Arnor

Arnor, a fictional country from J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth, was the northern kingdom of the Dúnedain. The name means 'Land of the King' and when inhabitants of Middle Earth speak of the Northern Kingdom they mean Arnor.

It was founded in 3320 S.A. by Elendil, who founded Gondor at the same time. The history of the two kingdoms is intertwined; both kingdoms are known as the Realms of the Dúnedain in Exile.

Its second king Isildur (also King of Gondor) was killed in 2 T.A. by Orcs in the diastrous Battle of the Gladden Fields. His three eldest sons were killed with him, but the fourth and youngest, Valandil, survived and became king in 10 T.A of Arnor.

Its capital was Annúminas on Lake Evendim, but by 861 T.A. Fornost[?] had become the capital instead.

After the death of its tenth King Eärendur[?] in 861 T.A., Arnor was shaken by civil war between the three sons of Eärendur. The eldest son, Amlaith, claimed Kingship over all Arnor and founded the kingdom of Arthedain, while the other sons founded the kingdoms of Cardolan and Rhudaur.