Arnor: Difference between revisions
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{{kingdom | {{kingdom | ||
| image= | | image= | ||
| name=Arnor | | name=Arnor | ||
| pronun= | | pronun= | ||
| othernames=Kingdom of the North, | | othernames=Kingdom of the North, The Lost Realm, The North-kingdom, The North-realm, The Northern Kingdom | ||
| location=Most of [[Eriador]] | | location=Most of [[Eriador]] | ||
| capital=[[Annúminas]], later [[Fornost Erain]] | | capital=[[Annúminas]], later [[Fornost Erain]] | ||
| towns=[[Lond Daer]], [[Tharbad]], [[Bree]], [[Hobbiton]] | | towns=[[Lond Daer]], [[Tharbad]], [[Bree]], [[Hobbiton]] | ||
| regions=[[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]], [[Rhudaur]] | | regions=[[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]], [[Rhudaur]] | ||
| population=[[ | | population=Primarily [[Men of Arnor]] (many [[Hobbits]] in [[the Shire]] and [[Bree-land]]) | ||
| language=[[Westron]], [[Sindarin]], [[Quenya]], [[Hobbitish]] | | language=[[Westron]], [[Númenórean Sindarin]], [[Quenya]], [[Hobbitish]] | ||
| govern1=[[Kings of Arnor|King of Arnor]]/[[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] | | govern1=[[Kings of Arnor|King of Arnor]]/[[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]] | ||
| govern2= | | govern2= | ||
| govern3= | | govern3= | ||
| currency= | | currency= | ||
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| event2=Divided | | event2=Divided | ||
| event2date={{TA|861}} | | event2date={{TA|861}} | ||
| event3= | | event3=Destroyed | ||
| event3date={{TA|1974}} | | event3date={{TA|1974}} | ||
| event4=Re-formed | | event4=Re-formed | ||
| event4date={{ | | event4date=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}} | ||
| event5= | | event5= | ||
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{{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}} | {{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}} | ||
'''Arnor''', or the ''' | '''Arnor''', or the '''North-kingdom''', was one of the two [[Kingdoms of the Dúnedain]] (the other being [[Gondor]] in the south) in the land of [[Eriador]] in [[Middle-earth]]. It was the original seat of the [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]] who ruled over both Arnor and [[Gondor]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
<!--"Events" in Eriador infobox links here--> | <!--"Events" in Eriador infobox links here--> | ||
=== | ===Second Age=== | ||
==== Foundation ==== | |||
[[File:Steven White Jr. - Ann18.jpg|left|220px|thumb|Steven White, Jr. - ''Palace Complex at Annúminas'']] | [[File:Steven White Jr. - Ann18.jpg|left|220px|thumb|Steven White, Jr. - ''Palace Complex at Annúminas'']] | ||
Elendil and his people reached Eriador by sailing through the [[Gulf of Lune]] | Elendil and his people reached Eriador by sailing through the [[Gulf of Lune]] into the lands of [[Lindon]]. There, he befriended the [[High King of the Noldor]] [[Gil-galad]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref> Elendil established the city of [[Annúminas]] as his capital. [[Elendil]] founded Arnor at the end of the [[Second Age]] ({{SA|3320}}), while his sons founded the southern realm of [[Gondor]]. Both kingdoms of the [[Númenóreans]] were known as the realms in Exile, and their history is intertwined. | ||
[[ | The [[Men of Arnor]] dwelt in many places in [[Eriador]] about the courses of the [[Lhûn]] and the [[Baranduin]]; but their chief city was at [[Annúminas]] beside Lake [[Nenuial]].<ref name=rings/> At [[Fornost]] upon the [[North Downs]] they also dwelt, and in [[Cardolan]], and in the hills of [[Rhudaur]]; and towers they raised upon [[Amon Sûl]].<ref name=rings/> Arnor was, from the beginnning of their history, always less powerful and populous than its southern counterpart, [[Gondor]], despite its presendence over it as the seat of the [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]].<ref>{{PM|Atani}}</ref> | ||
There, many already dwelt who were in whole or part of [[Númenorean]] blood who welcomed Elendil and his sons.<ref name=rings/><ref name=languages>{{App|Men}}</ref> In Arnor, these [[Men of Eriador]] accepted the new kingdom of [[Elendil]] and helped to people and maintain the many places that the Northern Dúnedain built.<ref name=rings/> When [[Elendil]] led his people into the south to battle against [[Sauron]], these [[Men of Eriador]] marched alongside the [[Dúnedain]].<ref name=rings/> The [[Men of Bree]] also became subjects of Arnor.<ref name=languages/> | |||
=== | ==== War of the Last Alliance ==== | ||
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Isildur 2.jpg|right|220px|thumb|''Isildur'' in Peter Jackson's ''Fellowship of the Ring'']] | |||
