Amlaith
First King of Arthedain in Arnor. Amlaith of Fornost was born in the year 726 of the Third Age. Amlaith was the son of Earendur, the last king to rule over the entirety of Arnor. Amlaith had two younger brothers whose names are not known.
When Earendur died in 861 of the Third Age, Amlaith and his brothers constantly fought over lordship. They decided to divide Arnor into three kingdoms. The three kingdoms were known as Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. Amlaith lived and ruled in Arthedain. This region was the westernmost of the three, and it consisted of the lands between the River Lune and the Brandywine as well as the Weather Hills. Amlaith made his home in Fornost, which became the capital city instead of the old capital of Arnor of Annuminas. It was then that Amlaith earned the title "Amlaith of Fornost."
Though the the line of Isildur had been muddled, it still lived on. The line continued through the Kings of Arthedain and in turn into the Chieftains of the Dunedain, until Arnor finally reunited with Gondor.
Amlaith died in 946 and his son Beleg succeeded him as king of Arthedain.
When Earendur died in 861 of the Third Age, Amlaith and his brothers constantly fought over lordship. They decided to divide Arnor into three kingdoms. The three kingdoms were known as Arthedain, Cardolan, and Rhudaur. Amlaith lived and ruled in Arthedain. This region was the westernmost of the three, and it consisted of the lands between the River Lune and the Brandywine as well as the Weather Hills. Amlaith made his home in Fornost, which became the capital city instead of the old capital of Arnor of Annuminas. It was then that Amlaith earned the title "Amlaith of Fornost."
Though the the line of Isildur had been muddled, it still lived on. The line continued through the Kings of Arthedain and in turn into the Chieftains of the Dunedain, until Arnor finally reunited with Gondor.
Amlaith died in 946 and his son Beleg succeeded him as king of Arthedain.
Names & Meanings
The meaning of the name Amlaith is unknown, and its origins are disputed. The first syllable, am, translates as "up." However, the second syllable laith is a word or phrase of unknown meaning. It is potentially Elvish, corresponding to the Elvish word Limlaith, a name for the River Limlight. Limlaith may be derived from lak meaning "swift" or laik meaning "acute." The element laith could also reference lalaith, the Sindarin word for "laughter."
Because of the city he ruled from, Amlaith was also called Amlaith of Fornost.
Because of the city he ruled from, Amlaith was also called Amlaith of Fornost.
References
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "The Realms in Exile," page 318; "The North-kingdom and the Dunedain," page 320
The History of Middle-earth, Volume V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies"
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," page 193
The History of Middle-earth, Volume V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies"
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," page 193
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