S. Carchost loc. “Fang Fort”

S. Carchost, loc. “Fang Fort”

One of the Towers of the Teeth along with its companion Narchost (LotR/900), translated “Fang Fort” in Tolkien’s “Unfinished Index” of The Lord of the Rings (RC/601). This name is a combination of carch “fang” and ost “fort(ress)” (SA/carak).

Conceptual Development: When it was first named specifically in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, this fort was already called N. Carchost (SD/23), though the earlier names N. Gorgos “Dire-castle” (TI/344) and N. Kirith Naglath “Cleft of the Teeth” (WR/137) may have been precursors to this name.

References ✧ LotRI/Carchost, Towers of the Teeth; RC/601; SA/carak

Glosses

Related

Elements

carch “fang” ✧ SA/carak
ost “fort, fortress, stronghold, citadel; fortified town; enclosure” ✧ SA/carak

N. Carchost loc.

See S. Carchost for discussion.

References ✧ SD/23; SDI1/Carchost

Elements

carch “tooth, fang”
ost “city, town (with wall round)”

N. Gorgos loc. “Dire-castle”

Name of a tower near Cirith Ungol glossed “Dire-castle” in Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, along with its companion Nargos (TI/344). It seems to be a combination of some form of goroth “horror” and ost “(walled) city”. It might be a precursor to later Carchost, one of the towers at the entrance to the Gates of Mordor in the published version of The Lord of the Rings.

References ✧ SDI1/Gorgos; TI/344; TII; WRI

Glosses

Related

Elements

goroth “horror”
ost “city, town (with wall round)”