An encyclopedia of Middle-earth and Numenor
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An encyclopedia of Middle-earth and Numenor |
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Anárion |
Decipher
card of Anarion
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Second
King of Gondor through whom the line of Kings
descended. Anarion was born in Numenor in 3219
of the Second Age. He was the son of Elendil
and he had an older brother Isildur. Anarion
had four children. The three eldest were most likely daughters, and the
fourth was a son named Meneldil who was the last
man born in Numenor in 3318.
Anarion and his family were among the Faithful who rejected the efforts of Sauron to corrupt the Men of Numenor. Sauron convinced Ar-Pharazon, King of Numenor, to wage war against the Valar in a misguided attempt to attain immortality. When Ar-Pharazon's fleet set out for the Undying Lands in 3319, the Faithful remained in Numenor. The fleet was destroyed and Numenor sank beneath the Sea, but the Faithful had prepared their own ships and were able to escape to Middle-earth.
Anarion had two ships of his own, Isildur had three, and Elendil had four. Elendil's ships landed in northern Middle-earth and Anarion and Isildur sailed to south to the Bay of Belfalas and up the Anduin. In 3320, the North-kingdom of Arnor and the South-kingdom of Gondor were founded. Elendil was the High King and lived in Arnor, while Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled Gondor in the south.
The capital of Gondor was Osgiliath on the Anduin. Isildur and Anarion each had a throne there in the Great Hall. Anarion built the stronghold of Minas Anor in the region of Anorien on the west side of the Anduin. He kept the palantir called the Anor-stone there.
Unknown to Isildur and Anarion, Sauron had returned to Mordor. In 3429, Sauron attacked Gondor and captured Isildur's stronghold Minas Ithil. Isildur went north to Arnor to consult with Elendil. Anarion remained behind to defend Gondor. He was able to hold Osgiliath and drive Sauron's forces back to Mordor for the time being, but he feared he would not be able to withstand another assault.
Elendil formed the Last Alliance with Gil-galad of the Elves. They came south in 3434 and joined with Anarion's forces and fought the War of the Last Alliance against Sauron. The Last Alliance defeated Sauron's forces in the Battle of Dagorlad and entered Mordor. They besieged Sauron in Barad-dur for seven years. Sauron attacked the siege army from above with fire and projectiles.
In 3440, Anarion was killed by a stone cast from the Dark Tower that crushed his helmet. The Siege of Barad-dur ended the next year in 3441 when Sauron came down and fought Elendil and Gil-galad, who were both killed. Sauron also fell and Isildur took the One Ring from him, which allowed Sauron's spirit to survive.
Isildur intended to be High King of both Gondor and Arnor and to live in the North-kingdom while Anarion's son Meneldil directly ruled Gondor. But Isildur was killed by Orcs in the Gladden Fields in the year 2 of the Third Age. Isildur's only surviving son Valandil was still a child, and when he came of age he took up the kingship of Arnor but did not claim the High Kingship.
Meneldil therefore remained the sole ruler and Anarion's descendants continued to rule Gondor until the line of Kings ended with Earnur in 2050. At the end of the Third Age, the kingship was resumed by Aragorn who was a direct descendant of Isildur but was also a descendant of Anarion through Firiel, daughter of King Ondoher of Gondor, who married Arvedui of the North-kingdom.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Anárion means
"Sun son" in Quenya from Anar meaning "the Sun" and the masculine
ending -ion denoting "son of."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The Silmarillion:
"Akallabeth," p. 272, 279-80; "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age,"
p. 290-97
The Fellowship
of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 256-58; "The Great River,"
p. 409
The Two
Towers: "The Window on the West," p. 278, 286
The Return
of the King: "The Pyre of Denethor," p. 130
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Numenorean Kings," p. 317; "The Realms
in Exile," p. 318; "The North-kingdom and the Dunedain," p. 323 note 1;
"Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 324, 329-30; "The Stewards," p. 336-37
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 365
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for NAR and YON
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 191-92, 195, 197
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 271, 279 note 10
Meneldil was the last man to be born in Numenor.* Numenor was destroyed in 3319, the year after his birth. Meneldil was brought to Middle-earth by his father Anarion and they lived in Minas Anor. Anarion and his brother Isildur jointly ruled Gondor, while their father Elendil was High King and lived in the North-kingdom of Arnor.
In 3434, the Men of Gondor and Arnor joined forces with the Elves to wage war against Sauron. Anarion was killed during the Siege of Barad-dur in 3440. Elendil was killed in 3441, but Sauron was defeated. Isildur took the One Ring and Sauron's spirit went into hiding in the East.
Isildur intended to be High King of both Gondor and Arnor and live in the North like Elendil had. He committed the direct rule of Gondor to Meneldil. Isildur remained in Gondor for about two years to order the realm and instruct Meneldil. Together they journeyed through all the lands of Gondor. They buried the remains of Elendil on Halifirien and Isildur advised Meneldil that he and his heirs should occasionally visit the hallowed place.
Isildur set out for Arnor on September 5 of the year 2 of the Third Age. Meneldil was courteous and bid Isildur farewell, but he was glad to see him go and he hoped that Isildur would not interfere too much in the rule of Gondor.
