The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Founded in II 3320 or shortly thereafter; invaded and occupied by the Witch-king in III 1974
Location
The southern end of the North Downs, roughly one hundred miles northward from Bree
Origins
Founded by Elendil after his escape from the Downfall of Númenor
Race
Division
Culture
Family
The royal seat of Kings of the House of Isildur
Pronunciation
Norbury is pronounced 'no'rbury'
Meaning
Norbury means 'northern fortess'
Other names

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About this entry:

  • Updated 8 December 2023
  • This entry is complete

Kings’ Norbury

The Hobbits’ name for Fornost

Map of Kings' Norbury

The name among the Hobbits for the ancient city of the Kings of Arthedain, Fornost Erain, far to the north of the Shire. The name Norbury means 'northern fortress' and is an exact equivalent of the original Elvish name Fornost.

There had been Kings at Norbury when the Shire was founded, and for nearly four centuries afterward, but that was in the far distant past at the time of the War of the Ring. By then, Fornost had long been abandoned, and had fallen into overgrown grass-covered ruins. After the War, it seems that Aragorn came north and organised the reconstruction of his ancestors' capital,1 so that after centuries as a deserted ruin, Kings' Norbury was visited by a King of Isildur's line once again.


Notes

1

At least, Gandalf told Barliman Butterbur that the King would one day return to King's Norbury. We're not told with certainty whether Aragorn actually did so, but he certainly re-established the old northern capital of Annúminas, and so it seems perfectly reasonable that he would also, as Gandalf predicted, have returned to the seat of his ancestors at King's Norbury.

See also...

Norbury of the Kings

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 8 December 2023
  • This entry is complete

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