They were the sea-raiders and pirates
of Middle-earth. They were descended from the island realm of Numenor, like the
Gondorians they would battle for centuries. Today, on Nerd of the Rings,
we cover the Corsairs of Umbar. As we know from my video on the Black Numenoreans, one of their greatest strongholds was the Haven of
Umbar. Being of the race of the mighty ship-kings, it should come as no surprise that both the
Numenoreans who fled to establish Gondor, and those living in Umbar were accomplished
sea-farers. Throughout the early centuries of the Third Age, these Black Numenoreans would
pillage along the coasts of Gondor. There would be an ongoing struggle, as the haven of Umbar
is fought over between the Kings of Gondor and the Black Numenoreans. As we are told
in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings: The great cape and land-locked firth of Umbar
had been Númenórean land since days of old; but it was a stronghold of the King's Men, who
were afterwards called the Black Númenoreans, corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the
followers of Elendil. After the fall of Sauron their race swiftly dwindled or became
merged with the Men of Middle-earth, but they inherited without
lessening their hatred of Gondor. A crucial moment in the history of both Gondor and
Umbar comes in 1432 - the Kin-strife. This civil war in Gondor will certainly get its own video so
we may go into greater detail, but it comes when Eldacar becomes the 21st King of Gondor. Because
his mother was from the northmen of Rhovanion, many of the Numenorean-descended Gondorians
viewed him as a half-breed with no right to rule. Foremost of these peoples was Castamir, Eldacar’s second cousin, who was also Captain
of the Ships - the leader of Gondor’s navy. Castamir stages a successful rebellion in 1437,
seizing control of the capital of Osgiliath, forcing Eldacar into hiding, and publicly
executing the king’s son, Ornendil. Ten years into Castamir’s
cruel and disastrous rule, Eldacar returns, killing Castamir in the Battle
of the Crossings of Erui. The following year, the sons of Castamir are driven from Pelargir by
the king, and they are forced to retreat to Umbar. By this time, Umbar was solidified
as a bitter enemy of Gondor and a safe haven for all those who opposed
it. These sons of Castamir the Usurper, the former leader of Gondor's fleet,
form a new military power - the Corsairs of Umbar. The Corsairs would often ally with
those among the Haradrim who were loyal to Sauron. In 1540, Harad and the Corsairs launch
brief war upon Gondor, in which they kill King Aldamir. Nearly 100 years later
(1634), two descendants of Castamir himself lead the corsairs in raiding Pelargir, once
again killing a reigning king of Gondor. As Gondor falls victim to
the Great Plague immediately afterward (1635-1637), the Corsairs raid up and
down the Gondorian coast, as far north as Anfalas. Finally, in 1810, King Telumehtar leads the
Gondorians in a massive attack on Umbar itself. He drives away the Corsairs and kills the
last descendants of Castamir in the battle. In honor of his defeat of the pirates, he
takes the name Umbardacil - meaning “Conqueror of Umbar”. For a time, Umbar would be held by
Gondor. However, as new evils fall upon Gondor, the Men of Harad take the haven for their
own. Over the years, the Haradrim mix with the Corsairs, and the Numenorean race
would mostly die out from this area. By the time of Ruling Steward Cirion
(2489), the corsairs would once again plague the coasts of Gondor - adding
to his threats from the Balcoth of the east. Gondor would be aided during
this time by the Eotheod of the north, resulting in the founding of their
great ally - the kingdom of Rohan. In yet another case of successful
attacks on Gondorian leadership, the corsairs are involved in a conflict with Dol
Amroth in 2746, killing the prince of Dol Amroth. Over 300 years later (2758), the corsairs would
launch three great fleets. They would raid and invade the lands of Gondor along the coast -
traveling as far north as the mouth of Isen. One of these groups formed an alliance with Wulf the
Dunlending, who held a short occupation of Rohan. By spring 2759, Beregond, the son of the
Steward of Gondor, had driven out the invaders. The next conflict between these
great powers of the southern lands comes during the reign of Steward Ecthelion II. As always, the corsairs were a constant threat to
Gondor’s coasts, trading ships, fishing vessels, and even the Gondorian Navy. In 2980, Ecthelion’s
most trusted advisor is a man named Thorongil, who voices concern that the corsairs posed a great
risk for invasion of the Southern fiefs of Gondor. With the steward’s permission, Thorongil, the
man we know as Aragorn - leads a small fleet in a surprise attack within the Gulf and Havens
of Umbar itself. Caught unprepared, the corsairs are devastated - many of their ships are burned
and destroyed, and Aragorn kills the Captain of the Haven on the quays. The men of Gondor leave
the haven, sustaining little loss themselves. Thanks to Aragorn, the threat of the corsairs
would be diminished in the days to come. Though still a force to be reckoned with, they
were nowhere near their previous might. The Corsairs would next hoist their black
sails during the War of the Ring, in alliance with Sauron. Their fleet, comprising of 50
great ships and smaller vessels beyond count, is raiding the lands of Lebennin, attacking
the southern lands of Gondor as the army of the Witch King makes war upon Minas
Tirith. However, on March 13, 3019, Aragorn summons the Oathbreakers - the Dead
Men of Dunharrow - to fulfill their oath. The Heir of Isildur leads the Dead Men and the Grey
Company to Pelargir, where no sword was needed… To every ship they came that was drawn up, and
then they passed over the water to those that were anchored; and all the mariners were filled
with a madness of terror and leaped overboard, save the slaves chained to the oars. Reckless we rode among our fleeing foes, driving
them like leaves, until we came to the shore. And then to each of the great ships that
remained Aragorn sent one of the Dúnedain, and they comforted the captives that were
aboard, and bade them put aside fear and be free. Whatever threat the surviving Corsairs may have
posed in the days after the King’s Return was put to rest during Aragorn’s reign. We are told
that he would finally subdue the threat of Umbar. Under King Elessar, these lands of Middle-earth
would have unprecedented peace - the slaves of Mordor are freed, the infuence of Sauron is gone,
and Aragorn would receive embassies from the East, the South, and Dunland. Finally, the old
hatreds that stemmed from both Sauron and the days of Numenor, would be washed away -
and the seas would be made safe once again. If you’d like some LEGO fun, check
out our Nerd of the Bricks channel, where we just built a LEGO Corsair
ship in honor of Tolkien Reading Day! as always i want to say a huge thank you to my
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