One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them.

ARNOR.

ArnorArnor means "land of the King" from ar meaning "royal, noble" and nor from dôr or ndor meaning "land." The Northern Realm in Exile of the Men of Westernesse in Middle-earth. Established by Elendil and his sons after their escape from the Drowning of Westernesse in 2A3320.The North Kingdom of the Dunedain, Arnor was founded in the year 3320 of the Second Age, after the Downfall of Numenor. Its founder was Elendil, who was the High King of both Arnor and Gondor (founded by his two sons, Isildur and Anarion). The tenth King of Arnor, Earendur, split the realm between his three sons, so it was later called Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. In Cardolan and Rhudaur, the Dunedain soon dwindled enough that by 1350 of the Third Age, it was overtly allied with Angmar, the realm of the Witch-King. After the destruction of Angmar, the line of Arnor's Kings never failed, though Arnor was ruined, and the Kings were called Chieftains instead. It was from this line that the Kings of Gondor eventually came from too, with the end of the Third Age and Aragorn's crowning.The North-kingdom Arnor was the Kingdom of the Dunedain in the north, while Gondor was the Kingdom of the Dunedain in the south. Also called the North Kingdom, the Northern Kingdom, and the Northern Realm. Arthedain Arthedain was one of the three kingdoms into which Arnor became divided. The element arth may be the Sindarin equivalent of the Quenya arta meaning "exalted, lofty." It could also be connected to the word ardh meaning "realm." The word edain means "men." Cardolan Cardolan was another of the three kingdoms into which Arnor became divided. The meaning of Cardolan is uncertain. Robert Foster's Guide to Middle-earth suggests that it may mean "red hill land" from caran meaning "red," dol meaning "hill," and the ending -an from -and denoting "country, region." The relevance of this definition not clear, though it could be some sort of reference to the Barrow-downs. Rhudaur Rhudaur was the third of the kingdoms into which Arnor was divided. The meaning of Rhudaur is uncertain. It may be derived from rhûn meaning "east" and daur from taur meaning "forest." Rhudaur was the easternmost kingdom and included the woodlands of the Trollshaws.

ARNOR split into three Kingdoms: ARTHEDAIN, CARDOLAN, RHUDAUR.See also MEN OF ARNOR and RULERS (PDF)See also COUNCIL OF ARNOR in COUNCILS.

Arnor and Gondor: KINGDOMS OF THE DUNEDAIN, TWO KINGDOMS.Two KingdomsNUMENOREAN KINGDOM(S) in Middle-earth. -REALMS IN EXILE.

Númenórean RealmsRealms in Exile

-KINGDOM OF FORNOST. -KINGDOM OF THE NORTH. -LAND OF THE KING. -LOST REALM. Lost Realm-NORTH-KINGDOM. See Arthedain. See Arnor. -NORTH-REALM. North-realm-NORTH KINGDOM. The North-kingdom. Arnor was the Kingdom of the Dunedain in the north, while Gondor was the Kingdom of the Dunedain in the south. Also called the North Kingdom, the Northern Kingdom, and the Northern Realm. North-kingdom-NORTHERN KINGDOM. Northern Kingdom -NORTHERN REALM. -NORTHLAND. -NORTHLANDS.

ANNÚMINAS. (S). "Tower of the West", "West-ward Tower". Annúminas means "Tower of the West" from the Sindarin annûn meaning "sunset, west" and minas meaning "tower." ANNUMINAS. Elendil's city on Lake Nenuial. Ancient seat of the Kings of Arnor beside Lake Evendim (Nenuial). Capital of the North-kingdom of Arnor. Annuminas was located in Eriador. The city was on the southeastern shore of Lake Evendim among the Hills of Evendim north of the Shire. The Brandywine River flowed from Lake Evendim just north of Annuminas. Annuminas was the seat of Elendil, the High King of Gondor and Arnor, who dwelled in the north while his sons Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled Gondor in the south. The chief token of royalty of the North-kingdom of Arnor was the Sceptre of Annuminas. The palantir called the Stone of Annuminas was kept in the city and was used by the King. After the death of Elendil in the War of the Last Alliance in 3441 of the Second Age, the rule of the North-kingdom of Arnor passed to the heirs of Elendil's son Isildur. Valandil, the youngest son of Isildur, became King of Arnor in the year 10 of the Third Age and he moved to Annuminas from Rivendell, where he had lived as a child.

In 861, the North-kingdom was divided into three kingdoms: Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. Amlaith, the first King of Arthedain, made Fornost his capital city, and Annuminas fell into ruin and was deserted for over 2,000 years. When Aragorn, King Elessar, became King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor in 3019, he rebuilt Annuminas as his northern capital. In the year 15 of the Fourth Age, Aragorn and Queen Arwen went north to dwell in Annuminas for a while. Thain Peregrin Took and Mayor Samwise Gamgee visited the King and Queen in Annuminas many times. The first capital of Arnor, Annuminas, was deserted when the capital city removed to Fornost. Annuminas was rebuilt during the reign of King Elessar during the Fourth Age.The first capital of Arnor was Annuminas on the shores of Lake Evendim. The capital was later moved to Fornost on the North Downs. Other major towns in Arnor were Bree and Tharbad. Capital of the North-kingdom of Arnor. The first capital of Arnor was deserted when the capital city removed to Fornost. The town was rebuilt during the reign of King Elessar during the Fourth Age.

Annúminas -ALDEMANTON. -ANNûMINAS,-DUNHIRION. Rejected bame of ANNûMINAS.-TANKILMAR.-TARKILION. Tarkilion was a name for Annúminas that Tolkien rejected (propably at once).-TARKILMAR. Earliest name.-TORFIRION < TARKILMAR. -WESTERMANTON.

