The Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin
the Helm of Hador the Golden-haired; a helm of the House of Hador
Names
The Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin — the Helm of Hador, also the Helm of Hador the Golden-haired — a great war-helm of the Men of the North, long the heirloom of the House of Hador.
Description
The Dragon-helm was an ancient helm of the North: tall and steel-grey, imported by the dwarves of Belegost, and made by the dwarf-smiths for King Azaghâl as a gift of their friendship to the Elf-lords. Wrought to the likeness of a dragon’s head, it glittered with gold in the sunlight so that those who wore it seemed to be the chief of a great host. To whom it was not lawful to own or wear who was not of the line of Hador; and the only helm in the North that could vie with it was the helm of the Noldor, made for the sons of Fëanor.
History
- Of the lords of Dor-lómin: The helm passed down in the House of Hador, borne by the lords of Dor-lómin in the wars against the Dragon Glaurung and the armies of Morgoth. When the dragon struck at Hithlum, the King could not be slain, for the helm was a terror to his enemies, and it was long preserved in the North.
- Of Túrin: When the house was broken and Túrin went to Doriath, the helm was brought after him by his faithful men, and borne by Túrin in the defence against the Orcs of the north — “a terror to Orcs and Men alike”. Under its likeness, Túrin was not to be known again as the outlaw, but took a new name; and the dread that the traveller wore that helm kept Morwen’s name from reaching him.