. A great host advanced from the north and east, overrunning Rhudaur and sweeping into the Weather Hills. King Arveleg I, with aid from Cardolan and a company of Elves out of Lindon, held Amon Sûl against the assault. Despite their efforts, the fortress was besieged and overwhelmed. Arveleg was slain in the fighting, and the tower was cast down in ruin.

Aftermath

The palantír of Amon Sûl was saved from capture and borne west to Fornost Erain, but the fall of the tower was a severe blow to Arnor. Cardolan was laid waste in the aftermath, and only the aid of the Elves kept Arthedain from complete ruin. Though Angmar did not yet conquer all of Eriador, the destruction of Amon Sûl marked a decisive step in Arnor’s decline. The hill of Weathertop remained a ruin thereafter, though it continued to serve as a landmark and stronghold of the Rangers of the North.

Legacy

The fall of Amon Sûl foreshadowed the later destruction of Fornost and the final collapse of Arnor. Centuries later, its broken crown was remembered by the Dúnedain as a hallowed place, and it played a role again in the War of the Ring, when Frodo Baggins was wounded there by the Witch-king of Angmar.