It is a black tower, a striking
presence at the southern tip of the Misty Mountains. While it would later
become synonymous with the wizard Saruman, it would be created by the earliest
Gondorians, the survivors of Numenor. Today, on Nerd of the Rings, we
cover the history of Isengard. While we don’t know for certain
when Orthanc was constructed, we do know who built it. After their home of the
island realm of Numenor is destroyed, Isildur and his brother Anarion found the realm of Gondor in
3320 SA. Over the centuries, the early Gondorians would not only build the great cities of Minas
Ithil, Osgiliath, and Minas Anor, but they would also build some of the greatest fortresses and
structures in all Middle-earth. These would include stone bridges crossing the mighty Anduin
River, the Argonath at the northern border of the realm, the fortress that would later be known
as Helm’s Deep, and the fortress of Isengard. Isengard is built sometime between the founding
of Gondor in 3320, and the formation of the last alliance in 3430. Within the circle of
Isengard, the Gondorians build a massive, 500-foot structure. It consists of four welded
pillars of a deep, gleaming black stone. At its top, the tower had four pinnacles opening out,
and coming to a sharp point. Between the points there was a polished floor which by later third
age, would have many strange signs written on it. It is described in detail in The Two Towers:
A great ring-wall of stone, like towering cliffs, stood out from the shelter of the mountain-side,
from which it ran and then returned again. One entrance only was there made in it, a
great arch delved in the southern wall. Here through the black rock a long tunnel had
been hewn, closed at either end with mighty doors of iron. They were so wrought and poised
upon their huge hinges, posts of steel driven into the living stone, that when unbarred they
could be moved with a light thrust of the arms, noiselessly. One who passed in and came at
length out of the echoing tunnel, beheld a plain, a great circle, somewhat hollowed like a vast
shallow bowl: a mile it measured from rim to rim. When it is constructed by the early
Gondorians, they place one of the seven palantiri within the fortress. Its
location on the northern border of Gondor and being centrally located in Middle-earth itself
makes it uniquely well positioned for a palantir and for the protection of Gondor. As
the Second Age gives way to the Third, the Gondorians continue to man the fortress
in defense of their realm. While the lands of Calenardhon were never as densely populated as the
southern lands of Gondor, it was vastly affected by the Great Plague of 1636 TA, leading many of
the surviving Gondorians to migrate eastward. In the aftermath, the Tower of Orthanc is closed and its keys are sent to Minas Tirith. Despite
the massive depopulation of Calenardhon, the fortress of Isengard would remain
manned by a small garrison of soldiers. They are led by a hereditary chieftain and
play an important role in the protection of Gondor’s northern border along the Isen. As time
progresses, the chieftain and his company grow more secretive and the chieftain becomes known as
the Lord of Isengard. The Rohirrim would settle the former Calenardhon and it is their belief that
the men of Isengard were meddling in dark magic. These were days long after the line
of the Kings of Gondor had ended, and the Ruling Stewards were forced to turn
their attention to battles with their enemies to the East and the South. In time, they quit
sending emissaries to Isengard completely. The Rohirrim likewise faced enemies
invading from the East and neither realm, in their preoccupation, realized the line of
the Gondorian chieftains failed completely. Over the years, these men had long
intermingled with the Dunlendings, who came to settle around Isengard. They take
over Isengard and kill any of the Gondorian guards who refuse to join them. A period of peace in
Rohan would come to an end when these Dunlendings would begin open hostilities against the Rohirrim.
