The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Location
The far northwest of Middle-earth
Origins
Founded by Elendil, who became Arnor's first High King
Race
Division
Culture
Family
Ruled by the House of Elendil, and specifically the House of Isildur descended from Elendil's elder son
Settlements
The chief cities of the Dúnedain in Arnor were Annúminas and Fornost
Pronunciation
a'rrnorr (all 'r' sounds should be pronounced; 'rr' is used here to emphasise this)
Meaning
'Land of the King'
Other names

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 13 December 2008
  • This entry is complete

Arnor

The North-kingdom of the Dúnedain

Map of Arnor
The solid white lines represent the known borders of the kingdom of Arnor. The dashed lines show the approximate borders of its three successor kingdoms, Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur.
The solid white lines represent the known borders of the kingdom of Arnor. The dashed lines show the approximate borders of its three successor kingdoms, Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur.

Founded by Elendil in the last years of the Second Age, Arnor was the great kingdom of Men in the north of Middle-earth. It lay between the Misty Mountains in the east, and the Blue Mountains on the borders of Lindon in the west, and encompassed the area where the Shire would be founded many years later. Its capital, and the seat of its Kings, was at Annúminas on Lake Nenuial.

Elendil fell in the Siege of Barad-dûr in II 3441, and his eldest son Isildur, who would have taken the rulership, was lost two years later as he journeyed back from the southlands with his three eldest sons, who were slain with their father at the Disaster of the Gladden Fields. Isildur's youngest son Valandil, however, had not gone to the war, and was kept safe in Rivendell; he was accounted the third King of Arnor, though Isildur had never taken the throne.

The tenth and last King of Arnor was Eärendur. After his death in III 861, his three sons each made claims of succession. This led to the break-up of Arnor into three separate but related kingdoms; Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur. Eärendur's eldest son, Amlaith of Fornost, became King of Arthedain, and is considered the true heir to the line of Isildur.


See also...

Amlaith of Fornost, Amon Sûl, Angmar, Annúminas, Aragorn Elessar, Argeleb I, Artamir, Arthedain, Athrad Angren, Barrow-wights, Barrows, Beleg, Bridge of Tharbad, Bucca of the Marish, Captain of the Dúnedain of Arnor, [See the full list...]

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 13 December 2008
  • This entry is complete

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