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{{War
| previous= [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons]]
| next=[[War of the Ring]]
| name=War of the Dwarves and Orcs
| image=[[Image:Mikel Janin - Battle of Azanulbizar.jpeg|300px]]
| begin={{TA|2793}}
| end={{TA|2799}}
| place=The northern [[Misty Mountains]] and [[Mount Gundabad]]
| result=Crippling defeat for Orcs, pyrrhic victory for Dwarves
| battles=[[Sacking of Mount Gundabad]], various battles in mines, strongholds, and colonies, [[Battle of Azanulbizar]].
|side1=Dwarves of all Seven Houses, [[Longbeards]], [[Firebeards]], [[Broadbeams]], [[Blacklocks]], [[Stonefoots]], [[Ironfists]], and [[Stiffbeards]].
|side2=[[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]]
|commanders1=King [[Thráin II]], [[Thorin]], [[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]], various generals and/or kings or lords of the other houses
|commanders2=[[Azog]] and likely other Orc-chieftains
|}}
The '''War of the Dwarves and Orcs''' was a great war fought between the two races.
The '''War of the Dwarves and Orcs''' was a great war fought between the two races.


The War began when the elderly exiled [[Dwarves|Dwarf]] King [[Thrór]], heir of [[Durin]], wandered alone into [[Moria]] and was murdered by [[Azog]] the [[Orcs|Orc]] chieftain in 2790 of the [[Third Age]].
==History==
=== Prelude ===
After their home under [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] had been [[Sack of Erebor|sacked]] by the [[dragon]] [[Smaug]], many of the [[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's Folk]] were homeless and wandered through western [[Middle-earth]], trying to make as best a living they could. After some years of wandering they settled down in [[Dunland]].<ref>{{App|A3}}</ref>
Among these Dwarves were [[Thrór]], formerly the [[King under the Mountain]] now King of Durin's folk in exile, his son [[Thráin II]] and grandson [[Thorin II]] who became later known as Thorin Oakenshield.


From 2790 to 2793 the ''Longbeards'' that were [[Durin's folk]] responded to this tragedy by gathering their forces, and calling on all the other Houses of the Dwarves but it took them thrre years to fully gather their strength.
Thrór fell into despair after living many years in poverty, or perhaps the [[Rings of Power|Ring]] he wore was ultimately working towards his bearers evil. Whatever the case, he decided to leave his people in {{TA|2790}} to seek out and look upon the ancestral halls of [[Khazad-dûm]]. Accompanied by his friend [[Nár (companion of Thrór)|Nár]], they crossed the [[Redhorn Pass]] and came down to the [[East-gate of Moria]] where the Thrór took it upon himself to enter alone, despite the warnings of Nár who stayed behind in the dale.  
In 2793 they attacked, sacking one by one all the Orc-holds of the [[Misty Mountains]] from [[Second Sacking of Gundabad | Mount Gundabad]] in the north, to the [[Gladden Fields]] in the south.  


Most of the war was fought underground, in the great mines and tunnels of the Misty Mountains, where Dwarves excel in combat. The war climaxed in 2799, when the final battle was fought in the valley outside the eastern gates of Moria, the [[Battle of Nanduhirion]]. The Dwarves finally won this notoriously bloody encounter when reinforcements arrived late on the scene from the [[Iron Hills]].
Thrór was found and slain by [[Azog]] the [[Orc]]-chieftain who had ruled in Moria, and after a few days Thrór's head had been branded with Azog's name and the corpse was thrown out of the gate where it was found by Nár. He was left alive to serve as a messenger to the Dwarves that Azog now claimed to be the King of Moria, and to stay away.


After the battle, [[Thráin II]] son of Thrór wanted to enter Moria and reclaim it, but the Dwarves not of Durin's folk refused, saying that the city was not their Fathers' House, and they had honoured Thrór's memory by fighting, and this was enough. [[Dáin II Ironfoot]] also warned Thráin that [[Durin's Bane]] still dwelt within Khazad-dûm, and that forces beyond the Dwarves would have to defeat it bfore they could reenter the city.
When Nár returned to the king's son Thráin, he told him of his father's murder and the Orc's warning. For seven days without eating or sleeping the new king sat, until he stood and cried "This cannot be borne!"<ref>{{App|A3}}</ref> 


The war was very costly for the Dwarves.  Half of those involved in Nanduhirion were killed and possibly a couple thousand more were killed throughout the rest of the war. Náin son of Grór, Frerin second son of Thráin II, and Fundin son of Farin, the father of [[Balin]] were among the more noted casualties. Thráin II himself lost an eye, and Thorin was wounded when his shield broke and he had to use an oak branch to defend himself. This probably led to his later name [[Thorin Oakenshield]].
From 2790 to {{TA|2793|n}} the [[Longbeards]] responded to this tragedy by gathering an army, and calling on all the other six Houses of the Dwarves for war.


During the conflict many Orcs fleeing south through [[Rohan]], trying to claim a refuge in the [[White Mountains]] beyond, troubled the Rohirrim for two generations.
=== Early Stages===
In 2793 the Dwarf host was ready, and set departed for war; assailing and sacking one by one all the Orc-holds they could find from [[Mount Gundabad]] in the north, to the [[Gladden]] in the south.  


Other effects of the war were that the Orcs of the Misty Mountains virtually disappeared as a threat for [[Eriador]] and [[Wilderland]]. 
Little is actually known about what happened during six year-long war, however it is know that most of the it was fought underground, in the great mines and tunnels of the Misty Mountains, where Dwarves excelled in combat.
150 years later the Orcs of the North were beginning to recover, but their population was further reduced during the [[Battle of Five Armies]] in 2941, where [[Bolg]] son of Azog tried to avenge his father, and in the process destroying three fourths of the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]].


It is probable that without this War and the final slaughter of the Battle of Nanduhirion, the later [[War of the Ring]] would have been lost in the north, and the [[Ring-bearer]] might never have made it south to [[Mordor]].  
=== The Final Battle ===
The war came to a climax {{TA|2799|n}} (Probably the January or February), when the final battle was fought in the Dimrill Dale below the East-gate of [[Moria]], the [[Battle of Azanulbizar|Battle of Azanûlbizar]]. The Dwarves gained victory in this notoriously bloody encounter when reinforcements arrived late on the scene from the [[Iron Hills]]. Azog was slain by [[Dáin Ironfoot]].<ref>{{App|A3}}</ref> 


In its aftermath, King Thráin wanted to enter reclaim the city, but the Dwarves not of Durin's folk refused, saying that the city was not their Fathers' House; they had honored Thrór's memory by fighting and that was enough. [[Dáin Ironfoot]] also warned the king that [[Durin's Bane]] still dwelt within Khazad-dûm.
===Aftermath===
The war was very costly for the Dwarves. near half of those involved in the final battle were killed and with a possibility of a couple thousand more being killed throughout the rest of the war.
[[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]], [[Frerin]], and [[Fundin]] were among the more notable casualties. Thráin II himself lost an eye and gained a limp, and Thorin was wounded when his shield broke and he had to use an oak branch to defend himself-hence the epithet "Oakenshield".
The Orcs suffered irreparable damage to their numbers by war's end. 10,000 alone were killed in the Dimrill Dale, and It seem highly likely that at least that many were killed throughout the previous five years of the war.
Those that survived the final battle (as many as 10,000 or so) fled south through [[Rohan]], seeking refuge in the [[White Mountains]] beyond, where they troubled the [[Rohirrim]] for two generations.
As a result of such losses, the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] virtually disappeared as a threat for [[Eriador]] and [[Wilderland]]. One and a half centuries later the Orcs of the North were recovering, but their numbers were permanently depleted to severely low levels in the aftermath of the [[Battle of Five Armies]] in {{TA|2941|n}}. It was here that [[Bolg]] son of Azog tried to avenge his father and the [[Great Goblin]], but in his failure three fourths of his people were killed.
The repercussions of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs likely even had an impact on the very outcome of the [[War of the Ring]].


== Noteable Veterans ==
== Noteable Veterans ==
*[[Thráin II]]
*[[Thráin II]]
*[[Thorin Oakenshield]], and [[Frerin]]
*[[Thorin]]
*[[Fundin]], [[Balin]], and possibly [[Dwalin]]
*[[Frerin]]
*[[Glóin son of Gróin|Glóin]], and possibly [[Óin]], and [[Gróin]]
*[[Fundin]]
*[[Náin]], and [[Dáin II Ironfoot]]
*[[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]]
*[[Dáin Ironfoot]]
*[[Balin]]
*[[Glóin]]
 
== See Also ==
*[[Battle of Azanulbizar]]
*[[Second Sacking of Gundabad]]


{{references}}<small>
::*''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], Durin's Folk
::*''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]''
::* The Lord of the Rings, Return of the King, Appendix A, (2nd edition 1966), p. 356.  It mentions that the balance of the Orcs at Azanulbizar fled.
</small>


{{seq-start}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Long Winter]]
| list=Major events of [[Middle-earth]]
| dates={{TA|2793}} - {{TA|2799}}
| next=[[Fell Winter (Third Age)|Fell Winter]]
}}
{{seq-end}}
[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[Category:Conflicts of the Third Age]]
[[Category:Wars]]
[[fr:encyclo/evenements/3a/guerres/guerre_des_nains_et_des_orques]]
[[fi:Kääpiöiden ja örkkien sota]]

Revision as of 14:58, 28 February 2013

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
 This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Previous war: War of the Dwarves and Dragons
Next war: War of the Ring
War of the Dwarves and Orcs
Mikel Janin - Battle of Azanulbizar.jpeg
Beginning: T.A. 2793End: T.A. 2799
Place: The northern Misty Mountains and Mount Gundabad
Outcome: Crippling defeat for Orcs, pyrrhic victory for Dwarves
Major battles: Sacking of Mount Gundabad, various battles in mines, strongholds, and colonies, Battle of Azanulbizar.
Combatants

Dwarves of all Seven Houses, Longbeards, Firebeards, Broadbeams, Blacklocks, Stonefoots, Ironfists, and Stiffbeards.

Orcs of the Misty Mountains

Commanders

King Thráin II, Thorin, Náin, various generals and/or kings or lords of the other houses

Azog and likely other Orc-chieftains

The War of the Dwarves and Orcs was a great war fought between the two races.

History

Prelude

After their home under Erebor had been sacked by the dragon Smaug, many of the Dwarves of Durin's Folk were homeless and wandered through western Middle-earth, trying to make as best a living they could. After some years of wandering they settled down in Dunland.[1] Among these Dwarves were Thrór, formerly the King under the Mountain now King of Durin's folk in exile, his son Thráin II and grandson Thorin II who became later known as Thorin Oakenshield.

Thrór fell into despair after living many years in poverty, or perhaps the Ring he wore was ultimately working towards his bearers evil. Whatever the case, he decided to leave his people in T.A. 2790 to seek out and look upon the ancestral halls of Khazad-dûm. Accompanied by his friend Nár, they crossed the Redhorn Pass and came down to the East-gate of Moria where the Thrór took it upon himself to enter alone, despite the warnings of Nár who stayed behind in the dale.

Thrór was found and slain by Azog the Orc-chieftain who had ruled in Moria, and after a few days Thrór's head had been branded with Azog's name and the corpse was thrown out of the gate where it was found by Nár. He was left alive to serve as a messenger to the Dwarves that Azog now claimed to be the King of Moria, and to stay away.

When Nár returned to the king's son Thráin, he told him of his father's murder and the Orc's warning. For seven days without eating or sleeping the new king sat, until he stood and cried "This cannot be borne!"[2]

From 2790 to 2793 the Longbeards responded to this tragedy by gathering an army, and calling on all the other six Houses of the Dwarves for war.

Early Stages

In 2793 the Dwarf host was ready, and set departed for war; assailing and sacking one by one all the Orc-holds they could find from Mount Gundabad in the north, to the Gladden in the south.

Little is actually known about what happened during six year-long war, however it is know that most of the it was fought underground, in the great mines and tunnels of the Misty Mountains, where Dwarves excelled in combat.

The Final Battle

The war came to a climax 2799 (Probably the January or February), when the final battle was fought in the Dimrill Dale below the East-gate of Moria, the Battle of Azanûlbizar. The Dwarves gained victory in this notoriously bloody encounter when reinforcements arrived late on the scene from the Iron Hills. Azog was slain by Dáin Ironfoot.[3]

In its aftermath, King Thráin wanted to enter reclaim the city, but the Dwarves not of Durin's folk refused, saying that the city was not their Fathers' House; they had honored Thrór's memory by fighting and that was enough. Dáin Ironfoot also warned the king that Durin's Bane still dwelt within Khazad-dûm.

Aftermath

The war was very costly for the Dwarves. near half of those involved in the final battle were killed and with a possibility of a couple thousand more being killed throughout the rest of the war. Náin, Frerin, and Fundin were among the more notable casualties. Thráin II himself lost an eye and gained a limp, and Thorin was wounded when his shield broke and he had to use an oak branch to defend himself-hence the epithet "Oakenshield".

The Orcs suffered irreparable damage to their numbers by war's end. 10,000 alone were killed in the Dimrill Dale, and It seem highly likely that at least that many were killed throughout the previous five years of the war. Those that survived the final battle (as many as 10,000 or so) fled south through Rohan, seeking refuge in the White Mountains beyond, where they troubled the Rohirrim for two generations. As a result of such losses, the Orcs of the Misty Mountains virtually disappeared as a threat for Eriador and Wilderland. One and a half centuries later the Orcs of the North were recovering, but their numbers were permanently depleted to severely low levels in the aftermath of the Battle of Five Armies in 2941. It was here that Bolg son of Azog tried to avenge his father and the Great Goblin, but in his failure three fourths of his people were killed.

The repercussions of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs likely even had an impact on the very outcome of the War of the Ring.

Noteable Veterans

See Also

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"

Preceded by:
Long Winter		Major events of Middle-earth
T.A. 2793 - T.A. 2799		Followed by:
Fell Winter


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