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Durin's Folk

2022-07-28T19:38:10Z

162.158.166.66: /* Inspiration */

{{people infobox
| name=Longbeards
| image=[[File:Warren Mahy - Longbeard king.jpg|250px]]
| caption="[[:File:Warren Mahy - Longbeard king.jpg|Longbeard king]]" by [[Warren Mahy]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Sigin-tarâg'' ([[Khuzdul|K]]), ''Anfangrim'' ([[Sindarin|S]]), ''Andafangar'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=Descendants of [[Durin the Deathless]]
| location=[[Gundabad|Mount Gundabad]], [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], [[Grey Mountains]], [[Iron Hills]], [[Blue Mountains]], [[Thorin's Halls]], [[Glittering Caves]]
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]
| rivalry=[[Elves]]
| language=[[Khuzdul]], [[Westron]], [[Sindarin]]
| members='''[[Durin]]''', [[Thorin]], [[Balin]], [[Dáin Ironfoot]], [[Gimli]]
| lifespan=c. 250 years
| distinctions=Oldest of the Dwarven clans, best relations with [[Elves]], most wise and farseeing of all kindreds, particularly long-lived<ref name=PMAiv>{{PM|Aiv}}</ref>
| height=
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| gallery=Longbeards
}}
'''Durin's Folk''' were the '''Longbeards''' (''Sigin-tarâg'' in [[Khuzdul]]), one of the seven kindreds of [[Dwarves]] whose leaders were from the [[House of Durin]]. Their first king was named [[Durin]], who was one of the seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]].<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>

==History==
===First Age===
In the deeps of time, the Fathers of the Dwarves awoke, Durin was the eldest and woke first. He slept alone under Mount [[Gundabad]]. As he wandered south along the [[Misty Mountains]] he came upon a valley he named [[Azanulbizar]]. In the caves above the lake he called [[Kheled-zâram]], he founded the city of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]], the home of Durin's Folk. Durin lived there so long he became known as Durin the Deathless, yet in the end, he died before the end of the [[First Age]].<ref name="Durin"/>
[[File:Turner Mohan - Durin.jpg|left|thumb|''Durin'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]
The [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]] also colonized the [[Iron Hills]], which became Durin's Folk's primary source of iron-ore.<ref name=relations>{{PM|Relations}}, pp. 302-303</ref> The [[Old Forest Road|Dwarf-road of Mirkwood]] ran north-east to the Hills for the use of dwarf-traders and merchants between Khazad-dûm and the Hills.<ref name=Notes>{{PM|XNotes}}, p. 323 (note 30)</ref> Durin's Folk also considered the [[Grey Mountains]], which lay between these two mansions, to be within their territory. Those lands were harassed by [[Orcs]], but during the [[War of the Jewels]], they were called to [[Beleriand]] as [[Morgoth]] needed all available power, and the lands were left at peace.<ref name=relations />

When [[Men]] first migrated west into [[Rhovanion]] and [[Eriador]], they encountered Durin's Folk. The Longbeards were the wisest and most farseeing of the seven kindreds and began dealing with Men, establishing an economy in which Men chiefly provided food in exchange for Dwarven work in building, road-construction, mining, and the crafting of tools and weapons. The Men looked at the Dwarves with awe and were eager to learn from them. This system benefitted mostly the Dwarves, as the services they provided to Men required less effort than those offered in exchange; so they were free to continue with pursuing their labour and refine their skills.<ref name=relations />

===Second Age===
At the end of the First Age during the [[War of Wrath]] and the breaking of [[Thangorodrim]], the ancient cities of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]] in the [[Blue Mountains]] had been ruined. In the [[Second Age]], about the year {{SA|40|n}},<ref name="SA">{{App|SA}}</ref> many Dwarves who lived in these cities left the destruction behind and came to Khazad-dûm, increasing its wealth and power.<ref name="Durin"/> The Longbeards controlled [[Erebor]], [[Ered Mithrin]], [[Ered Engrin]], and the eastern side of the [[Misty Mountains]] up to [[Lorien]].<ref name=Notes>{{PM|XNotes}}</ref>

Also in that time, Morgoth's Orcs, now leaderless and reckless, but still numerous, armed and cruel, returned to the East and started harassing the Dwarven lands again, as well as the more numerous Men who settled between the Grey Mountains and [[Mirkwood]]; those early [[Northmen]] were related to the former [[House of Hador]] far in [[Beleriand]]. Once more, the Dwarves provided the Men with metal weapons and defensive measures in exchange for their skill in taming and riding horses, enabling them to function as mounted scouts and archers. Thus an [[Alliance of Dwarves and Men]] was formed, resulting in mutual respect and also warm friendship. During this period the Longbeards adopted the speech of Men, keeping their own language to themselves.<ref name=relations />

