Longbeards

Longbeards, also known as Durin's Folk, are the principal dwarven clan in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium. They trace their origin to Durin I, the first king of the dwarves in the northern realms, and they are the best known lineage among the dwarves of Middle-earth. The name Longbeards is used by Elves and Men to distinguish this lineage from other dwarven clans, while the dwarves themselves refer to themselves as Durin's Folk.

Historically, the Longbeards established and ruled several great dwarven realms. They founded Khazad-dûm in the Misty Mountains and, later, Erebor, the Lonely Mountain. Their kings included Thrór and Thrain II, culminating in Thorin Oakenshield, who led the company that reclaimed Erebor from Smaug in 2941 of the Third Age. Balin later sought to reestablish a settlement in Moria, though that venture ended in tragedy.

Culture and craft: The Longbeards were renowned for mining, metalwork, and stonework. They built vast underground halls and left enduring works of engineering and craft, reflecting a strong emphasis on lineage, tradition, and clan loyalty.

Legacy: The Longbeards appear across The Silmarillion and The Hobbit, shaping events from the elder days to the quest for Erebor. They remain a defining symbol of Dwarven identity in Tolkien’s world, illustrating the enduring influence of Durin's Folk on the history and culture of dwarves in Middle-earth.