Speaker A
Hey guys, and welcome to The Broken Sword. In today's video, we will be talking about the most mysterious of the Rings of Power: the Seven Rings that were given to the dwarves. Let's get into it. Build me worthy.
Explore the lore behind the Seven Dwarven Rings of Power, their origins, effects, and fate in Middle-earth's history.
Ask about this video. Answers come from its transcript only — with the timestamp, so you can check them.
Generated from the transcript and can be wrong — check the timestamp.
Key Takeaways
- The Seven Dwarven Rings failed to corrupt their bearers but increased their greed and pride.
- Dwarves were uniquely resistant to Sauron's domination compared to men and elves.
- The rings contributed to the dwarves' accumulation of treasure, attracting dragons that destroyed some rings.
- Sauron's attempts to reclaim and reuse the rings for control ultimately failed.
- The fate of the rings is tied closely to the destruction of the One Ring and Barad-dûr.
What the video covers
- The Seven Rings of Power were forged during the Second Age and given to the dwarves by Sauron to corrupt them.
- Unlike the elves and men, dwarves proved resistant to Sauron's control but the rings amplified their greed and desire for wealth.
- The rings were likely distributed to the kings of the seven dwarven houses, leading to the accumulation of legendary treasure hoards.
- Four of the Seven Rings were destroyed by dragons attracted to the dwarves' wealth.
- Sauron recaptured three rings and attempted to use them to bribe dwarves into allegiance, but was unsuccessful.
- The dwarves were resistant to domination by external wills, unlike men who became Nazgûl under the nine rings.
- The Ring of Thráin is the only dwarven ring with detailed lore, passed down through the house of Thráin until lost to Sauron.
- The rings likely lost their power or were destroyed after the fall of Barad-dûr and the destruction of the One Ring.
- Tolkien wrote little about the Seven Rings, leaving room for speculation and theory about their full story.
- The video invites viewers to consider the cost of possessing such a ring, balancing great wealth with consuming greed.
Chapters
- 00:00Introduction to the Seven Dwarven Rings
- 01:01Distribution and Original Purpose of the Rings
- 01:56Wealth, Treasure, and Dragon Attacks
- 02:50Resistance of Dwarves to Corruption
- 03:39Sauron's Attempts to Reclaim the Rings
- 04:28The Ring of Thráin and Its Fate
- 05:19Summary and Speculation on the Seven Rings
- 06:11Closing Thoughts and Viewer Question
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
Speaker A
of so the rings of power were 20 magical rings that were forged during the second age made with the purpose of Saron having a way to seduce the rulers of Middle Earth to evil 19 of these 20 Rings were forged by the elves of oron
Speaker A
So, the Rings of Power were 20 magical rings that were forged during the Second Age, made with the purpose of Sauron having a way to seduce the rulers of Middle-earth to evil. Nineteen of these 20 rings were forged by the elves of Eregion, led by Celebrimbor. These rings were then divided into three groups: three for elves, seven for dwarves, and nine for men. I'm sure you know how it goes. One additional ring was then created by Sauron himself. The plan was for the 19 other rings to somehow be connected to the power of the One, and their wearers would be controlled by the wielder of the One. Now, if you want to know more about the One or the Nine, we have full videos on each of them, so be sure to check them out if you're interested.
Speaker A
other rings to somehow be connected to the power of the one and their wearers would be controlled by the wielder of the one now if you want to know more about the one the or the nine we have
Speaker A
Now, let's begin with the distribution of the Seven Rings. It's most commonly assumed that Sauron created the rings and then divided them between men, elves, and dwarves, as I just stated, but that's not actually the case. Sauron had originally intended for them to all be used to corrupt the elves, but after the creation of the One Ring set his plans into motion, the elves became aware of the situation and took off their rings, though the three most powerful rings were kept hidden and secret: Nenya, Vilya, and Narya. The others were reclaimed. It was then that Sauron decided to attempt to corrupt both men and dwarves as well.
