Arnor: Difference between revisions

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{{sources}}
{{kingdom
{{kingdom
| image=
| image=
| name=Arnor
| name=Arnor
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=Kingdom of the North, the Lost Realm, the North-kingdom, the North-realm
| 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=[[Arnorians]]<br>[[Middle Men]]<br>[[Hobbits|Hobbits]]<br>Few [[Elves]]
| 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=Council of Arnor
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| event2=Divided
| event2=Divided
| event2date={{TA|861}}
| event2date={{TA|861}}
| event3=Abandoned
| event3=Destroyed
| event3date={{TA|1974}}
| event3date={{TA|1974}}
| event4=Re-formed
| event4=Re-formed
| event4date={{FoA|1}}
| event4date=[[1 May]], {{TA|3019}}
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{{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}}


'''Arnor''', or the '''Northern Kingdom''', was a kingdom of the [[Dúnedain]] in the land of [[Eriador]] in [[Middle-earth]].  It was the original seat of the [[Kings of Arnor|High King of Arnor]] who ruled over both Arnor and [[Gondor]].
'''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]].
==Geography==
Arnor included most of [[Eriador]], extending from the gulf of [[Lune]] (west of which was [[Lindon]]) to the river [[Greyflood]] and its tributary, the river [[Loudwater]] (east of which was [[Rivendell]]).<ref>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>
 
The Dunedain of Arnor dwelt in many places in Eriador, but most of the population centered around the region of [[Arthedain]].  The Dunedain mainly inhabited the cities of [[Fornost]] and the capital city of [[Annúminas]], as well as along the [[Baranduin]] and the gulf of [[Lune]].  By the later [[Third Age]], the settlements of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]] had decayed and become ruins and [[barrows]].<ref name=rings/>
=== Regions ===
 
* [[Arthedain]], the core 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 capital on the shore of Lake Evendim
* [[Fornost]], the new capital of the successor state of Arthedain
* [[Bree]], a trading centre located on the East Road
* [[Lond Daer]], an old harbour town founded by Númenóreans
* [[Weathertop|Amon Sûl]], also called Weathertop, a watchtower on the highest of the Weather Hills
* [[Elostirion]], an elven watchtower in the [[Tower Hills]]
* [[Tharbad]], a fortified town and port on each side of the River Greyflood on the southern border of Arnor
 
=== The ''[[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]].


==History==
==History==
<!--"Events" in Eriador infobox links here-->
<!--"Events" in Eriador infobox links here-->
=== Early History ===
===Second Age===
Before the foundation of Arnor, [[Eriador]] was home to [[Middle Men]] of [[Edain]] stock. As a result of the slow emigration that started under the [[Númenórean]]  kings [[Tar-Meneldur]] and [[Tar-Aldarion]], a sizable [[Númenórean]] formed. These early colonists soon interbred with the indigenous population of Eriador.  The [[Faithful]] favored [[Eriador]] over the more southern regions (Gondor) because the [[Elves of Lindon]] under their high king [[Gil-galad]] lived very near across the river [[Lhûn]].<ref name=rings>{{S|Rings}}</ref>{{rp|360}} Conversely, the [[King's Men]] settled more to the south in the later days. Thus, [[Elendil]] arrived in an area populated by people who were mainly still [[Faithful]] and [[Elf-friends]], where much of the knowledge of the [[Elder Days]] was preserved.
==== 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]]and up the [[Lune]] river. The [[High King of the Noldor]] [[Gil-galad]] and his people aided the fledgling realm.  [[Gil-galad]] even built the [[Emyn Beraid]] for Elendil.<ref name=rings/> 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.
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.
 
=== [[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'']]<br> At the end of the Second Age, Arnor allied itself with Noldorin High King [[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]]. This war was fought over a period of several years on the [[Battle of Dagorlad|Dagorlad plain]] and in Mordor itself, at the [[Siege of Barad-dûr]]. Both [[Elendil]] and his son [[Anárion]] were slain in this conflict, but [[Isildur]] cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger and prevailed. [[Elrond]], Gil-galad's herald, urged Isildur to cast it into Mount Doom and destroy it, but Isildur refused, and the Ring survived. Arnor suffered heavy casualties in the war, and some parts of the land were partially depopulated.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.</ref>  
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>


Arnor's second king was [[Isildur]] (who was also King of [[Gondor]]). He was killed in {{TA|2}} by [[Orcs]] in the disastrous [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]]. 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 king of Arnor. [[Isildur]] also lost [[the One Ring]] at this time, when it slipped off his finger as he tried to escape pursuing Orcs. Arnor never fully recovered from the devastating loss of manpower it suffered in the war against Sauron.
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/>
 
Because [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]] and his heirs did not claim the throne of [[Gondor]] the realms were split, but Arnor's ruler kept the title [[High King of the Dúnedain|High King]], whereas in the south the ruler was 'just' King.


=== Decline and Breakup ===
==== 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. 


{{Transcribed|Tengwar Arnor.png|Arnor|Tengwar, Sindarin mode}}
===Third Age===
Arnor's capital was [[Annúminas]] on [[Lake Evendim]], but by {{TA|861}} [[Fornost Erain]] had taken its place. No longer a site of such importance, Annúminas became depopulated and was slowly abandoned.
==== 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/>


<br>After the death of its tenth king, [[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]], in {{TA|861}}, Arnor was shaken by civil war between his three sons. The eldest, [[Amlaith]], claimed Kingship over all Arnor but was reduced to only ruling the region of Arthedain as his kingdom, while the other sons founded the breakaway kingdoms of [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].<ref name=ta>{{App|TA}}</ref>
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>


Arnor was refounded ''de jure'' by [[Arthedain]]'s king [[Argeleb I]], when [[Cardolan]] placed itself under the suzerainty of Arthedain. However, even Arthedain was eventually destroyed. The people of Arnor were mostly wiped out by the continuing wars, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in [[the Shire]], Men survived in [[Bree]] and probably other villages, and the [[Dúnedain]] of Arnor created new homes in the [[Angle of Eriador|Angle]] south of [[Rivendell]], where some of them became known as the [[Rangers of the North]].<ref name="lotr1018">{{App|Arnor}}</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/>


=== Conflict with Angmar ===
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/>


[[File:Grant Gould - The Witch King.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Eliot Gould - ''The Witch King'']] 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]].  During the reign of Malvegil (c. {{TA|1300}}), this new power arose beyond the [[Ettenmoors]]. This land became populated with the Orcs and men of Sauron, and began attacking Rhudaur and Cardolan. This Witch-king was later identified as in fact the chief of Sauron's Ringwraiths. 
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'']]


Years later, Argeleb I of [[Arthedain]], reasserted control over [[Cardolan]], and fortified a line along the [[Weather Hills]].  At this time the line of Isildur had failed in [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]], and an evil Hillman had seized control of [[Rhudaur]]. The chieftain swore allegiance to [[Angmar]], and together they attacked the newly fortified Weather Hills, killing Argeleb. His son Arveleg, however, counterattacked in conjunction with Cardolan and drove the enemy back. Arveleg successfully held the frontier along the Weather Hils in force for quite some years.
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/>


[[File:BFME2 - Weathertop.jpg|left|220px|thumb|''Weathertop'' from BFME2]] Then in {{TA|1409}}, Angmar crossed the Hoarwell river into Cardolan and attacked again.  This time, Weathertop was captured and Arveleg fell in battle.  While Amon Sûl fell, the ''palantír'' was recovered and taken to Fornost.  With Amon Sûl lost, Angmar had free reign over the all the lands of Cardolan, and the population was forced to hold out in the Barrow Downs. The Dunedain did not have the strength to drive away the forces of Angmar, so the elves of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], and [[Lorien]] defeated the armies of Angmar.
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 [[Great Plague]] ===
[[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]].


Another threat appeared to the northern successor kingdoms, this time one that swords and spears could not deter. A [[Great Plague|major plague]] began in the east, in the vicinity of the [[Sea of Rhûn]], northeast of [[Mordor]].  After doing great damage in  [[Rhovanion]], it struck [[Osgiliath]] in Gondor in {{TA|1636}}, killing [[Telemnar|King Telemnar]] and his family.  In seriously affected areas, the plague killed 50% or more of the populace.  This plague, which barely affected western Gondor, spread northwards to [[Cardolan]].
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/>


In Cardolan, it struck severely, wiping out the last of Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] at the [[Barrow-downs]]. The Witch-king, exploiting the tragedy, sent evil spirits, the [[Barrow-wights]], to infest the areaThe Hobbits of the Shire were damaged by it, but not heavilyThe plague lost its strength, however, at this point, so that most of [[Arthedain]] was unaffected.<ref name="lotr1023">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1023.</ref>
==== 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 grownThis became a tradition that was followed through the rest of the Third AgeAlso 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/>


=== The Fall of Arthedain ===
===== War of the Ring =====
<!--"See also" in Eriador#Destruction of Arnor links here-->
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.   
In {{TA|1974}}, the final chapter in [[Arthedain|Arthedain's]] history began.  The Witch-king attacked during the harsh winter weather.  The capital of [[Fornost]] fell, and the remaining Arnorian forces were driven over the Lune river into Lindon. King [[Arvedui]] was compelled to flee to [[Forochel]], and ask aid of the Snowmen there.  His son, [[Aranarth]], journeyed to [[Círdan]] at the Havens to inform him of Arthedain's fall.  Círdan responded by sending a ship north to rescue Arvedui.  When the [[Snowmen of Forochel]] saw the ship arrive, they were uncomfortable and nervous about the escape plan.<ref name="lotr1018">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.</ref>  Their chief replied to Arvedui:
{{quote|Do not mount on this sea-monster!  If they have them, let the seamen bring us food and other things that we need, and you may stay here till the Witch-king goes homeFor in summer his power wanes; but now his breath is deadly, and his cold arm is long.|''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018}}


It turned out that the Snowmen were right. A storm blew in that night and drove the ice towards the shore, and the ship was crushed and sank, with great loss of life, including King Arvedui.  He unfortunately fulfilled [[Malbeth|Malbeth the Seer's]] prophecy about him at his birth that he would be the 'Last king' of Arthedain. So the North-kingdom ended, but the [[Hobbits]] survived in the Shire.  They eventually chose a [[Thain]] from among themselves to replace the King, and the first of these was [[Bucca of the Marish]], in {{TA|1979}}.
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.


=== Showdown with Angmar ===
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>


Envoys from Arthedain had journeyed to Gondor to ask assistance from the southern Dúnedain in fighting the Witch-king's forces.  Gondor, however, was preoccupied with its own threats from the [[Easterlings]], and so could not respond immediately. Gondor had been in a weakened condition since the death of King Ondoher and his two sons in the [[Battle of the Camp]] fighting the Easterlings in {{TA|1944}}.  [[Arvedui]] of Arnor tried to claim the southern throne  but this claim was rejected by Gondor.  [[Eärnil II|Eärnil]], the victorious commander in the above battle and a member of the royal house, claimed the throne, and was confirmed by the Gondorian royal council.<ref name="lotr1023">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1023.</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"/>


[[File:Amir Salehi - Servant of Death.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Amir Salehi - ''Servant of Death'']]King Arvedui sent increasingly urgent messages to Gondor about the crisis he faced from Angmar's continuing assaults.  [[Eärnil II]] was unable to react quickly due to his need to order Gondor after succeeding to the throne, however.  The king sent his son and heir [[Eärnur]] north to the Havens with a powerful fleet.  Unfortunately, it was not in time to save [[Arthedain]], and the northern kingdom perished.  When Eärnur's naval forces landed in the [[Grey Havens]], they dazzled both Men and Elves with their size and majesty.  From these ships debarked the most powerful army seen in the north of Middle-earth in centuries.  Círdan's people were quite impressed with the strength of Gondor's army, particularly its [[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|cavalry forces]], dominated by riders from the [[Vales of Anduin]].  [[Círdan]] and Eärnur combined their forces, along with the remnant of Arnor's army, in the greatest joint Elf-Man army since the [[War of the Last Alliance]]; this great [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]] re-crossed the River Lune and marched northward.<ref name="lotr1026">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', p. 1026.</ref> These allies drove relentlessly toward the Arnorian capital of [[Fornost]], where the Witch-king had occupied the palace complex there.
==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>