In {{SA|3430}}, Arnor allied itself with [[Gil-galad]] in a great alliance opposing Sauron, the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. In conjunction with southern forces from Gondor, they confronted Sauron's armies in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. Both [[Elendil]], [[King of Arnor]], and his son [[Anárion]], joint [[King of Gondor]], were slain in this conflict, but [[Isildur]] cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and prevailed. | |||
{{ | ===Third Age=== | ||
Arnor's | ==== Decline and Breakup ==== | ||
Isildur, the second [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]], was killed in {{TA|2}} in the [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]].<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref> His three eldest sons were killed with him, but the fourth and youngest, [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], who had remained at [[Rivendell]] due to his youth, became the first [[King of Arnor|King of an independent Arnor]] in {{TA|10}}.<ref name=ta/> [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], [[Isildur]]'s youngest son, took up his rule in [[Annúminas]], but his people were diminished, and of the [[Men of Arnor]] there remained now too few to people the land or maintain the places [[Elendil]] built; many of them had died in the [[War of the Last Alliance]] and at the [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]].<ref name=rings/> | |||
After the reign of [[Eärendur]] in {{TA|861}}, the seventh king that followed [[Valandil]], Arnor became divided into the petty realms and lordships of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]], and [[Rhudaur]], owing to dissensions among his sons.<ref name=rings/><ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref> | |||
==== Conflict with Angmar ==== | |||
{{main|Angmar War}} | |||
[[File:Grant Gould - The Witch King.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Eliot Gould - ''The Witch King'']] | |||
There was often strife between the three kingdoms, usually over control of the [[Weather Hills]] and the [[palantíri|palantír]] of [[Amon Sûl]].<ref name=eriador/> Seeing the disunion in Arnor, Arnor's greatest enemy in the north by the middle of the Third Age was [[Angmar]], ruled by the [[Witch-king|Witch King of Angmar]].<ref name=eriador/> During the reign of Malvegil (c. {{TA|1300}}), this new power arose beyond the [[Ettenmoors]].<ref name=eriador/> The [[Witch-king]] was later identified as in fact the lord of [[Sauron|Sauron's]] [[Ringwraiths]].<ref name=eriador/> | |||
=== | Years later, Arnor was refounded ''de jure'' by the seventh [[King of Arthedain]], [[Argeleb I]], when [[Cardolan]] placed itself under the suzerainty of [[Arthedain]] as the line of [[Isildur]] had failed in the other kingdoms.<ref name=eriador/> This claim was resisted in [[Rhudaur]], where the [[Dúnedain]] there were few, and a lord of the [[Hill-men]], whose allegiance lay with [[Angmar]] in secret, seized power.<ref name=eriador/> In response, Argeleb fortified the [[Weather Hills|hills]], but he was killed during battle with the two realms in {{TA|1356}}.<ref name="eriador"/> His son [[Arveleg I]], however, counterattacked in conjunction with [[Cardolan]] and [[Lindon]] and drove the enemy back. Arveleg successfully held the frontier along the Weather Hils in force for quite some years.<ref name=eriador/> | ||
[[File:BFME2 - Weathertop.jpg|left|220px|thumb|''Weathertop'' from BFME2]] | |||
In {{TA|1409}}, Angmar crossed the Hoarwell river into Cardolan and attacked again. This time, Weathertop was captured and Arveleg fell in battle.<ref name=eriador/> While the [[Tower of Amon Sûl]] fell, the ''palantír'' was recovered and taken to [[Fornost]]. The Men of Arnor were defeated and [[Arveleg I]] as well as the last prince of [[Cardolan]] were slain.<ref name=eriador/> From that time onward, [[Rhudaur]] was occupied by evil Men subject to [[Angmar]], and the Northern Dúnedain that remained were slain of fled west.<ref name=eriador/> Although [[Cardolan]] was ravaged, a remnant of the faithful among the Dúnedain of Cardolan also held out in [[Tyrn Gorthad]] (the [[Barrow-downs]]), or took refuge in the [[Old Forest]].<ref name=eriador/> The Men of Arnor did not have the strength to drive away the forces of Angmar, so the [[Elves of Lindon]], forces of [[Rivendell]], and the [[Galadhrim]] defeated the armies of Angmar.<ref name=eriador/> | |||
[[ | Although the northern parts of [[Arthedain]] were little affected, the remnants of the [[Men of Arnor]] were affected by the [[Great Plague]]; the joint garrison (of Arnor and Gondor) at [[Tharbad]] ceased to exist,<ref>{{UT|6d}}</ref> and the last of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] died on the [[Barrow-downs]].<ref name=eriador/> | ||
