Bard: Difference between revisions
m (Bot message: tweaked.) |
|||
(21 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{disambig-two|the character in ''[[The Hobbit]]''|the King of Dale in the [[Fourth Age]]|[[Bard II]]}} | {{disambig-two|the character in ''[[The Hobbit]]''|the King of Dale in the [[Fourth Age]]|[[Bard II]]}} | ||
{{men infobox | {{men infobox | ||
|image=[[File:Angel Falto - Bard.jpg|250px]] | | image=[[File:Angel Falto - Bard.jpg|250px]] | ||
|name=Bard | | name=Bard | ||
|othernames= | | pronun= | ||
|birth= | | othernames=Bard I<br/>Bard the Bowman | ||
|death={{TA|2977}} | | titles=[[King of Dale]] | ||
| | | position=Archer | ||
|gender=Male | | location=[[Lake-town]]<br/>[[Dale]] | ||
|height= | | affiliation= | ||
|hair= | | language= | ||
|eyes= | | birth= | ||
| birthlocation= | |||
| rule={{TA|2944}} - {{TA|2977|n}} | |||
| death={{TA|2977}} | |||
| deathlocation= | |||
| age= | |||
| notablefor= | |||
| house= | |||
| parentage= | |||
| siblings= | |||
| spouse= | |||
| children=[[Bain]] | |||
| gender=Male | |||
| height= | |||
| hair=Black | |||
| eyes= | |||
| clothing= | |||
| weapons=Yew bow; [[Black Arrow]] | |||
| steed= | |||
}} | }} | ||
{{quote|Arrow! Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!|Bard<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref>}} | {{quote|Arrow! Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!|Bard<ref name="Fire">{{H|Fire}}</ref>}} | ||
Line 16: | Line 34: | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Bard served as a soldier in [[Lake-town]], and was one of the most skilled archers among [[Men]]. He was the heir of [[Girion]], the last [[Lord of Dale|lord]] of [[Dale]]. Noted for his grim face and spirit, he was an able archer and | Bard served as a soldier in [[Lake-town]], and was one of the most skilled archers among [[Men]]. He was the heir of [[Girion]], the last [[Lord of Dale|lord]] of [[Dale]]. Noted for his grim face and spirit, he was an able archer and inherited his [[Black Arrow]] from his ancestors. Considering it a lucky heirloom, he always used it last.<ref name="Fire"/> | ||
[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Black Arrow.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - The Black Arrow]] | [[File:Ted Nasmith - The Black Arrow.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - The Black Arrow]] | ||
Bard organized the defense of the town when the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] attacked. When the old [[thrush]] (who had overheard [[Bilbo Baggins]]' description of [[Smaug]]<ref>{{H|Inside}}</ref>) revealed an unarmoured spot on the Dragon's underside to Bard, he shot the dragon's heart with the Black Arrow. Because of his miraculous shot he was given the epithet "the Bowman" and "the Dragon-slayer".<ref name="Fire"/> | Bard organized the defense of the town when the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]] attacked. When the old [[thrush]] (who had overheard [[Bilbo Baggins]]' description of [[Smaug]]<ref>{{H|Inside}}</ref>) revealed an unarmoured spot on the Dragon's underside to Bard, he shot the dragon's heart with the Black Arrow. Because of his miraculous shot he was given the epithet "the Bowman" and "the Dragon-slayer".<ref name="Fire"/> | ||
Line 22: | Line 40: | ||
After the disaster, he led the [[Lake-men]] to the [[Lonely Mountain]] demanding a part of the treasure from the [[Dwarves]].<ref name="Gather">{{H|Gathering}}</ref> The [[Elves of Mirkwood|Wood-elves]] and [[Thranduil]] came to demand their own shares. Seeing [[Thorin II|Thorin]]'s reluctancy to help, [[Bilbo Baggins]] delivered the [[Arkenstone]] to them to bargain with.<ref>{{H|Thief}}</ref> Afterwards, when the [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] came, Bard led his Men in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|Burst}}</ref> | After the disaster, he led the [[Lake-men]] to the [[Lonely Mountain]] demanding a part of the treasure from the [[Dwarves]].<ref name="Gather">{{H|Gathering}}</ref> The [[Elves of Mirkwood|Wood-elves]] and [[Thranduil]] came to demand their own shares. Seeing [[Thorin II|Thorin]]'s reluctancy to help, [[Bilbo Baggins]] delivered the [[Arkenstone]] to them to bargain with.<ref>{{H|Thief}}</ref> Afterwards, when the [[Orcs]] and [[Wargs]] came, Bard led his Men in the [[Battle of Five Armies]].<ref>{{H|Burst}}</ref> | ||
Bard | The victors divided the treasure and Bard took Bilbo's fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the Arkenstone, whereupon he shared his reward with the [[Master of Lake-town]] to rebuild the town, and gave Thranduil the emeralds of Girion.<ref name="Gather"/> However, the Master stole the money and ran off into the wild where he died.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref> Three years later, after the rebuilding of the city, Bard became the first [[King of Dale|King]] of restored Dale as a wise and able ruler.<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> | ||
