Changes: Lonely Mountain

Revision as of 03:14, 26 March 2014

The Lonely Mountain, or Erebor, was a mountain northeast of Rhovanion. It was also the source of the River Running (Celduin). For many ages of Middle-earth, it had been inhabited by the Dwarves of Durin's Folk or Longbeards up until the later half of the Third Age and then again in its closing years and into the Fourth Age.

History

Years of the Trees and First Age

Lmgate als — The entrance to the Lonely Mountain as painted by Alan Lee.

The Dwarves of Durin's Folk discovered the mineral wealth of the Lonely Mountain sometime after the awakening of the first Durin. A mining colony was soon set up and a road was laid out to connect the dwarves to their great cities from the Iron Hills and as far west as their realms and possessions in the Blue Mountains.

Second and Third Ages

In the Beginning

The Dwarves may have lived and mined in the mountain during the Second Age, but it wasn't until the mid-Third Age that the colony had become a firmly established Kingdom of the Dwarves after the fall of the ancient Kingdom of Khazad-dûm due to the awakening of the Balrog known as Durin's Bane in TA 1981. The survivors under Thráin I followed him to the Lonely Mountain and the colony became the ancestral home of the King under the Mountain. By TA 1999, it had become a Dwarven stronghold, where the dwarves became a numerous and prosperous people. In this time, the dwarves became very rich and amassed a large amount of gold and treasure which included the jewel known as the Arkenstone. Thrain I used the Arkenstone as a sigil of his rule, and his sons and grandsons under him who were to follow.

The Line of Durin appears in *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey*.

For two-hundred and eleven years the kingdom advanced, expanded, prospered, and endured until Thorin I abandoned it to join his kin in the Grey Mountains (Ered Mithrin), and the Lonely Mountain was abandoned for three-hundred and eighty years. However, the dwarves of the Grey Mountains began experiencing attacks by the dragons that still lived in those mountains, and became embroiled in a costly war against them, forcing the dwarves to abandon the Grey Mountains in TA 2590. The dwarves went their separate ways with Grór and his followers settling in the Iron Hills and Thrór and his followers settling in the Lonely Mountain.

Rebuilding

Erebor under Siege

While Thorin Oakenshield was out hunting one day in TA 2770, Smaug came from the mountains and invaded the Lonely Mountain, hoarding all its wealth for himself. Thráin II and several companions escaped by a secret door. For many years thereafter the dwarves lived in exile in the Blue Mountains until, by a seemingly chance meeting, Gandalf the Grey met Thorin Oakenshield and together they planned to reclaim the mountain. This is told in detail in The Quest of Erebor and described by Tolkien's song, "Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold."

The Quest of Erebor

Desolation - Erebor — The Dwarves overlooking the Lonely Mountain

In TA 2941, Bilbo Baggins and Thorin's company traveled to the Lonely Mountain to regain the treasure Smaug had stolen. Set into the side of the mountain was a secret door, five feet high and wide enough for three to walk through abreast. Gandalf had managed to obtain the door's key, which fit a key hole which could be found only when the setting sun and the last moon of autumn were in the sky together. By a fortunate coincidence, this happened just as Bilbo and the Dwarves arrived.

Smaug was eventually slain, shot out of the sky by a well-aimed arrow to his only weak spot by Bard the Bowman, a man of Laketown, also known as Esgaroth, who later became king of the Men in the area known as Dale adjoining the Lonely Mountain. Thorin thus reclaimed the mountain, but the Elves of Mirkwood and Men of Esgaroth claimed a part of the treasure, which Thorin refused to share. Dáin II Ironfoot came to the aid of his cousin Thorin, and the three Free Peoples almost did battle with one another, but then orcs attacked and the dwarves, elves, and men joined ranks together with the eagles against the orcs, in what became known as the Battle of the Five Armies. During the battle Thorin was mortally injured, and the titles King under the Mountain and King of Durin's Folk passed to Dáin.

War of the Ring

Battle of Dale

The demise of Smaug was not to be the last of Lonely Mountain's many troubles. In TA 3019 on the 17th of March, a horde of Easterling soldiers from Rhûn swarmed over the Carnen (Redwater) river, opening up a second front in the northern theater of the War of the Ring. The sheer force of the feared and renowned Easterlings crushed the Men of Dale and routed their forces, which had to rally back to the protection of the Lonely Mountain.