[[File:Amir Salehi - Servant of Death.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Amir Salehi - ''Servant of Death'']] | |||
Suspecting that these attacks might be being coordinated by a single power, the two kingdoms finally brought to an end their years of estrangement.<ref name=gondor>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> In {{TA|1940}}, [[Arvedui]], heir to the [[Sceptre of Annúminas|Sceptre of Arnor]], wedded [[Fíriel]], the daughter of [[Ondoher]] [[King of Gondor]]. Soon, [[Ondoher]] was slain in battle and hoping to save Arnor from Angmar, Arvedui staked his claim to Gondor, by right of his descent from Elendil and by that of his wife.<ref name=gondor/> The [[Council of Gondor]], however, was not for reunification and chose the next King [[Eärnil II]]; he maintained good relations with Arnor, promising them aid against the continuing attacks of Angmar.<ref name=gondor/> Arvedui succeeded his father in {{TA|1964}}, but Arnor's strength was fast dwindling.<ref name=gondor/> In {{TA|1973}} he sent a message to [[Eärnil II]] that they were in great straits, and that Angmar was preparing its final assault.<ref name=gondor/> [[Eärnil II]], accordingly, mustered a great army under the command of his son [[Eärnur]] but it could not arrive in [[Lindon]] before [[Angmar]] struck.<ref name=gondor/> | |||
In {{TA|1974}}, the [[Witch-king]], with his host from [[Angmar]], invaded [[Arthedain]] and captured [[Fornost Erain]], driving most of the Northern Dúnedain there over the [[Lune]],<ref name=eriador/> including the sons of [[Arvedui Last-king]],<ref name=eriador/> who later perished in a shipwreck. The remnants of Arnor later joined the great [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]], lead by [[Cirdan|Cirdan the Shipwright]] and [[Eärnur]], [[Captain of Gondor]], in which, also with the help of [[Elves]] from [[Rivendell]] lead by [[Glorfindel]], overthrew [[Angmar]].<ref name=gondor/> | |||
[[The Shire]] was a fertile and well-tilled part of Arnor, but deserted during the waning days of the Kingdom when it was known as the splinter-realm of [[Arthedain]]; it had been the hunting grounds of the [[King of Arnor]]. The [[Hobbits]] (who lived in [[Dunland]] and parts of depopulated [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]) got official permission from King [[Argeleb II]] at [[Fornost]] to settle the lands. This was finally done in {{TA|1601}} by [[Bree-hobbits]] led by the brothers [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]]. | |||
By 30 years later, almost all of the [[Hobbits]] of Middle-earth could be found in [[the Shire]]. The [[Shire-hobbits]] considered themselves as subjects of the [[Kings of Arthedain|King]], at least nominally, considering the isolation of their country. Nevertheless, the [[Hobbits]] sent some support troops to the great battles Arnor fought against [[Angmar]].<ref name=eriador/> After the fall of Arnor, [[the Shire]] remained a minor but independent political unit and the title of [[Thain]] was established to fill the absence of a Kingship.<ref name=eriador/> | |||
==== Chieftains of the Dúnedain ==== | |||
{{main|Chieftains of the Dúnedain}} | |||
After the [[Angmar War]], all the people of Arnor were diminished.<ref name=eriador/> [[Aranarth]], son of [[Arvedui Last-king]], perceived that the Northern Dúnedain had become too few to reestablish the North-kingdom. Instead of calling himself a king or prince, he assumed the title [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]]. Through them the royal line of Arnor was maintained successfully for a thousand years until the refounding of Arnor on [[1 May]], {{TA|3019}}. Aranarth brought his son, [[Arahael]], to [[Rivendell]] and gave him to [[Elrond]] for safekeeping until he was grown. This became a tradition that was followed through the rest of the Third Age. Also brought to Elrond were the heirlooms of the [[House of Isildur]]: the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]], the [[Ring of Barahir]], the shards of [[Narsil]], and the [[Star of Elendil]].<ref name=eriador/> Thus, the [[Dúnedain of the North]] were reduced to a few [[Ranger of the North|Rangers]] wandering secretly in the wild, and their heritage was forgotten, save in [[Imladris]], where the [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]] were harboured and their line, from father to son, remained unbroken.<ref name=rings/><ref name=eriador/> | |||
=== | ===== War of the Ring ===== | ||
Although the North-kingdom had been fallen for a thousand years by the time the [[War of the Ring]] broke out, northern forces did participate in the War. [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]], the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]] at the time, was a [[Rangers of the North|Ranger of the North]], and there were several hundred of them operating during the conflict. | |||
On [[22 September|September 22]] {{TA|3019}}, the [[Ringwraiths]] came to [[Sarn Ford]]. Although the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] were guarding the crossing, their chieftain [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] was away and the [[Ringwraiths]] captured the ford, driving away many of the Rangers. [[Halbarad]], kinsman of [[Aragorn]], mustered 30 Northern Dúnedain (all that could be gathered in haste),<ref name="Grey">{{RK|V2}}</ref> and this [[Grey Company]] rode to the aid of [[Aragorn]] in [[Rohan]].<ref name="Grey"/> This group accompanied Aragorn through the [[Paths of the Dead]] and to the attack on [[Umbar]] which captured the Corsair fleet. They participated at the last battle, fighting under his banner, at the [[Battle of the Morannon]], where [[Sauron]] was finally thrown down. | |||
= | There was also a battle fought in [[the Shire]], between Saruman's [[Ruffians]] and [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] militia forces. This was the last battle fought in the [[War of the Ring]], and resulted in the death of Saruman and the death or capture of his followers. This became known as the [[Battle of Bywater]], and represents the Hobbit contribution to the War.<ref name="AppB4">{{App|B4}}</ref> | ||
===Later History=== | |||
==== Restoration of the North-kingdom ==== | |||
[[File:Rowena Morrill - The Last Steward of Gondor.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Rowena Morrill - ''The Last Steward of Gondor'']] | |||
[[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] was crowned by [[Gandalf]] as [[Aragorn|King Elessar]], as refounded Arnor as part of the greater [[Reunited Kingdom]]. The Reunited Kingdom included all the lands of Arnor in the North; all of [[Eriador]], except the [[Lindon|regions]] beyond the [[Lune]], and the lands east of [[Greyflood]] and [[Loudwater]], in which lay [[Rivendell]] and [[Eregion]].<ref name="eriador"/> He rebuilt [[Annúminas]] and when he went north, would rule from there.<ref name="eriador"/> He also had the ruins of [[Fornost Erain]] rebuilt and made it a great city where Men dwelt once again.<ref name="Bound">{{RK|VI7}}</ref> [[The Shire]] was an exception to this, and though it lay within Arnor, Aragorn made a law that Men should not enter it, a law that he observed himself.<ref name="eriador"/> | |||
==Politics== | |||
The [[Númenórean]] monarch of Arnor governed the realm and its people with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the maker.<ref name="politics">{{L|244}}</ref> | |||
== | After his accession, [[Aragorn]] also established a council in Arnor, because in {{FoA|13}}, he chose three [[Counsellor of the North-kingdom|Counsellors of the North-kingdom]] from the people of [[the Shire]] and [[Buckland]].<ref name="AppBLater">{{App|B5}}</ref> These Counsellors were those appointed to the positions of the [[Thain]] and [[Mayor of the Shire]], and the [[Master of Buckland]].<ref name="AppBLater"/> | ||
==Geography== | |||
=== Regions=== | |||
Arnor included all of [[Eriador]] at its greatest, except the [[Lindon|regions]] beyond the [[Lune]], and the lands east of [[Greyflood]] and [[Loudwater]], in which lay [[Rivendell]] and [[Eregion]].<ref name="eriador"/> | |||
[[ | * [[Arthedain]], the westernmost region of the North-kingdom bordering the [[Lune]]. | ||
* [[Cardolan]], the lands south of the [[East Road]], east of the [[Brandywine]]. | |||
* [[Rhudaur]], the region between the [[Weather Hills]] and the [[Misty Mountains]]. | |||
=== | === Cities, Fortresses, and Watchtowers=== | ||
* [[Annúminas]], the old seat of the [[Kings of Arnor]] on the shore of [[Lake Evendim]]. | |||
* [[Fornost]], the later seat of the [[Kings of Arnor]] and [[Kings of Arthedain|Arthedain]] on the southern end of the [[North Downs]]. | |||
* [[Bree]], an ancient township on the [[East Road]]. | |||
* [[Lond Daer]], the [[Númenórean]] port on the [[Gwathló]]. | |||
* [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]], also called Weathertop, the highest of the [[Weather Hills]]. | |||
* The [[White Towers]], the Elf-towers of [[Emyn Beraid]]. | |||
* [[Tharbad]], the city at the crossings of [[Greyflood]]. | |||
=== The Palantíri=== | |||
{{main|Palantíri}} | |||
