Cardolan

The southernmost part of Arnor, Cardolan is a separate Dúnadan kingdom from T.A. 861 until T.A. 1409. Cardolan is the most densely populated area of old Arnor and contains sizable populations of Gwathuirim, eriadoriansEriadoran commoners, Northmen, and Dúnedain, as well as scattered groups of Beffraen and Drúedain. Its last Ruling King perishes while fighting the Witch-king's hordes in the Barrow-downs. Under weak but continuous Angmarean pressure thereafter, Cardolani society decays and the realm collapses into chaos. It is gradually depopulated after the Great Plague. The trade center of Tharbad on the middle Gwathló is Cardolans chief city. Sudúri, farther down river, is the only large town in Cardolan after Tharbad falls into ruin in the late Third Age.