Following the destruction of Numenor, [1] the free people among the Numenoreans migrated to Endor. They created two kingdoms under High King Elendil. These two kingdoms, Arnor and Gondor, were together called the Realms of Dunedain in Exile. The Realms were the undisputed power of Endor with outstanding governance, wealth, and culture. Elendil governed Arnor (The Northern Nation) while his sons, Isildur and Anarion took charge of Gondor (The Southern Nation). The Northern Nation split into three after the death of Earendur, the 10th King. They became vulnerable afterward and fell one after the other to the forces of Sauron in later years. Gondor fared better than its sister nation; it was the strongest nation of the Dunedain in exile. After the fall of Sauron, Gondor reunited with the fallen kingdoms under King Elessar II.
Characteristics
The two kingdoms of the Dunedain in exile were under Elendil. He governed The Northern Nation alone but governed Gondor with his two sons that also escaped the bad fate of the Dunedain at Akallabeth. After the alliance between Men and Eldar ended, and Elendil died, Arnor and Gondor separated. The Northern came under the rule of the Isildur's lineage, while the descendants of Anarion governed The Southern Nation. In Tolkien's works, primogeniture is the system of inheriting a nation. But, in the situation of the realms in exile, the system had to be set to accommodate the descendants of Elendil's two sons. This was because of the high needs of the kingdoms and frequent threats of war from enemies. Elendil and the Numenoreans that entered Endor were more influential; they created the kingdoms and named them. Although, earlier Numenoreans migrants had settled in those parts of Endor long before Akallabeth. They had lived with the natives and had mixed blood through marriage for years. The Dunedain that entered Endor with Elendil were the minority, but they had superior strength and abilities.
This was because of their pure blood. They were able to integrate themselves and create a kingdom over the natives because of the influence of Elendil's lineage. Elendil was a direct descendant of Elros. The Dunedain under Elendil feared their progeny would become weaker men if they joined themselves in union with the natives, like the early Numenoreans that settled in Endor did, and they discouraged this practice; their decision, as well as other factors, had huge consequences in centuries later, especially for Gondor. The Dunedain in exile used Sindarin in their daily interactions with their fellow kinsmen as a sign of loyalty to the Valar and Eldar. It was also to establish their faith in Iluvatar against the actions of the Black Numenoreans. But, when they interact with people other than themselves, they use Westron. As the Dunedain with Elendil were minorities, the Westron language soon became the Common language in the realms in exile. Westron also became the language for trading and interpersonal relationships in the whole of the west, the hobbits of the Shire even learned it to carry out political responsibilities.
This was because of their pure blood. They were able to integrate themselves and create a kingdom over the natives because of the influence of Elendil's lineage. Elendil was a direct descendant of Elros. The Dunedain under Elendil feared their progeny would become weaker men if they joined themselves in union with the natives, like the early Numenoreans that settled in Endor did, and they discouraged this practice; their decision, as well as other factors, had huge consequences in centuries later, especially for Gondor. The Dunedain in exile used Sindarin in their daily interactions with their fellow kinsmen as a sign of loyalty to the Valar and Eldar. It was also to establish their faith in Iluvatar against the actions of the Black Numenoreans. But, when they interact with people other than themselves, they use Westron. As the Dunedain with Elendil were minorities, the Westron language soon became the Common language in the realms in exile. Westron also became the language for trading and interpersonal relationships in the whole of the west, the hobbits of the Shire even learned it to carry out political responsibilities.
