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The Division of ArnorIn the succession dispute of 861 the Dunedain of Arnor were faced with a choice between the break-up of the kingdom or civil-war. Both the nature of the dispute and its consequences were unparalled in Numenorean history. Dispite the brevity of information about the crisis, it is possible to explore deeper into the matter and raise some speculation on the political and personal factors that influenced the division of Arnor.The Known FactsThe sources contain several specific references to the political disintegration of the North Kingdom. ‘Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age’ is a work...

Razing Arnor: How real were the Dunadan conspiracies?One of the most intriguing and infuriating points in Tolkien's pseudo-history is the division of Arnor in the Third Age 861 by the three sons of Earendur. Earendur was the last High King of Arnor, technically the last High King of the Dunedain-in-Exile.Analyzing the event leads to many questions and few answers. Tolkien often selected his names carefully, especially when naming characters or places associated with significant events, and it might prove helpful to know what Cardolan and Rhudaur mean, exactly, as well as what Amlaith means.Amlaith became the first king of Arthedain,...

Relations between the Kingdoms of Gondor and ArnorThis article is a result of my interest in the relationship between the two Dunedain realms of Middle-Earth.The Realms-In-Exile were founded by the Faithful Numenoreans who survived the fall of Numenor in 3320 Second Age (SA). After the War of the Last Alliance (3434-41 SA) the relative standing of each throne changed, with Gondor growing to become a mighty power, whereas Arnor split into three separate kingdoms, Cardolan, Rhudaur and Arthedain and declined in strength until it was destroyed in war with Angmar. In the Second Age Gondor was ruled cojointly by Elendil's...