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This is a list of ''Chieftains of the [[Dúnedain]]'' Rangers of [[Arnor]] (aka Rangers of the North).
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The '''Chieftain of the Dúnedain''', also known as the '''Chieftain of the North''', was the hereditary title of the rulers of the [[Rangers of the North]].  


# [[Aranarth]] (Chieftain for 131 years to III 2106) The heir of [[Arvedui]], who would have become King of [[Arthedain]] if not for the destruction of his realm by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]]. He saw his loss avenged, though, when a great army of [[Dúnedain]] out of [[Gondor]], led by [[Eärnur]], wiped out the Witch-king's own realm of [[Angmar]]. During his time, the [[Watchful Peace]] began, and the [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]] had peace until the time of [[Arahad I]]. 
==History==
# [[Arahael]] (Chieftain for 71 years to III 2177)
The title was created following the final destruction of [[Arthedain]] in {{TA|1974}} by the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]. The heir to the throne of Arthedain, [[Aranarth]] son of [[Arvedui]], in {{TA|1976}} chose not to claim the kingship and instead ruled the remnants of his people as Chieftain.<ref>{{App|TA}}</ref> The Chieftains were raised in [[Rivendell]], where the heirlooms of the [[House of Isildur]], were also kept.
# [[Aranuir]] (Chieftain for 70 years to III 2247)
# [[Aravir]] (Chieftain for 72 years to III 2319)
# [[Aragorn I]] (Chieftain for 8 years to III 2327) The first Aragorn, after whom Aragorn of the [[War of the Ring]] was named, lost his life in eastern [[Eriador]], where he was slain by wolves. 
# [[Araglas]] (Chieftain for 128 years to III 2455)
# [[Arahad I]] (Chieftain for 68 years to III 2523) In his time, the evil that had once dwelt in [[Dol Guldur]] returned, and the Watchful Peace came to an end. In the eighth year of his reign, the [[White Council]] was formed, a matter that Arahad must surely have been aware of, if he was not directly involved himself. As the years drew on, the extent of the danger from the east became more evident; the [[Misty Mountains]] were filled with [[Orcs]], and near the end of Arahad's time as Chieftain, [[Celebrían]] the wife of [[Elrond]] was captured and tortured by them. 
# [[Aragost]] (Chieftain for 65 years to III 2588)
# [[Aravorn]] (Chieftain for 66 years to III 2654)
# [[Arahad II]] (Chieftain for 65 years to III 2719)
# [[Arassuil]] (Chieftain for 65 years to III 2784) Arassuil saw Eriador openly invaded by Orcs out of the Misty Mountains, who penetrated as far west as the [[Shire]]. The period between III 2745 and III 2748 is recorded as being the time of worst warfare, and it was in this time that the [[Battle of Greenfields]] was fought in the [[Northfarthing]]. Arassuil was Chieftain at the time of the [[Long Winter]]. 
# [[Arathorn I]] (Chieftain for 64 years to III 2848) It is known that Arathorn met an untimely end, though no records remain of his fate. Perhaps he was slain by Orcs or [[wolves]], though the worst of the fighting with the Orcs of the Mountains had been over for a century before his death. 
# [[Argonui]] (Chieftain for 64 years to III 2912) The last winter of Argonui's rule was the so-called [[Fell Winter]], in which the northern lands were troubled by [[White Wolves]] out of the north, and the floods from the snow-melts of the following spring spread destruction far and wide. 
# [[Arador]] (Chieftain for 18 years to III 2930) Arador enjoyed only a short time as Chieftain, during which he saw his son Arathorn wed [[Gilraen]]. Soon after, journeying in the fells north of [[Rivendell]], he was captured by [[hill-trolls]] and slain. 
# [[Arathorn II]] (Chieftain for 3 years to III 2933) Arathorn's time as leader of the [[Rangers]] was even shorter than his father's. After just three years as Chieftain, he went hunting Orcs with [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]], and was shot by an arrow. He was succeeded by his son Aragorn, then just two years old. 
# [[Aragorn II]] (Chieftain for 86 years to III 3019) Most famous of all the Chieftains, Aragorn had great friendship with the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]]. He journeyed the length and breadth of [[Middle-earth]], doing heroic deeds in the service of both [[Rohan]] and [[Gondor]]. He played a great part in the [[War of the Ring]], and at its end as rightful Heir of Isildur took up the Kingship of his noble ancestor, reuniting the Northern and Southern Kingdoms after more than three thousand years.


