The Bragollach

A shortening of Dagor Bragollach, the Elvish name for the Battle of Sudden Flame that erupted out of Angband in the mid-fifth century of the Years of the Sun. After the Siege of Angband had held for centuries, Morgoth suddenly sent out great flows of liquid fire, and an immense force of Orcs, led by Glaurung, and aided by Balrogs. They swept away the defences of the Elves and Edain, and started a battle that wore on through winter into spring, leaving Morgoth in control of much of the North.