Amon Dîn

Amon Dîn (S. “Silent hill”) is a small urban county in central Anórien, situated along the Kingsroad. It centres around the ancient beacon-hill and fortification of the same name. The capital of the county is the nearby town of Iant Iaur, located fifteen miles north of Thinbar; the town however is subject to the Lord of Amon Dîn. The River Dirnen (S. “Guarded water”) flows through the county to Anduin.

Parishes

Iant Iaur (S. “Old bridge”) is a middle-sized town situated where the Kingsroad crosses the River Dirnen. It takes its name from the ancient Númenorean bridge built over the Dirnen at the end of the Second Age, marking the boundary between the nascent Númenorean realm of Gondor and the native kingdom of Eilenach. The original bridge had stone piers and a superstructure of wood, which was destroyed during the War of the Last Alliance. It was subsequently reconstructed in stone but was damaged by floods in 996 and again in 1117, necessitating repairs and partial rebuilding. The town serves as an important trading centre for wine, hemp, glass, and pottery. Iant Iaur is renowned as one of the most beautiful small towns of Anórien and is best known as the location of the beautiful abbey of Calamandos, dedicated to Aran Einior (“Elder King”), constructed in the late Gondorian Romanesque style in 1115. The lord of the town is the venerable and devout Filimo Federir. He maintains an amicable relationship with the Belguinarite Order residing in the abbey, which really is in charge.

Amon Dîn (S. “Silent hill”) is the first, and perhaps the oldest, of the Beacon-hills of Gondor, situated between the Drúadan Forest and the Grey Wood. Originally used as a fortified outpost of Minas Anor, its purpose was to keep watch over crossings of the Anduin near Cair Andros. The name likely refers to its distinct rocky and barren appearance, standing out and isolated from the heavily wooded hills of the Drúadan Forest, although some theories suggest it may have been used as a religious site by the Gwathuirim in the Second Age. The eponymous estate of Amon Dîn is relatively poor compared to others in Anórien, producing crops solely for subsistence. Current count of Amon Dîn is Lord Gilvarad Alwed.

Sant-i-Dirnen (S. “Guarded garden”) is a large crown estate specialising in wheat, poultry, and pork products. Its extensive orchards produce cherries, figs, lemons, and apples, while vegetables such as onions, garlic, lettuce, and artichokes are grown in large garden plots for royal consumption. The estate is renowned for its medicinal herbs and spices, such as rosemary, thyme, basil, and oregano. Over a hundred different herbs are cultivated in Sant-i-Dirnen, under the supervision of a Warden from the Houses of Healing in Minas Anor.

Lonnas (S. “Harbourage”) is a small port and crown estate situated at the confluence of the Dirnen and Anduin rivers. It boasts large fisheries, with freshwater mussels also abundant in the area.

County of Amon Dîn in 1685

	Type	Lord	Citizens*	Subjects**
Amon Dîn	Leasehold estate	Gilvarad Alwed	500	2,500
Iant Iaur	Municipality	Filimo Federir	3,000	17,000
Sant-i-Dirnen	Crown estate	–	500	3,900
Lonnas	Crown estate	–	500	3,000

County of Amon Dîn

Capital	Iant Iaur
Type	Urban county
Population	30,971 (1685)
Languages	Westron, Sindarin
Rulers	Condir Gilvarad Alwed (1685– )