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Dates
Originally made for Silmariën of Númenor (born II 521) and survived until the loss of Isildur in III 2; a second Star was made for Isildur's son Valandil (ruled from III 10) and borne by his heirs until the fall of Arthedain (III 1974), and by Aragorn during the War of the Ring; the original was recovered sometime after the end of the War (c. IV 1)
Location
Particularly associated with the North-kingdom of Arnor and its successor kingdom of Arthedain
Origins
Made for Silmariën, ancestor of the Lords of Andúnië
Race
Division
Culture
Orignated among the Númenóreans; borne as a royal emblem among the Men of Arnor, and their successors the Men of Arthedain and the Northern Dúnedain
Family
Silmariën was of the House of Elros, and ultimately gave rise to the House of Elendil, of whose heirs the Star remained an heirloom
Meaning
The 'North' refers to Arnor, the North-kingdom of the Dúnedain, whose Kings bore the Star in Middle-earth
Other names
Note
The Star of the North (or Star of the North Kingdom) is not to be confused with the Star of the Dúnedain, a badge or symbol carried by the Rangers

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About this entry:

  • Updated 8 December 2022
  • This entry is complete

Star of the North

The royal emblem of Arnor

A shining white jewel borne on the forehead of each of the Kings of Arnor in place of a crown. It was originally worn by the Lords of Andúnië in Númenor, and thus became a token of royalty in Middle-earth when Elendil, last of the Lords, established his own kingdom there. After Elendil's death this original Elendilmir was soon lost to history: Elendil's heir Isildur was wearing it when he was attacked by Orcs and slain at the beginning of the Third Age.

In Rivendell, a replacement Star was made for Isildur's young heir Valandil, and that silver-bound jewel was borne thereafter by the Kings of the Northern Dúnedain. Even after the fall of the North-kingdom, the Heirs of Isildur still held the Star of the North as their symbol of office down until the end of the Third Age, when Aragorn wore the Star at his coronation in Gondor.

It was some time after Aragorn's coronation that the original Star of the North was rediscovered, more than three thousand years after its loss. It had been found by Saruman during his search for the Ring, and locked away in a secret place within Orthanc. After the Wizard's departure, Orthanc was searched, and the ancient mithril-bound Star was reclaimed.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 8 December 2022
  • This entry is complete

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