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The unnamed '''last prince of Cardolan''' was the last ruler of [[Cardolan]] during the war against [[Angmar]]. He fell on the war of {{TA|1409}}.
The unnamed '''last prince of Cardolan''' was the last ruler of [[Cardolan]].


== History ==
== History ==
=== Rulers of Cardolan ===
The last prince of Cardolan descended from the [[Men of Arnor]] who ruled the splinter-realm when the [[House of Isildur|line]] of [[Isildur]] had failed, so the prince was not his direct of the [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]].
After King [[Eärendur]] died in {{TA|861}}, his second son assumed the throne of Cardolan as an independent king, in contrast with his brother [[Amlaith]], who took the crown of [[Arthedain]]. While in Arthedain the blood of [[Isildur]] survived, in Cardolan his line soon failed. Cardolan then accepted [[Argeleb I]] as King of Arnor, but probably retained its prince as a vassal ruler.<ref name="North">{{App|North}}</ref><ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>


=== War against Angmar ===
The prince flourished during the [[Angmar War]]. Around {{TA|1349}}, Cardolan accepted [[Argeleb I]] as [[King of Arnor]], being a direct descendant of Isildur. The other splinter realm, [[Rhudaur]], resisted, and was allied with [[Angmar]].<ref name="North">{{App|North}}</ref><ref name=elendil>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref> Probably the last prince was retained his office as a vassal ruler.
The last prince of Cardolan died during the war of {{TA|1409}}, a fierce conflict against the Witch-kingdom of Angmar and its ally [[Rhudaur]]. He was then buried in the [[Barrow-downs]] the same year.<ref name=War1409>{{App|Eriador}}, The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain, entries about the war with Angmar in 1409</ref><ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref>  


=== Mentions ===
The prince fell on the war of {{TA|1409}} against Angmar and Rhudaur. He was then buried in the [[Barrow-downs]] the same year.<ref name=War1409>{{App|Eriador}}, The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain, entries about the war with Angmar in 1409</ref><ref name=elendil/>
On [[28 September]] {{TA|3018|n}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> [[Frodo Baggins]] and his comrades were trapped in the Barrow-downs by a [[Barrow-wight|wight]], probably in the same [[uncommon words|cairn]] which held the grave of the last prince of [[Cardolan]].<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, paragraphs about the war of 1409; Index, ''Barrow-downs, the Barrow where Frodo was buried'' </ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5; Index, ''Barrow-downs, Barrow of the last prince''</ref><ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref> According to the rare manuscript ''[[The Hunt for the Ring|The Hunt for the Ring: Time Scheme - Black Riders]]'', the [[Witch King]] had already risen and empowered the [[Barrow-wights]] of Cardolan<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 145-6</ref> and slain the [[Ranger]]s in order to trap the [[Ring]]-bearer.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}</ref><ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, "Flight to the Ford", p. 180</ref> While [[Merry]] was trapped in the mound, he dreamed that he and others were attacked and defeated by “the men of [[Carn Dûm]]” at night and that his heart had been pierced with a spear.<ref>{{FR|Barrow}}, statements of Merry after waking up from his sleep in the barrow</ref>


According to ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', Merry could not have seen the memories of the [[Barrow-wight]], since it was sent to the Barrow-downs by the [[Witch King]] of Angmar only in {{TA|1636}}, while the last prince was slain in {{TA|1409}}. Therefore, he was dreaming the last hours of the last prince of Cardolan and his men, specifically their last night, when they fell after valiantly defending their kingdom from the forces of Angmar (“the men of Carn Dûm” are the servants and warriors of the Witch King).<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5; Index, ''Cardolan, last prince of''</ref>
In that tomb was a pile of treasures, including a blue-jewelled brooch belonging to a “fair” woman that [[Tom Bombadil]] seemingly knew long ago.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 146</ref><ref name=frbarrow>{{FR|Barrow|50}}</ref>{{rp|144-5}} Whether that lady was related to the last prince,<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 146-7</ref> no tale tells.


== Family ==
==Legacy==
After freeing the [[Hobbits]] from the cairn of the last prince, [[Tom Bombadil]] took for [[Goldberry]] a blue-jewelled brooch belonging to a “fair” woman he seemingly knew long ago.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 146</ref><ref>{{FR|Barrow}}, statements of Tom Bombadil regarding the blue-jewelled brooch</ref> Considering that the kings were very often buried with their wives in the barrows, it has been speculated that the brooch belonged to the wife of the last prince (or, potentially, his daughter), met by Tom centuries before.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 146-7</ref>
The [[Witch King]] of Angmar rose and empowered the [[Barrow-wights]] of Cardolan<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 145-6</ref> and slain the [[Rangers of the North]] in order to trap the [[Ring]]-bearer.<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}</ref><ref name=RC>{{HM|RC}}, "Flight to the Ford", p. 180</ref> Indeed, on [[28 September]] {{TA|3018|n}}<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> [[Frodo Baggins]] and his comrades were trapped in the Barrow-downs by a [[Barrow-wight|wight]], probably in the same [[uncommon words|cairn]] which held the grave of the last prince.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}, paragraphs about the war of 1409; Index, ''Barrow-downs, the Barrow where Frodo was buried'' </ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5; Index, ''Barrow-downs, Barrow of the last prince''</ref>
 