In {{SA|750|n}}, the [[Noldor]] established a new realm in [[Eregion]]. Being close to Khazad-dûm they established a friendship with Durin's Folk unlike any before between [[Elves]] and [[Dwarves]]. Both peoples were enriched, and the Elves (seduced by [[Sauron]]) forged the [[Rings of Power]] (the forging began about {{SA|1500|n}} and one of these was given to [[Durin III]], according to the dwarves by [[Celebrimbor]] himself, in Khazad-dûm<ref name="Durin"/>). In {{SA|1697|n}}, Eregion was [[Sack of Eregion|destroyed]] by Sauron, and the gates of Khazad-dûm were shut<ref name="SA"/> and remained so throughout the [[Dark Years]] of Sauron's dominion. Durin's Folk stayed enclosed in Khazad-dûm, which was unassailable from without; its wealth remained unravished, but communication between the [[Dwarves of Khazad-dûm]] and the [[Dwarves of the Iron Hills]] was cut off.<ref>{{PM|Relations}}, p. 306</ref>

In the [[Battle of Dagorlad]] in {{SA|3434|n}}, Durin's Folk sent forces to fight alongside the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], and likely through the end of the [[War of the Last Alliance]].<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref>

===Third Age===
During the reign of [[Durin VI]] in the [[Third Age]], the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm delved deeper and deeper for ''[[mithril]]'', which had become increasingly harder to find. In {{TA|1980|n}} however, they accidentally awoke a hidden [[Balrogs|Balrog]] that had fled from the First Age and killed King [[Durin VI]]. Finally in {{TA|1981|n}} his son [[Náin I]] was also killed and all the people of Khazad-dûm were either destroyed or fled far away.<ref name="Durin"/>

Most of Durin's Folk escaped to the north where in {{TA|1999|n}}<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> [[Thráin I]] established a new capital within [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]], becoming [[King under the Mountain]]. By the [[Watchful Peace]] most Longbeards gathered to the [[Grey Mountains]] and King [[Thorin I]] left Erebor in {{TA|2210|n}}<ref name="TA"/> and travelled further north to settle there also. For a time they prospered there for the mountains were rich.<ref name="Durin"/>

Unfortunately, there were [[dragons]] in the wastes north of the Grey Mountains, and in {{TA|2570|n}} they began [[War of the Dwarves and Dragons|making war]] against the Longbeards. The conflict came to a climax in {{TA|2589|n}} when King [[Dáin I]]<ref name="TA"/> and his second son [[Frór]] were killed by a great [[Cold-drakes|cold-drake]] outside [[Dáin's halls|his halls]].<ref name="Durin"/> Soon after, most of Durin's Folk left the Ered Mithrin with [[Grór]], Dáin's third son, leading many followers to the Iron Hills in {{TA|2590|n}}.<ref name="TA"/>

In the same year, Dáin's first son and heir, [[Thrór]], with his uncle [[Borin]] and the remainder of the departing Longbeards, returned to Erebor. There they prospered, winning the friendship of all Men nearby, and trafficking in ore with their kin in the Iron Hills.<ref name="Durin"/> News of the wealth of Erebor spread and reached the dragons, and in {{TA|2770|n}} [[Smaug]] suddenly descended upon the Mountain, and [[Sack of Erebor|sacked]] it.<ref name="TA"/> Although many Dwarves were killed, many escaped as well. Among them were King Thrór and his family who headed south into a long homeless wandering while most of the surviving Longbeards headed east to the Iron Hills.<ref name="Durin"/>
[[File:Turner Mohan - The Heir of Durin.jpg|thumb|''The Heir of Durin'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]
The followers of Thrór eventually settled in [[Dunland]]<ref name="Durin"/> where in {{TA|2790|n}} Thrór left "to see what I can find."<ref name="TA"/> With a companion, [[Nár]], he came to the east gate of Khazad-dûm and entered as a returning heir. For days Nár waited in hiding outside until Thrór’s body was tossed from the gates by the Orc-chieftain [[Azog]], who told Nár to go warn his kin never to return to Moria. Nár went back to [[Thráin]], Thrór's son to report what had happened. Now King and filled with anger, Thráin II sent word to all the houses of the Dwarves to prepare for war.<ref name="Durin"/>

By {{TA|2793|n}} the Dwarves had mustered a great host. Durin's Folk and large forces from the other Houses were ready to launch a [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs|war of vengeance]].<ref name="TA"/> For six years, From Gundabad to the [[Gladden River|Gladden]], they sacked and assaulted every Orc dwelling they could find. Defeating the [[Orcs]] through strength, matchless weapons, and burning anger.<ref name="Durin"/>

At last on a dark winter day in {{TA|2799|n}} the Dwarf-host came to Azanulbizar<ref name="TA"/> and found a great host of Orcs awaiting them. Undeterred, the Dwarves, led by Thráin II, made their assault, beginning the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]]. This final battle too the Dwarves won, but at great cost. In the end, Azog was beheaded and Thrór was avenged, but the Dwarves could not take Khazad-dûm, for within still dwelt Durin's Bane.