[[Category:Dúnedain of the North|*]]
They were descendants of [[Isildur]] through the kings of [[Arthedain]]<ref>{{App|Eriador}}</ref> and [[Anárion]] through [[Fíriel]];<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> as such they regarded themselves as the legitimate heirs to both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]]. All the Chieftains took a name in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{App|North}}, ''Arthedain''. Amlaith of Fornost, footnote</ref><ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, manuscript C with corrections and expansions, The Northern Line of Arnor: the Isildurioni, 10. Earendur, p. 192 using Noldorin, which was later renamend to Sindarin.</ref><ref>{{PM|Third}}, manuscript T4, The Third Age year 861 using Noldorin, which was later renamed to Sindarin</ref> The Chieftains continued to take the kingly prefix of ''[[aran]]'' or ''[[ara|ar(a)-]]'' ("high king"), to signify their royal heritage and their right to rule all the former lands of Arnor.<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, manuscript C with corrections and expansions, The Northern Line: the Isildurioni, 16 Malvegil</ref> When the line of [[Anárion]] failed, the Chieftains considered themselves the heirs of Anárion through their ancestor [[Fíriel]]; none of the Chieftains ever forgot Arvedui's claim to the throne.<ref name="Third">{{PM|Third}}</ref>
[[Category:Chieftains of the Dúnedain|*]]
 
[[Category:Mannish Titles]]
The people of Arthedain became known as the [[Rangers of the North]], a wandering people quite content with living in secret. Due to the destruction of Angmar, and the [[Watchful Peace]], which followed after the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] drove [[Sauron]] out of [[Dol Guldur]], there was little evil in [[Eriador]] and attacks by the enemy were few and far between.
 
It is notable that most of the Chieftains lived out their full life-span and their longevity did not decrease as much as that of the [[Gondorians]].<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 69</ref>
 
[[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] became the last Chieftain when he reclaimed the title of [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King of the Reunited Kingdom]].
==List of Chieftains==
{| rules="all" align="center" style="border:1px solid darkgrey; border-collapse:collapse" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0"
| colspan="4" style="background:gray; color:white; text-align:center" | '''The Chieftains of the Dúnedain'''<ref>{{App|North}}</ref>
|-
| bgcolor="lightgrey" | &nbsp;
| bgcolor="lightgrey" style="text-align: center;"| '''Name'''
| bgcolor="lightgrey" style="text-align: center;"| '''Reign'''
| style="background:lightgrey; text-align:center" | '''Notes'''
|-
| 1. || [[Aranarth]] || {{TA|1975}}&ndash;{{TA|2106|n}} || Son of [[King of Arthedain|King]] [[Arvedui]] of [[Arthedain]].
|-
| 2. || [[Arahael]] || {{TA|2106}}&ndash;{{TA|2177|n}} ||  Arahael led the [[Dúnedain]] during the time known as the [[Watchful Peace]], and was untroubled by war.
|-
| 3. || [[Aranuir]] || {{TA|2177}}&ndash;{{TA|2247|n}} || He was born shortly after the beginning of the Watchful Peace.
|-
| 4. || [[Aravir]] || {{TA|2247}}&ndash;{{TA|2319|n}} ||
|-
| 5. || [[Aragorn I]] || {{TA|2319}}&ndash;{{TA|2327|n}}† || He was lost while hunting wolves. It is said that he was slain by the very wolves he was hunting.
|-
| 6. || [[Araglas]] || {{TA|2327}}&ndash;{{TA|2455|n}} ||  He was the chieftain for 128 years; longer than any other except Aranarth, the first chieftain.
|-
| 7. || [[Arahad I]] || {{TA|2455}}&ndash;{{TA|2523|n}} || During his reign the Watchful Peace came to an end as [[Sauron]] returned to [[Dol Guldur]] and the [[White Council]] was formed. The [[Éothéod]] founded the Kingdom of [[Rohan]].
|-
| 8. || [[Aragost]] || {{TA|2523}}&ndash;{{TA|2588|n}} ||  He lived in historic times, but they didn't affect his life (or rule) directly.
|-
| 9. || [[Aravorn]] || {{TA|2588}}&ndash;{{TA|2654|n}} ||
|-
| 10. || [[Arahad II]] || {{TA|2654}}&ndash;{{TA|2719|n}} ||
|-
| 11. || [[Arassuil]] || {{TA|2719}}&ndash;{{TA|2784|n}} || In his days, [[Orcs]] of the [[Misty Mountains]] invaded the western lands. Arassuil and his rangers fought them with [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]]. An [[Orc]] party managed to reach the [[Shire]], but [[Bandobras Took|Bandobras]] defeated them at the [[Battle of Greenfields]].
|-
| 12. || [[Arathorn I]] || {{TA|2784}}&ndash;{{TA|2848|n}}† || The circumstances of Arathorn's death are mysterious, but his end is marked as dying a premature death.
|-
| 13. || [[Argonui]] || {{TA|2848}}&ndash;{{TA|2912|n}} || He was the chieftain when the [[Fell Winter]] descended on [[Middle-earth]]. The cause of his death is not known.
|-
| 14. || [[Arador]] || {{TA|2912}}&ndash;{{TA|2930|n}}† ||  He was captured by [[Hill-trolls]] in the fells north of [[Rivendell]], and slain.
|-
| 15. || [[Arathorn II]]|| {{TA|2930}}&ndash;{{TA|2933|n}}† || He was hunting Orcs with Elladan and Elrohir, but was shot through the eye and killed.
|-
| 16. || [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] || {{TA|2933}}&ndash;{{TA|3019|n}} || The first [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King of the Reunited Kingdom]].
|-
|}
 
