Dáin Ironfoot

Early life

Dáin was born in Third Age 2767 in the Iron Hills, the son of Náin, during the reign of his grandfather Grór.

War of the Dwarves and Orcs

After the murder of Thrór by Azog in Third Age 2790, his son Thráin II swore revenge. He summoned all available Dwarves, and sacked every Orc stronghold in the Misty Mountains, battling his way to Moria. There, the Battle of Azanulbizar raged before the gate of the ancient Dwarf stronghold.

Náin and his son Dáin arrived late in the battle, but proved pivotal. Fresh and well equipped, they drove through the Orc forces, until at last Náin confronted Azog. But Náin was weary and filled with anger, and Azog strong and agile. He darted from the dwarf's blows, and when the warrior stumbled, Azog hewed and broke his neck. However, all across the valley, his troops were in retreat. He tried to escape back inside, but he was followed by Dáin who with his red axe, hewed off his head before the doors of the East-Gate. He was a very young Dwarf at thirty-two at the time, and it was heralded as a magnificent feat.

After the battle King Thráin II wanted to enter Moria as his own. But Dáin dissuaded him, because he alone looked past the gate into Moria, and had the wisdom to know that it was impossible for Durin's folk to return at that time because of Durin's Bane.

Lord of the Iron Hills

Dáin returned to the Halls of Grór with his people, and with his father dead, became Lord of the Iron Hills at his grandfather's death in Third Age 2805. He had one son, Thorin, born in Third Age 2866.

During his reign his people became the strongest in Wilderland, being the only realm capable to resist Sauron if he dared come North and retake the realm of Angmar and the northern passes of the Misty Mountains.

The Battle of Five Armies

Nearly a hundred years later, King Thorin, the son of Thráin II, set out on a journey to reclaim Erebor, the Lonely Mountain, which had been usurped by the Dragon Smaug.

The dragon was slain, though by Bard of Lake-town and not by Thorin's company. Thorin claimed the entire hoard and proclaimed himself King under the Mountain, but both Bard and the Elven king Thranduil longed for compensation of their suffering caused by the Dragon. Because his company of thirteen could not hold the mountain, Thorin sent for Dáin.

Dáin responded to Thorin's call and set out with more than five hundred dwarves, well armed and experienced. They were originally intent on driving off the Elves and Men, but Gandalf arrived to inform them of the approaching Orcs and Wargs. They all united against the common enemy, and so was fought the Battle of Five Armies in the valley of Dale.

Thorin was killed in the battle, as were his sister-sons Kíli and Fíli. As his "rightful heir," Dáin succeeded Thorin as King under the Mountain, and King of all of Durin's folk.

King under the Mountain

During his reign as king, he became exceedingly rich and his people were very prosperous. The town of Dale was rebuilt and its border stretched far to the South and East and the friendship between the Elves of Mirkwood, Men of Dale, and Dwarves of Erebor was close, especially between the Men and Dwarves. For the Dwarves of Erebor now exceeded all their ancestors in the art of masonry and mining, and created many beautiful things in Dale.

But not all were content. Balin set out with several others to reclaim Moria in Third Age 2989. Dáin did not give the expedition his blessing, and could not dissuade them. It was only later learned the colony was destroyed after five years.

War of the Ring

In Third Age 3018, a messenger came from Mordor, enquiring about a creature named "Baggins" from "Shire". In return for information Dáin would be given the last three Dwarf-rings. Dáin told him to give him time to think and for many weeks he pondered until he sent Glóin and his son Gimli to Elrond for counsel, and to warn Bilbo of the enemy looking for him.

After many months war came to Erebor in the Battle of Dale. King Brand of Dale was at war with Easterlings along the River Carnen, but they defeated him and he retreated back to Dale where he was given aid by Dáin and an army of Dwarves. After three days of fighting the Dwarves and Men were driven back, and Brand was slain. But defending his body stood Dáin, who at over 250 years old was not feeble, and still could wield his axe with great skill. But his skill was not enough and he was slain as well before the gates of Erebor.

Several days later the Easterlings learned that the Battle of the Pelennor Fields was lost and they were afraid. When the new King Thorin III Stonehelm, son of Dáin, and Brand's son Bard II saw this they came out of the mountain and routed their enemies.

Dáinn is a dwarf from the Dvergatal. His name most likely means "deadlike".

The epithet Ironfoot remains unexplained in the published writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. However, John D. Rateliff has pointed out that an explanation is likely found in the original manuscript of The Hobbit, where it is stated that the shoes of the Dwarves of the Iron Hills were of iron.

In drafts of Lord of the Rings, Dáin was said to possess one of the Seven Dwarf-rings, "and on that his fortune is founded: his age, his wealth, and (.......?) future".

Dáin in adaptations

Films

1977: The Hobbit (1977 film):

Dáin is said to come to Thorin's aid, but he is never individually identified. It's possible that he's the Dwarf who lays Orcrist on Thorin's body after he dies, as that Dwarf does not resemble any of the other 12 members of Thorin's company.

2014: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies:

Dáin Ironfoot is played by Billy Connolly. After the Elves of Mirkwood occupy Dale, Thorin secretly sends out a raven to Dáin. The next day, just as Thranduil is about to start his attack, Dáin arrives unexpectedly at Erebor mounted on a large, armoured boar and leading an army of Dwarves. He also wields a red war hammer instead of a red axe. He tells the Elves and Men to withdraw or face his attack. After trading insults with Thranduil, the Dwarves and Elves begin attacking each other, but the Orc Army suddenly arrives, and Dáin leads his Dwarves to attack the Orcs instead. Following their example, the Elves join the Dwarves, fighting side by side with them. When Thorin and Company charge out of the mountain, Dáin and his army rally behind them and drive back the Orcs from the mountain. Later he and Thorin embrace in the midst of the battle. His coronation as the new King under the Mountain is only shown in the Extended Edition of the film.

Radio series

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

Dáin's voice is provided by Brian Haines.

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

No actor is credited for the role of Dáin.

Games

2001-07: The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game:

Weta made a special card for Dáin.

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Dáin has no speaking part; he only appears on parchment sections.

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

Dáin is a hero in the Dwarves faction. In the campaigns, he appears in the Battle of Dale in the Good Campaign, where he has to survive the onslaught of enemy forces to succeed the level.

2013: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Dáin, along with King Brand of Dale, makes a brief appearance in the raid "Flight to the Lonely Mountain", where they brief the player before the assault of the Easterlings begin. After the conclusion of the Siege of Erebor, his tomb can be found in "Mazal Akrâz", the "Chamber of Glory", nearby those of Fíli, Kíli, and his cousin Thorin Oakenshield.

A young Dáin is encountered in a flashback story of the Battle of Azanulbizar along with his father and grandfather. He is a close friend of "Hermáth Stormhammer", the hero from whose point of view the player experiences the battle. After slaying Azog, Dáin briefly ventures beyond the East-gate into Moria and, after recovering from the fright of seeing Durin's Bane, tells Hermáth and the player the story of the fall of Khazad-dûm.

1. Esta ficha se ha importado inicialmente de TolkienGateway.net el día 25/05/2026.