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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, The Northern Kingdom
| othernames=Kingdom of the North, the Lost Realm, the North-kingdom, the Northern Kingdom, the North-realm
| 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=Primarily [[Men of Arnor]] (many [[Hobbits]] in [[the Shire]] and [[Bree-land]])
| population=[[Arnorians]]<br>[[Middle Men]]<br>[[Hobbits]]<br>Few [[Elves]]
| language=[[Westron]], [[Númenórean Sindarin]], [[Quenya]], [[Hobbitish]]
| language=[[Westron]], [[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=Council of Arnor
| govern3=
| govern3=
| currency=
| currency=
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| event2=Divided
| event2=Divided
| event2date={{TA|861}}
| event2date={{TA|861}}
| event3=Destroyed
| event3=Abandoned
| event3date={{TA|1974}}
| event3date={{TA|1974}}
| event4=Re-formed
| event4=Re-formed
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{{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Arnor.mp3|Ardamir}}


'''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]].
'''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 [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King|High King of Arnor]] 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-->
===Second Age===
=== Early History ===
==== Foundation ====
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 population 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, the area was populated by people who were mainly still Faithful and [[Elf-friends]], where much of the knowledge of the [[Elder Days]] was preserved.
 
[[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]] 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.
During the [[Downfall of Númenor]], [[Elendil]] and his people sailed through the [[Gulf of Lune]] and up the [[Lune]] river, and befriended the [[High King of the Noldor]] Gil-galad.<ref name=rings/> Both Elendil and his sons were welcomed by the Men who were in whole or part of [[Númenorean]] blood.<ref name=rings/><ref name=languages>{{App|Men}}</ref> 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/> The [[Men of Bree]] also became subjects of Arnor.<ref name=languages/> Gil-galad and [[Elves of Lindon|his people]] aided the fledgling realm; he even built the [[Emyn Beraid]] for Elendil.<ref name=rings/>
 
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.
Despite its precedence over it as the seat of the High King, Arnor was never as powerful and populous as Gondor.<ref>{{PM|Atani}}</ref>
 
Elendil established the city of [[Annúminas]] as his capital. Besides the chief cities like Annúminas and [[Fornost]], the [[Men of Arnor]] concentrated around the courses of the Lhûn and the [[Baranduin]], the  hills  of  [[Rhudaur]], and built towers on [[Amon Sûl]].<ref name=rings/>
=== [[War of the Last Alliance]] ===
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Motion Picture Trilogy - Isildur 2.jpg|right|thumb|''Isildur'' in Peter Jackson's ''Fellowship of the Ring'']]
In {{SA|3430}} Arnor joined forces with [[Gil-galad]] in a great alliance opposing Sauron, the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]]. When Elendil led his people against [[Sauron]], the [[Dúnedain]] and the other Men of Eriador marched together to the South.<ref name=rings/> In conjunction with southern forces from Gondor, they confronted Sauron's armies in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. This great war lasted several years, that reached [[Dagorlad]] and [[Mordor]] itself far in the south, culminating to 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.
 
Isildur (who was also King of Gondor) was the elder son of Elendil and  would inherit the High Kingship and throne of Arnor. But he never reached his new realm: he was killed in {{TA|2}} in the disastrous [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]], as did his three eldest sons; the One Ring was also lost there.  


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>
Isildur's fourth and youngest son, [[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], who had remained at [[Rivendell]] due to his youth, became [[Heir of Isildur|his heir]] ({{TA|10}}). But the Menof Arnor suffered heavy casualties in the War, and the subsequent Disaster; there remained now too few to people amd the places Elendil had built were partially depopulated. Arnor never fully recovered from the devastating loss.<ref name=rings/>


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 nor Valandil nor his subsequent heirs claimed 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' [[Kings of Gondor|King]].


==== War of the Last Alliance ====
=== Breakup, decline, and War with Angmar ===
[[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'']]
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.
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===
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><ref name=rings/><ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref> The three petty kingdoms often strifed, usually over control of the [[Weather Hills]] and the [[palantíri|palantír]] of [[Amon Sûl]].<ref name=eriador/>  
==== 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>
[[File:Grant Gould - The Witch King.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Eliot Gould - ''The Witch King'']]


