The second race of Eru Ilúvatar, the race
of Men, awoke in Hildórien when the sun arose during the late First Age . Morgoth
immediately incited them to worship him, and although many complied , many more managed
to escape, heading west. Those who chose to fight Morgoth became known as the Edain, those who
fought for Morgoth became the Men of Darkness, and those who heeded neither were known as
middlemen. Within Beleriand, the armies of men and their style of warfare during the first
age would be heavily influenced by their Eldar hosts. In this episode, we will explore
the army compositions and military tactics employed by the various races and cultures
of humanity in the world of Middle Earth. Lore details like this are part of middle earth’s
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imagination by taking a look. The Sundering of Men
Similarly to the Elves, who were sundered into three peoples , the
race of men would also be split into three, collectively known as the Edain. Each of the
Edain would arrive in Middle Earth in different years of the First Era. The House of Bëor arrived
first in F.A 310 and were granted the fiefdom of Dorthonion by King Thingol. The next was House
Haladin in F.A 312 whom King Thingol granted the forest of Brethil for dwelling. Last was the
House of Hador in F.A 313 who King Fingolfin granted the fief of Dor-lómin. Accompanying the
Haladin came the small and stooped Drúedain, who settled in the White Mountains, with some
joining the Haladin in the forest of Brethil. In F.A 463, a new race of swarthy men came
to Beleriand and were granted Lothlann and Thargelion by Maedros and Caranthir, becoming
known as the Easterlings. In addition to all these groups of humanity, there were
also those who did not journey west nor heed the call of Morgoth or the Valar,
but their story comes after the first age. The Edain
It was in the east that the race of Men first came into contact
with the Avari and the Dwarves. As a result of this meeting of cultures, men adopted many
Dwarven words into their languages and Dwarven devices into their daily lives. The same thing
happened in Beleriand when the men of that region came into contact with the Beleriand Dwarves,
who, alongside their Elven benefactors, they were eager to learn from and trade with. Soon, men
became the Dwarven races’ chief providers of food, working as herdsmen, shepherds and land tillers
that fed the underground mining cities of the stout folk. In exchange, the Dwarves worked as
builders, roadmakers, and miners and crafted tools, weapons and armour for their human
partners. By studying these Dwarven crafts, Men became wiser and developed skills of
their own, skills that not only extended into craftsmanship, but military strategy as well.
Men typically dwelt in scattered homesteads and small villages that were poorly defended by
no more than dikes and wooden fences. Before trading with Dwarves, they were lightly
armed, using the bow as the main weapon, for they had little metal and few smiths amongst
them. However, once armed by Dwarves and Elves, the warriors of men reached their full potential
as tamers of beasts and skilled and fearless horse riders who could act as scouts, keeping watch over
the movements of their enemies. If Orcs assembled to raid, mobile units of human horse archers would
surround and destroy them. It was in this fashion that an alliance between Dwarves, Elves, and
Men emerged in the northern parts of Beleriand. The Edain learned much of the ways of war from
the races of Elves and Dwarves. The Noldor Elves were especially prolific tutors when the races
of men fought alongside them against the forces of Morgoth. Men were accustomed to using the
bow on horseback, a skill shared by the mixed Noldor-Teleri Elves of Hithlum, led by the Noldor
King Fingon. Thus, it is reasonable to assume that the Men living in Hithlum were armed and trained
by Elves in horse-mounted archery. Similarly, in the northeast of Beleriand, the sons of
Feanor could have taught cavalry warfare and Noldor infantry formations to their human
neighbours. There is mention of a wall of spears tactic used by Men led by Barahir to save King
Felagund at the Pass of Sirion during the battle of Dagor Bragollach. Likewise, the Númenóreans
of the second age utilized similar and advanced tactics like the thangail, a defensive formation
formed from two closely-pressed ranks presenting a barrier of shields designed to be flexible and
prevent the enemy from flanking. In addition, there was also the Dírnaith, a wedge formation
launched over a short distance against defensive formations on open ground. Given that the
thangail and dírnaith have Quenya names, it's reasonable to deduce that Elves, most
likely Noldor, whose people performed the phalanx of the guard of the king defending
Gondolin, taught these tactics to the Edain. Men were a formidable race. Hador and his son
Galdor were stout enough to bear the Dwarf-Helm while Túrin was mighty enough to bear the Dwarf
Mask of Belegost. Elven rulers, in contrast, were incapable of this. Men were hardy and could
endure both the frigid cold and long periods of wandering, making them excellent wardens of the
north . Thus, Men were given fiefs in the north to aid in the siege of Angband.