With the war over the Dwarves dispersed. [[Dáin Ironfoot]] led his contingent of Longbeards back to the Iron Hills. Thráin II, with [[Thorin]], [[Balin]], [[Glóin]], and others of their following returned to Dunland. Soon though they uprooted and wandered in Eriador until they established themselves in the northern [[Ered Luin]] beyond the [[Lhûn|Lune]]. There they prospered and their numbers slowly grew.<ref name="Durin"/>

Thráin II decided to return to Erebor in {{TA|2841|n}} but as he travelled, he and his companions were pursued by Sauron's servants. One day in {{TA|2845|n}} Thráin was captured and imprisoned in [[Dol Guldur]]. Eventually, in {{TA|2850|n}}, [[Gandalf]] found him and received the key to Erebor, but the last of the [[Seven Rings]] had been taken and Gandalf was unable to rescue the Dwarf.<ref name="TA"/>

King Thorin II Oakenshield and his people continued to labour and traffic in the Ered Luin until one day Thorin sought and found Gandalf to solicit his counsel and aid in dealing with Smaug. Gandalf devised a plan for burglary, employing the service of [[Bilbo Baggins]] of [[the Shire]]. The plan succeeded and Smaug was slain, but in the subsequent [[Battle of Five Armies]] Thorin was killed. However, his cousin Dáin Ironfoot, who led a contingent of Dwarves in the battle, entered Erebor and restored the Kingdom under the Mountain as King Dáin II.<ref name="Durin"/>

Durin's Folk grew strong in Erebor until during the [[War of the Ring]] their realm and that of the [[Kingdom of Dale]] were attacked by Sauron's northern forces. In the [[Battle of Dale]] in {{TA|3019|n}} King Dáin II fell and thereafter the Mountain was besieged. Upon the news of Sauron's downfall, however, the besieged routed the army of Sauron and Dáin's son, [[Thorin Stonehelm]] became the King under the Mountain as Thorin III.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> Eventually, his descendant, [[Durin VII]], would lead Durin's Folk back to Khazad-dûm .<ref>{{PM|Aiv}}</ref>

Also after the fall of Sauron, [[Gimli]], the son of Glóin, brought some of Durin's Folk from Erebor south to [[Glittering Caves|Aglarond]] and there established a new Dwarf-realm. Gimli served as the [[Lord of the Glittering Caves]].<ref name="Durin"/>

==Other versions of the legendarium==

In the Lost Tales, the Longbeards (the Indrafangs) were living in [[Belegost]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.) 1984: The History of Middle-Earth, vol. 2, [[The Book of Lost Tales]] Part Two, pp. 46, 68, 223, 230, etc. especially 247 and [[John D. Rateliff]] 2007: The History of the Hobbit, Part One, pp. 77f.</ref> They had part in the destruction of the realm of Tinwelint [> [[Thingol]]].<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.) 1984: The History of Middle-Earth, vol. 2, [[The Book of Lost Tales]], Part Two, pp. 230, 232 - 235. </ref>

==Etymology==
''Sigin-tarâg'' is [[Khuzdul]] for "Longbeards", from ''[[sigin]]'' ("long") and ''[[tarâg]]'' ("beards"). The name was translated as ''Andafangar'' in [[Quenya]], and ''Anfangrim'' in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{PM|Dwarves}}, p. 321 (note 21)</ref>

==Inspiration==
Historically, the term "Longbeards" is the supposed original name of the [[Wikipedia:Lombards|Lombards]]. The Lombards became bankers and the Middle English "Lombard" means banker, money lender. This is expressed by Thorin: "... and the poorest of us had money to spent and to lend, ..."<ref>[[John D. Rateliff]] 2007: The History of the Hobbit, Part One, p. 71 and 77.</ref>

{{References}}

{{dwarvenclans}}
{{durinskings}}

[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]
[[de:Durins Volk]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/nains/peuple_de_durin]]
[[fi:Durinin heimo]]

Talk:Durin's Bane

2022-07-28T18:08:37Z

162.158.166.66: /* When came the Balrog to Moria? */

==Main image==
The main image was changed months ago without discussion, but I propose to change it with [[:File:Ted Nasmith - Gandalf and the Balrog Upon Celebdil.jpg|this]] of the same artist, which is more detailed and is not already used. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 11:55, 31 August 2020 (UTC)

:I've just taken a look through the gallery and have to admit I prefer the [[:File:Ted Nasmith - At the Bridge.jpg|previous image]]. --{{User:Mith/sig}} 12:27, 31 August 2020 (UTC)

:Agreed with your choice, both are nice pictures and I don't mind which one is picked. [[User:Gaetano|Gaetano]] 22:06, 4 September 2020 (UTC)

==Gender?==
In this article, Durin's Bane is referred to as both "it" and "he". Which is more correct? -- [[User:Ancalagon the Black|Ancalagon the Black]] 17:27, 5 January 2021 (UTC)
:I'd say "he," since Durin's Bane is specifically referred to as a male by Gandalf in ''[[The Two Towers]]'' (Chapter 5 to be specific). --{{User:Holdwine Meriadoc/sig}} 20:28, 5 January 2021 (UTC)

::In ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[The Bridge of Khazad-dûm]], the Balrog is always referred to as "it". Some of that might come from its originally unknown nature, but even after Gimli identifies it as Durin's Bane, "it" is still used. But Holdwine Meriadoc is definitely right in that in Chapter 5 of ''[[The Two Towers]]'' ([[The White Rider]]), Gandalf always uses "he" when he gives his account of the encounter. I would go ahead and go with "he" here, which would make it consistent with the articles for [[Gothmog (balrog)]] and [[Lungorthin]]. --[[User:Grace18|Grace18]] 02:58, 6 January 2021 (UTC)

:::Makes sense. Thank you both! -- [[User:Ancalagon the Black|Ancalagon the Black]] 03:24, 6 January 2021 (UTC)

== When came the Balrog to Moria? ==
In the article it is suggested, that this balrog escaped the battle at the end of the First Age and went to Moria. No references are given, and it doesn't make sense. Durin had discovered Moria during the First Age and there was no disturbance until Sauron came in the Second Age. So I don't see any possibility for this balrog to sneak in. I would rather suggest, that Melkor put him there himself, when he raised the [[Misty Mountains]] in the Days of the Trees, before the Elves came. Durin was laid under Mount Gundabad by Aule even before. --[[Special:Contributions/172.69.22.226|172.69.22.226]] 01:18, 26 July 2022 (UTC)
:Thanks for bringing that up. I agree with you, if we can't find a source for that statement then it should be removed. Feel free to remove/rephrase as you see fit. If you have any questions just let me know. We appreciate your help! --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 02:07, 26 July 2022 (UTC)

:: {{quote|The Balrog is a survivor from the Silmarillion and the legends of the First Age. So is Shelob. The Balrogs, of whom the whips were the chief weapons, were primeval spirits of destroying fire, chief servants of the primeval Dark Power of the First Age. They were supposed to have been all destroyed in the overthrow of Thangorodrim, his fortress in the North. '''But it is here found (there is usually a hang-over especially of evil from one age to another) that one had escaped and taken refuge under the mountains of Hithaeglin (the Misty Mountains)'''.|''[[Letter 144]]''}} - [[User:IvarTheBoneless|IvarTheBoneless]] 01:20, 27 July 2022 (UTC)

:::Ivar saves the day! I've updated the article. Thank you! --[[User:Hyarion|Hyarion]] 01:29, 27 July 2022 (UTC)

:::{{quote|Thus they roused from sleep a thing of terror that, flying from Thangorodrim, had lain hidden at the foundations of the earth since the coming of the Host of the West: a Balrog of Morgoth.|''{{App|Durin}}, fourth paragraph, p. 954}} One does not even need to look at the letter of J.R.R. Tolkien, the answer can be found in appendix A of The Lord of the Rings itself. I already added that reference to the Durin's Bane page. --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhorahil]] 08:57, 27 July 2022 (UTC)

::: Great! Now there are references!--[[Special:Contributions/162.158.166.66|162.158.166.66]] 18:08, 28 July 2022 (UTC)

== Nameless Terror ==
Both the infobox and the article mention the name "Nameless Terror". I have searched The Lord of the Rings, Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth, The Peoples of Middle-earth and The Lord of the Rings - A Reader's Companion and could not find a use of the name "Nameless Terror" and could not find a source for that name. Does anybody know the source or is it an incorrect name? --[[User:Akhorahil|Akhorahil]] 09:55, 27 July 2022 (UTC)
:Definitely fanon. I've checked too and there is not trace of that name. The closest to it is in the Appendix A, in which he is called "thing of terror" and Aragorn mentioning "the coming of the Terror" in "The Mirror of Galadriel". I'll remove that now. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 10:10, 27 July 2022 (UTC)
:Durin's Bane is called "the nameless ''fear''" (not terror) by Gimli at the Council of Elrond. It's not clear if that was an established name or just a turn of phrase by Gimli. --[[User:Pachyderminator|Pachyderminator]] 17:23, 27 July 2022 (UTC)

::Nice catch! Not capitalized, so nope, not worthy. --[[User:LorenzoCB|LorenzoCB]] 17:29, 27 July 2022 (UTC)