Post by Móreadhiel on Jan 16, 2007 12:25:40 GMT -5
Additional Sources:
Appendix A of LotR: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion: The Stewards" gives details on Aragorn's time as Thorongil under Ecthelion II.
Unfinished Tales: "The Hunt for the Ring" provides a more detailed account of Aragorn's capture of Gollum.
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #244 mentions the reestablishment of the Great Council of Gondor and other issues of Aragorn's reign.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important Dates:
2931
March 1: Birth of Aragorn
2933
Death of Aragorn's father Arathorn II. Aragorn's mother Gilraen takes him to Rivendell where Elrond accepts him as a foster-son and calls him Estel meaning "hope."
2951
Aragorn learns his true name and ancestry from Elrond. He is given the shards of Narsil. Aragorn meets Arwen at Rivendell. He then embarks into the Wild on many adventures.
2956
Aragorn meets Gandalf.
2957-80
Aragorn journeys throughout Middle-earth. He serves King Thengel of Rohan and Ecthelion II, Steward of Gondor.
2980
Aragorn defeats the Corsairs while in the service of Ecthelion. Aragorn meets Arwen in Lothlorien and they become betrothed on Midsummer's Eve.
3001
Aragorn begins the search for Gollum at the request of Gandalf.
3007
Spring: Death of Aragorn's mother Gilraen.
3009
Aragorn renews his hunt for Gollum.
3018
February 1: Aragorn captures Gollum in the Dead Marshes.
March 21: Aragorn delivers Gollum to King Thranduil of Mirkwood to be held captive.
May 1: Aragorn meets Gandalf at Sarn Ford and learns of Frodo's plan to leave the Shire in September.
September 29: Aragorn meets Frodo Baggins in Bree.
September 30: Aragorn leads the Hobbits out of Bree.
October 6: Five Ringwraiths attack the camp at Weathertop.
October 13: Aragorn finds a token left by Glorfindel on the Last Bridge.
October 20: Frodo escapes across the Ford of Bruinen to Rivendell; Aragorn and the others follow.
October 25: The Council of Elrond; Aragorn shows the shards of Narsil and declares his intention to go to Minas Tirith.
December 18: Aragorn joins the Company of the Ring.
December 25: The Fellowship leaves Rivendell.
3019
January 11, 12: Blizzard on Caradhras.
January 13: The Fellowship enters Moria against Aragorn's advice.
January 15: Gandalf falls facing the Balrog; Aragorn leads the Fellowship out of Moria to the edge of Lothlorien.
January 17: The Fellowship are greeted by Galadriel and Celeborn.
February 16: The Fellowship leaves Lothlorien; Aragorn receives the Elessar.
February 25: The Fellowship passes the Argonath.
February 26: The Breaking of the Fellowship. Aragorn decides to follow the Uruk-hai who captured Merry and Pippin.
February 30: The Three Hunters meet Eomer and then travel to the edge of Fangorn.
March 1: The Three Hunters are reunited with Gandalf and set out for Meduseld.
March 2: Gandalf and the Three Hunters arrive at Meduseld.
March 3: The Rohirrim retreat to Helm's Deep and the Battle of the Hornburg begins.
March 4: Aragorn rides out at dawn with King Theoden. The Huorns of Fangorn and Gandalf the White arrive and the battle is won.
March 5: The Three Hunters are reunited with Merry and Pippin at Isengard. Aragorn takes possession of the palantir of Orthanc.
March 6: Aragorn is met by the Dunedain and Elrond's sons. He reveals himself to Sauron in the palantir and decides to take the Paths of the Dead.
March 7: The Grey Company arrives at Dunharrow. Aragorn takes leave of Eowyn.
March 8: The Grey Company takes the Paths of the Dead. At midnight, Aragorn summons the Oathbreakers at the Stone of Erech.
March 13: The Grey Company reaches Pelargir with the army of the Dead and they capture the Corsairs' fleet.
March 15: Aragorn sails north and arrives at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. After the battle he heals Faramir, Eowyn and Merry.
March 16: The Captains of the West decide to march to the Black Gate.
March 18: Aragorn leads the Host of the West out of Minas Tirith.
March 23: Aragorn sends those too frightened to proceed to retake Cair Andros.
March 25: Aragorn commands the Host of the West in the Battle of the Morannon. The Ring is destroyed and Sauron is defeated.
