In the time of the War of the Ring the lands were still in places well-wooded, especially in Minhiriath and in the south-east of Enedwaith; but most of the plains were grasslands. […] In Enedwaith the remnants of the Dunlendings lived in the east, in the foothills of the Misty Mountains; and a fairly numerous but barbarous fisher-folk dwelt between the mouths of the Gwathló and the Angren.
– Unfinished Tales, The History of Galadriel and Celeborn, Appendix D
Enedwaith is a region sometimes known as the Central Wilderness. It is located between the Greyflood and Isen rivers with the Great Sea to the east and the Misty Mountains to the west. Despite being an important region during Númenórean expansion in Middle-Earth during the Second Age, after the establishment of the kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor this region remained mostly unoccupied by both of them, save for maintenance of the North-South Road and the fortified town of Tharbad. Throughout history, the people of Enedwaith have largely been primitive, and under the thumb of larger powers.
History
Initially Enedwaith was a home of people closely related to the Folk of Haleth, the second folk of the Edain. They settled in the dense forests of Minhiriath and Enedwaith. After the Númenórean settlers began the mass deforestation of both regions in the Second Age, the natives, known as ‘Gwathurim’, were forced to seek shelter near the southern part of the Misty Mountains, a region that would later be known as Dunland. Númenórean expansion drastically changed the landscape of Enedwaith. The formerly widespread forests now covered only select parts, whilst the deforestation of the woods turned the scenery into empty grasslands, allowing the rivers to overflow and turn the lowlands into marsh and fen.
During the early Third Age, Gondor held de jure control over Enedwaith. However, it only really maintained the North-South Road and the town of Tharbad, which was shared with Arnor, and later Cardolan. The rest of the region was broadly left alone. After the division of Arnor, the Great Plague in T.A. 1636, the gradual weakening of Gondorian power and later the abandonment of Tharbad in T.A. 2911 resulted in the region once again being abandoned, save for isolated pockets of primitive settlements.
Geography
Enedwaith is a large region of land comparable in size to its neighbouring region Minhiriath. Due to its lowland nature and lack of thick forest coverage, it consists mainly of grassy plains and marshlands. There are no major settlements throughout the entire region. The only landmarks remaining are of old Arnorian and Númenórean ruins, such as at Tharbad and the havens of Lond Daer.
Climate
Enedwaith has a relatively temperate climate, though there is enough rainfall to consistently flood settlements along the Greyflood.
Culture
After the departure of the Arnorians and Gondorians, there is no central culture in the area. The various scattered peoples have their own identities, despite the Númenóreans imposing the name ‘Gwathuirim’ on the entire local population during their colonisation.
Governance
There has been no recognised power governing Enedwaith for centuries, since the departures of Gondor and Cardolan, though the small, hidden settlements have areas that they control.
Economy
There is no region-wide economy, with the few remaining settlements being almost entirely self-sufficient. The small number of travellers who journey through Enedwaith usually bring their own supplies and do not stop.