The Dwarves and Men fought a pitched battle against the invaders, eventually emerging victorious over their opponents. The impregnable gates and walls of the Lonely Mountain, furnished and extensively worked with advanced, complex and intricate Dwarven stonework, defense planning and smith-work, easily withstood the siege equipment of the Easterlings. The Lonely Mountain itself was a key strong-point and gave its defenders great tactical leverage against the attackers, being able to shoot arrows and fling stones down below in reprisal. The many years invested in improving the Lonely Mountain's defenses had paid off, and the defenders outlasted the Easterlings in the siege. The Easterlings then withdrew, suffering disproportionate casualties because of their botched campaign and their difficulty in combating the Dwarven technology, weapons, armor and defenses.

Fourth Age

Erebor was a minor place for battle during The War of the Ring. The city took a small hit but it was rebuilt during the Fourth Age with the help of men and all of the dwarves. With the restoration of the Kingdom under the Mountain the area became prosperous again. Dwarves and Men reforged their friendship. Dáin was killed during the War of the Ring, and was succeeded by his son Thorin III Stonehelm who ruled well into the Fourth Age. During this time, dwarves from the Lonely Mountain helped rebuild cities in Gondor and the fortress of Helm's Deep, and some went to the newly established Dwarven realm of the Glittering Caves where Gimli was lord. Nevertheless, the Kingdom of Erebor apparently continued to prosper throughout the Fourth Age.^[1]^[2]

Portrayals in adaptations

The Hobbit film trilogy

Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy (2012) featured computer-generated shots of Erebor, Dale, and other Dwarven cities.

Gallery

References

↑ The Lord of the Rings: Appendix A, III Durin's Folk
↑ Unfinished Tales: The Quest of Erebor

External link

Lonely Mountain at Tolkien Gateway

[1] The Lord of the Rings: Appendix A, III Durin's Folk

[2] Unfinished Tales: The Quest of Erebor

[1]

