The Tarmas were second in power only to the King yet himself, and they had a history of in subordination against the throne. Surprisingly , their seat of power was not a well defended fortress, but rather a pleasant and open estate filled with dozens of relatives, near-kinsmen, and servants. In the later Third Age Tarmabar became a secret Haven of the Rangers of the North.The old ruins were known to the Hobbits as "Nob Hill".