Valgalin I is one of the few Frithdalian lords whose lives are chronicled in great detail: his own, one of controversy, strife, and infighting.
Born in 2127 of the Third Age, Valgalin I succeeded his father, Bralthris, at the age of 25: something that has earned him, among others, the name, ‘the Young’. While Valgalin was the second son of Bralthris, he still succeeded his father after a series of mysterious events led to the death of his elder brother – Calgalin I, whom was his senior by seven years. Calgalin died during the same year of Brarlthris’ death, and, in fact, only days later, thus he never officially inherited Frithdal.
These events have created a great deal of controversy, and while all historical sources – like the writings of Valgalin’s personal chronicler, Murton II, the leader of a cadet branch from another House – state that Calgalin died due to natural illness, contemporary ideas are quite different: with many, such as the contemporaries of Hoji the Old, arguing the possibility of murder.
While such is certainly possible, there is little evidence in historical records to prove the theory: in response, these theorists argue that, due to Valgalin’s style of leadership and ruling, there would be little bravery to write truthfully of the causes for Calgalin’s death.
To counter this, many point out Valgalin’s son’s name: Calgalin II – stating that, were he in such a place to depose his brother, he would not name his son by the same name, in following Dwarven belief of the ever-current incarnations of the past: like that of Durin the Deathless being present in the Durins of his descendants.
Whether Valgalin had a purposeful part in the death of his elder brother or not, and his early succession, one thing is certainly clear: though young, he was not to be underestimated.
Less than one year would pass, and signs of infighting arose. In the year 2153 of the Third Age, the steward of the Frithdalian council – who has been given many names, titles, and relations: all clashing – attempted to have Valgalin removed in a coup. The steward has been attributed as both a common-Dwarf, and the very brother of Bralthris, Valgalin’s father; this would suggest the possibility of Valantris I ‘the Great’ having more sons than Bralthris alone.
Although the coup failed, the hall of Frithdal entered a civil war: some Dwarves supporting the Steward, and other Dwarves supporting Valgalin.
Though there was little of it, records state that fighting did occur in the hall itself: short, quick skirmishes between both sides. There is only one source, the writings of Murton II, which suggests outside-intervention: a section of the chronicle describes Dwarven mercenaries from the Blue Mountains being hired by the Steward, in order to aid him in removing Valgalin...
‘The foe is one of great wisdom: he knows we cannot escape, for he controls the only exit from Frithdal. Our lord, Valgalin, had ordered us to remain calm, and fear not for those still trapped outside the Great Hall. He says, “Traitors shall not succeed”, to us. Strangers of our own kin are appearing in greater numbers: never before seen in the Hall. It is known to us, that they are of our Western-folk; the Steward has brought forth mercenaries. Our lord, Valgalin, has told us of their defeat to come. We wait for no help, except that of our lord.’
Most sources agree that the infighting lasted several weeks, before Valgalin called for the Steward to meet with him in person.
While we cannot be sure as to whether or not poetic exaggeration has been used, the writings on the matter describe Valgalin as offering the choice of a duel, only to hit the Steward’s chosen-champion with such might, that he would fall immediately.
The Steward was defeated, although how he was defeated is not known: for, by our modern interpretation, the simple defeat of a champion in a duel would mean little... this event happening a mere 800 years ago.
Yet, defeated he was. The writings of Murton II do not give much detail on what was to come, nor do they explain what happened to the mercenaries hired by the Steward. Although this is only my own understanding, I believe something dark would have occurred.
It has been suggested by the majority of historians that Valgalin soon assassinated the Steward, providing evidence in the form of his sudden, rather convenient, fall from a mountain, to a rocky death below. However, there are no sources from the period that suggest as much: all of them stating that the Steward died in a freak-accident.
Now that his rule was firmly established, Valgalin began passing laws that would force the authority of himself, and his descendants. The Frithdalian Lord’s words became final, and few dared speak against them, or even of them, for Valgalin decreed that neutrality was opposition. Opposition was dealt with harshly, in Valgalin’s early life, and several cruelties of his iron fist have been recorded in many chronicles: most from external sources, and other Dwarven lords who looked on.
Valgalin introduced taxation laws, and implemented a justice system, which would overpower Bralthris’ Supreme Court. His laws in the justice field meant that all punishments were relative to their crimes: murder would be punished with death, thievery with possessions revoked, and likewise.
While Valgalin is criticised by some for his iron-fisted actions, there are many who commend him instead: Valgalin established Frithdal as a major realm of the Dwarves during his many years as its lord, and he bettered even Bralthris, in the amount of trade that he brought to the city, and from it. Frithdal became known for its foreign imports, with historical evidence, plentiful, showing proof of goods from as far East as the Iron Hills arriving in the West.
Valgalin also introduced many domestic laws of inheritance and marriage.
Valgalin would only marry, himself, much later in his life. In the year 2338 of the Third Age, at the age of 211, he married the daughter of the Frithdalian Steward at the time – whom was Kosin. Although he had ruled for nearly two hundred years – which made him the longest reigning lord of Frithdal – without much opposition, Valgalin believed Kosin to be a threat to the stability of Frithdal, which he had done so much to build on, and maintain. It is for this reason, sources from the period state, that Valgalin married Kosin’s daughter: thus forcing his loyalty. One year later, Valgalin’s son, Calgalin II, was born.
Calgalin II would be married – to the sister of Frithdal’s Master of the Treasury (whom was Calgalin’s senior by 67 years) – at the young age of 41, in Valgalin’s search for a grandson, and a stable, strong line of succession. Aged only 42, Calgalin II would sire a son, Valantris II, and Valgalin saw to his House’s line being kept safe.
One year after the birth of his grandson, Valgalin died, aged 255, due to natural causes and the decay of time.
Valgalin reigned for 230 years, and thus became the longest reigning lord of Frithdal to this very day: his fist was iron, and his speech was mighty. Valgalin is regarded in the very highest of respect, and honour, by the Frithdalians of our time: though he was a stern ruler, it was from his powerful lordship that the very safety of House Valantris’ line was secured, and the prevention of future revolt was ensured. Valgalin is now known as ‘the Mighty’.
