Rangers of the North

“Dúnedain Rangers Sketch” by Jan Pospíšil

Rangers of the North, or simply the Rangers, were the last remnant of the Dúnedain of Arnor who had once peopled the North Kingdom of Arnor. They protected the lands around the village of Bree and the Shire. The Bree-folk did not know anything about their origin and simply called this mysterious wandering folk "Rangers". The Rangers travelled freely southwards and eastwards of the village of Bree as far as the Misty Mountains. In the days of the War of the Ring no other Men than the Bree-folk had settled dwellings so far west as Bree or within a hundred leagues of the Shire. When the Rangers appeared in Bree, the locals eagerly listened to the news that they brough from far away or to their strange forgotten tales, but they did not make friends with the Rangers. The Bree-folk belived that the Rangers had strange powers to hear and see things and to understand the languages of birds and beasts.

The Rangers who joined Aragorn in Rohan were dressed in dark grey cloaks with a cloak-clasp shaped like a rayed star and hoods that covered their helms. They were armed with spears, bows and swords.

Background

The Dúnedain of Arnor dwindled after the breaking of Arnor into three kingdoms and the wars with Angmar. Cardolan and Rhudaur soon fell and only the petty-kingdom of Arthedain maintained the noble line of Isildur. Finally, that too was destroyed in the Battle of Fornost and Arvedui, the last King of Arthedain was lost in the sea.

Arvedui's son and heir, Aranarth claimed the title of the Chieftain, who would rule the remnants of his people. Elrond had in his keeping the heirlooms of the House of Isildur: the shards of Narsil, the Star of Elendil, the Sceptre of Annúminas and later the Ring of Barahir, ransomed from the Lossoth. Each of Aranarth's heirs (who, like him, could trace his descent back to Isildur himself) would be secretly born and raised in Rivendell.

After the kingdom of Arthedain had ended, the Dúnedain of the North went into the shadows and turned into a secret and wandering people. During the reign of Arador, the fourteenth Chieftain of the Dúnedain, the house of the Chieftain was located in woods near the Hoarwell north of the Trollshaws and many Dúnedain of the North lived in the woods between the river Hoarwell and the river Loudwater. One of them, Dírhael, the grandfather of Aragorn, lived with his wife Ivorwen in a hidden fastnesses in the wilds of Eriador.

History

The Watchful Peace followed the loss of Arnor and after its end, the enemies concentrated mostly against Rhovanion and Gondor. During that time, the Rangers fought minor battles and skirmishes against orcs and wolves in order to keep the region safe. The hobbits of the Shire flourished under their protection.

During the rule of Arassuil, the Orcs of the Misty Mountains became more bold, daring to invade Eriador. The Rangers fought many battles trying to hold them back, but one party managed to reach the Shire, and were fought off by a party of brave Hobbits under Bandobras Took in T.A. 2747. Soon after, the Long Winter arrived and many lives were lost. Gandalf came to the aid of the Hobbits.

After the death of Arathorn by Steamey

In 2911, during Argonui's rule, the Fell Winter began with the Brandywine freezing over. This was a catalyst for White Wolves invading Eriador from the North. In the following year, great floods devastated Enedwaith and Minhiriath leaving Tharbad ruined and deserted. The following years were peaceful although Arador was killed by hill-trolls and his son Arathorn II was killed while hunting orcs.

Arathorn's son, Aragorn II succeeded him, who between 2957 to 2980 took great journeys, serving in the armies of King Thengel of Rohan, and Steward Ecthelion II of Gondor. Many of his tasks weakened Sauron and his allies.

Saruman, jealous of Gandalf, secretly followed Gandalf's interest for the Hobbits and put spies in Bree and Southfarthing. In the years leading up to the War of the Ring, his spies saw that the Shire was closely guarded by the Rangers. When Gandalf suspected that Bilbo Baggins possessed the One Ring the guard was doubled (perhaps at his request to Chieftain Aragorn). He also asked Aragorn to locate Gollum.

At that time Aragorn's Rangers were scattered and diminished. When Halbarad led a troop of the Rangers into the south to Aragorn's aid in the War, in haste he could muster no more than thirty in this company who fought in the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

Aragorn eventually became King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom and the Rangers became once more a united people under the line of Elendil in the Fourth Age.

Portrayal in adaptations

Rangers of the North in The Lord of the Rings: War in the North.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The Rangers of the North are called simply Rangers in the game. There were some scattered about Middle-earth, but there were also many who were organized. There was a group that Aragorn led to keep track of the Enemy's movement during "Stirrings in the Darkness". The main Ranger factions in the game are the Rangers of Esteldín, the Wardens of Annúminas, and later they merge into the Grey Company.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

The Rangers of the North first appear in the Prologue of the game. They have set up several barricades at Sarn Ford to prevent the Nazgûl from entering the Shire. They, however, fail to maintain their positions and are defeated. Many Rangers are killed, some have reorganized their camp at Sarn Ford while others are patrolling and scoutring the surrounding lands.

See also

• Images of the Rangers of the North