The Siege of Angband was the name given to a 400 year-long Noldor containment of Morgoth's forces within his fortress of Angband during the First Age, which began following the Dagor Aglareb. Though called a siege, this containment was not technically a siege at all as the Elves and Edain were unable to actually assault Angband; they were merely able to battle Morgoth's Orcs when they chose to emerge.
History[]
When the elves defeated Morgoth's forces in the battle of Dagor Aglareb in pursuit of his survivors, they reached his headquarters, Angband. Commanders included the sons of Fëanor and other elf leaders. The fortress could not be fully encircled because the lands north of the Iron Mountains were inaccessible to the elves. Through these territories the enemy sent his minions to harass and spy on the people of Beleriand. Though considered by Fingolfin, the Elves never planned in earnest nor executed any sort of offensive action against Angband. The Elven kingdoms had prospered greatly during the time of the siege, and most were unwilling to engage in a seemingly needless battle in which they believed innumerable Elves would perish, whether in victory or defeat. The Elves in fact did not have the ability to overthrow Angband no matter what they did, but at the time, Fingolfin did not fully comprehend the power of Morgoth. The Siege was broken in the Dagor Bragollach in FA 455, and no similar leaguer was ever re-established.
The Timeline[]
- 60 Defeat of Morgoth in Dagor Aglareb (The Glorious Battle)
- 155 Morgoth sends an army against Hithlum
- 260 Glaurung attacks Ard-galen
- 260-455 The Long Peace
- 402 Orcs attempt to pierce the Pass of Aglond
- 422 Fingolfin ponders assault on Angband
- 455 The Fell Year (start of Dagor Bragollach)