Dale is located in Middle-earth’s North East, inhabited by the Northmen. Smaug, the dragon, brought Dale to ruins in TA 2941. Upon Smaug’s death, the people rebuilt and widened Dale. It became a great kingdom of Men.
Description
Dale was in the valley of the Lonely Mountain, right in the middle of the south-east and south-west arms of the mountain. It lays in the River Running’s sharp river bend. Dale is a lively town that thrived in trading supplies and food primarily for the needs and resources of the Dwarves of Erebor. The renowned toy market in Dale was “The Wonder of the North.” Dale was also famous for its crafted bells.
History
In TA 2590, King ThrĂłr rebuilt the kingdom beneath the Lonely Mountain. The kingdom flourished. The Northmen coming from south of the kingdom arrived upon the River Running, where they established Dale. Dale became a wealthy town with the help of the Dwarves. The Lord of Dale ruled in the town. The last Lord of Dale was Girion. In TA 2770, Smaug came to the kingdom of the Dwarves under the mountain. Dale formed warriors to fight the dragon.
But they could not stop Smaug from annihilating and dispersing the Dwarves. Smaug took over Lonely Mountain. When the attack ended, Smaug then comes out of the Mountain’s Front Gate at night. He would take and eat people from Dale, especially young women. The rest of the people escaped and abandoned the city. The Battle of Five Armies and the death of Smaug happened in TA 2941. After three years since the battle, Bard the Bowman restored Dale. He was the one who slew the dragon and descended from Girion. Dale later became a wealthy city.
The newly established kingdom of Dale attracted men from all over the Long Lake, the West and the South. Lake-town prospered from the trade with Dale. The people of Lake-town got the name “Bardings” after their hero and new lord. In the reign of King Brand, Bard the Bowman’s grandson, he established Dale as capital for his domain. His territory reached Lake-town’s far east and far south. In TA 3017, King Dáin Ironfoot received one of Mordor’s messengers (this was uncovered by Glóin in the Council of Elrond). At the Lonely Mountain’s front gate, the messenger asked the king about the Hobbits and Bilbo’s ring.
King Brand also received messengers. Then, enemies gathered upon the eastern borders of the Kingdom of Dale. In the War of the Ring, the Easterlings made it across the border and struck the city. The Battle of Dale started on 17 March TA 3019. The Bardings and their comrades, the Dwarves of Erebor, could not drive off the Easterlings. They pulled back to the Lonely Mountain. However, the Kings Dáin Ironfoot and Brand perished. Both fell at the Gate of Erebor. The dwarves and men barricaded in the safety of Erebor for seven days. Later, news came from the south of the defeat of Sauron. The proclaimed kings, Bard II of Dale and Thorin III Stonehelm of Erebor, disrupted the siege and drove off the Easterlings away from Dale. The attack ended, and the Bardings restored Dale with the aid of the Dwarves. An envoy attended the coronation of King Elessar on Bard’s behalf.
But they could not stop Smaug from annihilating and dispersing the Dwarves. Smaug took over Lonely Mountain. When the attack ended, Smaug then comes out of the Mountain’s Front Gate at night. He would take and eat people from Dale, especially young women. The rest of the people escaped and abandoned the city. The Battle of Five Armies and the death of Smaug happened in TA 2941. After three years since the battle, Bard the Bowman restored Dale. He was the one who slew the dragon and descended from Girion. Dale later became a wealthy city.
The newly established kingdom of Dale attracted men from all over the Long Lake, the West and the South. Lake-town prospered from the trade with Dale. The people of Lake-town got the name “Bardings” after their hero and new lord. In the reign of King Brand, Bard the Bowman’s grandson, he established Dale as capital for his domain. His territory reached Lake-town’s far east and far south. In TA 3017, King Dáin Ironfoot received one of Mordor’s messengers (this was uncovered by Glóin in the Council of Elrond). At the Lonely Mountain’s front gate, the messenger asked the king about the Hobbits and Bilbo’s ring.
King Brand also received messengers. Then, enemies gathered upon the eastern borders of the Kingdom of Dale. In the War of the Ring, the Easterlings made it across the border and struck the city. The Battle of Dale started on 17 March TA 3019. The Bardings and their comrades, the Dwarves of Erebor, could not drive off the Easterlings. They pulled back to the Lonely Mountain. However, the Kings Dáin Ironfoot and Brand perished. Both fell at the Gate of Erebor. The dwarves and men barricaded in the safety of Erebor for seven days. Later, news came from the south of the defeat of Sauron. The proclaimed kings, Bard II of Dale and Thorin III Stonehelm of Erebor, disrupted the siege and drove off the Easterlings away from Dale. The attack ended, and the Bardings restored Dale with the aid of the Dwarves. An envoy attended the coronation of King Elessar on Bard’s behalf.
Etymology
The meaning of Dale means “valley.” It was in the valley of the River Running, amidst the Lonely Mountain’s arms.
Portrayal in Adaptations
- 2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-Earth Part Two - This video game [1] depicts Dale on the map of Erebor. It is on the mountain’s river in the south-east. It shows Dale with several houses, bridges, taverns, and also with a monument.
- 2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey [2] - The beginning of prologue scenes includes Dale’s destruction and the sack of Erebor.
- 2013: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - The ruins of Dale were in the scene where the Dwarves and Bilbo Baggins are going to Erebor. [3]
- 2014: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - Upon Smaug’s death, the people of Lake-town came to take shelter in the city’s ruins. In the Battle of Five Armies, [4] they took refuge inside Dale while Lake-town’s men fought their enemies. As the Orcs struck the destroyed city, Bard, along with Lake-town’s men, went to fight them, leaving the Dwarves and the Elves to protect Erebor’s gates. The Elves then came to fight alongside the Men to defend Dale.
References
Categories:
Cities
Cities of Men
Kingdoms of Men
