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{{disambig-two|the City of Dale|Kingdom|[[Kingdom of Dale]]}}
{{kingdom
{{location infobox
| image=[[File:Matěj Čadil - Dale.jpg|250px]]
| name=Dale
| name=Dale
| image=[[File:Matěj Čadil - Dale.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Dale" by Matěj Čadil
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=
| othernames=
| location=Northern [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]] on the banks of [[River Running]], between the south-west and south-east arms of [[Lonely Mountain]]
| location=Between [[Erebor]] and [[Carnen]]; later extended far south and east of [[Lake-town]]<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|II1}}</ref><ref name=great>{{App|Great}}</ref>
| type=City-state
| capital=Dale
| description=
| towns=Later: [[Lake-town]]<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|II1}}</ref><ref name=great/>
| regions=
| regions=
| towns=
| population=[[Men of Dale]]
| inhabitants=[[Northmen]]
| language=[[Language of Dale]], [[Westron]]
| created=Around {{TA|2590}}
| govern1=[[Lord of Dale]]
| destroyed={{TA|2770}}
| govern2=Later the [[King of Dale]]
| rebuilt={{TA|2944|n}}
| govern3=
| events=[[Sack of Erebor]], [[Battle of Five Armies]], [[Battle of Dale]]
| currency=
| holiday=
| precededby=
| event1=Founded
| event1date=Soon after {{TA|2590}}<br/>''[[#In Other Versions of the Legendarium|See below]]''
| event2=Destroyed
| event2date={{TA|2770}}
| event3=Re-founded
| event3date={{TA|2944}}
| event4=
| event4date=
| event5=
| event5date=
| followedby=
}}
}}
'''Dale''' was a city of the [[Northmen]], destroyed by the [[Dragons|dragon]] [[Smaug]] and rebuilt after his demise.
 
'''Dale''' was the great township and city-state of the [[Northmen]] beneath the [[Lonely Mountain]].
 
It was known as a merry town that traded, mainly in food-supplies, for the skills and craft-pieces of the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]]. Dale's toy market was the wonder of the North<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref> and the town was renowned for its bells.<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref>
   
   
==Description==
==Geography==
Dale was situated in the valley between the south-western and south-eastern arms of the [[Lonely Mountain]], nestled in a sharp U-shaped bend of the [[River Running]].<ref>{{H|Thror}}</ref> It was known as a merry town that traded, mainly in food-supplies, for the skills and craft-pieces of the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]]. Dale's toy market was the wonder of the North<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref> and the town was renowned for its bells.<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref>
Dale was situated in the valley between the south-western and south-eastern arms of the [[Lonely Mountain]], nestled in a sharp U-shaped bend of the [[River Running]].<ref>{{H|Thror}}</ref> When it was re-founded the township consisted of the city of Dale and the valley of the [[River Running]] before the [[Front Gate|gates]] of the [[Lonely Mountain]].<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], its boundaries and influence extended far south and east of [[Lake-town]],<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|II1}}</ref> all the way to the River [[Carnen]].<ref name=great/>


==History==
==History==
===Early History===
====Foundation====
[[File:Angus McBride - Dale.jpg|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Dale'']]
[[File:Angus McBride - Dale.jpg|thumb|left|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Dale'']]
In {{TA|2590}} King [[Thrór]] re-established the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> The realm prospered and [[Northmen]] living to the south came up the River Running and built Dale.<ref name="Party"/> The town shared in the prosperity of the Dwarves and it was governed by the [[Lord of Dale]], of whom the last was named [[Girion]].<ref>{{H|Fire}}</ref>
In {{TA|2590}}, King [[Thrór]] re-established the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> The realm prospered and [[Northmen]] living to the south came up the River Running and built Dale.<ref name="Party"/> The town shared in the prosperity of the Dwarves and was governed by the [[Lord of Dale]], of whom the last was named [[Girion]].<ref>{{H|Fire}}</ref>
 
====Destruction====
In {{TA|2770}}, [[Smaug]] descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom.<ref name="TA"/> Although the [[Men of Dale]] fielded warriors against the dragon, they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack, the dragon would crawl out of the [[Front Gate]] of the Mountain by night and ravage the city, carrying away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat.<ref name="Party"/> The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruin.<ref name="Party"/>
 
===Re-establishment===
Three years after the death of [[Smaug]] and the [[Battle of Five Armies]], Dale was rebuilt in {{TA|2944}} by [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]],<ref name="TA"/> who had killed the dragon and was the descendant of [[Girion]]. Dale soon again enjoyed prosperity; [[Bard]] re-founded Dale as its first [[King of Dale|King]] and gathered men from the [[Long Lake]], the South, and the West. [[Lake-town]] was rebuilt and grew wealthy from traffic with Dale.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> Its people became known as [[Bardings]], after their new ruler.<ref name="TA"/>
   
   
In {{TA|2770|n}} [[Smaug]] descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom.<ref name="TA"/> Although the [[Men of Dale]] fielded warriors against the monster they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack the dragon would crawl out of the [[Front Gate]] of the Mountain by night and carry away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat. The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruins.<ref name="Party"/>
====War of the Ring====
[[File:Jan Pospisil - Dale units vs. Rhun.jpg|right|thumb|Jan Pospisil - ''The Battle of Dale'']]
During the reign of King [[Brand]], the grandson of [[Bard the Bowman]], Dale served as the capital for the lands he ruled, which extended far south and east of [[Lake-town]].<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref> However, as [[Glóin]] revealed at the [[Council of Elrond]], in {{TA|3017}} a messenger from [[Mordor]] came to ask King [[Dáin Ironfoot]] at the gate to the Lonely Mountain for news of [[Hobbits]] and to ask for [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo's]] [[The One Ring|ring]]. Messengers had also spoken to King [[Brand]] and he was afraid,for the [[Sauron]]'s forces began gathering beyond the [[Carnen]].<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>
   
   
The death of Smaug and the [[Battle of Five Armies]] occurred in {{TA|2941|n}}. Three years after the battle, Dale was rebuilt by [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]],<ref name="TA"/> who had killed the dragon and was the descendant of Girion. Dale soon again enjoyed prosperity: Bard founded the [[Kingdom of Dale]] and it gathered men from the [[Long Lake]], the South, and the West. [[Lake-town]] was rebuilt and grew wealthy from traffic with Dale.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> Its people became known as [[Bardings]], after their new ruler.
During the [[War of the Ring]], [[Easterlings]] crossed the border and moved to attack the city. On [[17 March]] {{TA|3019}} the [[Battle of Dale]] began.<ref name=great/> Not able to hold back the [[Easterlings]], the [[Bardings]] and their allies, the [[Dwarves of Erebor]], retreated into the [[Lonely Mountain]], but lost Kings Brand and Dáin Ironfoot who were both slain at the [[Gate of Erebor]].<ref name=great/> For seven days, the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in [[Erebor]] until news came from the south of the defeat of [[Sauron]].<ref name=great/> The heirs to the kings of Dale and Erebor, [[Bard II]] and [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]], broke the siege and routed the remnants of the [[Easterlings]] and soon after, [[Bard II]] was crowned [[King of Dale]].<ref name=great/> 
 
[[File:Jan Pospisil - Dale units vs. Rhun.jpg|left|thumb|Jan Pospisil - ''The Battle of Dale'']]
===Later History===
During the reign of  King [[Brand]], the grandson of Bard the Bowman, Dale served as the capital for the lands he ruled, which extended far south and east of Lake-town.<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref> However, as [[Glóin]] revealed at the [[Council of Elrond]], in {{TA|3017|n}} a messenger from [[Mordor]] came to ask King [[Dáin Ironfoot]] at the gate to the Lonely Mountain for news of [[Hobbits]] and to ask for [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo's]] [[The One Ring|ring]]. Messengers had also come to King Brand and there were enemies gathering upon the Kingdom of Dale's eastern borders.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>
After the [[Battle of Dale]], the [[Easterlings]] did not trouble Dale in the future.<ref name=great/> King Bard II also sent an ambassador to the crowning of King [[Aragorn|Elessar]].<ref name=great/> Dale remained independent but in friendship with [[Gondor]] and under the protection and crown of the [[King of the West]].<ref name=great/>
During the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Easterlings]] crossed the border and moved to attack the city. On [[17 March]] {{TA|3019|n}} the [[Battle of Dale]] began. Not able to hold back the Easterlings the Bardings and their allies, the Dwarves of Erebor, retreated into the Lonely Mountain, but lost Kings Brand and Dáin Ironfoot who were both slain at the Gate of Erebor. For seven days the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of [[Sauron]]. The new kings of Dale and Erebor ([[Bard II]] and [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]]), broke the siege and chased the Easterlings out of Dale. After the siege, the Bardings rebuilt Dale, with the help of the Dwarves. Bard also sent an emissary to the coronation of King [[Aragorn|Elessar]].<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The word ''dale'' means "valley", as it was built in the [[River Running|Celduin]] valley between two arms of Erebor.
The word ''dale'' means "valley", as it was built in the [[River Running|Celduin]] valley between two arms of Erebor.
==In Other Versions of the Legendarium==
[[Tolkien]] left no foundation date for Dale in any of his published works. In ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Thorin]] tells [[Bilbo]] that men built “the merry town of Dale” during the time when his grandfather [[Thror]] was [[King under the Mountain]], soon after {{TA|2590}}. This is the only definitive statement. However, in the ''[[Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth]]'', the section titled “[[Cirion and Eorl]]” contains a lengthy description of the wars between [[Gondor]] and the [[Wainriders]]. In that story, the following comment is found (after the defeat of King [[Narmacil II]] of Gondor in {{TA|1856}}):
:{{blockquote|As for the Northmen, a few, it is said, fled over the Celduin (River Running) and were merged with the folk of Dale under Erebor (with whom they were akin), some took refuge in Gondor, and others were gathered by Marhwini son of Marhari (who fell in the rearguard action after the Battle of the Plains).|{{UT|8}}}}
It is possible to reconcile the texts if {{TA|1856}} is seen as the year of the foundation of the first, primitive [[Northmen]] settlements in the area with the years after {{TA|2590}} as the foundation of the city with the coming of the [[Dwarves of Erebor|Dwarves]]; the canonicity of this, however, is unknown.


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
Line 54: Line 83:
==See also==
==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Dale|Images of Dale]]
*[[:Category:Images of Dale|Images of Dale]]
*[[Lake-town]]
*[[Men of Dale]]


{{References}}
{{References}}

Revision as of 20:58, 20 June 2020

Dale
Matěj Čadil - Dale.jpg
General information
LocationBetween Erebor and Carnen; later extended far south and east of Lake-town[1][2]
CapitalDale
Major townsLater: Lake-town[1][2]
People
PopulationMen of Dale
LanguageLanguage of Dale, Westron
GovernanceLord of Dale
Later the King of Dale
History
FoundedSoon after T.A. 2590
See below
DestroyedT.A. 2770
Re-foundedT.A. 2944
GalleryImages of Dale

Dale was the great township and city-state of the Northmen beneath the Lonely Mountain.

It was known as a merry town that traded, mainly in food-supplies, for the skills and craft-pieces of the Dwarves. Dale's toy market was the wonder of the North[3] and the town was renowned for its bells.[4]

Geography

Dale was situated in the valley between the south-western and south-eastern arms of the Lonely Mountain, nestled in a sharp U-shaped bend of the River Running.[5] When it was re-founded the township consisted of the city of Dale and the valley of the River Running before the gates of the Lonely Mountain.[6] By the time of the War of the Ring, its boundaries and influence extended far south and east of Lake-town,[1] all the way to the River Carnen.[2]

History

Early History

Foundation

Angus McBride - Dale

In T.A. 2590, King Thrór re-established the Kingdom under the Mountain.[7] The realm prospered and Northmen living to the south came up the River Running and built Dale.[3] The town shared in the prosperity of the Dwarves and was governed by the Lord of Dale, of whom the last was named Girion.[8]

