Argonui

Argonui was the thirteenth Chieftain of the Dúnedain.^[2]

Historyedit

Argonui succeeded his father, Arathorn I, in T.A. 2848.^[3]

During his reign, Bilbo Baggins was born in The Shire in 2890^[4], as well as Gilraen, Aragorn's mother, in 2907^[5].

Towards the end of his rule, in 2911, the Fell Winter began, with the river Brandywine freezing over. This was a catalyst for the White Wolves invading Eriador from the North.^[6]

In the last year of his reign, great floods devastated Enedwaith and Minhiriath, leaving the town of Tharbad ruined and deserted.^[7]

Argonui died in 2912,^[2] after having ruled for 64 years, and was followed by his son Arador^[8].

Etymologyedit

The name Argonui is in Sindarin, possibly meaning "Royal Valour" according to Tolkiendil.^[9]

The first element of the name is ar(a)- ("noble, royal, high"); however, the second element is unclear, though it might consist of the noun caun ("prince, chief, head") + an adjectival suffix -ui.^[10][11]

Genealogyedit

Other versions of the legendariumedit

Argonui's year of birth is only mentioned in earlier manuscript versions of what would later become Appendix A. In general, J.R.R. Tolkien did not include the year of birth of kings and rulers in Appendix A or Appendix B.

In the later manuscript C Argonui's years of birth and death were T.A. 2757 and 2912, respectively.^[12] In the same manuscript it is also mentioned that Dírhael, the maternal grandfather of Aragorn, was descended from Arathorn I "by a younger branch".^[13]

In the earlier manuscript B, the years of Argonui's birth and death were T.A. 2746 and 2901, respectively.^[14]

References

1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur", The North-kingdom and the Dúnedain, paragraph after the entry for King Arvedui, p. 1043
2. ↑ ^Jump ^up ^to:2.0 ^2.1 ^2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur", Chieftains, Argonui, p. 1038
3. ↑ ^Jump ^up ^to:3.0 ^3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur", Chieftains, Arathorn I, p. 1038
4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 2890, p. 1088
5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 2907, p. 1088
6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 2911, p. 1089
7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 2912, p. 1089
8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Northern Line: Heirs of Isildur", Chieftains, Arador, p. 1038
9. ↑ Assocation Tolkiendil, "Compound Sindarin Names in Middle-earth", Tolkiendil (accessed 5 February 2022)
10. ↑ Paul Strack, "S. *Argonui* m.", Eldamo - An Elvish Lexicon (accessed 4 September 2022)
11. ↑ David Salo (2004), A Gateway to Sindarin, pp. 246, 342
12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", End of the North Kingdom, 38. 13. Argonui, p. 196
13. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", End of the North Kingdom, 40. 15. Arathorn II, p. 196
14. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", Commentary, Argonui, pp. 210-11