Isildur and his three eldest sons were killed by Orcs during his journey home. Isildur's youngest son Valandil was still a child. When Valandil came of age in the year 10, he assumed the Kingship of Arnor but did not claim to be High King of Gondor and Arnor. Meneldil was therefore left on his own to rule Gondor and the Crown passed to his descendants.
Meneldil died in 158 and was succeeded by his son Cemendur.
*Note: In an earlier draft of the chronology, Meneldil's birth date was given as 3299 while Isildur's eldest son was said to be the last man born in Numenor in 3318 (HoME XII, p. 208). But in a later draft it is Meneldil who was the last born in Numenor in 3318 (HoME XII, p. 191, 197).
Names &
Etymology:
The name Meneldil means "heaven
friend" or "astronomer" in Quenya from menel meaning "heaven" and
the ending ndil meaning "friend, devoted to."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The Fellowship
of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 265
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 329-30
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 271, 279 note 10; "Cirion
and Eorl," p. 308
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 191, 197, 208, 212
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for menel
and ndil
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #297 (meaning of Meneldil)
Names &
Etymology:
The name Cemendur means "Earth
servant" from kemen or cemen meaning "earth" and the ending
ndur
meaning "to serve." Also spelled
Kemendur, as it is pronounced.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for kemen
and -(n)dur
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #297 (-ndur)
Names &
Etymology:
The name Eärendil means
"lover of the Sea" in Quenya. The word
eär means "the Sea"
and the ending ndil means "devotion." Eärendil
was the name of a famous mariner in the First Age.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #297
Names &
Etymology:
The name Anardil means "Sun
friend" in Quenya from Anar meaning "the Sun" and the ending -dil
meaning
"devotion."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for nar
and (n)dil
In 490, Gondor was attacked for the first time by the Easterlings. Ostoher died two years later in 492 at the age of 270 and was succeeded by his son Tarostar, who defeated the Easterlings in 500 and took the name Romendacil I.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ostoher is composed
of the Quenya words osto meaning "fortress" and her from
heru
meaning "lord." This may be a reference to the rebuilding of Minas Anor
during Ostoher's reign.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 324
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197; "The Tale of Years of the Third Age," p. 228
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for os(t)
and heru
In 490, Gondor was attacked by hostile Men from the East known as Easterlings. Tarostar led the defense of Gondor in place of his elderly father. Ostoher died two years later in 492 and Tarostar succeeded him as King. In 500, Tarostar defeated the Easterlings and drove them out of Gondor. He took the name Romendacil meaning "East-victor."
Romendacil I was the first King to appoint a Steward. One of the duties of the Steward was to remain in Gondor while the King went to war. Romendacil I also began the tradition of leaving written instructions to be used by the King's heir in case of the King's untimely death.
In 541, the Easterlings attacked again and Romendacil I was killed in battle. He was succeeded by his son Turambar, who avenged his father and won territory for Gondor in the East.
Names &
Etymology:
The first element in the name Tarostar
is tar meaning "high, noble" in Quenya. The second element ostar
is unclear. In early works, the word Ostor meant "the East" - which
could be a reference to his future victory over the Easterlings - but the
word for "East" was changed to Rómen in later works. It seems
more likely that ostar is from the root ost meaning "fortress"
as in the name of his father Ostoher. In one source (BoLT
2, p. 336) the word ostar is said to mean "township."
The name Rómendacil means "East-victor" from Rómen meaning "East" and dacil from nacil meaning "victor." Also spelled Rómendakil as it is pronounced. He was the first King of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 324
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 308-9, 319 note 53
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. I, The Book of Lost Tales Part One: "Appendix
- Names in The Lost Tales Part One," p. 264
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. II, The Book of Lost Tales Part Two: "Appendix
- Names in The Lost Tales Part Two," p. 336
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for romen
Quenya
Affixes
Names &
Etymology:
The name Turambar means "master
of doom" in Quenya from
tur meaning "power, mastery" and ambar
meaning
"doom." Turin Turambar was the name of a legendary figure in the
First Age.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 324
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for amarth
and tur
Names &
Etymology:
The name Atanatar means "father
of Men" in Quenya from
Atani meaning "Men" and atar meaning
"father." He was the first King of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
The Silmarillion:
Index, entries for Atanatari, Atani; "Appendix - Elements in Quenya
and Sindarin Names," entry for atar
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
Siriondil succeeded his father as King in 748. During Siriondil's reign, his son Tarannon expanded Gondor's territory westward and southward along the coasts. Siriondil died in 830. Tarannon became King but had no children of his own and was followed by Tarciryan's son Earnil I.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Siriondil might
mean "friend of the Great River." The ending ndil means "friend,
devotion." The Sirion was a river in Beleriand. Its name meant "great river"
in Sindarin. The names of the Kings of Gondor were in Quenya, but the root
sir
meaning "flow" is also found in Quenya. Siriondil's name could be an allusion
to the Anduin which also means "great
river."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318
The Silmarillion:
Index, entry for Sirion; "Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarion
Names," entry for sir
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for SIR
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
When Tarannon became King in 830, he took the name Falastur meaning "Lord of the Coasts." He was the first of the four Ship-kings who increased Gondor's fleets and sea power. Tarannon Falastur lived near the Sea south of Pelargir in a house that stood on arches in the waters of the Anduin.
Tarannon Falastur married a woman named Beruthiel who may have been of Black Numenorean descent. The ancestors of the Black Numenoreans were Men of Numenor who were corrupted by Sauron and turned to evil. They lived along the southern coasts in Harad and particularly around Umbar, which was not under the control of Gondor at that time.
It was highly unusual for one of the Kings of Gondor - who were descendants of the Faithful of Numenor - to marry a Black Numenorean. How this came about is not known. Beruthiel may have deceived Tarannon Falastur about her identity. Or perhaps the marriage may have been an attempt at an alliance or reconciliation with the inhabitants of the southern coasts. If so, it was unsuccessful.
Tarannon Falastur and Beruthiel were unhappy together. Beruthiel hated the Sea, and she left her husband's house on the water and went to live alone in the King's House in Osgiliath. There she reverted to the evil ways of her people and she began to spy on the people of Gondor with the help of her cats. Eventually Tarannon Falastur banished her from Gondor and set her and her cats adrift on a ship sailing southward past Umbar.
Tarannon Falastur had no children. He was the first King of Gondor to have no direct successor. This was later seen as an early warning sign of the eventual decay of the bloodline of Gondor. When Tarannon died in 913, he was succeeded by his brother Tarciryan's son, Earnil I.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Tarannon may mean
"King's gift" in Quenya. The element tar means "high, noble" and
was used as a prefix to the names of the Kings of Numenor. The element
annon
may be a form of the word anna meaning "gift."
The name Falastur means "Lord of the Coasts" from falassë meaning "coast" and tur meaning "power, mastery."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; 'Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 324-25
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
Unfinished
Tales: "The Istari," p. 401-402 note 7
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for anna,
falas, tar, tur
"The Realms
of Tolkien" by Daphne Castell in New Worlds, November, 1966, p.
147-148. Online text at Fantastic
Metropolis. (Interview with Tolkien mentioning Queen Beruthiel
as a Black Numenorean.)
A
Journey in the Dark: Reflections on the Identity of Queen Beruthiel
by Chris Seeman
Earnil I was the second of the four Ship-kings. He built a great navy for Gondor and he repaired the havens at Pelargir. In 933, Earnil I led a force by land and Sea to besiege the Havens of Umbar on the coast of Harad. Many inhabitants of Umbar were descended from the Black Numenoreans who had been corrupted by Sauron. They hated the people of Gondor, who were the descendants of the Faithful of Numenor.
Gondor's forces captured Umbar but many lives were lost in the battle. Earnil I fortified Umbar and it became an important port for Gondor.
Just three years later in 936, Earnil I perished at Sea along with the crews of many ships when they were caught in a storm off the coast of Umbar. Earnil I was succeeded by his son Ciryandil.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Eärnil is a
contraction of Eärendil, meaning "lover of the Sea." The word
eär
means "the Sea" and the ending ndil means "devotion." Earnil I was
the first King of Gondor of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 325
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #297
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
In 1015, the Men of Harad attacked Gondor's stronghold at Umbar, which had been taken from the Haradrim during the reign of Earnil I. Ciryandil was killed in battle and Umbar was besieged. His son Ciryaher eventually defeated the Haradrim and took the name Hyarmendacil I.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ciryandil means
"ship friend" in Quenya from cirya meaning "ship" and the ending
ndil
meaning
"devotion." Also spelled Kiryandil as it is pronounced.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 325
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix
- Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for kir
and ndil
In 1015, Ciryandil was killed in battle with the Men of Harad, who wanted to recapture the Havens of Umbar from Gondor. The Haradrim then besieged Umbar for 35 years. Ciryaher waited and gathered his strength and then in 1050 he attacked the siege army of the Haradrim by sea and by land. The Haradrim were defeated and their kings were forced to acknowledge the overlordship of Gondor and to send their sons there as hostages.
Ciryaher took the name Hyarmendacil, meaning "South-victor." In the south, Gondor's territory extended to the River Harnen and along the coast to Umbar. Gondor's borders also stretched east to the Sea of Rhun, west beyond the Misty Mountains to the Greyflood, and north to the Field of Celebrant and the edge of Mirkwood.
Gondor was at the height of its power during the reign of Hyarmendacil I. He was the fourth and last of the Ship-kings and he maintained a great fleet and made Umbar an important port of Gondor. Mordor was closely guarded from the forts maintained on its borders. Gondor's enemies were subdued and the land was at peace.
Hyarmendacil I ruled for 134 years, which was the second-longest reign of any King. (Tarondor had the longest reign.) Hyarmendacil I died in 1149 and was succeeded by his son Atanatar II.
Names &
Etymology:
His birth name Ciryaher means
"Ship lord" in Quenya from cirya meaning "ship" and heru
meaning "lord." Hyarmendacil means "South-victor" from hyarmen
meaning "south" and dacil from nacil meaning "victor." He
was the first King of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 325
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for heru,
hyarmen and kir
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197-98, 210; "The Making of Appendix A," p. 260
Quenya
Affixes
But Atanatar II did nothing to add to his father's achievements. He was content to enjoy the wealth of his great realm without working to maintain it. He lived a life of leisure and was called Alcarin, "the Glorious," not because of his deeds but for his luxurious lifestyle. He replaced the helm of Isildur, which had been used as the Crown of Gondor, with a Crown of silver and jewels. Gondor began to decline during his reign, and its defenses and vigilance weakened.