=== Angmar is Vanquished ===
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"/>


When the Witch-king saw the invading [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host]], he failed to take it for the serious threat that it in fact was.  Instead of awaiting the invaders in the fortress city of Fornost, he confidently marched his forces out to meet them in the open.  He expected to defeat them as easily as Arvedui's forces the previous year.  But there was an appreciable difference this time-- the ground and naval might of Gondor.  The allied Host continued to advance, and instead of establishing a merely defensive position, they attacked him from the [[Hills of Evendim]], and a [[Battle of Fornost|large battle]] broke out.  The Witch-king's army could not stand before the allies, however, and began to retreat back towards their capital.  Any hopes for an orderly withdrawal were in vain, however.
==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"/>


[[Gondorian Military Forces#Gondorian Knights and Cavalry Forces|Gondorian cavalry forces]], attacking from the north, routed the forces of Angmar, and put them to flight signalling an end to what became known as the [[Battle of Fornost]]. The Witch-king, in full flight, forsook his new conquests, and made for Angmar.  But the cavalry under [[Eärnur]] continued the pursuit and rode down what remained of his forces.  To add to his difficulties, an Elven force under [[Glorfindel]] also attacked from [[Rivendell]], and completed his forces' destruction. At the last, the Witch-king charged Eärnur in frustration, but his horse shied away from the evil wraith.  As Eärnur once again mastered his horse, Glorfindel uttered his famous prophecy:
* [[Arthedain]], the westernmost region of the North-kingdom bordering the [[Lune]].  
{{quote|Do not pursue him! He will not return to this land.  Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall.|''The Lord of the Rings'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1027.}}
* [[Cardolan]], the lands south of the [[East Road]], east of the [[Brandywine]].
This prophecy would not be fulfilled until a thousand years later, at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].
* [[Rhudaur]], the region between the [[Weather Hills]] and the [[Misty Mountains]].


=== [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]] ===
=== Cities, Fortresses, and Watchtowers===


After the death of King Arvedui, his son, [[Aranarth]], perceived that the northern Dúnedain had become too few to reestablish the realm of [[Arthedain]]. He took his dwindling people and turned them into wanderers who traveled from place to place in [[Eriador]].  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 in {{FoA|1}}. 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 Elendil: the [[Sceptre of Annúminas]], the [[Ring of Barahir]], the shards of [[Narsil]], and the [[Star of Elendil]].<ref name="lotr1018">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1018.</ref>
* [[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]].


So the Dúnedain survived in the shadows, waiting for a better day when the kingdom of Arnor would be rebornThere were sixteen Chieftains in direct descent, with [[Aragorn|Aragorn Elessar]] being the lastThere were many perils in Eriador in that time, and many of the Chieftains died premature deathsOne of these was Aragorn II's father, [[Arathorn II]], who was slain by Orcs raiding the area.
=== 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 themselvesThey were usually heavily guarded and under the control of the kingsThere 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:


=== [[War of the Ring]] ===
* 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]].


