King of Dale
The King of Dale is the ruler of the northern Mannish kingdom of Dale in Rhovanion, founded in the years following the slaying of Smaug and the restoration of the Kingdom under the Mountain. Dale rose again beside Erebor after the Battle of Five Armies, becoming a prosperous realm of Men allied closely with the Dwarves of Durin's Folk.
The kings of Dale are descended from Girion, Lord of Dale at the time of Smaug's coming. Though Girion himself perished in the dragon's assault in T.A. 2770, his line survived in exile at Lake-town. In T.A. 2941, Bard the Bowman, a descendant of Girion, slew Smaug with the Black Arrow. After the dragon's fall and the Battle of Five Armies, Bard claimed his inheritance and rebuilt Dale. He was acknowledged as King by his people, restoring the ancient line. Under Bard I and his son Bain, Dale grew wealthy once more, benefiting from renewed trade with Erebor under Thorin II Oakenshield and later his successors.
During the War of the Ring, Easterling forces allied with Sauron invaded the north. King Brand of Dale fought beside King Dáin Ironfoot of Erebor in the Battle of Dale before the gates of the Lonely Mountain. Both were slain in battle.
After the victory of the Free Peoples and the fall of Sauron, Brand's son Bard II continued to rule Dale. Dale has remained a strong and friendly kingdom, maintaining close ties with Erebor and the Reunited Kingdom under King Elessar.
List of Kings of Dale
The known Kings of Dale are as follows:
- Bard I, slayer of Smaug and restorer of Dale after the Battle of Five Armies. He founded the renewed Kingdom of Dale in T.A. 2941.
- Bain, son of Bard I, who succeeded his father and ruled during a time of rebuilding and consolidation.
- Brand, son of Bain, who ruled during the War of the Ring. He was slain in the Battle of Dale while defending the city against the forces of the East.
- Bard II, son of Brand, who became king after his father's death and ruled Dale in alliance with King Thorin III Stonehelm of Erebor during the later years of the War of the Ring and into the Fourth Age.