April 8: The Ring-bearers are honored by Aragorn and the Host of the West at the Field of Cormallen.
May 1: Aragorn is crowned King.
June 25: Aragorn finds the sapling of the White Tree.
Midsummer's Eve: Arwen arrives in Minas Tirith.
Midsummer's Day: Wedding of Aragorn and Arwen.
August 22: Aragorn bids farewell to the other members of the Fellowship.
Fourth Age:
6
King Elessar makes the Shire a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre and forbids Men from entering it.
13
King Elessar makes the Thain, the Master of Buckland, and the Mayor of Michel Delving Counsellors of the North-kingdom.
15
King Elessar and Queen Arwen come north to dwell at Annuminas. They meet with Pippin, Merry and Sam at the Brandywine Bridge.
31
King Elessar adds the Westmarch to the Shire.
120
Death of King Elessar. He is succeeded by his son Eldarion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Names and Titles:
Aragorn II:
The meaning of Aragorn is not clearly stated. A note found among J.R.R. Tolkien's papers at Marquette University suggests that "kingly valour" may have been the intended meaning.
and his father gave him the name Aragorn, a name used in the House of the Chieftains. But Ivorwen at his naming stood by, and said "Kingly Valour" (for so that name is interpreted): "that he shall have, but I see on his breast a green stone, and from that his true name shall come and his chief renown: for he shall be a healer and a renewer."
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: Foreword, p. xii
The element ara derives from aran meaning "king." The second element is less certain. In the Etymologies, the ending -gon is defined as "valour" while the word gorn is defined as "impetuous." Thus "impetuous king" is another possible interpretation of Aragorn, though it does not seem to suit the nature of the character. (HoME V, entries for KAN and GOR)
Robert Foster's Guide to Middle-earth gives "tree king" as a translation for Aragorn, but Tolkien wrote in Letter #347 that Aragorn's name does not contain the element orn meaning "tree." Tolkien did not define the name Aragorn in the letter, but he wrote that he had not had time to explain the meanings of all the names in the line of Arthedain.
Aragorn was the second of the Heirs of Isildur to have that name; his ancestor Aragorn I was killed by wolves in the year 2327.
Estel:
Elrond gave the name Estel to Aragorn when he accepted the boy as his foster son in 2933. The name means "hope." (Appendix A, p. 338)
Chieftain of the Dúnedain:
Aragorn became the Chieftain of the Dunedain on his father's death in 2933. Aragorn was only 2 years old at the time. He was not told of his heritage until 2951, when he was 20 years old. (Appendix A, p. 338)
The Dúnadan:
As Chieftain of the Dunedain, Aragorn was called the Dunadan by Bilbo and others at Rivendell. Dunadan means Man of the West, or Numenorean. (FotR, p. 245)
Isildur's Heir:
Aragorn was a direct descendant of Isildur, son of Elendil. Elendil was the last of the Lords of Andunie of Numenor and the first King of Gondor and Arnor. See the Family Tree of Aragorn below.
Thorongil:
Thorongil is the name given to Aragorn by the Men of Gondor while he was in the service of Ecthelion II. It means "Eagle of the Star" and refers to Aragorn's swiftness and keen sight and the silver star he wore. (Appendix A, p. 335)
Strider:
Strider was the name that Aragorn was known by in Bree and the surrounding area because he strode through the countryside on his long legs.
"What his right name is I've never heard: but he's known round here as Strider. Goes about at a great pace on his long shanks; though he don't tell nobody what cause he has to hurry."
The Fellowship of the Ring: "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony," p. 168-9
Although Aragorn said at the Council of Elrond that the appellation "Strider" was "scornful," (FotR, p. 261) this was how he first introduced himself to Frodo and the Hobbits continued to call him Strider, and Aragorn chose the Quenya equivalent Telcontar as the name of his royal house. (See Telcontar below.)
Elessar:
Aragorn took the name Elessar when he was crowned King of Gondor and Arnor. The name referred to the green stone set in an eagle-shaped brooch that was given to Aragorn by Galadriel when he left Lothlorien.
"In this hour take the name that was foretold for you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil!"
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Farewell to Lorien," p. 391
Elfstone:
Elfstone is the Common Speech equivalent of Elessar.