The [[Palantíri]] or 'seeing stones' were spherical stones that could communicate with each other and give visual impressions to a skilled remote user. [[Elendil]] and his two sons originally divided these stones between themselves. They were usually heavily guarded and under the control of the kings. There were seven of these stones in total. The northern kingdom possessed three, and the southern kingdom held the other four.<ref name=rings/>{{rp|362}} They were: | |||
* The [[Elostirion-stone]], kept in the tower of [[Elostirion]]. This was used to communicate with The Master Stone in [[Tol Eressëa]], the Lonely Isle of the Elves, along the [[Straight Road]]. It could not contact the other Middle-Earth stones. | |||
* The [[Amon Sûl-stone]], kept in the watchtower of [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]]. The [[Amon Sûl-stone]] was a large stone, and the northern kings often used it to contact its corresponding large stone in Gondor, at the great dome of [[Osgiliath]]. | |||
* The [[Annúminas-stone]], kept in Arnor's capital city of [[Annúminas]]. Though one of the lesser stones, it was the stone most often used by the [[Kings of Arnor]]. | |||
==Languages== | |||
[[Westron]], or the Common Speech, was the native language of the people of Arnor.<ref name=lang>{{App|F1}}</ref> Among the [[Dúnedain]] however, including those of Arnor, the kings and high lords, and indeed all those of [[Númenorean]] blood in any degree, for long used [[Númenórean Sindarin]].<ref>{{PM|Languages}}</ref> [[Quenya]] was known to the learned of Arnor, a tradition which has continued from the loremasters of [[Númenor]], to be used for places of fame and reverence in addition to the names of royalty and men of great renown.<ref name=languages/> All the royal names of the [[Kings of Arnor]] were [[Quenya]] names.<ref name=North>{{App|North}}</ref> The [[Kings of Arthedain]] and later the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains of the Dúnedain]], however, took [[Sindarin]] names.<ref name=North/> | |||
==Etymology== | |||
{{Transcribed|Tengwar Arnor.png|Arnor|Tengwar, Sindarin mode}} | |||
'''''Arnor''''' was the colloquial name for the '''North-kingdom'''. The North-kingdom, as the land was called at its conception, was also known as ''Turmen Follondiéva'' in [[Quenya]] and ''Arthor na Forlonnas'' in [[Sindarin]]. These names quickly fell out of use, in favour of ''Arnor'': the ''Land of the King'', so called for the kingship of [[Elendil]], and to seal its precedence over the [[Gondor|southern realm]]. In full, poetic Sindarin, it was called ''Arannor'', which mirrored its Quenya name, '''''Arandórë'''''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 28</ref> Though technically ''Arandórë'' would have a Sindarin form ''Ardor'', [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] chose ''Arnor'' because it sounded better. This linguistic change was ascribed to a later, Mannish development of Sindarin.<ref name="L347">{{L|347}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 17</ref> The form '''''Arnanórë''''' is also seen.<ref name="L347" /> | |||
= | |||
'''''Arnor''''' was the colloquial name for the '''North | |||
==Portrayal in adaptations== | ==Portrayal in adaptations== |
Revision as of 21:06, 21 June 2020
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made. |
General information | |
---|---|
Other names | Kingdom of the North, The Lost Realm, The North-kingdom, The North-realm, The Northern Kingdom |
Location | Most of Eriador |
Capital | Annúminas, later Fornost Erain |
Major towns | Lond Daer, Tharbad, Bree, Hobbiton |
Regions | Arthedain, Cardolan, Rhudaur |
People | |
Population | Primarily Men of Arnor (many Hobbits in the Shire and Bree-land) |
Language | Westron, Númenórean Sindarin, Quenya, Hobbitish |
Governance | King of Arnor/High King |
History | |
Preceded by | Númenor |
Founded | S.A. 3320 |
Divided | T.A. 861 |
Destroyed | T.A. 1974 |
Re-formed | 1 May, T.A. 3019 |
Followed by | Reunited Kingdom |
Gallery | Images of Arnor |
Arnor.mp3 | |
By Ardamir. (Help; more articles) | |
Arnor, or the North-kingdom, was one of the two Kingdoms of the Dúnedain (the other being Gondor in the south) in the land of Eriador in Middle-earth. It was the original seat of the High King who ruled over both Arnor and Gondor.
History
Second Age
Foundation
Elendil and his people reached Eriador by sailing through the Gulf of Lune into the lands of Lindon. There, he befriended the High King of the Noldor Gil-galad.[1] Elendil established the city of Annúminas as his capital. Elendil founded Arnor at the end of the Second Age (S.A. 3320), while his sons founded the southern realm of Gondor. Both kingdoms of the Númenóreans were known as the realms in Exile, and their history is intertwined.
