Bard: Difference between revisions

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{{disambig-two|the character in ''[[The Hobbit]]''|the King of Dale in the [[Fourth Age]]|[[Bard II]]}}
{{disambig-two|the character in ''[[The Hobbit]]''|King of Dale in the [[Fourth Age]]|[[Bard II]]}}
{{men infobox
{{northmen infobox
| name=Bard
| image=[[File:Angel Falto - Bard.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:Angel Falto - Bard.jpg|250px]]
| name=Bard
| caption="Bard" by [[:Category:Images by Angel Falto|Angel Falto]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=Bard I<br/>Bard the Bowman
| othernames=Bard I; Bard the Bowman
| titles=[[King of Dale]]
| titles=[[King of Dale]]
| position=Archer
| position=Archer
| location=[[Lake-town]]<br/>[[Dale]]
| location=[[Lake-town]]<br/>[[Dale]]
| affiliation=
| affiliation=
| language=
| language=[[Dalish]], [[Westron]]
| birth=
| birth=
| birthlocation=
| birthlocation=
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| deathlocation=
| deathlocation=
| age=
| age=
| notablefor=
| notablefor=slaying of [[Smaug]]
| house=
| house=
| parentage=
| parentage=Unknown; descendant of [[Girion]]
| siblings=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| spouse=
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Bard served as a soldier in [[Lake-town]], and was one of the most skilled archers among [[Men]]. He was the heir of [[Girion]], the last [[Lord of Dale|lord]] of [[Dale]]. Noted for his grim face and spirit, he was an able archer and inherited his [[Black Arrow]] from his ancestors. Considering it a lucky heirloom, he always used it last.<ref name="Fire"/>
Bard served as a soldier in [[Lake-town]], and was one of the most skilled archers among [[Men]]. He was the heir of [[Girion]], the last [[Lord of Dale|lord]] of [[Dale]]. Noted for his grim face and spirit, he was an able archer and inherited his [[Black Arrow]] from his ancestors. Considering it a lucky heirloom, he always used it last.<ref name="Fire"/>
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Black Arrow.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - The Black Arrow]]
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Black Arrow.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - The Black Arrow]]
Bard organized the defense of the town when the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] attacked.  When the old [[thrush]] (who had overheard [[Bilbo Baggins]]' description of [[Smaug]]<ref>{{H|Inside}}</ref>) revealed an unarmoured spot on the Dragon's underside to Bard, he shot the dragon's heart with the Black Arrow. Because of his miraculous shot he was given the epithet "the Bowman" and "the Dragon-slayer".<ref name="Fire"/>
Bard organized the defense of the town when the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] attacked.  When the old [[Thrushes|thrush]] (who had overheard [[Bilbo Baggins]]' description of [[Smaug]]<ref>{{H|Inside}}</ref>) revealed an unarmoured spot on the Dragon's underside to Bard, he shot the dragon's heart with the Black Arrow. Because of his miraculous shot he was given the epithet "the Bowman" and "the Dragon-slayer".<ref name="Fire"/>
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Arkenstone.jpg|thumb|[[Bilbo Baggins]] delivers the [[Arkenstone]] to [[Thranduil]] and Bard]]
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Arkenstone.jpg|thumb|[[Bilbo Baggins]] delivers the [[Arkenstone]] to [[Thranduil]] and Bard]]
After the disaster, he led the [[Lake-men]] to the [[Lonely Mountain]] demanding a part of the treasure from the [[Dwarves]].<ref name="Gather">{{H|Gathering}}</ref> The [[Elves of Mirkwood|Wood-elves]] and [[Thranduil]] came to demand their own shares. Seeing [[Thorin II|Thorin]]'s reluctancy to help, [[Bilbo Baggins]] delivered the [[Arkenstone]] to them to bargain with.<ref>{{H|Thief}}</ref> Afterwards, when the [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] came, Bard led his Men in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|Burst}}</ref>
After the disaster, he led the [[Lake-men]] to the [[Lonely Mountain]] demanding a part of the treasure from the [[Dwarves]].<ref name="Gather">{{H|Gathering}}</ref> The [[Elves of Mirkwood|Wood-elves]] and [[Thranduil]] came to demand their own shares. Seeing [[Thorin]]'s reluctancy to help, Bilbo Baggins delivered the [[Arkenstone]] to them to bargain with.<ref>{{H|Thief}}</ref> Afterwards, when the [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] came, Bard led his Men in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|Burst}}</ref>


The victors divided the treasure and Bard took Bilbo's fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the Arkenstone, whereupon he shared his reward with the [[Master of Lake-town]] to rebuild the town, and gave Thranduil the emeralds of Girion.<ref name="Gather"/> However, the Master stole the money and ran off into the wild where he died.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> Three years later, after the rebuilding of the city, Bard became the first [[King of Dale|King]] of restored Dale as a wise and able ruler.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>
The victors divided the treasure and Bard took Bilbo's fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the Arkenstone, whereupon he shared his reward with the [[Master of Lake-town]] to rebuild the town, and gave Thranduil the emeralds of Girion.<ref name="Gather"/> However, the Master stole the money and ran off into the wild where he died.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref>  


He was succeeded by his son, [[Bain]].<ref name="TA"/>
Three years later, after the rebuilding of the city, Bard became the first [[King of Dale|King]] of [[Kingdom of Dale|restored Dale]] as a wise and able ruler.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> He was succeeded by his son, [[Bain]].<ref name="TA"/>


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
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== Genealogy ==
== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree |GIR| |GIR=[[Girion]]<br/><small>''d. {{TA|2770|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | GIR |GIR=[[Girion]]<br/><small>''d. {{TA|2770|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | |:| }}
{{familytree | |:| }}
{{familytree | |:| }}
{{familytree | |:| }}
{{familytree| BAR |BAR='''BARD I'''<br/><small>''d. {{TA|2977|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | BAR |BAR='''BARD I'''<br/><small>''d. {{TA|2977|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree | |!| |}}
{{familytree| BAI |BAI=[[Bain]]<br/><small>''d. {{TA|3007|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | BAI |BAI=[[Bain]]<br/><small>''d. {{TA|3007|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree | |!| |}}
{{familytree| BRA |BRA=[[Brand]]<br/><small>''d. {{TA|3019|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | BRA |BRA=[[Brand]]<br/><small>''d. {{TA|3019|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| |!| |}}
{{familytree | |!| |}}
{{familytree| BA2 |BA2=[[Bard II]]}}
{{familytree | BA2 |BA2=[[Bard II]]<br/><small>''fl. [[Fourth Age]]''</small>}}
{{familytree/end}}
{{familytree/end}}
==Other Versions of the Legendarium==
==Other Versions of the Legendarium==
In his original concept of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] intended [[Bilbo Baggins]] to be the slayer of [[Smaug]] the [[Dragons|dragon]], stabbing him in his sleep in his lair in the Lonely Mountain.  Tolkien then changed his mind and in a major shift decided that Smaug would die at [[Esgaroth]].<ref>{{HH|PNC}}, pp. 496-497</ref>  This necessitated the creation of a hero, Bard, who was revealed to be the descendant of Girion.  Having created this dragon-slayer, Tolkien was going to let him die in the wreck of Lake-town.<ref>{{HH|Death}}, p. 549</ref>  However, realizing new possibilities for the story, especially having a rightful claimant to part of the dragon's hoard other than the Dwarves, Tolkien kept Bard alive.<ref>{{HH|Death}}, (i) ''Bard the Dragon-Slayer'', p. 555</ref>
In his original concept of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] intended Bilbo Baggins to be the slayer of Smaug the Dragon, stabbing him in his sleep in his lair in the [[Lonely Mountain]].  Tolkien then changed his mind and in a major shift decided that Smaug would die at [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]].<ref>{{HH|PNC}}, pp. 496-497</ref>  This necessitated the creation of a hero, Bard, who was revealed to be the descendant of Girion.  Having created this dragon-slayer, Tolkien was going to let him die in the wreck of Lake-town.<ref>{{HH|Death}}, p. 549</ref>  However, realizing new possibilities for the story, especially having a rightful claimant to part of the dragon's hoard other than the Dwarves, Tolkien kept Bard alive.<ref>{{HH|Death}}, (i) ''Bard the Dragon-Slayer'', p. 555</ref>


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
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|lines=2
|lines=2
|File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Bard.jpg|Bard in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
|File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Bard.jpg|Bard in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
|File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Bard.jpg|Bard in ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]''
|File:Angelo Montanini - Bard Bowman.png|''Bard Bowman'' in [[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game|MECCG]]
|File:The Hobbit (2003 video game) - Bard.png|Bard in [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]
|File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Bard.jpg|Bard in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
}}
}}
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
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'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:No actor is specified for the role of Bard.
:No actor is specified for the role of Bard.
'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:Bard Bowman is a Warrior/Scout Man, who can be used to influence the Men of Northern Rhovanion.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tradecardsonline.com/im/searchCards|articlename=Search for a card: games > Middle Earth|dated=|website=[http://www.tradecardsonline.com/ tradecardsonline.com]|accessed=23 May 2014}}</ref>


'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:No actor is credited for the part of [[Bard]], but it appears to be [[André Sogliuzzo]]. He is portrayed as the Captain of the guard, a stout black haired man with a full beard. Bilbo helps him retrieve the [[Black Arrow]] and stop a gang of Orcs and men from taking over Laketown.
:No actor is credited for the part of Bard, but it appears to be [[André Sogliuzzo]]. He is portrayed as the Captain of the guard, a stout black haired man with a full beard. Bilbo helps him retrieve the Black Arrow and stop a gang of Orcs and men from taking over Lake-town.