And they named him Elfstone, because of the green stone that he wore, and so the name which it was foretold at his birth that he should bear was chosen for him by his own people.
The Return of the King: "The Houses of Healing," p. 147
Envinyatar:
Envinyatar means "the Renewer."
"Verily, for in the high tongue of old I am Elessar, the Elfstone, and Envinyatar, the Renewer": and he lifted from his breast the green stone that lay there.
The Return of the King: "The Houses of Healing," p. 139
The Renewer:
The Renewer is the Common Speech equivalent of Envinyatar (see above).
Telcontar:
Telcontar was the name chosen by Aragorn for his royal house. Telcontar is the Quenya equivalent of "Strider." The element telko means "leg" in Quenya. The element ontaro means "parent, begetter."
"But Strider shall be the name of my house, if that be ever established. In the high tongue it will not sound so ill, and Telcontar I will be and all the heirs of my body."
The Return of the King: "The Houses of Healing," p. 139
King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor:
Aragorn received the crown of Gondor and the sceptre of Arnor and the two kingdoms were reunited under his reign.
Lord of the Western Lands:
Gandalf called Aragorn the King of Gondor and the Lord of the Western Lands. (RotK, p. 230)
King of the West:
Aragorn was also referred to as the King of the West. (Appendix B, p. 376)
Lord of the White Tree:
Legolas called Aragorn the Lord of the White Tree, a reference to the White Tree that was the symbol of Gondor. (RotK, p. 154)
Wingfoot:
Eomer called Aragorn Wingfoot when he learned that the Three Hunters had traveled 45 leagues in less than four days in pursuit of the Uruk-hai who captured Merry and Pippin. (TTT, p. 38-39)
Longshanks:
Aragorn was called Longshanks by Bill Ferny, referring to the Ranger's long legs. (FotR, p. 193)
Stick-at-naught Strider:
Bill Ferny also called Aragorn Stick-at-naught Strider, wrongly implying that he was unreliable, perhaps because of Aragorn's tendency to come and go from Bree without warning. (FotR, p. 193)
Trotter:
In early drafts of The Lord of the Rings, the character that became Aragorn was a Hobbit named Trotter. (HoME, vol. VI)
Appendix A of LotR: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion: The Stewards" gives details on Aragorn's time as Thorongil under Ecthelion II.
Unfinished Tales: "The Hunt for the Ring" provides a more detailed account of Aragorn's capture of Gollum.
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #244 mentions the reestablishment of the Great Council of Gondor and other issues of Aragorn's reign.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Important Dates:
2931
March 1: Birth of Aragorn
2933
Death of Aragorn's father Arathorn II. Aragorn's mother Gilraen takes him to Rivendell where Elrond accepts him as a foster-son and calls him Estel meaning "hope."
2951
Aragorn learns his true name and ancestry from Elrond. He is given the shards of Narsil. Aragorn meets Arwen at Rivendell. He then embarks into the Wild on many adventures.
2956
Aragorn meets Gandalf.
2957-80
Aragorn journeys throughout Middle-earth. He serves King Thengel of Rohan and Ecthelion II, Steward of Gondor.
2980
Aragorn defeats the Corsairs while in the service of Ecthelion. Aragorn meets Arwen in Lothlorien and they become betrothed on Midsummer's Eve.
3001
Aragorn begins the search for Gollum at the request of Gandalf.
3007
Spring: Death of Aragorn's mother Gilraen.
3009
Aragorn renews his hunt for Gollum.
3018
February 1: Aragorn captures Gollum in the Dead Marshes.
March 21: Aragorn delivers Gollum to King Thranduil of Mirkwood to be held captive.
May 1: Aragorn meets Gandalf at Sarn Ford and learns of Frodo's plan to leave the Shire in September.
September 29: Aragorn meets Frodo Baggins in Bree.
September 30: Aragorn leads the Hobbits out of Bree.
October 6: Five Ringwraiths attack the camp at Weathertop.
October 13: Aragorn finds a token left by Glorfindel on the Last Bridge.
October 20: Frodo escapes across the Ford of Bruinen to Rivendell; Aragorn and the others follow.
October 25: The Council of Elrond; Aragorn shows the shards of Narsil and declares his intention to go to Minas Tirith.
December 18: Aragorn joins the Company of the Ring.
