House Girithlin
House Girithlin (Q."Nortolînyar") was one of the major noble families of Cardolan, the traditional Lords of the Girithlin highlands. Their ancient seat was Minas Girithlin on Dol Girithlin. The Barony of Girithlin traditionally encompassed the northeastern half of Minhiriath, from the Old North Road to the sea.
Currently the Barony's portion of the Saralainn has been taken by
the new Kingdom of that name, and a substantial chunk of the
northern highland has been expropriated by the Warlord. The
Barony is ruled from Balost (S. "Mighty Fort") a fortress in the
highlands towards the south. The Baron has often supervised the
administration of his holdings from one of the great houses the
family maintains in Tharbad and Fornost Erain.
The Hir Girithlin has always been one of the richer Princes,
financed by the amber beds near the mouth of the Baranduin — at
least until recently, when the beds have begun to play out and no
new fields have been discovered. The Girithlin family has a
tradition of aggressive ambition and independence. Even now,
when the Baron plays the loyal servant of Arthedain, some of his
funds go out to subsidize his more unruly brethren.
Girithlin is governed with a heavy hand, and the Baron is the
absolute and unchallenged ruler. The only exceptions are the
Rivermen of the Baranduin who are left to fend as they please.
Balost (S. "Mighty-fort") was a sturdy castle which withstood many attacks from without. This keep, once considered by many to be the prettiest in all Cardolan, was completed by the Hir of Girithlin in T.A. 923 to be his eastern home, only two days' hard ride from Tharbad.
The barony of Girithlin traditionally encompassed the northwestern half of Minhiriath; its important lands were ail along the south bank of the Baranduin between the Men Ceren and the sea. Currently the barony's portion of the Saralainn has been taken by the new Kingdom of that name, and a substantial chunk of the southeastern highland has been expropriated by the Warlord. The Hirdor is ruled from Minas Girithlin, a fortress on a hill overlooking a great bend of the Baranduin, within sight of the Elvish lands across the river. In the past, the Baron has often supervised the administration of his holdings from one of the great houses the family maintains in Tharbad and Fornost Erain. The Hir Girithlin has always been one of the richer Princes, financed by the amber beds near the mouth of the Baranduin—at least until recently, when the beds have begun to play out and no new fields have been discovered. The Girithlm family has a tradition of aggressive ambition and independence. Even now, when the Baron plays the loyal servant of Arthedain, some of his funds go out to subsidize his more unruly brethren. Girithlin is governed with a heavy hand, and the Baron is the absolute and unchallenged ruler. The only exceptions are the Rivermen of the Baranduin, who are left to fend as they please. This has ensured that the isolated amber beds remain intact, and if the peasants revolt there will be plenty of money to buy some mercenaries. Other Princes, like those of Fëotar and Ethir Gwathló, had a similar attitude, but both of their lines are extinct.
Balost (S. "Mighty-fort") was a sturdy castle which withstood many attacks from without. This keep, once considered by many to be the prettiest in all Cardolan, was completed by the Hir of Girithlin in T.A. 923 to be his eastern home, only two days' hard ride from Tharbad.
The barony of Girithlin traditionally encompassed the northwestern half of Minhiriath; its important lands were ail along the south bank of the Baranduin between the Men Ceren and the sea. Currently the barony's portion of the Saralainn has been taken by the new Kingdom of that name, and a substantial chunk of the southeastern highland has been expropriated by the Warlord. The Hirdor is ruled from Minas Girithlin, a fortress on a hill overlooking a great bend of the Baranduin, within sight of the Elvish lands across the river. In the past, the Baron has often supervised the administration of his holdings from one of the great houses the family maintains in Tharbad and Fornost Erain. The Hir Girithlin has always been one of the richer Princes, financed by the amber beds near the mouth of the Baranduin—at least until recently, when the beds have begun to play out and no new fields have been discovered. The Girithlm family has a tradition of aggressive ambition and independence. Even now, when the Baron plays the loyal servant of Arthedain, some of his funds go out to subsidize his more unruly brethren. Girithlin is governed with a heavy hand, and the Baron is the absolute and unchallenged ruler. The only exceptions are the Rivermen of the Baranduin, who are left to fend as they please. This has ensured that the isolated amber beds remain intact, and if the peasants revolt there will be plenty of money to buy some mercenaries. Other Princes, like those of Fëotar and Ethir Gwathló, had a similar attitude, but both of their lines are extinct.
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