Gulf of Lune

On the map the gulf is the long arm of Belegaer reaching inland between the two halves of Lindon, north of the road from the Shire to the sea. The Lhûn flows into its inner end, having come down the length of the Blue Mountains from the north.

The gulf was made by catastrophe. When Beleriand broke at the end of the First Age, the sea flooded in through the gap and drowned the land behind the Blue Mountains, leaving this inlet where solid country had been.

Círdan established Mithlond, the Grey Havens, on its shores in SA 1, and the harbor served Gil-galad's kingdom of Lindon throughout the Second Age. In the Third Age it was the departure point for the Elves leaving Middle-earth, and the number of ships grew steadily as the age wore on.

The Great East Road crosses the Lhûn above the gulf on a stone bridge, which is the route Frodo and his companions took in TA 3021 on the last ride to the Havens.

Events at this place

1. FA 587 · The Silmarillion

   The gulf formed

   The breaking of Beleriand let the sea flood inland, cutting the Gulf of Lune between Forlindon and Harlindon.

2. SA 1 · Appendices

   Mithlond founded

   Círdan the Shipwright built the Grey Havens on the gulf, which became the chief Elven port of the west.

3. TA 3021 · The Lord of the Rings

   The Ring-bearers depart

   Frodo and Bilbo rode over the Lhûn bridge to Mithlond and sailed out through the gulf with Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel.

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