December 25: The Fellowship leaves Rivendell.
3019
January 11, 12: Blizzard on Caradhras.
January 13: The Fellowship enters Moria against Aragorn's advice.
January 15: Gandalf falls facing the Balrog; Aragorn leads the Fellowship out of Moria to the edge of Lothlorien.
January 17: The Fellowship are greeted by Galadriel and Celeborn.
February 16: The Fellowship leaves Lothlorien; Aragorn receives the Elessar.
February 25: The Fellowship passes the Argonath.
February 26: The Breaking of the Fellowship. Aragorn decides to follow the Uruk-hai who captured Merry and Pippin.
February 30: The Three Hunters meet Eomer and then travel to the edge of Fangorn.
March 1: The Three Hunters are reunited with Gandalf and set out for Meduseld.
March 2: Gandalf and the Three Hunters arrive at Meduseld.
March 3: The Rohirrim retreat to Helm's Deep and the Battle of the Hornburg begins.
March 4: Aragorn rides out at dawn with King Theoden. The Huorns of Fangorn and Gandalf the White arrive and the battle is won.
March 5: The Three Hunters are reunited with Merry and Pippin at Isengard. Aragorn takes possession of the palantir of Orthanc.
March 6: Aragorn is met by the Dunedain and Elrond's sons. He reveals himself to Sauron in the palantir and decides to take the Paths of the Dead.
March 7: The Grey Company arrives at Dunharrow. Aragorn takes leave of Eowyn.
March 8: The Grey Company takes the Paths of the Dead. At midnight, Aragorn summons the Oathbreakers at the Stone of Erech.
March 13: The Grey Company reaches Pelargir with the army of the Dead and they capture the Corsairs' fleet.
March 15: Aragorn sails north and arrives at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. After the battle he heals Faramir, Eowyn and Merry.
March 16: The Captains of the West decide to march to the Black Gate.
March 18: Aragorn leads the Host of the West out of Minas Tirith.
March 23: Aragorn sends those too frightened to proceed to retake Cair Andros.
March 25: Aragorn commands the Host of the West in the Battle of the Morannon. The Ring is destroyed and Sauron is defeated.
April 8: The Ring-bearers are honored by Aragorn and the Host of the West at the Field of Cormallen.
May 1: Aragorn is crowned King.
June 25: Aragorn finds the sapling of the White Tree.
Midsummer's Eve: Arwen arrives in Minas Tirith.
Midsummer's Day: Wedding of Aragorn and Arwen.
August 22: Aragorn bids farewell to the other members of the Fellowship.
Fourth Age:
6
King Elessar makes the Shire a Free Land under the protection of the Northern Sceptre and forbids Men from entering it.
13
King Elessar makes the Thain, the Master of Buckland, and the Mayor of Michel Delving Counsellors of the North-kingdom.
15
King Elessar and Queen Arwen come north to dwell at Annuminas. They meet with Pippin, Merry and Sam at the Brandywine Bridge.
31
King Elessar adds the Westmarch to the Shire.
120
Death of King Elessar. He is succeeded by his son Eldarion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Names and Titles:
Aragorn II:
The meaning of Aragorn is not clearly stated. A note found among J.R.R. Tolkien's papers at Marquette University suggests that "kingly valour" may have been the intended meaning.
and his father gave him the name Aragorn, a name used in the House of the Chieftains. But Ivorwen at his naming stood by, and said "Kingly Valour" (for so that name is interpreted): "that he shall have, but I see on his breast a green stone, and from that his true name shall come and his chief renown: for he shall be a healer and a renewer."
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: Foreword, p. xii
The element ara derives from aran meaning "king." The second element is less certain. In the Etymologies, the ending -gon is defined as "valour" while the word gorn is defined as "impetuous." Thus "impetuous king" is another possible interpretation of Aragorn, though it does not seem to suit the nature of the character. (HoME V, entries for KAN and GOR)
Robert Foster's Guide to Middle-earth gives "tree king" as a translation for Aragorn, but Tolkien wrote in Letter #347 that Aragorn's name does not contain the element orn meaning "tree." Tolkien did not define the name Aragorn in the letter, but he wrote that he had not had time to explain the meanings of all the names in the line of Arthedain.
Aragorn was the second of the Heirs of Isildur to have that name; his ancestor Aragorn I was killed by wolves in the year 2327.