Speaker A
dwarves as I just stated but that's not actually the case siron had originally intended for them to all be used to corrupt the elves but after the creation of the one ring set his plans into motion the elves became aware of the
Speaker A
Just as intended with his original plans, Sauron gave his so-called gifts to the dwarves for them to wear, then tried corrupting them using his One Ring. Though once again, his plan failed. It turns out that not only are the dwarves too hardy and resolute to be controlled and manipulated, but he also gave them to the strongest kings and lords of the race, making it even harder for them to be corrupted. So rather than fall into Sauron's dark magic, the dwarven ring bearers accumulated great wealth, as the rings essentially intensified their greed. They became consumed by it.
Speaker A
just as intended with his original plans saon gave his so-called gifts to the dwarves for them to wear then tried corrupting them using his one ring though once again his plan failed it turns out that not only are the dwarves
Speaker A
As the rings were likely given to the kings of the seven houses of the dwarves, it was because of the Seven Rings of Power that the dwarves accumulated the seven hordes of the dwarf kings. In case you were not aware of what these are, they were the legendary treasures of the dwarves. Each horde belonged to one of the dwarven clans. By the time of the Third Age, most of these hordes were plundered or devoured by dragons, who also had a liking for treasure. Due to the rings bringing in wealth and treasure, which in turn attracted dragons, it should come as no surprise to discover that four of the Seven Rings were melted under the flaming breath of these dragons.
Speaker A
bearers accumulated great wealth as the Rings essentially intensified their greed they became consumed by it as the Rings were likely given to the kings of the seven houses of the dwarves it was because of the Seven Rings of power that
Speaker A
However, Sauron managed to recapture the remaining three following his return to prominence. He made an attempt to use these three rings as a way of bribing the dwarves to pledge their allegiance to him. Of course, this offer was declined. But this begs the question, at least to me: why did Sauron even want these rings back to just give them back out to dwarves he already knows are incorruptible? It doesn't really make much sense.
Speaker A
of these hordes were plundered or devoured by dragons who also had a liking for Treasure due to the Rings bringing in wealth and treasure which in turn attracted dragons it should come as no surprise to discover that four of The
Speaker A
Tolkien does say that the Seven Rings failed to corrupt the dwarven kings the way the nine rings succeeded with the Nazgûl, so I think it's reaching a bit far to suggest that the seven, as originally presented by Sauron to the dwarves, succeeded in turning any of their wearers to evil. The dwarves were especially resistant to the domination of their wills by an external will, but the rings did increase their greed, pride, and anger.
Speaker A
dwarves to pledge their allegiance to him of course this offer was declined but this begs the question at least to me why did saon even want these Rings back to just give them back out to dwarves he already knows are
Speaker A
So having seized three of the seven, why would Sauron offer them to Dain Ironfoot at the end of the Third Age, as reported by Glóin at the Council of Elrond? If the offer was in fact sincere, we must wonder if Sauron had done something to the rings, perhaps hoping to succeed with them in a way he had not done before. It might also explain why Sauron would be willing to give out the three remaining rings to Dain. If he had further perverted the rings, perhaps he felt he would have a better chance of enslaving a dwarven king the second time around.
Speaker A
the seven as originally presented by siron to the dwarves succeeded in turning any of their wearers to evil the dwarves were especially resistant to the domination of their Wills by an external will but the Rings did increase their
Speaker A
If the dwarves could be united in war once more, Sauron would much have preferred to have them fighting for him than against him. But as we know, the rings were never gifted out again and presumably were destroyed when Barad-dûr collapsed, or at the very least, they likely lost all of their powers when the One Ring was destroyed.
Speaker A
fact sincere we must wonder if siron had done something to the rings perhaps hoping to succeed with them in a way he had not done before it might also explain why siron would be willing to give out the three remaining rings to
Speaker A
Now, I want to talk briefly and more specifically about one of the Seven Rings. In fact, it's the only dwarven ring that we ever really get any specific information about: the Ring of Thráin. It's actually said that this ring was originally given out by Celebrimbor himself. He gave it to King Thráin I of Khazad-dûm. It remained then in the house of Thráin for thousands of years, all the way up to the desolation of the Lonely Mountain by Smaug. At this time, the ring was now with Thráin.
