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Samwise Gamgee

2008-07-29T20:00:26Z

85.74.123.116: /* Date of Birth */

{{hobbit
| image=[[Image:Peter Jackson's Samwise Gamgee.jpg|250px]]
| name=Samwise Gamgee
| othernames=[[Banazîr]]
| birth=April 6, [[Third Age 2980|T.A. 2980]]
| death=Unknown, after [[Fourth Age 61]]
| parentage=[[Hamfast Gamgee]] and [[Bell Goodchild]]
| location=[[the Shire]]
| gender=Male
| hair=
|}}
<center>{{quote|I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] to Sam at the downfall of [[Sauron]].}}</center>

'''Samwise Gamgee''' ([[Third Age]] April 6, 2980 - [[Fourth Age]] 61; [[Shire Reckoning]]: 1380 - 1482; 99 years old when he sailed into the [[West]]) was [[Frodo Baggins]]' servant and the only original member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] to remain with him till the very end of the journey to [[Mount Doom]].

== History ==
A gardener by trade, Sam seemed to be a simple [[Hobbit]] of plain speech. However, his love for [[Elves]], his gift for poetry, and his belief that the world contains greater wonders than most hobbits are aware of (all nurtured by his tutor [[Bilbo Baggins]]) set him apart from the beginning. It was Sam who first introduced the theme of the Elves' sailing from [[Middle-earth]], a subtle foreshadowing of Bilbo and Frodo's final journey across the Sea. He lived with his father, Hamfast Gamgee, better known as "[[The Gaffer]]", on [[Bagshot Row]] in the [[Shire]], close to [[Bag End]]. Sam's mother was [[Bell Goodchild]]; he had five siblings: [[Hamson Gamgee|Hamson]], [[Halfred Gamgee|Halfred]], [[Daisy Gamgee|Daisy]], [[May Gamgee|May]], and [[Marigold Gamgee|Marigold]].

As "punishment" for eavesdropping on [[Gandalf]]'s conversation with [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] regarding the dangers of the [[One Ring]], Sam was made Frodo's first companion on his journey to [[Rivendell]] in the beginning of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. Sam saved Frodo's life more than once during the quest to destroy the Ring, and he accompanied him all the way to [[Mount Doom]].

After [[Shelob]] attacked and seemingly killed Frodo, Sam took the Ring, intending to complete the quest. Because he held the Ring for a time, he is considered one of the [[Ring-bearers]].

After the [[War of the Ring]], he married [[Rose Cotton|Rose "Rosie" Cotton]] back in the Shire. They had thirteen children: [[Elanor Gardner|Elanor the Fair]], [[Frodo Gardner|Frodo]], [[Rose Gardner|Rose]], [[Merry Gardner|Merry]], [[Pippin Gardner|Pippin]], [[Goldilocks Gardner|Goldilocks]], [[Hamfast Gardner|Hamfast]], [[Daisy Gardner|Daisy]], [[Primrose Gardner|Primrose]], [[Bilbo Gardner|Bilbo]], [[Ruby Gardner|Ruby]], [[Robin Gardner|Robin]], and [[Tolman Gardner|Tolman]]. After [[Will Whitfoot]] resigned his post as [[Mayor of Michel Delving]] (the largest town in the Shire and the "unofficial capital"), in Fourth Age 7, Sam was elected Mayor of the Shire for seven consecutive 7-year terms.

After his wife died in Fourth Age 62, Sam entrusted the [[Red Book of Westmarch|Red Book]] to Elanor and left Middle-earth to sail across the Sea and be reunited with Frodo in the [[Undying Lands]], (though it should be noted that as they were both born mortals, they would still eventually die a mortal death).

==Date of Birth==
"[[The Tale of Years]]" (Appendix B) gives Sam's birth as T.A. 2983, which contradicts all other sources and descriptions.
== Name ==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] took the name from ''Gamgee Tissue'', a surgical dressing invented by a 19th century [[Birmingham]] surgeon called Joseph Sampson Gamgee. "Gamgee" became the colloquial name in Birmingham for cotton wool. Here, Tolkien describes why he had chosen that name for his character:
{{quote|The choice of Gamgee was primarily directed by alliteration; but I did not invent it. It was caught out of childhood memory, as a comic word or name. It was in fact the name when I was small (in Birmingham) for 'cotton-wool'. (Hence the association of the Gamgees with the Cottons.) I knew nothing of its origin.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

It is possible that Tolkien may have subconsciously recalled Dr. Gamgee (who died in 1886 but is commemorated by a plaque at the Birmingham Medical Institute, only yards from Tolkien's childhood home) but he claimed to be genuinely surprised when, in March 1956, he received a letter from one Sam Gamgee, who had heard that his name was in ''The Lord of the Rings'' but had not read the book. Tolkien replied on March 18:
{{quote|Dear Mr. Gamgee,It was very kind of you to write. You can imagine my astonishment when I saw your signature! I can only say, for your comfort, I hope, that the 'Sam Gamgee' of my story is a most heroic character, now widely beloved by many readers, even though his origins are rustic. So that perhaps you will not be displeased at the coincidence of the name of this imaginary character of supposedly many centuries ago being the same as yours.|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

He proceeded to send Mr Gamgee a signed copy of all three volumes of the book. However, the incident sparked a nagging worry in Tolkien's mind, as he recorded in his journal:
{{quote|For some time I lived in fear of receiving a letter signed 'S. Gollum'. That would have been more difficult to deal with.|''[[J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography]]''}}

In [[Appendix F]] of ''The Lord of the Rings'', it is mentioned that the [[Westron]] form of Sam's name is '''Banazîr Galbasi''' (''also spelled Galpsi''). ''Banazîr'' comes from elements meaning "halfwise" or "simple". ''Galbasi'' comes from the name of the village ''Galabas''. The name ''Galabas'' uses the elements ''galab-'', meaning "game", and ''bas-'', corresponding somewhat to "-wich" or "-wick". Tolkien's English translation, ''Samwís Gamwich'', could have come to ''Samwise Gamgee'' in modern English.

The [[Sindarin]] version of Samwise is '''[[Perhael]]'''.

== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Rankin-Bass' Samwise Gamgee.jpg|thumb|left|Samwise Gamgee as portrayed in [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]]]
In [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]], released in [[1978]], [[Michael Scholes]] was the voice of Sam. [[Roddy McDowall]] voiced the character in the 1980 animated short of ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]''.

In the [[1981]] BBC radio [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|serial of ''The Lord of the Rings'']], Sam is played by [[William Nighy]].

In ''[[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]'', Sam is played by [[Sean Astin]].

On stage, Sam was portrayed by Peter Howe in the 3-hour long Toronto, Canada stage production of ''The Lord of the Rings'', which opened in [[2006]]. In the United States, Sam was portrayed by Blake Bowden in the Cincinnati productions of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' ([[2001]]), ''[[The Two Towers]]'' ([[2002]]), and ''[[The Return of the King]]'' ([[2003]]) for Clear Stage Cincinnati. In Chicago, Dale Inghram played Sam in the Lifeline Theatre production of ''[[The Two Towers]]'' in [[1999]].

== Commentary ==
Sam Gamgee is by many regarded as the "true hero" of Tolkien's story. Tolkien himself expressed this view in one of his letters: Sam is referred to as the "chief hero", and special emphasis is placed on Sam's "rustic love" for Rosie.1 The quest to destroy the Ring only succeeds because of Sam, who repeatedly saves Frodo from disaster (such as rescuing him at [[Cirith Ungol]] and carrying him up [[Mount Doom]]). He was one of three Ring-bearers strong enough to surrender the Ring voluntarily.

The relationship between Frodo and Sam is, in many respects, at the center of ''The Lord of the Rings''. To the modern reader, it seems archaic, as it is extremely class-oriented. Sam's humbleness and "plain speaking" is frequently emphasised in contrast to Frodo's "gentility", and he often shows deference to Frodo, calling him "Mister Frodo" or "Master". At the same time, a strong bond of love and trust grows between them, portrayed most poignantly during the events of Cirith Ungol, where Sam vows to return to his (apparently) dead master, to be reunited with Frodo in death.

[[Tolkienists]] regard Sam as Frodo's ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman_%28army%29 batman]''. In the British Army, a batman was an orderly who acted as the personal servant of an officer. It was a role with which Tolkien (who served as an Army officer in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I First World War]) would have been extremely familiar. Sam undertakes all of the typical roles of a batman — he runs errands for Frodo, he cooks, he transports him (or at least carries him), and he carries his luggage. Tolkien confirmed this interpretation when he wrote in a private letter that:
{{quote|My Sam Gamgee is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself|''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]''}}

Compare to the relation between [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote Don Quixote] and his squire [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sancho_Panza Sancho Panza], and the gradual "Quixotization" of Sancho.

== Notes ==
# In the long summary-letter sent to [[Milton Waldman]], published in ''[[The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien]]'' as #131.

{{sequence|prev=[[Frodo Baggins]]|next=[[Frodo Baggins]]|list=[[Ring-bearer]] <code>III</code> 13 March 3019 - 14 March 3019}}{{fellowship}}

[[Category:Characters]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Gamgee]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]

[[de:Samweis Gamdschie]]

Arvedui

2008-07-29T09:18:35Z

85.74.123.116: /* Life as King */

{{royalty infobox
|image=
|name=Arvedui
|othernames=
|birth= <code>III</code> 1864
|rule= <code>III</code> 1964
|death= <code>III</code> 1975
|age= 111
|realms= [[Arthedain]]
|race=[[Men]]
|gender=Male
|height=
|hair=
|eyes=
|}}{{Pronounce|Arvedui.mp3|Ardamir}}
__NOTOC__'''Arvedui''' ([[Third Age|T.A.]] 1864 – 1974, died aged 111) was the fifteenth, and last, king of [[Arthedain]], succeeding his father, [[Araphant]], upon his death in 1964.

==History==
===Birth and Early Life===
Arvedui's name means "Last King" in [[Sindarin]] (see [[#Etymology|Etymology]] below), and he was named so due to a [[Arvedui Last-king|prophecy]] by [[Malbeth the Seer]] at Arvedui's birth spoken to his father, Araphant:{{quote|Arvedui you shall call him, for he will be the last in Arthedain. Though a choice will come to the Dúnedain, and if they take the one that seems less hopeful, then your son will change his name and become king of a great realm. If not, then much sorrow and many lives of men shall pass, until the Dúnedain arise and are united again.|[[Appendix A]], ''[[Gondor]] and the Heirs of [[Anárion]]}}

Arvedui married [[Fíriel]], the daughter of the king of Gondor, [[Ondoher]], in 1940, securing the link between Gondor and Arthedain after years of estrangement. Four years later, Ondoher was killed in a battle with the [[Wainriders]], and died without a male heir. Arvedui sent messages to Gondor claiming the kingship of Gondor as a descendent of [[Isildur]] and as the husband of [[Fíriel]], who, under [[Law of Succession in Númenor|old Númenórean law]], should've become the first ruling queen. In 1945 the [[Council of Gondor]], persuaded by the Steward [[Pelendur]], voted against Arvedui's claim in favour of [[Eärnil II|Eärnil]] - the distant relative of the king and the victorious general in the war on the Wainriders.

===Life as King===
When Arvedui became king in 1964, the kingdom was already in a bad state, with the kingdom struggling to hold back the forces of [[Angmar]]. In 1974 the [[Witch-king]] came down from the north capturing [[Fornost]] and pushing most of the [[Dúnedain]] over the [[Lune]]. Arvedui and his men, rescued several heirlooms of Gondor such as the [[Ring of Barahir]] and [[palantíri]] of [[Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas]]. They held out on the [[North Downs]] but fled north and hid in old [[Dwarf|dwarven]] mines in the [[Blue Mountains]] before being forced to seek the aid of the [[Lossoth]] in the Ice-bay of [[Forochel]] due to hunger.

The snowmen helped the gaunt king out of pity and out of fear of his weapons, giving them food and building them snow-homes. Arvedui and his men had to stay there and wait for help as all their horses had perished. In 1975, when [[Círdan]] heard from Arvedui's son, [[Aranarth]], of his plight, he sent a ship to Forochel to find him. When the ship arrived in March of that year, the ice-men were affraid for no ship had been seen in those water in living memory, and the leader of the snowmen counselled Arvedui:{{quote|Do not mount on this sea-monster! If they have them, let the seamen bring us food and other things that we need, and you may stay here till the Witch-king goes home. For in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm is long.|[[Appendix A]], ''[[Eriador]], [[Arnor]] and the Heirs of Isildur''}}
However, Arvedui did not heed their advice and gave them his ring, the [[Ring of Barahir]], as a token of his thanks. When the ship set sail a great wind came from the north and the hull of the ship was broken on some ice, thus the last king of Arthedain died, and with him the two [[palantíri]] were lost.

===Arnor after Arvedui's Death===
In 1973, Gondor had received word from Arthedain of their difficulties, and not forgetting their ancient kingship, [[Eärnil]] sent as great a fleet as he could spare captained by his son [[Eärnur]]. By the time the fleet arrived, Arthedain was already defeated, and Arvedui had already perished.

However, in order to finally defeat this evil, Eärnur, Círdan and [[Glorfindel]] captained forces from Gondor, [[Lindon]] and [[Rivendell]] and marched across Eriador in such a great force that Angmar was utterly defeated without a single orc from that realm left to the west of the [[Misty Mountains]].

Despite the eventual victory over Angmar, Arnor was utterly defeated, and the Dúnedain of the North were a scattered and wandering people of which there were few. The line of kings continued, however, in [[Aranarth]] who took the title of [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] all the way down to [[Aragorn II|Aragorn Elessar]]; and when Aragorn claimed the throne of Gondor he did so as both the heir of Isildur and Anárion due to the fact he was descended from Fíriel - a claim none of the heirs of Arvedui forgot.