The House of Beor Some 2000 poor and ill-equipped folk of Bëor ,
without beasts of burden, journeyed west, crossing the Blue Mountains, a journey which hardened
their spirits and bodies. They were discovered by the Elven King Finrod Felegund, who persuaded
King Thingol to grant them the realm of Dorthonion to inhabit. The men of Beor were dark-haired and
stoutly built, resembling the Noldor. In F.A 402, Orcs attempted to breach the Pass of Aglon. The
sons of Fëanor Maidros and Maglor were aided by the sons of Finrod and Bëor, who became the first
among the race of Men to draw swords on behalf of the Eldar. In F.A 408, their 4th Chieftain,
Boromir, was granted the fief of Ladros by Angrod and Aegnor. His lordship over Ladros was followed
by his son Bregor, and Bregor's son, Bregolas. During the battle of Dagor Bragollach, Dorthonion
bore much of Morgoth’s assault as Glaurung, Balrogs, and black armies of Orcs broke countless
Elves and Men against their endless assault. Angrod, Aegnor and Bregolos, leading the house of
Bëor, were slain. Barahir fought near the Pass of Sirion beside King Felagund, trying to withdraw
south. They became surrounded in the Pen of Serech and would have been annihilated if it was not for
Barahir, who had his men erect a wall of spears about Felagund. They cut their way out of the
battle while suffering heavy losses. Following this, Felagund escaped to Nargothrond, but Ladros
and Dorthonion were destroyed. Barahir urged the survivors of his folk to flee to the forest
of Brethil, merging with the House of Haleth. Barahir contested his dominion until all that
was left was 12 companions including, Baragund, Belegund and Beren . Eventually, Sauron discovered
their location and slaughtered them all, save for Beren. Thus, the house of Bëor ceased to be an
independent entity and joined the other houses. The House of Bëor was armed and trained by
Noldorin Elves, performing a wall of spear formation akin to Ancient Greek and Macedonian
warfare. Noldorians preferred swords and shields, thus, it's likely that so did the Bëor as
infantry. It is likely they did not act as cavalry as they came to Beleriand without beasts of
burden, most likely not great horse riders either. House of Haleth
The House of Haleth crossed the Blue Mountains into Beleriand in F.A 312, accompanied
by many Drúedain. They came in small parties into Ossiriand, leaderless, settling in scattered
groups. They were shorter than the House of Bëor, with dark or brown hair and gray eyes. They
were more conservative and secretive, unwilling to adopt new things and customs, choosing
solitary lives. They had few dealings in war, but nonetheless were loyal allies and redoubtable
warriors, though the companies they sent to battle beyond their borders were small. They excelled
in forest warfare and, of all the houses of men, held the strange practice of having many
warrior women. The chieftainess Haleth was a renowned amazon with a bodyguard of
women. Though not entirely friendly to them, the Green Elves influenced their
lifestyle greatly, including their language of Taliska. Their weapon of choice
was the Axe, similar to that of the Nandor. Living in homesteads and governing their own
affairs, the Haleth were slow to unite. Yet, when Morgoth secretly sent an Orc over the
mountains by the Dwarf Road against them, a leader named Haldad rose. Gathering the
bravest and strongest among his people, he built the Gelion-Ascar stockade , which was
soon besieged by the Orcs. When their food ran out, Haldad led a failed sortie against the Orcs,
losing his life and his son Haldar, leaving his daughter Haleth to lead their people. Reeling from
the loss of their leaders, the Haleth lost hope, and some, in desperation, drowned themselves