==See also==
For the family tree of the Chieftains, as well as that of the Kings of Arnor and Arthedain, see the [[House of Isildur]].
{{references}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chieftains of the Dunedain}}
[[Category:Chieftains of the Dúnedain| ]]
[[Category:Dúnedain of the North| ]]
[[Category:Mannish titles]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
 
[[de:Stammesführer der Dúnedain]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:dunedain:dunedain_du_nord:chefs_des_dunedain_du_nord]]
[[fi:Dúnedainin päämiehet]]

Latest revision as of 16:33, 30 September 2022

The Chieftain of the Dúnedain, also known as the Chieftain of the North, was the hereditary title of the rulers of the Rangers of the North.

History[edit | edit source]

The title was created following the final destruction of Arthedain in T.A. 1974 by the Witch-king of Angmar. The heir to the throne of Arthedain, Aranarth son of Arvedui, in T.A. 1976 chose not to claim the kingship and instead ruled the remnants of his people as Chieftain.[1] The Chieftains were raised in Rivendell, where the heirlooms of the House of Isildur, were also kept.

They were descendants of Isildur through the kings of Arthedain[2] and Anárion through Fíriel;[3] as such they regarded themselves as the legitimate heirs to both Arnor and Gondor. All the Chieftains took a name in Sindarin.[4][5][6] The Chieftains continued to take the kingly prefix of aran or ar(a)- ("high king"), to signify their royal heritage and their right to rule all the former lands of Arnor.[7] When the line of Anárion failed, the Chieftains considered themselves the heirs of Anárion through their ancestor Fíriel; none of the Chieftains ever forgot Arvedui's claim to the throne.[8]

The people of Arthedain became known as the Rangers of the North, a wandering people quite content with living in secret. Due to the destruction of Angmar, and the Watchful Peace, which followed after the Wizard Gandalf drove Sauron out of Dol Guldur, there was little evil in Eriador and attacks by the enemy were few and far between.

It is notable that most of the Chieftains lived out their full life-span and their longevity did not decrease as much as that of the Gondorians.[9]

Aragorn II became the last Chieftain when he reclaimed the title of High King of the Reunited Kingdom.

List of Chieftains[edit | edit source]

The Chieftains of the Dúnedain[10]
  Name Reign Notes
1. Aranarth T.A. 19752106 Son of King Arvedui of Arthedain.
2. Arahael T.A. 21062177 Arahael led the Dúnedain during the time known as the Watchful Peace, and was untroubled by war.
3. Aranuir T.A. 21772247 He was born shortly after the beginning of the Watchful Peace.
4. Aravir T.A. 22472319
5. Aragorn I T.A. 23192327 He was lost while hunting wolves. It is said that he was slain by the very wolves he was hunting.
6. Araglas T.A. 23272455 He was the chieftain for 128 years; longer than any other except Aranarth, the first chieftain.
7. Arahad I T.A. 24552523 During his reign the Watchful Peace came to an end as Sauron returned to Dol Guldur and the White Council was formed. The Éothéod founded the Kingdom of Rohan.
8. Aragost T.A. 25232588 He lived in historic times, but they didn't affect his life (or rule) directly.
9. Aravorn T.A. 25882654
10. Arahad II T.A. 26542719
11. Arassuil T.A. 27192784 In his days, Orcs of the Misty Mountains invaded the western lands. Arassuil and his rangers fought them with Elladan and Elrohir. An Orc party managed to reach the Shire, but Bandobras defeated them at the Battle of Greenfields.
12. Arathorn I T.A. 27842848 The circumstances of Arathorn's death are mysterious, but his end is marked as dying a premature death.
13. Argonui T.A. 28482912 He was the chieftain when the Fell Winter descended on Middle-earth. The cause of his death is not known.
14. Arador T.A. 29122930 He was captured by Hill-trolls in the fells north of Rivendell, and slain.
15. Arathorn II T.A. 29302933 He was hunting Orcs with Elladan and Elrohir, but was shot through the eye and killed.
16. Aragorn II T.A. 29333019 The first High King of the Reunited Kingdom.

See also[edit | edit source]

For the family tree of the Chieftains, as well as that of the Kings of Arnor and Arthedain, see the House of Isildur.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur", Arthedain. Amlaith of Fornost, footnote
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", manuscript C with corrections and expansions, The Northern Line of Arnor: the Isildurioni, 10. Earendur, p. 192 using Noldorin, which was later renamend to Sindarin.
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VIII. The Tale of Years of the Third Age", manuscript T4, The Third Age year 861 using Noldorin, which was later renamed to Sindarin
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", manuscript C with corrections and expansions, The Northern Line: the Isildurioni, 16 Malvegil
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VIII. The Tale of Years of the Third Age"
  9. Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 69
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur"