One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,One Ring to
bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.
MEN OF ARNOR
Kar = (High) King of Arnor
kar = King of Arthedain
chi = Chieftain of the Dunedain of the North
Men of Arnor The Dúnedain of the North.
Northern Line
Dúnedain of ArnorDúnedain of CardolanDúnedain of the North
King of Arnor • High King of ArnorKing of Arthedain •
Last-king • Norbury of the KingsKing of Arthedain
Northern Dúnedain
Exiles of Númenor
House of Elendil
House of Elendil
Heir of Elendil
Kings of Arnor
Great King
0861-1975 Kings of Arthedain. 1113y.
1975-3019 Chieftains of the Dúnedain of the North. 1044
years.
See also RULERS and ARNOR
Chieftain of the NorthThe leader of the Northern Dúnedain.
Chieftain of the Dúnedain
Chieftain of the Dúnedain.
Leader of the Dunedain of the North after the fall of the
North-kingdom. The Chieftains of the Dunedain were direct
descendants of Isildur, the second King of the North-kingdom of
Arnor. Arnor had been divided into three Kingdoms in 861 of the
Third Age and the line of Isildur had been continued through the
Kings of Arthedain.
The North-kingdom ceased to exist entirely in 1974 when the
Witch-king of Angmar attacked the remaining Dunedain. He was
defeated at the Battle of Fornost in 1975, but the Dunedain
suffered great losses. They did not return to the city of Fornost
but instead became a wandering people.
Since he had no Kingdom to rule,Aranarth - son of Arvedui, last
King of Arthedain - took the title Chieftain of the Dunedain in
1976. The Sceptre of Annuminas which was the chief symbol of
royalty of the North-kingdom was left in the care of Elrond at
Rivendell along with other heirlooms of the House of Isildur. The
Chieftains of the Dunedain also fostered their sons with Elrond
during their youth.
There were sixteen Chieftains of the Dunedain. They maintained
in a direct line from father to son the blood of Isildur, son of
Elendil. The Chieftains were also descendants of Elendil's second
son Anarion - forefather of the Kings of Gondor - through
Aranarth's mother Firiel who was the daughter of King Ondoher of
Gondor.
The Dunedain of the North continued to protect the peoples of
Eriador who called them Rangers. Orcs and other dangerous creatures
troubled the northern lands. In 2327, Aragorn I - the fifth
Chieftain - was killed by wolves. The twelfth Chieftain, Arathorn
I, died an untimely death in unknown circumstances in 2848. Arador,
the fourteenth Chieftain, was killed by Hill-trolls in the
Coldfells north of Rivendell in 2930.
Arador's son Arathorn II was Chieftain for only three years when
was he killed while hunting Orcs in 2933. His son Aragorn II was
only two years old when he became the sixteenth and last Chieftain
of the Dunedain. Aragorn's mother Gilraen took him to Rivendell to
live with Elrond until he came of age. Elrond told Aragorn of his
heritage in 2951.
Aragorn fought with the free peoples of Middle-earth against
Sauron in the War of the Ring. After Sauron was defeated in 3019,
Aragorn reestablished the North-kingdom and claimed the Kingship of
both Arnor and Gondor. He received the Sceptre of Annuminas from
Elrond on Midsummer's Eve and he received the Crown of Gondor on
May 1. His descendants were the Kings of the Reunited Kingdom of
Gondor and Arnor.
The word Dúnedain means "Men of the West." The Dunedain were so
called because they were descendants of the Men of Numenor - an
island realm to the west of Middle-earth. The term Dunedain applied
to the people of both Arnor and Gondor, but the Chieftain of the
Dunedain was the leader only of the Dunedain of the North.
ELENDIL THE TALL. Two sons. Isildur and Anarion. See ELENDIL
ISILDUR. Four sons. Elendur (
ANARION. One son. Meneldil. See ANARION
AR-. (N). "Royal, King". Prefix attached to the royal names of
those rulers of Westernesse who took their names in Númenórean
(Adûnaic). See also Aran- and Tar-.
ARAN-. (S). "Royal, King". Prefix attached to the royal names of
the Kings of Arthedain after Malvegil and by the Chieftains of the
Dúnedain of the North to indicate their claim to all of Arnor.
Unlike the Númenorean prefixes Ar- and Tar-, the element Aran
was an integral part of the name and was given at birth. See
Arvedui. Sometimes shortened to Ara- or Ar-. See also Ar- and
Tar-.
TAR-. (Q). "Royal, King". Prefix attached to names of those
Kings and Ruling Queens of Westernesse who took their names in
Quenya. also Ar- and Aran-.
AMLAITH OF FORNOST. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar01.
L:3A0726-0946=220y. R:3A0861-0946=85y. R:135.
Eldest son (of three) of King Eärendur (Kar10), the last King of
Arnor. Father of Beleg (kar02).
3A0861: Eärendur died and the Kingdom of Arnor was split into
three Kingdoms: Arthedain, Cardolan, Rhudaur. Amlaith was the First
King of Arthedain. Father of Beleg (kar02).
After the death of Eärendur the Kings did not use any longer the
High-elven names.
After the break-up of his father's kingdom, he ruled the western
part of the lost land of Arnor, a region that came to be known as
Arthedain.
First King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Amlaith was born
in 726 of the Third Age. He was the son of King Earendur of Arnor.
He had at least two younger brothers.
When Earendur died in 861, there was dissension among his sons.
They divided Arnor into three Kingdoms - Arthedain, Cardolan, and
Rhudaur. Amlaith ruled Arthedain, which was in the west between the
River Lune and the Brandywine and also included the land between
the Brandywine and the Weather Hills north of the Great East Road.
Amlaith moved his capital from Annuminas to Fornost.
The direct line of Isildur was continued in Arthedain through
Amlaith's descendants. Amlaith died in 946 and his son Beleg
succeeded him as the second King of Arthedain.
The meaning of the name Amlaith is not known. The first element
may be am meaning "up." The meaning of the element laith is
unknown. It also occurs in the word Limlaith, an Elvish name for
the River Limlight. Possible roots of laith include LEK meaning
"loose, release" (from which leithian, "release," is derived); LAK
meaning "swift"; or LAIK meaning "keen, sharp, acute."
There is also the name Lalaith, "laughter," but this appears to
be derived from lala meaning "laughter" plus the suffix -aith or
-eth.
Amlaith of Fornost
ANARION. See MEN OF WESTERNESSE
ARADOR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi14.
L:3A2820-2930=110y. R:3A2912-2930=18y. R:92.
Aragorn's grandfather. Son of Argonui (chi13). Father of
Arathorn II (chi15).
3A2929: Arador's son Arathorn married Gilraen.
3A2930: Arador was killed by Hill-Trolls in the Coldfells north
of Rivendell.
-ARVOREG?
Grandfather of Aragorn, King Elessar. He became the fourteenth
Chieftain of the Dunedain in 2912 after the death of his father
Argonui.
Arador's son Arathorn married Gilraen in 2929. One year later in
2930, Arador was killed by Hill-trolls in the Coldfells north of
Rivendell.
Arador may mean "royal lord" from the element ara meaning
"royal, king" and dor, a form of taur, meaning "high, noble,
lofty."
Arador
ARAGLAS. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi06.
L:3A2296-2455=159y. R:3A2327-2455=128y. R:31.
Son of Aragorn I (chi05). Father of Arahad I (chi07).
-ARALLAS.
Sixth Chieftain of the Dunedain. When Aragorn I was killed by
wolves in 2327, Araglas became the leader of his people. Araglas
died in 2455 and was succeeded by his son Arahad I.
The name Araglas may mean "royal joy" from ara meaning "royal,
king" and glass meaning "joy."
Araglas
ARAGORN I. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi05.
