The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
The original High Kings to rule all the Dúnedain reigned II 3320 - III 2; the line was re-established in III 3019
Location
The Two Kingdoms covered large tracts of land in the North and South of Middle-earth
Origins
A line established by Elendil, the first High King to rule all the Dúnedain in Middle-earth
Race
Division
Cultures
Family
Settlements
The capital of the original Kings was at Annúminas on Lake Evendim but, after re-establishing the line, Aragorn ruled primarily from Minas Tirith in Gondor
Pronunciation
Dúnedain is pronounced 'doo'nedine'
Meaning
Other names
Title of
Elendil and Isildur, and later Aragorn, Eldarion and their heirs

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 12 February 2023
  • This entry is complete

King of all the Dúnedain

The High King of Arnor and Gondor

Elendil
Isildur
Anárion
Elendur
Aratan
Ciryon
Valandil
Three unnamed children
Meneldil
Kings of
Arnor

Kings of
Gondor

Kings of
Arthedain

Kings of
Cardolan
Kings of
Rhudaur
Chieftains of
the Dúnedain

Aragorn
Elessar

Eldarion
Further
Kings

The line of the Kings of all the Dúnedain, with the names of the High Kings shown in bold text. After the loss of the second King, Isildur, the royal lines of the Dúnedain were divided for more than three thousand years until the coronation of Aragorn Elessar.

A title taken by Elendil. As overlord of both the North-kingdom of Arnor and the South-kingdom of Gondor, he was High King over all the Dúnedain in Middle-earth. After Elendil's death in Mordor, the title passed briefly to his son Isildur, but Isildur was lost in the Disaster of the Gladden Fields. After his death, the Two Kingdoms split apart, with Isildur's descendants ruling in the North, and those of his nephew Meneldil taking up the Kingship the South-kingdom.

For almost the entirety of the Third Age, the Two Kingdoms were disunited, and there was no single King of all the Dúnedain. The Kingdoms were Reunited after the downfall of Sauron, when Aragorn, the distant Heir of Isildur, was crowned as the third King of all the Dúnedain.


For a complete list of the Kings who ruled over all the Dúnedain, see the entry for High King.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 12 February 2023
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

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