Axes: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Eric Faure-Brac - Axe.jpg|220px|thumb|''Axe'' by [[:Category:Images by Eric Faure-Brac|Eric Faure-Brac]] ]]{{quote|[[Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!]]|[[Gimli]] | [[File:Eric Faure-Brac - Axe.jpg|220px|thumb|''Axe'' by [[:Category:Images by Eric Faure-Brac|Eric Faure-Brac]]]]{{quote|[[Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!]]|[[Gimli]] in ''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[Helm's Deep (chapter)|Helm's Deep]]"}} | ||
'''Axes''' were tools for chopping wood and excellent mêlée weaponry, usually associated with [[Dwarves]], but not exclusively used by them. | '''Axes''' were tools for chopping wood and excellent mêlée weaponry, usually associated with [[Dwarves]], but not exclusively used by them. | ||
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When the threat of [[Morgoth|Melkor]] started to loom over [[Valinor]], there was unrest among the people of [[Fëanor]]. So they came to smithing weaponry. The [[Noldor]], renowned steelwrights, crafted sword, spears and axes.<ref>{{S|Noldor}}</ref> Dwarves also made axes; their (doomed) alliance with [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]] made them trade many fine axes, swords and spears with the King of the [[Sindar]].<ref>{{S|Sindar}}</ref> Axes would remain to be the main weapon of the march wardens of [[Doriath]],<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref> and were also used by their allies, the [[House of Haleth]] in [[Brethil]].<ref name="5B">{{S|Fifth}}</ref> | When the threat of [[Morgoth|Melkor]] started to loom over [[Valinor]], there was unrest among the people of [[Fëanor]]. So they came to smithing weaponry. The [[Noldor]], renowned steelwrights, crafted sword, spears and axes.<ref>{{S|Noldor}}</ref> Dwarves also made axes; their (doomed) alliance with [[Thingol|Elu Thingol]] made them trade many fine axes, swords and spears with the King of the [[Sindar]].<ref>{{S|Sindar}}</ref> Axes would remain to be the main weapon of the march wardens of [[Doriath]],<ref>{{S|Fingolfin}}</ref> and were also used by their allies, the [[House of Haleth]] in [[Brethil]].<ref name="5B">{{S|Fifth}}</ref> | ||
== | ==By faction== | ||
[[File:Artigas - Dwarven Axes.jpg||220px|thumb|''Dwarven Axes'' by [[:Category:Images by Artigas|Artigas]] ]] | [[File:Artigas - Dwarven Axes.jpg||220px|thumb|''Dwarven Axes'' by [[:Category:Images by Artigas|Artigas]] ]] | ||
* ''' | * '''[[Dwarves]]''' had the axe as their chief weapon. Dwarven warriors would carry at least one standard axe, though sometimes carried backup weapons as well.<ref>{{H|Burst}}</ref> The [[Dwarves of Belegost]] and their lord, [[Azaghâl]], bore axes.<ref name="5B"/> Axes were also used during the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]]. Durin had a [[Durin's Axe|legendary axe]],<ref name="journey">{{FR|Journey}}</ref> [[Gimli]] bore one,<ref name="South">{{FR|South}}</ref> and [[Dáin Ironfoot]] had a red axe.<ref name="Quest">{{UT|Quest}}</ref> | ||
* The '''Forces of Darkness''' were known to use axes in combat. [[Orcs]] and [[Balrogs]] used it as a weapon in battles. [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], the Lord of Balrogs himself bore a black axe.<ref name="5B"/> During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] [[Easterlings]] wielded great axes, and were among the most effective forces of [[Minas Morgul]].<ref>{{RK|Battle}}</ref> | * The '''Forces of Darkness''' were known to use axes in combat. [[Orcs]] and [[Balrogs]] used it as a weapon in battles. [[Gothmog (balrog)|Gothmog]], the Lord of Balrogs himself bore a black axe.<ref name="5B"/> During the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], [[Easterlings]] wielded great axes, and were among the most effective forces of [[Minas Morgul]].<ref>{{RK|Battle}}</ref> | ||
* ''' | *Among the '''[[Atani]] of the First Age''', the most notable axe-bearers are probably [[Huor]]<ref name="5B"/> and [[Tuor]], whose [[Dramborleg|axe]] became a royal heirloom in Númenor.<ref name="Numenor">{{UT|3a}}, p. 172, note 2</ref> The [[Men of Brethil]] carried little weaponry, but mostly axes. | ||
* | * '''[[Númenóreans]]''' were passed the craft of weaponsmithing by the [[Noldor]], and they managed to forge great axes. Their main purpose seems to have been not in war, but in deforesting the woods of [[Middle-earth]] for ship-timber.<ref name="Description">{{UT|Numenor}}</ref> | ||
==Notable | ==Notable axe-wielders== | ||
* [[Dáin Ironfoot]]<ref name="Quest"/> | * [[Dáin Ironfoot]]<ref name="Quest"/> | ||
* [[Dorlas]]<ref name="Narn"/> | * [[Dorlas]]<ref name="Narn"/> | ||
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{{references}} | {{references}} | ||
[[Category:Weapons]] | [[Category:Weapons]] | ||
Latest revision as of 11:27, 22 January 2022
Axe by Eric Faure-Brac
Axes were tools for chopping wood and excellent mêlée weaponry, usually associated with Dwarves, but not exclusively used by them.
History[edit | edit source]
When the threat of Melkor started to loom over Valinor, there was unrest among the people of Fëanor. So they came to smithing weaponry. The Noldor, renowned steelwrights, crafted sword, spears and axes.[1] Dwarves also made axes; their (doomed) alliance with Elu Thingol made them trade many fine axes, swords and spears with the King of the Sindar.[2] Axes would remain to be the main weapon of the march wardens of Doriath,[3] and were also used by their allies, the House of Haleth in Brethil.[4]
By faction[edit | edit source]
Dwarven Axes by Artigas
- Dwarves had the axe as their chief weapon. Dwarven warriors would carry at least one standard axe, though sometimes carried backup weapons as well.[5] The Dwarves of Belegost and their lord, Azaghâl, bore axes.[4] Axes were also used during the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. Durin had a legendary axe,[6] Gimli bore one,[7] and Dáin Ironfoot had a red axe.[8]
- The Forces of Darkness were known to use axes in combat. Orcs and Balrogs used it as a weapon in battles. Gothmog, the Lord of Balrogs himself bore a black axe.[4] During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Easterlings wielded great axes, and were among the most effective forces of Minas Morgul.[9]
- Among the Atani of the First Age, the most notable axe-bearers are probably Huor[4] and Tuor, whose axe became a royal heirloom in Númenor.[10] The Men of Brethil carried little weaponry, but mostly axes.
- Númenóreans were passed the craft of weaponsmithing by the Noldor, and they managed to forge great axes. Their main purpose seems to have been not in war, but in deforesting the woods of Middle-earth for ship-timber.[11]
Notable axe-wielders[edit | edit source]
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Noldor in Beleriand"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Fifth Battle: Nirnaeth Arnoediad"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "The Clouds Burst"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Journey in the Dark"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Ring Goes South"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Quest of Erebor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor", "Notes", p. 172, note 2
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor"
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Narn i Hîn Húrin (The Tale of the Children of Húrin)"
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin"