ARTHEDAIN. (S). "Realm of the Edain". Arthedain was one of the three kingdoms into which Arnor became divided. The element arth may be the Sindarin equivalent of the Quenya arta meaning "exalted, lofty." It could also be connected to the word ardh meaning "realm." The word edain means "men." One of the three kingdoms into which Arnor was divided in 3A861. Bounded by the rivers Brandywine and the Lune. Extended eastwards to the Weather Hills. The capital was Fornost.-MEN OF ARTHEDAIN. -RULERS OF ARTHEDAIN. Arthedain

BARROW-DOWNS. See ERIADOR

BREE. Town. See MEN OF BREE

CARDOLAN. Cardolan was south of the Great East Road. It included the land east of the Brandywine as far as the Hoarwell and Greyflood. The Old Forest and the Barrow-downs were in Cardolan. Cardolan also included the wide open region between the Brandywine and Greyflood called Minhiriath, which had a coast on the Sea. The city of Tharbad was located on the Greyflood in Cardolan. Cardolan was another of the three kingdoms into which Arnor became divided. The meaning of Cardolan is uncertain. Robert Foster's Guide to Middle-earth suggests that it may mean "red hill land" from caran meaning "red," dol meaning "hill," and the ending -an from -and denoting "country, region." The relevance of this definition not clear, though it could be some sort of reference to the Barrow-downs. -MEN OF CARDOLAN. -RULERS OF CARDOLAN.

Cardolan

ELOSTIRION. See SHIRE > WHITE TOWERS

FORNOST. (S). "North-fortress". FORNOST ERAIN. Fornost means "northern fortress" in Sindarin from forn meaning "north" and ost meaning "fortress." It was also called Fornost Erain - "northern fortress of the Kings." Erain is the plural of aran meaning "king." Fornost was called Norbury in the Common Speech, which also means "northern fortress," from the Old English norð burg. It was also called Norbury of the Kings or Kings' Norbury. While the city was deserted it was known as Deadman's Dike. Capital of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Fornost was located in the North Downs of Eriador, about 100 miles north of Bree and about 100 miles east of Annuminas. Fornost was at the northern end of the great North-South Road - or Greenway - which connected the Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor. Annuminas was the original capital of Arnor until 861 of the Third Age, when the North-kingdom was divided into Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. The line of Kings was maintained in Arthedain, and the first King of Arthedain moved his capital from Annuminas to Fornost. He was known as Amlaith of Fornost. Amlaith brought the palantir called the Stone of Annuminas to his new capital. Fornost remained the seat of the North-kingdom for over 1,000 years. In 1409, the Witch-king of Angmar attacked the North-kingdom. The Stone of Amon Sul was brought to Fornost for safekeeping after the Witch-king destroyed the Tower of Amon Sul. The Witch-king's forces attacked Fornost, but they were driven back by the young King Araphor with the help of Cirdan the Shipwright. Fornost was captured by the Witch-king in 1974. King Arvedui of Arthedain and his people were driven out of Fornost and the Witch-king came to live there along with many of his evil folk. In 1975, a host of Elves and Men challenged the Witch-king, and he rode forth from Fornost onto the plain west of the city to meet them. The Witch-king's forces were defeated in the Battle of Fornost and the Witch-king fled from the north. After the battle, the Dunedain were scattered and though they went to Fornost from time to time, the city was not reclaimed. Fornost stood deserted, but its evil reputation remained and it became known as Deadman's Dike. The city fell into ruin and was overgrown with grass. It was not until the Fourth Age after Aragorn, King Elessar, reunited the Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor that people came to dwell in Fornost once more.

Fornost -DEADMEN'S DIKE. Deadmen’s Dike The remnant of Fornost Erain.-FORNOBEL. -FORNOST ERAIN. (S). "North-fortress of the Kings". Fornost Erain The city of the Kings of Arthedain. -KING'S NORBURY. Kings’ Norbury-NORBURY OF THE KINGS. Norbury of the Kings-NORTH BURG. -NORTHBURG THE.-NORTHBURY. -NORTHWORTHY. -OSFOROD.

HILLS OF EVENDIM. The Hills of Evendim were called Emyn Uial in Sindarin. The word emyn means "hills" and uial means 'twilight." Evendim means "evening twilight." Hills in Eriador. The Hills of Evendim were located just north of the Shire. The southern slopes of the Hills of Evendim were the North Moors in the Northfarthing of the Shire. The hills stretched for about 150 miles from north to south. Lake Evendim was on the eastern side of the Hills of Evendim. The lake was the source of the Brandywine. Another, unnamed river began on the western side of the Hills of Evendim and flowed into the Lune. The city of Annumimas was in the southern hills on the shore of Lake Evendim. Annuminas was the capital of the North-kingdom of Arnor until 861 of the Third Age when the capital was moved eastward to Fornost in the North Downs. Annuminas was abandoned and fell into ruin. The Witch-king of Angmar captured Fornost in 1974. In 1975, an army of Elves and Men of Arnor and Gondor gathered in the Hills of Evendim and then came down onto the plain between the Hills of Evendim and the North Downs and defeated the Witch-king in the Battle of Fornost. Aragorn, King Elessar, rebuilt Annuminas in the Fourth Age and it became the capital of Arnor once more. Hills of Evendim Evendim

-EMYN UIAL. Emyn Uial

LAKE EVENDIM. In Eriador, Arnor. Evendim means "evening twilight." The Sindarin name was Nenuial meaning "lake of twilight" from nen meaning "lake" and uial meaning "twilight."

EvendimLake in Eriador. Lake Evendim was in the Hills of Evendim north of the Shire. The lake was the source of the Brandywine River. In the early part of the Second Age, Galadriel and Celeborn may have dwelled in the area around Lake Evendim with many Elves in their following before they moved to Eregion around the year 700. Men also lived around Lake Evendim in the early part of the Second Age. When the North-kingdom of Arnor was established in 3320, the High King Elendil had his seat at Annuminas on the shore of Lake Evendim near the mouth of the Brandywine. One of the palantiri was kept there. After Arnor was divided into three kingdoms in 861 of the Third Age, the capital was moved to Fornost. Annuminas began to fall into ruin and was eventually abandoned. In the Fourth Age, Annuminas was

reestablished as the northern capital by Aragorn, King Elessar. In the year 15 of the Fourth Age, the King and Queen Arwen came north to dwell by the shores of Lake Evendim for a time. -LAKE NENUIAL.-LAKE TWILIGHT.-NENUIAL. Nenuial

MINHIRIATH.Cardolan also included the wide open region between the Brandywine and Greyflood called Minhiriath, which had a coast on the Sea.

