Swords were long-bladed tools and weapons used by many different peoples of Middle-earth.
By race
Ainur
Manwë wielded a sword during the War of the Powers. It was later given to his herald Eönwë.[1] Gandalf also took to wielding the elven sword Glamdring after coming into possession of it.[2] Durin's Bane also carried a flaming sword.[3]
Elves
The Noldor began forging swords in response to the lies spread among them by Melkor. Fëanor fashioned several for himself and his sons, notably using his own to threaten his half-brother Fingolfin with death.[4] The host of the Noldor also wielded swords in the Kinslaying at Alqualondë, with the opposing Falmari lacking any such implements.[5] Among the most notable blades of the Noldor was Ringil, the blade of Fingolfin, which he wielded in his clash with Morgoth.[6]
Fearing the return of Melkor, King Thingol of the Sindar sought the aid of the Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost. These provided the elves of Doriath with many weapons, including swords.[7] Eöl, who had learned the craft of the Dwarven smiths[8], fashioned two swords, Anglachel and Anguirel, from the iron of a meteorite. Anglachel was given to King Thingol as payment for Eöl's being allowed to dwell in Nan Elmoth. Thingol's own sword was Aranrúth[9]
Eöl retained ownership of Anguirel until it was stolen from him by his son Maeglin and taken to Gondolin.[10] Gondolin was also home for a time to the mate swords Glamdring and Orcrist[11], the former being the weapon of King Turgon himself.[12]
Dwarves
Due to their war-like ways, the Dwarves forged and wielded swords from early in their history.[7] The sword Narsil was forged by the Dwarf Telchar[13]
Men
Orcs
Trolls
Famous swords
- Anglachel/Gurthang
- Anguirel
- Aranrúth
- Dagmor
- Glamdring
- Gúthwinë
- Herugrim
- Narsil/Andúril
- Orcrist
- Ringil
- Sword of Manwë
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Two. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: The Last Chapters of the Quenta Silmarillion", p. 246
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Roast Mutton"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm", pp. 330-1
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Flight of the Noldor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Maeglin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Túrin Turambar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Children of Húrin, "Túrin in Doriath", p. 97
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Ring Goes South"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "A Short Rest"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The King of the Golden Hall", paragraph when Aragorn is about to enter the Golden Hall