Gandalf the Grey may have visited Gondor for the first time during the reign of Atanatar II.
Atanatar II had two sons, Narmacil and Calmacil. Calmacil's son Minalcar took an active role in the councils during Atanatar's reign. When Atanatar II died in 1226 he was succeeded by Narmacil, but Narmacil had no children of his own and was later succeeded by Calmacil. Both of them turned over the duties of Kingship to Minalcar (known as Romendacil) who served as their Regent.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Atanatar means "father
of Men" in Quenya from
Atani meaning "Men" and atar meaning
"father." He was the second King of that name.
The word Alcarin means "glorious" from alcar meaning "glory, brilliance, splendor."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "The North-kingdom
and the Dunedain," p. 323 note 1; "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p.
325
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 198; "The Making of Appendix A," p. 260
Unfinished
Tales: "The Istari," p. 400
The Silmarillion:
Index, entries for Atanatari, Atani; "Appendix - Elements in Quenya
and Sindarin Names," entries for aglar and atar
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
Narmacil I became King after his father's death in 1226. Like his father, Narmacil I preferred a life of leisure and had no interest in governing the realm. In 1240, he appointed his nephew Minalcar, son of Calmacil, as Regent. Narmacil remained King in name only while Minalcar took over all his duties.
Gondor was troubled by Easterlings from beyond the Sea of Rhun. In 1248, the Regent Minalcar defeated them and took the name Romendacil, or "East-victor." Romendacil withdrew Gondor's northern border east of the Anduin to the Emyn Muil and built forts along the western side of Anduin. Romendacil also strengthened relations with the Northmen who lived along the frontier with Rhun.
Narmacil I had no children. When he died in 1294 his younger brother Calmacil became King though Romendacil continued to rule as Regent.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Narmacil is composed
of nar meaning "fire" and macil meaning "sword." Also spelled
Narmakil
as it is pronounced. He was the first King of Gondor of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 325-26
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for MAK and NAR
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 198
Calmacil had two sons named Minalcar and Calimehtar. The elder son Minalcar was a man of great vigor who acted as Regent when his uncle, King Narmacil I, decided to relinquish all his duties. After Narmacil's death in 1294, Calmacil officially became King, but he too ruled in name only and left the work of governance to his son.
Calmacil died in 1304 and Minalcar was crowned King under the name Romendacil II. Calmacil's younger son Calimehtar was the grandfather of Castamir who usurped the throne of Gondor during the reign of Eldacar in 1437.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Calmacil is composed
of cal meaning "shine" and macil meaning "sword." Also spelled
Kalmakil
as it is pronounced.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 325-26
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for KAL and MAK
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 198-9; "The Making of Appendix A," p. 259-60
Minalcar's grandfather Atanatar II, his uncle Narmacil I, and his father Calmacil all neglected their duty to Gondor in favor of their own comfort. Minalcar, however, took after his great-grandfather Hyarmendacil I. Minalcar was strong and vigorous and he took great interest in Gondor's affairs. He was an active and valued participant in councils during the reign of Atanatar II.
After Narmacil I succeeded Atanatar II, Minalacar took on an even more active role. Narmacil I wanted to be relieved of the duties of Kingship, so he appointed Minalcar as his Regent in 1240. His official title was Karma-kundo meaning "Helm-guardian." Minalcar had complete control of the military and the defense of Gondor, and he had full authority to act in the name of the King in all other matters.
Easterlings from Rhun began to attack Gondor. Minalcar was troubled by the fact that some of the Northmen who lived on the frontier with Rhun sided with the Easterlings. The Northmen were allies of Gondor and Minalcar realized that their continued friendship was an important factor in the defense of Gondor's eastern border.
In part to prevent the defection of the Northmen, Minalcar launched an attack on the Easterlings in 1248. He defeated a great army of Easterlings and destroyed their settlements. Minalcar then took the name Romendacil, meaning "East-victor," as his ancestor Tarostar had done.
Romendacil fortified the western bank of the Anduin between the Emyn Muil and the Limlight, and he erected the Argonath as a marker south of which strangers were not permitted to pass uninvited. He also strengthened relations with the Northmen. Many Northmen entered his service and some gained high ranks in Gondor's army. This move was resented by some of the people of Gondor.
In 1250, Romendacil sent his son Valacar as an ambassador to the court of the most powerful Northern leader, King Vidugavia of Rhovanion. Valacar fell in love with Vidugavia's daughter Vidumavi. Romendacil gave them permission to marry to avoid jeopardizing relations with the Northmen, but he was concerned about the ramifications of this union and he summoned Valacar and his new family home to Gondor in 1260.
In 1294, King Narmacil I died. He had no children and was succeeded as King by his brother Calmacil, who was Romendacil's father. Calmacil did not want the responsibilities of Kingship either, so Romendacil continued as Regent until he was finally crowned King Romendacil II after Calmacil's death in 1304.
Vidumavi died in either 1332 or 1344. Her lifespan was short compared to the people of Gondor. Those who had opposed the marriage of the King's heir with one of the Northmen saw this as confirmation of their fears that the line of Kings would be weakened. Some dissidents believed that Valacar's son Eldacar should not become King because of his mixed blood. Romendacil was deeply troubled about what would happen after his death.
Romendacil II died 1366 and was succeeded by Valacar. Rebellion grew during Valacar's reign, and when Eldacar succeeded him in 1432, the civil war of the Kin-strife began. The rebels were led by Castamir, who was the grandson of Romendacil II's younger brother Calimehtar.
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of the name Minalcar
is uncertain. It could be composed of minya meaning "first" with
the connotation "eminent, prominent" and alcar meaning "glory, brilliance,
splendor." Also spelled Minalkar.
The name Rómendacil means "East-victor" from Rómen meaning "East" and dacil from nacil meaning "victor." Also spelled Rómendakil as it is pronounced. He was the second King of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 325-27
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for MINI
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 198-9; "The Making of Appendix A," p. 259-61
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for aglar
and
romen
"The Rivers
and Beacon-hills of Gondor," by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Carl F. Hostetter,
commentary by Christopher Tolkien, in Vinyar Tengwar #42, July 2001,
p. 24
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
Quenya
Affixes
In 1250, Valacar was appointed by his father to be Gondor's ambassador to the court of King Vidugavia of Rhovanion. Vidugavia was the most powerful leader of the Northmen. Romendacil II wanted to strengthen relations with the Northmen because they lived east of Mirkwood on the border of Rhun - the land of Gondor's enemies the Easterlings.
Valacar learned the language and culture of the Northmen and he came to love the land and its people. He also fell in love with Vidugavia's daughter Vidumavi. Romendacil reluctantly gave Valacar permission to marry Vidumavi because he did not want to offend the Northmen, but he was concerned about the effects this marriage might have.
Valacar and Vidumavi had a son in 1255. They named him Vinitharya in the language of the Northmen and Eldacar in the language of Gondor. They also had at least one more child. Valacar and his family returned to Gondor in 1260 at Romendacil's request and they brought a number of Northmen with them. Upon his return, Valacar became a council member and military leader in Gondor.
At first, Vidumavi and her children were welcomed in Gondor. She adapted well to her new homeland, but some people of Gondor disliked the fact that their future King had married a woman who was not of Numenorean descent. Their main concern was that the bloodline would be weakened and the lifespan of the Kings would decrease. When Vidumavi died in 1332 or 1344 at a relatively young age compared to the people of Gondor, dissent began to grow.
Valacar became King in 1366. He was a strong and vigorous leader, but by the end of his reign there was open rebellion in the southern provinces of Gondor by those who opposed his son Eldacar succeeding him as King. Valacar died in 1432 and the civil war of the Kin-strife began. Eldacar was deposed in 1437 but regained the throne in 1447.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Valacar means "helm
of the Valar." The Quenya word for helm or helmet is karma from
kár
meaning "head." Also spelled Valakar.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318-19; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 326-27
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for KAS
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 198-9; "The Making of Appendix A," p. 260-61
Eldacar and his mother were initially welcomed in Gondor. But there were those who did not want Eldacar to become King because of his mixed blood. They thought the Northmen were inferior, and they feared that the royal bloodline would be weakened and that the lifespans of the Kings would decrease. These dissidents believed their fears were confirmed when Vidumavi died in 1332 of 1344 at what was considered a relatively young age by the people of Gondor. (Her age is not given but she appears to have been at least 100 years old.)
Rebellion broke out in the southern provinces as Valacar's reign drew to an end. When Valacar died in 1432, the civil war of the Kin-strife began. The rebels opposed Eldacar's accession to the throne, saying: "Vinitharya is his right name. Let him go back to the land where he belongs!" (HoME XII, p. 261)
Eldacar was strong and valiant and he had inherited a fearless spirit from the Northmen. He resisted the rebels for many years. His supporters included Northmen as well as Men of Gondor, especially those from the northern provinces. In 1437 they were besieged in Osgiliath. After a long struggle, Eldacar's forces were overcome by starvation and the superior manpower of the rebels. Eldacar and some of his followers fled to Rhovanion.
The rebel leader Castamir usurped the throne of Gondor. He was the grandson of Romendacil II's younger brother Calimehtar. Castamir captured Eldacar's oldest son Ornendil and had him killed. On Castamir's orders, many other people were slain and Osgiliath was burned. Castamir's cruelty made him unpopular with the people in the regions near Osgiliath, and many were prepared to turn against him.
Eldacar remained in Rhovanion for ten years. In 1447, he judged that the time was right for him to reclaim his throne. He brought a great army from Rhovanion which was joined by forces from Ithilien, Anorien, and Calenardhon. They fought Castamir's forces in the Battle of the Crossings of Erui in which many lives were lost. Eldacar killed Castamir and became King once more.
Some of the rebels led by Castamir's sons escaped to Pelargir where they were besieged until 1448. The rebels then escaped by ship to the Havens of Umbar and they and their descendants became the Corsairs.
After the war, a number of Northmen settled in Gondor at Eldacar's invitation. The population of Gondor had been diminished during the Kin-strife, and many of the survivors now intermarried with the newcomers.
Eldacar lived to the age of 235, unaffected by his mixed heritage. In time the lifespans of the people of Gondor did decrease, but this was mainly due to their separation from Numenor where the gift of long life had been a reward for the service of their ancestors in the war against Morgoth many millennia ago.
In addition to Ornendil - who died during the Kin-strife - Eldacar also had a son named Aldamir and a daughter. When Eldacar died in 1490, Aldamir succeeded him as King.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Vinitharya may be
of Gothic origin. It is similar to Vinitharius of the Ostrogoths whose
name meant "conqueror of the Venedi" - a Slavic people - but this obviously
has no relation to Middle-earth history.
The name Eldacar means "Elf helm" in Quenya from Elda meaning "Elf" and karma meaning "helmet" from kár meaning "head." Also spelled Eldakar.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 326-28
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for EL and KAS
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. VII, The Treason of Isengard: "The Great River,"
p. 366 note 18 (meaning of Eldacar)
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 198-9; "The Making of Appendix A," p. 260-61
The
Tolkien Language List
Castamir became a leader of the faction who did not want Eldacar as their King because his mother Vidumavi was one of the Northmen. Castamir and his followers deemed the Northmen inferior to the Men of Gondor, and they believed that the royal bloodline would be weakened and that the lifespans of the Kings would decrease.
Castamir attracted a large number of followers in the southern coastal provinces where he was well known as a naval captain. They began to openly rebel as the reign of Eldacar's father Valacar drew to an end. When Valacar died in 1432, the civil war of the Kin-strife began.
Eldacar's forces put up a strong resistance for five years. But in 1437, Castamir and the rebels besieged Eldacar in Osgiliath. The rebels had greater numbers, and they wore down the defenders by cutting off supplies to the city.
When Castamir captured Osgiliath, Eldacar and some of his supporters escaped to Rhovanion. But Eldacar's eldest son Ornendil was caught and Castamir had him killed. Castamir also ordered the unnecessary slaughter of many Osgiliath's defenders and the wanton burning and destruction of the city. The Dome of Stars was destroyed and its palantir was lost in the Anduin.
Castamir claimed the throne of Gondor. His cruelty continued throughout his reign and many people began to turn against him, particularly those who lived near Osgiliath in Anorien and Ithilien. The people in the northern provinces were also unhappy because Castamir had no interest in the land but instead focused on building up Gondor's fleets. He moved the capital to the southern port of Pelargir.
In 1447, after Castamir had reigned for ten years, Eldacar returned with an army of Northmen and Men from the northern provinces of Gondor. At the Battle of the Crossings of Erui, Eldacar killed Castamir and reclaimed the throne. Castamir's sons and some of their followers escaped to Umbar and they and their descendants became the Corsairs who continued to trouble Gondor for centuries to come.
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of the name Castamir
is unknown. The first element could be related to the root kas meaning
"head." The ending mir may be from mîrë meaning
"jewel." Also spelled Kastamir. He was known as Castamir the
Usurper. A usurper is someone who seizes power by force or without
legal right.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 326-28
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for KAS and MIR
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 198-9; "The Making of Appendix A," p. 260-61
In 1540, the Kings of Harad joined forces with the Corsairs of Umbar and rose up against Gondor. Aldamir was killed in battle. He was succeeded by his son Vinyarion, who won a victory over the Corsairs and Haradrim and took the name Hyarmendacil II.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Aldamir appears
to be composed of the Quenya word alda meaning "tree" and the ending
mir
from mîrë meaning "jewel."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 367
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 199
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for alda
and mir
Vinyarion became King in 1540 after his father was killed in battle with the Corsairs of Umbar and the Men of Harad. To avenge his father, Vinyarion launched an attack against Harad and Umbar in 1551 and defeated them. He took the name Hyarmendacil II, meaning "South-victor," as his ancestor Ciryaher had done.
Hyarmendacil II died in 1621 and was succeeded by his son Minardil.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Vinyarion appears
to be composed of the Quenya word vinya meaning "new" and the masculine
ending
-ion.
Hyarmendacil means "South-victor" from hyarmen meaning "south" and dacil from nacil meaning "victor." He was the second King of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 367
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 199
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for hyarmen
Quenya
Affixes
Minardil became King in 1621. His Steward was Hurin of Emyn Arnen. Since the defeat of the Haradrim and Corsairs, Gondor's vigilance against their southern enemies had decreased. In 1634, the Corsairs launched a surprise attack on Pelargir after learning that Minardil was there. The Corsairs were led by Angamaite and Sangahyando, the great-grandsons of Castamir the Usurper. Minardil was killed and the city was sacked.
Minardil was succeeded by Telemnar who ruled for only two years until his death during the Great Plague of 1636. Telemnar was followed by his brother Minastan's son Tarondor.
Note:
In Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings (p. 328), Minardil is mistakenly
referred to as the son of Eldacar.
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of the name Minardil
is unknown. The first element could be from minya meaning "first"
with the connotation "eminent, prominent" or it could be a form of minas
meaning "tower." The ending appears to be -dil meaning "friend,
devotion."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 328
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 367
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix
- Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for minas and
(n)dil
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for MINI
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 199-200, 202-3
"The Rivers
and Beacon-hills of Gondor," by J.R.R. Tolkien, edited by Carl F. Hostetter,
commentary by Christopher Tolkien, in Vinyar Tengwar #42, July 2001,
p. 24
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
In 1634, Minardil was killed by Corsairs who sacked Pelargir. Telemnar became King and he retained his father's Steward, Hurin of Emyn Arnen, who was of great help during the tumultuous period that followed. Telemnar began to build a fleet in order to avenge his father and attack the Corsairs' stronghold at Umbar. But these plans were abandoned in 1636 when a deadly sickness came to Gondor out of the East.
The Great Plague was devastating to Gondor. It was probably sent by Sauron for the purpose of weakening his enemies. Many of the people of Gondor died and there was no longer enough manpower to maintain Gondor's defenses or keep watch on Mordor.
King Telemnar and all his children were among the casualties. When Telemnar died, the White Tree of Gondor also died. Telemnar was succeeded as King by his nephew Tarondor, son of Minastan.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Telemnar means "silver
flame" in Quenya from
telep meaning "silver" and nar meaning
"fire, flame."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 328
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 199-200, 203
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for celeb
(telep) and nar
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
King Minardil was succeeded by his eldest son and heir Telemnar. But in 1636, the Great Plague came to Gondor and King Telemnar and all his children died. Telemnar's nephew Tarondor was his closest surviving relative and he became King of Gondor.
The Great Plague devasted Gondor and many lives were lost. The capital Osgiliath was hardest hit. The inhabitants who survived left the city and settled in Ithilien and elsewhere, and Osgiliath began to fall into ruin. In 1640, Tarondor moved the capital to Minas Anor. There in the Citadel he replanted a seedling of the White Tree, which had died at the same time as Telemnar.
Because of the decrease in population, Gondor no longer had the manpower to keep watch on Mordor. It was later thought that Sauron had sent the Plague for this very purpose. Sauron had fled Mordor after the War of the Last Alliance and had built the stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood, but he was preparing to reclaim his realm.
Tarondor ruled for 162 years which was the longest reign of any King of Gondor. He was preoccupied with restoring order to Gondor and slowly rebuilding its strength. He was helped by his Steward, Hurin, who had served both Minardil and Telemnar.
Tarondor died in 1798 and was succeeded by his son Telumehtar.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Tarondor appears
to mean "Lord of Gondor" from tar meaning "high, noble" and ondor
from Ondonore, the Quenya form of Gondor, where ondo
means "stone." Curiously, there was also a King of Arnor named Tarondor,
which makes this translation somewhat questionable.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 328
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for GOND and TA, TA3
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 200
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
The
Tolkien Language List
During Telumehtar's reign, Corsairs began to raid Gondor's coasts as far west as Anfalas. The Corsairs were descendants of the rebels led by Castamir, who had usurped the throne of Gondor several centuries earlier in 1437. The Corsairs had killed Telumehtar's great-grandfather King Minardil in 1634.
In 1810, Telumehtar attacked the Corsairs' base of Umbar on the coast of Harad. The last descendants of Castamir were killed in the battle. Umbar was in the possession of Gondor once more, and Telumehtar took the name Umbardacil to commemorate his victory. But in the troubled years that followed Telumehtar's reign, Umbar fell into the hands of the Haradrim.
Telumehtar had two sons named Narmacil and Arciryas. When Telumehtar died in 1850, his elder son succeeded him as Narmacil II. Several generations later, when the direct line of succession ended with Ondoher, Arciryas's great-grandson Earnil became King.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Telumehtar means
"warrior of the sky" from the Quenya telume meaning "roof, canopy"
used for "the heavens" and
ohtar meaning "warrior." Telumehtar was
a name for the constellation Orion which was also called Menelvagor.
The name Umbardacil means "Umbar victor." The element dacil is from nacil meaning "victor." Also spelled Umbardakil.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 328-29
Appendix
E of The Lord of the Rings: "Writing and Spelling," p. 391
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 282 note 17 (meaning
of ohtar)
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "Quendi and Eldar,"
p. 411 note 15 (meaning of Telumehtar)
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 200
Quenya
Affixes
In 1851, a hostile group of Men came out of Rhun in the East and attacked Gondor. They were incited to do so by emissaries of Sauron. These Men were known as the Wainriders because they travelled in wains, or wagons, and used chariots in battle. Gondor's allies the Northmen lived on the border of Rhun and many were killed in the first assault of the Wainriders.
Narmacil II led a great army to meet the Wainriders on the plains between Mirkwood and Mordor in 1856. Gondor's forces were joined by a group of Northmen led by Marhari. The Wainriders were victorious in the Battle of the Plains. Narmacil II was killed and his forces withdrew. Marhari was also slain while leading the rearguard covering the retreat.
After the defeat, Gondor relinquished its territory east of the Anduin except Ithilien. Eight of the Nazgul may have returned to Mordor around this time. Some of the surviving Northmen led by Marhari's son Marhwini settled in the Vales of the Anduin and became known as the Eotheod.