NORTH DOWNS. High hills in Arnor. About one hundred and fifty miles northeast of the Shire. Fornost was located on the North Downs.Downs in Eriador. The North Downs were located about 100 miles north of Bree, at the end of the North-South Road. The town of Fornost was in the southern end of the North Downs. Men lived in the North Downs long before the founding of the North-kingdom of Arnor and continued to do so afterwards. In 861 of the Third Age, Fornost became the capital of the North-kingdom. King Araphor defended the North Downs and Fornost against an attack by the Witch-king of Angmar in 1409. During another attack by the Witch-king in 1974, Fornost was captured but King Arvedui held out on the North Downs for a time before being forced to retreat. The next year, the Witch-king was defeated at the Battle of Fornost, which was fought on the plain between the North Downs and Lake Evendim to the west. The North Downs and Fornost were deserted for a long time afterwards, but people came to live there again in the Fourth Age. North Downs

OLD FOREST. The Old Forest and the Barrow-downs were in Cardolan. See ERIADOR

RHUDAUR. Rhudaur was in the east between the Weather Hills and the Misty Mountains. It lay mainly north of the Great East Road, though it did extend south of the road to include the Angle between the Hoarwell and Greyflood. In the north, Rhudaur was boarded by the Ettenmoors. The Trollshaws were located in Rhudaur. Rivendell was located just east of Rhudaur on the eastern side of the Bruinen. Rhudaur was the third of the kingdoms into which Arnor was divided. The meaning of Rhudaur is uncertain. It may be derived from rhûn meaning "east" and daur from taur meaning "forest." Rhudaur was the easternmost kingdom and included the woodlands of the Trollshaws. -MEN OF RHUDAUR. -RULERS OF RHUDAUR. Rhudaur

THARBAD. Town. The city of Tharbad was located on the Greyflood in Cardolan.

TOWER HILLS. See SHIRE

TOWER OF AMON SUL. Amon Sûl was the Sindarin name for Weathertop. It means "Hill of the Wind" from amon meaning "hill" and sûl meaning "wind." Tower of Amon Sûl. Watch-tower on Weathertop. Weathertop - which was also called Amon Sul - was the southernmost of the Weather Hills. Watch-tower on Weathertop. Weathertop - which was also called Amon Sul - was the southernmost of the Weather Hills. It was located north of the Great East Road in Eriador. The Tower of Amon Sul was once tall and fair, but by the end of the Third Age only ruins remained. The Tower of Amon Sul was built in the first days of the North-kingdom of Arnor, which was founded in 3320 of the Second Age. At that time, the seven palantiri were divided and placed in different parts of Gondor and Arnor. The largest and most powerful palantir in the North was kept in the Tower of Amon Sul. The Stone of Amon Sul was the chief palantir used for communicating with Gondor. The palantir was kept on a round table of black marble with a curved depression in the surface where the seeing-stone was set. It was said that Elendil watched from the Tower of Amon Sul for the arrival of Gil-galad before they set out to fight Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance. When Arnor was divided into three kingdoms in 861 of the Third Age, the Tower of Amon Sul was claimed by Arthedain and a special warden was posted there to guard and maintain the palantir. But Cardolan and Rhudaur also wanted possession of the Tower and its seeing-stone and there was strife among the three kingdoms. In 1356, King Argeleb I of Arthedain was slain defending the Weather Hills against an assault from Rhudaur, which was then ruled by an evil lord of the Hillmen who had secretly joined forces with the Witch-king of Angmar. Arveleg I, son of Argeleb, drove back the invaders and defended the Weather Hills for many years. But in 1409, Weathertop was surrounded by a great host from Angmar. Arveleg was killed and the Tower of Amon Sul was burned and razed. The Stone of Amon Sul was rescued by the forces of Arthedain, but it was later lost at sea. Over time the ring of stones that had once been the foundation of the Tower of Amon Sul crumbled and became overgrown with grass. When Gandalf came to Weathertop on October 3, 3018, he was besieged by the Nazgûl in the ruins. There was a great battle on the hilltop, and when he escaped Gandalf left a cairn of

broken and burned stones in the center of the ruins. Gandalf marked the topmost stone with the G rune and three strokes to indicate that he had been there on October 3. Aragorn interpreted the message when he came with the Hobbits to Weathertop on October 6. Later that night in a dell on the western side of Weathertop, five Nazgul attacked and Frodo Baggins was gravely wounded by the Witch-king before the Nazgûl withdrew and Aragorn led the Hobbits away. Tower of Amon Sûl

TROLLSHAWS. Region. See TROLLSThe Trollshaws were located in Rhudaur.