Estel:
Elrond gave the name Estel to Aragorn when he accepted the boy as his foster son in 2933. The name means "hope." (Appendix A, p. 338)
Chieftain of the Dúnedain:
Aragorn became the Chieftain of the Dunedain on his father's death in 2933. Aragorn was only 2 years old at the time. He was not told of his heritage until 2951, when he was 20 years old. (Appendix A, p. 338)
The Dúnadan:
As Chieftain of the Dunedain, Aragorn was called the Dunadan by Bilbo and others at Rivendell. Dunadan means Man of the West, or Numenorean. (FotR, p. 245)
Isildur's Heir:
Aragorn was a direct descendant of Isildur, son of Elendil. Elendil was the last of the Lords of Andunie of Numenor and the first King of Gondor and Arnor. See the Family Tree of Aragorn below.
Thorongil:
Thorongil is the name given to Aragorn by the Men of Gondor while he was in the service of Ecthelion II. It means "Eagle of the Star" and refers to Aragorn's swiftness and keen sight and the silver star he wore. (Appendix A, p. 335)
Strider:
Strider was the name that Aragorn was known by in Bree and the surrounding area because he strode through the countryside on his long legs.
"What his right name is I've never heard: but he's known round here as Strider. Goes about at a great pace on his long shanks; though he don't tell nobody what cause he has to hurry."
The Fellowship of the Ring: "At the Sign of the Prancing Pony," p. 168-9
Although Aragorn said at the Council of Elrond that the appellation "Strider" was "scornful," (FotR, p. 261) this was how he first introduced himself to Frodo and the Hobbits continued to call him Strider, and Aragorn chose the Quenya equivalent Telcontar as the name of his royal house. (See Telcontar below.)
Elessar:
Aragorn took the name Elessar when he was crowned King of Gondor and Arnor. The name referred to the green stone set in an eagle-shaped brooch that was given to Aragorn by Galadriel when he left Lothlorien.
"In this hour take the name that was foretold for you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil!"
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Farewell to Lorien," p. 391
Elfstone:
Elfstone is the Common Speech equivalent of Elessar.
And they named him Elfstone, because of the green stone that he wore, and so the name which it was foretold at his birth that he should bear was chosen for him by his own people.
The Return of the King: "The Houses of Healing," p. 147
Envinyatar:
Envinyatar means "the Renewer."
"Verily, for in the high tongue of old I am Elessar, the Elfstone, and Envinyatar, the Renewer": and he lifted from his breast the green stone that lay there.
The Return of the King: "The Houses of Healing," p. 139
The Renewer:
The Renewer is the Common Speech equivalent of Envinyatar (see above).
Telcontar:
Telcontar was the name chosen by Aragorn for his royal house. Telcontar is the Quenya equivalent of "Strider." The element telko means "leg" in Quenya. The element ontaro means "parent, begetter."
"But Strider shall be the name of my house, if that be ever established. In the high tongue it will not sound so ill, and Telcontar I will be and all the heirs of my body."
The Return of the King: "The Houses of Healing," p. 139
King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor:
Aragorn received the crown of Gondor and the sceptre of Arnor and the two kingdoms were reunited under his reign.
Lord of the Western Lands:
Gandalf called Aragorn the King of Gondor and the Lord of the Western Lands. (RotK, p. 230)
King of the West:
Aragorn was also referred to as the King of the West. (Appendix B, p. 376)
Lord of the White Tree:
Legolas called Aragorn the Lord of the White Tree, a reference to the White Tree that was the symbol of Gondor. (RotK, p. 154)
Wingfoot:
Eomer called Aragorn Wingfoot when he learned that the Three Hunters had traveled 45 leagues in less than four days in pursuit of the Uruk-hai who captured Merry and Pippin. (TTT, p. 38-39)
Longshanks:
Aragorn was called Longshanks by Bill Ferny, referring to the Ranger's long legs. (FotR, p. 193)
Stick-at-naught Strider:
Bill Ferny also called Aragorn Stick-at-naught Strider, wrongly implying that he was unreliable, perhaps because of Aragorn's tendency to come and go from Bree without warning. (FotR, p. 193)
Trotter:
In early drafts of The Lord of the Rings, the character that became Aragorn was a Hobbit named Trotter. (HoME, vol. VI)