[2]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Template:Infobox LOTR place
-The '''Lonely Mountain''' or '''Erebor''' is [[File:Erebor-1-.jpg|thumb|250px|The Lonely Mountain by Tolkien]] a mountain northeast of [[Rhovanion]]. It is also the source of the [[River Running]] (Celduin). For many ages of [[Middle-earth]], it had been inhabited by the [[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's Folk]] or Longbeards up until the later half of the [[Third Age]] and then again in its closing years and into the [[Fourth Age]].
+|place_name = Lonely Mountain
+|image_place = Erebor-1-.jpg
+|imagewidth = 260px
+|image_caption = Lonely Mountain drawn by Tolkien
+|place_alias = Erebor
+|place_description = Kingdom of Dwarves
+|place_built = Dwarves from Grey Mountains, King [[Thror]]
+|place_realm = [[Rhovanion]]
+|place_lord = [[King under the Mountain]]<br>
+King of Durin's folk<br>
+[[Smaug]] (until the Third Age)
+|place_type = City-fortification, mine, mountain}}
+The '''Lonely Mountain,''' or '''Erebor,''' was a mountain northeast of [[Rhovanion]]. It was also the source of the [[River Running]] (Celduin). For many ages of [[Middle-earth]], it had been inhabited by the [[Dwarves]] of [[Durin's Folk]] or Longbeards up until the later half of the [[Third Age]] and then again in its closing years and into the [[Fourth Age]].
 ==History==
 ===Years of the Trees and First Age===
-[[File:The_Lonely_Mountain_-_FOTR.PNG|thumb|260px|Lonely Mountain on the map, with Smaug]]It is known that the Dwarves of Durin's Folk discovered the [[Minerals and Metals|mineral]] wealth of the Lonely Mountain sometime after the awakening of the first [[Durin]]. A mining colony was soon set up and a [[Old Forest Road|road]] was laid out to connect the dwarves to their great cities from the [[Iron Hills]] and as far west as their realms and possessions in the [[Ered Luin|Blue Mountains]].
+[[File:Lmgate_als.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The entrance to the Lonely Mountain as painted by [[Alan Lee]].]]
+The Dwarves of Durin's Folk discovered the [[Minerals and Metals|mineral]] wealth of the Lonely Mountain sometime after the awakening of the first [[Durin]]. A mining colony was soon set up and a [[Old Forest Road|road]] was laid out to connect the dwarves to their great cities from the [[Iron Hills]] and as far west as their realms and possessions in the [[Ered Luin|Blue Mountains]].
 ===Second and Third Ages===
+In the Beginning
-[[File:Lmgate_als.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The entrance to the Lonely Mountain as painted by [[Alan Lee]].]]The dwarves probably still lived and mined in the mountain during the [[Second Age]] but it wasn't until the mid-Third Age that the colony had become a firmly established Kingdom of the Dwarves. After the fall of the ancient [[Khazad-dûm|Kingdom of Khazad-dûm]] due to the awakening of the [[Balrog]] [[Durin's Bane]] in [[TA 1981]], the survivors under [[Thráin I]] followed him to the Lonely Mountain and the colony became the ancestral home of the [[King under the Mountain]]. By [[TA 1999]], it became a Dwarven stronghold, where the dwarves became a numerous and prosperous people. In this time, the dwarves got very rich and amassed a large amount of [[gold]], and [[treasure]] which included the famous jewel known as the [[Arkenstone]].
-<br />
-[[File:The_Line_of_Durin.png|thumb|260px|The Line of Durin appears in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"]]For two-hundred and eleven years, the kingdom prospered and endured until [[Thorin I]] abandoned it to join his kin in the [[Grey Mountains]] (Ered Mithrin) where they began to live, and the Lonely Mountain was abandoned for three-hundred and eighty years. However, the Dwarves of the Grey Mountains began experiencing attacks by the [[dragons]] that still lived in those mountains and became embroiled in a costly war against them, which forced them to abandon the Grey Mountains in [[TA 2590]]. The dwarves went their separate ways with [[Grór]] and his followers settling in the Iron Hills and [[Thrór]] and his followers settling in Lonely Mountain.
+The Dwarves may have lived and mined in the mountain during the [[Second Age]], but it wasn't until the mid-[[Third Age]] that the colony had become a firmly established Kingdom of the Dwarves after the fall of the ancient [[Khazad-dûm|Kingdom of Khazad-dûm]] due to the awakening of the [[Balrog]] known as [[Durin's Bane]] in [[TA 1981]]. The survivors under [[Thráin I]] followed him to the Lonely Mountain and the colony became the ancestral home of the [[King under the Mountain]]. By [[TA 1999]], it had become a Dwarven stronghold, where the dwarves became a numerous and prosperous people. In this time, the dwarves became very rich and amassed a large amount of [[gold]] and [[treasure]] which included the jewel known as the [[Arkenstone]]. Thrain I used the Arkenstone as a sigil of his rule, and his sons and grandsons under him who were to follow.
-The Lonely Mountain again became a Dwarven Kingdom of greater prestige than before with the dwarves of that time becoming highly skilled in masonry and stonework, and there was great demand for their work by the surrounding peoples. The [[Men of Dale|Men]] of the [[Wilderland]] established [[Dale]] and established a very close trade and culture relationship with the dwarves of the mountain, and men and their sons were eager to learn their skills. Unfortunately, it was this prosperity that attracted [[Smaug]] to the mountain.
+[[File:The_Line_of_Durin.png|thumb|left|260px|The Line of Durin appears in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''.]]
+For two-hundred and eleven years the kingdom advanced, expanded, prospered, and endured until [[Thorin I]] abandoned it to join his kin in the [[Grey Mountains]] (Ered Mithrin), and the Lonely Mountain was abandoned for three-hundred and eighty years. However, the dwarves of the Grey Mountains began experiencing attacks by the [[dragons]] that still lived in those mountains, and became embroiled in a costly war against them, forcing the dwarves to abandon the Grey Mountains in [[TA 2590]]. The dwarves went their separate ways with [[Grór]] and his followers settling in the Iron Hills and [[Thrór]] and his followers settling in the Lonely Mountain.
-Whilst [[Thorin Oakenshield]] was one day out hunting in [[TA 2770]], Smaug came from the mountains as a young [[dragon]], and took over the mountain, hoarding all the gold. [[Thráin II]] and several companions escaped by (as was later discovered) a secret door. For many years, the dwarves have lived in exile in the Blue Mountains until, by a chance meeting, [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]] met Thorin Oakenshield, and they planned to reclaim the mountain. This is told in detail in ''[[The Quest of Erebor]]'' and described by Tolkien's song,''"[[Far over the Misty Mountains Cold|Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold]]."''
+====Rebuilding====
-[[File:Erebor.jpg|thumb|266px|The Lonely Mountain (Erebor)]]
+====Erebor under Siege====
-In [[TA 2941]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] and Thorin's [[Thorin and Company|company]] travel to the Lonely Mountain to regain the treasure Smaug had stolen. Set into the side of the mountain was a [[secret door]], five feet high and wide enough for three to walk abreast. [[Gandalf]] had managed to obtain the door's key, which would only open it when the setting sun and the last moon of autumn were in the sky together. By a fortunate coincidence, this happened just as Bilbo and the Dwarves arrived.
+While [[Thorin Oakenshield]] was out hunting one day in [[TA 2770]], Smaug came from the mountains and invaded the Lonely Mountain, hoarding all its wealth for himself. [[Thráin II]] and several companions escaped by a secret door. For many years thereafter the dwarves lived in exile in the Blue Mountains until, by a seemingly chance meeting, [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]] met Thorin Oakenshield and together they planned to reclaim the mountain. This is told in detail in ''[[The Quest of Erebor]]'' and described by Tolkien's song, ''"[[Far over the Misty Mountains Cold|Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold]]."''
-By more luck than wisdom Smaug was eventually slain — shot out of the sky with a well-aimed arrow to his only weak spot by [[Bard the Bowman]], a man of [[Laketown]] or Esgaroth — and Thorin claimed the mountain. Bard later became king of the area in the shadow of the Lonely Mountain, known as Dale. However [[Elves]] of [[Mirkwood]] and [[Men]] of Esgaroth claimed a part of the treasure, which Thorin refused to share. This led to the [[Battle of the Five Armies]], where [[Dáin II Ironfoot]] came to the aid of his cousin Thorin, but dwarves, elves, and men joined ranks together with the [[eagles]] against the [[orcs]]. During the battle, Thorin was mortally injured, and the titles King under the Mountain and [[King of Durin's Folk]] passed to Dáin.
+====The Quest of Erebor====
-[[File:Erebor_gate.jpg|thumb|270px|The gate of Erebor.]]However, the demise of Smaug was not to be the last of Lonely Mountain's many troubles. In [[TA 3019|TA]][[TA 3019|&nbsp;3019]], the [[Easterlings]] from Rhûn swarmed over the Carnen (Redwater) river in a horde of soldiers, opening up a long-awaited second front that was the northern arm of the [[War of the Ring]]. The sheer force of the feared and renowned Easterlings crushed the Men of Dale and routed their forces, which had to rally back to the protection of the Lonely Mountain.
+[[File:Desolation_-_Erebor.jpg|thumb|260px|The Dwarves overlooking the Lonely Mountain]]
+In [[TA 2941]], [[Bilbo Baggins]] and Thorin's [[Thorin and Company|company]] traveled to the Lonely Mountain to [[The Quest of Erebor|regain]] the treasure Smaug had stolen. Set into the side of the mountain was a [[secret door]], five feet high and wide enough for three to walk through abreast. [[Gandalf]] had managed to obtain the door's key, which fit a key hole which could be found only when the setting sun and the last moon of autumn were in the sky together. By a fortunate coincidence, this happened just as Bilbo and the Dwarves arrived.
+Smaug was eventually slain, shot out of the sky by a well-aimed arrow to his only weak spot by [[Bard the Bowman]], a man of [[Laketown]], also known as Esgaroth, who later became king of the Men in the area known as Dale adjoining the Lonely Mountain. Thorin thus reclaimed the mountain, but the [[Elves]] of [[Mirkwood]] and [[Men]] of Esgaroth claimed a part of the treasure, which Thorin refused to share. [[Dáin II Ironfoot]] came to the aid of his cousin Thorin, and the three Free Peoples almost did battle with one another, but then [[orcs]] attacked and the dwarves, elves, and men joined ranks together with the [[eagles]] against the [[orcs]], in what became known as the [[Battle of the Five Armies]]. During the battle Thorin was mortally injured, and the titles King under the Mountain and [[King of Durin's Folk]] passed to Dáin.
-The Dwarves and Men fought a pitched battle against the hated invaders, eventually emerging victorious over their vaunted opponents. The impregnable gates of the Lonely Mountain, furnished and worked extensively with intricate Dwarven smith-work, easily withstood the technologically advanced siege equipment of the Easterlings. The Lonely Mountain itself was a key strongpoint and gave its defenders great tactical leverage against the attackers, being able to shoot arrows and fling stones down below in reprisal. The many years invested in improving the Lonely Mountain's defenses have paid off, and the defenders lasted the Easterlings out for a siege. The Easterlings then withdrew, suffering disproportionate casualties because of their botched campaign.
-===Fourth Age===
+====War of the Ring====
+=====Battle of Dale=====
-With the restoration of the Kingdom under the Mountain the area became prosperous again, and Dwarves and Men reforged their friendship. [[Dáin]] was killed during the [[War of the Ring]], and was succeeded by his son [[Thorin III Stonehelm]] who ruled well into the Fourth Age. During this time, dwarves from the Lonely Mountain helped rebuild cities in [[Gondor]] and the [[fortress]] of [[Helm's Deep]] and some went to the newly established Dwarven realm of the [[Glittering Caves]] where [[Gimli]] was [[Lord of the Glittering Caves|lord]]. Nevertheless, the Kingdom apparently continued to prosper throughout the Fourth Age.
+[[File:Erebor_gate.jpg|thumb|250px|The gate of Erebor.]]
-==<span style="font-size:18px;">Behind the Scenes</span>==
+The demise of Smaug was not to be the last of Lonely Mountain's many troubles. In [[TA 3019]] on the [[March 17|17th of March]], a horde of [[Easterling]] soldiers from Rhûn swarmed over the Carnen (Redwater) river, opening up a second front in the northern theater of the [[War of the Ring]]. The sheer force of the feared and renowned Easterlings crushed the Men of Dale and routed their forces, which had to rally back to the protection of the Lonely Mountain.
-*The Hobbit (2012) was the first to show computer-generated shots of Dwarven cities, and some of the more expanded and better shots of Dwarven cities.
+The Dwarves and Men fought a pitched [[Battle of Dale|battle]] against the invaders, eventually emerging victorious over their opponents. The impregnable gates and walls of the Lonely Mountain, furnished and extensively worked with advanced, complex and intricate Dwarven stonework, defense planning and smith-work, easily withstood the siege equipment of the Easterlings. The Lonely Mountain itself was a key strong-point and gave its defenders great tactical leverage against the attackers, being able to shoot arrows and fling stones down below in reprisal. The many years invested in improving the Lonely Mountain's defenses had paid off, and the defenders outlasted the Easterlings in the siege. The Easterlings then withdrew, suffering disproportionate casualties because of their botched campaign and their difficulty in combating the Dwarven technology, weapons, armor and defenses.
+====Fourth Age====
+Erebor was a minor place for battle during The War of the Ring. The city took a small hit but it was rebuilt during the Fourth Age with the help of men and all of the dwarves. With the restoration of the Kingdom under the Mountain the area became prosperous again. Dwarves and Men reforged their friendship. [[Dáin]] was killed during the [[War of the Ring]], and was succeeded by his son [[Thorin III Stonehelm]] who ruled well into the Fourth Age. During this time, dwarves from the Lonely Mountain helped rebuild cities in [[Gondor]] and the [[fortress]] of [[Helm's Deep]], and some went to the newly established Dwarven realm of the [[Glittering Caves]] where [[Gimli]] was [[Lord of the Glittering Caves|lord]]. Nevertheless, the Kingdom of Erebor apparently continued to prosper throughout the Fourth Age.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings]]: [[Appendix A]], III Durin's Folk</ref><ref>[[Unfinished Tales]]: [[The Quest of Erebor]]</ref>
+== Portrayals in adaptations==
+===The Hobbit film trilogy===
+[[The Hobbit (films)|Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy]] (2012) featured computer-generated shots of Erebor, Dale, and other Dwarven cities.
 ==Gallery==
-===The Hobbit trilogy===
-<gallery orientation="none" columns="dynamic">
+<gallery spacing="medium" columns="3" orientation="landscape">
-Erebor7.PNG
+Erebor7.PNG|The Dwarves mining in Erebor.
 Erebor6.PNG
-Erebor5.PNG
+Erebor5.PNG|The deep halls of Erebor.
 Erebor4.PNG
 Erebor3.PNG
 Erebor2.PNG
 Erebor1.PNG
+the key to erebor.jpg|The key to the back door of Erebor.
+the treasure of erebor.jpg|The great treasure of the city of Erebor.
+the hobbit film Erebor.jpg|The huge door to Erebor seen from the nearby town of Dale.
+thorin's map.jpg|Thorin's map from the Hobbit.
+Thorin's map (close up).jpg|close up of scripture on Thorin's map
 </gallery>
 ==References==
+<references/>
-*[[The Lord of the Rings]]: [[Appendix A]], III Durin's Folk
-*[[Unfinished Tales]]: [[The Quest of Erebor]]
-*[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]] pgs. 53 & 110-11
 ==External link==