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Journal pudge's Journal: Siege of Minas Tirith 7

Journal by pudge

I can't find anything about this anywhere, but I was reading up on the famous Siege of Belgrade (at the time, called Nandorfejervar) in 1456, and the similarities of this bit of history to Tolkien's battle of Minas Tirith, struck me.

The similarities are both obvious and striking, starting with the name: Nandorfejervar means "Nandor's White Castle," and Minas Tirith is also called "The White City." It's a white castle on a hill, next to a river and surrounded by the city, with elaborate walls between each segment of the city.

Janos Hunyadi (Aragorn), king of Hungary (Gondor), learns that Turkey (Mordor) is planning a massive invasion of all of Europe (Middle-Earth), beginning with the closest major city, Nandorfejervar (Minas Tirith). So he goes across Europe gathering allies, and the Pope (Elrond) announces a crusade (quest) to repel the invaders.

Few nations (races) respond, and Hunyadi returns to Belgrade -- including by boat up the river with more reinforcements -- to find the massive Turk army having already encircled and invaded the city, though the castle in the center has not yet been breached. They attacked the much larger force from behind, and eventually drive them off.

Then Hunyadi contracted a disease from the Turk soldiers and died (married an elf).

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Siege of Minas Tirith

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  • heh... getting married to an elf as analogus to death. Interesting. Though what a life it would be! Especially if that elf is the same as the actress.

    jason
  • I think you mean what a death... what a way to go huh. Death by elf princess. It's kind of like death by chocolate. No matter how you look at it, it just makes it sound pretty good.
  • learns that Turkey (Mordor)

    You associated a (secular-ish) Muslim nation with Evil... Heh.
    • I just wondered if that is what JRRT did. Also, come on ... Turk and Orc practically RHYME!
      • I just wondered if that is what JRRT did.

        It wouldn't surprise me... I think it is a common thing for authors to take some amount of "reality" as a basis for their stories.

        Besides, how many people would have made the connection(s) that you did? Not too many.
        • Well, my family lines are apparently both known for killing dark-skinned Muslims anyway. Apart from the Nandorfejervar/Turkey thing, my other side of the family is McClellan, whose family crest is an upraised hand holding a sword, with the head of a Moor impaled thereupon.

          So when they take over this country in a century or two, my kids will be the first up against the wall.

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