Duilin

Duilin (S. “Swallow”) is a county in central Anórien, along the Duilin River. It is mostly know for its large agricultural estates; there has been successful experiments of cultivation of rice. Duilin is one of the oldest urban counties in Anórien, as it lies in the heartlands of the native Gwathuirim kingdom of Eilenach.

The River Duilin floods in the summer, and the climate is typical of northern Anórien with cold, foggy winters and oppressive heat during the summer months. Rainfall is most prevalent in spring and autumn, with thunderstorms common in summer. The language spoken in Duilin is Doranorienic Westron; the vernacular native to Tirelen is called Tirlenese and is heavily influenced by Donael and Pûkael.

Parishes

Tirelen

The Bronze-age settlement of Tirelen (S. “Starwatch”) was already several centuries old when the Kingsroad was constructed at the beginning of the Third Age. The original name of the settlement is lost, but we know that it was the capital of the local Gwathuirim tribe. The nearby prehistorical hillfort of Eilenach was destroyed during the War of the First Council, after which the settlement of Tirelen allied itself with Isildur and Anárion. Tribal lands were distributed to Dúnadan veterans of the War of the Last Alliance, with most of the lands being in the hands of the influential House Elenion for centuries.

Tirelen became an independent municipality in 1120, with citizenship rights affirmed by King Hyarmendacil I. A law school was established in 1228, but it failed to gain much prominence. A heretical sect of the Faithful called the Aendirians (or Heren Erulissë, Order of God’s Grace) was active in the area in the 1300s; they were heavily persecuted until the community evacuated to the White Mountains.

During the troubles of the 15th century, Tirelen fell under the control of House Seregion from Pelargir, when King Castamir appointed Captain Drambor Seregion as the count of Duilin. Tirelen was captured by Eldacar and his Northmen troops in 1446, and the Seregions were driven out after a prolonged siege.

The Halls of the Faithful in Tirelen were built in the 5th century; they were destroyed in a serious fire in 997 that burned down the whole town. A new edifice and a tall campanile were built with five aisles separated by columns and an imposing portico. It is known as the Dome of Lórien in Tirelen, dedicated to the Fëanturi.

Other parishes

Duilin (S. “Swallow”) has been settled since the Second Age. Around the 11th century, it was acquired by the Perinel family, who ruled it, together with the neighboring area, until the 15th century. It was then entrusted to several feudal families until 1678, when King Tarondor returned it to Nestor Perinel, descendant of the old Counts of Duilin.

Taeglin (S. “Boundary Singer”) is a town and large estate seven miles downstream from Tirelen. It once belonged to a noble family of the same name. Their heraldic device, a white chevron on blue, is still visible in most of Taeglin’s public buildings. It now belongs to Lord Daeron Elenion.

Glewellin (S. “Song of Gold”) is a town and estate ten miles upstream from Duilin. It’s named after Laurelin, the Golden Tree of Valinor, which is depicted in a magnificent fresco at the local chapel of Cementári, Queen of the Earth.

Duilin in 1685

	Type	Lord	Citizens*	Subjects**
Bar Duilin	Town	Nestor Perinel	3,000	17,600
Glewellin	Estate	Pengolod Elenion	400	2,300
Taeglin	Estate	Daeron Elenion	600	3,500
Tirelen	Town	Arothir Elenion	5,000	29,400