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Dale was a mighty kingdom of men and a city that was located next to Erebor and near Esgaroth. It was destroyed when Smaug took Erebor by the Dragon and used as a base for the men of Lake-town during the Battle of the Five Armies. It was rebuilt afterwards by King Bard.
Description[]
Dale was situated in the valley between the south-western and south-eastern arms of the Lonely Mountain, nestled in a sharp U-shaped bend of the River Running. It was known as a merry town that traded, mainly in food-supplies, for the skills and craft-pieces of the Dwarves of Erebor. Dale's toy market was the wonder of the North and the town was renowned also for its bells.
History[]
Foundation[]
While the realm of Erebor prospered under King Thrór, the Northmen living to the south came up the River Running and built Dale. The town shared in the prosperity of the Dwarves and it was governed by the Lord of Dale, of whom the last was named Girion.
Destruction[]
A Dwarvish wind-lance crossbow was used to attempt to kill Smaug
In TA 2770 Smaug descended upon the Dwarf-kingdom. Although the Men of Dale fielded warriors against the monster they could not prevent him from killing or scattering the Dwarves and then occupying the Lonely Mountain. After the attack the dragon would crawl out of the Front Gate of the Mountain by night and carry away people (especially maidens) from Dale to eat. The remaining population soon fled and the deserted city fell into ruins.
Re-establishment[]
Smaug was killed in TA 2941, but not before conflagerating Lake-town. The surviving refugees sought shelter in the ruins of Dale, and were bolstered by the arrival of Thranduil, who brought provisions alongside his army. Bard, wishing to avoid war, tried to reason with Thorin at the front gate of Erebor but the Dwarf refused to give them what was promised. Returning to the city, Bard told Thranduil what had happened and that going to war was the only option. During the night, Bilbo Baggins gave them the Arkenstone to ransom to Thorin in exchange for their promised treasure. During the Battle of the Five Armies, the Siege of Dale took place, where both Elves and Men fought Azog's forces. Despite Dol Guldur's greater strength, the army was defeated. Those who survived the battle gathered and honored those who had fallen.
Dale in ruins
The fighting spilled into the streets of Dale, forcing Bard to retreat to defend the women and the children who remained among its ruins. The great hall on top of the hill served as a refugee for most of the elderly, the women and the children during the fighting, although many of them chose to stand and fight. With Thorin leading a charge that pushed the Orcs back in the Long Valley, the defenders were able to get the upper hand before Thorin went to Ravenhill to confront Azog. A second army by Bolg arrived, but was thwarted by Beorn.
The death of Smaug and the Battle of Five Armies occurred in TA 2941. Three years after the battle, Dale was rebuilt by Bard the Bowman, who had killed the dragon and was the descendant of Girion. Dale soon again enjoyed prosperity: Bard founded the Kingdom of Dale and it gathered men from the Long Lake, the South, and the West. Lake-town was rebuilt and grew wealthy from traffic with Dale. Its people became known as Bardings, after their new ruler.
Aftermath[]
Dale was a city-state, and a Lordship until it was re-established by Bard, becoming a Kingdom. It was rebuilt with Bilbo's share of the treasure he refused to have and gave to the people. Alliances between Dale, the Mountain and Mirkwood was restored, and Girion's descendants ruled for a long time.
War of the Ring[]
During the reign of King Brand, the grandson of Bard the Bowman, Dale served as the capital for the lands he ruled, which extended far south and east of Lake-town. However in TA 3017 a messenger from Mordor came to ask King Dáin Ironfoot at the gate to the Lonely Mountain for news of Hobbits and to ask for Bilbo's ring. Messengers had also come to King Brand and there were enemies gathering upon the Kingdom of Dale's eastern borders. During the War of the Ring, the Easterlings crossed the border and moved to attack the city. On 17 March TA 3019 the Battle of Dale began. Not able to hold back the Easterlings the Bardings and their allies, the Dwarves of Erebor, retreated into the Lonely Mountain, but lost Kings Brand and Dáin Ironfoot who were both slain at the Gate of Erebor. For seven days the Men and Dwarves barricaded themselves in Erebor until news came from the south of the defeat of Sauron. The new kings of Dale and Erebor (Bard II and Thorin III Stonehelm), broke the siege and chased the Easterlings out of Dale.
Appearances[]
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Appears in flashbacks)- The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey: The Movie Storybook (Appears in flashbacks)
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
- The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: The Movie Storybook
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
- The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies: The Movie Storybook
- The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II
