The Lord of the Rings · Location
Isengard
Also known as Ring of Isengard
- fortress
- ancient Númenórean industrial
Isengard appears in The Lord of the Rings.
- Type
- fortress
- Style
- ancient Númenórean industrial
- First appears
- Book 2 · Ch. 8
- Books
- 3
Isengard begins as the fortified stronghold of the wizard Saruman, its black tower Orthanc rising amid a once-green valley that has been industrialized into a war-machine. By the time of the War of the Ring its pits and forges have been destroyed by the Ents, leaving the vale a garden under Treebeard’s care. In later memory it becomes a peaceful waypoint on the road home rather than a battlefield, symbolizing the complete reversal of Saruman’s dominion.
History
BOOK 2The Two Towers: Being the Second Part of the Lord of the Rings
BOOK 3The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of the Lord of the Rings
The great ringed stronghold about the tower of Orthanc, later given over to the Ents. In this telling it is a place remembered on the road home, not a new battlefield.
Key events
- Book 2
Ch. 5The Ents March on IsengardMerry and Pippin meet Treebeard in Fangorn. After hearing of Saruman's deforestation, the Ents hold an Entmoot and march to war. They destroy Isengard's walls, flood the valley with Huorns' aid, and trap Saruman in Orthanc. - Book 2
Ch. 11Saruman Cast from the OrderAt ruined Isengard, Gandalf confronts Saruman at Orthanc. Saruman's mesmerizing voice nearly sways Théoden, but Gandalf—now the White—breaks his staff, casting him from the order and leaving him imprisoned in his tower.
Appearances
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