Chieftain of the Dúnedain

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The Chieftains of the Dúnedain were the hereditary rulers of the Rangers of the North.

The title was created following the final destruction of Arthedain in T.A. 1974 by the Witch-king of Angmar. The heir to the throne of Arthedain, Aranarth son of Arvedui, in T.A. 1976 chose not to claim the kingship and instead ruled the remnants of his people as Chieftain.[1]

They were descendants of Isildur through the kings of Arthedain[2] and Anárion through Fíriel;[3] as such they regarded themselves as the legitimate heirs to both Arnor and Gondor. The Chieftains were raised in Rivendell, where the heirlooms of the House of Isildur, were also kept.

It is notable that most of the Chieftains lived out their full life-span and their longevity did not decrease as much as that of the Gondorians.[4]

Aragorn II, became the last Chieftain when he reclaimed the title of High King of the Reunited Kingdom.

The Chieftains of the Dúnedain[5] were:

  1. Aranarth, T.A. 19752106, son of King Arvedui of Arthedain.
  2. Arahael, T.A. 21062177.
  3. Aranuir, T.A. 21772247.
  4. Aravir, T.A. 22472319.
  5. Aragorn I, T.A. 23192327.
  6. Araglas, T.A. 23272455.
  7. Arahad I, T.A. 24552523.
  8. Aragost, T.A. 25232588.
  9. Aravorn, T.A. 25882654.
  10. Arahad II, T.A. 26542719.
  11. Arassuil, T.A. 27192784.
  12. Arathorn I, T.A. 27842848.
  13. Argonui, T.A. 28482912.
  14. Arador, T.A. 29122930.
  15. Arathorn II, T.A. 29302933.
  16. Aragorn II, T.A. 29333019, first High King of the Reunited Kingdom.

See Also

For the family tree of the Chieftains, as well as that of the Kings of Arnor and Arthedain, see the House of Isildur.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  4. Robert Foster The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 69
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur"