Battle of Dale

The Battle of Dale was the clash of the Men of Dale and Dwarves of Erebor against the Easterlings. It was a significant part of the War of the Ring due to the warfare advantage of the realm's position. The battle transpired in Dale's Valley by the end of the Third Age. The forces of the Kingdoms of Dale and Erebor versus the Easter tribes of Rhun decided the outcome of the Northern warfare. Initially, the Easterling tribesmen overcame the combined armies of Dwarves and Men. Eventually, the battle's outcome reverted due to the fate of Sauron's One Ring.

Gandalf referenced the importance of the Battle of Dale in its strategic position in Middle-earth. During a conversation about Gondor's battle, he mentioned that even if they triumph there in Pelennor, a defeat in Dale's battle will destroy Middle-earth. The enemies would decimate Eriador and Rivendell with their terrible weapons and the burning of dragons. They would emerge in winning their fight in Gondor but return to Middle-earth scorched and desolated. If Sauron defeats the Dwarves and Men in Dale, the Easterlings would combine their armies with Dol Guldur and continue their ravaging of realms to the Wood Elves' kingdom of Mirkwood. Dol Guldur and Easterlings may overcome Mirkwood and set out to Lothlorien. It may prove challenging to get past Galadriel's powers and her Ring of Power, still the position in Dol Guldur will be an advantage. Then, Rivendell and Eriador would be next, and Gondor and Rohan would eventually face them in battle. But the conclusion of the War of the Ring relied solely on the outcome of the One Ring. Still, the Dark Lord's armies would ruin Middle-earth kingdoms and end countless lives upon their triumph against the allies.

The Dark Lord Sauron sent forth messengers to inquire from Dale's inhabitants and Erebor's Dwarves about the Shire. Nevertheless, they detested Sauron's claim of dominance and unity with them. They refused to accept his offer and the information he needed. Then, Sauron advanced his forces in the south against the Kingdom of Gondor and launched his northern armies of Easterlings in vast numbers. He commanded the Easterlings to hinder the merging of the two armies of Men and Dwarves by assailing the realm of Dale. During Minas Tirith's siege in the south, Sauron's northern armies moved across the River Carnen. The Kingdom under the Mountain with the kingship of Dain II Ironfoot united his armies of Erebor and Iron Hills. The Men of Dale troops under King Brand allied with the Dwarven forces to face Sauron's armies.

On March 17th, 3019 of the Third Age, the battle commenced between the unified armies of Dwarves and Men against the Easterling multitude. With the renowned forgings and craftsmanship of the Dwarves, their armors and weapons present an advantage for the allies. But the power of Sauron and his vast armies always comprise countless warriors with a formidable force. Three days of intense battle transpired, and the Easterlings forced the Dwarves and Men into the Gates of Erebor in a siege. The Dwarven King Dain II Ironfoot and Dale's King Brand perished in the fight upon the Lonely Mountain gates. The Easterlings overpowered the allied armies but could not break through the Lonely Mountain's gates and its defenses. The siege lasted for several days with the Dwarves and Men standing their ground as the Easterlings continued their assaults to barge through the gates.

But the War of the Ring concluded with Sauron's defeat upon the destruction of the One Ring. With the news of the Dark Lord's downfall, his armies went into disarray and dispersed, and so did the Easterlings in the gates of Erebor. With the new Kings Thorin III Stonehelm, and Bard II, the Lonely Mountain and Dale forces renewed their courage and strength. On March 27th, they ended the siege and managed to drive the Easterling armies away from their lands. And so the Dwarves and Men won against the Easterlings. Finally, Sauron fell, and the War of the Ring ended in favor of the free folk of Middle-earth.

The War of the Ring further reduced the diminishing numbers of the Dwarves. They maintained their kingdoms after the war with Thorin III Stonehelm succeeding his father for Erebor's kingship. Still, their fewer population also gave way to the dominion of Men in Middle-earth.

The Battle for Middle-earth II [1] by Electronic Arts featured the Battle of Dale in both Good and Evil Campaigns. Yet they changed several events and details in the battle.

In the Good campaign's storyline, Dain II prevails after the battle, although he died in the books during the fight in Erebor's gates. The character of King Brand of Dale is not present in the war. Sauron's army that attacked the Lonely Mountain includes various characters and creatures which were not in the battle as in the books. The game shows only a portion of the Easterlings and more of the Orcs. Trolls, Haradrim, some of the Ringwraiths, and also the Mouth of Sauron join the battle. The Battle of Dale transpired at the same time as the Battle of Pelennor in the gameplay. But in the books, the clash in Dale happened simultaneously as the final stand in the Black Gates of Mordor. The Elven forces also join the Dwarves and Men in the game. The Dwarves of Erebor hold their defensive position in Dale as the Elves push back the enemy forces. The allies retreating to the Lonely Mountain, and the siege also did not take place in the gameplay.

The kingdom under the Mountain launches several Dwarven troops to assault their enemies, but the forces of Mordor defeats them all. Then, Gloin rallied a company of Dwarves to attack the fortress of Mordor, but the dragons reinforcing Mordor's armies overpowered them. Next, Sauron's army, with the Ringwraiths and the Mouth of Sauron as commanders, advanced towards the kingdom under the Mountain. They subdued the Dwarven forces, slaughtered King Dain II Ironfoot, and conquered the Lonely Mountain. This triumph of Sauron's forces led to the devastation of other realms of Middle-earth, as foreseen with the loss of the allies in the Battle of Dale. The dragons are formidable weapons of Sauron inflicting severe fires and destruction in the lands. The evil forces eventually attack Rivendell and defeat the Northern realms at the end of the Evil campaign.

1. ^The Lord of the Rings, The Battle for Middle-earth II.