Arendale

**Arendale** is the central location of the *Frozen* film series. It is a Norwegian-inspired kingdom, and the birthplace of Anna and Elsa.

## Background

Arendale was originally the birthplace to King Philip (King King Agnarr in the movie), who later married Aurora Rose (Queen Iduna in the movie). On the winter solstice, Aurora would give birth to Elsa, who was gifted with the ability to control ice and snow and Anna who lacked any magic abilities.

Due to the unstable nature of Elsa's powers, the castle was closed off for thirteen years, per the king's orders; this was done for Elsa's safety, as well as the safety of Arendelle's populace.

In episode 3, King Philip and Queen Aurora Rose left Arendale for 2 weeks to find answers to Elsa's magic, but the king and queen perished at sea during a storm, never to return and for Elsa to become queen at the age of 21.

3 years later, on the day of Elsa's coronation, she is apprehensive about becoming the new queen of the kingdom after the loss of her and Anna's parents. After Elsa officially becomes queen, she and Anna get into an argument when Elsa refuses to let Anna marry Prince Hans who she had just met that same day. Annoyed, Elsa accidentally reveals her ice powers to Anna, Hans and everyone in Arendale. After Hans considers Elsa a monster, she flees Arendale and runs across the sea, using her magic, towards the North Mountain and creates her own ice palace.

After reuniting with Anna and confronting Prince Hans , Elsa thaws Arendale after she realises that love is the key to returning the kingdom to Summer and getting rid of the snow.

## Time Period

The time period for *Frozen* is set in July 1839. In the upper left-hand corner of the geographical map shown in *Frozen Fever*, it is suggested by a set of Roman numerals that the year in which Anna turned nineteen was 1840. (MDCCCXL is the exact numeral order.) Oaken's statement, "A real howler in July, yes?", confirms the month is set in July. This being said, given that Anna is eighteen as of the events of *Frozen*, it can be logically assumed that *Frozen* takes place in July 1839.The time period for *Frozen II* set in November 1842, and the Arendellian soldiers were trapped in the Forest for 34 years in 1808.

## Places of Interest

* **Arendale Castle:** The home of the royal family of Arendelle.
	+ **Arendelle Chapel:** The chapel in which Elsa's coronation ceremony took place.
* **Village:** The village outside the castle gates. It consists of homes, shops, a marketplace, the docks, and the city's clock tower.
* **Mountains:** The vast wilderness landscape surrounding the kingdom. It is here that Arendelle's primary export—ice—is harvested. Traversing through this area can be rather dangerous, as savage wolves lurk throughout.
	+ **Wandering Oaken's Trading Post and Sauna:** A shop belonging to Oaken. Merchandise, clothing, and other goods can be purchased here. It also houses a sauna for weary travellers.
	+ **The North Mountain:** A looming, ominous mountain that towers over the rest of the land. Elsa claimed it as her home with the creation of her ice palace.
	+ **Valley of the Living Rock:** A hidden valley inhabited by mystical trolls. Its existence is known by very few.

## Trivia

* The name 'Arendelle' is based on the Norwegian town of Arendal, located in the county of Aust-Agder, to the southwest of the Norwegian capital, Oslo. However, the scenery of Arendelle is based primarily on Nærøyfjord in western Norway, as well as various buildings in Oslo, Bergen, and other Norwegian cities.
* Arendelle's name is also similar to that of Arundel, an English market town and civil parish in a steep vale of the South Downs, West Sussex. The name was spelled 'Arundell' until 1733, when the final l was dropped. Arundel is home to Arundel Castle, seat of the Duke of Norfolk; and to Arundel Cathedral, seat of the (Catholic) Bishop of Arundel and Brighton.
* In Norwegian, 'Aren' is possibly derived from 'ørn', which means "eagle", and 'delle' is derived from 'dal', which means "valley".
* The crocus is a symbol of rebirth and spring. In cold regions, the flower blooms while snow is still on the ground.
* The eternal winter Elsa caused may be a representation about how, in the northern reaches of Norway, winter will last anywhere from 8–10 months.
* Reading further into the meaning of this kingdom's name, it's interesting to note that Walt Disney's own great-grandfather was named Arundel Disney.
* The demonym of Arendelle is 'Arendellian'.
* In the first *Frozen* movie, Elsa's Ice Castle is located on the outskirts of Arendale, on the area of the north mountain.
* The kingdom is thawed in episode 5.

## References

<references>

1. ↑ Arendale - Disney Wiki
2. ↑ Arendelle - Disney Wiki
3. ↑ Arendale - Disney Wiki