The Kingdom of Arnor had been fallen for a thousand years by the time the [[War of the Ring]] broke out, but northern forces did participate in the War. [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] was a [[Rangers of the North|Dúnedain Ranger of the North]], and there were several hundred of them operating during the conflict.  A company of this group accompanied Aragorn through the [[Paths of the Dead]] and during 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.
==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/>


There was conflict in other areas of the North.  There were three different invasions of [[Lothlórien]], which were thrown back by the Elven army under [[Celeborn]] and [[Thranduil]].  Finally, Celeborn led an attack resulting in the [[Fall of Dol Guldur|capture of Dol Guldur]] and put an end to Sauron's northern threat.
==Etymology==
 
{{Transcribed|Tengwar Arnor.png|Arnor|Tengwar, Sindarin mode}}
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="lotr992-996">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[The Scouring of the Shire]], pp. 992-996.</ref>
'''''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" />
 
== Restoration and the [[Reunited Kingdom]] ==
 
[[File:Rowena Morrill - The Last Steward of Gondor.jpg|left|220px|thumb|Rowena Morrill - ''The Last Steward of Gondor'']]Faramir, son of Denethor II the last Ruling Steward, presented his rod of office to the new king, and received it back from him.  [[Aragorn|Aragorn II]] then was crowned by [[Gandalf]] as [[Aragorn|King Elessar]], refounded the Kingdom of Arnor as part of the [[Reunited Kingdom]], and made [[Annúminas]] his new capital city.<ref name="lotr1019">''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', [[Appendix A]], p. 1019.</ref> He was wed to the Elven princess Arwen, who became [[Arwen|Queen Evenstar]] of Arnor and Gondor.  After the fall of [[Sauron]] Arnor was safe again for resettlement of Men, and although it remained less populated than [[Gondor]] to the south, in time Arnor became a more densely populated region again, even if it had dwindled in size due to the independence of [[the Shire]].  The area encompassed by the Reunited Kingdom now encompassed the territory of the [[Two Kingdoms]] at their greatest extent.  In the North, this included all the land between the [[Lune|River Lune]] and the [[Misty Mountains]], and in the South included all the land between Dunland in the west, to the [[Far Harad]] southwards, to [[Rhûn]] in the east.  The reborn kingdom continued on into the Fourth Age, with [[Eldarion]] eventually succeeding his father to the throne of this now empire-sized state.
 
== Languages ==
 
Many people in Arnor were of Númenórean stock. However, aside from the Exiles, most had long since mingled with non-Númenórean peoples; the predominant language spoken by them was [[Westron]].<ref>{{App|F}}</ref> At least some of the population, especially the upper classes, were fluent in [[Sindarin]], while [[Quenya]] was studied as a language of lore. Many early place names and the names of the [[House of Isildur|royal house]] were Quenya, but by the 8th century of the [[Third Age]], Quenya had given way to Sindarin.
 
== 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 [[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" />


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==

Revision as of 21:06, 21 June 2020

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
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 namesKingdom of the North, The Lost Realm, The North-kingdom, The North-realm, The Northern Kingdom
LocationMost of Eriador
CapitalAnnúminas, later Fornost Erain
Major townsLond Daer, Tharbad, Bree, Hobbiton
RegionsArthedain, Cardolan, Rhudaur
People
PopulationPrimarily Men of Arnor (many Hobbits in the Shire and Bree-land)
LanguageWestron, Númenórean Sindarin, Quenya, Hobbitish
GovernanceKing of Arnor/High King
History
Preceded byNúmenor
FoundedS.A. 3320
DividedT.A. 861
DestroyedT.A. 1974
Re-formed1 May, T.A. 3019
Followed byReunited Kingdom
GalleryImages of Arnor

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

Steven White, Jr. - Palace Complex at Annúminas

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

Isildur in Peter Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring

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
Eliot Gould - The Witch King

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]

Weathertop from BFME2

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]

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.[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

Rowena Morrill - The Last Steward of Gondor

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]

Cities, Fortresses, and Watchtowers

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:

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
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 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. 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"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "The Atani and their Languages"
  3. 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. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  5. 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"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix D: The Port of Lond Daer"
  7. 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. 8.0 8.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Passing of the Grey Company"
  9. 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"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Homeward Bound"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 244, (undated, written circa 1963)
  12. 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"
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age"
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "II. The Appendix on Languages"
  15. 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"
  16. 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. 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)
  18. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 17