Seven Fathers of the Dwarves - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mänwe · 05-20-2006, 06:09 AM

The Seven Dwarven clans are the Longbeards (whose Father was Durin, who awoke at Mt. Gundabad), the Broadbeams and the Firebeards (who awoke somewhere in the Blue Mountains, probably at Mt. Dolmed), the Ironfists and Stiffbeards, whose fathers awoke together, and the Blacklocks and Stonefoots, whose fathers also awoke together. Durin is the only named father, although it is possible for Azaghal of Belegost to have been a Father as well, although rather a tenuous suggestion I admit.

A_Brandybuck · 05-26-2006, 02:38 PM

About the Seven Fathers it is enough said, I think. But not for the female Dwarves. Of course there should be some female Dwarves from the beginning. Otherwise there wouldn't be a race of Dwarves.
But Tolkien wasn't sure how to include the female Dwarves, the spouses of the Seven Fathers. There were several different versions of it. (HoME XI, The War of the Jewels: Concerning the Dwarves) I will give a short overview over the versions:

Iluvatar himself added a mate to each Dwarf. But in same look as the male Dwarves, because he would not amend the work of Aule, who created only male forms.
Aule made at first One, the Eldest (Durin), than Six and than Six females, Then he rested and worked on the Seven Fathers. Then Iluvatar interrupted him.
Aule made One and the Six and Six Females. Then he wearied and laid the pairs together
Aule made Seven Male and buried them together with Seven Female as the Voice bade him.
Aule made Seven Male and buried them together with Six Female. The Eldest rest alone.

Tolkien couldn't decide, which version was the best, so he let the Females unmentioned.

Raynor · 05-27-2006, 05:22 AM

Quote:

it is possible for Azaghal of Belegost to have been a Father as well, although rather a tenuous suggestion I admit.

I agree it is unlikely; according to the Grey Annals, HoME XI, in 1250, (Years of the trees), the dwarves passed into Beleriand; at this point, they already had "ancient" homes "far off" into the east. About 722 years later, in 472 (Years of the sun) Azaghal is killed by Glaurung.

05-20-2006, 06:09 AM	#1
Mänwe Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: May as well be the Arctic Circle Posts: 283	In aswer to your question, The Seven Dwarven clans are the Longbeards (whose Father was Durin, who awoke at Mt. Gundabad), the Broadbeams and the Firebeards (who awoke somewhere in the Blue Mountains, probably at Mt. Dolmed), the Ironfists and Stiffbeards, whose fathers awoke together, and the Blacklocks and Stonefoots, whose fathers also awoke together. Durin is the only named father, although it is possible for Azaghal of Belegost to have been a Father as well, although rather a tenuous suggestion I admit. __________________ "I am, I fear, a most unsatisfactory person." - (Letter #124 To Sir Stanley Unwin)

05-26-2006, 02:38 PM	#2
A_Brandybuck Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 95	About the Seven Fathers it is enough said, I think. But not for the female Dwarves. Of course there should be some female Dwarves from the beginning. Otherwise there wouldn't be a race of Dwarves. But Tolkien wasn't sure how to include the female Dwarves, the spouses of the Seven Fathers. There were several different versions of it. (HoME XI, The War of the Jewels: Concerning the Dwarves) I will give a short overview over the versions: Iluvatar himself added a mate to each Dwarf. But in same look as the male Dwarves, because he would not amend the work of Aule, who created only male forms. Aule made at first One, the Eldest (Durin), than Six and than Six females, Then he rested and worked on the Seven Fathers. Then Iluvatar interrupted him. Aule made One and the Six and Six Females. Then he wearied and laid the pairs together Aule made Seven Male and buried them together with Seven Female as the Voice bade him. Aule made Seven Male and buried them together with Six Female. The Eldest rest alone. Tolkien couldn't decide, which version was the best, so he let the Females unmentioned. __________________ „I don't know half of you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."