Dale

Dale lies in a bowl of land between the two southern arms of Erebor, where the River Running comes out of the mountain and starts south toward the Long Lake. On the map it is the small city marked just below the mountain, with Lake-town downstream and Mirkwood away to the west.

While the Kings under the Mountain held Erebor, Dale was the market for their work. Bilbo hears that its toy makers were famous and its bells were rung on feast days. Dwarves and Men lived close and traded daily.

Smaug came down on the valley in TA 2770. He burned Dale and killed most of its people. Survivors moved downriver, and Girion's heir among them founded the line that led to Bard. The ruins lay empty and cold while the dragon slept on the hoard.

After Bard shot Smaug over the Long Lake and the Battle of Five Armies was fought and won, he used his share of the treasure to rebuild Dale as a kingdom of Men. It prospered again under Bard, his son Bain, and his grandson Brand. In TA 3019 Easterlings attacked from the southeast, Brand was killed before the gates of Erebor, and his son Bard II held the ruins until the siege ended.

Events at this place

1. TA 2770 · Appendices

   Smaug destroys Dale

   The dragon burned the city, killed King Girion and scattered the survivors down the River Running.

2. TA 2944 · Appendices

   Bard rebuilds the city

   With treasure from Erebor, Bard the Bowman restored Dale and became its king after the Battle of Five Armies.

3. TA 3019 · Appendices

   The Battle of Dale

   Men of Dale and dwarves of Erebor were driven back into the mountain. King Brand fell fighting beside Dain Ironfoot.

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