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{{kingdom
{{kingdom
| image =  
| image=
| name = Arthedain
| name=Arthedain
| meaning = [[S.]] '[[Arth]]': 'noble, high, exalted' + '[[Adan|Edain]]': 'men'. Literally 'Noble Men', though presumably meant to extend to 'Land of the Noble Men'
| meaning="Realm of the [[Edain]]"
| type =  
| type=Monarchy
| headofstate = [[King of Arthedain]]
| hidep=yes
| executive =  
| headofstate=[[King of Arthedain]]
| legislative =  
| executive=  
| judicial =  
| legislative=  
| capital = [[Annúminas]]/[[Fornost]]
| judicial=  
| language = Presumed to be [[Westron]] or [[Sindarin]]
| capital=[[Fornost]]
| location = Northern [[Eriador]] west of the [[Baranduin]] and along the line of the [[Weather Hills]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| populace= The [[Dúnedain]] in exile.
| location=Northwestern [[Eriador]] west of the [[Baranduin]] and along the line of the [[Weather Hills]]
| currency =  
| populace=[[Men]] and [[Hobbits]]
| religious =  
| currency=  
| holiday =  
| religious=Belief in [[Ilúvatar|Eru Ilúvatar]]
| anthem =  
| holiday=  
| formed =  
| anthem=  
| established = [[Third Age 861]]
| formed=Dissolution of [[Arnor]]
| reorganized =  
| established={{TA|861}}
| fragmented =  
| reorganized=
| dissolved = [[Third Age 1974]]
| fragmented=  
| restored =  
| dissolved={{TA|1974}}
| restored=  
}}
}}
{{Pronounce|Arthedain.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Arthedain.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Arthedain''' was one of the three kingdoms of [[Middle-earth]] that resulted from the breakup of [[Arnor]] during the [[Third Age]].
'''Arthedain''' was one of the three realms of the [[Dúnedain of the North]] created from the fragmentation of the kingdom of [[Arnor]]. After the death of Arnor's King [[Eärendur (King of Arnor)|Eärendur]], his sons divided the realm into the kingdoms of Arthedain, [[Rhudaur]] and [[Cardolan]].


During the reign of [[Eärendur]] his sons were in open discord, which erupted into civil war after Eärendur's death in Third Age 861. [[Amlaith]], the true heir to the throne of Arnor, was opposed by his two brothers.  Unable to resolve the situation, he was reduced to ruling the region of Arthedain, which consisted approximately of the lands west of [[Baranduin|Baranduin River]] and north of the [[Great East Road]]. (His brothers created the kingdoms of [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]] to the south.)
==Description==
Arthedain lay primarily between the [[Lhûn]] and the [[Baranduin|Brandywine]] in northwestern [[Eriador]]. However, it also claimed the land north of the [[Great East Road]] from the [[Brandywine Bridge]] to the [[Weather Hills]].<ref name="Eriador">{{App|Eriador}}</ref> Notable features within Arthedain were the [[Hills of Evendim]], [[Lake Evendim]], [[North Downs]], [[Tower Hills]], [[Far Downs]], [[White Downs]], [[the Shire]], [[Annúminas]], and [[Fornost Erain]].<ref>{{UT|Map}}</ref>


The kingdom's capital was at [[Fornost]], and [[Bree]] one of its important towns.  [[Annúminas]] was in the territory of Arthedain, but mostly abandoned and falling into ruin.
==History==
After the tenth king of Arnor, Eärendur, died in {{TA|861}},<ref name="TA">{{App|TA}}</ref> dissensions between his sons fractured the realm. Arnor was divided into Arthedain, Rhudaur and Cardolan. The line of [[Isildur]] was maintained in Arthedain, but in Rhudaur and Cardolan the line faded quickly. Arthedain retained [[Weathertop]] and [[Amon Sûl-stone|its]] ''[[Palantíri|Palantír]]'' as well as [[Annúminas-stone|two]] [[Elostirion-stone|others]], which led to contention between the three kingdoms.<ref name="Eriador"/>


In 1300 the kingdom of [[Angmar]] appeared at Arthedain's north-eastern border. Its King was the chief of the [[Ringwraiths]], although this was not known to the [[Dúnedain]]. When this new threat came Cardolan placed itself under the suzerainty of Arthedain, which then began to call itself ''Arnor'' again. Cardolan repeatedly sent aid to Arthedain when needed but by 1409 Cardolan and Rhudaur were conquered by Angmar.
When [[Malvegil]] of Arthedain became king in {{TA|1272|n}}<ref name="North">{{App|North}}</ref> [[Orcs]] began to trouble the region.<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref> Around {{TA|1300}}, the [[Witch-king]] founded the kingdom of [[Angmar]] north of the [[Ettenmoors]], soon to become the foe of Arthedain.<ref name="TA"/>


