Bridge of Khazad-dûm: Difference between revisions

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| caption="The Bridge of Khazad-dûm" by [[John Howe]]
| caption="The Bridge of Khazad-dûm" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=Durin's Bridge<ref>{{TT|III5}}</ref>
| othernames=Durin's Bridge
| location=Eastern [[Moria]], before the [[Great Gates]]
| location=Eastern [[Moria]], before the [[Great Gates]]
| type=Bridge
| type=Bridge
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| inhabitants=
| inhabitants=
| created=
| created=
| destroyed=[[15 January]], {{TA|3019}} (partially)<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>
| destroyed=[[15 January]], {{TA|3019}} (partially)
| events=Stand-off between [[Gandalf]] and [[Durin's Bane]]
| events=Stand-off between [[Gandalf]] and [[Durin's Bane]]
| gallery=the Bridge of Khazad-dûm
| gallery=the Bridge of Khazad-dûm
}}
}}
The '''Bridge of Khazad-dûm''' was a narrow stone bridge crossing a chasm within the eastern gates of the Dwarf-city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]].  
The '''Bridge of Khazad-dûm'''<ref name=Great>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3019, January 15, p. 1092</ref>, also known as '''Durin's Bridge''',<ref>{{TT|White}}, p. 501</ref> was a narrow stone bridge crossing a chasm in the underground Dwarf-city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] close to its [[Great Gates|eastern gates]].<ref name=Bridge>{{FR|Bridge}}, pp. 329-331</ref>
 
==Appearance==
The bridge consisted of a fifty feet long curving spring of stone. It did not have a kerb or rail and was so narrow that it could only be crossed in single file. The depth of the chasm was incredible and the ceiling was high. On the eastern side of the bridge was a flight of stairs leading to the [[First Hall]] and the eastern gates. The narrowness of the bridge was meant to help defend the interior of Khazad-dûm against an enemy that had already breached the outermost defenses on the eastern side of Khazad-dûm.<ref name=Bridge/>


==History==
==History==
The bridge was fifty feet long and so narrow that it could only be crossed in single file. The depth of the chasm was incredible and the ceiling was high; on the outer side of the bridge was a flight of stairs leading to the exit, through the [[First Hall]] and the [[Great Gates]] of [[Moria]].<ref>{{FR|II5}}</ref> The narrowness of the bridge was meant to help defend the interior of Khazad-dûm against an enemy that had already breached the outermost defenses.
On 15 January, {{TA|3019}}<ref name=Great/> [[Gandalf]] and the rest of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] fled over the bridge from the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]], a large number of [[Orcs]] and two [[Trolls]]. Gandalf ordered is fellows to fly over the brdige and remained behind in the middle of the span of the bridge to hold it against against the Balrog. After a fight with the Balrog, Gandalf resorted to destroying the part of the bridge on which the Balrog stood with his staff. As a result, the Balrog fell into the chasm, but managed to drag Gandalf with him by lashing out with his whip and curling its thongs around Gandalf's knees.<ref name=Bridge/>


The bridge is most noted for being the location of the encounter between [[Gandalf]] and the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]]. Gandalf broke it during the fight, and it likely remained broken until the [[Dwarves]] reclaimed Moria in the [[Durin VII|Fourth Age]].
It is possible that the [[Dwarves]] reclaimed Moria in the [[Durin VII|Fourth Age]] and rebuilt the bridge.<ref>{{PM|Aiv}}, second version of the manuscript, pp. 277</ref><ref>{{SD|XI2}}, Q. Dwarves and A. Gimli, p. 122</ref>


{{References}}
{{References}}

Revision as of 15:32, 4 January 2023

The name Bridge of Khazad-dûm refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see The Bridge of Khazad-dûm (disambiguation).
Bridge of Khazad-dûm
Bridge
John Howe - The Bridge of Khazad-dum.jpg
"The Bridge of Khazad-dûm" by John Howe
General Information
Other namesDurin's Bridge
LocationEastern Moria, before the Great Gates
TypeBridge
DescriptionNarrow bridge of stone over abyss
History
Destroyed15 January, T.A. 3019 (partially)
EventsStand-off between Gandalf and Durin's Bane
GalleryImages of the Bridge of Khazad-dûm

The Bridge of Khazad-dûm[1], also known as Durin's Bridge,[2] was a narrow stone bridge crossing a chasm in the underground Dwarf-city of Khazad-dûm close to its eastern gates.[3]

Appearance

The bridge consisted of a fifty feet long curving spring of stone. It did not have a kerb or rail and was so narrow that it could only be crossed in single file. The depth of the chasm was incredible and the ceiling was high. On the eastern side of the bridge was a flight of stairs leading to the First Hall and the eastern gates. The narrowness of the bridge was meant to help defend the interior of Khazad-dûm against an enemy that had already breached the outermost defenses on the eastern side of Khazad-dûm.[3]

History

On 15 January, T.A. 3019[1] Gandalf and the rest of the Fellowship of the Ring fled over the bridge from the Balrog, a large number of Orcs and two Trolls. Gandalf ordered is fellows to fly over the brdige and remained behind in the middle of the span of the bridge to hold it against against the Balrog. After a fight with the Balrog, Gandalf resorted to destroying the part of the bridge on which the Balrog stood with his staff. As a result, the Balrog fell into the chasm, but managed to drag Gandalf with him by lashing out with his whip and curling its thongs around Gandalf's knees.[3]

It is possible that the Dwarves reclaimed Moria in the Fourth Age and rebuilt the bridge.[4][5]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years", entry for the year 3019, January 15, p. 1092
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The White Rider", p. 501
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm", pp. 329-331
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "IX. The Making of Appendix A": (iv) "Durin's Folk", second version of the manuscript, pp. 277
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part One: The End of the Third Age: XI. The Epilogue: The second version", Q. Dwarves and A. Gimli, p. 122