==== Conflict with Angmar ====
Seeing the disunion in Arnor, during the reign of Malvegil (c. {{TA|1300}}), the [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]] arose in the north, later identified as in fact the lord of [[Sauron]]'s [[Ringwraiths]]. This new threat began attacking Rhudaur and Cardolan.<ref name=eriador/>   
{{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/>
Eventually the line of [[Isildur]] failed in the other kingdoms but Arthedain and the Dúnedain were few in Rhudaur, where a lord of the [[Hill-men]], secretly supporting Angmar, seized power. Arnor was refounded ''de jure'' by the seventh [[King of Arthedain]], [[Argeleb I]], and Cardolan placed itself under its suzerainty but Rhudaur resisted. Arthedain thus reasserted control over Cardolan but in response, fortified a line along the [[Weather Hills]], but Rhudaur and Angmar attacked and killed the King in {{TA|1356}}. His son [[Arveleg I]], however, counterattacked in conjunction with Cardolan and [[Lindon]] and drove the enemy back.<ref name=eriador/>
[[File:BFME2 - Weathertop.jpg|left|220px|thumb|''Weathertop'' from BFME2]]  
[[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/>
Arveleg continued to hold the frontier along the Hills for the following years, until {{TA|1409}}, when Angmar crossed the [[Hoarwell]] and successfully captured [[Weathertop]], and Arveleg fell in battle, as did the last prince of [[Cardolan]]. Amon Sûl fell, and its ''[[Amon Sûl-stone|palantír]]'' was taken to Fornost.  With Amon Sûl lost, Angmar had free reign over the all the lands of Cardolan, which was ravaged, and the population was forced to hold out in the [[Barrow Downs]] , or took refuge in the [[Old Forest]].. Rhudaur was occupied by evil Men subject to [[Angmar]], and the remaining Dúnedain were slain or fled west.<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/>  
[[The Shire]], once the hunting grounds of the [[King of Arnor]], was a fertile and well-tilled part of Arnor, deserted during the waning days of the Arthedain. The [[Hobbits]] (who had lived in [[Dunland]] and parts of depopulated [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]) got official permission from King [[Argeleb II]] to settle the lands. This was finally done in {{TA|1601}} by [[Bree-hobbits]] led by the brothers [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]]; almost all of the Hobbits of Middle-earth could be found there by 30 years later. The [[Shire-hobbits]] considered themselves as subjects of the King of Arthedain, at least nominally, considering the isolation of their country. Nevertheless, they sent some support troops to the great battles Arnor fought against Angmar.<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]] would defeat the armies of Angmar much later.<ref name=eriador/>
 
=== The [[Great Plague]] ===
[[File:Amir Salehi - Servant of Death.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Amir Salehi - ''Servant of Death'']]
[[File:Amir Salehi - Servant of Death.jpg|right|220px|thumb|Amir Salehi - ''Servant of Death'']]
Another threat appeared to the northern kingdoms, the [[Great Plague]] that came from the [[East]]. The Men of Arnor were so much affected that the joint garrison at [[Tharbad]] that Arnor held with Gondor, ceased to exist,<ref>{{UT|6d}}</ref> and the last of the Dúnedain of Cardolan died on the Barrow-downs. The Witch-king, exploiting the tragedy, sent evil spirits, the [[Barrow-wights]], to infest the area.


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/>
The [[Shire-folk]] were damaged by it, but not heavily. The plague lost its strength, however, at this point, so that most of [[Arthedain]] was unaffected.<ref name=eriador/>


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 two Realms in Exile eventually suspected that these disasters might be being coordinated by a single power, and resumed communications. As a result, Prince Arvedui, heir to the Sceptre, wedded [[Fíriel]], the daughter of [[Ondoher]] [[King of Gondor]] ({{TA|1940}}). That happened before Ondoher was slain in battle, and hoping to save his Kingdom, Arvedui staked his claim to Gondor, by right of his descent from Elendil and by that of his wife. The [[Council of Gondor]] refused the reunification and crowned King [[Eärnil II]], who maintained good relations with Arnor, promising aid against Angmar. But Arnor's strength was fast dwindling; in {{TA|1973}} Arvedui (who now was King) sent a message to Gondor that Angmar was preparing its final assault, and Eärnil mustered a great armament bound for [[Lindon]], but it would arrive too late.<ref name=gondor>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>
=== The Fall of Arthedain ===


[[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]].
In {{TA|1974}}, the final chapter in 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.<ref name=eriador/> Arvedui fled to [[Forochel]], while his son, [[Aranarth]], informed [[Círdan]] at the [[Grey Havens]] about the disaster. Círdan's sailors were eventually unable to rescue Arvedui, and [[Malbeth]] the Seer's prophecy at his birth, that he would be the 'Last king' of Arthedain, was fulfilled.  


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 =====
=== Showdown with Angmar ===
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.
The Gondorian naval forces under [[Eärnur]], [[Captain of Gondor]] eventually landed in the Grey Havens, from which debarked the most powerful army seen in the north of Middle-earth in centuries.  


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.
The remnants of Arnor would later join the great force, led by Cirdan and Eärnur, 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]] marched northward toward the Arnorian capital of Fornost, where the Witch-king had occupied.
He confidently marched his forces out to meet them in the open. The Host attacked him from the [[Hills of Evendim]], and a [[Battle of Fornost|large battle]] broke out. The cavalry under Eärnur pursued what remained of the Angmar forces, and were joined by an Elven force under [[Glorfindel]] from [[Rivendell]]. Angmar fell but the Witch-King fled.


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>
Thus both Arthedain and Angmar were destroyed. the Dúnedain of Arnor created new homes in the [[Angle of Eriador|Angle]] south of [[Rivendell]], but Aranarth perceived that his people had become too few after the continuing wars to reestablish the realm. [[Men of Bree|Some Men]] survived in [[Bree]] and other villages, while the Hobbits survived in the Shire and Bree; in the Shire they chose a [[Thain]] from among themselves to replace the fallen King in {{TA|1979}}. The Shire remained a minor but independent political unit.<ref name="lotr1018">{{App|Arnor}}</ref>
=== [[Rangers of the North]] ===
Aranarth instead of calling himself a king or prince, he assumed the title [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]] and took his dwindling people, now secretive wanderers who traveled from place to place in Eriador. His son, [[Arahael]], grew up safely in Rivendell under the fosterhood of [[Elrond]], 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, through them the royal [[House of Isildur]] was maintained successfully from father to son for a millennium.


===Later History===
There were sixteen Chieftains in direct descent, under many perils in Eriador, and many of the Chieftains died premature deaths. One of these was [[Arathorn II]], who was slain by Orcs raiding the area. So the Dúnedain survived in the shadows, waiting for a better day when the kingdom would be reborn, that would be in the time of [[Aragorn]], on [[1 May]], {{TA|3019}}.  
==== 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==
=== [[War of the Ring]] ===
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"/>
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]] participated, the [[Heir of Isildur]], and there were several hundred of them operating during the conflict. The  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.


==Geography==
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.
=== 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]].
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>
* [[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===
== Restoration and the [[Reunited Kingdom]] ==


* [[Annúminas]], the old seat of the [[Kings of Arnor]] on the shore of [[Lake Evendim]].
[[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.
* [[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===
== Languages ==
{{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.
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.
* 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==
== Etymology ==
[[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==
'''''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" />
{{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" />


==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2002: {{tttee}}:'''
'''2002: {{tttee}}:'''
: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".
: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".
'''2012: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:The kingdom of Arnor is mentioned indirectly by [[Galadriel]] in the [[White Council]] scene, and so does the [[Angmar War|war with Angmar]] and it's aftermath too.


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 05:20, 24 April 2021

General information
Other namesKingdom of the North, the Lost Realm, the North-kingdom, the Northern Kingdom, the North-realm
LocationMost of Eriador
CapitalAnnúminas, later Fornost Erain
Major townsLond Daer, Tharbad, Bree, Hobbiton
RegionsArthedain, Cardolan, Rhudaur
People
PopulationArnorians
Middle Men
Hobbits
Few Elves
LanguageWestron, Sindarin, Quenya, Hobbitish
GovernanceKing of Arnor/High King
Council of Arnor
History
Preceded byNúmenor
FoundedS.A. 3320
DividedT.A. 861
AbandonedT.A. 1974
Re-formed1 May, T.A. 3019
Followed byReunited Kingdom
GalleryImages of Arnor

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 High King|High King of Arnor 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).[1]

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.[2]

Regions

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
  • 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.[2]:362 They were:

History

Early History

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 population 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.[2]:360 Conversely, the King's Men settled more to the south in the later days. Thus, the area was populated by people who were mainly still Faithful and Elf-friends, where much of the knowledge of the Elder Days was preserved.

Steven White, Jr. - Palace Complex at Annúminas

During the Downfall of Númenor, Elendil and his people sailed through the Gulf of Lune and up the Lune river, and befriended the High King of the Noldor Gil-galad.[2] Both Elendil and his sons were welcomed by the Men who were in whole or part of Númenorean blood.[2][3] These Men of Eriador accepted the new kingdom of Elendil and helped to people and maintain the many places that the Northern Dúnedain built.[2] The Men of Bree also became subjects of Arnor.[3] Gil-galad and his people aided the fledgling realm; he even built the Emyn Beraid for Elendil.[2]

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. Despite its precedence over it as the seat of the High King, Arnor was never as powerful and populous as Gondor.[4]

Elendil established the city of Annúminas as his capital. Besides the chief cities like Annúminas and Fornost, the Men of Arnor concentrated around the courses of the Lhûn and the Baranduin, the hills of Rhudaur, and built towers on Amon Sûl.[2]

War of the Last Alliance

Isildur in Peter Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring

In S.A. 3430 Arnor joined forces with Gil-galad in a great alliance opposing Sauron, the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. When Elendil led his people against Sauron, the Dúnedain and the other Men of Eriador marched together to the South.[2] In conjunction with southern forces from Gondor, they confronted Sauron's armies in the War of the Last Alliance. This great war lasted several years, that reached Dagorlad and Mordor itself far in the south, culminating to 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.

Isildur (who was also King of Gondor) was the elder son of Elendil and would inherit the High Kingship and throne of Arnor. But he never reached his new realm: he was killed in T.A. 2 in the disastrous Disaster of the Gladden Fields, as did his three eldest sons; the One Ring was also lost there.

Isildur's fourth and youngest son, Valandil, who had remained at Rivendell due to his youth, became his heir (T.A. 10). But the Menof Arnor suffered heavy casualties in the War, and the subsequent Disaster; there remained now too few to people amd the places Elendil had built were partially depopulated. Arnor never fully recovered from the devastating loss.[2]

Because nor Valandil nor his subsequent heirs claimed the throne of Gondor, the realms were split; but Arnor's ruler kept the title High King, whereas in the south the ruler was 'just' King.

Breakup, decline, and War with Angmar

Arnor's capital was Annúminas on Lake Evendim, but by T.A. 861 Fornost Erain had taken its place. No longer a site of such importance, Annúminas became depopulated and was slowly abandoned.

After the death of its tenth king, Eärendur, in T.A. 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.[5][2][6] The three petty kingdoms often strifed, usually over control of the Weather Hills and the palantír of Amon Sûl.[6]

Eliot Gould - The Witch King

Seeing the disunion in Arnor, during the reign of Malvegil (c. T.A. 1300), the Witch-king of Angmar arose in the north, later identified as in fact the lord of Sauron's Ringwraiths. This new threat began attacking Rhudaur and Cardolan.[6]

Eventually the line of Isildur failed in the other kingdoms but Arthedain and the Dúnedain were few in Rhudaur, where a lord of the Hill-men, secretly supporting Angmar, seized power. Arnor was refounded de jure by the seventh King of Arthedain, Argeleb I, and Cardolan placed itself under its suzerainty but Rhudaur resisted. Arthedain thus reasserted control over Cardolan but in response, fortified a line along the Weather Hills, but Rhudaur and Angmar attacked and killed the King in T.A. 1356. His son Arveleg I, however, counterattacked in conjunction with Cardolan and Lindon and drove the enemy back.[6]

Weathertop from BFME2

Arveleg continued to hold the frontier along the Hills for the following years, until T.A. 1409, when Angmar crossed the Hoarwell and successfully captured Weathertop, and Arveleg fell in battle, as did the last prince of Cardolan. Amon Sûl fell, and its palantír was taken to Fornost. With Amon Sûl lost, Angmar had free reign over the all the lands of Cardolan, which was ravaged, and the population was forced to hold out in the Barrow Downs , or took refuge in the Old Forest.. Rhudaur was occupied by evil Men subject to Angmar, and the remaining Dúnedain were slain or fled west.[6]

The Shire, once the hunting grounds of the King of Arnor, was a fertile and well-tilled part of Arnor, deserted during the waning days of the Arthedain. The Hobbits (who had lived in Dunland and parts of depopulated Cardolan and Rhudaur) got official permission from King Argeleb II to settle the lands. This was finally done in T.A. 1601 by Bree-hobbits led by the brothers Marcho and Blanco; almost all of the Hobbits of Middle-earth could be found there by 30 years later. The Shire-hobbits considered themselves as subjects of the King of Arthedain, at least nominally, considering the isolation of their country. Nevertheless, they sent some support troops to the great battles Arnor fought against Angmar.[6]

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 would defeat the armies of Angmar much later.[6]

The Great Plague

Amir Salehi - Servant of Death

Another threat appeared to the northern kingdoms, the Great Plague that came from the East. The Men of Arnor were so much affected that the joint garrison at Tharbad that Arnor held with Gondor, ceased to exist,[7] and the last of the Dúnedain of Cardolan died on the Barrow-downs. The Witch-king, exploiting the tragedy, sent evil spirits, the Barrow-wights, to infest the area.