in the local rivers. After seven days, the Orcs breached the stockade, but the Haleth were saved
by a host brought by Caranthir from the north. The Haleth were offered a fief in Caranthir’s lands,
but they declined, seeking to settle peacefully in Talath Dirnen. Eventually, King Thingol granted
them and some Drúedain the Forest of Brethil as their dwelling as long as they defended the
Crossing of Teiglin. Thus, the Haleth guarded the northern flank of Nargothrond but did not
take a large part in the Noldor-Morgoth war. After the fall of Dorthonion, many of the House of
Bëor emigrated to Brethil and after Minas Tirith fell in F.A 457 to Sauron, the lands of the Haleth
became vulnerable. Halmir and Beleg led a mixed group of Haleth and Sindar to ambush and destroy
a legion of invading Orcs at the cross of Teiglin. In F.A 468, Haldir led the Haleth in the Western
Army of the Union of Maedros . During the battle of Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Western army attacked
Angband, and Morgoth unleashed thousands of Orcs, repulsing the host of Fingon from the walls.
The Elves were driven back in a great slaughter. Haldir and his brother Hundar were slain leading
the rearguard, as were countless Men of Brethil upon the sands of Anfauglith. Following
their deaths, rulership fell to Handir, who was slain in F.A 495 defending against an Orc
raid on Brethil. This defeat allowed Morgoth to sack Nargothrond. Afterwards, the Haleth remained
in their woods, led by Brandir, whose style of battle focused on guerilla-style warfare. After
this, Túrin Turambar came to Brethil, persuading the Haleth to fight in the manner of Nargothrond .
When Húrin came to Brethil, he sparked a civil war among their people. A few generations after
this, the House of Haleth ceased to exist, and the Drúedain fled to the Mouths of Sirion.
Similar to the Sindar, the Haleth were forest guerilla warfare specialists whose preference
was the axe and ambush. They were unique in their use of female warriors but only utilized
small companies or bands during war and rarely beyond their borders. Women could lead the
Haleth politically and in war. They seem akin to a sort of proto Viking or Celtic people,
facing war like the Sindar elves around them. House of Hador
The folk of Hador came in three hosts, each of which numbered 2000 heads. They crossed
Eriador armed, with many horses, donkeys, sheep and goats. They entered Beleriand in F.A
313, scaring the Green Elves due to their high population and war like nature. They were hardy
and of strong build. The tallest of the Edain, they were bold and steadfast, characterized
by their blue eyes and golden hair. In F.A 416, King Fingolfin granted the house of
Hador the fief of Dor-lómin. Hador himself was given the Dwarf-Helm by Fingon, which he and his
son Galdor were big enough to wield. In F.A 455, during the battle of Dagor Bragollach, Fingolfin
and Fingon marched out of Hithlum against Angband but were driven back with grievous losses.
Leading the rearguard, Hador and his son Gundor fell in battle at Eithel Sirion. The Men
of Dor-lómin managed to repel Orcs and Balrogs, showing their war prowess in the process.
Galdor became the new lord of Dor-lómin, but seven years later, would fall by an arrow
during the siege of Eithel Sirion. However, his son Húrin drove the Orcs back in a heavy
slaughter. In F.A 468, Húrin led the Men of Dor-lómin in the Western Army during the battle of
Nirnaeth Arnoediad. For days, the men of Dor-lómin held back the enemy at the Pass of Sirion. When
Turgon led his host back to Gondolin, Húrin and Huor led the rearguard. The host of Dor-lómin
fought a last stand at the Fen of Serech, forming a bridge of their dead across the Rivil.