History
The Realms in the Second Age
High King Elendil created the realms in exile in 3320 SA. The kingdoms had a period of peace that lasted until 3429 SA when Sauron attacked Gondor and took over Minas Ithil. Sauron had been away to recover from the Akallabeth when he returned he saw that Elendil had created a flourishing realm in exile with his sons. He saw that their lands extended to Mordor's border and knew that the realm would ally with the Eldar in times of war. He also realized that the Elven realms have increased in strength. Sauron's attack occurred while they were unaware; it led to the destruction of the White Tree and the relocation of Isildur to The Northern Nation. [2] To eradicate the new evil of Sauron, Elendil allied with the Gil-Galad, the allied force consisted of the army of the Dunedain in exile, the Elf-kingdom of Imladris and Lindon, the Eldar of Mirkwood and Lorien, and the Dwarves against Sauron. The allied force overcame Sauron's servants at Dagorlad and proceeded to lay siege on the fortress of Barad-Dur for seven years. In the years of the siege, Elendil's youngest son, Anarion died and many members of the allied force died too.
When the pressure of the siege mounted on Sauron, he left his fortress to face the allied forces. High Kings of Dunedain and Elves stepped forward in a battle that would determine the fate of all kingdoms on Endor. Sauron Struck Elendil and he fell on his sword, breaking it. The fight went on with Sauron and Gil-galad until both of them became exhausted. Sauron then grabbed the High King of the Elves with his hands that burnt him to his death. Sauron fought Elendil and Eldar's Gil-galad on Mount Doom; Sauron killed them both, but they also weakened him in the fierce battle. In Sauron's state of weakness, Isildur cut the finger with the ring on it and destroyed him. But he took the ring for himself instead of destroying it. Isildur later realized that he did not have the will to bear the ring. He told his first son, Elendur, about his intention to send it to the bearer of the other three rings for safekeeping. But he did not achieve that because he met his end in the Third Age at Anduin.
When the pressure of the siege mounted on Sauron, he left his fortress to face the allied forces. High Kings of Dunedain and Elves stepped forward in a battle that would determine the fate of all kingdoms on Endor. Sauron Struck Elendil and he fell on his sword, breaking it. The fight went on with Sauron and Gil-galad until both of them became exhausted. Sauron then grabbed the High King of the Elves with his hands that burnt him to his death. Sauron fought Elendil and Eldar's Gil-galad on Mount Doom; Sauron killed them both, but they also weakened him in the fierce battle. In Sauron's state of weakness, Isildur cut the finger with the ring on it and destroyed him. But he took the ring for himself instead of destroying it. Isildur later realized that he did not have the will to bear the ring. He told his first son, Elendur, about his intention to send it to the bearer of the other three rings for safekeeping. But he did not achieve that because he met his end in the Third Age at Anduin.
Third Age
The third age began with the death of Sauron, Elendil, Anarion, and others ending the previous age. The death of the rulers of Dunedain's realms caused problems for the governance of the kingdoms. Isildur was left with the burden to govern both kingdoms. He soon realized that he couldn't achieve it alone, and he called on Meneldil, the eldest son of Anarion. Isildur counseled Anarion and then kept him to rule over the nation of Gondor before leaving with his sons, Aratan, Ciryon, and Elendur to The Northern Nation. Isildur may have intended to be the new High King of the Dunedain.
His real ambition is uncertain because he did not live to act on it. The confusion was further highlighted in the disagreement of Arvedui and the Dunedain of Gondor centuries later, about 2000 years, as to what Isildur intended when he appointed Meneldil, did he appoint him as the ruler of Gondor or as a vassal. Neither of his assumptions succeeded because Orcs ambushed the traveling party at Gladden Fields, killing Isildur, his three sons, and the faction that traveled with him except three, his esquire and other two. Isildur was killed as he made his way to escape through River Anduin, the ring dropped from his hand and exposed him while swimming away from the battle. Othar, the esquire, survived because Isildur sent him off with the sword before the war started.
Valendil, the son of Isildur that was too young to fight in Battle of the Last Alliance and had stayed back in Rivendell. Valendil took over in 10 TA. In this situation of chaos, Arnor had no control over Gondor anymore as the plans of Isildur failed, and two different kingdoms arose. Gondor became fully under the rulership of Meneldil and his descendants, and The Northern Nation weakened as the years passed. The Northern Nation would be the most superior in any way of Isildur's plan; its land extended to almost the entirety of Eriador, but with the sudden death of worthy rulers, its population fell beyond recovery and it became the weaker and the vulnerable one of the two. Arnor was further divided into three smaller kingdoms in 861 TA Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. The three kingdoms later disputed among themselves and worsened the situation.
In 1300 TA, Sauron's Nazgul chief, the Witch-king made his fortress in Angmar, which is north of two of its small kingdoms, Arthedain and Rhudaur. The Witch-king then raided Arnor, one after the other, destroying settlements of the Dunedain. Witch-king conquered Rhudaur and then used the forces in Rhudaur with Angmar to oppress the Dunedain in Cardolan, with only some Dunedains remaining by 1409 TA. The entire population was completely ousted by the time of the Great Plague in 1636 TA. Arthedain survived for a much longer period because it had more concentration of Isildur's descendants, but even though Arthedain was the strongest of the three small kingdoms, it could not have a lasting stand against forces of Angmar.
Arthedain fell in the year 1974 TA after the Witch-king deployed the full force of Angmar in battle with them. The last nation fell and its people became wanderers, and in secret, they helped the inhabitants of other settlements overcome forces of evil and beasts. Before the destruction of the three kingdoms of Arnor, there was no account of a relationship with Gondor; neither good relations nor a bad one. Gondor expanded for centuries and took over lands in the south of Rhovanion [3] (North East), Enedwaith (Umbar), and Enedwaith (North West) but seemed to have no interest in taking over The Northern Nation territories. The Southern Nation did not ally with the kingdoms and did not show hostility towards them.
Gondor also focused on the threat from Mordor and created fortresses to protect themselves. Gondor had a large territory until the reign of Hyarmendacil when it began to lose its territory because of civil war and external attacks. The Dunedain of the South for some delayed marriage and had lesser children; a combination of these factors reduced the population of Dunedain. After 2000 TA, the great calamities befell Gondor. King Valacar fell in love with a non-Dunedain, and her son would be the king of Gondor, the Dunedain disliked the inevitable fate of their nation and opposed it secretly. Soon the rebellion grew to a civil war which led to the loss of Osgiliath's Palantir, and the rise and fall of the Usurper, and the loss of Umbar to the rebels.
The second calamity that befell Gondor was an all-encompassing tribulation called the dark plague. The dark plague began with a mysterious wind from the East; it combined with the spreading shadow of Mirkwood and reached the kingdoms in the west and many in the north. It affected kingdoms in Arnor's territory and hastened their fall. Gondor's third calamity was the frequent attacks from the Wainriding Orcs that endured too long; It caused the loss of Gondor's territories to the east and threatened the lives of almost all the members of Mineldil's descent, the royalty of Gondor. In 1940 TA, Gondor considered an alliance with their distant relative in Arthedain against the forces of Angmar and Wainriders.
To show their commitment to the alliance, the kingdoms joined the heir to Arthedain's throne, Arvedui in marriage to King Ondoher of Gondor's daughter, Firiel. This union made Arvedui eligible as a successor to Gondor's throne after the fall of the king and his heirs during their war with Wainriders. Arvedui claimed the throne in a great chance to unite the kingdoms of the north and south but the Steward Pelendur dispelled his claim. Arvedui's claim to the throne was not only discarded but also the Steward deemed him unworthy as a King of Gondor. The council favored Earnil, Ondoher's distant cousin that played a huge role in the victory in the war with the Wainriders. The Council, however, did not dispel the need to maintain an alliance with the nation in the north, despite ignoring his claim to Gondor's rule. The two kingdoms maintained alliance, and Gondor sent aid to Arvedui when Angmar attacked.
The aid arrived at a time when the Arthedain had lost the war but supported the forces that conquered the army of the Witch-king at Fornost. Witch-king lost, but it was after he humiliated the heir to the throne of Gondor, Earnur. Later in 2002 TA, after Earnil passed away and Earnur took over from him. Witch-king challenged him to restore his pride by fighting him in a duel. Earnur succumbed and left for Minas Ithil (Minas Morgul) to duel him with a group of Gondorian warriors, but none of them returned. The fate of the kingdoms of the Dunedain in exile was most unlikely. All fell by the second millennia. The Dunedain of the north could not sustain their nation, and its remnant had successors that took the name of Chief of the Dunedain to rule.
The Dunedain nation in the south endured, but the rightful heirs to the throne were dead and extinct. Gondor did not seek a ruler outside the line of Anarion and instead turned to the Stewards for rule from the times of Mardil. A total of 26 stewards governed Gondor in the absence of a king. Sauron focused on destroying Gondor completely in the War as it was the only nation capable of any deadly assault on his forces. But Gondor joined with other kingdoms to overcome Sauron at Pelennor Fields. In Pelennor Fields, Aragorn joined the war with a powerful army and saved Gondor in a critical period. At the same time, the Steward Denethor died on the day of that war as he was overwhelmed by the intensity. Aragorn's feat in the war endeared him to the Dunedain and many already saw him as the king of Dunedain. After the defeat of Sauron in Black Gate, Gandalf crowned Aragorn as King Elessar II of the Reunited nation to the delight of all Dunedain. He received the crown of the nation of Gondor and the Sceptre of The Northern Nation and became the first High King, after a long time.
His real ambition is uncertain because he did not live to act on it. The confusion was further highlighted in the disagreement of Arvedui and the Dunedain of Gondor centuries later, about 2000 years, as to what Isildur intended when he appointed Meneldil, did he appoint him as the ruler of Gondor or as a vassal. Neither of his assumptions succeeded because Orcs ambushed the traveling party at Gladden Fields, killing Isildur, his three sons, and the faction that traveled with him except three, his esquire and other two. Isildur was killed as he made his way to escape through River Anduin, the ring dropped from his hand and exposed him while swimming away from the battle. Othar, the esquire, survived because Isildur sent him off with the sword before the war started.
Valendil, the son of Isildur that was too young to fight in Battle of the Last Alliance and had stayed back in Rivendell. Valendil took over in 10 TA. In this situation of chaos, Arnor had no control over Gondor anymore as the plans of Isildur failed, and two different kingdoms arose. Gondor became fully under the rulership of Meneldil and his descendants, and The Northern Nation weakened as the years passed. The Northern Nation would be the most superior in any way of Isildur's plan; its land extended to almost the entirety of Eriador, but with the sudden death of worthy rulers, its population fell beyond recovery and it became the weaker and the vulnerable one of the two. Arnor was further divided into three smaller kingdoms in 861 TA Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. The three kingdoms later disputed among themselves and worsened the situation.
In 1300 TA, Sauron's Nazgul chief, the Witch-king made his fortress in Angmar, which is north of two of its small kingdoms, Arthedain and Rhudaur. The Witch-king then raided Arnor, one after the other, destroying settlements of the Dunedain. Witch-king conquered Rhudaur and then used the forces in Rhudaur with Angmar to oppress the Dunedain in Cardolan, with only some Dunedains remaining by 1409 TA. The entire population was completely ousted by the time of the Great Plague in 1636 TA. Arthedain survived for a much longer period because it had more concentration of Isildur's descendants, but even though Arthedain was the strongest of the three small kingdoms, it could not have a lasting stand against forces of Angmar.
Arthedain fell in the year 1974 TA after the Witch-king deployed the full force of Angmar in battle with them. The last nation fell and its people became wanderers, and in secret, they helped the inhabitants of other settlements overcome forces of evil and beasts. Before the destruction of the three kingdoms of Arnor, there was no account of a relationship with Gondor; neither good relations nor a bad one. Gondor expanded for centuries and took over lands in the south of Rhovanion [3] (North East), Enedwaith (Umbar), and Enedwaith (North West) but seemed to have no interest in taking over The Northern Nation territories. The Southern Nation did not ally with the kingdoms and did not show hostility towards them.
Gondor also focused on the threat from Mordor and created fortresses to protect themselves. Gondor had a large territory until the reign of Hyarmendacil when it began to lose its territory because of civil war and external attacks. The Dunedain of the South for some delayed marriage and had lesser children; a combination of these factors reduced the population of Dunedain. After 2000 TA, the great calamities befell Gondor. King Valacar fell in love with a non-Dunedain, and her son would be the king of Gondor, the Dunedain disliked the inevitable fate of their nation and opposed it secretly. Soon the rebellion grew to a civil war which led to the loss of Osgiliath's Palantir, and the rise and fall of the Usurper, and the loss of Umbar to the rebels.
The second calamity that befell Gondor was an all-encompassing tribulation called the dark plague. The dark plague began with a mysterious wind from the East; it combined with the spreading shadow of Mirkwood and reached the kingdoms in the west and many in the north. It affected kingdoms in Arnor's territory and hastened their fall. Gondor's third calamity was the frequent attacks from the Wainriding Orcs that endured too long; It caused the loss of Gondor's territories to the east and threatened the lives of almost all the members of Mineldil's descent, the royalty of Gondor. In 1940 TA, Gondor considered an alliance with their distant relative in Arthedain against the forces of Angmar and Wainriders.
To show their commitment to the alliance, the kingdoms joined the heir to Arthedain's throne, Arvedui in marriage to King Ondoher of Gondor's daughter, Firiel. This union made Arvedui eligible as a successor to Gondor's throne after the fall of the king and his heirs during their war with Wainriders. Arvedui claimed the throne in a great chance to unite the kingdoms of the north and south but the Steward Pelendur dispelled his claim. Arvedui's claim to the throne was not only discarded but also the Steward deemed him unworthy as a King of Gondor. The council favored Earnil, Ondoher's distant cousin that played a huge role in the victory in the war with the Wainriders. The Council, however, did not dispel the need to maintain an alliance with the nation in the north, despite ignoring his claim to Gondor's rule. The two kingdoms maintained alliance, and Gondor sent aid to Arvedui when Angmar attacked.
The aid arrived at a time when the Arthedain had lost the war but supported the forces that conquered the army of the Witch-king at Fornost. Witch-king lost, but it was after he humiliated the heir to the throne of Gondor, Earnur. Later in 2002 TA, after Earnil passed away and Earnur took over from him. Witch-king challenged him to restore his pride by fighting him in a duel. Earnur succumbed and left for Minas Ithil (Minas Morgul) to duel him with a group of Gondorian warriors, but none of them returned. The fate of the kingdoms of the Dunedain in exile was most unlikely. All fell by the second millennia. The Dunedain of the north could not sustain their nation, and its remnant had successors that took the name of Chief of the Dunedain to rule.
The Dunedain nation in the south endured, but the rightful heirs to the throne were dead and extinct. Gondor did not seek a ruler outside the line of Anarion and instead turned to the Stewards for rule from the times of Mardil. A total of 26 stewards governed Gondor in the absence of a king. Sauron focused on destroying Gondor completely in the War as it was the only nation capable of any deadly assault on his forces. But Gondor joined with other kingdoms to overcome Sauron at Pelennor Fields. In Pelennor Fields, Aragorn joined the war with a powerful army and saved Gondor in a critical period. At the same time, the Steward Denethor died on the day of that war as he was overwhelmed by the intensity. Aragorn's feat in the war endeared him to the Dunedain and many already saw him as the king of Dunedain. After the defeat of Sauron in Black Gate, Gandalf crowned Aragorn as King Elessar II of the Reunited nation to the delight of all Dunedain. He received the crown of the nation of Gondor and the Sceptre of The Northern Nation and became the first High King, after a long time.
References
Categories:
Mannish realms
Middle-earth
Realms
