Defenders of the Forest
Our Ranger Collection marries historical concepts and fantastical elements. Popularized by the enigmatic Aragorn in J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, the idea of the roguish ranger has captivated imaginations for generations. The natural tones of this set provide perfect camouflage for a forest hunt.
The Real-World Inspiration of Rangers
Were there really rangers in the medieval era? Truth be told, no. At least not in the same way as in Lord of the Rings. The term Ranger does refer to men, typically on horseback, who policed a specific area. This definition comes from the 17th century, however. To delve further back in time, you can look at the French root “range” which, in 14th-century Middle English, referred to a “row or line of persons,” particularly soldiers.
So, while Rangers akin to Aragorn are mostly the stuff of fantasy, the idea still sprouted from some small historical seeds. Still, the archetype has since boomed in popularity, and it’s easy to see why.
