Dwarves of Belegost
|
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made. |
| Dwarves of Belegost | |
|---|---|
| People | |
 | |
| "The Battle of Unnumbered Tears" by Joona Kujanen | |
| General Information | |
| Locations | Belegost, Blue Mountains, Khazad-Dûm[1] |
| Affiliation | Union of Maedhros |
| Languages | Khuzdul, Sindarin |
| Members | Azaghâl |
| Physical Description | |
| Lifespan | c. 250 years |
| Average height | Five feet or less |
The Dwarves of Belegost were a people of Dwarves who dwelt in the city of Belegost, the northernmost of the two great Dwarf-cities that stood in the Blue Mountains during the First Age. With their cousins, the Dwarves of Nogrod, they were among the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains.
History[edit | edit source]
During the Years of the Trees the western Fathers of the Dwarves awoke from beneath the Blue Mountains creating the lines of the Broadbeams and the Firebeards. These two houses built the great Dwarven cities of Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains.[2][note 1]
In smithing, the Dwarves of Belegost were second only to the Dwarves of Nogrod. They learned many secrets in smithing from the Elves, and Elves from the Dwarves. They created many weapons for the Elves when evil began to stir in Beleriand, and the smiths of Belegost were the first to create linked ring mail.[source?]
They had generally better relations with the Elves than their neighbors in Nogrod; friends of the Sindar, the Dwarves of Belegost were behind the building of Menegroth.[3] They first met the Noldor who came to Beleriand near Mount Rerir and a great friendship began between the two peoples; Maedhros once saved Lord Azaghâl from an Orc-assault.[4] They became their allies[5] and joined the Union of Maedhros. They fought bravely beside each other during the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, where they lost their ruler Lord Azaghâl in battle to the dragon Glaurung.
When the Dwarves of Nogrod assembled a great host of Dwarves to attack Doriath, the Dwarves of Belegost tried to dissuade them from war, but their brethren from Nogrod did not heed their advice. These dwarves went on to fight in the Battle of the Thousand Caves,[6] and later met their demise the Battle of Sarn Athrad. After this tragedy the Dwarves of Belegost started leaving for Khazad-dûm, for fear of reprisal from the Elves. There was much loathing between Elf and Dwarf from there on.[7]
After the end of the First Age, around S.A. 40, the power and wealth of Khazad-dûm was much increased; for it was enriched by many people and much lore and craft when the ancient cities of Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains were ruined in the breaking of Thangorodrim.[1] However, there always remained some Dwarves on the eastern side of the Blue Mountains in days afterwards.[7]
Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
Notes
- ↑ It is not clear from the narratives whether each city belonged to either House, and whether the Dwarves of Belegost consisted of either Firebeards or Broadbeams; it is possible that members of both Houses dwelled in either city.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "Durin's Folk"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "Of Dwarves and Men"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Narn i Hîn Húrin (The Tale of the Children of Húrin)", p. 75
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Noldor in Beleriand"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Doriath"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Concerning Galadriel and Celeborn"
- ↑ R. Mark Colburn, Peter C. Fenlon, John D. Ruemmler, Terry K. Amthor, Jessica M. Ney (1989), Lords of Middle-earth Vol III: Hobbits, Dwarves, Ents, Orcs & Trolls (#8004)
- ↑ Thomas Morwinsky, "A Brief History of the Dwarven Mansions", in Other Minds issue 4 (July 2008)
