Durin VII
Descendant of Dain II Ironfoot and his son Thorin III Stonehelm, Durin VII reclaimed Moria. Durin VII was named after the legendary Durin I, the first of the seven fathers of the Dwarves. It was said that any Dwarf-King of Durin's Folk who bore the name Durin would carry out his great deeds. Durin VII became King of Durin's Folk in the Fourth Age.
Durin VII ruled the Lonely Mountain until he decided to reclaim Khazad-dum, which had been overtaken by Orcs and a Balrog in 1981 of the Third Age. Since the Balrog was killed in the Battle of the Peak, Khazad-dum was free for reclamation. Durin VII led Durin's Folk to Khazad-dum, where they restored their old homeland and they were able to prosper from its riches. There was never a King of Durin's Folk named Durin ever again.
Durin VII ruled the Lonely Mountain until he decided to reclaim Khazad-dum, which had been overtaken by Orcs and a Balrog in 1981 of the Third Age. Since the Balrog was killed in the Battle of the Peak, Khazad-dum was free for reclamation. Durin VII led Durin's Folk to Khazad-dum, where they restored their old homeland and they were able to prosper from its riches. There was never a King of Durin's Folk named Durin ever again.
Names & Meanings
Durin was the name of a Dwarf in the Old Norse poem Volsupa, and his name translates as "sleepy." Durin VII was named after Durin I, and it was believed amongst the Dwarves that any Dwarf-king named Durin had the spirit of Durin I inside of him. They believed that in part, Durin VII was a reincarnation of Durin I, though it remains unclear if this is actually possible. Because Durin VII was the last King of Durin's Folk to bare the name Durin, he was often called the Last.
Notice: Seldom did Dwarves reveal their true names to outsiders. It is believed that Durin may have been a name given to the first Dwarf by men of the North, and his true name may be unknown or forgotten. It may be that Durin VII had a completely different name than Durin I, Durin II, Durin III, Durin IV, Durin V, and Durin VI, but he was recorded by men as "Durin VII" because of his physical features or his greatness as a ruler. This is only a theory and is not proven or supported by facts, so it cannot be concluded but it may be speculated.
Notice: Seldom did Dwarves reveal their true names to outsiders. It is believed that Durin may have been a name given to the first Dwarf by men of the North, and his true name may be unknown or forgotten. It may be that Durin VII had a completely different name than Durin I, Durin II, Durin III, Durin IV, Durin V, and Durin VI, but he was recorded by men as "Durin VII" because of his physical features or his greatness as a ruler. This is only a theory and is not proven or supported by facts, so it cannot be concluded but it may be speculated.
References
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "Durin's Folk"
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Making of Appendix A," pages 278, 279; "Of Dwarves and Men," page 304; "Last Writings," pages 382-383
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Making of Appendix A," pages 278, 279; "Of Dwarves and Men," page 304; "Last Writings," pages 382-383
All Pages Copyright © 2010, The Middle-Earth Encyclopedia