Birth: Year 2746 of the Third Age
Death: 2941 of the Third Age Race: Dwarves Part of the Company: leader, creator of the quest Height: Short Father: Thrain II Mother: Unknown Siblings: one brother - Frerin, one sister - Dis Spouse: None known Children: None known Sword: Orcrist Instrument: Harp Residences: Lonely Mountain; Blue Mountains; hills of Dunland |
Biography
Leader of Thorin & Company. Thorin Oakenshield was the leader of a company of Dwarves who traveled to the Lonely Mountain to win back their land and riches from Smaug the great dragon. Though the quest was a success, Thorin showed his true greed at the end of his life and died in battle.
Thorin was born in 2763 of the Third Age. He was the son of Thrain II. Thorin had a younger brother named Frerin and a sister named Dis. The family occupied the Lonely Mountain, where Thorin's grandfather Thror ruled. In 2770, many Dwarves were living in the Lonely Mountain when the dragon Smaug attacked and killed nearly all of them. Thorin, his siblings, his father, and his grandfather were the only known survivors. These Dwarves traveled through Dunland, homeless for many years.
In 2790, Thror attempted to reclaim the mines of Khazad-dum, once a great stronghold for the Dwarves under the Misty Mountains. Thror was killed by an Orc-leader called Azog, proving the realm of Khazad-dum to be unsafe for resettlement.
Thorin, Frerin, and Thrain fought in the Battle of Azanulbizar, which took place in 2799. There, Thorin's shield was smashed, so he used an oak tree's branch to defend himself. This was why he was called "Oakenshield." In the battle, Thorin's younger brother Frerin was killed. Thorin was badly wounded. However, the Dwarves defeated their opponents, but did not settle back in Khazad-dum because of Dain's warning that the Balrog was still living there.
In 2802, Thorin and Thrain left Dunland and wandered into Eriador where they settled into the Blue Mountains. There, they were able to find very few natural riches as they had hoped, and found mostly iron. Thrain grew to miss his youth and wealth in the Lonely Mountain.
In 2841, Thrain attempted to win back his gold, so he left Thorin. Thrain was caught by the great enemy Sauron and imprisoned in the enemy's stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. Many years later, the wizard Gandalf found the Dwarf in his prison to be very elderly and weathered. Thrain gave him a map of the Lonely Mountain and a key to the secret door to give to Thorin. By then, Thrain had forgotten his own name as well as Thorin's, so Gandalf did not know who to pass the map to.
By chance on March 15, 2941, Gandalf met Thorin at the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree. There, Thorin invited Gandalf to stay with him for a time in the Blue Mountains, and Gandalf agreed. At Thorin's home, Gandalf and Thorin were able to plan their next move.
Thorin and Gandalf both wanted to rid the Lonely Mountain of Smaug. Gandalf now feared that Sauron would use Smaug to cause trouble amongst the people of Dale and Mirkwood while Sauron himself attacked Rivendell and Lothlorien. So, Thorin gathered a company of twelve worthy Dwarves to reclaim the mountain: Balin, Dwalin, Oin II, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Ori, Dori, Nori, Fili, and Kili. Gandalf appointed the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins of the Shire to the company and told Thorin this Hobbit was a burglar seeking employment.
On April 26, 2941, Thorin and Company arrived at Bag End in Hobbiton under the impression that Bilbo wished to be the burglar for their company. At first, Thorin was not impressed by Bilbo and wished this Hobbit was not part of the company, but he let him accompany them on their quest because of Gandalf's advise.
The company traveled through the Trollshaws, where the Trolls Tom, Bert, and William Huggins dwelt. These Trolls captured the company, attempting to eat them. While the Trolls were debating how to cook the Dwarves, Gandalf confused them. The Trolls fought until dawn, and in the sunlight they all turned to stone and Thorin & Company were able to escape. Amongst the Troll's possessions Thorin found himself the sword Orcrist.
The company fled to Rivendell, where they were greeted by Elrond. They camped there for a short while, and they were soon off to continue their quest. In the High Pass of the Misty Mountains the company were captured by Goblins, who recognized Thorin's sword Orcrist as an Orc-killer. Gandalf killed the Great Goblin and freed the Dwarves. They were, however, separated from Bilbo, who became lost in the caves and and found the One Ring from Gollum. The next day, the company was reunited with Bilbo.
As they continued on their quest, the company faced many hardships. They were attacked by Wargs and rescued by Eagles. Gandalf took them to the house of Beorn the Shapeshifter. Near Mirkwood, Gandalf parted from Thorin and Company and they entered the forest. They were captured by Great Spiders, freed by Bilbo, and captured by Wood-elves. Bilbo freed them yet again by using the Ring to get the keys to their prison cells, getting them inside barrels, and floating them down the Forest River.
The company reached the Lonely Mountain by early Autumn and Bilbo made several visits to Smaug's lair. As it turned out, he had taken several riches from the dragon, who was enraged to find them missing and attacked Dale. Bard the Bowman shot Smaug in the underbelly and the dragon fell dead.
Thorin was overjoyed by the thought that the Lonely Mountain's riches could once again be his. But Elves of Mirkwood led by Thranduil and men of Dale led by Bard soon arrived at the foot of the Lonely Mountain seeking their share of the treasure. Though the claims of the Elves and men seemed reasonable to Bilbo, Thorin wanted all of the wealth for his own. Bilbo stole Thorin's most valued possession, the Arkenstone, and gave it to the Elves and men so that they could bargain with Thorin. The Dwarf was enraged and he sent for aid from Dain, who summoned an army of Dwarves to the Lonely Mountain. But Orcs and Wargs soon attacked, and the three armies of Elves, men, and Dwarves were forced to unite in the Battle of the Five Armies.
Though the Elves, men, and Dwarves turned out victorious, Fili and Kili were killed and Thorin was fatally wounded. As a final request, he wished to part with Bilbo in peace. He died that day, having narrowly completed his quest.
Thorin was buried deep inside the Lonely Mountain with the Arkenstone placed upon his breast.
Thorin was born in 2763 of the Third Age. He was the son of Thrain II. Thorin had a younger brother named Frerin and a sister named Dis. The family occupied the Lonely Mountain, where Thorin's grandfather Thror ruled. In 2770, many Dwarves were living in the Lonely Mountain when the dragon Smaug attacked and killed nearly all of them. Thorin, his siblings, his father, and his grandfather were the only known survivors. These Dwarves traveled through Dunland, homeless for many years.
In 2790, Thror attempted to reclaim the mines of Khazad-dum, once a great stronghold for the Dwarves under the Misty Mountains. Thror was killed by an Orc-leader called Azog, proving the realm of Khazad-dum to be unsafe for resettlement.
Thorin, Frerin, and Thrain fought in the Battle of Azanulbizar, which took place in 2799. There, Thorin's shield was smashed, so he used an oak tree's branch to defend himself. This was why he was called "Oakenshield." In the battle, Thorin's younger brother Frerin was killed. Thorin was badly wounded. However, the Dwarves defeated their opponents, but did not settle back in Khazad-dum because of Dain's warning that the Balrog was still living there.
In 2802, Thorin and Thrain left Dunland and wandered into Eriador where they settled into the Blue Mountains. There, they were able to find very few natural riches as they had hoped, and found mostly iron. Thrain grew to miss his youth and wealth in the Lonely Mountain.
In 2841, Thrain attempted to win back his gold, so he left Thorin. Thrain was caught by the great enemy Sauron and imprisoned in the enemy's stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. Many years later, the wizard Gandalf found the Dwarf in his prison to be very elderly and weathered. Thrain gave him a map of the Lonely Mountain and a key to the secret door to give to Thorin. By then, Thrain had forgotten his own name as well as Thorin's, so Gandalf did not know who to pass the map to.
By chance on March 15, 2941, Gandalf met Thorin at the Prancing Pony Inn in Bree. There, Thorin invited Gandalf to stay with him for a time in the Blue Mountains, and Gandalf agreed. At Thorin's home, Gandalf and Thorin were able to plan their next move.
Thorin and Gandalf both wanted to rid the Lonely Mountain of Smaug. Gandalf now feared that Sauron would use Smaug to cause trouble amongst the people of Dale and Mirkwood while Sauron himself attacked Rivendell and Lothlorien. So, Thorin gathered a company of twelve worthy Dwarves to reclaim the mountain: Balin, Dwalin, Oin II, Gloin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Ori, Dori, Nori, Fili, and Kili. Gandalf appointed the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins of the Shire to the company and told Thorin this Hobbit was a burglar seeking employment.
On April 26, 2941, Thorin and Company arrived at Bag End in Hobbiton under the impression that Bilbo wished to be the burglar for their company. At first, Thorin was not impressed by Bilbo and wished this Hobbit was not part of the company, but he let him accompany them on their quest because of Gandalf's advise.
The company traveled through the Trollshaws, where the Trolls Tom, Bert, and William Huggins dwelt. These Trolls captured the company, attempting to eat them. While the Trolls were debating how to cook the Dwarves, Gandalf confused them. The Trolls fought until dawn, and in the sunlight they all turned to stone and Thorin & Company were able to escape. Amongst the Troll's possessions Thorin found himself the sword Orcrist.
The company fled to Rivendell, where they were greeted by Elrond. They camped there for a short while, and they were soon off to continue their quest. In the High Pass of the Misty Mountains the company were captured by Goblins, who recognized Thorin's sword Orcrist as an Orc-killer. Gandalf killed the Great Goblin and freed the Dwarves. They were, however, separated from Bilbo, who became lost in the caves and and found the One Ring from Gollum. The next day, the company was reunited with Bilbo.
As they continued on their quest, the company faced many hardships. They were attacked by Wargs and rescued by Eagles. Gandalf took them to the house of Beorn the Shapeshifter. Near Mirkwood, Gandalf parted from Thorin and Company and they entered the forest. They were captured by Great Spiders, freed by Bilbo, and captured by Wood-elves. Bilbo freed them yet again by using the Ring to get the keys to their prison cells, getting them inside barrels, and floating them down the Forest River.
The company reached the Lonely Mountain by early Autumn and Bilbo made several visits to Smaug's lair. As it turned out, he had taken several riches from the dragon, who was enraged to find them missing and attacked Dale. Bard the Bowman shot Smaug in the underbelly and the dragon fell dead.
Thorin was overjoyed by the thought that the Lonely Mountain's riches could once again be his. But Elves of Mirkwood led by Thranduil and men of Dale led by Bard soon arrived at the foot of the Lonely Mountain seeking their share of the treasure. Though the claims of the Elves and men seemed reasonable to Bilbo, Thorin wanted all of the wealth for his own. Bilbo stole Thorin's most valued possession, the Arkenstone, and gave it to the Elves and men so that they could bargain with Thorin. The Dwarf was enraged and he sent for aid from Dain, who summoned an army of Dwarves to the Lonely Mountain. But Orcs and Wargs soon attacked, and the three armies of Elves, men, and Dwarves were forced to unite in the Battle of the Five Armies.
Though the Elves, men, and Dwarves turned out victorious, Fili and Kili were killed and Thorin was fatally wounded. As a final request, he wished to part with Bilbo in peace. He died that day, having narrowly completed his quest.
Thorin was buried deep inside the Lonely Mountain with the Arkenstone placed upon his breast.
References
The Hobbit, passim
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "Durin's Folk"
The Unfinished Tales: "The Quest of Erebor"
The Annotated Hobbit by Douglas Anderson: "Roast Mutton," page 77
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "Durin's Folk"
The Unfinished Tales: "The Quest of Erebor"
The Annotated Hobbit by Douglas Anderson: "Roast Mutton," page 77
Timeline
Year 2746 of the Third Age:
Thorin was born in the Lonely Mountain as the son of Thrain II.
2751:
Thorin's younger brother Frerin was born.
2760:
Thorin's younger sister Dis was born.
2770:
Smaug attacked the Lonely Mountain, slaying many of the Dwarves there. Though Thorin and his family were able to escape, they wandered homeless in the hills of Dunland for years.
2790:
In an attempt to reclaim Moria, Thror was killed by the Orc-leader Azog.
2799:
Thorin, Thrain, and Frerin fought together in the Battle of Azanulbizar, a battle during the War of the Dwarves and the Orcs. Frerin died. Thorin was wounded and his shield was shattered, so he used and oak branch to defend himself, earning the title "Oakenshield."
2802:
Thorin and Thrain led their people into the Blue Mountains of Eriador, finding few riches there.
2841:
April 21: Missing the wealth he had there, Thrain set out for the Lonely Mountain. On his way there, he was captured by Sauron and imprisoned in Dol Guldur.
2850:
Gandalf found Thrain in Dol Guldur. Thrain gave him the map and key of the Lonely Mountain before he perished. He told him that it was important, but he could no longer recall his own name, let alone Thorin's.
2941:
March 15: Thorin met Gandalf by chance in Bree. They started planning how to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and its riches.
Spring: Thorin gathered a company of worthy Dwarves to go with him on the quest.
April 26: Thorin and his company of Dwarves arrived at Bag End to find Bilbo Baggins. They had believed him to be a burglar, and so they were disappointed by what they found. Gandalf encouraged them to accept Bilbo as a burglar and to allow him to accompany them on their quest.
September 22: Thorin and Company reached Lake-town after floating down the Forest River in barrels.
Durin's Day: Thorin's Company ventured into the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo went into Smaug's lair and the next day Smaug attacked Lake-town and was shot down by Bard the Bowman.
Later Fall: Men and Elves came to the Lonely Mountain seeking a share of the treasure kept in Smaug's lair. Thorin refused to bargain with them, and even suumoned an army of Dwarves led by Dain to come to his aid. But then Orcs and Wargs arrived and the Battle of Five Armies took place. Thorin was killed in the battle.
Names & Meanings
Thorin:
The name Thorin is of Old Norse origin. It means "daring" from thora meaning "to dare."
Thorin II:
Thorin was the second Dwarf to bear that name, the first being Thorin I.
Oakenshield:
During the Battle of Azanulbizar, Thorin used an oak branch to defend himself after his shield was shattered. He became known as Oakenshield, from Eikinskjaldi, a Dwarf who appears in an Old Norse poem called Voluspa.
Gallery:
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