Angrist
The only blade capable of shearing the iron crown of Morgoth.
Angrist was a masterwork iron cleaver forged by Telchar, the greatest smith of Nogrod, during the First Age. Renowned for its unique ability to shear through any metal without dulling, it stands as one of Middle-earth's most coveted artifacts. Though rooted in the Dwarven halls of Belegost and Nogrod, its legend traveled far beyond the mountains when Beren Erchamion wielded it during his perilous quest to recover a Silmaril.
Quick Facts
- Forged by:
- Telchar of Nogrod
Lore & Background
The blade faced its ultimate test within Angband, where Beren and Lúthien infiltrated Morgoth's fortress. When Beren attempted to sever a Silmaril from the Dark Lord's Iron Crown, ordinary steel would have shattered against the enchanted metal. Angrist bit deep into the iron, but as Beren struck for the third cut, the blade snapped under the strain. The breakage signaled the failure of their stealth; Morgoth woke instantly, leaving only the hilt and a fragment behind in the darkness.
Reader's Guide
Angrist was wielded by Beren during the Quest for the Silmaril. After it shattered in Angband, the remnants were not reforged but preserved as relics within Doriath. King Thingol kept the hilt and fragments as a testament to the mortal triumph against Morgoth, though the blade's original form remains one of the lost treasures of the First Age.
Did You Know?
- Angrist was originally crafted as a tool for mining and cutting iron, not designed for warfare.
- Telchar, its maker, is also credited with forging other legendary arms lost in the destruction of Nogrod.
More in Powers & Artifacts
Elsewhere in The Lord of the Rings
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced