Axes
From Tolkien Gateway
Axes were tools for chopping wood and excellent mêlée weaponry, usually associated with Dwarves, but not exclusively used by them.
History
When the threat of Melkor started to loom over Valinor, there was unrest among the people of Fëanor. So they came to smithing weaponry. The Noldor, renowned steelwrights, crafted sword, spears and axes.[2] Dwarves also made axes; their (doomed) alliance with Elu Thingol made them trade many fine axes, swords and spears with the King of the Sindar.[3] Axes would remain to be the main weapon of the march wardens of Doriath,[4] and were also used by their allies, the House of Haleth in Brethil.[5]
Axes by Faction
- The Dwarves had the axe as their chief weapon. Dwarven warriors would carry at least one standard axe, though sometimes carried backup weapons as well.[6] The Dwarves of Belegost and their lord, Azaghâl, bore axes. Axes were also used by Dáin Ironfoot and his army during the Battle of Five Armies, and also during the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. Durin had a legendary axe,[7]. Gimli, member of the Fellowship of the Ring bore one,[8] and Dáin Ironfoot could still swing his mighty axe at high age.[9]
- The Forces of the Enemy were known to use axes in combat. Orcs and Balrogs used it as a weapon in battles. Gothmog, the Lord of Balrogs himself bore a black axe, as appears in Nírnaeth Arnoediad. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields Easterlings wielded great axes, and were among the most effective forces of Minas Morgul.
- The Númenóreans were passed the craft of weaponsmithing by the Noldor, and they managed to forge great axes. Their main purpose seems to have been not in war, but in deforesting the woods of Middle-earth for ship-timber.[10]
- Rohirrim militia and foot soldiers used small axes in combat. Throwing axes were probably used by the Rohan army.[source?]
- Among the Atani of the First Age, the most notable axe-bearers are probably Huor and Tuor, whose axe was called Dramborleg. The Men of Brethil carried little weaponry, but mostly axes.
Notable Axe-wielders
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "Helm's Deep"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Sindar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Clouds Burst"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Ring goes South"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Quest of Erebor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor"
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Narn i Hîn Húrin"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin"
