The Girdle of Melian - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aiwendil · 03-25-2003, 09:55 PM

I've recently become a bit confused about the extent of the Girdle of Melian. Does it include Arthorien/Ridhrim, the small part of Beleriand between Aros and Celon in the east?

On the one hand, there are references to the Girdle protecting "Neldoreth and Region" which would seem to exclude Arthorien. Also, the Aros is frequently talked about in a general way as being the border of Doriath on the eastern side.

However, on the map in HoMe XI, there is a dotted line extending from Aros to Celon in the north, and Christopher interprets this as an extension of the Girdle of Melian. This would imply that Arthorien is in fact within the Girdle.

I suppose one could say that since Nivrim (the west march) is within the Girdle, the "Neldoreth and Region" phrase is not to be taken strictly. Nonetheless, a single dotted line (especially amid the whole Dwarf road confusion) is very little evidence.

A minor point, I know, but I'm still very interested to here people's opinions.

03-25-2003, 09:55 PM	#1
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	The Girdle of Melian I've recently become a bit confused about the extent of the Girdle of Melian. Does it include Arthorien/Ridhrim, the small part of Beleriand between Aros and Celon in the east? On the one hand, there are references to the Girdle protecting "Neldoreth and Region" which would seem to exclude Arthorien. Also, the Aros is frequently talked about in a general way as being the border of Doriath on the eastern side. However, on the map in HoMe XI, there is a dotted line extending from Aros to Celon in the north, and Christopher interprets this as an extension of the Girdle of Melian. This would imply that Arthorien is in fact within the Girdle. I suppose one could say that since Nivrim (the west march) is within the Girdle, the "Neldoreth and Region" phrase is not to be taken strictly. Nonetheless, a single dotted line (especially amid the whole Dwarf road confusion) is very little evidence. A minor point, I know, but I'm still very interested to here people's opinions.