Weathertop & the Weather Hills Hills in Eriador. The Weather Hills were located just north of the Great East Road about midway between Bree and the Last Bridge. The Midgewater Marshes were west of the Weather Hills. The range stretched about 75 miles from north to south. Some of the hills rose to a height of 1,000 feet. Weathertop - also called Amon Sul - was the southernmost and tallest of the Weather Hills. It was conical in shape with a slightly flattened top. On the western side of the hill there was a sheltered hollow with a bowl-shaped dell at the bottom. Nearby was a spring of clear water. Men lived in the Weather Hills before the arrival of Elendil and the survivors of Numenor. After the North-kingdom of Arnor was established in 3320 of the Second Age, the Tower of Amon Sul was built on Weathertop. One of the palantiri was kept there. The Men of Arnor did not live in the Weather Hills but maintained defenses there. In 861 of the Third Age, Arnor was divided into the three Kingdoms of Arthedain, Rhudaur, and Cardolan. The Weather Hills were on the border between Arthedain and Rhudaur, while Cardolan bordered on the Great East Road south of the Weather Hills. Possession of the Weather Hills and particularly the Tower of Amon Sul became a source of dispute among the three kingdoms. King Argeleb I of Arthedain fortified the Weather Hills. A hidden path serving the forts ran through the hills from north to south. Rhudaur had been taken over by an evil lord in league with the Witch-king of Angmar. In 1356, the forces of Rhudaur and Angmar attacked and Argeleb I was slain defending the Weather Hills. Argeleb's son Arveleg I was able to defend the Weather Hills with the help of Cardolan for many years. But in 1409, Weathertop was surrounded by a great host from Angmar and Arveleg I was killed. The Tower of Amon Sul was burned and razed and nothing remained but a tumbled ring of stones on the summit of Weathertop. By the end of the Third Age, Weathertop was desolate and uninhabited, except for Rangers who took shelter in the dell on the west side of the hill from time to time. The Ranger known as Strider decided to lead Frodo Baggins and his companions to Weathertop when the Ring-bearer was pursued from Bree by Nazgûl. They arrived at Weathertop on October 6, 3018, and set up camp in the dell. In the center of the ruins on top of the hill there was a blackened pile of stones. The topmost stone bore markings that led Strider to believe that Gandalf had been there on October 3. The lights and flashes that Strider and the Hobbits had seen three nights before had in fact been the result of a battle between Gandalf and the Nazgûl atop Weathertop. Suddenly on the road below, Frodo saw five of the Nazgûl. Strider had the Hobbits hide and they retreated to the dell, but the Nazgûl sensed them and that night they attacked the camp. They were led by the Witch-king of Angmar who was the Lord of the Nazgûl. In the presence of Sauron's dreadful servants, Frodo succumbed to the overwhelming temptation to put on the Ring, but he resisted their attempt to take him by drawing his sword and invoking the name of Elbereth Gilthoniel, one of the Valar. The Witch-king stabbed Frodo in the shoulder, but Frodo's defiance and the appearance of Strider armed with flaming brands drove the Nazgûl away. On his way home to the Shire after the downfall of Sauron, Frodo would not look at Weathertop but rode past hastily with his head bowed. The wound in his shoulder continued to trouble him, particularly each year on October 6. Weathertop was called Amon Sûl in Sindarin. Amon Sûl means "Hill of the Wind" from amon meaning "hill" and sûl meaning "wind." It was also called Weathertop Hill.

WEATHER HILLS.

Weather Hills

WEATHERTOP. Called by this name in The Lord of the Rings. The name was used in Bree. Chief of the Weather HillsThe largest top in the Weather Hills who in the last days of The Northern Kingdom served as a barrier against the evil Witch-king from Angmar, at the top there once was a watch-tower, Amon Sûl, build by the men from the west (S.A.3320). The legend tells that here Elendil stood,watching and waiting for Gil-Galad to come out from the west in the last days of the Last Alliance(S.A.3430). The tower was burned and broken (T.A.1409) and nothing remains but a tumbled ring. In the tower was the most important of the three western Palantiri. When the Northern Kingdom; Arnor, was divided into Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur, Weathertop and Amon Sûl became the main object of the strife between the three Kingdoms because of the Palantiri there. Weathertop was in the possession of Arthedain and so were the Palantiri and the two other stones of the Northern Kingdom and both Cardolan and Rhudaur wished to posses the greatest of them. South of Weathertop ran the Great East Road from Emyn Beraid to Rivendel.

Weathertop -AMON SUL. (S). "Hill of the Wind". Amon Sûl -HILL OF THE WIND.-TOWER OF AMON SUL. Tower of Amon Sul

WHITE TOWERS ON TOWER HILLS. See SHIRE

ChronologySecond Age:3319 The destruction of Numenor. The Faithful escape and come to Middle-earth.3320 Foundation of the realms of Gondor and Arnor.3429 Sauron attacks Gondor. Isildur comes north to Arnor.3430 Elendil and Gil-galad form the Last Alliance to oppose Sauron. Birth of Isildur's son Valandil.3431 The army of the Last Alliance gathers in Rivendell.3434 The army of the Last Alliance crosses the Misty Mountains and defeats Sauron's forces in the Battle of Dagorlad. Sauron is besieged in Barad-dur.3440 Elendil's son Anarion is killed in battle.3441 Elendil and Gil-galad defeat Sauron but are themselves killed. Isildur takes the One Ring and Sauron's spirit flees his body. Third Age:

