~ Barrow-Downs ~
(S. Tyrn Gorthad)
Hilly, treeless region of Eriador between The Old Forest and the Chetwood.
The area contained many burial mounds, called barrows, some of which were built by the forefathers of the Edain in the First Age. When the Dúndeain returned to the North of Middle-Earth they revered the Barrow-Downs and began to bury their own dead there.
In the Third Age the Kingdom of Cardolan continued to use the Barrow-Downs as a burial place for their royalty until their kingdom was overun by the forces of Angmar in T.A. 1409. The remnants of Cardolan then sought refuge in the Downs and The Old Forest. With the coming of the Great Plague in the 17th century the last of people of Cardolan died and the Downs were left empty of life. Shortly thereafter, spirits out of Angmar and Rhudaur entered the burial mounds and dwelt there. These were the Barrow-Wights
By the late Third Age the Barrows appeared as green mounds with stone rings on the top. Because they were still haunted by the spirits out of Angmar, they were greatly feared and the treasure buried within them was still undisturbed. It is thought that the Barrow that Frodo was in may have been the grave of the last prince of Cardolan who fell in T.A. 1409.
Cédric