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{{quote|... the spears that were made for the armies of the great King Bladorthin (long since dead), each had a thrice-forged head and their shafts were inlaid with cunning gold, but they were never delivered or paid for...|''[[The Hobbit]]'', [[Inside Information]]}}
{{other infobox
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| name=Bladorthin
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=King of an unknown realm in [[Middle-earth]]
| location=Unknown
| affiliation=
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| birth=
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=before {{TA|2941}}
| deathlocation=
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| notablefor=
| parentage=
| siblings=
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| race=Unknown
| gender=Male
| height=
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{{quote|... the spears that were made for the armies of the great King Bladorthin (long since dead), each had a thrice-forged head and their shafts were inlaid with cunning gold, but they were never delivered or paid for...|''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Inside Information]]"}}


'''Bladorthin''' was a king of the [[Third Age]] who flourished long before {{TA|2941}}.
'''Bladorthin''' was a king of some realm of [[Middle-earth]] during the mid-[[Third Age]].
==History==
Bladorthin ruled a great kingdom which maintained armies and had trade relationships with [[Erebor]].


Questions about whether Bladorthin was a [[Men|Man]] or an [[Elves|Elf]], or precisely where his kingdom lay, must remain in the realm of speculation.
Questions about whether Bladorthin was a [[Men|Man]] or an [[Elves|Elf]], or precisely where his kingdom lay, must remain in the realm of speculation.


He had ordered thrice-forged spears of superior quality for his soldiers from the [[Dwarves of Erebor]]. The smiths forged them, but Bladorthin never received his weapons.
== History ==
Bladorthin ruled a great kingdom which maintained armies and had trade relationships with [[Erebor]]. His rule could be placed anytime between {{TA|1999}} and {{TA|2770}}.


It is possible that the [[Sack of Erebor|descent]] of [[Smaug]] on the [[Lonely Mountain]] was what prevented the trade, in which case his death can be put after [[Third Age 2770]].  
He had ordered thrice-forged spears of superior quality for his soldiers from the [[Dwarves of Erebor]]. The smiths forged them, but for some reason Bladorthin never received his weapons and the spears remained in their halls.<ref name=Inside/>


On the other hand his death was perhaps premature and it was this that prevented the trade.<ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'', entry "Bladorthin"</ref>
It is possible that the [[Sack of Erebor|descent]] of [[Smaug]] on the [[Lonely Mountain]] was what prevented the trade, in which case his death can be put after that event.


==Etymology==
On the other hand his death was perhaps premature and it was the reason that the trade was never completed.<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Bladorthin"</ref>
[[John D. Rateliff]] has noted that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] never explained the meaning of the name ''Bladorthin''. However, Rateliff suggests that the name is "clearly [[Gnomish]] (or perhaps [[Noldorin]])", speculating that the element ''blador'' "probably applies to wide open country" and that the element ''-thin'' likely has the meaning of "grey" (as in ''[[Thingol#Etymology|'''Thin'''gol]]''). This would give the translation "the Grey Country", "Grey Plains Fay", or "Grey Master of the Plains".<ref name=HH>{{HM|HHO}}, pp. 52-3, 62-3</ref>


==Other Versions of the [[Legendarium]]==
In any case, he died long before {{TA|2941}}.<ref name=Inside>{{H|Inside}}</ref>
In the early drafts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bladorthin was the name of Gandalf the Grey. A connection can still be seen with the element ''-thin'' with the probable meaning "grey" (see [[#Etymology|above]]).<ref name=HH/>
 
==Speculation==
== Etymology ==
*[[Robert Foster]] suggests Bladorthin was an Elven king, that his premature death prevented the trade and his heirs did not pay for the spears.
[[John D. Rateliff]], noting that [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] never explained the meaning of ''Bladorthin'', identifies the name as "clearly [[Gnomish]] (or perhaps [[Noldorin]])".
 
The Gnomish element ''blador'' "probably applies to wide open country" (cf. [[Bladorinand]], an early name of [[Beleriand]]), whereas the element ''-thin'' likely has the meaning of "grey" (as in ''[[Thingol#Etymology|'''Thin'''gol]]''). This would give the translation "the Grey Country", "Grey Plains Fay", or "Grey Master of the Plains".<ref name=HH>{{HM|HHO}}, pp. 52-3, 62-3</ref>
 
== Other versions of the legendarium ==
In the early drafts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bladorthin was the name of [[Gandalf]] (who would later be assigned the colour "grey" in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''). A connection can still be seen with the element ''-thin'' with the probable meaning "grey" (see [[#Etymology|above]]).<ref name=HH/>
 
== Speculation ==
*[[Robert Foster]] suggests Bladorthin was an Elven king and that his premature death prevented the trade. The speculation that his death was premature narrows down the time of his death between {{TA|1999}} (the establishment of the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]]) and {{TA|2770}} (its destruction by [[Smaug]]).
*[[J.E.A. Tyler]] also interprets his death as premature
*[[J.E.A. Tyler]] also interprets his death as premature
*[[Michael Martinez]] also interprets his death as premature, and suggests that he was a King of [[Dale]], perhaps ancestor of [[Girion]].<ref>[[Parma Endorion]]</ref>
*[[Michael Martinez]] also interprets his death as premature, and suggests that he was a King of [[Dale]], perhaps ancestor of [[Girion]].<ref>[[Parma Endorion]]</ref>
*[[Douglas A. Anderson]] in ''[[The Annotated Hobbit]]'' suggests he was a [[mortal]] Man.
*[[Douglas A. Anderson]] in ''[[The Annotated Hobbit]]'' suggests he was a [[Gift of Men|mortal]] Man.
*An article in the [[Tolkienwiki]] suggests not only that his death was premature but that his kingdom was destroyed by [[Sauron]], presumably located near the [[Sea of Rhûn]].<ref>[http://www.thetolkienwiki.org/wiki.cgi?FAQ/Who__was__King__Bladorthin FAQ: Who was King Bladorthin?]</ref>
*An article in the [[Tolkienwiki]] suggests not only that his death was premature but that his kingdom was destroyed by [[Sauron]], presumably located near the [[Sea of Rhûn]].<ref>[http://www.thetolkienwiki.org/wiki.cgi?FAQ/Who__was__King__Bladorthin FAQ: Who was King Bladorthin?]</ref>
*[[Andreas Moehn]] counters most of the common theories, notably the interpretation that his death was premature. As the book does not mention his death as such, the end of Erebor must have happened earlier and prevented the trade. He also rejects the theory that his kingdom was related to Dale, and locates it in [[Dorwinion]].
*[[Andreas Moehn]] counters most of the common theories, notably the interpretation that his death was premature. As the book does not mention his death as such, most probable is that Smaug's arrival in {{TA|2770}} prevented the trade. Therefore he must died sometime later. He also rejects the theory that his kingdom was related to Dale, and locates it in [[Dorwinion]].


==Portrayal in Adaptations==
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|The Hobbit]]'':'''
'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)]]'':'''
:Bladorthin's spears are some of the items [[Bilbo Baggins]] must find in Erebor for a quest in the chapter "Inside Information".
:Bladorthin's spears are some of the items [[Bilbo Baggins]] must find in Erebor for a quest in the chapter "Inside Information".
{{references}}


==External links==
== External links ==
*[http://lalaith.vpsurf.de/Tolkien/Bladorthin.html A theory on Bladorthin] by [[Andreas Möhn|Andreas Moehn]].
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20130107014744/http://lalaith.vpsurf.de/Tolkien/Bladorthin.html A theory on Bladorthin] by [[Andreas Möhn|Andreas Moehn]]


[[Category:Rulers of Middle-earth]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters of unknown race]]
[[Category:Enigmas]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Bladorthin]]
[[de:Bladorthin]]
[[fi:Bladorthin]]
[[fi:Bladorthin]]

Latest revision as of 13:48, 26 July 2023

Bladorthin
Unknown
Information
PositionKing of an unknown realm in Middle-earth
LocationUnknown
Deathbefore T.A. 2941
Physical Description
RaceUnknown
GenderMale
"... the spears that were made for the armies of the great King Bladorthin (long since dead), each had a thrice-forged head and their shafts were inlaid with cunning gold, but they were never delivered or paid for..."
― The Hobbit, "Inside Information"

Bladorthin was a king of some realm of Middle-earth during the mid-Third Age.

Questions about whether Bladorthin was a Man or an Elf, or precisely where his kingdom lay, must remain in the realm of speculation.

History[edit | edit source]

Bladorthin ruled a great kingdom which maintained armies and had trade relationships with Erebor. His rule could be placed anytime between T.A. 1999 and T.A. 2770.

He had ordered thrice-forged spears of superior quality for his soldiers from the Dwarves of Erebor. The smiths forged them, but for some reason Bladorthin never received his weapons and the spears remained in their halls.[1]

It is possible that the descent of Smaug on the Lonely Mountain was what prevented the trade, in which case his death can be put after that event.

On the other hand his death was perhaps premature and it was the reason that the trade was never completed.[2]

In any case, he died long before T.A. 2941.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

John D. Rateliff, noting that Tolkien never explained the meaning of Bladorthin, identifies the name as "clearly Gnomish (or perhaps Noldorin)".

The Gnomish element blador "probably applies to wide open country" (cf. Bladorinand, an early name of Beleriand), whereas the element -thin likely has the meaning of "grey" (as in Thingol). This would give the translation "the Grey Country", "Grey Plains Fay", or "Grey Master of the Plains".[3]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

In the early drafts of The Hobbit, Bladorthin was the name of Gandalf (who would later be assigned the colour "grey" in The Lord of the Rings). A connection can still be seen with the element -thin with the probable meaning "grey" (see above).[3]

Speculation[edit | edit source]

  • Robert Foster suggests Bladorthin was an Elven king and that his premature death prevented the trade. The speculation that his death was premature narrows down the time of his death between T.A. 1999 (the establishment of the Kingdom under the Mountain) and T.A. 2770 (its destruction by Smaug).
  • J.E.A. Tyler also interprets his death as premature
  • Michael Martinez also interprets his death as premature, and suggests that he was a King of Dale, perhaps ancestor of Girion.[4]
  • Douglas A. Anderson in The Annotated Hobbit suggests he was a mortal Man.
  • An article in the Tolkienwiki suggests not only that his death was premature but that his kingdom was destroyed by Sauron, presumably located near the Sea of Rhûn.[5]
  • Andreas Moehn counters most of the common theories, notably the interpretation that his death was premature. As the book does not mention his death as such, most probable is that Smaug's arrival in T.A. 2770 prevented the trade. Therefore he must died sometime later. He also rejects the theory that his kingdom was related to Dale, and locates it in Dorwinion.

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Bladorthin's spears are some of the items Bilbo Baggins must find in Erebor for a quest in the chapter "Inside Information".

External links[edit | edit source]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Inside Information"
  2. ↑ Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, entry "Bladorthin"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit: One-volume Edition, pp. 52-3, 62-3
  4. ↑ Parma Endorion
  5. ↑ FAQ: Who was King Bladorthin?
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