0002 Isildur heads north toward Arnor intending to assume the kingship but he is killed by Orcs in the Gladden Fields and the One Ring is lost.0003 Ohtar brings the shards of Narsil to Arnor.0010 Isildur's son Valandil turns 21 and becomes King of Arnor. He does not claim the High Kingship of both Gondor and Arnor.0087 Birth of Valandil's son Eldacar.0185 Birth of Eldacar's son Arantar.0249 Death of Valandil. Eldacar becomes fourth King of Arnor.0280 Birth of Arantar's son Tarcil.0339 Death of Eldacar. Arantar becomes fifth King of Arnor.0372 Birth of Tarcil's son Tarondor.0435 Death of Arantar. Tarcil becomes sixth King of Arnor.0462 Birth of Tarondor's son Valandur.0515 Death of Tarcil. Tarondor becomes seventh King of Arnor.0552 Birth of Valandur's son Elendur.0602 Death of Tarondor. Valandur becomes eighth King of Arnor.0640 Birth of Elendur's son Earendur.0652 Valandur slain. Elendur becomes ninth King of Arnor.0726 Birth of Earendur's eldest son Amlaith.0777 Death of Elendur. Earendur becomes tenth King of Arnor.0811 Birth of Amlaith's son Beleg.0861 Death of Earendur. Arnor is divided into three kingdoms by his sons. Earendur's eldest son Amlaith becomes King of Arthedain while the others rule Cardolan and Rhudaur.0895 Birth of Beleg's son Mallor.0946 Death of Amlaith. Beleg becomes second King of Arthedain.0979 Birth of Mallor's son Celepharn.1029 Death of Beleg. Mallor becomes third King of Arthedain.1050 The Harfoot branch of Hobbits cross the Misty Mountains into Eriador.1062 Birth of Celepharn's son Celebrindor.1110 Death of Mallor. Celepharn becomes fourth King of Arthedain.1144 Birth of Celebrindor's son Malvegil.1150 The Fallohide and Stoor branches of Hobbits move into Eriador.1191 Death of Celepharn. Celebrindor becomes fifth King of Arthedain.1226 Birth of Malvegil's son Argeleb I.1272 Death of Celebrindor. Malvegil becomes sixth King of Arthedain.1300 c. 1300 The Lord of the Nazgûl establishes the realm of Angmar east of Arnor.1309 Birth of Argeleb I's son Arveleg I.1349 Death of Malvegil. Argeleb I becomes seventh King of Arthedain.1356 King Argeleb I of Arthedain tries to claim rule of Arnor because the line of Isildur has died out in Cardolan and Rhudaur. Rhudaur joins with Angmar and attacks Arthedain. Argeleb I is killed. Arveleg I becomes eighth King of Arthedain.1391 Birth of Arveleg I's son Araphor.1409 Angmar attacks the Dunedain. Rhudaur is completely subjugated and Cardolan is ravaged. Arveleg I of Arthedain is killed. Araphor becomes ninth King of Arthedain and drives back the enemy.1473 Birth of Araphor's son Argeleb II.1553 Birth of Argeleb II's son Arvegil.1589 Death of Araphor. Argeleb II becomes tenth King of Arthedain.1601 King Argeleb II allows the Hobbits to settle in the Shire.1633 Birth of Arvegil's son Arveleg II.1636 The Great Plague comes to Arnor. The Dunedain of Cardolan perish. Arthedain is not as seriously affected.1670 Death of Argeleb II. Arvegil becomes eleventh King of Arthedain.1711 Birth of Arveleg II's son Araval.1743 Death of Arvegil. Arveleg II becomes twelfth King of Arthedain.1789 Birth of Araval's son Araphant.1813 Death of Arveleg II. Araval becomes thirteenth King of Arthedain.

1851 Araval wins a temporary victory over Angmar. He tries to reoccupy Cardolan but is unsuccessful.1864 Birth of Araphant's son Arvedui.1891 Death of Araval. Araphant becomes fourteenth King of Arthedain.1938 Birth of Arvedui's son Aranarth. (This date is probably incorrect as it conflicts with the marriage of Arvedui two years later in 1940.)1940 Arnor renews relations with Gondor. Arvedui marries Firiel, daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor.1944 King Ondoher of Gondor and his sons are killed in battle, leaving no direct heir. Arvedui tries to claim the throne of Gondor but his claim is rejected.1964 Death of Araphant. Arvedui becomes fifteenth and last King of Arthedain.1973 The Witch-king prepares an assault on Arthedain. Arvedui sends a request for help to Gondor.1974 The Witch-king of Angmar invades Arthedain and captures Fornost. The North-kingdom ends. Arvedui's sons and many other Dunedain retreat to Lindon. Arvedui holds out in the North Downs and then retreats north to the Icebay of Forochel.1975 Arvedui is shipwrecked and killed. Aid arrives from Gondor led by Earnur. The Witch-king's forces are defeated at the Battle of Fornost. The Witch-king leaves the north.1976 Arvedui's son Aranarth takes the title Chieftain of the Dunedain. The heirlooms of the House of Isildur are kept at Rivendell.2012 Birth of Aranarth's son Arahael.2050 The line of Kings ends in Gondor. The Stewards rule in the absence of a King.2084 Birth of Arahael's son Aranuir.2106 Death of Aranarth. Arahael becomes second Chieftain of the Dunedain.2156 Birth of Aranuir's son Aravir.2177 Death of Arahael. Aranuir becomes third Chieftain of the Dunedain.2227 Birth of Aravir's son Aragorn I.2247 Death of Aranuir. Aravir becomes fourth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2296 Birth of Aragorn I's son Araglas.2319 Death of Aravir. Aragorn I becomes fifth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2327 Aragorn I killed by wolves. Araglas becomes sixth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2365 Birth of Araglas's son Arahad I.2431 Birth of Arahad I's son Aragost.2455 Death of Araglas. Arahad I becomes seventh Chieftain of the Dunedain.2480 Orcs make strongholds in the Misty Mountains to block the passes into Eriador.2497 Birth of Aragost's son Aravorn.2523 Death of Arahad I. Aragost becomes eighth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2563 Birth of Aravorn's son Arahad II.2588 Death of Aragost. Aravorn becomes ninth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2628 Birth of Arahad II's son Arassuil.2654 Death of Aravorn. Arahad II becomes tenth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2693 Birth of Arassuil's son Arathorn I.2719 Death of Arahad II. Arassuil becomes eleventh Chieftain of the Dunedain.2740 Orcs from the Misty Mountains begin to cause trouble in Eriador.2747 The Battle of Greenfields in the Shire between the Hobbits and Orcs from the Misty Mountains.2757 Birth of Arathorn I's son Argonui.2758-59 The Long Winter. Many people in Eriador perish.2760 A famine follows the Long Winter.2784 Death of Arassuil. Arathorn I becomes twelfth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2820 Birth of Argonui's son Arador.2848 Death of Arathorn I. Argonui becomes thirteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2873 Birth of Arador's son Arathorn II.2911 The Fell Winter. The Brandywine freezes and white wolves enter the Shire.2912 Death of Argonui. Arador becomes fourteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2929 Arathorn II marries Gilraen.2930 Arador slain by Trolls. Arathorn II becomes fifteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain.2931 March 1: Birth of Arathorn II's son Aragorn II.2933 Arathorn II killed by an Orc. His son two-year-old son Aragorn is fostered at Rivendell by Elrond.

2951 Aragorn learns of his heritage as sixteenth Chieftain of the Dunedain and the heir of Isildur. Sauron declares himself openly in Mordor and rebuilds his forces.3001 The Dunedain double their guard on the Shire when Gandalf suspects the One Ring is there.3019March 6: Halbarad and a company of Dunedain of the North join Aragorn. March 25: The One Ring is destroyed and Sauron is defeated.May 1: Aragorn is crowned King of Gondor.Midsummer's Eve: Aragorn receives the Sceptre of Annuminas. Fourth Age:0006 Aragorn makes the Shire a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre and forbids Men from entering it.0013 Aragorn makes the Thain, the Master of Buckland, and the Mayor of Michel Delving Counsellors of the North-kingdom.0015 Aragorn travels to Arnor to live in Annuminas for a time.0031 Aragorn adds the Westmarch to the Shire.0120 Death of Aragorn. His son Eldarion succeeds him as King of Gondor and Arnor.

Arnor was the North-kingdom of the Dunedain in Middle-earth. Originally Arnor was united with Gondor in the south, but over time the two kingdoms became separated and isolated. Gondor survived, but Arnor fell apart. First it was divided into the three kingdoms of Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur, and finally it ceased to exist entirely. It was not until the reign of Aragorn, King Elessar, that the North-kingdom of Arnor was reestablished and reunited with Gondor. Arnor was located in northwestern Middle-earth in the region known as Eriador. The boundaries of Arnor and Eriador were similar but not exactly the same. Eriador included all the lands between the Misty Mountains and the Blue Mountains as far south as the Glanduin and Greyflood rivers. Arnor included most of this area except the Elvish lands west of the River Lune - beyond which Lindon was located - and east of the Bruinen and lower Hoarwell - where Rivendell and Eregion were located.The first capital of Arnor was Annuminas on the shores of Lake Evendim. The capital was later moved to Fornost on the North Downs. Other major towns in Arnor were Bree and Tharbad.The Great East Road the Grey Havens to Rivendell passed through Arnor. The North-South Road came to Arnor from Gondor. It traversed the Greyflood at Tharbad and continued northward through Bree to Fornost. As Arnor declined, the road fell into disuse and became known as the Greenway.In 861 of the Third Age, Arnor was divided into three separate kingdoms: Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. Arthedain was in the west. It lay mainly between the River Lune and the Brandywine. It also included land between the Brandywine and the Weather Hills north of the Great East Road. The cities of Annuminas and Fornost were both in Arthedain. The Shire was also located within the boundaries of Arthedain.Cardolan was south of the Great East Road. It included the land east of the Brandywine as far as the Hoarwell and Greyflood. The Old Forest and the Barrow-downs were in Cardolan. Cardolan also included the wide open region between the Brandywine and Greyflood called Minhiriath, which had a coast on the Sea. The city of Tharbad was located on the Greyflood in Cardolan.Rhudaur was in the east between the Weather Hills and the Misty Mountains. It lay mainly north of the Great East Road, though it did extend south of the road to include the Angle between the Hoarwell and Greyflood. In the north, Rhudaur was boarded by the Ettenmoors. The Trollshaws were located in Rhudaur. Rivendell was located just east of Rhudaur on the eastern side of the Bruinen. In 3319 of the Second Age, the island realm of Numenor was destroyed. The King Ar-Pharazon and many of his people had been corrupted by Sauron. They defied the will of the Valar and tried to sail to the Undying Lands in a misguided attempt to gain immortality. As punishment, Eru caused Numenor to sink beneath the waves.A small group of Numenoreans had remained faithful to the Valar. The Faithful escaped the destruction of Numenor in a fleet of nine ships. They were led by Elendil and his sons Isildur and Anarion. A great wind carried their ships eastward to Middle-earth where they and their descendants became known as the Dunedain, or Men of the West.While the five ships of Isildur and Anarion landed in the south, Elendil and his four ships came to the north. Elendil was befriended by Gil-galad, the leader of the Elves of Lindon. Elendil and his people crossed the Lune and settled in the wide lands of Eriador east of the river. They founded the cities of

Annuminas and Fornost, and they also lived along the Lune and the Brandywine and in the regions of Cardolan and Rhudaur.In 3320, the Kingdoms Gondor and Arnor were founded. Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled in Gondor. Elendil ruled Arnor, but he was also the High King of both realms.Elendil made Annuminas his capital city. As the main symbol of royalty of the North-kingdom he bore the Sceptre of Annuminas. This was a silver rod which had previously been borne by his ancestors in Numenor. Instead of a crown, he wore the Elendilmir, which was a silver band set with a white gem.The seven Seeing-stones called the palantiri were divided between Gondor and Arnor; four were in the south and three were in the north. The Stone of Annuminas was kept in the capital. The Stone of Amon Sul was placed in the Tower of Amon Sul which was built on Weathertop. And the Elendil Stone was kept in Elostirion - one of the three White Towers that Gil-galad built for Elendil in the Tower Hills. The first two stones were used for communicating with Gondor, but the Elendil Stone looked only westward across the Sea.In 3429, Sauron attacked Gondor. He captured Minas Ithil, the stronghold of Isildur. Isildur and his family sailed north to Arnor while Anarion remained in Gondor to hold back the forces of Mordor. Gil-galad and Elendil formed the Last Alliance of Elves and Men in 3430 to oppose Sauron. They gathered their forces at Rivendell in 3431 and then marched to Mordor.The Last Alliance was victorious against Sauron's forces at the Battle of Dagorlad outside the Black Gate of Mordor in 3434. But Sauron remained undefeated in Barad-dur, and the Last Alliance entered Mordor to lay siege to the stronghold. The Siege of Barad-dur lasted seven years and many Elves and Men were killed including Elendil's son Anarion.At last in 3441, Sauron came down from his tower. He fought Elendil and Gil-galad on the slopes of Mount Doom. Sauron's body was cast down, but Elendil and Gil-galad were both killed. Isildur cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand and Sauron's spirit fled from his body and went into hiding.After the War of the Last Alliance, most of the survivors of Arnor's army returned home via the North-South Road. Isildur remained in Gondor for a time. In the year 2 of the Third Age, Isildur set out for Arnor to take up the kingship there. He left his brother Anarion's son Meneldil to rule Gondor, though Isildur intended to be the High King of both realms as his father had been.On the way north Isildur's company was attacked by Orcs in the Gladden Fields. Isildur and his three oldest sons as well as most of his company were killed. Isildur's esquire Ohtar escaped with the shards of Elendil's sword Narsil, which had been broken in the battle against Sauron. In the year 3, Ohtar brought the shards of Narsil to Rivendell where Isildur's youngest son Valandil had remained with his mother.Valandil was only 13 when his father died, so he remained in Rivendell under the care of Elrond until he came of age. When Valandil turned 21 in the year 10, he became the King of Arnor. Valandil did not claim the title of High King of both Gondor and Arnor. Instead, Gondor continued to be ruled by the heirs of Anarion while Arnor was ruled by the heirs of Isildur, and the two kingdoms became separated.Arnor's population had been greatly diminished by the loss of many men in the War of the Last Alliance. The King still lived in Annuminas, but many other settlements in Arnor could no longer be maintained.Valandil was succeeded by his son Eldacar in 249. There followed six more Kings of Arnor: Arantar, Tarcil, Tarondor, Valandur, Elendur, and Earendur. Earendur was the last King to rule all of Arnor.When Earendur died in 861, there was dissension among his sons and Arnor was divided into three separate kingdoms: Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. Arthedain was ruled by Earendur's eldest son Amlaith, while Cardolan and Rhudaur were ruled by two younger sons of Earendur whose names are not known.Amlaith moved the capital to Fornost, and he brought the Stone of Annuminas there with him. Annuminas became deserted over time and the city fell into ruin. Amlaith was succeeded as King of Arthedain by his son Beleg, who was followed by Mallor, Celepharn, Celebrindor, and Malvegil.Around 1300, during the reign of Malvegil, the Lord of the Nazgûl established the realm of Angmar around the Misty Mountains east of Arnor. His identity was not known at first and he was called the Witch-king of Angmar. His purpose was to destroy the North-kingdom by taking advantage of the disunity among the kingdoms of Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur.A major source of contention among the three kingdoms was possession of the Weather Hills, which were located at the point where all three kingdoms met. There was a palantir in the Tower of Amon Sul on Weathertop, and both Cardolan and Rhudaur wanted to claim it, particularly since Arthedain already had the two other palantiri.

In 1349, Malvegil's son Argeleb I became the seventh King of Arthedain. The direct line of Isildur had been maintained from father to son in Arthedain, but in Cardolan and Rhudaur, the line of Isildur had died out. Argeleb I therefore claimed rulership of all of Arnor.Argeleb's claim was disputed by Rhudaur. The Dunedain had diminished in Rhudaur and rule of the country had been usurped by a lord of the Hill-men. He formed an alliance with the Witch-king of Angmar against Arthedain. In 1356, they launched an attack on the Weather Hills. Argeleb built fortifications and defended the hills, but he was killed in battle.Argeleb's son Arveleg I succeeded him as King of Arthedain. Arveleg joined forces with Cardolan and with the Elves of Lindon to drive the enemy out of the Weather Hills. For many years, Arthedain and Cardolan continued to defend the Weather Hills and a frontier along the Great East Road and the River Hoarwell against the forces of Rhudaur and Angmar.In 1409, the Witch-king of Angmar sent a great army to attack the Dunedain. The few remaining Dunedain in Rhudaur were killed or driven out and Rhudaur was occupied by evil Men allied with Angmar. The prince of Cardolan was killed, and there was no one left in his line to succeed him. He was buried in the Barrow-downs. Some of the surviving Dunedain of Cardolan took refuge in the Barrow-downs and the Old Forest and held out against the enemy.The forces of Angmar surrounded Weathertop and the Tower of Amon Sul was destroyed. King Arveleg I of Arthedain was killed, but some of his men managed to retreat to Fornost, bringing with them the Stone of Amon Sul. Arveleg's son Araphor - who was only about 18 years old - became King and took charge of the defense of Fornost and the North Downs. Araphor drove back the enemy with the help of Cirdan and the Elves of Lindon and Elrond and the Elves of Rivendell.Araphor was succeeded by his son Argeleb II in 1589. In 1601, two Hobbits named Marcho and Blanco sought permission from Argeleb II to lead a group of Hobbits from Bree to settle in the lands between the Brandywine River and the Far Downs. This area had once had farmland, vineyards, and woods belonging to the King, but the land had long been deserted. Argeleb granted the Hobbits permission on the condition that they acknowledge his rule, speed his messengers, and repair the roads and bridges. The land where the Hobbits settled became known as the Shire.In 1636, the Great Plague came north to Arnor. Many people in Cardolan died, and the Dunedain there were wiped out entirely. The tombs in the Barrow-downs in Cardolan were occupied by evil spirits called Barrow-wights from Angmar and Rhudaur. Arthedain was not as badly affected by the Plague, and the line of Isildur continued there.Argeleb II was followed by Arvegil, Arveleg II, and Araval. In 1851, Araval is said to have won a temporary victory over the forces of Angmar. He also tried to reoccupy Cardolan but was unsuccessful because of the Barrow-wights that lived there.During the reign of Araval's son Araphant, communication resumed between Arnor and Gondor. The two kingdoms had long been estranged, but King Araphant and King Ondoher of Gondor realized that they were being targeted by a common enemy, though they did not know that their enemy was Sauron. Araphant and Ondoher took counsel with one another, but neither could spare help or resources to the other. The North-kingdom was once again under attack from Angmar, while the South-kingdom was attacked by the Wainriders from Rhun in the East.In 1940, Araphant's son Arvedui married Ondoher's daughter Firiel. Four years later, King Ondoher and both his sons were killed in battle, leaving Gondor with no direct heir to the throne. Arvedui made a claim for the throne of Gondor on the grounds that he was the direct heir of Elendil - the first High King of Gondor and Arnor - and that his wife Firiel was the only remaining child of Ondoher. Gondor rejected the claim because their Kings had always come from the line of Anarion, not Isildur, and because the line of Kings was passed down through sons only, not daughters.Earnil - a captain of the royal house - became King of Gondor, and he sent a promise of friendship and aid to Arvedui. Arvedui did not pursue his claim to the throne of Gondor. In 1964, Araphant died and Arvedui became King of Arthedain. It had been predicted by Malbeth the Seer that Arvedui would be the last King of Arthedain, and so it came to pass.In the fall of 1973 it became apparent that the Witch-king was preparing to launch a full assault against Arthedain. Arvedui sent a message to Earnil in Gondor, but help did not arrive in time to prevent the forces of Angmar from capturing Fornost in 1974. The city was filled with the Witch-king's minions, and the Witch-king himself came there to dwell in the King's house.Many of the Dunedain, including Arvedui's sons, retreated across the River Lune to Lindon. Arvedui and some of his men held out in the North Downs for a time, but eventually they were forced to retreat