He was succeeded by his son, [[Bain]].<ref name="TA"/> | He was succeeded by his son, [[Bain]].<ref name="TA"/> | ||
Line 47: | Line 65: | ||
In his original concept of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] intended [[Bilbo Baggins]] to be the slayer of [[Smaug]] the [[Dragons|dragon]], stabbing him in his sleep in his lair in the Lonely Mountain. Tolkien then changed his mind and in a major shift decided that Smaug would die at [[Esgaroth]].<ref>{{HH|PNC}}, pp. 496-497</ref> This necessitated the creation of a hero, Bard, who was revealed to be the descendant of Girion. Having created this dragon-slayer, Tolkien was going to let him die in the wreck of Lake-town.<ref>{{HH|Death}}, p. 549</ref> However, realizing new possibilities for the story, especially having a rightful claimant to part of the dragon's hoard other than the Dwarves, Tolkien kept Bard alive.<ref>{{HH|Death}}, (i) ''Bard the Dragon-Slayer'', p. 555</ref> | In his original concept of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] intended [[Bilbo Baggins]] to be the slayer of [[Smaug]] the [[Dragons|dragon]], stabbing him in his sleep in his lair in the Lonely Mountain. Tolkien then changed his mind and in a major shift decided that Smaug would die at [[Esgaroth]].<ref>{{HH|PNC}}, pp. 496-497</ref> This necessitated the creation of a hero, Bard, who was revealed to be the descendant of Girion. Having created this dragon-slayer, Tolkien was going to let him die in the wreck of Lake-town.<ref>{{HH|Death}}, p. 549</ref> However, realizing new possibilities for the story, especially having a rightful claimant to part of the dragon's hoard other than the Dwarves, Tolkien kept Bard alive.<ref>{{HH|Death}}, (i) ''Bard the Dragon-Slayer'', p. 555</ref> | ||
==Portrayal in | ==Portrayal in adaptations== | ||
{{Gallery | |||
|title=Bard in adaptations | |||
|height=150 | |||
|width=250 | |||
|lines=2 | |||
|File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Bard.jpg|Bard in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]] | |||
|File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Bard.jpg|Bard in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]] | |||
}} | |||
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:''' | '''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:''' | ||
:Bard is played by [[Peter Williams]]. | :Bard is played by [[Peter Williams]]. | ||
Line 60: | Line 86: | ||
:No actor is credited for the part of [[Bard]], but it appears to be [[André Sogliuzzo]]. He is portrayed as the Captain of the guard, a stout black haired man with a full beard. Bilbo helps him retrieve the [[Black Arrow]] and stop a gang of Orcs and men from taking over Laketown. | :No actor is credited for the part of [[Bard]], but it appears to be [[André Sogliuzzo]]. He is portrayed as the Captain of the guard, a stout black haired man with a full beard. Bilbo helps him retrieve the [[Black Arrow]] and stop a gang of Orcs and men from taking over Laketown. | ||
'''2012- | '''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:''' | ||
:[[Luke Evans]] | :[[Luke Evans]] portrays Bard.<ref name="PJCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150286515141558|articlename=The Hobbit Casting Update|dated=19-June-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> Known by the Master of Lake-town (and his right hand man [[Alfrid]]) to be the descendant of Girion, the last lord of Dale, and fearing he may be trying to undermine their authority, Bard is under constant surveillance at their behest by various spies. In addition to his son Bain, he also has two daughters: [[Sigrid]] and [[Tilda]]. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Line 80: | Line 106: | ||
| prev=Title established | | prev=Title established | ||
| list=[[King of Dale]] | | list=[[King of Dale]] | ||
| dates={{TA|2944}}-{{TA|2977}} | | dates={{TA|2944}}-{{TA|2977|n}} | ||
| next=[[Bain]] | | next=[[Bain]] | ||
| nvac= | | nvac= |
Revision as of 13:02, 17 February 2014
Bard | |
---|---|
Man | |
Biographical Information | |
Other names | Bard I Bard the Bowman |
Titles | King of Dale |
Position | Archer |
Location | Lake-town Dale |
Rule | T.A. 2944 - 2977 |
Death | T.A. 2977 |
Family | |
Children | Bain |
Physical Description | |
Gender | Male |
Hair color | Black |
Weaponry | Yew bow; Black Arrow |
Gallery | Images of Bard |
- "Arrow! Black arrow! I have saved you to the last. You have never failed me and always I have recovered you. I had you from my father and he from of old. If ever you came from the forges of the true king under the Mountain, go now and speed well!"