After killing hundreds of orcs and trolls, Hurin was the last, wielding a two-handed axe against
Gothmog’s troll guards until he was captured. After this, the house of Hador ceased to exist,
but their people would be the largest of the Edain when came the call of Elenna . Of the three
houses, Hador was the strongest, largest and most formidable on the battlefield. Given they fought
in close proximity to Turgon’s Phalanx, it is likely they performed a similar style of warfare.
They had superior military discipline than the other houses, and the final stand of Dor-lómin
was the most renowned. Númenór would be influenced the most by Hador thus their military formations
and prowess most likely is attributable to them. The Easterlings
The Swarthy men or “Easterlings” crossed the blue mountains in F.A
463, having heard rumours of Beleriand’s land and riches and wanting to partake of them. However
there were those in their ranks secretly under the dominion of Morgoth. They were short,
broad, long and strong in the arms and grew a lot of hair on their face and chests.
Their locks were dark, as were their eyes, and their skin was sallow or swart . They
favoured Dwarves over Elves and held many houses, not all friendly to each other or outsiders. They
were led by two chieftains, Ulfang and Bór when they came across the Sons of Feanor. The sons of
Bór swore an oath to Maedros and were faithful. They were given the land of Lothlann to dwell and
became known as ample and trustworthy farmers. The sons of Ulfang swore an oath to Caranthir and were
faithless, given the land of Thargelion to dwell The Easterlings fought in the Eastern Army and
were trained by the Noldor for war. In this, they were given fair arms, most likely forged
by the Dwarves of Belegost and Nogrod. They also summoned more of the kinsfolk from the
east for the war effort. During the battle of Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Maedhros led his Eastern Army
to attack Morgoth’s forces rear. The Orcs wavered, with many routing, but Morgoth emptied
Anband, unleashing his reserves. Wolves, wolfriders, Balrogs and Dragons led by Glaurung
stormed out, attacking between the Western and Eastern armies. Many Easterlings routed and fled.
Here, Ulfang suddenly betrayed the Western Army, attacking the rear of Maedhros. Maglor slew Uldor
the accursed, and the faithful sons of Bór slew Ulfast and Ulwarth. The sons of Bór lost their
lives in the process. Ulfang also kept some of his forces hidden in the eastern hills. They
attacked Maedhros’s flank, who was now being assailed from three sides and forced to flee.
Victorious, Morgoth gave the faithless Easterlings the land of Hithlum as a reward
but forbade them from leaving the region. Thus, one can assume Morgoth had little influence
on their military development. The Easterlings enslaved Hador’s children and took their
women for wives. The Easterling chieftain Lorgan became the lord of Dor-lómin. In F.A. 488,
Lorgan’s forces, coordinating with Orcs, managed to attack a group of Elven refugees fleeing
Hithlum and capture Tuor, who was enslaved. During the cataclysmic War of Wrath, the
faithless Easterlings in Beleriand fought for Morgoth against the Host of Valinor. Morgoth
was defeated, and Beleriand was destroyed. The Easterlings who survived fled east, where some
became kings over middlemen and fostered hatred that would lead to conflict in the other ages.
The Easterlings were racially diverse, divided and primitive people. Their descendants
would evolve into unique peoples who utilized a wide variety of weaponry. They used swords, axes,
spears, mounted archers, cavalry, elephants and even chariots . The Easterlings of the first age
received military training from the sons of Feanor and most likely fought in a Noldorin fashion.
As infantry, they would have fought sword, shield and spear on the open plains, perhaps
adopting phalanx formations. In mounted warfare, they most likely preferred horseback archery,
similar to the Elves of Hithlum, or perhaps cavalry like the sons of Feanor preferred. They
were akin to numerous ancient peoples of Eurasia . Conclusion
Overall, the Men of the first age had a tendency to
adopt the style of warfare of their Eldar hosts. They were armed by Elves and Dwarves and
learnt from them. A certain level of symbiosis emerged to face the forces of Morgoth. Though
speculative, it seems the battle formation and tactics seen by Men of the later ages must
have been adopted from Eldar of the first age. More videos on the societies of Middle Earth
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