Fornost

Fornost Erain, Norbury of the Kings, lies on the southern slope of the North Downs, north of the Great East Road and east of the hills above Lake Evendim. It was the second and last capital of the North-kingdom: when Annúminas emptied, the kings moved here, and after Arnor split in TA 861 it was the chief city of Arthedain, the surviving northern realm.

It was a frontier town for its last six centuries. Angmar rose in the north around TA 1300 and pressed Arthedain continuously. Fornost held after Cardolan and Rhudaur had fallen, sheltered the palantíri of Amon Sûl and Annúminas, and stood until the winter of TA 1974, when the Witch-king's army stormed it. King Arvedui fled north and drowned in the Icebay of Forochel the following spring, taking both Stones with him.

The answer came too late to save the kingdom. In TA 1975 Eärnur brought a fleet and army from Gondor, joined Círdan and the Elves of Lindon, and destroyed Angmar's host on the fields near Fornost. The Witch-king was routed, and Glorfindel foretold that he would not fall by the hand of man. Nobody resettled the city. The Bree-folk called it Deadmen's Dike and would not go there, and the surviving Dúnedain became the wandering Rangers of the North.

Events at this place

1. TA 861 · Appendices

   Arthedain's capital

   After Arnor divided, Fornost became the seat of the kings of Arthedain and the keeping-place of the North-kingdom's seeing-stones.

2. TA 1974 · Appendices

   Fornost falls to Angmar

   The Witch-king's army took the city in winter. Arvedui, last king of Arthedain, fled north and was lost at sea with both palantíri.

3. TA 1975 · Appendices

   The Battle of Fornost

   Eärnur of Gondor, Círdan and the Elves of Lindon destroyed Angmar's forces. The Witch-king escaped, and Glorfindel foretold his end would not come by the hand of man.

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