As such, Malbeth's prophecy proved true, for Arvedui was indeed the last King of Arthedain; likewise, the last king of Gondor was Eärnur who was killed by the Witch-king. There would not be another king in the north until [[Aragorn II|Aragorn Elessar]] reunited the thrones of Gondor and Arnor in the [[Reunited Kingdom]].

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Isildur]]
:
:
:
[[Araphant]]
|
|
'''ARVEDUI'''
|
|
[[Aranarth]] ''(First [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]])''
|
|
[[Arahael]]
</code>
== Etymology ==
Arvedui's name is [[Sindarin]] for "Last King" from ''[[ar]]'' meaning "royal, king", and ''medui'' (becoming lenited to ''vedui'') meaning "last".

==Titles==
{{Sequence
|prev=[[Araphant]]
|next=''Realm Extinct'' [[Aranarth]] as [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]]
|list=15th [[Kings of Arnor|King of Arthedain]] <code>III</code> 1964 - 1975
|}}{{northernline}}

[[Category:Dúnedain of the North]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Rulers of Arthedain]]
[[de:Arvedui]]
[[fi:Arvedui]]

Amon Sûl-stone

2008-07-29T09:08:04Z

85.74.123.116:

The '''Stone of [[Amon Sûl]]''' was a [[palantír]] that rested on the [[Arnor]]ian [[Tower of Amon Sûl]]

In [[Third Age 1409|T.A. 1409]] the watchtower was burned and destroyed when [[Angmar]]'s forces overran [[Arthedain]]. Its last King, [[Arvedui]], saved the palantír as well as the [[Annúminas-stone]].

With these and other heirlooms, he fled into the far north, where he was given shelter by the [[Lossoth]]. At last a ship from the [[Grey Havens]] came to rescue Arvedui, but after he had boarded, its hull was crushed by the ice, and all aboard were lost. The Stone of Annúminas, along with that of Amon Sûl, were lost in the shipwreck, and sank.
[[category:palantíri]]

Amon Sûl-stone

2008-07-29T09:07:34Z

85.74.123.116:

The '''Stone of [[Amon Sûl]]''' was a [[palantír]] that rested on the [[Arnor]]ian [[Tower of Amon Sûl]]

In [[T.A. 1409]] the watchtower was burned and destroyed when [[Angmar]]'s forces overran [[Arthedain]]. Its last King, [[Arvedui]], saved the palantír as well as the [[Annúminas Stone]].

With these and other heirlooms, he fled into the far north, where he was given shelter by the [[Lossoth]]. At last a ship from the [[Grey Havens]] came to rescue Arvedui, but after he had boarded, its hull was crushed by the ice, and all aboard were lost. The Stone of Annúminas, along with that of Amon Sûl, were lost in the shipwreck, and sank.
[[category:palantíri]]

Arvedui

2008-07-29T08:59:08Z

85.74.123.116: /* History */

{{royalty infobox
|image=
|name=Arvedui
|othernames=
|birth= <code>III</code> 1864
|rule= <code>III</code> 1964
|death= <code>III</code> 1975
|age= 111
|realms= [[Arthedain]]
|race=[[Men]]
|gender=Male
|height=
|hair=
|eyes=
|}}{{Pronounce|Arvedui.mp3|Ardamir}}
__NOTOC__'''Arvedui''' ([[Third Age|T.A.]] 1864 – 1974, died aged 111) was the fifteenth, and last, king of [[Arthedain]], succeeding his father, [[Araphant]], upon his death in 1964.

==History==
===Birth and Early Life===
Arvedui's name means "Last King" in [[Sindarin]] (see [[#Etymology|Etymology]] below), and he was named so due to a [[Arvedui Last-king|prophecy]] by [[Malbeth the Seer]] at Arvedui's birth spoken to his father, Araphant:{{quote|Arvedui you shall call him, for he will be the last in Arthedain. Though a choice will come to the Dúnedain, and if they take the one that seems less hopeful, then your son will change his name and become king of a great realm. If not, then much sorrow and many lives of men shall pass, until the Dúnedain arise and are united again.|[[Appendix A]], ''[[Gondor]] and the Heirs of [[Anárion]]}}

Arvedui married [[Fíriel]], the daughter of the king of Gondor, [[Ondoher]], in 1940, securing the link between Gondor and Arthedain after years of estrangement. Four years later, Ondoher was killed in a battle with the [[Wainriders]], and died without a male heir. Arvedui sent messages to Gondor claiming the kingship of Gondor as a descendent of [[Isildur]] and as the husband of [[Fíriel]], who, under [[Law of Succession in Númenor|old Númenórean law]], should've become the first ruling queen. In 1945 the [[Council of Gondor]], persuaded by the Steward [[Pelendur]], voted against Arvedui's claim in favour of [[Eärnil II|Eärnil]] - the distant relative of the king and the victorious general in the war on the Wainriders.

===Life as King===
When Arvedui became king in 1964, the kingdom was already in a bad state, with the kingdom struggling to hold back the forces of [[Angmar]]. In 1974 the [[Witch-king]] came down from the north capturing [[Fornost]] and pushing most of the [[Dúnedain]] over the [[Lune]]. Arvedui and his men held out on the [[North Downs]] but fled north and hid in old [[Dwarf|dwarven]] mines in the [[Blue Mountains]] before being forced to seek the aid of the [[Lossoth]] in the Ice-bay of [[Forochel]] due to hunger.

The snowmen helped the gaunt king out of pity and out of fear of his weapons, giving them food and building them snow-homes. Arvedui and his men had to stay there and wait for help as all their horses had perished. In 1975, when [[Círdan]] heard from Arvedui's son, [[Aranarth]], of his plight, he sent a ship to Forochel to find him. When the ship arrived in March of that year, the ice-men were affraid for no ship had been seen in those water in living memory, and the leader of the snowmen counselled Arvedui:{{quote|Do not mount on this sea-monster! If they have them, let the seamen bring us food and other things that we need, and you may stay here till the Witch-king goes home. For in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm is long.|[[Appendix A]], ''[[Eriador]], [[Arnor]] and the Heirs of Isildur''}}
However, Arvedui did not heed their advice and gave them his ring, the [[Ring of Barahir]], as a token of his thanks. When the ship set sail a great wind came from the north and the hull of the ship was broken on some ice, thus the last king of Arthedain died, and with him the [[palantíri]] of [[Amon Sûl]] and [[Annúminas]] were lost.
===Arnor after Arvedui's Death===
In 1973, Gondor had received word from Arthedain of their difficulties, and not forgetting their ancient kingship, [[Eärnil]] sent as great a fleet as he could spare captained by his son [[Eärnur]]. By the time the fleet arrived, Arthedain was already defeated, and Arvedui had already perished.

However, in order to finally defeat this evil, Eärnur, Círdan and [[Glorfindel]] captained forces from Gondor, [[Lindon]] and [[Rivendell]] and marched across Eriador in such a great force that Angmar was utterly defeated without a single orc from that realm left to the west of the [[Misty Mountains]].

Despite the eventual victory over Angmar, Arnor was utterly defeated, and the Dúnedain of the North were a scattered and wandering people of which there were few. The line of kings continued, however, in [[Aranarth]] who took the title of [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] all the way down to [[Aragorn II|Aragorn Elessar]]; and when Aragorn claimed the throne of Gondor he did so as both the heir of Isildur and Anárion due to the fact he was descended from Fíriel - a claim none of the heirs of Arvedui forgot.

As such, Malbeth's prophecy proved true, for Arvedui was indeed the last King of Arthedain; likewise, the last king of Gondor was Eärnur who was killed by the Witch-king. There would not be another king in the north until [[Aragorn II|Aragorn Elessar]] reunited the thrones of Gondor and Arnor in the [[Reunited Kingdom]].

== Genealogy ==
<code>
[[Isildur]]
:
:
:
[[Araphant]]
|
|
'''ARVEDUI'''
|
|
[[Aranarth]] ''(First [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]])''
|
|
[[Arahael]]
</code>
== Etymology ==
Arvedui's name is [[Sindarin]] for "Last King" from ''[[ar]]'' meaning "royal, king", and ''medui'' (becoming lenited to ''vedui'') meaning "last".

==Titles==
{{Sequence
|prev=[[Araphant]]
|next=''Realm Extinct'' [[Aranarth]] as [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]]
|list=15th [[Kings of Arnor|King of Arthedain]] <code>III</code> 1964 - 1975
|}}{{northernline}}

[[Category:Dúnedain of the North]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Rulers of Arthedain]]
[[de:Arvedui]]
[[fi:Arvedui]]

Law of Succession in Númenor

2008-07-29T08:57:59Z

85.74.123.116: /* The New Law */

The '''Law of succession in Númenor''' was a set of rules meant to legally establish who would be the next heir in the line of kings. The one who shaped it the most was [[Tar-Aldarion]], the sixth [[King of Númenor|ruler of Númenor]], who not only gave the law a legal content, but also changed its position regarding male and female heirs. Thus before him there was the ''Old Law'' and after him the ''New Law''.

==The Old Law==

Being more an inherited custom than an actual law, it stated that the eldest son of the ruler would inherit the [[Sceptre of Númenor|Sceptre]]. In case there was no such son to be made heir, the closest male descendant on the line of [[Elros Tar-Minyatur]] would fill the position.

==The New Law==

Due to the fact that he had only one daughter, Tar-Aldarion replaced the principle of exclusive male heir with that of eldest progeny, of any gender and [[Ancalimë]] became the first ruling queen in the history of Númenor.

There were, however, additional statements and conditions for this New Law, mostly suggested by the [[Council of the Sceptre]].

*The eldest daughter would have the right to inherit the throne, but she would not be forced to do so, being given the possibility to refuse the reign. In this case, the heir would have been the nearest kinsman by male or female descent.

*If the eldest daughter, heir to the throne, would have remained unmarried for a certain period of time, she had to abdicate.

*If a ruling queen desired to marry, it was mandatory for her husband to be from the Line of Elros.

The Law was remembered in the [[Third Age]]. King [[Arvedui]] of [[Arnor]] married [[Fíriel]], the daughter of King [[Ondoher]] of [[Gondor]]. Ondoher was killed in a battle without a male heir. Arvedui sent messages to claiming the kingship of Gondor not only as a descendent of [[Isildur]] but as the husband of Fíriel as well, who should've become the first ruling queen. However the [[Council of Gondor]], persuaded by the [[Steward]] [[Pelendur]], voted against Arvedui's claim in favour of [[Eärnil]] - the distant relative of the king.

==References==
*''[[Unfinished Tales]]'', [[Aldarion and Erendis: The Mariner's Wife]]

==See Also==
*[[King of Númenor]]
[[Category:Númenor]]

History of the Dwarves

2008-07-29T08:30:47Z

85.74.123.116: /* The Second Age */

The '''History of the Dwarves''' began with their creation, and here ends with the dwindling of their race. Most of this history is about the Longbeards (Durin's folk) for Tolkien didn't have a lot of information on the other houses, except for the Firbeards and Broadbeams. Who's history is mainly told during the First Age.

== The Creation of the Dwarves ==

The Dwarves were created by [[Aulë]] the smith (whom they called [[Mahal]]) somewhere in [[Middle-earth]], and were put to sleep until the creation of the [[Elves]]. He created the Seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]], from whom all Dwarves are descended. Aulë, however, did not have the power to give life to his creations; only [[Eru Ilúvatar]] could give life. Realizing this, Aulë went to Eru to confess his sin and gave Eru his children. Eru accepted them and made them his adopted children, and they were to awake after the Elves appeared on Arda.

== The Years of the Trees ==

The Seven Fathers awoke throughout Arda in pairs: the Firebeards and Broadbeams, Ironfists and Stiffbeards, Blacklocks and Stonefoots, and [[Durin I]] the father of the Longbeards, who awoke alone. These Houses built their halls where they awoke: the Firebeards and Broadbeams, in the [[Ered Luin]] beneath [[Mount Dolmed]], where they built the cities of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]]. And Durin who awoke under [[Mount Gundabad]] in the [[Misty Mountains]] settled in the caves above [[Kheled-zâram]]. Which later became the greatest of Dwarf realms, [[Khazad-dûm]]. The Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks, and Stonefoots awoke in the far East at the
[[Orocarni]], and possibly beyond.

The Dwarves lived for many years without knowing any other folk but there own, until their first meeting with the [[Elves]] in [[Beleriand]] took place in the year 1250 of the [[Two Trees|Trees]]. The Firebeards and Broadbeams came over the Ered Luin from their halls on the east side of the mountains, and from that time on for many years their was cool friendship, between the [[Sindar]] and the Dwarves.

So the Dwarf-houses of the West were prosperous, creating linked ring-mail, and many other works for the [[Sindar]] (for a price). They Delved the caves of [[Menegroth]], made all manner of beautiful things, and later when the Dwarves told the Sindar about Orcs attacking their Elven kin on the other side of the mountains their king [[Thingol]], began a build up of arms which the Dwarves made for him. For the Dwarves were unmatched in Middle-earth in smithing, the best of them being the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]].

Later on a great army of Orcs attacked the Elves, but in the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] were defeated and fled. Those that got away ran south right into a army of Dwarves who issued from Mount Dolmed and decimated them.

== The First Age ==

The [[First Age]] came with the awakening of [[Men]].

After the [[Return of the Noldor]], [[Finrod Felagund]] desired to settle himself in the [[Caves of Narog]]. So he built a great city in those caverns, and the Dwarves of the Ered Luin aided him. They liked him, and gave him the dwarven name of [[Felagund]], which meant “hewer of caves”. They eventually made for him the [[Nauglamír]].

Much prosperity and learning came in the First Age for the Dwarves especiall the most westerly houses. But also much war. The Dwarves continued to manufacture weapons for themselves, the Elves, and the newly settled Men.
Things finally came to a head between the forces of Morgoth and the Elves, Men, and Dwarves in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] (Battle of Unnumbered Tears). Morgoth unleashed a vast host of Orcs and other evil creatures on two different fronts. the Dwarves fought for the forces of [[Maedhros]] Lord of Himling, who marshalled all Elves, Men, and Dwarves that would assist him. For one of the armies of Morgoth was heading straight his lands.

==The Second Age==
In early Second Age the Dwarves of the [[Firebeards]] and [[Broadbeams]] clans migrate to [[Khazad-dûm]] from [[Blue Mountains]] which were destroyed during the sinking of Beleriand.

During the Age the Dwarves did not participate in any important event of history. However during that Age their friendship with the Elves perhaps became more close than ever; the Dwarves of [[Moria]] maintained close connections to the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] in near [[Eregion]].

The [[Doors of Durin]] of Moria were built to facilitate the communication between the two people, and was constructed jointly by both races.

When Eregion was sacked by [[Sauron]]'s forces, the Dwarves assailed them from behind however it was too late to stop him from conquering all [[Eriador]]. Khazad-dûm was closed.

==The Third Age==

Not much is known about the Dwarves during the early Third Age, except that they kept themselves shut off from the outside world, and were busy in Khazad-dum mining for Mithril. In the year 1980, the Balrog awoke in the deeps of of the Misty Mountains and killed [[Durin VI|King Durin VI]]. The next year, the king's son [[Náin I]] was killed, and the Dwarves fled Khazad-dum, which from then on was called ''Moria'', which means "Black pit" in [[Elvish]].

Most of Durin's folk left for the [[Grey Mountains]] in the North, while some followed the new king, [[Thráin I]], who went to [[Erebor]] on the eaves of Mirkwood in 1999 and started his kingdom there. For a little over two-hundred years the Dwarves that followed the king lived in the Lonely Mountain, mining for gold and jewels and finding the most precious of jewels, the [[Arkenstone]]. When Thráin died in 2190, his son [[Thorin I]] became [[King under the Mountain]]. In 2210, when he heard that his kinsmen were gathering in the mountains to the North, and how rich and unexplored they were, he left Erebor for the [[Ered Mithrin]].

For more than three-hundred years the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] prospered. After many years, however, the Dragons in the far North started to gain strength; their population grew, and they made war against the Dwarves, plundering and destroying their works. At last, in 2589, [[Dáin I|King Dáin I]], along with his second oldest son [[Frór]], was killed at the gates of his halls by a great [[Cold-drakes | Cold-drake]].

Once again the Dwarves were exiled from their homes. Most of the Dwarves left the Ered Mithrin. Some followed Dáin's youngest son [[Grór]] to the [[Iron Hills]], while most one being the king's brother [[Borin]] followed the the new king [[Thrór]] to Erebor again to start a new [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].
For over two hundred years Durin's folk prospered and grew rich, having friendship with all Men who dwelt near, and great traffic of ore with their kinsman in the Iron Hills. So the [[Men of Dale]] were able to drive away all enemies from the East. But the rumor of the Dwarves'riches reached the ears of the dragons and [[Smaug]] mightiest of dragons in his day.
And so he descended upon Erebor win fire in 2770, and not long after the kingdom was destroyed and Smaug made for himself a bed of gold in the Great Hall.
Many of of the Dwarves escaped the sacking, last of all King Thrór with his son [[Thráin II]] from a secret passage. The King decided to wander South along with a small company of family and followers, while most of the survivors went to the Iron Hills.

Eventually Durin's folk settled in [[Dunland]], and in 2790 King Thrór gave to his son the Last of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves, and departed with an old friend called [[Nár]].
the King travelled North over the [[Redhorn Pass]] to the [[East-gate | East-gate of Moria]], where he entered proudly into the ancient kingdom taking no heed from Nár of the dangers.
Many days past while Nár hid waiting for his king to return. Until one day he heard horns and saw a body being thrown out from the gate headless.

== The Fourth Age ==

The [[Fourth Age]], was a time of expansion and renewed growth for the Dwarves, with the colonization of the [[Glittering Caves]], to the retaking of Moria from the Goblins.

Gloin, father of Gimli, died in the year 5 FA at two-hundred fifty-three years of age.

Not much is known about the Dwarves in the Fourth age. We do know that after the War of the Ring, Gimli brought a part of Durin's Folk from Erebor to the Glittering Caves and started a colony. Gimli, was later permitted to go across the sea to Valinor with Legolas in the year 120 FA.

It is said that [[Durin VII]] (the Last), retook Moria and brought Khazad-dum back to its original splendor, and that the Dwarves lived there till the world grew old and the days of Durin's race ended.

It seems likely that the Dwarves' population increased during the FA like the Hobbits and Men.

[[Category:Dwarves|Dwarves]]

History of the Dwarves

2008-07-29T08:25:21Z

85.74.123.116: /* The Second Age */

The '''History of the Dwarves''' began with their creation, and here ends with the dwindling of their race. Most of this history is about the Longbeards (Durin's folk) for Tolkien didn't have a lot of information on the other houses, except for the Firbeards and Broadbeams. Who's history is mainly told during the First Age.

== The Creation of the Dwarves ==

The Dwarves were created by [[Aulë]] the smith (whom they called [[Mahal]]) somewhere in [[Middle-earth]], and were put to sleep until the creation of the [[Elves]]. He created the Seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]], from whom all Dwarves are descended. Aulë, however, did not have the power to give life to his creations; only [[Eru Ilúvatar]] could give life. Realizing this, Aulë went to Eru to confess his sin and gave Eru his children. Eru accepted them and made them his adopted children, and they were to awake after the Elves appeared on Arda.

== The Years of the Trees ==

The Seven Fathers awoke throughout Arda in pairs: the Firebeards and Broadbeams, Ironfists and Stiffbeards, Blacklocks and Stonefoots, and [[Durin I]] the father of the Longbeards, who awoke alone. These Houses built their halls where they awoke: the Firebeards and Broadbeams, in the [[Ered Luin]] beneath [[Mount Dolmed]], where they built the cities of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]]. And Durin who awoke under [[Mount Gundabad]] in the [[Misty Mountains]] settled in the caves above [[Kheled-zâram]]. Which later became the greatest of Dwarf realms, [[Khazad-dûm]]. The Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks, and Stonefoots awoke in the far East at the
[[Orocarni]], and possibly beyond.

The Dwarves lived for many years without knowing any other folk but there own, until their first meeting with the [[Elves]] in [[Beleriand]] took place in the year 1250 of the [[Two Trees|Trees]]. The Firebeards and Broadbeams came over the Ered Luin from their halls on the east side of the mountains, and from that time on for many years their was cool friendship, between the [[Sindar]] and the Dwarves.

So the Dwarf-houses of the West were prosperous, creating linked ring-mail, and many other works for the [[Sindar]] (for a price). They Delved the caves of [[Menegroth]], made all manner of beautiful things, and later when the Dwarves told the Sindar about Orcs attacking their Elven kin on the other side of the mountains their king [[Thingol]], began a build up of arms which the Dwarves made for him. For the Dwarves were unmatched in Middle-earth in smithing, the best of them being the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]].

