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'''Orcrist''' was the weapon of the king of [[Durin's folk]] [[Thorin Oakenshield]] from [[Tolkien]]'s novel, ''[[The Hobbit]]''.  The only description of it is in the above mentioned book, that it had a fancy scabbard and a jeweled hilt.
'''Orcrist''' was the weapon of the king of [[Durin's folk]] [[Thorin Oakenshield]] from [[Tolkien]]'s novel, ''[[The Hobbit]]''.  The only description of it is in the above mentioned book, that it had a fancy scabbard and a jeweled hilt.


In [[Sindarin]] Orcrist is said to mean "[[Goblin-cleaver|Goblin Cleaver]]", ([[Goblins|Goblin]] being a synonym for [[Orcs|Orc]] used mainly in The Hobbit). Goblins called the blade '''[[Biter]]'''. Many of the famed weapons in Tolkien's stories had names, such as [[Glamdring]], [[Narsil]] and [[Sting]] (see chart below). It was crafted by the [[Elves]], who not only made it a valuable weapon, also a feared one, particularly among traditional enemies of the Elves: Orcs and other evil creatures of Middle-earth. Like Glamdring and Sting, the blade could detect the presence of Orcs and warn its bearer by glowing blue.
In [[Sindarin]] Orcrist means "Goblin-cleaver". Goblins called the blade '''Biter'''. It was crafted by the [[Elves]], who not only made it a valuable weapon, also a feared one, particularly among traditional enemies of the Elves: Orcs and other evil creatures of Middle-earth. Like Glamdring and Sting, the blade could detect the presence of Orcs and warn its bearer by glowing blue.


As the "mate" to King [[Turgon]]'s sword [[Glamdring]], Orcrist was likely borne by a high ranking lord in the King's entourage.  Ten possibilities present themselves: [[Maeglin]], [[Tuor]], [[Ecthelion of the Fountain]], [[Penlod]], [[Egalmoth of the Heavenly Arch|Egalmoth]], [[Salgant]], [[Duilin of Gondolin|Duilin]], [[Galdor of the Tree|Galdor]], [[Rog]], and [[Glorfindel of Gondolin|Glorfindel]]. Since Maeglin presumably still had his father's sword, Anguirel, it was not his. Duilin bore a bow, while Galdor carried a club and Rog a mace.  Tuor seems to have come to [[Gondolin]] after [[Glamdring]] had been forged (see Unfinished Tales), and if this was the mate it should have been forged before his arrival as well. In any case, Tuor bore an axe, not a sword.  Glorfindel died outside of the city; Ecthelion perished in Gondolin as he slew [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs]]. Because he is the only one of the four lords mentioned in the Silmarillion that seem possible, the most accepted assumption is that Orcrist belonged to Ecthelion, but this is never stated explicitly in any of Tolkien's writings. The other remaining ones, Penlod, Egalmoth, and Salgant, are also possible, though none are mentioned in the Silmarillion and are only found in the [[Fall of Gondolin]]. However, Egalmoth wielded a curved-blade, most likely a falchion; in any case, Orcist was not curved. Salgant was a lesser lord and was feeble and subserviant to Maeglin. The only other possibility is Penlod, who's house (of the Tower of Snow) was lesser in status then Ecthelion's (House of the Fountain).
Thorin is mortally wounded at the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. After his death Orcrist is placed upon Thorin's tomb and that it "gleamed ever in the dark if foes approached"<ref>{{HM|H}}, [[The Return Journey]]</ref>
 
==Possession==
In ''The Hobbit'', Thorin is mortally wounded at the [[Battle of Five Armies]]. After his death Orcrist is placed upon Thorin's tomb and that it "gleamed ever in the dark if foes approached" (''The Hobbit'' Chapter 18, "The Return Journey").
As the "mate" to King [[Turgon]]'s sword [[Glamdring]], Orcrist was likely borne by a high ranking lord in the King's entourage.


Since [[Maeglin]] presumably still had his father's sword, [[Anguirel]], it was not his. [[Duilin of Gondolin|Duilin]] bore a bow, while [[Galdor of the Tree|Galdor]] carried a club and [[Rog]] a mace.  [[Tuor]] seems to have come to [[Gondolin]] after Glamdring had been forged, and if this was the mate it should have been forged before his arrival as well. In any case, Tuor bore an axe, not a sword.  [[Glorfindel of Gondolin|Glorfindel]] died outside of the city; [[Ecthelion of the Fountain]] perished in Gondolin as he slew [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs]]. [[Egalmoth of the Heavenly Arch|Egalmoth]] wielded a curved-blade, most likely a falchion; in any case, Orcist was not curved. [[Salgant]] was a lesser lord and was feeble and subserviant to Maeglin. The only other possibility is [[Penlod]], who's house (of the [[Tower of Snow]]) was lesser in status than Ecthelion's (House of the Fountain).


{{weapons}}
{{weapons}}

Revision as of 22:36, 14 June 2009

Orcrist by Audrey Corman.

Orcrist was the weapon of the king of Durin's folk Thorin Oakenshield from Tolkien's novel, The Hobbit. The only description of it is in the above mentioned book, that it had a fancy scabbard and a jeweled hilt.

In Sindarin Orcrist means "Goblin-cleaver". Goblins called the blade Biter. It was crafted by the Elves, who not only made it a valuable weapon, also a feared one, particularly among traditional enemies of the Elves: Orcs and other evil creatures of Middle-earth. Like Glamdring and Sting, the blade could detect the presence of Orcs and warn its bearer by glowing blue.

Thorin is mortally wounded at the Battle of Five Armies. After his death Orcrist is placed upon Thorin's tomb and that it "gleamed ever in the dark if foes approached"[1]

Possession

As the "mate" to King Turgon's sword Glamdring, Orcrist was likely borne by a high ranking lord in the King's entourage.

Since Maeglin presumably still had his father's sword, Anguirel, it was not his. Duilin bore a bow, while Galdor carried a club and Rog a mace. Tuor seems to have come to Gondolin after Glamdring had been forged, and if this was the mate it should have been forged before his arrival as well. In any case, Tuor bore an axe, not a sword. Glorfindel died outside of the city; Ecthelion of the Fountain perished in Gondolin as he slew Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs. Egalmoth wielded a curved-blade, most likely a falchion; in any case, Orcist was not curved. Salgant was a lesser lord and was feeble and subserviant to Maeglin. The only other possibility is Penlod, who's house (of the Tower of Snow) was lesser in status than Ecthelion's (House of the Fountain).

Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium
 Arrows:  Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow
Axes:  Dramborleg · Durin's Axe
Bows:  Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim
Knives:  Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting
Maces:  Grond
Spears:  Aeglos
Swords:  Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril ·  Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë