Birth: 2763 of the Third Age
Death: November 10, 2994 of the Third Age Race: Dwarves Father: Fundin Mother: Name unknown Siblings: one brother - Dwalin Spouse: None Residences: Blue Mountains; Lonely Mountain; later Moria Instrument: Viol |
Biography
Dwarf of Thorin & Company; Balin was the leader of a fateful expedition to reclaim Moria. He was a courageous Dwarf who had an outgoing spirit and a stout heart, and he played a key role in the Quest of Erebor.
Balin was born in 2763 of the Third Age. He was the son of Fundin. In 2772, Balin's younger brother Dwalin was born. Balin's family lived in the Lonely Mountain until 2770, when his the mountain was attacked by Smaug the Great dragon. Though many Dwarves were slain, Balin and his family managed to escape.
After the invasion, Balin wandered with Thorin Oakenshield and his father Thrain in the hills of Dunland for many years. In 2799, Fundin was killed in the Battle of Azanulbizar. After the death of his father, Balin accompanied Thrain and Thorin to settle the Blue Mountains.
In 2841, Balin and his brother Dwalin set out with Thrain to retake the Lonely Mountain. Thrain was captured in the outskirts of Mirkwood by Sauron, who wanted the Ring of the Dwarves possessed by Thrain. Though Balin and Dwalin managed to escape Sauron's capture, they went in search of Thrain. However, it was no use because Thrain had been imprisoned deep inside Sauron's fortress of Dol Guldur.
Balin did not give up his dream of retaking the Lonely Mountain. In 2941, Thorin gathered a company of eleven other Dwarves to slay Smaug and reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the hoard of riches Smaug had stashed in his lair. The Dwarves were: Dwalin, Oin II, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Ori, Dori, and Nori. Gandalf appointed the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins to be the company's "burglar." On April 26, the company of Dwarves arrived at Bilbo's home of Bag End in the Shire, and Balin played his Viol over tea.
The company faced many harships on their quest. Wicked creatures including Trolls, Giants, Wargs, Goblins, and Great Spiders slowed the journey. When the Company was camping at the High Pass of the Misty Mountains, they were captured by Goblins and brought before the Great Goblin. Gandalf arrived just int time to slay the Great Goblin and the Dwarves escaped, but Bilbo was left behind in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He would eventually find the One Ring before being reunited with the company.
In Mirkwood, Bilbo rescued the Dwarves from imprisonment in the Elvenking's Halls by gathering them in barrels and flowing down the Forest River. They reached the Lonely Mountain to find Smaug alive. Smaug was soon slain by Bard the Bowman of Dale, and a debate broke out for Smaug's hoard of riches.
Thorin refused to negotiate with the Elves and men who made reasonable claims to the riches. He even sent for aid from Dain, who gathered an army of Dwarves and marched upon the Lonely Mountain. But then Goblins and Wargs arrived with a strong assault, and the Battle of Five Armies broke out in chaos. The armies of Orcs and Wargs were defeated, but Thorin, Fili, and Kili all were killed in battle.
After the quest, Balin settled in to the Lonely Mountain. In 2989, Balin led a large company of Dwarves to retake Moria, which had long since fell into enemy hands. The Dwarves were in Dimrill Dale when they saw hundreds of Orcs guarding the East-Gate of Moria. They defeated the Orc forces, and Balin was named King of Moria. However, after five years of mining, the Balrog who lurked in the depths noticed their presence in the deep. It awoke and slew the entire company. On November 10, 2994, Balin was shot down by an Orc during the Balrog's invasion. Balin had a great tomb constructed for himself in the Chamber of Mazarbul.
In January of 3019, when the Fellowship of the Ring discovered his tomb and when the Balrog awoke again, Balin's tomb was covered in dust and in turn destroyed.
Balin was born in 2763 of the Third Age. He was the son of Fundin. In 2772, Balin's younger brother Dwalin was born. Balin's family lived in the Lonely Mountain until 2770, when his the mountain was attacked by Smaug the Great dragon. Though many Dwarves were slain, Balin and his family managed to escape.
After the invasion, Balin wandered with Thorin Oakenshield and his father Thrain in the hills of Dunland for many years. In 2799, Fundin was killed in the Battle of Azanulbizar. After the death of his father, Balin accompanied Thrain and Thorin to settle the Blue Mountains.
In 2841, Balin and his brother Dwalin set out with Thrain to retake the Lonely Mountain. Thrain was captured in the outskirts of Mirkwood by Sauron, who wanted the Ring of the Dwarves possessed by Thrain. Though Balin and Dwalin managed to escape Sauron's capture, they went in search of Thrain. However, it was no use because Thrain had been imprisoned deep inside Sauron's fortress of Dol Guldur.
Balin did not give up his dream of retaking the Lonely Mountain. In 2941, Thorin gathered a company of eleven other Dwarves to slay Smaug and reclaim the Lonely Mountain and the hoard of riches Smaug had stashed in his lair. The Dwarves were: Dwalin, Oin II, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Ori, Dori, and Nori. Gandalf appointed the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins to be the company's "burglar." On April 26, the company of Dwarves arrived at Bilbo's home of Bag End in the Shire, and Balin played his Viol over tea.
The company faced many harships on their quest. Wicked creatures including Trolls, Giants, Wargs, Goblins, and Great Spiders slowed the journey. When the Company was camping at the High Pass of the Misty Mountains, they were captured by Goblins and brought before the Great Goblin. Gandalf arrived just int time to slay the Great Goblin and the Dwarves escaped, but Bilbo was left behind in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He would eventually find the One Ring before being reunited with the company.
In Mirkwood, Bilbo rescued the Dwarves from imprisonment in the Elvenking's Halls by gathering them in barrels and flowing down the Forest River. They reached the Lonely Mountain to find Smaug alive. Smaug was soon slain by Bard the Bowman of Dale, and a debate broke out for Smaug's hoard of riches.
Thorin refused to negotiate with the Elves and men who made reasonable claims to the riches. He even sent for aid from Dain, who gathered an army of Dwarves and marched upon the Lonely Mountain. But then Goblins and Wargs arrived with a strong assault, and the Battle of Five Armies broke out in chaos. The armies of Orcs and Wargs were defeated, but Thorin, Fili, and Kili all were killed in battle.
After the quest, Balin settled in to the Lonely Mountain. In 2989, Balin led a large company of Dwarves to retake Moria, which had long since fell into enemy hands. The Dwarves were in Dimrill Dale when they saw hundreds of Orcs guarding the East-Gate of Moria. They defeated the Orc forces, and Balin was named King of Moria. However, after five years of mining, the Balrog who lurked in the depths noticed their presence in the deep. It awoke and slew the entire company. On November 10, 2994, Balin was shot down by an Orc during the Balrog's invasion. Balin had a great tomb constructed for himself in the Chamber of Mazarbul.
In January of 3019, when the Fellowship of the Ring discovered his tomb and when the Balrog awoke again, Balin's tomb was covered in dust and in turn destroyed.
Names & Meanings
Balin:
The meaning of the name Balin is unknown; it appears to be completely invented by Tolkien, possibly as a derivation of Dwalin. Balin's name is the only one in Thorin's company not to appear in the Old Norse poem Voluspa.
The meaning of the name Balin is unknown; it appears to be completely invented by Tolkien, possibly as a derivation of Dwalin. Balin's name is the only one in Thorin's company not to appear in the Old Norse poem Voluspa.
Gallery:
References
The Hobbit, passim
The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring: "Many Meetings," pages 241-243; "The Council of Elrond," pages 253-282; "A Journey in the Dark," pages 332-334; "The Bridge of Khazad-dum," pages 335-338;"The Mirror of Galadriel," page 371
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "Durin's Folk," pages 357-358
The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring: "Many Meetings," pages 241-243; "The Council of Elrond," pages 253-282; "A Journey in the Dark," pages 332-334; "The Bridge of Khazad-dum," pages 335-338;"The Mirror of Galadriel," page 371
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "Durin's Folk," pages 357-358
All Pages Copyright © 2010, The Middle-Earth Encyclopedia