“Then Morgoth hurled aloft Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld and swung it down like a bolt of thunder.”
– Of the Ruin of Beleriand – The Silmarillion.

Grond, also known as Hammer of the Underworld, was the feared mace of Morgoth. Its origins are unknown, but it was most likely crafted early in the First Age, as it is not mentioned during the destruction of the Two Trees. Grond was used by Morgoth to battle Fingolfin. It was capable of causing much damage as it was said to have created numerous holes in the earth when Morgoth used when trying to slay Fingolfin. It is not known what happened to Grond when Morgoth was banished from Arda at the end of the First Age.

“Thrice the great ram boomed. And suddenly upon the last stroke the Gate of Gondor broke. As if stricken by some blasting spell it burst asunder…”
– The Siege of Gondor – The Return of the King

Grond was also the name of the great ram created by Sauron at the time of the War of the Ring. Named in honor of the great mace of Morgoth, it was created for the sole purpose to break the gates of Minas Tirith, which it succeeded in doing. It is described as “a hundred feet in length, swinging on mighty chains.” The head of the ram, made out of black steel, was the likeness of a ravening wolf. The ram was enchanted with “spells of ruin” which most likely helped it succeed in breaking the gate so quickly. What happened to Grond after the victory at the Pelennor Fields is unknown.

Sources:

The Lord of the Rings
The Silmarillion

Author: tsproffitt