'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:[[Luke Evans]] portrays Bard.<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150286515141558|articlename=The Hobbit Casting Update|dated=19-June-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> Known by the Master of Lake-town (and his right hand man [[Alfrid]]) to be the descendant of Girion, the last lord of Dale, and fearing he may be trying to undermine their authority, Bard is under constant surveillance at their behest by various spies. In addition to his son Bain, he also has two daughters: Sigrid and Tilda.
:[[Luke Evans]] portrays Bard.<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150286515141558|articlename=The Hobbit Casting Update|dated=19-June-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> He is first introduced coming across [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] and [[Thorin]]'s [[Thorin and Company|Company]] along the [[River Running]] when waiting to retrieve the empty wine barrels returned by the [[Woodland Realm]]. The Dwarves agree to pay him to smuggle them into [[Lake-town]] and get the weapons and supplies they need for reaching the [[Lonely Mountain]]. He takes them in to his home until they plan to leave. When he learns of Thorin's true identity, he becomes worried about the Dwarves' quest, believing the [[Smaug|Dragon]] will destroy everything in its path if awakened. In addition to his son, [[Bain]], Bard also has two daughters: [[Sigrid]] and [[Tilda]]. He is also revealed to be a widower.
 
:Known by the [[Master of Lake-town]] (and his right hand man [[Alfrid]]) to be the descendant of [[Girion]], the last [[lord of Dale]], and fearing he may be trying to undermine their authority, Bard is under constant surveillance by various spies. He is ultimately arrested at the Master's behest on some vague charge and imprisoned at the end of the film.
 
'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:Bard escapes from his prison cell during [[Smaug]]'s destruction of Lake-town and attempts to take down the [[Fire-drakes|fire-drake]]. Bain manages to find him and get him the last [[Black Arrow]], which allows him to finally take down the [[Dragons|Dragon]]. He becomes a hero among the town's survivors and leads them in taking refuge in the remains of [[Dale]]. When [[Thranduil]] arrives with an army of [[Elves]] to attack the mountain, Bard attempts to peacefully come to terms with Thorin. He asks him for a portion of the treasure which Thorin had promised to the people of Lake-town, but Thorin refuses to give them anything while Thranduil's army remains. After this, Bard reluctantly joins Thranduil in his attack. However, the arrival of an [[Orcs|Orc]] army leads all involved to refocus their attention and battle the Orcs instead.


==See also==
==See also==
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{{seq-start}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
{{seq-head
| race=men
| race=northmen
| house=Heir of [[Girion]], [[Lord of Dale]]
| name=[[Bard|Bard I]]
| born=?
| died={{TA|2977}}
| died={{TA|2977}}
}}
}}
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| prow=
| prow=
| pvac=None
| pvac=None
| prev=Title established
| prev=Position established
| list=[[King of Dale]]
| list=1st [[King of Dale]]
| dates={{TA|2944}}-{{TA|2977|n}}
| dates={{TA|2944}} - {{TA|2977|n}}
| next=[[Bain]]
| next=[[Bain]]
| nvac=
| nvac=
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[[Category:Rulers of Dale]]
[[Category:Rulers of Dale]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Bard I.]]
[[de:Bard I.]]
[[fi:Bard Jousimies]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:hommes_du_nord:daliens:bard]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:hommes_du_nord:daliens:bard]]
[[fi:Bard Jousimies]]

Revision as of 14:43, 4 January 2017

This article is about the character in The Hobbit. For the King of Dale in the Fourth Age, see Bard II.
Bard
Northman
Angel Falto - Bard.jpg
"Bard" by Angel Falto
Biographical Information
Other namesBard I; Bard the Bowman
TitlesKing of Dale
PositionArcher
LocationLake-town
Dale
LanguageDalish, Westron
RuleT.A. 2944 - 2977
DeathT.A. 2977
Notable forslaying of Smaug
Family
ParentageUnknown; descendant of Girion
ChildrenBain
Physical Description
GenderMale
Hair colorBlack
WeaponryYew bow; Black Arrow
GalleryImages of Bard
"Arrow! Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!"
― Bard[1]

Bard the Bowman (died Third Age 2977), was a man of Lake-town, and later the restored King of Dale.

