Hardang

Hardang was a Man, and a Chieftain of the Men of Brethil, who ruled in the First Age.

History
He was a decendant of Halmir of the House of Haleth. His father was Hundad, and his grandfather was Hundar. After the death of the Chieftain of Brethil, Handir, Hardang tried to supersede his cousin, Brandir, in acquiring the throne of the Men of Brethil. The citizens believed Brandir to be unfit to rule them, and therefore supported Hardang.

While Hardang had much support within the Men of Brethil, many people wanted Brandir's cousin Manthor to assume the role of Chieftain instead. Unfortunatley for him and his suporters, he was related to Brandir by a daughter, which meant that his kinship with Brandir was worth less in the eyes of the people. Ergo, Manthor lost the election. Hardang then became the Chieftain of the Men of Brethil in FA 499. Upon becoming Chieftain, Hardang hired Manthor to be the Captain of the Guards at the Crossings of Taeglin.

Within two years of ruling Brethil, whispers of the return of Húrin began echoing throughout Brethil. Hardang harbored resentment for the House of Hador, of which Húrin was a member, as it was not his own, and many of the houses of the time had harsh rivalries. Therefore, upon Húrin's actual return, Hardang launched an attack against him.

Manthor defended Húrin in the ensuing battle against the forces Hardang sent. Húrin survived the conflict, and Hardang lost a great deal of public approval for the attempt on his life. A group of the citizens then banded together and burned the Hall of the Chieftans, from where all the Chieftans had ruled, with the intent of killing Hardang. He tried fleeing from the burning structure, but was hit in the back by a spear while running away, and perished.