The destruction of Lake-town took place when Smaug burst from the Lonely Mountain and flew over to Esgaroth, breathing flame upon the town and its people, in retaliation for the aid they had given Thorin and Company on their quest to retake the treasure-hoard of Thrór.
History[]
Background[]
In TA 2941, Bilbo Baggins of the Shire accompanied a company of Dwarves led by Thorin II to recapture the whole Kingdom of Erebor from the dragon Smaug. The party reached the mountain later that year on Durin's Day and sent Bilbo in through the Side-door to carry out his duty as their burglar. Bilbo then did some exploration of the old hallways and stole a golden cup from the dragon's treasure. By this deed and by Bilbo's bold speech Smaug's anger was kindled. Erroneously believing, due to some remarks Bilbo had made during his conversation with him, that some scheme of the people of Esgaroth was the reason for the Dwarves' (and Bilbo's) presence, Smaug flew to Esgaroth to show them who was "the true King under the Mountain".
Fire and water[]
Smaug appeared first in the north, his light turning the Lake golden. At first, the Lake-men thought it was gold flowing down the river, but Bard (a descendant of Girion, Lord of Dale) realized that it was the dragon, awake and roused to wrath. At his warning, bells were rung, and the town prepared for battle by cutting off the bridge, covering roofs with water, and filling every vessel with water. When Smaug arrived, he was unable to land on the destroyed bridge, and so flew over the town instead, spouting flames and smashing buildings with his tail. The archers of Lake-town fired at him, but only enraged him further. As Smaug set the town aflame, the Lake-men tried to douse the flames, but to no avail, as he methodically destroyed the town. The townspeople abandoned and escaped into the lake, while the Master fled in his golden boat. Only the town's company of archers led by Bard stood their ground, and, in the end, even they fled. As Bard bent his bow with his last arrow, a thrush arrived, and Bard was amazed to be able to understand the thrush's words, as the bird was of a "race of Dale". It told Bard of the dragon's weak spot. Bard fired the Black Arrow, an heirloom of Dale, accordingly, and slew the dragon. With a final scream, Smaug flew up into the air, turned over and fell onto the town, crushing most of it.
Aftermath[]
After the dragon's death, Bard became the leader of the Lake-men, sharing power with the Master. The death of Smaug had massive consequences, creating struggle for the treasure of Erebor and thereby enabling the Battle of Five Armies.
In adaptations[]
| Quest of Erebor |
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Skirmish in the Trollshaws – Chase to Rivendell – Battle of the Stone Giants – Battle of Goblin-town – Attack of the Wargs – Attack of the Spiders – Ambush of Mirkwood – Attack on Lake-town – Battle in Erebor – Destruction of Lake-town – Attack on Dol Guldur – Battle of Five Armies (Siege of Dale – Skirmish on Ravenhill) |
In The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014), this event is the film's opening sequence. Bard, previously captured by the Master's men, manages to escape before Smaug's arrival by means of a makeshift rope and the Master's barge, and afterwards is able to kill the dragon with the help of his son, Bain. Meanwhile, Tauriel helps the four Dwarves of Thorin's company who had remained in Lake-town to escape. After Smaug's death by Bard, the dragon's corpse falls from the air and crushes the Master's barge in the process, killing all on board.
Translations[]
| Foreign Language | Translated name |
| Danish | Smaugs angreb på søbyen Esgaroth |