History

Bard served as a soldier in Lake-town, and was one of the most skilled archers among Men. He was the heir of Girion, the last lord of Dale. Noted for his grim face and spirit, he was an able archer and inherited his Black Arrow from his ancestors. Considering it a lucky heirloom, he always used it last.[1]

Ted Nasmith - The Black Arrow

Bard organized the defense of the town when the Dragon Smaug attacked. When the old thrush (who had overheard Bilbo Baggins' description of Smaug[2]) revealed an unarmoured spot on the Dragon's underside to Bard, he shot the dragon's heart with the Black Arrow. Because of his miraculous shot he was given the epithet "the Bowman" and "the Dragon-slayer".[1]

Bilbo Baggins delivers the Arkenstone to Thranduil and Bard

After the disaster, he led the Lake-men to the Lonely Mountain demanding a part of the treasure from the Dwarves.[3] The Wood-elves and Thranduil came to demand their own shares. Seeing Thorin's reluctancy to help, Bilbo Baggins delivered the Arkenstone to them to bargain with.[4] Afterwards, when the Orcs and Wargs came, Bard led his Men in the Battle of Five Armies.[5]

The victors divided the treasure and Bard took Bilbo's fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the Arkenstone, whereupon he shared his reward with the Master of Lake-town to rebuild the town, and gave Thranduil the emeralds of Girion.[3] However, the Master stole the money and ran off into the wild where he died.[6]

Three years later, after the rebuilding of the city, Bard became the first King of restored Dale as a wise and able ruler.[7] He was succeeded by his son, Bain.[7]

Etymology

As a Lake-man, Bard's name was in the language of Dale, which is represented by Old Norse in the book.[8][9] In other Germanic names (such as Isembard), bard refers to beard. This could be either the facial hair, or more likely "Battle-Axe" (beard is also a term for a part of an axe).

Robert Ireland and Ruth S. Noel, who perhaps overlooked the connection to Old Norse, provide as translations the Celtic words, bárd ("guardian")[10] and bard ("poet").[11]

Genealogy

Girion
d. 2770
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BARD I
d. 2977
 
 
 
 
Bain
d. 3007
 
 
 
 
Brand
d. 3019
 
 
 
 
Bard II
fl. Fourth Age


Other Versions of the Legendarium

In his original concept of The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien intended Bilbo Baggins to be the slayer of Smaug the Dragon, stabbing him in his sleep in his lair in the Lonely Mountain. Tolkien then changed his mind and in a major shift decided that Smaug would die at Esgaroth.[12] This necessitated the creation of a hero, Bard, who was revealed to be the descendant of Girion. Having created this dragon-slayer, Tolkien was going to let him die in the wreck of Lake-town.[13] However, realizing new possibilities for the story, especially having a rightful claimant to part of the dragon's hoard other than the Dwarves, Tolkien kept Bard alive.[14]

Portrayal in adaptations

Bard in adaptations
Bard Bowman in MECCG  

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Bard is played by Peter Williams.

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

Bard's voice is provided by John Stephenson.

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

No actor is specified for the role of Bard.

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

Bard Bowman is a Warrior/Scout Man, who can be used to influence the Men of Northern Rhovanion.[15]

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

No actor is credited for the part of Bard, but it appears to be André Sogliuzzo. He is portrayed as the Captain of the guard, a stout black haired man with a full beard. Bilbo helps him retrieve the Black Arrow and stop a gang of Orcs and men from taking over Lake-town.

2013: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug:

Luke Evans portrays Bard.[16] He is first introduced coming across Bilbo and Thorin's Company along the River Running when waiting to retrieve the empty wine barrels returned by the Woodland Realm. The Dwarves agree to pay him to smuggle them into Lake-town and get the weapons and supplies they need for reaching the Lonely Mountain. He takes them in to his home until they plan to leave. When he learns of Thorin's true identity, he becomes worried about the Dwarves' quest, believing the Dragon will destroy everything in its path if awakened. In addition to his son, Bain, Bard also has two daughters: Sigrid and Tilda. He is also revealed to be a widower.
Known by the Master of Lake-town (and his right hand man Alfrid) to be the descendant of Girion, the last lord of Dale, and fearing he may be trying to undermine their authority, Bard is under constant surveillance by various spies. He is ultimately arrested at the Master's behest on some vague charge and imprisoned at the end of the film.

2014: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies:

Bard escapes from his prison cell during Smaug's destruction of Lake-town and attempts to take down the fire-drake. Bain manages to find him and get him the last Black Arrow, which allows him to finally take down the Dragon. He becomes a hero among the town's survivors and leads them in taking refuge in the remains of Dale. When Thranduil arrives with an army of Elves to attack the mountain, Bard attempts to peacefully come to terms with Thorin. He asks him for a portion of the treasure which Thorin had promised to the people of Lake-town, but Thorin refuses to give them anything while Thranduil's army remains. After this, Bard reluctantly joins Thranduil in his attack. However, the arrival of an Orc army leads all involved to refocus their attention and battle the Orcs instead.

See also

References

Bard I
Died: T.A. 2977
None
Position established
1st King of Dale
T.A. 2944 - 2977
Followed by:
Bain