The Men of Arnor dwelt in many places in Eriador about the courses of the Lhûn and the Baranduin; but their chief city was at Annúminas beside Lake Nenuial.[1] At Fornost upon the North Downs they also dwelt, and in Cardolan, and in the hills of Rhudaur; and towers they raised upon Amon Sûl.[1] Arnor was, from the beginnning of their history, always less powerful and populous than its southern counterpart, Gondor, despite its presendence over it as the seat of the High King.[2]
There, many already dwelt who were in whole or part of Númenorean blood who welcomed Elendil and his sons.[1][3] In Arnor, these Men of Eriador accepted the new kingdom of Elendil and helped to people and maintain the many places that the Northern Dúnedain built.[1] When Elendil led his people into the south to battle against Sauron, these Men of Eriador marched alongside the Dúnedain.[1] The Men of Bree also became subjects of Arnor.[3]
War of the Last Alliance
In S.A. 3430, Arnor allied itself with Gil-galad in a great alliance opposing Sauron, the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. In conjunction with southern forces from Gondor, they confronted Sauron's armies in the War of the Last Alliance. Both Elendil, King of Arnor, and his son Anárion, joint King of Gondor, were slain in this conflict, but Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and prevailed.
Third Age
Decline and Breakup
Isildur, the second High King, was killed in T.A. 2 in the Disaster of the Gladden Fields.[4] His three eldest sons were killed with him, but the fourth and youngest, Valandil, who had remained at Rivendell due to his youth, became the first King of an independent Arnor in T.A. 10.[4] Valandil, Isildur's youngest son, took up his rule in Annúminas, but his people were diminished, and of the Men of Arnor there remained now too few to people the land or maintain the places Elendil built; many of them had died in the War of the Last Alliance and at the Disaster of the Gladden Fields.[1]
After the reign of Eärendur in T.A. 861, the seventh king that followed Valandil, Arnor became divided into the petty realms and lordships of Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur, owing to dissensions among his sons.[1][5]
Conflict with Angmar
- Main article: Angmar War
There was often strife between the three kingdoms, usually over control of the Weather Hills and the palantír of Amon Sûl.[5] Seeing the disunion in Arnor, Arnor's greatest enemy in the north by the middle of the Third Age was Angmar, ruled by the Witch King of Angmar.[5] During the reign of Malvegil (c. T.A. 1300), this new power arose beyond the Ettenmoors.[5] The Witch-king was later identified as in fact the lord of Sauron's Ringwraiths.[5]
Years later, Arnor was refounded de jure by the seventh King of Arthedain, Argeleb I, when Cardolan placed itself under the suzerainty of Arthedain as the line of Isildur had failed in the other kingdoms.[5] This claim was resisted in Rhudaur, where the Dúnedain there were few, and a lord of the Hill-men, whose allegiance lay with Angmar in secret, seized power.[5] In response, Argeleb fortified the hills, but he was killed during battle with the two realms in T.A. 1356.[5] His son Arveleg I, however, counterattacked in conjunction with Cardolan and Lindon and drove the enemy back. Arveleg successfully held the frontier along the Weather Hils in force for quite some years.[5]
In T.A. 1409, Angmar crossed the Hoarwell river into Cardolan and attacked again. This time, Weathertop was captured and Arveleg fell in battle.[5] While the Tower of Amon Sûl fell, the palantír was recovered and taken to Fornost. The Men of Arnor were defeated and Arveleg I as well as the last prince of Cardolan were slain.[5] From that time onward, Rhudaur was occupied by evil Men subject to Angmar, and the Northern Dúnedain that remained were slain of fled west.[5] Although Cardolan was ravaged, a remnant of the faithful among the Dúnedain of Cardolan also held out in Tyrn Gorthad (the Barrow-downs), or took refuge in the Old Forest.[5] The Men of Arnor did not have the strength to drive away the forces of Angmar, so the Elves of Lindon, forces of Rivendell, and the Galadhrim defeated the armies of Angmar.[5]
Although the northern parts of Arthedain were little affected, the remnants of the Men of Arnor were affected by the Great Plague; the joint garrison (of Arnor and Gondor) at Tharbad ceased to exist,[6] and the last of the Dúnedain of Cardolan died on the Barrow-downs.[5]