- ― Bard[1]
Bard the Bowman (died Third Age 2977), was a man of Lake-town, and later the restored King of Dale.
History
Bard served as a soldier in Lake-town, and was one of the most skilled archers among Men. He was the heir of Girion, the last lord of Dale. Noted for his grim face and spirit, he was an able archer and inherited his Black Arrow from his ancestors. Considering it a lucky heirloom, he always used it last.[1]
Bard organized the defense of the town when the Dragon Smaug attacked. When the old thrush (who had overheard Bilbo Baggins' description of Smaug[2]) revealed an unarmoured spot on the Dragon's underside to Bard, he shot the dragon's heart with the Black Arrow. Because of his miraculous shot he was given the epithet "the Bowman" and "the Dragon-slayer".[1]
After the disaster, he led the Lake-men to the Lonely Mountain demanding a part of the treasure from the Dwarves.[3] The Wood-elves and Thranduil came to demand their own shares. Seeing Thorin's reluctancy to help, Bilbo Baggins delivered the Arkenstone to them to bargain with.[4] Afterwards, when the Orcs and Wargs came, Bard led his Men in the Battle of Five Armies.[5]
The victors divided the treasure and Bard took Bilbo's fourteenth share of the gold and silver in return for the Arkenstone, whereupon he shared his reward with the Master of Lake-town to rebuild the town, and gave Thranduil the emeralds of Girion.[3] However, the Master stole the money and ran off into the wild where he died.[6] Three years later, after the rebuilding of the city, Bard became the first King of restored Dale as a wise and able ruler.[7]
He was succeeded by his son, Bain.[7]
Etymology
As a Lake-man, Bard's name was in the language of Dale, which is represented by Old Norse in the book.[8][9] In other Germanic names (such as Isembard), bard refers to beard. This could be either the facial hair, or more likely "Battle-Axe" (beard is also a term for a part of an axe).
Robert Ireland and Ruth S. Noel, who perhaps overlooked the connection to Old Norse, provide as translations the Celtic words, bárd ("guardian")[10] and bard ("poet").[11]
Genealogy
Girion d. 2770 | |||||||
BARD I d. 2977 | |||||||
Bain d. 3007 | |||||||
Brand d. 3019 | |||||||
Bard II | |||||||
Other Versions of the Legendarium
In his original concept of The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien intended Bilbo Baggins to be the slayer of Smaug the dragon, stabbing him in his sleep in his lair in the Lonely Mountain. Tolkien then changed his mind and in a major shift decided that Smaug would die at Esgaroth.[12] This necessitated the creation of a hero, Bard, who was revealed to be the descendant of Girion. Having created this dragon-slayer, Tolkien was going to let him die in the wreck of Lake-town.[13] However, realizing new possibilities for the story, especially having a rightful claimant to part of the dragon's hoard other than the Dwarves, Tolkien kept Bard alive.[14]
Portrayal in adaptations
Bard in adaptations | |||||||||
|
1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):
- Bard is played by Peter Williams.
1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):
- Bard's voice is provided by John Stephenson.
1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):
- No actor is specified for the role of Bard.
2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):
- No actor is credited for the part of Bard, but it appears to be André Sogliuzzo. He is portrayed as the Captain of the guard, a stout black haired man with a full beard. Bilbo helps him retrieve the Black Arrow and stop a gang of Orcs and men from taking over Laketown.
2012-14: The Hobbit (film series):
- Luke Evans portrays Bard.[15] Known by the Master of Lake-town (and his right hand man Alfrid) to be the descendant of Girion, the last lord of Dale, and fearing he may be trying to undermine their authority, Bard is under constant surveillance at their behest by various spies. In addition to his son Bain, he also has two daughters: Sigrid and Tilda.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Fire and Water"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Inside Information"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Gathering of the Clouds"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "A Thief in the Night"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Clouds Burst"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Last Stage"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 144, (dated 25 April 1954)
- ↑ Robert Ireland, Lord of the Rings Dictionary, A - C
- ↑ Ruth S. Noel, The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth, "The Languages of Rhovanion"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag-End, The Second Phase, "Plot Notes C", pp. 496-497
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag-End, The Second Phase, "The Death of Smaug", p. 549
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Return to Bag-End, The Second Phase, "The Death of Smaug", (i) Bard the Dragon-Slayer, p. 555
- ↑ Peter Jackson, "The Hobbit Casting Update" dated 19 June 2011, Facebook (accessed 23 December 2011)
Bard Heir of Girion, Lord of Dale | ||
None Title established | King of Dale T.A. 2944-2977 | Followed by: Bain |