L:3A2227-2327=100y. R:3A2319-2327=8y. R:92.
Son of Aravir (chi04). Father of Araglas (chi06).
Fifth Chieftain of the Dunedain. He became Chieftain of the
Dunedain on the death of his father Aravir in 2319. In 2327,
Aragorn I was slain by wolves, which plagued eastern Eriador. He
was succeeded by his son Araglas.
Aragorn I
ARAGORN II. Companion of the Ring. See ARAGORN
The meaning of Aragorn is not clearly stated, but "kingly
valour" may have been the intended meaning.
ARAGOST. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi08.
L:3A2431-2588=157y. R:3A2523-2588=65y. R:92.
Son of Arahad I (chi07). Father of Aravorn (chi09).
-ARANDOST.
Eighth Chieftain of the Dunedain. Aragost became Chieftain of
the Dunedain after his father's death in 2523. He ruled until his
death in 2588 and was succeeded by his son Aravorn.
The name Aragost may be composed of ara meaning "royal, king"
and gost meaning "dread."
Aragost
ARAHAD I. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi07.
L:3A2365-2523=158y. R:3A2455-2523=68y. R:90.
Son of Araglas (chi06). Father of Aragost (chi08).
Seventh Chieftain of the Dunedain. Arahad I became Chieftain of
the Dunedain in 2455. Around 2480, Orcs began to make strongholds
in the Misty Mountains in order to block the passes into Eriador.
Arahad I died in 2523 and was succeeded by his son Aragost.
The meaning of Arahad is not certain. The element ara means
"royal, king." The second element may be had meaning "hurl,
throw."
Arahad I
ARAHAD II. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi10.
L:3A2563-2719=156y. R:3A2654-2719=65y. R:91.
Son of Aravorn (chi09). Father of Arassuil (chi11).
-ARANGAR
Tenth Chieftain of the Dunedain. He became Chieftain of the
Dunedain after his father's death in 2654. Arahad II died in 2719
and was succeeded by his son Arassuil.
The meaning of Arahad is not certain. The element ara means
"royal, king." The second element may be had meaning "hurl,
throw."
Arahad II
ARAHAEL. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi02.
L:3A2012-2177=165y. R:3A2106-2177=71y. R:94.
Son of Aranarth (chi01). Father of Aranuir (chi03).
-ARAHAIL.
-ARANHANTIL.
Second Chieftain of the Dunedain. As a child, Arahael was sent
to Rivendell to be fostered by Elrond. From then on, it became
traditional for all the sons of the Chieftains to live at Rivendell
in their youth.
Arahael died in 2177 and was succeeded by his son Aranuir.
The name Arahael means "wise king" from ara meaning "king,
royal" and hael from sael meaning "wise."
Arahael
ARANARTH. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi01.
L:3A1938-2106=168y. R:3A1975-2106=131y. R:37.
Elder son of Arvedui, the last King of Arthedain, who was missed
in 1974. Father of Arahael (chi02).
His father was King Arvedui of Arthedain in the North-kingdom,
and his mother was Firiel, the daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor.
Aranarth had at least one younger brother.
The heir of Arvedui, who would have become King of Arthedain if
not for the destruction of his realm by the Witch-king. He saw his
loss avenged, though, when a great army of Dúnedain out of Gondor,
led by Eärnur, wiped out the Witch-king's own realm of Angmar.
During his time, the Watchful Peace began, and the Heirs of Isildur
had peace until the time of Arahad I.
First Chieftain of the Dunedain. Aranarth was the son of King
Arvedui of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. His mother was Firiel,
the daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor. Aranarth had at least one
younger brother.
In 1974 of the Third Age, the Witch-king of Angmar attacked
Arthedain and captured its capital, Fornost. King Arvedui retreated
north to the Icebay of Forochel, while his sons sought the help of
Cirdan of the Grey Havens. Cirdan sent a ship to rescue Arvedui,
but the King and all hands were lost at Sea.
The Witch-king was defeated at the Battle of Fornost in 1975,
but the Dunedain were weakened and scattered, and the North-kingdom
ended. Aranarth took the title Chieftain instead of King. In 1976,
Aranarth went to dwell for a time at Rivendell, the home of
Elrond.
Aranarth's son Arahael was born in 2012. Aranarth had his son
fostered at Rivendell in his youth - a tradition continued by the
subsequent Chieftains of the Dunedain. Aranarth died in 2106 and
Arahael succeeded him as Chieftain.
*1938
Birth of Arvedui's son Aranarth in Arthedain. (Note: This date
is probably incorrect as it conflicts with the marriage of Arvedui
two years later in 1940.)
Aranarth's birth date is uncertain. It is given as 1938 of the
Third Age in HOME XII, but the date of his parents' marriage is
given as two years later in 1940.
Aranarth may mean "noble king." The word aran means "king." The
element arth may mean "noble."
Aranarth
ARANTAR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. Kar05.
L:3A0185-0435= 250y. R:3A0339-0435=96y. R:154.
Son of Eldacar (Kar04). Father of Tarcil (Kar06).
The name Arantar is composed of aran meaning "king" and tar
meaning "high, lofty."
Arantar
ARANUIR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi03.
L:3A2084-2247=163y. R:3A2177-2247=70y. R:93.
Son of Arahael (chi02). Father of Aravir (chi04).
-ARANUIL.
Third Chieftain of the Dunedain. Aranuir succeeded his father as
Chieftain in 2177. He died in 2247 and was in turn succeeded by his
son Aravir.
The meaning of Aranuir is uncertain. It may mean "eternal king"
from aran meaning "king" and uir meaning "eternity."
Aranuir
ARAPHANT. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar14.
L:3A1789-1964=175y. R:3A1891-1964=73y. R:102.
Son of Araval (kar13). Father of Arvedui (kar15) the Last
King.
During his reign contact with Gondor was renewed.
Fourteenth King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. When
Araphant's son was born in 1864, Malbeth the Seer foretold that the
end of the North-kingdom was near and he named the child Arvedui,
meaning "Last King." In 1940, Arvedui married Firiel, the daughter
of King Ondoher of Gondor. Araphant had renewed communications with
Gondor in hopes of gaining an ally against the Witch-king of
Angmar. Gondor was also under attack at that time. King Araphant
and King Ondoher realized that there was a single power behind the
attacks on both their Kingdoms, though they did not know it was
Sauron. The two Kings took counsel with one another, but neither
could spare help or resources to the other.
Araphant died in 1964 and was succeeded by Arvedui, who was in
fact the Last King.
The meaning of Araphant is uncertain. It may mean "supreme king"
from ara meaning "king, royal" and pant meaning "full."
Araphant
ARAPHOR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar09.
L:3A1391-1589=198y. R:3A1409-1589=180y. R:18.
Son of Arveleg I (kar08). Father of Argeleb II (kar10).
Like Arveleg I before him, it fell to Araphor to avenge his
father's death. He fought valiantly against the Witch-king's
armies, and with aid from the Elves forced them to withdraw for a
time into the east.
-MALVEGIL.
Ninth King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. After Arveleg was
slain by the forces of the Witch-king of Angmar in 1409, Araphor
repelled the enemy forces from Fornost and the North Downs with the
help of Cirdan the Shipwright from the Grey Havens. Araphor was
only about 18 years old at the time. He succeeded his father as
King of Arthedain and ruled until his death in 1589. He was in turn
succeeded by his son Argeleb II.
The element ara means "royal, king." The element phor means
"right-hand."
Araphor
ARASSUIL. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi11.
L:3A2628-2784=156y. R:3A2719-2784=65y. R:91.
Son of Arahad II (chi10). Father of Arathorn I (chi12).
During his reign Eriador was troubled by Orcs.
-ARASUIL.
Eleventh Chieftain of the Dunedain. Arassuil became Chieftain of
the Dunedain when his father died in 2719.
In 2740, Orcs began to come down from the Misty Mountains into
Eriador. The Dunedain fought the Orcs with the help of Elladan and
Elrohir, the sons of Elrond.
The chief battles were fought between 2745 and 2748. In 2747, a
band of Orcs led by Golfimbul invaded the Shire and were defeated
by Bandobras Took and the Hobbits in the Battle of Greenfields.
The Long Winter of 2758-59 caused great suffering and loss of
life in Eriador, and particularly in the Shire. A famine followed
that lasted through the next year.
Arassuil died in 2784 and was succeeded by his son, Arathorn
I.
The name Arassuil appears to be derived from the word aran
meaning "king" and suil meaning "greeting."
Arassuil
ARATAN. 2nd Son of Isildur. < EARNUR. See
ARATHORN I. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi12.
L:3A2693-2848=155y. R:3A2784-2848=64y. R:91.
Son of Arassuil (chi11). Father of Argonui (chi13).
He died a violent death.
Twelfth Chieftain of the Dunedain. He succeeded his father as
Chieftain of the Dunedain in 2784. Arathorn I died in 2848.
His name in "The Northern Line - Heirs of Isildur" in Appendix A
of The Lord or the Rings is marked with a dagger, indicating a
premature or violent death, but the circumstances are not recorded.
He was succeeded by his son Argonui.
Arathorn means "king-eagle." The element ara is derived from
aran meaning "king." The element þorono or thorono means
"eagle."
Arathorn I
ARATHORN II. Father of Aragorn. Husband of Gilraen. Man of
Arnor. Dúnadan. chi15.
L:3A2873-2933=60y. R:2930-2933=3y. R:57.
Son of Arador (chi14). Father of Aragorn II (chi16).
3A2929: He married Gilraen the Fair. Their only child and son
was Aragorn (King Elessar).
3A2933: Arathorn II was slain by Orcs while fighting with
Elladan and Elrohir, the twin-brothers, sons of Elrond.
-ARAMIR. Original name. -CELEGORN.
-ELDAKAR. "Elfhelm" Father of Eldamir ("Elfstone")
(=Aragorn).
-ELFHELM. -INGRIM. -KELEGORN.
-TARKIL. Aragorn II and f Arathorn II.
-VALATAR. Father of Eldamir (Elfstone).
He was a stern man. When Arathorn sought the hand of Gilraen in
marriage, her father Dirhael was opposed to the match because of
his daughter's youth and because he sensed that Arathorn would be
short-lived. But Gilraen's mother Ivorwen convinced her husband to
change his mind, saying "If these two wed now, hope may be born for
our people; but if they delay, it will not come while this age
lasts." (Appendix A, p. 338) The couple was married in 2929.
Arathorn became the fifteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain when his
father Arador was slain by Hill-trolls in the Coldfells north of
Rivendell in 2930. In 2931, Gilraen bore their only child Aragorn.
Two years later, in 2933, Arathorn went out to fight Orcs with
Elladan and Elrohir, the sons of Elrond. Arathorn was shot in the
eye with an Orc arrow and was killed. He was sixty years old when
he died. Arathorn's two-year-old son Aragorn succeeded him as
Chieftain of the Dunedain. Aragorn became King of the Reunited
Kingdom in 3019.
Arathorn means "king-eagle." The element ara is derived from
aran meaning "king." The element þorono or thorono means
"eagle."
Arathorn II
2873 Birth of Arathorn II, son of Arador (Chieftain of the
Dúnedain). (d. 2933)
2907 Birth of Gilraen, mother of Aragorn II. (d. 3007)
2929 Arathorn II marries Gilraen
When Arathorn sought to marry Gilraen, her father, Dírhael, was
initially opposed to the marriage because Gilraen was young and
Arathorn of full age, and Dírhael foresaw that Arathorn would die
young. His wife Ivorwen, however, answered: "The more need of
haste! The days are darkening before the storm, and great things
are to come. If these two wed now, hope may be born for our people;
but if they delay, it will not come while this age lasts."
The foresight of both proved true: Arathorn was slain by an
orc-arrow while riding against the orcs with the sons of Elrond,
only four years after his marriage to Gilraen, and two years after
the birth of their son, Aragorn.
2930 Arathorn II, becomes Fifteenth Chieftain of the Dúnedain
when father Arador is slain by trolls in the mountains north of
Imladris.
2931 Birth of Aragorn II, Sixteenth Chieftain of the Dúnedain,
later King Elessar of Arnor and Gondor. One of the Nine Companions
of the Ring.
2933 Arathorn II dies in battle with Orcs. Gilraen his wife
takes their son, Aragorn II, to Imladris. There he is raised by
Elrond, but his true identity is hidden from him until he reaches
twenty years of age.
ARAVAL. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar13.
L:3A1711-1891=180y. R:3A1813-1891=78y. R:102.
Son of Arveleg II (kar12). Father of Araphant (kar14).
-ARVALLEN
Thirteenth King of Arthedain in the North-kindgom. Araval was
born in 1711 of the Third Age. He was the son of Arveleg II. Araval
became King of Arthedain after his father's death in 1813.
According to one source (HoME XII, p. 195), Araval won a
temporary victory over the forces of the Witch-king of Angmar in
1851. He was aided by the Elves of Lindon and Rivendell. Araval
also tried to reoccupy Cardolan, which had once been a part of the
North-kingdom, but he was unsuccessful because Cardolan was haunted
by Barrow-wights and settlers were afraid to live there.
Araval died in 1891 and was succeeded by his son Araphant.
The name Araval may be derived from ara meaning "king, royal"
and val from mal meaning "gold."
Araval
ARAVIR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi04.
L:3A2156-2319=163y. R:3A2247-2319=72y. R:91.
Son of Aranuir (chi03). Father of Aragorn I (chi05).
Fourth Chieftain of the Dunedain. He was succeeded by his son,
Aragorn I.
The meaning of Aravir is uncertain. The element ara means
"royal, king." The element vir may be derived from mîr meaning
"jewel."
Aravir
ARAVORN. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi09.
L:3A2497-2654=157y. R:3A2588-2654=66y. R:91.
Son of Aragost (chi08). Father of Arahad II (chi10).
Ninth Chieftain of the Dunedain. He became Chieftain of the
Dunedain in 2588. Aravorn died in 2654 and was succeeded by his son
Arahad II.
The meaning of Aravorn is not certain. The element ara means
"king, noble, royal." The element vorn may be a lenited form of
morn meaning "black."
Aravorn
ARGELEB I. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar07.
L:3A1226-1356=130y. R:3A1349-1356=7y. R:123.
Son of Malvegil (kar06). Father of Arveleg I (kar08).
On his accession, since no heirs of Isildur remained in either
Rhudaur or Cardolan, he claimed lordship over all of Arnor. See
"Ar-" in his name.
By the time Argeleb became King, the royal line had died out in
both Cardolan and Rhudaur. As the last remaining heirs of Isildur's
line, Argeleb and his successors claimed kingship over all the old
lands of Arnor. Rhudaur forcefully resisted the claim, and Argeleb
became the first King of Arthedain to die in battle, fighting the
forces of Rhudaur and its new and dangerous ally, Angmar.
Rhudaur, which was controlled by Angmar, contested this claim.
In the war that followed, Argeleb I fortified the Weather Hills but
he was slain in battle. When the claim of lordship over all of
Arnor was resisted by Rhudaur, the Dúnedain were few, and power had
been seized by an evil lord of the Hillmen, who was in secret
league with Angmar.
-CELEBRINDOR.