Arthedain kept up the resistance against Angmar for over 500 years but in 1974 Arthedain was overrun and Fornost fell into the hands of Angmar. It fell just one year too soon for help was underway from [[Gondor]] under the lead of [[Eärnur]]. This army reached Arthedain in 1975 and destroyed Angmar at the [[Battle of Fornost]].
After Malvegil, his son [[Argeleb I]] reclaimed lordship over all of Arnor since Rhudaur and Cardolan had no living descendants of Isildur.  Rhudaur refused this claim and allied with Angmar.<ref name="Eriador"/>  Argeleb I fell in battle with Rhudaur in {{TA|1356|n}}.<ref name="TA"/>  His son, [[Arveleg I]], avenged his father by retaking the Weather Hills, aided by [[Lindon]] and Cardolan. However, a great host issued from Angmar in {{TA|1409}}, invading Arthedain and taking Weathertop. King Arveleg I was slain. Rhudar was occupied by Angmar and Cardolan was ravaged.<ref name="Eriador"/>


Its last King, [[Arvedui]], drowned just before the battle was fought. The [[Kings of Arthedain]] were also the lords of [[The Shire]] and the Shire chose the [[Thain]] to replace the kings.  
In {{TA|1601|n}} two [[Fallohides|Fallohide]] brothers, [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]], crossed the Brandywine with many [[Hobbits]] and, with the permission of King [[Argeleb II]], established [[the Shire]].<ref>{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref> The Hobbits and the remaining [[Men]] in Arthedain suffered losses in the [[Great Plague]] of {{TA|1636|n}}.<ref name="TA"/>


The son of Arvedui, [[Aranarth]] decided not to rebuild the kingdom and so became the first [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain]]. From him [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] is descended.
In {{TA|1974|n}}<ref name="TA"/> the Witch-king invaded Arthedain, capturing Fornost and driving most of the few Dúnedain across the Lhûn. King [[Arvedui]] held out for awhile in the [[North Downs]] until he and his guard were driven north.<ref name="Eriador"/>  Although the realm of Angmar was crushed at the [[Battle of Fornost]] in {{TA|1975|n}},<ref name="TA"/> the realm of Arthedain also came to an end and its lands remained mostly empty (except for the Shire) and its people became [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]]; until the [[Reunited Kingdom|reestablishment]] of the northern kingdom under king [[Aragorn|Elessar]] at the end of the [[Third Age]].
 
== Etymology ==
Arthedain means "(Realm of) Noble Men"" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[arth]]'' = "noble" and ''[[edain]]'' = "Men").


{{references}}
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:Realms]]
[[Category:Sindarin locations]]
[[Category:Arnor]]
[[Category:Mannish realms]]
[[de:Arthedain]]
[[fi:Arthedain]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/royaumes/arthedain]]

Revision as of 15:02, 8 September 2014

General information
LocationNorthwestern Eriador west of the Baranduin and along the line of the Weather Hills
CapitalFornost
People
LanguageWestron

Arthedain was one of the three realms of the Dúnedain of the North created from the fragmentation of the kingdom of Arnor. After the death of Arnor's King Eärendur, his sons divided the realm into the kingdoms of Arthedain, Rhudaur and Cardolan.

Description

Arthedain lay primarily between the Lhûn and the Brandywine in northwestern Eriador. However, it also claimed the land north of the Great East Road from the Brandywine Bridge to the Weather Hills.[1] Notable features within Arthedain were the Hills of Evendim, Lake Evendim, North Downs, Tower Hills, Far Downs, White Downs, the Shire, Annúminas, and Fornost Erain.[2]

History

After the tenth king of Arnor, Eärendur, died in T.A. 861,[3] dissensions between his sons fractured the realm. Arnor was divided into Arthedain, Rhudaur and Cardolan. The line of Isildur was maintained in Arthedain, but in Rhudaur and Cardolan the line faded quickly. Arthedain retained Weathertop and its Palantír as well as two others, which led to contention between the three kingdoms.[1]

When Malvegil of Arthedain became king in 1272[4] Orcs began to trouble the region.[5] Around T.A. 1300, the Witch-king founded the kingdom of Angmar north of the Ettenmoors, soon to become the foe of Arthedain.[3]

After Malvegil, his son Argeleb I reclaimed lordship over all of Arnor since Rhudaur and Cardolan had no living descendants of Isildur. Rhudaur refused this claim and allied with Angmar.[1] Argeleb I fell in battle with Rhudaur in 1356.[3] His son, Arveleg I, avenged his father by retaking the Weather Hills, aided by Lindon and Cardolan. However, a great host issued from Angmar in T.A. 1409, invading Arthedain and taking Weathertop. King Arveleg I was slain. Rhudar was occupied by Angmar and Cardolan was ravaged.[1]

In 1601 two Fallohide brothers, Marcho and Blanco, crossed the Brandywine with many Hobbits and, with the permission of King Argeleb II, established the Shire.[6] The Hobbits and the remaining Men in Arthedain suffered losses in the Great Plague of 1636.[3]

In 1974[3] the Witch-king invaded Arthedain, capturing Fornost and driving most of the few Dúnedain across the Lhûn. King Arvedui held out for awhile in the North Downs until he and his guard were driven north.[1] Although the realm of Angmar was crushed at the Battle of Fornost in 1975,[3] the realm of Arthedain also came to an end and its lands remained mostly empty (except for the Shire) and its people became Rangers; until the reestablishment of the northern kingdom under king Elessar at the end of the Third Age.

References