In response to these raids, King Deor of Rohan leads an expedition north, where he
discovers Isengard is under the control of the Dunlendings. Unfortunately, Rohan
didn’t have enough might to retake Isengard, and Gondor could not send aid as they
were facing troubles of their own. Thus, Deor stations a mighty force of Rohirrim
in the Westfold to discourage further raids. The occupation of Isengard by the Dunlendings
would lead to a time of warfare during the reign of King Gram. Things would come to a head during
the reign of Gram’s son, Helm Hammerhand. These events are covered in full in my Helm Hammerhand
video, but Wulf would lead the Dunlendings to invade Rohan and overthrow Edoras. During the Long
Winter, they laid siege to the Hornburg, and would not only suffer during the brutal winter, but many
would also be killed by Helm Hammerhand himself. In the end, Helm’s nephew Frealaf would
avenge his uncle and become the new King. Near the end of 2759 TA, Frealaf
drives the Dunlendings from Isengard, reclaiming the realm. With both Gondor and
Rohan suffering from war and the long winter, they face a dilemma. History has shown the
importance of guarding their northern border and the risk of letting
Isengard fall into enemy hands. It just so happens that at this time, the wizard
Saruman returns from his travels in the East. He offers to Frealaf and Steward Beren of Gondor
that he could take up residence at Isengard. Both Frealaf and Beren gladly welcome the idea of
one of the Istari guarding their northern border. Beren gives Saruman the keys of Orthanc and the
valley comes to be known as Nan Curunir - the Valley of Saruman. After the final meeting of the
White Council in 2953, Saruman makes Isengard his permanent residence and begins fortifying
it. By now, he already covets the One Ring. As he anticipated, Saruman discovered
the palantir in the tower of Orthanc and around the year 3000 TA, he uses it for
the first time. Sauron, using the Ithil-stone that had been moved to Barad-dur, begins
corrupting the wizard’s mind to his will. He would continue operating in secret, searching
for the ring. It is also around this time, and perhaps slightly before, that Saruman would begin
amassing orcs in the caverns beneath Isengard. Nearly 20 years later, Gandalf the Grey
comes to Isengard seeking Saruman’s advice. (July 10, 3018) Saruman reveals his
treachery and demands Gandalf to join him. When Gandalf refuses, he is imprisoned atop Orthanc.
In the two months that he spends atop the tower, Gandalf sees Isengard transformed as the trees
and greenery that had once covered the area are replaced by pits and forges. Orcs and wolves
come to dwell in Isengard, forming Saruman’s army. Gandalf would finally be rescued by Gwaihir
on September 18, and two days later, the Nazgul arrive at Isengard. They are sent by
Sauron after failing in their search east of the Misty Mountains, for he believed Saruman
now had information regarding the ring. However, we are told that even the
nazgul had not the strength to assault the Ring of Isengard. Instead, Saruman’s voice
speaks from the very gate of Isengard itself, telling the Witch-king that Gandalf had
departed toward Rohan, and the nazgul ride off. Saruman would send forth his armies from Isengard
during the early days of the War of the Ring. His offensive against Rohan begins on February 25,
3019, as the Fellowship passes the Argonath, Saruman’s forces attack the Rohirrim in the
first Battle of the Fords of Isen. The orcs are victorious and Saruman’s goal of killing
Theoden’s son Theodred is achieved. On March 2, Saruman launches a second offensive in
the Second Battle of the Fords of Isen. The army includes not only the Uruk-hai
Saruman had bred in the caverns below Isengard, but also Dunlendings,
the longtime enemies of Rohan. With Isengard unleashed, Saruman’s army would
continue on to Helm’s Deep. That night, another battle would be fought - the Battle of Isengard.
Unlooked for, the Ents of Fangorn Forest would fight back at Saruman for the destruction he had
wrought upon their woods. Treebeard and his ents overrun the small group of orcs and men left in
the fortress. While they take control of Isengard, they are unable to assail Orthanc
itself, for it was mightily made. Theoden, Gandalf, and the victorious men of
Rohan, arrive on March 5 to parley with Saruman. It is then that Gandalf breaks Saruman’s staff
and expels him from the order of the Istari. Gandalf leaves Treebeard in command of Isengard
and the former wizard within. When Gandalf and the Fellowship return to Isengard on
their way home after Sauron’s downfall, they learn that Treebeard allowed
Saruman to leave. (Aug 22, 3019) When they arrive, Treebeard welcomes them to the
Treegarth of Orthanc and in the time since their last visit, the ents had destroyed the Ring of
Isengard and filled the circle with orchards and trees. A stream flows into a clear lake
where the great tower of Orthanc still stands. In one of his many moves to set the world right,
Aragorn decrees that the ents shall have complete control over the new Treegarth of Orthanc. He
has the palantir recovered from Saruman returned to the tower. At this time, Orthanc is searched
and they discover that Saruman had hoarded many jewels and heirlooms that were not rightfully
his. With Gimli’s assistance, a hidden door in the tower is discovered. They find a small golden case
that had been used by Isildur to bear the One Ring and the Elendilmir - an heirloom that had been
lost since Isildur’s death in the Anduin river. King Elessar takes the Elendilmir and establishes
his full kingship of Arnor as well as Gondor. Presumably, Treebeard and his
ents would continue their work of undoing the evils of Saruman and
restoring Isengard to its former glory. as always i want to say a huge thank you to my
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