Later on a great army of Orcs attacked the Elves, but in the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] were defeated and fled. Those that got away ran south right into a army of Dwarves who issued from Mount Dolmed and decimated them.

== The First Age ==

The [[First Age]] came with the awakening of [[Men]].

After the [[Return of the Noldor]], [[Finrod Felagund]] desired to settle himself in the [[Caves of Narog]]. So he built a great city in those caverns, and the Dwarves of the Ered Luin aided him. They liked him, and gave him the dwarven name of [[Felagund]], which meant “hewer of caves”. They eventually made for him the [[Nauglamír]].

Much prosperity and learning came in the First Age for the Dwarves especiall the most westerly houses. But also much war. The Dwarves continued to manufacture weapons for themselves, the Elves, and the newly settled Men.
Things finally came to a head between the forces of Morgoth and the Elves, Men, and Dwarves in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] (Battle of Unnumbered Tears). Morgoth unleashed a vast host of Orcs and other evil creatures on two different fronts. the Dwarves fought for the forces of [[Maedhros]] Lord of Himling, who marshalled all Elves, Men, and Dwarves that would assist him. For one of the armies of Morgoth was heading straight his lands.

==The Second Age==
During the Second Age the Dwarves did not participate in any important event of history. However during that Age their friendship with the Elves perhaps became more close than ever; the Dwarves of [[Moria]] maintained close connections to the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] in near [[Eregion]].

The [[Doors of Durin]] of Moria were built to facilitate the communication between the two people, and was constructed jointly by both races.

When Eregion was sacked by [[Sauron]]'s forces, the Dwarves attacked them from behind.

==The Third Age==

Not much is known about the Dwarves during the early Third Age, except that they kept themselves shut off from the outside world, and were busy in Khazad-dum mining for Mithril. In the year 1980, the Balrog awoke in the deeps of of the Misty Mountains and killed [[Durin VI|King Durin VI]]. The next year, the king's son [[Náin I]] was killed, and the Dwarves fled Khazad-dum, which from then on was called ''Moria'', which means "Black pit" in [[Elvish]].

Most of Durin's folk left for the [[Grey Mountains]] in the North, while some followed the new king, [[Thráin I]], who went to [[Erebor]] on the eaves of Mirkwood in 1999 and started his kingdom there. For a little over two-hundred years the Dwarves that followed the king lived in the Lonely Mountain, mining for gold and jewels and finding the most precious of jewels, the [[Arkenstone]]. When Thráin died in 2190, his son [[Thorin I]] became [[King under the Mountain]]. In 2210, when he heard that his kinsmen were gathering in the mountains to the North, and how rich and unexplored they were, he left Erebor for the [[Ered Mithrin]].

For more than three-hundred years the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] prospered. After many years, however, the Dragons in the far North started to gain strength; their population grew, and they made war against the Dwarves, plundering and destroying their works. At last, in 2589, [[Dáin I|King Dáin I]], along with his second oldest son [[Frór]], was killed at the gates of his halls by a great [[Cold-drakes | Cold-drake]].

Once again the Dwarves were exiled from their homes. Most of the Dwarves left the Ered Mithrin. Some followed Dáin's youngest son [[Grór]] to the [[Iron Hills]], while most one being the king's brother [[Borin]] followed the the new king [[Thrór]] to Erebor again to start a new [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].
For over two hundred years Durin's folk prospered and grew rich, having friendship with all Men who dwelt near, and great traffic of ore with their kinsman in the Iron Hills. So the [[Men of Dale]] were able to drive away all enemies from the East. But the rumor of the Dwarves'riches reached the ears of the dragons and [[Smaug]] mightiest of dragons in his day.
And so he descended upon Erebor win fire in 2770, and not long after the kingdom was destroyed and Smaug made for himself a bed of gold in the Great Hall.
Many of of the Dwarves escaped the sacking, last of all King Thrór with his son [[Thráin II]] from a secret passage. The King decided to wander South along with a small company of family and followers, while most of the survivors went to the Iron Hills.

Eventually Durin's folk settled in [[Dunland]], and in 2790 King Thrór gave to his son the Last of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves, and departed with an old friend called [[Nár]].
the King travelled North over the [[Redhorn Pass]] to the [[East-gate | East-gate of Moria]], where he entered proudly into the ancient kingdom taking no heed from Nár of the dangers.
Many days past while Nár hid waiting for his king to return. Until one day he heard horns and saw a body being thrown out from the gate headless.

== The Fourth Age ==

The [[Fourth Age]], was a time of expansion and renewed growth for the Dwarves, with the colonization of the [[Glittering Caves]], to the retaking of Moria from the Goblins.

Gloin, father of Gimli, died in the year 5 FA at two-hundred fifty-three years of age.

Not much is known about the Dwarves in the Fourth age. We do know that after the War of the Ring, Gimli brought a part of Durin's Folk from Erebor to the Glittering Caves and started a colony. Gimli, was later permitted to go across the sea to Valinor with Legolas in the year 120 FA.

It is said that [[Durin VII]] (the Last), retook Moria and brought Khazad-dum back to its original splendor, and that the Dwarves lived there till the world grew old and the days of Durin's race ended.

It seems likely that the Dwarves' population increased during the FA like the Hobbits and Men.

[[Category:Dwarves|Dwarves]]

History of the Dwarves

2008-07-29T08:22:45Z

85.74.123.116: /* The Second Age */

The '''History of the Dwarves''' began with their creation, and here ends with the dwindling of their race. Most of this history is about the Longbeards (Durin's folk) for Tolkien didn't have a lot of information on the other houses, except for the Firbeards and Broadbeams. Who's history is mainly told during the First Age.

== The Creation of the Dwarves ==

The Dwarves were created by [[Aulë]] the smith (whom they called [[Mahal]]) somewhere in [[Middle-earth]], and were put to sleep until the creation of the [[Elves]]. He created the Seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]], from whom all Dwarves are descended. Aulë, however, did not have the power to give life to his creations; only [[Eru Ilúvatar]] could give life. Realizing this, Aulë went to Eru to confess his sin and gave Eru his children. Eru accepted them and made them his adopted children, and they were to awake after the Elves appeared on Arda.

== The Years of the Trees ==

The Seven Fathers awoke throughout Arda in pairs: the Firebeards and Broadbeams, Ironfists and Stiffbeards, Blacklocks and Stonefoots, and [[Durin I]] the father of the Longbeards, who awoke alone. These Houses built their halls where they awoke: the Firebeards and Broadbeams, in the [[Ered Luin]] beneath [[Mount Dolmed]], where they built the cities of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]]. And Durin who awoke under [[Mount Gundabad]] in the [[Misty Mountains]] settled in the caves above [[Kheled-zâram]]. Which later became the greatest of Dwarf realms, [[Khazad-dûm]]. The Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks, and Stonefoots awoke in the far East at the
[[Orocarni]], and possibly beyond.

The Dwarves lived for many years without knowing any other folk but there own, until their first meeting with the [[Elves]] in [[Beleriand]] took place in the year 1250 of the [[Two Trees|Trees]]. The Firebeards and Broadbeams came over the Ered Luin from their halls on the east side of the mountains, and from that time on for many years their was cool friendship, between the [[Sindar]] and the Dwarves.

So the Dwarf-houses of the West were prosperous, creating linked ring-mail, and many other works for the [[Sindar]] (for a price). They Delved the caves of [[Menegroth]], made all manner of beautiful things, and later when the Dwarves told the Sindar about Orcs attacking their Elven kin on the other side of the mountains their king [[Thingol]], began a build up of arms which the Dwarves made for him. For the Dwarves were unmatched in Middle-earth in smithing, the best of them being the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]].

Later on a great army of Orcs attacked the Elves, but in the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] were defeated and fled. Those that got away ran south right into a army of Dwarves who issued from Mount Dolmed and decimated them.

== The First Age ==

The [[First Age]] came with the awakening of [[Men]].

After the [[Return of the Noldor]], [[Finrod Felagund]] desired to settle himself in the [[Caves of Narog]]. So he built a great city in those caverns, and the Dwarves of the Ered Luin aided him. They liked him, and gave him the dwarven name of [[Felagund]], which meant “hewer of caves”. They eventually made for him the [[Nauglamír]].

Much prosperity and learning came in the First Age for the Dwarves especiall the most westerly houses. But also much war. The Dwarves continued to manufacture weapons for themselves, the Elves, and the newly settled Men.
Things finally came to a head between the forces of Morgoth and the Elves, Men, and Dwarves in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] (Battle of Unnumbered Tears). Morgoth unleashed a vast host of Orcs and other evil creatures on two different fronts. the Dwarves fought for the forces of [[Maedhros]] Lord of Himling, who marshalled all Elves, Men, and Dwarves that would assist him. For one of the armies of Morgoth was heading straight his lands.

==The Second Age==
During the Second Age the Dwarves did not participate in any important event of history. However during that Age their friendship with the Elves perhaps became more close than ever; the Dwarves of [[Moria]] maintained close connections to the [[Gwaith-i-Mírdain]] in near [[Eregion]].

The [[Doors of Durin]] of Moria were built to facilitate the communication between the two people, and was constructed jointly by both races.

==The Third Age==

Not much is known about the Dwarves during the early Third Age, except that they kept themselves shut off from the outside world, and were busy in Khazad-dum mining for Mithril. In the year 1980, the Balrog awoke in the deeps of of the Misty Mountains and killed [[Durin VI|King Durin VI]]. The next year, the king's son [[Náin I]] was killed, and the Dwarves fled Khazad-dum, which from then on was called ''Moria'', which means "Black pit" in [[Elvish]].

Most of Durin's folk left for the [[Grey Mountains]] in the North, while some followed the new king, [[Thráin I]], who went to [[Erebor]] on the eaves of Mirkwood in 1999 and started his kingdom there. For a little over two-hundred years the Dwarves that followed the king lived in the Lonely Mountain, mining for gold and jewels and finding the most precious of jewels, the [[Arkenstone]]. When Thráin died in 2190, his son [[Thorin I]] became [[King under the Mountain]]. In 2210, when he heard that his kinsmen were gathering in the mountains to the North, and how rich and unexplored they were, he left Erebor for the [[Ered Mithrin]].

For more than three-hundred years the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] prospered. After many years, however, the Dragons in the far North started to gain strength; their population grew, and they made war against the Dwarves, plundering and destroying their works. At last, in 2589, [[Dáin I|King Dáin I]], along with his second oldest son [[Frór]], was killed at the gates of his halls by a great [[Cold-drakes | Cold-drake]].

Once again the Dwarves were exiled from their homes. Most of the Dwarves left the Ered Mithrin. Some followed Dáin's youngest son [[Grór]] to the [[Iron Hills]], while most one being the king's brother [[Borin]] followed the the new king [[Thrór]] to Erebor again to start a new [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].
For over two hundred years Durin's folk prospered and grew rich, having friendship with all Men who dwelt near, and great traffic of ore with their kinsman in the Iron Hills. So the [[Men of Dale]] were able to drive away all enemies from the East. But the rumor of the Dwarves'riches reached the ears of the dragons and [[Smaug]] mightiest of dragons in his day.
And so he descended upon Erebor win fire in 2770, and not long after the kingdom was destroyed and Smaug made for himself a bed of gold in the Great Hall.
Many of of the Dwarves escaped the sacking, last of all King Thrór with his son [[Thráin II]] from a secret passage. The King decided to wander South along with a small company of family and followers, while most of the survivors went to the Iron Hills.

Eventually Durin's folk settled in [[Dunland]], and in 2790 King Thrór gave to his son the Last of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves, and departed with an old friend called [[Nár]].
the King travelled North over the [[Redhorn Pass]] to the [[East-gate | East-gate of Moria]], where he entered proudly into the ancient kingdom taking no heed from Nár of the dangers.
Many days past while Nár hid waiting for his king to return. Until one day he heard horns and saw a body being thrown out from the gate headless.

== The Fourth Age ==

The [[Fourth Age]], was a time of expansion and renewed growth for the Dwarves, with the colonization of the [[Glittering Caves]], to the retaking of Moria from the Goblins.

Gloin, father of Gimli, died in the year 5 FA at two-hundred fifty-three years of age.

Not much is known about the Dwarves in the Fourth age. We do know that after the War of the Ring, Gimli brought a part of Durin's Folk from Erebor to the Glittering Caves and started a colony. Gimli, was later permitted to go across the sea to Valinor with Legolas in the year 120 FA.

It is said that [[Durin VII]] (the Last), retook Moria and brought Khazad-dum back to its original splendor, and that the Dwarves lived there till the world grew old and the days of Durin's race ended.

It seems likely that the Dwarves' population increased during the FA like the Hobbits and Men.

[[Category:Dwarves|Dwarves]]

History of the Dwarves

2008-07-29T08:20:37Z

85.74.123.116: /* The Second Age */

The '''History of the Dwarves''' began with their creation, and here ends with the dwindling of their race. Most of this history is about the Longbeards (Durin's folk) for Tolkien didn't have a lot of information on the other houses, except for the Firbeards and Broadbeams. Who's history is mainly told during the First Age.

== The Creation of the Dwarves ==

The Dwarves were created by [[Aulë]] the smith (whom they called [[Mahal]]) somewhere in [[Middle-earth]], and were put to sleep until the creation of the [[Elves]]. He created the Seven [[Fathers of the Dwarves]], from whom all Dwarves are descended. Aulë, however, did not have the power to give life to his creations; only [[Eru Ilúvatar]] could give life. Realizing this, Aulë went to Eru to confess his sin and gave Eru his children. Eru accepted them and made them his adopted children, and they were to awake after the Elves appeared on Arda.

