The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Settled by Longbeard Dwarves in III 2590
Location
Eastward of Erebor, the Lonely Mountain
Origins
The Dwarf-realm of the Iron Hills was established by Grór, youngest son of King Dáin I of Durin's Folk
Race
Division
Culture
Family
Ruled by descendants of the House of Durin
Settlements
Not known1
Source
The river Carnen flowed southward out of the Iron Hills
Meaning
Apparently named for their deposits of iron2

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 10 March 2014
  • Updates planned: 1

Iron Hills

The northern range settled by Grór

Map of the Iron Hills

A range of hills in the northeast of the known parts of Middle-earth, where a Dwarf-realm was founded by Grór son of Dáin I after the Dwarves were driven from the Grey Mountains by the Cold-drakes.


Notes

1

There was definitely at least one settlement in the Iron Hills, the seat of Grór and his descendants, but we're given no indication of its name or precise location. Following the pattern of Erebor (which stood on the spring of the river Celduin) it was perhaps close to the sources of the Carnen that rose in these hills, but that is no more than speculation.

2

We're not specifically told why the Iron Hills were called the 'Iron Hills', but given the Dwarves' affinity for mining and metalwork, the connection with deposits of iron seems to be implied. This conclusion is supported by the Carnen or Redwater river that ran out of the hills; reddened river water is associated with deposits of iron.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 10 March 2014
  • Updates planned: 1

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