Destruction

In T.A. 2770, Smaug descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom.[7] Although the Men of Dale fielded warriors against the dragon, they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack, the dragon would crawl out of the Front Gate of the Mountain by night and ravage the city, carrying away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat.[3] The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruin.[3]

Re-establishment

Three years after the death of Smaug and the Battle of Five Armies, Dale was rebuilt in T.A. 2944 by Bard the Bowman,[7] who had killed the dragon and was the descendant of Girion. Dale soon again enjoyed prosperity; Bard re-founded Dale as its first King and gathered men from the Long Lake, the South, and the West. Lake-town was rebuilt and grew wealthy from traffic with Dale.[9] Its people became known as Bardings, after their new ruler.[7]

War of the Ring

Jan Pospisil - The Battle of Dale

During the reign of King Brand, the grandson of Bard the Bowman, Dale served as the capital for the lands he ruled, which extended far south and east of Lake-town.[10] However, as Glóin revealed at the Council of Elrond, in T.A. 3017 a messenger from Mordor came to ask King Dáin Ironfoot at the gate to the Lonely Mountain for news of Hobbits and to ask for Bilbo's ring. Messengers had also spoken to King Brand and he was afraid,for the Sauron's forces began gathering beyond the Carnen.[11]

During the War of the Ring, Easterlings crossed the border and moved to attack the city. On 17 March T.A. 3019 the Battle of Dale began.[2] Not able to hold back the Easterlings, the Bardings and their allies, the Dwarves of Erebor, retreated into the Lonely Mountain, but lost Kings Brand and Dáin Ironfoot who were both slain at the Gate of Erebor.[2] For seven days, the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of Sauron.[2] The heirs to the kings of Dale and Erebor, Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm, broke the siege and routed the remnants of the Easterlings and soon after, Bard II was crowned King of Dale.[2]

Later History

After the Battle of Dale, the Easterlings did not trouble Dale in the future.[2] King Bard II also sent an ambassador to the crowning of King Elessar.[2] Dale remained independent but in friendship with Gondor and under the protection and crown of the King of the West.[2]

Etymology

The word dale means "valley", as it was built in the Celduin valley between two arms of Erebor.

In Other Versions of the Legendarium

Tolkien left no foundation date for Dale in any of his published works. In The Hobbit, Thorin tells Bilbo that men built “the merry town of Dale” during the time when his grandfather Thror was King under the Mountain, soon after T.A. 2590. This is the only definitive statement. However, in the Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth, the section titled “Cirion and Eorl” contains a lengthy description of the wars between Gondor and the Wainriders. In that story, the following comment is found (after the defeat of King Narmacil II of Gondor in T.A. 1856):

As for the Northmen, a few, it is said, fled over the Celduin (River Running) and were merged with the folk of Dale under Erebor (with whom they were akin), some took refuge in Gondor, and others were gathered by Marhwini son of Marhari (who fell in the rearguard action after the Battle of the Plains).
—J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"

It is possible to reconcile the texts if T.A. 1856 is seen as the year of the foundation of the first, primitive Northmen settlements in the area with the years after T.A. 2590 as the foundation of the city with the coming of the Dwarves; the canonicity of this, however, is unknown.

Portrayal in adaptations

Dale in BFME II

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

The City of Dale appears in the Erebor map, just south-east of the mountain itself. It appears to contain several houses, taverns and bridges, as well as a statue of a man. The city is built around the mountain's river.

2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

Glimpses of the sack of Erebor and the destruction of Dale were shown in the opening prologue sequence.

2013: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug:

The ruined city of Dale appears briefly in the scene when Bilbo Baggins and the Dwarves are heading for Erebor.

2014: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies:

After the death of Smaug, the villagers of Lake-town seek refuge in the ruined city. During the Battle of Five Armies, they hide inside Dale while the Lake-men combat the enemy forces. When the Orc army attacks the ruined city, Bard and the Lake-towners run to defend it, leaving the Dwarves and the Elves to protect the gates of Erebor. The Elves later come to join the Men in defending the city.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "On the Doorstep"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Thrór's Map"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Last Stage"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Fire and Water"
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Last Stage"
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
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