Rangers of the North
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In J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendarium, the Rangers of the North, also known as the Dúnedain of the North, were the descendants of the Dúnedain from the lost kingdom of Arnor. Their menfolk ceaselessly patrolled the boundaries of Eriador. They were by necessity skilled with the sword, bow and spear.
The Rangers were grim in life, appearance, and dress. They wore rusty green and brown. The Rangers of the Grey Company (see below) wore dark grey cloaks and openly used a silver brooch shaped like a pointed star during the War of the Ring. These Rangers rode rough-haired, sturdy horses and carried spears.
Like their cousins, the Rangers of Ithilien, the Rangers of the North spoke Sindarin (or some variation of it) as their preferred language as opposed to the Common Speech. They were led by a Chieftain, whose ancestry could be traced back to Elendil and beyond, to the ancient Kings of Númenor.
During the War of the Ring, the Rangers of the North were led by Aragorn, but the northern Dúnedain were a dwindling and presumably widely scattered folk: when Halbarad received a message to gather as many of the Rangers as he could and lead them south to Aragorn’s aid, only thirty men (the Grey Company) were available at short notice for the journey.
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[edit] Chieftains of the Dúnedain
- Aranarth, son of King Arvedui of Arthedain. Chieftain from 1975–2106 T.A.
- Arahael Chieftain from 2106–2177
- Aranuir C. 2177–2247
- Aravir C. 2247–2319
- Aragorn I C. 2319–2327
- Araglas C. 2327–2455
- Arahad I C. 2455–2523
- Aragost C. 2523–2588
- Aravorn C. 2588–2654
- Arahad II C. 2654–2719
- Arassuil C. 2719–2784
- Arathorn I C. 2784–2848
- Argonui C. 2848–2912
- Arador C. 2912–2930
- Arathorn II C. 2930–2933
- Aragorn II C. 2933 T.A
Aragorn II was crowned as King Elessar of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.
[edit] Portrayal in adaptations
The Rangers of the North are virtually omitted in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, save for a few mentions in the Extended cuts. Here they are called "Dúnedain Rangers", possibly to distinguish them from the Rangers of Ithilien. However, Tolkien calls both groups Dúnedain.
The terminology and distinction made in Jackson's films have made its way into some of its merchandise, like the computer and video games by Electronic Arts. In one of these, The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, there is an original Ranger character called Elegost. In another, The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II, "Dúnedain Rangers" are playable units, but they like the Ithilien Rangers. Halbarad is featured in The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game and, together with his fellow Rangers, in The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game .Halbarad and his rangers are among the best crafted models of this range.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Rangers of the North at The Encyclopedia of Arda
- Dúnedain of the North at The Thain’s Book