== The Years of the Trees ==

The Seven Fathers awoke throughout Arda in pairs: the Firebeards and Broadbeams, Ironfists and Stiffbeards, Blacklocks and Stonefoots, and [[Durin I]] the father of the Longbeards, who awoke alone. These Houses built their halls where they awoke: the Firebeards and Broadbeams, in the [[Ered Luin]] beneath [[Mount Dolmed]], where they built the cities of [[Nogrod]] and [[Belegost]]. And Durin who awoke under [[Mount Gundabad]] in the [[Misty Mountains]] settled in the caves above [[Kheled-zâram]]. Which later became the greatest of Dwarf realms, [[Khazad-dûm]]. The Ironfists, Stiffbeards, Blacklocks, and Stonefoots awoke in the far East at the
[[Orocarni]], and possibly beyond.

The Dwarves lived for many years without knowing any other folk but there own, until their first meeting with the [[Elves]] in [[Beleriand]] took place in the year 1250 of the [[Two Trees|Trees]]. The Firebeards and Broadbeams came over the Ered Luin from their halls on the east side of the mountains, and from that time on for many years their was cool friendship, between the [[Sindar]] and the Dwarves.

So the Dwarf-houses of the West were prosperous, creating linked ring-mail, and many other works for the [[Sindar]] (for a price). They Delved the caves of [[Menegroth]], made all manner of beautiful things, and later when the Dwarves told the Sindar about Orcs attacking their Elven kin on the other side of the mountains their king [[Thingol]], began a build up of arms which the Dwarves made for him. For the Dwarves were unmatched in Middle-earth in smithing, the best of them being the [[Dwarves of Nogrod]].

Later on a great army of Orcs attacked the Elves, but in the [[First Battle of Beleriand]] were defeated and fled. Those that got away ran south right into a army of Dwarves who issued from Mount Dolmed and decimated them.

== The First Age ==

The [[First Age]] came with the awakening of [[Men]].

After the [[Return of the Noldor]], [[Finrod Felagund]] desired to settle himself in the [[Caves of Narog]]. So he built a great city in those caverns, and the Dwarves of the Ered Luin aided him. They liked him, and gave him the dwarven name of [[Felagund]], which meant “hewer of caves”. They eventually made for him the [[Nauglamír]].

Much prosperity and learning came in the First Age for the Dwarves especiall the most westerly houses. But also much war. The Dwarves continued to manufacture weapons for themselves, the Elves, and the newly settled Men.
Things finally came to a head between the forces of Morgoth and the Elves, Men, and Dwarves in the [[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] (Battle of Unnumbered Tears). Morgoth unleashed a vast host of Orcs and other evil creatures on two different fronts. the Dwarves fought for the forces of [[Maedhros]] Lord of Himling, who marshalled all Elves, Men, and Dwarves that would assist him. For one of the armies of Morgoth was heading straight his lands.

==The Second Age==
During the Second Age the Dwarves did not participate in any important event of history. However during that Age their friendship with the Elves perhaps became more close than ever; the Dwarves of [[Moria]] maintained close connections to the [[Gwaith-i-Mirdain]] in near [[Eregion]].

The [[West Gate]] of Moria was built to facilitate the communication between the two people, and was constructed jointly by both races.

==The Third Age==

Not much is known about the Dwarves during the early Third Age, except that they kept themselves shut off from the outside world, and were busy in Khazad-dum mining for Mithril. In the year 1980, the Balrog awoke in the deeps of of the Misty Mountains and killed [[Durin VI|King Durin VI]]. The next year, the king's son [[Náin I]] was killed, and the Dwarves fled Khazad-dum, which from then on was called ''Moria'', which means "Black pit" in [[Elvish]].

Most of Durin's folk left for the [[Grey Mountains]] in the North, while some followed the new king, [[Thráin I]], who went to [[Erebor]] on the eaves of Mirkwood in 1999 and started his kingdom there. For a little over two-hundred years the Dwarves that followed the king lived in the Lonely Mountain, mining for gold and jewels and finding the most precious of jewels, the [[Arkenstone]]. When Thráin died in 2190, his son [[Thorin I]] became [[King under the Mountain]]. In 2210, when he heard that his kinsmen were gathering in the mountains to the North, and how rich and unexplored they were, he left Erebor for the [[Ered Mithrin]].

For more than three-hundred years the [[Dwarves of the Grey Mountains]] prospered. After many years, however, the Dragons in the far North started to gain strength; their population grew, and they made war against the Dwarves, plundering and destroying their works. At last, in 2589, [[Dáin I|King Dáin I]], along with his second oldest son [[Frór]], was killed at the gates of his halls by a great [[Cold-drakes | Cold-drake]].

Once again the Dwarves were exiled from their homes. Most of the Dwarves left the Ered Mithrin. Some followed Dáin's youngest son [[Grór]] to the [[Iron Hills]], while most one being the king's brother [[Borin]] followed the the new king [[Thrór]] to Erebor again to start a new [[Kingdom under the Mountain]].
For over two hundred years Durin's folk prospered and grew rich, having friendship with all Men who dwelt near, and great traffic of ore with their kinsman in the Iron Hills. So the [[Men of Dale]] were able to drive away all enemies from the East. But the rumor of the Dwarves'riches reached the ears of the dragons and [[Smaug]] mightiest of dragons in his day.
And so he descended upon Erebor win fire in 2770, and not long after the kingdom was destroyed and Smaug made for himself a bed of gold in the Great Hall.
Many of of the Dwarves escaped the sacking, last of all King Thrór with his son [[Thráin II]] from a secret passage. The King decided to wander South along with a small company of family and followers, while most of the survivors went to the Iron Hills.

Eventually Durin's folk settled in [[Dunland]], and in 2790 King Thrór gave to his son the Last of the Seven Rings of the Dwarves, and departed with an old friend called [[Nár]].
the King travelled North over the [[Redhorn Pass]] to the [[East-gate | East-gate of Moria]], where he entered proudly into the ancient kingdom taking no heed from Nár of the dangers.
Many days past while Nár hid waiting for his king to return. Until one day he heard horns and saw a body being thrown out from the gate headless.

== The Fourth Age ==

The [[Fourth Age]], was a time of expansion and renewed growth for the Dwarves, with the colonization of the [[Glittering Caves]], to the retaking of Moria from the Goblins.

Gloin, father of Gimli, died in the year 5 FA at two-hundred fifty-three years of age.

Not much is known about the Dwarves in the Fourth age. We do know that after the War of the Ring, Gimli brought a part of Durin's Folk from Erebor to the Glittering Caves and started a colony. Gimli, was later permitted to go across the sea to Valinor with Legolas in the year 120 FA.

It is said that [[Durin VII]] (the Last), retook Moria and brought Khazad-dum back to its original splendor, and that the Dwarves lived there till the world grew old and the days of Durin's race ended.

It seems likely that the Dwarves' population increased during the FA like the Hobbits and Men.

[[Category:Dwarves|Dwarves]]