Suspecting that these attacks might be being coordinated by a single power, the two kingdoms finally brought to an end their years of estrangement.[7] In T.A. 1940, Arvedui, heir to the Sceptre of Arnor, wedded Fíriel, the daughter of Ondoher King of Gondor. Soon, Ondoher was slain in battle and hoping to save Arnor from Angmar, Arvedui staked his claim to Gondor, by right of his descent from Elendil and by that of his wife.[7] The Council of Gondor, however, was not for reunification and chose the next King Eärnil II; he maintained good relations with Arnor, promising them aid against the continuing attacks of Angmar.[7] Arvedui succeeded his father in T.A. 1964, but Arnor's strength was fast dwindling.[7] In T.A. 1973 he sent a message to Eärnil II that they were in great straits, and that Angmar was preparing its final assault.[7] Eärnil II, accordingly, mustered a great army under the command of his son Eärnur but it could not arrive in Lindon before Angmar struck.[7]
In T.A. 1974, the Witch-king, with his host from Angmar, invaded Arthedain and captured Fornost Erain, driving most of the Northern Dúnedain there over the Lune,[5] including the sons of Arvedui Last-king,[5] who later perished in a shipwreck. The remnants of Arnor later joined the great Host of the West, lead by Cirdan the Shipwright and Eärnur, Captain of Gondor, in which, also with the help of Elves from Rivendell lead by Glorfindel, overthrew Angmar.[7]
The Shire was a fertile and well-tilled part of Arnor, but deserted during the waning days of the Kingdom when it was known as the splinter-realm of Arthedain; it had been the hunting grounds of the King of Arnor. The Hobbits (who lived in Dunland and parts of depopulated Cardolan and Rhudaur) got official permission from King Argeleb II at Fornost to settle the lands. This was finally done in T.A. 1601 by Bree-hobbits led by the brothers Marcho and Blanco.
By 30 years later, almost all of the Hobbits of Middle-earth could be found in the Shire. The Shire-hobbits considered themselves as subjects of the King, at least nominally, considering the isolation of their country. Nevertheless, the Hobbits sent some support troops to the great battles Arnor fought against Angmar.[5] After the fall of Arnor, the Shire remained a minor but independent political unit and the title of Thain was established to fill the absence of a Kingship.[5]
Chieftains of the Dúnedain
- Main article: Chieftains of the Dúnedain
After the Angmar War, all the people of Arnor were diminished.[5] Aranarth, son of Arvedui Last-king, perceived that the Northern Dúnedain had become too few to reestablish the North-kingdom. Instead of calling himself a king or prince, he assumed the title Chieftain. Through them the royal line of Arnor was maintained successfully for a thousand years until the refounding of Arnor on 1 May, T.A. 3019. Aranarth brought his son, Arahael, to Rivendell and gave him to Elrond for safekeeping until he was grown. This became a tradition that was followed through the rest of the Third Age. Also brought to Elrond were the heirlooms of the House of Isildur: the Sceptre of Annúminas, the Ring of Barahir, the shards of Narsil, and the Star of Elendil.[5] Thus, the Dúnedain of the North were reduced to a few Rangers wandering secretly in the wild, and their heritage was forgotten, save in Imladris, where the Heirs of Isildur were harboured and their line, from father to son, remained unbroken.[1][5]
War of the Ring
Although the North-kingdom had been fallen for a thousand years by the time the War of the Ring broke out, northern forces did participate in the War. Aragorn II, the Chieftain of the Dúnedain at the time, was a Ranger of the North, and there were several hundred of them operating during the conflict.
On September 22 T.A. 3019, the Ringwraiths came to Sarn Ford. Although the Dúnedain Rangers were guarding the crossing, their chieftain Aragorn II was away and the Ringwraiths captured the ford, driving away many of the Rangers. Halbarad, kinsman of Aragorn, mustered 30 Northern Dúnedain (all that could be gathered in haste),[8] and this Grey Company rode to the aid of Aragorn in Rohan.[8] This group accompanied Aragorn through the Paths of the Dead and to the attack on Umbar which captured the Corsair fleet. They participated at the last battle, fighting under his banner, at the Battle of the Morannon, where Sauron was finally thrown down.
