Battle of the Thousand Caves: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (Bot: changed link to Second Kinslaying)
(19 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{battle|
{{unnamed}}
image=|
{{Disambig-two|the battle between Elves and Dwarves|battle between [[Dior]] and the [[Sons of Feanor]]|[[Second Kinslaying]]}}
name=Battle of the Thousand Caves|
{{battle
conflict=[[Sack of Doriath]]|
| image=[[File:Henning Janssen - Nauglamir and the Doom of Thingol.jpg|250px]]
date=[[First Age 503 | 503]] FA|
| name=Battle of the Thousand Caves
place=The Elven city of [[Menegroth]]|
| conflict=
result=Victory for the Dwarves|
| date={{FA|503}}
side1=Elves|
| place=The Elven city of [[Menegroth]]
side2=Dwarves|
| result=Dwarven Victory
commanders1=|
| side1=[[Iathrim]]
commanders2=* King [[Naugladur]]|
| side2=[[Dwarves of Nogrod]]
forces1=Unknown, thousands|
| commanders1=[[Mablung]]
forces2=Uknown, Est. 20-40,000|
| commanders2=* King [[Naugladur]]
casual1=
| forces1=
Thousands of soldiers and civilians|
| forces2=
casual2=
| casual1=
Heavy, Est. 10,000 or more|
| casual2=
}}
}}The ''' Battle of the Thousand Caves'''<ref>{{S|Doriath}}: "For there was battle in the Thousand Caves"</ref> was a battle between the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] and the [[Iathrim|Elves of Menegroth]].


The ''' Battle of the Thousand Caves''' was a battle between the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]] and the [[Elves of Menegroth]].
== Background ==
The [[Silmaril]] that was rescued by [[Beren]] and [[Lúthien]] remained in the treasury of [[Thingol]] of [[Doriath]] who desired to have it always at hand. In the last years of [[Hurin]]'s life he brought to him the famed [[Nauglamir]], the Necklace of the Dwarves, from [[Nargothrond]].  


Having the two great treasures, he decided to unite them by fastening the Silmaril into the Dwarven necklace. The [[Dwarves of Nogrod|Dwarves]] that made that work desired the Silmaril from the beginning, and when the work ended he refused to give it to him. In the conflict Thingol was killed. The rest of the Dwarves were hunted down and slain as they fled home, and Nauglamir was taken from them.


== Events Prior to the Battle ==
After the death of Thingol [[Melian]] returned to [[Valinor]]. Her magical control upon the woods of Doriath waned after her.
The [[Quest for the Silmaril]] resulted the one of the [[Silmaril]]s taken from the [[Iron Crown]] of [[Morgoth]] by [[Beren]] and [[Luthien]], and it was later, after the [[Hunting of the Wolf]] and the slaing of [[Carcharoth]], given to [[Elu Thingol]] of [[Doriath]]. It remained in the treasury of Thingol, and he desired to have it always at hand.
== Prelude==
 
Two Dwarves survived the slaughter, and made it to their home of [[Nogrod]] in the [[Blue Mountains]]. They lied saying that Thingol killed the Dwarves that made the Nauglamir, refusing to pay them for their work. Their kinsmen were enraged hearing these news, and decided to avenge their fallen artisans. Although the [[Dwarves of Belegost]] refused to aid them, they formed a great host. They entered [[Beleriand]], and, crossing [[Aros]], marched west towards [[Doriath]]. Nothing could stop them, as the [[Girdle of Melian]] waned after Melian departed.
After some years, [[Hurin]] was releast by Morgoth and was let to go wherever he he may desire. Hurin then desired revenge for him and his family, and came first to [[Nargothrond]], and there he found [[Mim]] and killed him. From all the treasures he took only [[Nauglamir]], the Necklace of the Dwarves, and brought it to Thingol.
 
Having the [[Nagulamir]] and the [[Silmaril]], the two great treasures, he desided to unite them and put the Silmaril into the Dwarven Necklace. The [[Nogrod|Dwarves]] that made that work desired the Silmaril from the beginning, and when the work ended refused to give it. In the conflict Thingol was killed, but the rest of the Dwarves were hunted down at their road to home, and Nauglamir, now with the Silmaril in it, was taken from them.
 
== Opposing Forces ==


The [[Sindar]]in captains were intimidated by the Dwarven host, and they scattered without hope.


== The Battle ==
== The Battle ==
 
The Dwarves found resistance only by the Sindar inside Menegroth. The losses were heavy on the both sides during the grievous battle. [[Mablung]] was defending the treasury where the Nauglamir lay, and there he was killed before its doors, and the Silmaril was taken. After they plundered its treasures, they made their way home to Nogrod.


== Aftermath and Repercussions ==
== Aftermath and Repercussions ==
Before leaving, Melian had told Mablung to warn [[Beren]] about the evil deed of the Dwarves. Indeed, with the help of [[Green-elves]] and [[Ents]] he ambushed the Dwarves near [[Sarn Athrad]]. During the [[Battle of Sarn Athrad|battle]] the host was destroyed and the treasure of Menegroth fell in [[Ascar]]. Save the Nauglamir which Beren brought to Lúthien.<ref>{{S|Doriath}}</ref>


 
{{references}}
== Sources ==
*[[The Silmarillion]]
 
[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the First Age]]

Revision as of 18:13, 12 December 2015

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
This article is about the battle between Elves and Dwarves. For the battle between Dior and the Sons of Feanor, see Second Kinslaying.
Battle of the Thousand Caves
Henning Janssen - Nauglamir and the Doom of Thingol.jpg
Date: F.A. 503
Place: The Elven city of Menegroth
Outcome: Dwarven Victory
Combatants

Iathrim

Dwarves of Nogrod

Commanders

Mablung

The Battle of the Thousand Caves[1] was a battle between the Dwarves of Nogrod and the Elves of Menegroth.

Background

The Silmaril that was rescued by Beren and Lúthien remained in the treasury of Thingol of Doriath who desired to have it always at hand. In the last years of Hurin's life he brought to him the famed Nauglamir, the Necklace of the Dwarves, from Nargothrond.

Having the two great treasures, he decided to unite them by fastening the Silmaril into the Dwarven necklace. The Dwarves that made that work desired the Silmaril from the beginning, and when the work ended he refused to give it to him. In the conflict Thingol was killed. The rest of the Dwarves were hunted down and slain as they fled home, and Nauglamir was taken from them.

After the death of Thingol Melian returned to Valinor. Her magical control upon the woods of Doriath waned after her.

Prelude

Two Dwarves survived the slaughter, and made it to their home of Nogrod in the Blue Mountains. They lied saying that Thingol killed the Dwarves that made the Nauglamir, refusing to pay them for their work. Their kinsmen were enraged hearing these news, and decided to avenge their fallen artisans. Although the Dwarves of Belegost refused to aid them, they formed a great host. They entered Beleriand, and, crossing Aros, marched west towards Doriath. Nothing could stop them, as the Girdle of Melian waned after Melian departed.

The Sindarin captains were intimidated by the Dwarven host, and they scattered without hope.

The Battle

The Dwarves found resistance only by the Sindar inside Menegroth. The losses were heavy on the both sides during the grievous battle. Mablung was defending the treasury where the Nauglamir lay, and there he was killed before its doors, and the Silmaril was taken. After they plundered its treasures, they made their way home to Nogrod.

Aftermath and Repercussions

Before leaving, Melian had told Mablung to warn Beren about the evil deed of the Dwarves. Indeed, with the help of Green-elves and Ents he ambushed the Dwarves near Sarn Athrad. During the battle the host was destroyed and the treasure of Menegroth fell in Ascar. Save the Nauglamir which Beren brought to Lúthien.[2]

References