First Battle of Beleriand

In J. R. R. Tolkien's fictional Middle-earth, the First Battle of Beleriand was the first battle of the Wars of Beleriand, fought by the Sindar against Morgoth.

While the Noldor still toiled through Araman, Morgoth had already arrived in Middle-earth, and had occupied his old fortress of Angband where his servant Sauron had long been breeding Orcs.

Unexpected by the Sindar, Morgoth decided to try and secure the area quickly, and he sent out his armies. Morgoth's forces broke into two hosts, passing west through the vale of Sirion and east between Aros and Gelion, some of them even scaling the passes of Anarch and Aglon.

In the east, King Thingol of Doriath took the offense, meeting the Orcs at Amon Ereb. There Denethor of the Laiquendi met him, and the Orcs were forced back-to-back. The badly armed company of Denethor fell on Amon Ereb before Thingol could rescue him, but the Orcs were defeaten. Those few survivors were slain by the Dwarves of Mount Dolmed.

In the west, the Elves of the Falas under their lord Círdan attacked the western host, but they lost, and retreated in their cities of Eglarest and Brithombar. These cities were besieged after, Doriath unable to gather a strong enough force to send aid.

After the First Battle Doriath was protected by the magical Girdle of Melian.