Dwarves of the Iron Hills: Difference between revisions

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{{race
{{race
|image=[[Image:Iron Hill Dwarves.jpg|250px]]
|image=[[File:Angelo Montanini - Iron Hill Dwarves.jpg|250px]]
|name= Dwarves of the Iron Hills
|name= Dwarves of the Iron Hills
|dominions= [[Iron Hills]], [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]
|dominions= [[Iron Hills]], [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]]

Revision as of 16:37, 10 July 2012

Dwarves of the Iron Hills
Race
Angelo Montanini - Iron Hill Dwarves.jpg
General Information
MembersDáin II Ironfoot, Gror, Náin son of Grór
Physical Description
Lifespanaround 250 years
DistinctionsShort in stature, beards, well-armoured in combat
Average heightFive feet or less

The Dwarves of the Iron Hills belonged to the house of the Longbeards, otherwise known as Durin's folk. Originally, the Dwarves of this house dwelt in the northern Grey Mountains, but they were greatly troubled by Dragons in that region. After King Dáin I was slain by one of these dragons, his surviving sons led an exodus into the east. Dáin's elder son Thrór recreated the Kingdom under the Mountain at Erebor, while his younger brother Grór led a part of the people further into the east, to settle among the Iron Hills.

History

Early History

The Hills were mined for thousands of years by Durin's folk, because of the hills' rich amount of iron. The Dwarves had also constructed the Dwarf-road of Mirkwood which ran northeast to the Hills for the Dwarf-traders than went to and from Khazad-dûm and the Hills.

Founding of Gror's Realm

Gror, son of Dain I and his people were forced to leave their home in the Gray Mountains due to attack of Dragons. He settled in the Iron Hills during the year 2590, where he became the first Lord of the Iron Hills. During his reign the realm became the strongest in the North, being the only realm standing between Sauron and his plans to destroy Rivendell and taking back the lands of Angmar. Also, following the Sack of Erebor many of Durin's folk fleeing from Smaug and those wandering in exile, except for Thrór and his small company of family and followers, came to the Iron Hills, bolstering their numbers.

War of the Dwarves and Orcs

During the War of the Dwarves and Orcs many Dwarves from the Iron Hills fought several battles, but they are mostly remembered from the Battle of Azanulbizar in the year T.A. 2799. Naín and his army came to the battle in the most crucial moment, when the main Dwarven army was being decimated by the great host of Orcs. With these fresh reinforcments, the Dwarves were able to route and destroy their opponents, fighting their way all up to the steps of the East-gate of Moria. There, Nain dueled with Azog, the Orc commander, resulting to his death. Later in the battle,Dáin II Ironfoot killed Azog out of vengeance for his father, achieving recognition because he was very young for dwarven standards. After this battle Dain led his Dwarves back to Gror's Halls.

Dain's Reign

Grór ruled the Dwarves of the Iron Hills for two hundred and fifteen years, and he died in 2805 at 241 years of age. Dain II became the second Lord of the Iron Hills, and during his reign Iron Hills evolved to the mightiest Dwarf-realm of its time. Years later, when Thrór's descendant Thorin sent to the Iron Hills for aid in restoring Erebor, Dáin sent many armoured Dwarves. As events developed, the Dwarves of the Iron Hills proved crucial in winning the ensuing Battle of Five Armies. Thorin died in that battle, and with him the royal line of Thrór. Through his ancestor Grór, the Kingship of Durin's Folk then fell on Dáin. Dáin II Ironfoot removed from the Iron Hills, and re-established a kingdom under the Lonely Mountain. It is possible that both Iron Hills and Erebor were ruled by him and later by his son Thorin III Stonehelm.

Later History

It is possible, though not canonical, that the Dwarves from the Iron Hills, fought in the Battle of Dale against the Easterlings during the War of the Ring, but Tolkien never stated that they specifically did.

Other information

They became well-known for making a metal mesh that could be used for making flexible items like leg-coverings.

These Dwarves of Durin's folk were known for being some of the most fierce and elite of all Dwarf armies. Their main weapon of choice seemed to have been the mattocks, though they also carried a short broad sword with a round shield.

Not much is said on whom were enemies of these dwarves, but it seems likely that the Easterlings were one of them, since their empire was near and around the Iron Hills, and possibly Dragons. Considering they lived in the wastes to the North.

Sources