northward. They hid in the Blue Mountains until they ran out of food. Then they sought help from the Snowmen who lived near the Icebay of Forochel.In March of 1975, Cirdan sent a ship from the Grey Havens to rescue Arvedui. A great blizzard came from the north and sank the ship. Arvedui and his men were killed and the two palantiri they had with them were lost.A fleet from Gondor arrived at the Grey Havens bringing an army led by Earnil's son Earnur. They joined with the remaining Dunedain of the North and Elves from Lindon and Rivendell to fight the Witch-king. At the Battle of Fornost, the Witch-king's forces were defeated, and the Orcs and Men in his service were slain or driven out of Eriador.The Witch-king tried to return to his stronghold Carn Dum, but Earnur cut off his retreat. Earnur's horse could not withstand the Nazgûl's presence, and the Witch-king escaped and went to Mordor. The Witch-king did not forget Earnur. Years later in 2050 the Witch-king lured Earnur to Minas Morgul. Earnur was never seen again. The line of Kings ended in the South, and Gondor was subsequently ruled by the Stewards.Despite the victory over Angmar, the Dunedain of the North were greatly diminished and weakened. The city of Fornost was left abandoned. Arthedain no longer existed, and the North-kingdom came to an end. The Dunedain became a wandering people. The people of Eriador called them Rangers. Some even scorned the Dunedain, not realizing who they were and not knowing that the Dunedain continued to guard and protect them.Arvedui's son Aranarth took the title Chieftain of the Dunedain. Through the Chieftains, the line of Isildur was maintained. The heirlooms of the house of Isildur - namely the shards of Narsil, the Elendilmir, the Sceptre of Annuminas, and the Ring of Barahir - were kept at Rivendell. It also became traditional for the Chieftains of the Dunedain to foster their sons with Elrond in Rivendell, starting with Arahael son of Aranarth.Arahael was followed by Aranuir, Aravir, and Aragorn I. In 2327, Aragorn I was killed by wolves and was succeeded by Araglas. Around 2480, during the reign of Araglas's son Arahad I, Orcs began to make strongholds in the Misty Mountains for the purpose of blocking the passes into Eriador.Arahad I was followed by Aragost, Aravorn, Arahad II, and Arassuil. In Arassuil's time, the land became increasingly dangerous. Starting around 2740, Orcs began to come down from the Misty Mountains into Eriador. There were numerous skirmishes with the Orcs between 2745 and 2748. The Orcs even came as far west as the Shire, where the Hobbits led by Bandobras Took defeated them at the Battle of Greenfields in 2747. The people of Eriador also suffered greatly during the Long Winter of 2758-59 and the famine that followed.Arassuil's heir Arathorn I died an untimely death in unknown circumstances in 2848. His son Argonui's reign was marked by the Fell Winter, when the Brandywine froze and white wolves entered the Shire. In the floods following the spring thaw, the city of Tharbad was ruined.Argonui's son Arador was killed by Hill-trolls in the Coldfells north of Rivendell in 2930. His son Arathorn II was Chieftain of the Dunedain for only three years. In 2933, he was killed while hunting Orcs with Elrond's sons Elladan and Elrohir. His son Aragorn II was only two years old at the time. Aragorn's mother Gilraen brought him to live with Elrond in Rivendell. In 2951, Elrond told Aragorn of his heritage as the heir of Isildur and gave him the Ring of Barahir and the shards of Narsil.That same year, Sauron revealed that he had returned to Mordor and was rebuilding his forces. The Dunedain increased their vigilance against Sauron's minions. In 3001, the Dunedain doubled their guard on the Shire when Gandalf began to suspect that the One Ring was there in the possession of a Hobbit named Frodo Baggins.On September 22, 3018, the Nazgûl came to the Shire seeking the One Ring and they defeated a company of Rangers guarding Sarn Ford. During the War of the Ring, evil Men came to Eriador from the south. The Shire was occupied and there was violence in Bree. Ruffians roamed the roads and woods, and there were wolves and other creatures abroad as well. Many the Dunedain had gone south led by Halbarad to join Aragorn in the war against the forces of Mordor. Sauron was finally defeated when the One Ring was destroyed on March 25, 3019.Aragorn was accepted as the heir of Elendil by the people of Gondor, and he was crowned King of Gondor on May 1. On Midsummer's Eve, Elrond brought him the Sceptre of Annuminas which was the symbol of royalty of the North-kingdom. Aragorn reestablished the Kingdom of Arnor and the two kingdoms were reunited once more under his rule.

In the year 6 of the Fourth Age, Aragorn made the Shire a Free Land under the protection of the North-kingdom and Men were forbidden to enter. The Thain, the Master of Buckland, and the Mayor of Michel Delving were made Counsellors of the North-kingdom in the year 13.Aragorn traveled to Arnor in the year 15. At a ceremony signifying Aragorn's accession to the kingship of Arnor, Arwen bound the Elendilmir on Aragorn's brow. He wore the Elendilmir on high days in the North-kingdom.Arnor was made safe again and the land was repopulated. Annuminas was rebuilt as the capital of the North-kingdom. Aragorn divided his time between Annuminas in the north and Minas Tirith in the south. In the year 120, Aragorn died and was succeeded by his son Eldarion as King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.