There was also a battle fought in the Shire, between Saruman's Ruffians and Hobbit militia forces. This was the last battle fought in the War of the Ring, and resulted in the death of Saruman and the death or capture of his followers. This became known as the Battle of Bywater, and represents the Hobbit contribution to the War.[9]
Later History
Restoration of the North-kingdom
Aragorn II was crowned by Gandalf as King Elessar, as refounded Arnor as part of the greater Reunited Kingdom. The Reunited Kingdom included all the lands of Arnor in the North; all of Eriador, except the regions beyond the Lune, and the lands east of Greyflood and Loudwater, in which lay Rivendell and Eregion.[5] He rebuilt Annúminas and when he went north, would rule from there.[5] He also had the ruins of Fornost Erain rebuilt and made it a great city where Men dwelt once again.[10] The Shire was an exception to this, and though it lay within Arnor, Aragorn made a law that Men should not enter it, a law that he observed himself.[5]
Politics
The Númenórean monarch of Arnor governed the realm and its people with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the maker.[11]
After his accession, Aragorn also established a council in Arnor, because in Fo.A. 13, he chose three Counsellors of the North-kingdom from the people of the Shire and Buckland.[12] These Counsellors were those appointed to the positions of the Thain and Mayor of the Shire, and the Master of Buckland.[12]
Geography
Regions
Arnor included all of Eriador at its greatest, except the regions beyond the Lune, and the lands east of Greyflood and Loudwater, in which lay Rivendell and Eregion.[5]
- Arthedain, the westernmost region of the North-kingdom bordering the Lune.
- Cardolan, the lands south of the East Road, east of the Brandywine.
- Rhudaur, the region between the Weather Hills and the Misty Mountains.
Cities, Fortresses, and Watchtowers
- Annúminas, the old seat of the Kings of Arnor on the shore of Lake Evendim.
- Fornost, the later seat of the Kings of Arnor and Arthedain on the southern end of the North Downs.
- Bree, an ancient township on the East Road.
- Lond Daer, the Númenórean port on the Gwathló.
- Amon Sûl, also called Weathertop, the highest of the Weather Hills.
- The White Towers, the Elf-towers of Emyn Beraid.
- Tharbad, the city at the crossings of Greyflood.
The Palantíri
- Main article: Palantíri
The Palantíri or 'seeing stones' were spherical stones that could communicate with each other and give visual impressions to a skilled remote user. Elendil and his two sons originally divided these stones between themselves. They were usually heavily guarded and under the control of the kings. There were seven of these stones in total. The northern kingdom possessed three, and the southern kingdom held the other four.[1]:362 They were:
- The Elostirion-stone, kept in the tower of Elostirion. This was used to communicate with The Master Stone in Tol Eressëa, the Lonely Isle of the Elves, along the Straight Road. It could not contact the other Middle-Earth stones.
- The Amon Sûl-stone, kept in the watchtower of Amon Sûl. The Amon Sûl-stone was a large stone, and the northern kings often used it to contact its corresponding large stone in Gondor, at the great dome of Osgiliath.
- The Annúminas-stone, kept in Arnor's capital city of Annúminas. Though one of the lesser stones, it was the stone most often used by the Kings of Arnor.
Languages
Westron, or the Common Speech, was the native language of the people of Arnor.[13] Among the Dúnedain however, including those of Arnor, the kings and high lords, and indeed all those of Númenorean blood in any degree, for long used Númenórean Sindarin.[14] Quenya was known to the learned of Arnor, a tradition which has continued from the loremasters of Númenor, to be used for places of fame and reverence in addition to the names of royalty and men of great renown.[3] All the royal names of the Kings of Arnor were Quenya names.[15] The Kings of Arthedain and later the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, however, took Sindarin names.[15]
Etymology
Arnor was the colloquial name for the North-kingdom. The North-kingdom, as the land was called at its conception, was also known as Turmen Follondiéva in Quenya and Arthor na Forlonnas in Sindarin. These names quickly fell out of use, in favour of Arnor: the Land of the King, so called for the kingship of Elendil, and to seal its precedence over the southern realm. In full, poetic Sindarin, it was called Arannor, which mirrored its Quenya name, Arandórë.[16] Though technically Arandórë would have a Sindarin form Ardor, Tolkien chose Arnor because it sounded better. This linguistic change was ascribed to a later, Mannish development of Sindarin.[17][18] The form Arnanórë is also seen.[17]
Portrayal in adaptations
2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Extended Edition)
- Peter Jackson's movies do not mention the long history of how Arnor and Gondor diverged, nor do they mention Arnor by name. The one passing reference to it is in a scene from the Extended Edition, when Aragorn reveals to Éowyn that he is actually eighty-seven years old. She realises that he must be one of the Dúnedain, a descendant of Númenor blessed with long life, but says that she thought his race had passed into legend. Aragorn acknowledges that he is one of the Dúnedain, and explains that there are not many of his people left, because "the Northern kingdom was destroyed long ago".
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "The Atani and their Languages"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of Men"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 5.22 5.23 5.24 5.25 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix D: The Port of Lond Daer"
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Passing of the Grey Company"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Chief Days from the Fall of Barad-dûr to the End of the Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Homeward Bound"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 244, (undated, written circa 1963)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "II. The Appendix on Languages"
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 28
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 347, (dated 17 December 1972)
- ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 17