The Shire-folk were damaged by it, but not heavily. The plague lost its strength, however, at this point, so that most of Arthedain was unaffected.[6]

The two Realms in Exile eventually suspected that these disasters might be being coordinated by a single power, and resumed communications. As a result, Prince Arvedui, heir to the Sceptre, wedded Fíriel, the daughter of Ondoher King of Gondor (T.A. 1940). That happened before Ondoher was slain in battle, and hoping to save his Kingdom, Arvedui staked his claim to Gondor, by right of his descent from Elendil and by that of his wife. The Council of Gondor refused the reunification and crowned King Eärnil II, who maintained good relations with Arnor, promising aid against Angmar. But Arnor's strength was fast dwindling; in T.A. 1973 Arvedui (who now was King) sent a message to Gondor that Angmar was preparing its final assault, and Eärnil mustered a great armament bound for Lindon, but it would arrive too late.[8]

The Fall of Arthedain

In T.A. 1974, the final chapter in 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.[6] Arvedui fled to Forochel, while his son, Aranarth, informed Círdan at the Grey Havens about the disaster. Círdan's sailors were eventually unable to rescue Arvedui, and Malbeth the Seer's prophecy at his birth, that he would be the 'Last king' of Arthedain, was fulfilled.


Showdown with Angmar

The Gondorian naval forces under Eärnur, Captain of Gondor eventually landed in the Grey Havens, from which debarked the most powerful army seen in the north of Middle-earth in centuries.

The remnants of Arnor would later join the great force, led by Cirdan and Eärnur, in the greatest joint Elf-Man army since the War of the Last Alliance; this great Host of the West marched northward toward the Arnorian capital of Fornost, where the Witch-king had occupied. He confidently marched his forces out to meet them in the open. The Host attacked him from the Hills of Evendim, and a large battle broke out. The cavalry under Eärnur pursued what remained of the Angmar forces, and were joined by an Elven force under Glorfindel from Rivendell. Angmar fell but the Witch-King fled.

Thus both Arthedain and Angmar were destroyed. the Dúnedain of Arnor created new homes in the Angle south of Rivendell, but Aranarth perceived that his people had become too few after the continuing wars to reestablish the realm. Some Men survived in Bree and other villages, while the Hobbits survived in the Shire and Bree; in the Shire they chose a Thain from among themselves to replace the fallen King in T.A. 1979. The Shire remained a minor but independent political unit.[9]

Rangers of the North

Aranarth instead of calling himself a king or prince, he assumed the title Chieftain and took his dwindling people, now secretive wanderers who traveled from place to place in Eriador. His son, Arahael, grew up safely in Rivendell under the fosterhood of Elrond, 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.[6] Thus, through them the royal House of Isildur was maintained successfully from father to son for a millennium.

There were sixteen Chieftains in direct descent, under many perils in Eriador, and many of the Chieftains died premature deaths. One of these was Arathorn II, who was slain by Orcs raiding the area. So the Dúnedain survived in the shadows, waiting for a better day when the kingdom would be reborn, that would be in the time of Aragorn, on 1 May, T.A. 3019.

War of the Ring

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 participated, the Heir of Isildur, and there were several hundred of them operating during the conflict. The 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.

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 capture of Dol Guldur and put an end to Sauron's northern threat.

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.[10]

Restoration and the Reunited Kingdom

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 II then was crowned by Gandalf as King Elessar, refounded the Kingdom of Arnor as part of the Reunited Kingdom, and made Annúminas his new capital city.[11] He was wed to the Elven princess Arwen, who became 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 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.[12] 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 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 southern realm. In full, poetic Sindarin, it was called Arannor, which mirrored its Quenya name, Arandórë.[13] 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.[14][15] The form Arnanórë is also seen.[14]

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".

2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

The kingdom of Arnor is mentioned indirectly by Galadriel in the White Council scene, and so does the war with Angmar and it's aftermath too.

See also

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  2. ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of Men"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "X. Of Dwarves and Men", "The Atani and their Languages"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn", "Appendix D: The Port of Lond Daer"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ The Lord of the Rings, The Scouring of the Shire, pp. 992-996.
  11. ↑ The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, p. 1019.
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F
  13. ↑ 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
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 347, (dated 17 December 1972)
  15. ↑ Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 17
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