Dale (Kingdom): Difference between revisions

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{{disambig-two|the Kingdom of Dale|the city|[[Dale]]}}
{{disambig-two|the Kingdom of Dale|the city|[[Dale]]}}
{{sources}}
{{kingdom
{{kingdom
| image = [[File:John Howe - Icon Dale.jpg|150px]]
| image = [[File:John Howe - Icon Dale.jpg|150px]]
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| capital = [[Dale]]
| capital = [[Dale]]
| language = [[Language of Dale]]
| language = [[Language of Dale]]
| location = Northern [[Wilderland]], between the southwest and southeast arms of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]
| location = Northern [[Wilderland]], from the city of [[Dale]] south beyond [[Lake-town]] and east to the River [[Carnen]]
| populace= [[Northmen]]
| populace= [[Northmen]]
| currency =  
| currency =  
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| restored =  
| restored =  
}}
}}
 
The '''Kingdom of Dale''' was a city state in northern [[Rhovanion]] formed in the late [[Third Age]] by King [[Bard]] and populated by [[Northmen]].
The '''kingdom of Dale''' was a city state formed in the [[Third Age]] by Northmen.


== Geography ==
== Geography ==
 
When it was founded the Kingdom of Dale 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 extended far south and east of [[Lake-town]],<ref name="Meetings">{{FR|II1}}</ref> all the way to the River [[Carnen]].<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>
The Kingdom of Dale was established in the Northen [[Wilderland]], just south of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], near the banks of river [[River Running|Celduin]].


==Background==
==Background==
The Township and Lordship of Dale was most probably formed around the year {{TA|2590}} by the Northmen who lived in that area for centuries. That was the time when [[Thrór]] brought his people back to Erebor. The Men of Dale may therefore have benefited from an influx of neighboring peoples who hoped to trade with the Dwarves, inviting all their relatives from all over the region to join them, forming the city of [[Dale]].{{fact}} Dale saw great rise until the year {{TA|2758}}, when the [[Long Winter]] came.  
The Township of Dale was formed soon after the year {{TA|2590}} when [[Thrór]] brought his people back to Erebor.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref>  Men living to the south came up the River Running, built Dale, and became prosperous providing food to the [[Kingdom Under the Mountain]].<ref name="Party">{{H|Party}}</ref>  The town was governed by a Lord, the last of whom was named [[Girion]].<ref>{{H|Fire}}</ref>


In the year {{TA|2770|n}} [[Smaug]] attacked Dale, killing [[Girion]] and ruining the town for 172 years.
In {{TA|2770|n}} [[Smaug]] attacked and occupied the Lonely Mountain.<ref name="TA"/>  The great [[Dragons|dragon]] came forth at night to capture and eat people from the city; soon Dale was deserted and fell into ruin.<ref name="Party"/>


== History ==
== History ==
After the [[Battle of Five Armies]], [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]] founded the Kingdom, and he was later titled King '''Bard I'''.  
In {{TA|2941}} [[Bard|Bard the Bowman]] slew Smaug.  After the [[Battle of Five Armies]] and the recovery of the riches of the former lord, Bard became quite wealthy.  In {{TA|2944|n}} he used his wealth to founded the Kingdom, and he was crowned as King Bard (later known as Bard I).<ref name="TA"/>


The Kingdom must have benefitted by the simultaneous refounding of the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]. In the later years, the realm was said to extend far to the south and east of [[Esgaroth]]<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>, including perhaps all the lands between [[Carnen]] and [[Celduin]]<ref name=RF>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', entry "Dale"</ref>
The Kingdom benefited by the simultaneous refounding of the Kingdom under the Mountain. After King Bard died in {{TA|2977|n}} his son King [[Bain]] reigned and in {{TA|3007|n}} he was succeeded by King [[Brand]].<ref name="TA"/> As the end of the [[Third Age]] approached the growing realm extended far to the south and east of [[Esgaroth]].<ref name="Meetings"/>


