Fornost Erain

Fornost Erain was the capital of Arnor and later Arthedain. It was located at the south end of the North Downs, about 100 Númenórean miles north of Bree, at the northern terminus of the North-South Road.
== History ==
=== Early history ===
Fornost most probably was founded, around or after the establishment of the realm of Arnor in S.A. 3320 since there is no record of the Númenóreans penetrating so far north before the Downfall of Númenor. After the fall of Sauron, and early in the Third Age, the Army of Arnor marched west through the Fords of Isen and continued north to Fornost.
In T.A. 861, when King Eärendur died, Arnor was divided into three kingdoms. Fornost would become the capital of the new realm of Arthedain at some point; the throne may have lingered for some time in the original capital, Annuminas, after the division, if it wasn't moved immediately to Fornost. In 1409, when the Witch-king of Angmar took the tower of Amon Sûl, the palantír was saved and carried back to Fornost. The new and young King Araphor repelled the enemy from Fornost and the North Downs.
=== Fall ===
In T.A. 1974, Arthedain was overrun by the forces of Angmar. Fornost was captured, and King Arvedui fled into the northern wastes and was lost in the Icebay of Forochel with the two palantirs he had saved from the forces of Angmar. Meanwhile Fornost became the dwelling of the Witch-king and his evil folk, usurping the house of the old kings.
In the following year, a fleet of ships from Gondor, led by Eärnur, landed at Mithlond. The Elves of Lindon led by Círdan, the remaining Dúnedain of the North and a few archers from the Shire joined the Host of the West. Eärnur fought the Witch-king of Angmar in the plains west of Fornost and defeated the armies of Angmar, but the Witch-king himself escaped.
=== Deadmen's Dike ===
After Fornost Erain was abandoned, the inhabitants of the nearest settlement, Bree, referred to it as Deadmen's Dike, and did not come there. Only Rangers came there from time to time, but no-one knew what they did there.
After King Elessar reunited the kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor, he had the ruins rebuilt and made a great city where Men dwelt once again.