Argeleb II was the tenth King of Arthedain. It was during his reign that the Shire was founded. In TA 1601, Argeleb gave Marcho Fallohide and Blanco Fallohide permission to start a colony of Hobbits between the River Baranduin and the Far Downs. His only conditions were that they keep up the condition of the Brandywine Bridge, speed Argeleb's messengers through their land, and acknowledge his lordship.

The Great Plague also came to Eriador during this time from the Southeast. Most of the people of Cardolan perished; especially hard hit was Minhiriath. The Hobbits were also greatly affected, but the high seat in Fornost was spared for as the plague passed Northward, its strength was lessened.

At this time, an end was come to the Dúnedain of Cardolan, and evil spirits came down out of Rhudaur and Angmar and occupied the deserted mounds there. These spirits were later called the Barrow-wights about which the following is said in The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur:

" It is said that the mounds of Tyrn Gorthad, as the Barrowdowns were called of old, are very ancient, and that many were built in the days of the old world of the First Age by the forefathers of the Edain, before they crossed the Blue Mountains into Beleriand, of which Lindon is all that now remains. Those hills were therefore revered by the Dúnedain after their return; and there many of their lords and kings were buried. (Some say that the mound in which the Ringbearer was imprisoned had been the grave of the last prince of Cardolan, who fell in the war of 1409. "

Argeleb II reigned from TA 1589 until TA 1670. He was succeeded by his son Arvegil.



**Additional information submitted by Nienna of the Valar.**
Encyclopedia entry originally written by ~Mirimë~