Lossarnach

Lossarnach (“Flowery Arnach”) is a historical region of Gondor and and a large feudal county in southern Anórien. Traditionally, the name Lossarnach referred to the valleys in the south of the White Mountains and their foothills between the rivers Celos and Erui, which once belonged to the native kingdom of Arnach. As a district of Anórien the name is only attached to the lands east of Erui, as the flowery valley of Imloth Melui is considered to be part of Lebennin, but many people in Gondor still speak of Lossarnach in geographical and historical sense. Former counties of Erui and Emlin, which were never historically considered to be part of Lossarnach, were officially added to the district by King Tarondor.

Lossarnach is a mixed Sindarin and pre-Númenorean name. It is unclear why the Sindarin word loss (“snow”) was prefixed to Arnach. It is possible that loss referred to the blossoms of the fruit trees. The words for flower, loth, and for snow, loss, are very similar in Sindarin. The Númenorean settlers, mariners, soldiers and conquerors, who gave names fo the places in Gondor, did not know Sindarin well and as a consequence, it is possible that they confused the words together. However, the world loss could equally refer to the snowy peaks of Ered Nimrais visible in Lossarnach.

Region of Lossarnach is best known for its great orchards of fruit trees, which supplies much of the fruit that was required in Minas Anor. It is also a favourite holiday destination for the people of the capital city. Mountain-vales of Lossarnach are known for their sturdy farmers, great bowmen, and famous healers. Lossarnach is regarded as the birthplace of the early Gondorian poet Peredhel of Brithiach, and the birthplace of Erufailon, who founded the religious order of the Brown Brethren.

In literature, Lossarnach is often referred to as the “green heart of Gondor”. The phrase is taken from a poem by Peredhel, the subject of which is the source of the river Erui. Lossarnach is also famous for its many folk festivals, the most important of them being “the festival of the candles”, held in Brithiach on Lothron 25 (15th of May). The festival is focused around a race consisting of three teams of “candlebearers”, carrying large symbolic “candles” topped by effigies of the Valar, including Oromë, Tulkas and Námo, and run through throngs of cheering supporters. The “candlebearers” are clad in the distinctive colours of yellow, red, and black, according to the Vala they support, with white trousers. There is also traditional harvest festival in Cerveth and the annual Blessing of the River on Nórui 18 (7th of June), when an effigy of a terrible giant is drowned in the river Anduin.

For most of the 16th and 17th centuries, Lossarnach was divided into three counties (Erui, Emlin and Merinand), but they were combined by King Tarondor in 1685 into a single political entity, governed by biannually appointed Wardens. Ten years later the whole region was entrusted for life to Great Count Estel Beleganor, Captain-General of Gondor.

Lossarnach has a Mediterranean climate. In winter, temperatures are lower than in Southern Ithilien, with the breeze blowing from the sea, and some thunderstorms what can come from the White Mountains. Summers are very hot and dry on the plain, but in the mountains and hills, the climate is more humid. The rainiest season is autumn.

Parishes

Arahad (S. “Royal Place”) is the new capital of Lossarnach. Originally known as the municipality of Imloth Melui, it was founded in year 77 as a Númenorean colony in Arnach. The city was devastated in the Kin-Strife and went into a deep decline exarcebated by the Great Plague of 1635. Remains of a Númenorean villa was found in 1677, containing several well-preserved rooms with frescoes and mosaics. Arahad became under royal rule in 1458 and was later enfeoffed to House Beleganor for their service to the Crown. Now a site of many a pilgrimage, Arahad is linked in legend with its native son, Erufailon, who founded the monastic order of the Brown Brethren and was considered by many pietists to be the real patron of the city. The city was hit by two devastating earthquakes in 1677 and 1681, but the recovery was quick with lavish royal assistance. After being selected as the capital of Lossarnach, Arahad grew rapidly again to 4,000 citizens, and is destined to grow even more.

Brithiach (S. “Gravel Ford”) is a town fifteen miles northeast from Arahad, on the Kingsroad to Minas Anor. Brithiach is the birthplace of the poet Peredhel, who popularised the use of Sindarin language among Gondorian aristocracy during the 6th century.

Aranelle (S. “Kingsbrook”) is a town twenty miles southwest from Minas Anor, where the Kingsroad crosses the river Mindeb, southern border of Pelennor. Meaning of Mindeb is unclear, but the river was most definitely named after a tributary of Sirion mentioned in the Lays of Beleriand. Aranelle is known for its lavish villas, landscaped gardens and famous stud farms for warhorses.

Merinand (S. “Valley of Roses”) is a Crown Estate in the slopes of Ered Nimrais, where wild roses grow in abundance. Most of the flowers used in the Royal Court originate in Merinand. Merinand is also known for its ancient Númenorean ruins. About half of the populace belong to the Freemen of the Mountains.

Minas Beleganor (S. “Castle of the Mighty Sun”) is a castle and small town on the left bank of the Erui, five miles north of Arahad. The Castle of Belganor is more akin to a walled palace, built in 1410–1416 on the site of the original fortification (and using most of its stones) designed to defend the region from the “Wild Men of the Mountains”.

Emlin (S. “Yellowbird”) is a municipality near the mouth of the Erui. It is also the largest city in Lossarnach with nearly five thousand citizens and thirty thousand subjects, mainly fishermen and their families, living in the surrounding countryside. Emlin is named after the yellowhammer, a passerine bird in the bunting family.

Carlim (S. “Fishery”) is a fishing community on the floodplains of Anduin. Carlim Manor is an old and somewhat dilapidated stately home situated on a small hill overlooking the Great River. It was thoroughly looted by Northmen mercenaries during the Kin-Strife, and was never restored to its former glory, as the old Lords of Carlim fled to Umbar, and House Dúnamar, who received Carlim for their loyalty to King Eldacar, never spent much time in the region.

Lothuial (S. “Flowery Twilight”) is a small market town and a noble estate on the west bank of Anduin, before the great swamps of Emlin. Lothuial is known for its orchards and herb gardens, and the great romanesque palace that has belonged to several great houses in the past. Lothuial was originally governed by the Abonnen family, then by the House Ithilbor from Pelargir. In 1440, under Lord Saelind Ithilbor, a new city wall was hastily erected. Lothuial was nonetheless sacked by Eldacar in 1447 after the Battle of Erui. Lothuial now belongs to influential House Telumendil from Osgiliath. They have done much to adorn the public places and their house in Lothuial with fine marbles and statues brought from the old capital. A new city wall and four towers were rebuilt in the 1600s to protect Lothuial from Corsair raids.

Mindon (S. “Tower”) is a small fortified town on the west bank of Anduin, known for its tall rectangular tower built in 1328 by one Lord Landroval. His descendants were killed in the Kin-Strife, and the town entered a long period of decay. The Tower was eventually confiscated by the Crown and subsequently sold to the wealthy and influential House Telumendil from Osgiliath.

Tellas (unknown) is a farmers’ market and a noble estate in central Lossarnach, in midst of great fields of wheat and rye. Historical records show that the local court leet and hundred courts have convened in Tellas for sixteen centuries, right from the beginning of the Third Age. Meaning of Tellas is uknown, and is most likely pre-Númenorean in origin. If true, it could be the sole surviving native toponym in the whole of Arnach.

Bar Erui (S. “Lonely Dwelling”), also called Eruimar, is a town 17 miles north of Emlin, on the left side of the Erui river. With around three thousand citizens and twenty thousand subjects, it is the third most populous municipality in Lossarnach.

District of Lossarnach in 1685

	Type	Lord	Citizens*	Subjects**
Arahad	Municipality	Estel Beleganor	4,000	23,000
Brithiach	Leasehold estate	Gildor Bethael	500	3,000
Aranelle	Leasehold estate	Turin Aranelle	500	3,000
Merinand	Crown estate	–	500	3,000
Minas Beleganor	Leasehold estate	Norgalad Beleganor	500	3,000
Emlin	Municipality	Pilimor Telumendil	5,000	29,000
Carlim	Leasehold estate	Thorongil Dúnamar	500	3,000
Lothuial	Leasehold estate	Hannor Telumendil	500	3,000
Mindon	Leasehold estate	Tavor Telumendil	500	3,000
Tellas	Leasehold estate	Ohtar Telumendil	500	3,000
Bar Erui	Municipality	Nengel Haldarië	3,000	21,000

*) Citizens of Gondor, who are eligible to own land, and serve as an officer of the state.
**) Subjects either rent their lands or, more commonly, work as day labourers.