Finrod doens't have much of a cavalry force until the Feanroians share their horses, but you're right about there needing to be room on the island for the horses. Presumably, they also need some space to grow food, although much of that could be done on the mainland, and Minas Tirith is probably not the primary dwelling of every Elf who Finrod rules. Many probably live on the mainland and retreat to the island fortress in times of war. When the Elves of Minas Tirith have horses, I think there would be some kind of stables to shelter the horses, though probably not something that would keep every horse penned in.I think both of the above works try to shove too much castle onto a island that's too small. To guard Sirion, you would need quite a cavalry force, and be able to mobilize it quickly. Neither of these places seem to have anywhere for horses. They could have stables, but I don't imagine Elves keeping horses like that.
In that sense, Tolkien's idea of a small tower, with most of the other things being underground makes sense. This would allow for an open space on the island for the horses to roam. I would have a bridge off the island off either side to easily mobilize the Cavalry. This would, of course, require a fortification of some sort to guard the bridge on either side. Almost a much smaller scale Osgiliath.
Finrod doens't have much of a cavalry force until the Feanroians share their horses, but you're right about there needing to be room on the island for the horses. Presumably, they also need some space to grow food, although much of that could be done on the mainland, and Minas Tirith is probably not the primary dwelling of every Elf who Finrod rules. Many probably live on the mainland and retreat to the island fortress in times of war. When the Elves of Minas Tirith have horses, I think there would be some kind of stables to shelter the horses, though probably not something that would keep every horse penned in.
I disagree about there being two bridges leading to the island. In the book, there is only one bridge, and I think we should preserve that. The lands west of the river can be so near the mountains that an army could not easily pass through them. Moreover, I believe that area would be part of Fingolfin's territory anyways. The Elves of Minas Tirith could certainly reach it by boat, and they would defend it if they had to, but I don't think it would be as much a priority as the lands to their east.
One detail that we decided on in the script discussion for Episode 9 was that the bridge to Minas Tirith would be a two-part drawbridge with a gatehouse in the middle of the river.
Well didn’t mean just blocking the way but I see your point. I wasn’t really unaware of this but I thought perhaps it wouldn’t be enough. I could be wrong. I want a good defensive strategy, and perhaps all we need is the tower fort. I don’t know.
I would like some kind of structure or base on the western bank. But you’re saying it’s unnecessary?
I don't think any fortification would be needed on the West. I know it's fairly far away, but Eithel Sirion guards the Pass on the Western side fairly well. I would think.
I know there is a drawbridge, but I feel some kind of fortification near the bridge's entrance wouldn't be unnecessary.
Eithel Sirion is quite far to the north, but you mean Sirion is big enough to hinder an army? I think I agree, if that’s what you’re saying. Of course, the enemy could have some kind of engineers who build temporary bridges across the river. But nah, it doesn’t sound like a First Age thing.
Yeah, Rhiannon mentioned that earlier in the discussion. What I meant was some kind of fortification on the East bank to guard the bridge long enough to gets the drawbridges up.We actually talked about this in the script discussion for E09, having a gatehouse in the river between Tol Sirion and the east bank and drawbridges from the island to the gatehouse and from the gatehouse to the shore.
Eithel Sirion is quite far to the north, but you mean Sirion is big enough to hinder an army? I think I agree, if that’s what you’re saying. Of course, the enemy could have some kind of engineers who build temporary bridges across the river. But nah, it doesn’t sound like a First Age thing.
I don't think guarding the drawbridge while it's raising would be a reason to have fortifications. Minas Tirith has a tower, so the Elves there are watching for the enemy and would raise the drawbridges before the army arrives. A drawbridge does not need to be fully raised to prevent enemies from crossing it. Moreover, staying on the wrong side of a drawbridge to guard it while it raises would be pretty much suicidal. It would make much more sense to retreat to the main fortress before the bridge raises.Yeah, Rhiannon mentioned that earlier in the discussion. What I meant was some kind of fortification on the East bank to guard the bridge long enough to gets the drawbridges up.