Dale was sacked for a second time during the [[War of the Ring]] by invaders from [[Mordor]] and the [[Easterlings]]. The people of Dale took refuge in [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] with the Dwarves, and it was during the [[Battle of Dale]] that King [[Dáin Ironfoot]] of Erebor and King [[Brand]] of Dale were slain. However, after the fall of Sauron, the siege was broken and Dale rebuilt once more.
In {{TA|3017|n}} a messenger from [[Mordor]] came to both the [[Dwarves of Erebor]] and the Kingdom of Dale.<ref>{{FR|II2}}</ref>  Despite words offering [[Sauron]]'s friendship, the Dark Lord's forces began gathering beyond the Carnen.  About the same time that [[Minas Tirith]] was attacked (on [[15 March]] {{TA|3019|n}}) a host of Sauron's allies crossed the river and drove Brand back into Dale.  On [[17 March]] the [[Battle of Dale]] began.  King Brand and King [[Dáin Ironfoot]] of the Mountain were both killed and the [[Men of Dale]] and the Dwarves were driven into the Mountain.  The enemy could not take the gates and a siege began. However, when news of the fall of Sauron came the enemy forces lost heart, and on [[27 March]] the new King of Dale, [[Bard II]], and the new King Under the Mountain, [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]], burst forth and drove the enemy away.


During the [[Fourth Age]], Dale was independent, but allied to the [[Reunited Kingdom]].<ref name=RF/>
King Bard II sent an ambassador to the crowning of King [[Aragorn|Elessar]].  The Kingdom of Dale remained independent but in friendship with [[Gondor]] and under the protection and crown of the King of the West.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref>


{{references}}
{{references}}
*{{HM|H}}
*{{HM|AA}}
* [[Michael Martinez]], "[http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/michaelmartinezsuite101essay59 Resurrecting Dale]"
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[Category:Rhovanion]]
[[Category:Mannish realms]]
[[Category:Mannish realms]]

Revision as of 22:20, 19 March 2013

This article is about the Kingdom of Dale. For the the city, see Dale.
Kingdom of Dale
File:John Howe - Icon Dale.jpg
General information
LocationNorthern Wilderland, from the city of Dale south beyond Lake-town and east to the River Carnen
CapitalDale
People
LanguageLanguage of Dale

The Kingdom of Dale was a city state in northern Rhovanion formed in the late Third Age by King Bard and populated by Northmen.

Geography

When it was founded the Kingdom of Dale consisted of the city of Dale and the valley of the River Running before the gates of the Lonely Mountain.[1] By the time of the War of the Ring its boundaries extended far south and east of Lake-town,[2] all the way to the River Carnen.[3]

Background

The Township of Dale was formed soon after the year T.A. 2590 when Thrór brought his people back to Erebor.[4] Men living to the south came up the River Running, built Dale, and became prosperous providing food to the Kingdom Under the Mountain.[5] The town was governed by a Lord, the last of whom was named Girion.[6]

In 2770 Smaug attacked and occupied the Lonely Mountain.[4] The great dragon came forth at night to capture and eat people from the city; soon Dale was deserted and fell into ruin.[5]

History

In T.A. 2941 Bard the Bowman slew Smaug. After the Battle of Five Armies and the recovery of the riches of the former lord, Bard became quite wealthy. In 2944 he used his wealth to founded the Kingdom, and he was crowned as King Bard (later known as Bard I).[4]

The Kingdom benefited by the simultaneous refounding of the Kingdom under the Mountain. After King Bard died in 2977 his son King Bain reigned and in 3007 he was succeeded by King Brand.[4] As the end of the Third Age approached the growing realm extended far to the south and east of Esgaroth.[2]

In 3017 a messenger from Mordor came to both the Dwarves of Erebor and the Kingdom of Dale.[7] Despite words offering Sauron's friendship, the Dark Lord's forces began gathering beyond the Carnen. About the same time that Minas Tirith was attacked (on 15 March 3019) a host of Sauron's allies crossed the river and drove Brand back into Dale. On 17 March the Battle of Dale began. King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot of the Mountain were both killed and the Men of Dale and the Dwarves were driven into the Mountain. The enemy could not take the gates and a siege began. However, when news of the fall of Sauron came the enemy forces lost heart, and on 27 March the new King of Dale, Bard II, and the new King Under the Mountain, Thorin III Stonehelm, burst forth and drove the enemy away.

King Bard II sent an ambassador to the crowning of King Elessar. The Kingdom of Dale remained independent but in friendship with Gondor and under the protection and crown of the King of the West.[8]

References