Northern Kingdom

An occasional term used for the ancient kingdom of Men founded by Elendil in the northwest of Middle-earth after his escape from the Downfall of Númenor. From here he ruled the Dúnedain of Middle-earth as their High King, ruling over the North-kingdom as well as the South-kingdom of Gondor, which was under the direct rule of Elendil's sons Isildur and Anárion. Because of this original status as the seat of the High King, the Northern Kingdom was known as Arnor, land of the King.

In practice this royal status was short-lived. In the War of the Last Alliance and its aftermath, Elendil was slain, and later his direct heir Isildur as well as Isildur's three eldest sons. This left the High Kingship in the hands of Elendil's thirteen-year-old grandson Valandil, and during Valandil's minority his cousin Meneldil established himself as the first independent King of Gondor. Thus the Northern Kingdom lost direct power over its sister realm in the south.

Valandil did eventually take up the rule of the Northern Kingdom and his line continued to rule for more than eight centuries. There were seven Kings after Valandil, each a direct descendant of Isildur the last High King. The seventh of these was Eärendur, whose death saw the end of the Northern Kingdom. Eärendur's sons each desired to rule in his own name, and caused the breakup of Arnor into three lesser successor states: Arthedain, Cardolan and Rhudaur.