Those Glorious Rangers ...

[Algamesh]

The Rangers were always my favorite group in the LOTR. We are given brief hints and suggestions as to their purpose and organization but I really wanted MORE!

I wanted to start this thread as a place where we could catalogue everything that we know about the "Sons of Arnor" in the Third Age. So, I'll do some more research and post something further in a day or two but I ask everyone to contribute anything that they know about the culture, organization, trade, diplomacy, etc. concerning them. :thumbs:

[Orofacion of the Vanyar]

Well just off the top of my head, there appears to be some sort of either military or monacratic hierarchy involved within the Ranger culture. The Rangers that appeared in TT obviously held Aragorn with higher regard, seeing him as their king so to speak.

Indeed Aragorn was the rightful kind, but at this time he had not claimed his inheritance, so therefore, this reverance for something unknown to the masses shows the Rangers preserve and maintain their own history, knowing their origins as far back as the First Age.

The Rangers of the North also seem well versed in elvish lexicon and grammar, a sign of wisdom among the folk, to match their physical prowess.

I will do some research and post more latter.

[Catz]

Mmmm and i believe this regard for geneology led to them to thinking of themselves as a warrior elite, which in itself id a powerful force for holding a group or society together...and that of course had the effect of
A: reinforcing the respect for geneology and hierarchy
B: maintaining their ability to fight as a group, since they would be the Kings people
C: holding together their societal structure....they were waiting for the King
this was further reinforced by the keeping of heirlooms such as Narsil......to give a sense of destiny, and to keep their history fresh in their minds
Hmmm....bit disjointed there, sorry......im tired:( ;) lol
:catz:

[Algamesh]

Was there ever any mention as to how they lived? I'm imaging a nomadic existence ... I really can't see any permanent settlement and, of course, there was no "Ranger City" in the books. And how about the Dunedain women-folk ... what's your thoughts on these gals? Were the women skilled in similar ways as the men? Lots of stuff to ponder when one considers the Rangers.

[Aragorn Isildur]

There is something mentioned somewhere in the appendix to Aragorns childhood. It mentions the women there, if i remember rightly they were held in high regard. Wasnt Fornost the Rangers stamping ground? Around that area anyway.

Aragorn:king:

[Catz]

i think the regard that the women were held in, had more to do with their reproductive abilities, than their weapons skills.....the Rangers were not numerous, and i dont think there were that many women as opposed to men...thats just an impression i get.....as to the lifestyle...ive always pictured them as semi nomadic.....small bands most of the time, but getting together in semi permant settlements at certain times of the year....theyd have to actually, otherwise the genealogy wouldnt be able to be transmitted, and theyd need that otherwise they could end up inbreeding too closely.....
:catz:

[Aragorn Isildur]

Damn, rumbled. Ok i admit it, im my own uncle, aunty and grandfather ;)

Aragorn:king:

[Catz]

well...that explains a lot...:rolleyes: :naughty: ;) lol roflmao lol
tho the Aunty bit gives me pause for thought!!:elfeek: lol
:catz:

[Iarwain Ben-adar]

Wow, a Rangers thread! I always felt there was so much we didn't see going on in the Lord of the Rings such as this that made it such a fine tale. Aragorn even mentions the Rangers guarding of the Shire when complaining about Barley's ignorance. I got this vision of darkly clad warriors peeking out of the eaves of the Shire watching for the uncoming storm. I find it hard though to fathom any sort of real life for them. Nomadic would be about it, and then it would have to be that Faith in the Kings return to keep them together. Very Noble indeed. As with everyone else I think I will research this a bit more before I can speak knowledgeablely about it.
Namárië,
Iarwain
p.s. Algamesh this is where you are, your Mom's looking for you, your late for supper again. LOL!

[Mandin]

I don't think they would use Fornost as a sort of headquarters. If I remember correctly (I read it a few days ago, but that doesn't mean I'm remembering correctly) Elrond speaks in his counsel in the FotR about how the north kingdom fell, and dark things walked in Fornost, and it became a place of dark legends. I think that it says only Rangers go there, but it doesn't sound like its a living place.

Anyhow, yes, Aragorn talks a bit in the counsel about how the Shire and all the north towns of men and hobbits (Bree, Archet,ect) are protected by the Rangers. However, I can't imagine them wandering forever. There are, if you recall, quite a few ruins in that region, and I imagine that the Shire is not the only patch of fertile ground in the north. The more I think on the matter, the more I surmise that Aragorn and the Rangers went about the north kind of like Faramir in Ithilien. They go out, do what they have to do for a bit, then go back home for the winter, or perhaps while some others take their places. They probably have at least semi permanent homes among the old ruined towers and castles and townships scattered through the wilderness.

That's just my cent and a half. Hope some of it makes sense and helps a little.
:jester:

[Catz]

makes sense Mandin....the thing is that there would have to be some sort of gathering place, or settled pattern, so that the traditions and genealogies could be transmitted...you cant do that in scattered groups....besides the travelling in summer, sedentry in winter pattern is very common in nomadic peoples because it makes sense...tho i do think theyd have groups out all all times of the year......as you say Mandin, like Faramirs band......a good way to keep the young me in fighting trim and busy....
:catz: