The Seven Houses of the Dwarves | Tolkien Explained

Nerd of the Rings・2 minutes read

Tolkien's dwarves, known as Durin's folk, originate from a single source created by Aule and are divided into different clans led by the seven fathers of the dwarves. The history of the dwarves spans significant events, including conflicts with orcs and dragons, settling in various locations, and playing crucial roles in battles alongside elves and men throughout Middle-earth.

Insights

  • Tolkien's dwarves, known as Durin's folk, originated from a single source created by Aule, the Smith of the Valar, who taught them Khuzdul, a unique language. Iluvatar granted them true life, predicting strife among the seven fathers of the dwarves who were placed in different locations to slumber until their awakening.
  • Durin, a significant figure among the seven fathers, establishes Khazad-dum, leading Durin's folk through millennia of prosperity, conflicts with orcs and dragons, and pivotal events like the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. Thrain, Thror's son, plays a crucial role in reclaiming Erebor and uniting dwarves, elves, and men in the Battle of Five Armies, ultimately founding a new realm of Durin's Folk in the Fourth Age.

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Recent questions

  • Who are Durin's folk?

    Dwarves named after their original king, Durin.

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Summary

00:00

"Dwarves of Middle-earth: Durin's Folk History"

  • Tolkien's dwarves are known as Durin's folk, named after the original king of the dwarves, Durin, who was one of seven fathers of the dwarves, each leading their own clan.
  • The dwarves originated from a single source, created secretly by Aule, the Smith of the Valar, who taught them to speak Khuzdul, a language he created for them.
  • Iluvatar gives the dwarves true life, decreeing they will not awaken before the elves, and predicts strife among them.
  • The seven fathers of the dwarves are placed in different locations within the earth to slumber until their time to wake, with Durin in Mount Gundabad, two in the Blue Mountains, and four in the East.
  • Durin awakes, founds Khazad-dum, and prospers for thousands of years, while dwarves in the Blue Mountains play significant roles in the First Age.
  • The dwarves of Belegost have better relations with elves, forge mail of linked rings, and engage in trade with the Sindar, including Thingol of Doriath.
  • Dwarves of Nogrod have a more strained relationship with elves, committing violent acts like killing Thingol for a Silmaril.
  • The petty-dwarves, an 8th group, are smaller in stature, originating from exiles of other dwarf clans, and harbor a deep hatred for elves.
  • Dwarven refugees from destroyed cities settle in Khazad-dum in the Second Age, thriving and trading with early Northmen.
  • Durin the Deathless, believed to be reincarnated multiple times, leads Durin's folk through significant events and conflicts, including battles with orcs and dragons.

13:50

"War of Dwarves and Orcs to Victory"

  • Thror leads the Longbeards to settle in Dunland in 2790, but is killed by Azog in Moria, leading his son Thrain to summon the Houses of the Dwarves to War, starting the six-year War of the Dwarves and Orcs beneath the Misty Mountains between Moria and Gundabad.
  • Thrain establishes a new realm of Durin’s Folk in the Blue Mountains after the Battle of Azanulbizar, where Thorin and his company, aided by Bilbo, later reclaim Erebor and battle alongside elves and men in the Battle of Five Armies. The Dwarves and Men eventually triumph in the Battle of Dale during the War of the Ring, with Gimli, son of Gloin, founding a new realm of Durin’s Folk in the Fourth Age, becoming the first Lord of the Glittering Caves behind Helm’s Deep.
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