The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Forged sometime between I 116 and I 510; rediscovered by Thorin in May or June III 2941; entombed with Thorin late III 2941
Location
Originated in Gondolin; carried eastward and kept by Trolls in Eriador, and then carried by Thorin Oakenshield, with whom the sword was entombed beneath Erebor
Origins
Forged in Gondolin
Races
Forged by Elves; later held by Trolls and carried by a Dwarf
Pronunciation
o'rkrist
Meaning
'Orc- (or Goblin-) cleaver'
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 4 February 2001
  • Updates planned: 2

Orcrist

The sword of Thorin Oakenshield

The sword of Thorin Oakenshield, taken by him from a Troll-hoard on his journey to Erebor, and buried with him after his death in the Battle of Five Armies.


Notes

1

Exactly what happened to Orcrist at Thorin's funeral isn't completely clear. The Hobbit tells us that the sword was placed by Thranduil 'upon his tomb', and that it 'gleamed ever in the dark if foes approached' (The Hobbit 18, The Return Journey). These quotes seem to suggest that Orcrist wasn't actually buried with Thorin, but instead just laid on his tomb.

In The Lord of the Rings, there's a suggestion that this may have changed. We are told there that Orcrist '...lay now upon the breast of Thorin...' (The Fellowship of the Ring II 3, The Ring Goes South). This reference could be taken to imply that the sword was actually within Thorin's tomb, and not just placed on it, though this text is admittedly ambiguous.

See also...

Biter, Goblin-cleaver

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 4 February 2001
  • Updates planned: 2

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