The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Made between I 116 and I 510;1 acquired by Bilbo Baggins in III 2941
Location
Made in Gondolin, but later carried across Middle-earth and eventually discovered in a Troll-hole in the wood of Trollshaws; after Bilbo's return to the Shire, the sword was hung over his fireplace at Bag End
Origins
Forged in Gondolin during the First Age
Races
Made by Elves; later hoarded by Trolls and then, after its recovery, borne by Hobbits
Meaning
Given this name by Bilbo Baggins, during a fight with the gigantic spiders of Mirkwood

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 19 August 2002
  • Updates planned: 10

Sting

The ‘short sword’ of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins

A knife manufactured in Gondolin in the First Age, carried away as spoil by the creatures of Morgoth who destroyed that city. It was rediscovered millennia later in a Troll-hoard by Bilbo Baggins, who named it Sting after using it to rescue the companions of Thorin Oakenshield from the giant spiders of Mirkwood.


Notes

1

These are the dates of the founding and destruction of Gondolin. Since we know that Sting was made in that city, it must have been forged between these two dates.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 19 August 2002
  • Updates planned: 10

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