Speaker A
them fighting for him than against him but as we know the Rings were never gifted out again and presumably were destroyed when bador collapsed or at the very least they likely lost all of their powers when the one ring was destroyed
Speaker A
After the kingdom's destruction, Thráin passed the ring onto his son. Eventually, Thráin set out on an ill-fated quest to regain his kingdom, but he was captured by the spies of Sauron, and the Ring of Thráin was lost forever, as Sauron took it from him by force in the dungeons of Dol Guldur. Many dwarves, however, did not know the fate of the ring and thought it was lost in Moria when Thráin was killed by Azog.
Speaker A
originally given out by Kell bmbo himself he gave it to King Duran thei of kazad Doom it remained then in the house of Duran for thousands of years all the way up to the desolation of the Lonely Mountain by Smog and at this time the
Speaker A
It was actually thought that one of the reasons that Dain wished to reclaim Moria was to find this ring. In the Council of Elrond, Gandalf told Glóin that Dain would not find the ring there, as it was given to Thráin and lost in Dol Guldur.
Speaker A
lost forever as Saron took it from him by force in the dungeons of DOL gur many dwarves however did not know the fate of the ring and thought it was lost in Moria when th was killed by Azog it was
Speaker A
Now, that's pretty much all of the information we have on the Seven Rings of Power. As I said, it's one of the areas that Tolkien wrote very little about, but these are often the areas I find most fun to dissect because we can speculate and theorize and piece it together and try and find a full story. The majority of the information we are really given about these rings is summarized in one paragraph from The Silmarillion in the chapter of the Rings of Power.
Speaker A
pretty much all of the information we have on The Seven Rings of power as I said it's one of the areas that tolken wrote very little about but these are often the areas I find most fun to dissect because we can speculate and
Speaker A
I will leave you today by reading you this passage: "And all those rings that he governed, he perverted the more easily since he had a part in their making, and they were accursed, and they betrayed in the end all those that used them. The dwarves, indeed, prove tough and hard to tame; they ill endure the domination of others, and the thoughts of their hearts are hard to fathom, nor can they be turned to shadows. They used their rings only for the getting of wealth, but wrath and an overmastering greed of gold were kindled in their hearts, of which evil enough after came to the prophet of Sauron. It is said that the foundation of each of the seven hordes of the dwarf kings of old was a golden ring, but all those hordes long ago were plundered, and the dragons devoured them. And of the Seven Rings, some were consumed in fire, and some Sauron recovered."
Speaker A
leave you today by reading you this passage and all those rings that he governed he perverted the more easily since he had a part in their making and they were accursed and they betrayed in the end all those that used them the dwarves
Speaker A
Okay, that's it for me today, my friends. I hope you enjoyed that final passage to really summarize the full story of the Seven Dwarven Rings of Power. My question for you all today is this: if you could have a dwarven ring of power for yourself, would you take it, knowing that you will become extremely rich from it but also be consumed with greed, always wanting more? Do you think that's a sacrifice worth making? Let me know your thoughts on that in the comments down below. I think that's a really fun discussion to have.
Speaker A
overmastering greed of gold were kindled in their hearts of which evil enough after came to the the prophet of Saron it is said that the foundation of each of the seven hordes of the dwarf Kings of old was a golden ring but all those
Speaker A
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Speaker A
the full story of the Seven Dwarven rings of power my question for you all today is this if you could have a Dwarven ring of power for yourself would you take it knowing that you will be become extremely rich from it but also
Speaker A
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Speaker A
our latest channel the Batcave the content there is very similar to what we do on here but of course based around the Batman and DC Universe if you could go over and subscribe to that channel maybe watch a few videos and let them
Speaker A
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Speaker A
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Speaker A
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Topics:Seven Rings of PowerDwarven RingsMiddle-earth loreSauronDwarvesRings of PowerThráinDragon attacksThe Broken SwordTolkien