While [[Merry]] was trapped in the mound, he dreamed that he and others were attacked and defeated by “the men of [[Carn Dûm]]” at night and that his heart had been pierced with a spear<ref name=frbarrow/>{{rp|p.143}} which probably was a memory of the last moments of the prince.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5; Index, ''Cardolan, last prince of''</ref>


== Other versions of the legendarium ==  
== Other versions of the legendarium ==  
In the earlier versions of the story, the barrow where the Hobbits were trapped was said to belong to a prince of the men that “fought against the evil foes” long ago, and was slain during the war. The identification of the buried prince with the last prince of Cardolan, as well as the appearance of Angmar and the men of Carn Dûm, are subsequent.<ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 127-8</ref><ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Christopher Tolkien]] (ed.), [[The Treason of Isengard]], From Bree to the Ford and Rivendell, p. 37</ref>  
In the earlier versions of the story, the barrow where the Hobbits were trapped was said to belong to a prince of the men that “fought against the evil foes” long ago, and was slain during the war. The identification of the buried prince with the last prince of Cardolan, as well as the appearance of Angmar and the men of Carn Dûm, are subsequent.<ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 127-8</ref><ref>{{TI|Bree}}, p. 37</ref>  


Also, in the earlier versions Tom Bombadil’s statement regarding the blue-jewelled brooch he took for Goldberry, and the mysterious lady that once wore it, was almost identical to the published version, except that he also mentioned that “they shall not forget” the kings, the warriors and the fair maidens of the past.<ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 128</ref>
Also, in the earlier versions Tom Bombadil’s statement regarding the blue-jewelled brooch he took for Goldberry, and the mysterious lady that once wore it, was almost identical to the published version, except that he also mentioned that “they shall not forget” the kings, the warriors and the fair maidens of the past.<ref>{{RS|Wight}}, p. 128</ref>


{{References}}
{{References}}

Revision as of 14:12, 19 June 2021

The unnamed last prince of Cardolan was the last ruler of Cardolan.

History

The last prince of Cardolan descended from the Men of Arnor who ruled the splinter-realm when the line of Isildur had failed, so the prince was not his direct of the High King.

The prince flourished during the Angmar War. Around T.A. 1349, Cardolan accepted Argeleb I as King of Arnor, being a direct descendant of Isildur. The other splinter realm, Rhudaur, resisted, and was allied with Angmar.[1][2] Probably the last prince was retained his office as a vassal ruler.

The prince fell on the war of T.A. 1409 against Angmar and Rhudaur. He was then buried in the Barrow-downs the same year.[3][2]

In that tomb was a pile of treasures, including a blue-jewelled brooch belonging to a “fair” woman that Tom Bombadil seemingly knew long ago.[4][5]:144-5 Whether that lady was related to the last prince,[6] no tale tells.

Legacy

The Witch King of Angmar rose and empowered the Barrow-wights of Cardolan[7] and slain the Rangers of the North in order to trap the Ring-bearer.[8][9] Indeed, on 28 September 3018[10] Frodo Baggins and his comrades were trapped in the Barrow-downs by a wight, probably in the same cairn which held the grave of the last prince.[11][12]

While Merry was trapped in the mound, he dreamed that he and others were attacked and defeated by “the men of Carn Dûm” at night and that his heart had been pierced with a spear[5]:p.143 which probably was a memory of the last moments of the prince.[13]

Other versions of the legendarium

In the earlier versions of the story, the barrow where the Hobbits were trapped was said to belong to a prince of the men that “fought against the evil foes” long ago, and was slain during the war. The identification of the buried prince with the last prince of Cardolan, as well as the appearance of Angmar and the men of Carn Dûm, are subsequent.[14][15]

Also, in the earlier versions Tom Bombadil’s statement regarding the blue-jewelled brooch he took for Goldberry, and the mysterious lady that once wore it, was almost identical to the published version, except that he also mentioned that “they shall not forget” the kings, the warriors and the fair maidens of the past.[16]

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur"
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain, entries about the war with Angmar in 1409
  4. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 146
  5. 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings (50th Anniv. Ed.), The Fellowship of the Ring, "Fog on the Barrow-downs"
  6. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 146-7
  7. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", p. 145-6
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Hunt for the Ring"
  9. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, "Flight to the Ford", p. 180
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", paragraphs about the war of 1409; Index, Barrow-downs, the Barrow where Frodo was buried
  12. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5; Index, Barrow-downs, Barrow of the last prince
  13. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, "Fog on the Barrow-downs", pp. 144-5; Index, Cardolan, last prince of
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The First Phase: VII. The Barrow-wight", p. 127-8
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "III. The Fourth Phase (2): From Bree to the Ford of Rivendell", p. 37
  16. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The First Phase: VII. The Barrow-wight", p. 128