Dale (Kingdom): Difference between revisions

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{{disambig-two|the Kingdom of Dale|the city|[[Dale]]}}
{{disambig-two|the Kingdom of Dale|the city|[[Dale]]}}
{{sources}}
{{kingdom
{{kingdom
| image =
| image=[[File:John Howe - Icon Dale.png|250px]]
| name = Kingdom of Dale
| name=Kingdom of Dale
| meaning =
| pronun=
| type = Monarchy (City state)
| othernames=
| headofstate = [[King of Dale]]
| location=Between [[Erebor]] and [[Carnen]]; later extended far south and east of [[Lake-town]]<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|II1}}</ref><ref name=great>{{App|Great}}</ref>
| executive =  
| capital=[[Dale]]
| legislative =
| towns=[[Lake-town]] (later)<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|II1}}</ref><ref name=great/>
| judicial =  
| regions=
| capital = [[Dale]]
| population=[[Bardings]], [[Lake-men]]
| language =  
| language=[[Language of Dale]], [[Westron]]
| location = Northern [[Wilderland]], between the southwest and southeast arms of [[Erebor]]
| govern1=[[King of Dale]]
| populace= [[Northmen]]
| govern2=
| currency =  
| govern3=
| religious =  
| currency=
| holiday =  
| holiday=
| anthem =  
| precededby=[[Dale|Dale (Lordship)]]
| formed =
| event1=Established
| established = [[Third Age 2590|T.A. 2590]]
| event1date={{TA|2944}}
| reorganized =  
| event2=
| fragmented =  
| event2date=
| dissolved = [[Third Age 2770|T.A. 2770]]
| event3=
| restored = [[Third Age 2941|T.A. 2941]]
| event3date=
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
}}
'''Dale''' was refounded as a great kingdom<ref group=note>Although never officially called the "Kingdom of Dale" within Tolkien's works, the former lordship of [[Dale]] gained political status as a kingdom upon the ascension of [[Bard I]] as the first [[King of Dale]] in {{TA|2944}}. Proof of its status as a "kingdom" can also be seen in the realm's expansion to incorporate [[Lake-town]] and the lands south and east of [[Esgaroth]].</ref> of the [[Northmen]] in [[Rhovanion]] in the late [[Third Age]] by [[Bard the Bowman]].


The '''kingdom of Dale''' was a city state formed in the [[Third Age]] by Northmen.
==Geography==
When it was founded, the kingdom consisted of the city of [[Dale]] and the valley of the [[River Running]] before the [[Front Gate|gates]] of the [[Lonely Mountain]].<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], its boundaries extended far south and east of [[Lake-town]], all the way to the River [[Carnen]].<ref name=great/><ref name="Meetings">{{FR|II1}}</ref>


== Geographpy ==
==Background==
The town of Dale was formed as a lordship by the [[Northmen]] soon after the year {{TA|2590}} when [[Thrór]] brought his people back to Erebor and prospered with the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref><ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref> 


The Kingdom of Dale was established in the Northen [[Wilderland]], just south of [[Erebor]], near the banks of river [[Celduin]].
In {{TA|2770|n}}, during the reign of the last [[Lord of Dale]], [[Girion]],<ref>{{H|Fire}}</ref> [[Smaug]] attacked and occupied the Lonely Mountain<ref name="TA"/> and afterwards came ravaged the city eating its inhabitants; soon Dale was deserted and fell into ruin.<ref name="Party"/> [[Bard the Bowman]], a descendant of Girion, slew Smaug in {{TA|2941}}.


== History ==
== History ==
After the [[Battle of Five Armies]], in {{TA|2944|n}}, Bard the Bowman re-established Dale as a kingdom; he was crowned as [[Bard I]], the first [[King of Dale]].<ref name="TA"/>


The Old Kingdom of Dale was most propably formed around the year [[Third Age 2590]] by the Northmen who lived in that area for centuries. That was the time when [[Thrór]] brought his people back to Erebor. The Men of Dale may therefore have benefitted from an influx of neighboring peoples who hoped to trade with, inviting all their relatives from all over the region to join them, forming the city of [[Dale]].{{fact}} Dale saw great rise until the year [[Third Age 2758|T.A. 2758]], when the [[Great Winter]] came.  
The kingdom benefited by the simultaneous refounding of the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]. After King Bard died in {{TA|2977|n}}, his son King [[Bain]] reigned and in {{TA|3007|n}} he was succeeded by King [[Brand]].<ref name="TA"/>  As the [[War of the Ring]] approached, the growing realm extended far to the south and east of [[Lake-town]].<ref name="Meetings"/>


In [[Third Age 2770|the year 2770]] [[Smaug]] attacked Dale, killing [[Girion]] and ruining the Kingdom for 172 years.
In {{TA|3017|n}}, a messenger from [[Mordor]] came to both the [[Dwarves of Erebor]] and the kingdom of Dale.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>  Despite words offering [[Sauron]]'s friendship, the Dark Lord's forces began gathering beyond the Carnen. About the same time that [[Minas Tirith]] was attacked (on [[15 March]] {{TA|3019|n}}), a host of Sauron's allies crossed the river and drove Brand back into Dale. On [[17 March]], the [[Battle of Dale]] began. King Brand and King [[Dáin II Ironfoot]] were both killed and the [[Men of Dale]] and the Dwarves were driven into the Mountain. The enemy could not take the gates and a siege began.  However, when news of the fall of Sauron came the enemy forces lost heart, and on [[27 March]] the new King of Dale, [[Bard II]], and the new [[King under the Mountain]], [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]], burst forth and drove the enemy away and the [[Easterlings]] troubled the kingdom of Dale no more.<ref name=great/>


After the [[Battle of Five Armies]], the Kingdom was refounded by [[Bard the Bowman]], who was later titled '''Bard I'''
King Bard II sent an ambassador to the crowning of King [[Aragorn|Elessar]]. The kingdom of Dale remained independent but in friendship with [[Gondor]] and under the protection and crown of the [[King of the West]].<ref name=great/>


Dale was sacked for a second time during the [[War of the Ring]] by invaders from [[Mordor]] and the [[Easterlings]]. The people of Dale took refuge in [[Erebor]] with the Dwarves, and it was during the [[Battle of Dale]] that King [[Dáin Ironfoot]] of Erebor and King [[Brand]] of Dale were slain. However, after the fall of Sauron, the siege was broken and Dale rebuilt once more, though it was never restored to its former glory, partly because of the weakening of the dwarves who lived in Erebor.
==See also==
*[[Lord of Dale]]


{{references}}
{{references|notes}}
*{{HM|H}}
{{title}}
*{{HM|AA}}
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
* [[Michael Martinez]], "[http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/michaelmartinezsuite101essay59 Resurrecting Dale]"
[[Category:Mannish realms]]
[[Category: Realms]][[Category: Rhovanion]]

Latest revision as of 06:46, 17 May 2021

This article is about the Kingdom of Dale. For the the city, see Dale.
Kingdom of Dale
John Howe - Icon Dale.png
General information
LocationBetween Erebor and Carnen; later extended far south and east of Lake-town[1][2]
CapitalDale
Major townsLake-town (later)[1][2]
People
PopulationBardings, Lake-men
LanguageLanguage of Dale, Westron
GovernanceKing of Dale
History
Preceded byDale (Lordship)
EstablishedT.A. 2944

Dale was refounded as a great kingdom[note 1] of the Northmen in Rhovanion in the late Third Age by Bard the Bowman.

Geography[edit | edit source]

When it was founded, the kingdom consisted of the city of Dale and the valley of the River Running before the gates of the Lonely Mountain.[3] By the time of the War of the Ring, its boundaries extended far south and east of Lake-town, all the way to the River Carnen.[2][1]

Background[edit | edit source]

The town of Dale was formed as a lordship by the Northmen soon after the year T.A. 2590 when Thrór brought his people back to Erebor and prospered with the Kingdom under the Mountain.[4][5]

In 2770, during the reign of the last Lord of Dale, Girion,[6] Smaug attacked and occupied the Lonely Mountain[4] and afterwards came ravaged the city eating its inhabitants; soon Dale was deserted and fell into ruin.[5] Bard the Bowman, a descendant of Girion, slew Smaug in T.A. 2941.

History[edit | edit source]

After the Battle of Five Armies, in 2944, Bard the Bowman re-established Dale as a kingdom; he was crowned as Bard I, the first King of Dale.[4]

The kingdom benefited by the simultaneous refounding of the Kingdom under the Mountain. After King Bard died in 2977, his son King Bain reigned and in 3007 he was succeeded by King Brand.[4] As the War of the Ring approached, the growing realm extended far to the south and east of Lake-town.[1]

In 3017, a messenger from Mordor came to both the Dwarves of Erebor and the kingdom of Dale.[7] Despite words offering Sauron's friendship, the Dark Lord's forces began gathering beyond the Carnen. About the same time that Minas Tirith was attacked (on 15 March 3019), a host of Sauron's allies crossed the river and drove Brand back into Dale. On 17 March, the Battle of Dale began. King Brand and King Dáin II Ironfoot were both killed and the Men of Dale and the Dwarves were driven into the Mountain. The enemy could not take the gates and a siege began. However, when news of the fall of Sauron came the enemy forces lost heart, and on 27 March the new King of Dale, Bard II, and the new King under the Mountain, Thorin III Stonehelm, burst forth and drove the enemy away and the Easterlings troubled the kingdom of Dale no more.[2]

King Bard II sent an ambassador to the crowning of King Elessar. The kingdom of Dale remained independent but in friendship with Gondor and under the protection and crown of the King of the West.[2]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes

  1. Although never officially called the "Kingdom of Dale" within Tolkien's works, the former lordship of Dale gained political status as a kingdom upon the ascension of Bard I as the first King of Dale in T.A. 2944. Proof of its status as a "kingdom" can also be seen in the realm's expansion to incorporate Lake-town and the lands south and east of Esgaroth.

References