Seventh King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Around the year
1300, the Lord of the Nazgûl came to the north and established the
realm of Angmar. He became known as the Witch-king of Angmar and he
made war upon the Dunedain of the North.
Argeleb I became King of Arthedain in 1349. He tried to claim
kingship over Cardolan and Rhudaur - the other two kingdoms of the
North-kingdom - because no heir of Isildur remained in those
realms. But his claim was resisted by Rhudaur, which had been taken
over by an evil lord of the Hill-men.
Rhudaur formed an alliance with Angmar and together they
attacked Arthedain in 1356. Argeleb I fortified the Weather Hills
against their attack, but he was killed in battle. He was succeeded
by his son Arveleg I, who managed to drive back the enemy forces
with the help of Cardolan and the Elves of Lindon.
The meaning of the name Argeleb is uncertain. It may mean
"silver king." The element ar means "high, noble, royal." The
element geleb may be derived from celeb meaning silver.
Argeleb I was the first in a continuous line of Kings of
Arthedain and Chieftains of the Dunedain to have a name beginning
with the prefix ar from aran signifying "High King." This was
because they considered themselves to be the rightful Kings of the
entire North-kingdom of Arnor.
Argeleb I
ARGELEB II. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar10.
L:3A1473-1670=197y. R:3A1589-1670=81y. R:116.
Son of Araphor (kar09). Father of Arvegil (kar11).
3A1600: Argeleb II gave permission to Marcho and Blanco, the
Fallohide Hobbits of Bree, to settle in the Shire.
3A1601: With this year the Shire Reckoning began with year
1.
It was in the time of Argeleb II that Marcho and Blanco passed
from Bree over the Baranduin into the green lands beyond. Argeleb
allowed the Hobbits to dwell in that region, which became known as
the Shire.
In the days of Argeleb II the plague came into Eriador from the
South-east. Most of the people of Cardolan perished, especially in
Minnhiriath. The Hobbits and all other peoples suffered greatly,
but the plague lessened as it passed northwards, and the northern
parts of Arthedain were little affected. It was at this time that
an end came of the Dúnedain of Cardolan, and evil spirits out of
Angmar and Rhudaur entered into the deserted mounds and dwelt
there.
-ARVELEG.
On the death of his father Araphor in 1589, he became the tenth
King of Arthedain, one of the three kingdoms in the North that
formed after the dissolution of Arnor. His seat was at Fornost on
the North Downs.
In 1601, Argeleb II granted permission to Marcho and Blanco to
lead a party of Hobbits to settle the lands between the Brandywine
River and the Far Downs. The King only required that the Hobbits
acknowledge his rule, speed his messengers, and repair the roads
and bridges, especially the Bridge of Stonebows.
In 1636, the Great Plague came north from Gondor. Many Men and
Hobbits died, but the Plague lessened in intensity as it spread and
the northern parts of Arthedain were least affected. It was during
this time that the Witch-king sent the evil spirits that became the
Barrow-wights to occupy the Barrow-downs.
Argeleb II died in 1670. He was succeeded by his son
Arvegil.
The meaning of the name Argeleb is uncertain. It may mean
"silver king." The element ar means "high, noble, royal." The
element geleb may be derived from celeb meaning silver.
Argeleb II
ARGONUI. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. chi13.
L:3A2757-2912=155y. R:3A2848-2912=64y. R:91.
Son of Arathorn I (chi12) killed in 2848. Father of Arador
(chi14) born in 2820.
Thirteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain. Argonui became the
Chieftain of his people when his father was killed in 2848. During
the Fell Winter of 2911, the Brandywine and other rivers froze. In
the floods following the spring thaw, the city of Tharbad was
ruined.
The meaning of the name Argonui is not known. The element ar
means "high, noble, royal." The element gon means "valor" derived
from kano meaning "commander." The element ui is an adjectival
ending. Thus Argonui may mean "valorous king" or something
similar.
Argonui
ARVEDUI. (S). "Last King".
ARVEDUI. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar15. The Last King.
L:3A1864-1975=111y. R:3A1964-1975=10y. R:100.
Son of Araphant (kar14). Father of Aranarth (chi01).
He was missed in 1974. His elder son Aranarth became the first
Chieftain of the Dúnedain of the North in 1976. At his birth,
Malbeth the Seer foretold he was to be the last king, which is why
Arvedui was given his name. Drowned in the Bay of Forochel in
3A1975.
3A1940: Arvedui wedded Fíriel of Gondor, daughter of King
Ondoher.
3A1944: Ondoher of Gondor and his sons died, Arvedui claimed the
crown of Gondor.
Because of his descent from Isildur who was King of Gondor with
Anárion. Also because he was the husband of Fíriel. She was heiress
to the throne by laws of Westernesse. Arvedui's claim was
rejected.
3A1973: Late this year the Witch-king of Angmar overran
Arthedain. Arvedui sent his sons to Lindon, but he remained on the
North Downs. He hid in Dwarf-mines in the northern Blue Mountains,
but he had to seek refuge with the Lossoth.
3A1975: In March 1975 Círdan sent a ship to Forochel to rescue
Arvedui. The ship was trapped in the ice and Arvedui was drowned.
He left the Ring of Barahir with the Lossoth. The ring was
recovered later.
Last King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. At his birth, it
was foretold by Malbeth the Seer that Arvedui would be the last
King of Arthedain, which was the last remaining of the three
kingdoms into which the North-kingdom of Arnor had been divided.
Malbeth counselled Araphant to name him Arvedui, meaning "last
king."
Last King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Arvedui, son of
Araphant, was born in 1864 of the Third Age. At his birth, it was
foretold by Malbeth the Seer that Arvedui would be the last King of
Arthedain, which was the last remaining of the three kingdoms into
which the North-kingdom of Arnor had been divided. Malbeth
counselled Araphant to name him Arvedui, meaning "last king."
Arvedui married Firiel, the daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor,
in 1940. When Ondoher and both his sons were killed in battle in
1944, Arvedui made a claim for the throne of Gondor. Arvedui was a
direct descendant of Isildur, the eldest son of Elendil who had
been the High King of Gondor and Arnor. His wife Firiel was the
only surviving child of King Ondoher. In Numenor, women had been
able to ascend to the throne, but this was not the case in Gondor.
The Council of Gondor led by Pelendur rejected Arvedui's claim and
Earnil - a captain of the Royal House - became King of Gondor.
Arvedui did not pursue his claim. He became King of Arthedain on
the death of his father in 1964. Arthedain was under increasing
threat from the Witch-king of Angmar. In 1973, Arvedui requested
aid from King Earnil of Gondor, but help did not arrive in
time.
In 1974, the Witch-king attacked Arthedain and seized the
capital of Fornost. Arvedui rescued the palantiri of Annuminas and
Amon Sul and he fled to the North Downs where he and his men held
out for a time. They then retreated to hide in tunnels in the Blue
Mountains. When their food ran out, they sought help from the
Snowmen who lived on the shore of the Icebay of Forochel. The
Snowmen gave them food and shelter from the harsh winter
weather.
In March of 1975, Cirdan of the Grey Havens sent a ship to
rescue Arvedui. The leader of the Snowmen advised Arvedui not to go
but to wait for the spring thaw. Arvedui did not heed his advice.
He gave the Ring of Barahir to the leader of the Snowmen as a token
of gratitude and he and his men boarded the ship. A great blizzard
came from the north and the ship was driven against the ice and its
hull was crushed. The palantiri were lost and everyone aboard
perished including Arvedui, the Last King.
The North-kingdom was ended and the Dunedain became a wandering
people. Arvedui's eldest son Aranarth took the title Chieftain of
the Dunedain and through him the line of Isildur was preserved.
Also called Arvedui Last-king. Arvedui means "last king." The
element ar means "royal." The element vedui means "last" and is
derived from met meaning "end."
Arvedui Last-king
ARVEGIL. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar11.
B:3A1543-1743=200y. R:3A1670-1743=73y. R:127.
Son of Argeleb II (kar10). Father of Arveleg II (kar12).
It is said he died at the age of 200. If so he was born in
3A1543. He received the sceptre on the age of 127.
Eleventh King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. He was the son
of Argeleb II. Arvegil became King in 1670. He ruled until his
death in 1743 and was succeeded by his son Arveleg II.
The element ar means "king, royal." The element vegil may be a
form of megil meaning "sword."
Arvegil
ARVELEG I. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar08.
L:3A1309-1409=100y. R:3A1356-1409=53y. R:47.
Son of Argeleb I (kar07). Father of Araphor (kar09).
Arveleg I, after his father's death, drove the forces of Angmar
and Rhudaur back from the Tower Hills. He could do so with the aid
of Lindon and Rivendell. Arveleg I was killed in 3A1409 defending
the Tower Hills against Angmar and Rhudaur.
-BELEG II.
Eighth King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Arveleg I became
King of Arthedain in 1356 after his father was killed in battle
with the forces of Rhudaur and Angmar. Angmar was the realm of the
Witch-king who - unbeknownst to the Dunedain - was the Lord of the
Nazgûl.
Arveleg I drove back the enemy forces with help from the Elves
of Lindon and the Dunedain of Cardolan. For over 50 years,
Arthedain and Cardolan maintained a frontier along the Weather
Hills, the Great East Road, and the lower Hoarwell.
But then in 1409, the Witch-king of Angmar launched an assault
against the Dunedain of Arthedain and Cardolan. His forces
surrounded Weathertop and the Tower of Amon Sul was destroyed.
Arveleg I was killed in the battle. The Dunedain retreated to
Fornost. Arveleg's son Araphor, who was still a teenager, managed
to defend Fornost and drive back the forces of Angmar with the help
of Cirdan and the Elves. Araphor succeeded his father as the ninth
King of Arthedain.
Arveleg is composed of ar meaning "royal, king" and veleg from
beleg meaning "mighty."
Arveleg I
ARVELEG II. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar12.
L:3A1633-1813=180y. R:3A1743-1813=70y. R:110.
Son of Arvegil (kar11). Father of Araval (kar13).
-ARGELEB.
Twelfth King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Arveleg II
became King of Arthedain after his father's death in 1743. He ruled
until his death in 1813 and was succeeded by his son Araval.
Arveleg is composed of ar meaning "royal, king" and veleg from
beleg meaning "mighty." He was the second King of that name.
Arveleg II
BELEG. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar02.
L:3A0811-1029=218y. R:3A0946-1029=83y. R:133.
Son of Amlaith of Fornost (kar01). Father of Mallor (kar03).
In the later years of Beleg's reign, the Istari (the order of
Wizards) arrived in Middle-earth.
Second King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. He was the son of
Amlaith and the grandson of Earendur. Earendur was the King of the
entire North-kingdom of Arnor, but when he died in 861 there was a
dispute among his sons and Arnor was divided into three Kingdoms -
Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. Amlaith, the eldest son, became
the first King of Arthedain, and it was through his descendants
that the line of Isildur was maintained. Amlaith made Fornost his
capital city.
Beleg succeeded his father as King of Arthedain in 946 and ruled
until his death in 1029. He was followed by his son Mallor.
The name Beleg means "mighty." Beleg was also the name of an Elf
who was a great archer in the First Age.
Beleg of Arthedain
CELEBRINDOR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar05.
L:3A1062-1272=210y. R:3A1191-1272=81y. R:129.
Son of Celepharn (kar04). Father of Malvegil (kar06).
-CELEBRINDOL.
Fifth King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. He became King of
Arthedain after his father's death in 1191. Celebrindor ruled until
his death in 1272 and was succeeded by his son Malvegil. The name
Celebrindor may be composed of celebrin meaning "like silver" and
the ending -dor from taur meaning "high, noble, lord."
Celebrindor
CELEPHARN. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar04.
L:3A0979-1191=212y. R:3A1110-1191=81y. R:131
Son of Mallor (kar03). Father of Celebrindor (kar050).
During his rule, the population of Hobbits in Eriador grew as
the threat beyond the Mountains drove more and more of these people
out of the Vales of Anduin.
Fourth King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Celepharn
succeeded his father as King of Arthedain in 1110. During his reign
around 1150, the Fallohide and Stoor branches of Hobbits moved into
Eriador. Celepharn ruled until his death in 1191. He was followed
by his son Celebrindor.
The meaning of the name Celepharn is uncertain. It may be
composed of the word celeb meaning "silver" and sarn meaning
"stone."
Celepharn
CIRYON. 3rd Son of Isildur. < VEANDUR. See
DĺRHAEL.
DIRHAEL. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. L:3A2930. He was a descendant of
Aranarth. Husband of Ivorwen.
Father of Gilraen. Aragorn's grandfather.
Dìrhael was of high lineage of Isildur and a descendant of
Arathorn I. but of the wrong line. He dwelt with his wife in hidden
fastness in the wild of Eriador. He was a foresighted man and so
was his wife.
Their daughter Gilraen, as a young and fearless female of the
Dúnedain, came to them for advice for she was sought in marriage of
Arathorn II.
Grandfather of Aragorn, King Elessar. Dirhael was a descendant
of Aranarth, the first Chieftain of the Dunedain. Dirhael and his
wife Ivorwen both had the gift of foresight. They lived in a hidden
stronghold in the wilds of Eriador with their daughter Gilraen, who
was born in 2907 of the Third Age.
When Gilraen was only about 22 years old, Arathorn - the heir to
the Chieftain of the Dunedain - asked to marry her. Dirhael was
opposed to the match because he thought his daughter was too young
and he foretold that Arathorn would not live long. But he agreed to
the marriage on the advice of his wife, who believed that hope
would be born of the couple. Arathorn died only four years later,
but he had a son by Gilraen named Aragorn who became the King of
the Reunited Kingdom.
Dírhael means "wise man" from dír meaning "man" and hael meaning
"wise."
Dírhael
EARENDUR.
Eärendur is a name used for three people in the Middle-earth
legendarium of J. R. R. Tolkien:
Eärendur son of Tar-Amandil, son of a King of Númenor during the
Second Age
Eärendur of Andúnië, another noble of Númenor, from later in the
Second Age
Eärendur of Arnor, a King of Arnor from the Third Age
EARENDUR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. Kar10.
L:3A0640-0861=221y. R:3A0777-0861=84y. R:137.
Son of Elendur (Kar09). Father of Amlaith of Fornost (kar01).
Earendur was the Last King of Arnor.
At his death the Kingdom of Arnor was divided among his three
sons. Amlaith was the eldest son.
He became the first King of Arthedain. The names of the two
other sons are not known.
One became King of Cardolan, the other became King of
Rhudaur.
Earendur had a son named Amlaith and at least two younger sons.
When Earendur died in 861, his sons divided Arnor into three
Kingdoms - Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. Amlaith became the
first King of Arthedain, and two other sons ruled Cardolan and
Rhudaur. Earendur was therefore the last King to rule the entire
North-kingdom until Aragorn, King Elessar.
The name Eärendur is Quenya meaning "Sea servant" or
"(professional) mariner" from Eär meaning "the Sea" and the ending
ndur meaning "to serve." Earendur's descendants used Sindarin names
rather than Quenya.
Eärendur, King of Arnor
ELDACAR. (Q). "High-elf".
ELDACAR. See
ELDACAR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. Kar04.
L:3A0087-0339=252y. R:3A0249-0339=90y. R:162.
Son of Valandil (Kar03).. Father of Arantar (Kar05).
-ELDAKAR.
The name Eldacar - also spelled Eldakar - means "elf helm" from
elda meaning "elf" and karma meaning "helmet" from kár meaning
"head."
Eldacar
ELDARION. Son of Aragorn II. See WESTMEN
Eldarion
ELENDIL THE TALL. See ELENDIL
ELENDUR. 1st Son of Isildur. < KIRYANDIL. See
ELENDUR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. Kar09.
L:3A0552-0777=225y. R:3A0652-0777=125y. R:100.
Son of Valandur (Kar08). Father of Eärendur (Kar10) the Last
King.
Elendur became King after his father was killed in 652. He ruled
until his death in 777 and was succeeded by his son Earendur.
The name Elendur means "Star servant." The word elen means
"star" and is here probably a reference to the Elves, or Eldar, the
People of the Stars. The ending ndur meaning "to serve."
Elendur
ESTELMO. See
GILBARAD. Man of Arnor. Dúnedan. Father of Ivorwen.
GILRAEN. (S). "Wandering Star".
GILRAEN THE FAIR. Woman of Arnor. Dúnadan.
L:3A2907-3007=100y. Daughter of Dírhael and Ivorwen.
3A2929: She married Arathorn II. They had only one child: son
Aragorn, born 3A2931.
Gilraen lived in Rivendell from the death of her husband in
3A2933 until 2954. In 3A2954 she returned to her home somewhere in
Eriador.
Gilraen The daughter of Dírhael of the Northern Dúnedain, who
wed Arathorn and became the mother of Aragorn.
Mother of Aragorn, King Elessar.
Gilraen married Arathorn son of Arador in 2929. Her father
Dirhael was opposed to the match because he felt Gilraen was too
young to marry and because he had a sense of foreboding that
Arathorn would not live long. But Ivorwen counselled her husband to
acquiesce, saying "If these two wed now, hope may be born for our
people; but if they delay, it will not come while this age lasts."
(Appendix A, p. 338)
One year later, Arathorn II became Chieftain of the Dunedain
when his father was killed by Hill-trolls. Gilraen gave birth to
Aragorn on March 1, 2931. In 2933, Arathorn was slain by an Orc
arrow. Gilraen took her two-year-old son Aragorn to Rivendell where
Elrond accpeted the boy as a foster-son and gave him the name
Estel, meaning "Hope."
Gilraen and Aragorn lived together at Rivendell until 2951, when
Aragorn turned twenty and was told of his heritage by Elrond. At
that time also Aragorn met Elrond's daughter Arwen and fell in love
with her. Gilraen noticed a change in her son and questioned him
about it. She warned Aragorn that Elrond would not easily consent
to a marriage between his only daughter and a mortal Man. Gilraen
feared that the line of Isildur would end, and she told Aragorn
that it was his fate to wander in the Wild. She said no more to him
of her fears and Aragorn left Rivendell to face many perils and
hardships.
Aragorn and Arwen plighted their troth in 2980. A few years
later, Gilraen left Rivendell and went to live alone near her
people in Eriador. She did not often see her son for he continued
to journey throughout Middle-earth. When Aragorn came to visit his
mother, she foretold her coming death.
"This is our last parting, Estel, my son. I am aged by care,
even as one of lesser Men; and now that it draws near I cannot face
the darkness of our time that gathers upon Middle-earth. I shall
leave soon."
Aragorn tried to comfort her, saying: "Yet there may be a light
beyond the darkness; and if so, I would have you see it and be
glad."
But she answered only with this linnod: "Onen i-Estel Edain,
ú-chebin estel anim - I gave Hope to the Dunedain, I have kept no
hope for myself."
Appendix A: "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen," p. 342
Gilraen died before the next spring in 3007. Her son Aragorn
became King of the Reunited Kingdom on May 1, 3019.
Tolkien defined the name Gilraen as meaning "one adorned with a
tressure set with small gems in its network," such as the cap of
silver lace and gems worn by Arwen when Frodo first saw her at
Rivendell. (A tressure is a medieval word for a net confining the
hair.)
Gilraen
HALBARAD THE DUNADAN. The word hal means "tall" and barad means
"tower."
Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. D:3A3019. Ranger of the North, bearer of
Aragorn's standard. He led the company of Rangers that met Aragorn
in Rohan during the WR.
He accompanied Aragorn through the Paths of the Dead. During the
Battle of the Pelennor Fields he was Aragorn's standardbearer. He
was slain in this battle.
Ranger of the North, leader of the Grey Company. Halbarad was
among the Rangers who guarded the Shire at the end of the Third
Age. He said of the Hobbits, "A little people, but of great worth
are the Shire-folk. Little do they know of our long labour for the
safekeeping of their borders, and yet I grudge it not." (RotK, p.
53)
In response to a message sent to Rivendell by Galadriel,
Halbarad led the Grey Company comprised of 30 Dunedain south to the
aid of their kinsman Aragorn. With them rode Elladan and Elrohir,
the sons of Elrond. They caught up with Aragorn near the Fords of
Isen in Rohan in the early hours of March 6, 3019. Halbarad brought
Aragorn a message from Arwen as well as a standard made by her,
which Aragorn asked Halbarad to keep for him for a while.
Halbarad accompanied Aragorn to a chamber high in the Hornburg
where Aragorn looked into the palantir and revealed himself to
Sauron. That morning Aragorn decided to take the Paths of the Dead
under the White Mountains and Halbarad and Grey Company went with
him along with Legolas and Gimli. When they reached the entrance at
daybreak on March 8, Halbarad said, "This is an evil door, and my
death lies beyond it. I will dare to pass it nonetheless..." (RotK,
p. 59)
At midnight at the Stone of Erech, Aragorn summoned the Dead to
fulfill their oaths and Halbarad unfurled Aragorn's standard, which
appeared black with no device in the darkness. The Grey Company and
the Dead passed through the lands of the South to Pelargir, where
they captured the fleet of the Corsairs. Aragorn dismissed the
Dead, and the Grey Company sailed up the Anduin.
When they arrived at the Pelennor Fields on March 15 in the
midst of the battle, Aragorn's standard was once again unfurled but
now it was seen to bear the emblem of the White Tree of Gondor and
the Seven Stars and Crown of Elendil. Halbarad carried the standard
onto the battlefield, where he was killed.
Halbarad
ISILDUR. See ISILDUR
IVORWEN. Woman of Arnor. Dúnadan. Lived:3A2907/2909. Wife of
Dírhael and mother of Gilraen the Fair born in 2907. Grandmother of
Aragorn, King Elessar. Ivorwen was the daughter of Gilbarad.
She married Dirhael and they had a daughter named Gilraen, born
in 2907 of the Third Age. Their home was hidden in the wilds of
Eriador. Ivorwen and her husband were descendants of Isildur,
though not of the direct line of Kings. They were both gifted with
foresight.
In 2929, Gilraen married Arathorn, the heir to the Chieftain of
the Dunedain. Dirhael had been opposed to the match because of
Gilraen's youth and because he foresaw that Arathorn would not live
long. But Ivorwen also had a premonition, and she advised her
husband to allow the marriage:
"The days are darkening before the storm, and great things are
to come. If these two wed now, hope may be born for our people; but
if they delay, it will not come while this age lasts."
Appendix A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Aragorn and
Arwen," p. 338
Arathorn lived only four more years, but from his brief union
with Gilraen was born Aragorn. Ivorwen was at Aragorn's naming, and
she interpreted his name to mean "Kingly Valour," saying:
"that he shall have, but I see on his breast a green stone, and
from that his true name shall come and his chief renown: for he
shall be a healer and a renewer."
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of
Middle-earth: Foreword, p. xii
The green stone that Ivorwen saw was the Elessar given to
Aragorn by Galadriel, and Elessar was the name by which Aragorn
became known as the King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and
Arnor.
The meaning of Ivorwen is not known. It has been speculated that
ivor may mean "crystal," based on the description of the crystal
waters of Eithel Ivrin, the source of the Narog in Beleriand.
(Silmarillion, p. 209-10) But the words ivor and ivrin are nowhere
defined, and may not even be related.
The ending wen means "maiden." Ivorwen would therefore mean
"crystal maiden" if the speculated definition of ivor is
correct.
Ivorwen
MALBETH THE SEER. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. L:3A1900/2000. He was a
seer and the royal counsellor of the King of Arthedain. He foretold
the events of King Arvedui's life and gave him his name ("Last
King"). He also prophesied concerning the Paths of the Dead and the
role of Aragorn (Isildur's Heir) in the final battle with
Sauron.
A Seer, or Prophet, was one gifted with extreme foresight.
Malbeth of the mid-Third Age, who predicted that Arvedui would
be the last king of Arthedain and also forsaw the fate of the
People of the Dead.Seer of Arthedain. Malbeth made at least two
accurate prophecies concerning the future of the line of
Isildur.
In 1864 of the Third Age, Malbeth advised Araphant to name his
newborn son Arvedui, meaning "last king":
"Arvedui you shall call him, for he will be the last in
Arthedain. Though a choice will come to the Dunedain, and if they
take the one that seems less hopeful, then your son will change his
name and become king of a great realm. If not, then much sorrow and
many lives of men shall pass, until the Dunedain arise and are
united again."
Appendix A: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 330
Malbeth's prophecy came to pass in 1975. King Arvedui was driven
into the far north by the Witch-king of Angmar and was stranded in
the land of the Snowmen by the harsh winter. A ship came to rescue
him, but the Snowmen advised him to wait for the thaw. Arvedui did
not heed their advice, and he was killed in a shipwreck. The
North-kingdom ended and the line of Isildur was continued by the
Chieftains of the Dunedain for many generations.
A second prophecy, made by Malbeth sometime during the reign of
Arvedui (1964-1975), spoke of a future Heir of Isildur:
"Over the land there lies a long shadow,
westward reaching wings of darkness.
The Tower trembles; to the tombs of kings
doom approaches. The Dead awaken;
for the hour is come for the oathbreakers;
at the Stone of Erech they shall stand again
and hear there a horn in the hills ringing.
Whose shall the horn be? Who shall call them
from the grey twilight, the forgotten people?
The heir of him to whom the oath they swore.
From the North shall he come, need shall drive him:
he shall pass the Door to the Paths of the Dead."
The Return of the King: "The Passing of the Grey Company," p.
54
During the War of the Ring in 3019, Elrond sent word to Aragorn,
the sixteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain, to remember Malbeth's
prophecy about the Paths of the Dead if he was in need of haste.
When Aragorn looked into the palantir and learned that Gondor was
threatened from the South by Corsairs, he realized that only by
taking the Paths of the Dead would he get there in time.
Aragorn was followed through the Paths of the Dead by the Dead
who had broken their oath to Isildur to fight Sauron. At the Stone
of Erech, Aragorn told the Oathbreakers that he was Isildur's heir.
The Dead fulfilled their oath by defeating the Corsairs, and with
the threat from the South removed, Aragorn sailed to the aid of
Minas Tirith. Thus the second prophecy of Malbeth came to pass.
Malbeth means "golden word." The element mal means "gold." The
element beth is a lenited form of peth which means "word."
MALBETH THE SEER'S WORDS. Song/Verse/Poem.
Malbeth the Seer
MALLOR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar03.
L:3A0895-1110=215y. R:3A1029-1110=81y. R:135.
Son of Beleg (kar02). Father of Celepharn (kar04).
During Mallor's reign, the first Hobbits arrived in Eriador
after crossing the Misty Mountains.
Third King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Mallor succeeded
his father as King in 1029. During his reign in 1050, the Hobbits
of the Harfoot branch crossed into Eriador over the Misty Mountains
after a shadow fell on Greenwood the Great, afterwards known as
Mirkwood. Although it was not known at the time, Sauron had
established the stronghold of Dol Guldur in the forest.
Mallor ruled until his death in 1110 and was succeeded by his
son Celepharn.
The name Mallor may be composed of mall meaning "gold" (the
metal) and lor from glor or glaur meaning "golden light,
radiance."
Mallor
MALVEGIL. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. kar06.
L:3A1144-1349=205y. R:3A1272-1349=77y. R:128.
Son of Celebrindor (kar05). Father of Argeleb I (kar07).
It was in Malvegil's time that the realm of Angmar was founded
by the Witch-king, far to the north and east of Arthedain. Angmar
would eventually bring about the end of Malvegil's kingdom, but not
for more than six centuries after his death.
Sixth King of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Malvegil became
King of Arthedain after his father's death in 1272.
During Malvegil's reign around 1300, the Lord of the Nazgul came
to the North and established the realm of Angmar. He became known
as the Witch-king of Angmar and he made war upon the Dunedain of
the North. Orcs and other creatures as well as evil Men were in his
service and threatened the lands of the North-kingdom.
Malvegil died in 1349 and was succeeded by his son Argeleb I,
who ruled for only seven years before he was killed in battle
against the forces of Angmar in 1356.
The name Malvegil may mean "golden sword" from mal meaning
"gold" and vegil from megil meaning "sword."
Malvegil
OHTAR. See
SONS OF EARENDUR. Men of Arnor. Dúnedain. One of them was
AMLAITH of Fornost.
The others were the King of Rhudaur and the King of
Cardolan.
TARCIL. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. Kar06.
L:3A0280-0515=235y. R:3A0435-0515=80y. R:155.
Son of Arantar (Kar05). Father of Tarondor (Kar07).
-TARKIL.
Aso spelled Tarkil. The name Tarcil means "high man" in Quenya.
It was also used to mean "one of Numenorean descent." The word tar
means "high." The ending cil
or kil is from khil meaning "follow." Mortal Men were called the
Hildor, or "followers," by the Elves.
Tarcil
TARONDOR. Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. Kar07.
L:3A0372-0602=230y. R:3A0515-0602=87y. R:141.
Son of Tarcil (Kar06). Father of Valandur (Kar08). Nephew of
Telemnar.
The meaning of the name Tarondor is uncertain. The first element
tar means "high" and is used as a prefix to mean "King." The second
element ondor is unclear. It may be from the Quenya ondo meaning
"stone" in reference to Gondor (Quenya = Ondonore) since there was
also a King of Gondor named Tarondor, but this seems unusual for a
King of Arnor. The word ndor means "land, country." The ending dor
is also used in Sindarin names to mean "high, noble," but Tarondor
is a Quenya name.
Tarondor
VALANDIL. 4th son of Isildur. See MEN OF WESTERNESSE
VALANDUR. The name Valandur means "servant of the Valar." The
ending ndur meaning "to serve."
Man of Arnor. Dúnadan. Kar08.
L:3A0462-0652=190y. R:3A0602-0652=50y. R:140.
Son of Tarondor (Kar07). Father of Elndur (Kar09). He died a
violent death.
Valandur became King of Arnor after his father's death in 602.
He was slain in unknown circumstances in 652 and was followed by
his son Elendur.
Valandur
MEN OF ARNOR.
Men of Arnor
The HEIR OF ANARION and the HEIR OF ISILDUR were the lawful
Kings of Gondor or of Arnor.
Only they could use the Palantirs.
Heir of Anárion
HEIR(S) OF ELROS, HEIR(S) OF ISILDUR, HEIR(S) OF ANARION,
HOUSE OF ISILDUR, HOUSE OF ANARION, LINE OF ELROS, LINE Of
ELENDIL, LINE OF ISILDUR, LINE OF ANARION.
NORTHERN LINE
---SOUTHERN LINE. See MEN OF GONDOR
HEIR(S) OF ELENDIL. Heir of Elendil
HOUSE OF ELROS (dynasty). Kings of Westernesse. See MEN OF
WESTERNESSE
HOUSE OF ELENDIL (dynasty). Kings of Arnor and Kings of Gondor.
House of Elendil
HOUSE OF ISILDUR. House of Isildur
DUNEDAIN OF ARNOR.
DUNEDAIN OF THE NORTH. See this Volume.
DUNEDAIN OF THE SOUTH. See MEN OF GONDOR
Dúnedain of the North Dúnedain of the South Dúnedain of Arnor
Northern Dúnedain
EXILES THE. Exiles of Númenor
Men of Arnor, Men of Gondor. Line of Anarion. Line of
Isildur.
GREY COMPANY. Grey Company
Grey Company, The
KINGS OF ARTHEDAIN. The Kings of Arthedain were the hereditary
rulers of Arthedain, a splinter kingdom of Arnor.
They were descended from Amlaith the eldest son of Eärendur the
last King of Arnor. Following the destruction of the other two
northern Dúnedain kingdoms, Cardolan and Rhudaur, the kings of
Arthedain claimed the title King of Arnor. Practically speaking,
however, their power was limited to the land of Arthedain which
gradually diminished over the course of their seven hundred-year
struggle with Angmar.
Angmar finally triumphed over Arthedain in 3A1974 with the
destruction of Fornost. The son of the last king, Arvedui, chose
not to claim the kingship and instead became the first Chieftain of
the Dúnedain.
KINGS OF CARDOLAN. The Kings of Cardolan were the hereditary
rulers of Cardolan, a splinter kingdom of Arnor.
The first king of Cardolan was the second son of Eärendur who
following his father's death in T.A. 861 disputed the ascension of
his elder brother Amlaith to the throne and declared himself king
of the independent realm of Cardolan. The exact sequence of events
which led to this, the later deeds of the kings of Cardolan as well
as their names remain unknown.
Presumably the last king of Cardolan died in 3A1409—the year
given for its destruction by Angmar—as what remained of his
subjects were absorbed into the kingdom of Arthedain.
KINGS OF RHUDAUR. The Kings of Rhudaur were the hereditary
rulers of Rhudaur, a splinter kingdom of Arnor.
The first king of Rhudaur was the third and youngest son of
Eärendur who following his father's death in T.A. 861 disputed the
ascension of his elder brother Amlaith to the throne and declared
himself king of an independent realm.
Rhudaur itself was the most isolated and inhospitable of the
northern kingdoms, and it would seem that a significant number of
the king's subjects were native Hill-men who resented rule by
Númenoreans. At some point after 3A1300[1] this group, with the
support of Angmar, usurped the throne of Rhudaur and drove out the
Dúnedain. The usurped dynasty, if any survived, presumably sought
refuge in Arthedain or Cardolan.
The Hill-men Kings of Rhudaur ruled for some time as vassals of
Angmar. Apparently however they were not very successful as by
3A1409 the region was almost completely depopulated. At this time
Rhudaur was finally annexed by Angmar and the its kingship was
terminated.
RANGERS OF THE NORTH.
Dunedain of the former North-kingdom of Arnor who guarded
Eriador. The Rangers of the North secretly protected the Hobbits of
the Shire, the Men of Bree-land, and other inhabitants of Eriador.
Most people were unaware of the Rangers' vigilance and viewed them
as vagabonds.
The Rangers of the North travelled far and wide throughout
Eriador using their skills as trackers to hunt down the servants of
Sauron. The Rangers were used to living in the wild, though they
sometimes stayed at the Prancing Pony in Bree. The Bree-folk
listened to the news they brought from abroad but remained
suspicious of the Rangers.
The Rangers were rough and worn in appearance, but they were
also proud and noble in demeanor. They wore simple clothing without
ornamentation apart from silver star-shaped brooches on their
cloaks. They were generally tall with dark hair.
The Rangers were descendants of the Dunedain of the
North-kingdom of Arnor. The North-kingdom ended in 1974 of the
Third Age when the Witch-king of Angmar captured Fornost, the last
stronghold of the Dunedain. Although the Witch-king was defeated in
the Battle of Fornost, the Dunedain were weakened and they became a
wandering people.
Nevertheless, as Rangers the Dunedain continued to protect the
peoples of their former kingdom. They kept their deeds secret so
the common folk of Eriador could live without fear of the danger
that surrounded them. Several Chieftains of the Dunedain were
killed while leading the Rangers to fight the evil creatures that
invaded their lands.
In 2327, Aragorn I was slain by wolves which plagued eastern
Eriador. Around 2480, Orcs began to make strongholds in the Misty
Mountains to block the passes into Eriador. Starting around 2740,
Orcs began to come down from the mountains into Eriador. There were
numerous skirmishes with the Orcs between 2745 and 2748.
Arathorn I died an untimely death in unknown circumstances in
2848. Arador was killed by Hill-trolls in the Coldfells north of
Rivendell in 2930. His son Arathorn II was killed while hunting
Orcs just three years later in 2933. He was succeeded by his son
Aragorn II, who assumed leadership of the Rangers when he grew to
manhood.
In 3001, the Rangers doubled their guard on the Shire when
Gandalf began to suspect that the One Ring was in the possession
Frodo Baggins. Saruman learned of the Rangers' vigilance and became
increasingly interested in the Shire. For their part, the Rangers
grew suspicious of Saruman's agents - whose purpose was ostensibly
to buy pipe-weed - but they allowed them to pass because the Wizard
was not yet known to be a traitor.
Sauron sent the Nazgûl to the Shire seeking the One Ring in
3018. On September 22, the Nazgûl reached Sarn Ford on the southern
border of the Shire and found a company of Rangers on guard. The
Rangers could not withstand the Nazgûl and many of them were slain,
but some managed to escape. They were later able to delay one of
the Nazgûl who was sent to report Frodo's presence at the Prancing
Pony to the Witch-king, and they also alerted Gandalf that the
Nazgûl were at large.
Aragorn was not with the Rangers at Sarn Ford but instead was on
the East Road near Bree, where he was known as Strider the Ranger.
He found Frodo at the Prancing Pony and escorted him to Rivendell
with the Nazgûl in pursuit. After the Nazgûl were overcome by
floodwaters at the Ford of Bruinen, Aragorn and a company of
Rangers travelled downriver to Tharbad seeking signs of the
Nazgûl's fate.
During the War of the Ring, Aragorn helped the Rohirrim defeat
Saruman's forces at the Battle of Helm's Deep on March 3-4, 3019.
After the battle, he was joined by 30 Rangers led by Halbarad along
with Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir. The Rangers followed
Aragorn through the Paths of the Dead. Aragorn led the Army of the
Dead to Pelargir to defeat the Corsairs, and afterwards a Ranger
boarded each of the ships to free the slaves.
On March 15, the Rangers fought in the Battle of the Pelennor
Fields and Halbarad was slain. The remaining Rangers accompanied
Aragorn to the Black Gate and fought in the Battle of the Morannon
on March 25 while the One Ring was destroyed and Sauron was
defeated. On May 1, the Rangers attended the coronation of
Aragorn.
While the Rangers were away, Eriador was troubled by Men from
the South as well as wolves and other evil creatures. The Rangers
returned after the war, and Aragorn reestablished the North-kingdom
as King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.
The name Rangers implies "wanderers." Also called the
Guardians.
---RANGERS OF THE SOUTH. See MEN OF GONDOR