Places in Middle-earth
Cardolan
Type: Kingdoms, Realms, Lands
Region: Arnor/Eriador/Lindon
Location: Cardolan was in the South, its bounds being the Brandywine, the Greyflood, and the Great Road. During the Ring War this area was largely unpopulated. The Barrow-downs, South Downs, and Old Forest all fell within Cardolan's borders, as did Minhiriath and Eryn Vorn.
Description: Cardolan became a separate realm when Arnor was divided into three in 861 as a result of dissension among the sons of Eärendur. The line of Isildur did not long rule there, perishing soon after the division.
Cardolan proved more loyal than Rhudaur, joining with Arthedain against Angmar and Rhudaur. In 1409 a host from Angmar swept down and at that time "Cardolan was ravaged." Unlike Rhudaur, some Dúnedain remained in that land, and "held out in Tyrn Gorthad (the Barrowdowns), or took refuge in the Forest behind." A remnant of the Dúnedain in Cardolan survived until the Great Plague of 1636 when "most of the people of Cardolan perished, especially in Minhiriath." Thereafter "evil spirits out of Angmar and Rhudaur entered into the deserted mounds and dwelt there."
It is also mentioned in Appendix A that "Some say that the mound in which the Ring-bearer was imprisoned had been the grave of the last prince of Cardolan, who fell in the war of 1409."
RotK, Appendix A, I, iii, Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur
Contributors: Lyllyn 9.28.03