Narmacil II was succeeded by his son Calimehtar, who avenged his father's death with a temporary victory over the Wainriders in 1899. The Wainriders were finally defeated by Earnil - the great-grandson of Narmacil's brother Arciryas - in the Battle of the Camp in 1944.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Narmacil is composed
of nar meaning "fire" and macil meaning "sword." Also spelled
Narmakil
as it is pronounced. He was the second King of Gondor of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 329-30
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 289, 311-12 note 8
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for MAK and NAR
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 200, 215
Calimehtar became King in 1856 after Narmacil II was killed in the Battle of the Plains against the Wainriders. In 1899, Calimehtar learned from Marhwini of the Eotheod that the Wainriders were preparing to cross the Anduin and invade Gondor's northern province of Calenardhon. Marhwini also reported that his kinsmen the Northmen of Rhovanion who were enslaved by the Wainriders were ready to revolt.
Calimehtar and Marhwini joined forces to stop the Wainriders. Their plan was to draw the full strength of the Wainriders away from their settlements so the revolt of the Northmen could succeed. Calimehtar led his army out of Ithilien, making sure the Wainriders knew he was coming. He then fell back as the enemy forces approached, drawing them further onward.
The armies of Calimehtar and the Wainriders joined in battle on Dagorlad, the great plain near the Black Gate of Mordor. Neither side had the advantage until Marhwini and his horsemen along with cavalry of Gondor arrived and attacked the Wainriders from the rear and on their flank. The Wainriders were defeated and they fled back to their settlements in Rhovanion.
Meanwhile, the revolt of the Northmen had failed. They had set fire to some of the homes, storehouses, and wagons of the Wainriders. But most of the Northmen were killed by the women, boys, and old men who had remained behind in the Wainriders' settlements.
Calimehtar returned home. In 1900, he built the White Tower in Minas Anor to house the palantir. Gondor was at peace from the Wainriders for the remainder of his reign. Calimehtar died in 1936. He was succeeded by his son Ondoher, who was killed just eight years later during a new invasion by the Wainriders.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Calimehtar means
"bright warrior" in Quenya from calima meaning "bright" and ohtar
meaning
"warrior." Also spelled Kalimehtar.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 329
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 367
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 282 note 17 (meaning
of ohtar); "Cirion and Eorl," p. 288-90, 294
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for KAL
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 200
Calimehtar won a victory over the Wainriders in 1899. The Wainriders were Men from Rhun in the East who rode in wains - or wagons. Although Calimehtar defeated their army, the Wainriders continued to occupy part of Rhovanion between Mirkwood and the Sea of Rhun.
Ondoher became King in 1936. During his reign, communication resumed between Gondor and Arnor after a long period of silence. Just as Gondor was troubled by the Wainriders and other enemies, the North-kingdom was under constant threat of attack from Angmar. Ondoher and his counterpart King Araphant realized that they were being targeted by a common enemy, though they did not know it was Sauron.
Ondoher and Araphant took counsel with one another - probably via the palantiri - but neither could spare aid to the other. In 1940, Ondoher's daughter Firiel married Araphant's son Arvedui.
In 1944, Ondoher learned from Forthwini of the Eotheod that the Wainriders in Rhovanion were regrouping and might be receiving aid from their homeland of Rhun. In fact, the Wainriders of Rhun had made an alliance with the Men of Khand and Harad and were plotting to attack Gondor on two fronts, but this was not known in Gondor until it was nearly too late.
Ondoher gathered and trained as great an army as his resources would allow. He became aware of enemy movements in the south, so he divided his forces into a Northern Army and a Southern Army. Ondoher was a loved and respected military leader and he commanded the Northern Army himself. A captain named Earnil was the leader of the smaller Southern Army based at Pelargir.
News of the enemy's approach reached Gondor in July of 1944. Earnil and the Southern Army were positioned north of River Poros on the southern border of Ithilien to meet the oncoming Haradrim. Ondoher led the Northern Army north through Ithilien, intending to meet the Wainriders on the Battle Plain of Dagorlad before the Black Gate of Mordor.
Ondoher was accompanied by his eldest son Artamir. He ordered his younger son Faramir to remain behind to act as Regent as was customary. But Faramir disobeyed and he rode to war in disguise with Gondor's allies the Eotheod.
On July 12, Ondoher learned that the Wainriders were coming sooner than expected. And as the Northern Army approached the Black Gate, Ondoher discovered that the Wainriders were not coming across the plains from the northeast but instead had hidden themselves in the shadows of the Ash Mountains on the northern border of Mordor.
Ondoher was unprepared for the sudden assault of the Wainriders. He and his Guards were at the front and they bore the brunt of the attack. Ondoher positioned his Guards on a low hill in front of the Black Gate, but it was no protection against the charge of the Wainriders' chariots and cavalry. Ondoher's banner was captured and his Guards were nearly wiped out. Ondoher and Artamir were killed and their bodies were never recovered. Faramir was also killed while fighting with the Eotheod.
Ondoher's nephew Minohtar, Captain of the Northern Army's Right Wing, took command and tried to organize a retreat. But the Wainriders pressed forward and Minohtar was slain and the Northern Army was scattered. The Wainriders made camp and were celebrating their victory when Earnil and the Southern Army took them by surprise. The Wainriders were defeated in the Battle of the Camp and they never troubled Gondor again.
With the deaths of Ondoher and both his sons, Gondor was left without a King. Pelendur - Ondoher's Steward - ruled Gondor during the brief interregnum period, assisted by the Council of Gondor.
Arvedui of the North-kingdom tried to claim the throne of Gondor based on his marriage to Ondoher's daughter Firiel and his own descent from Elendil through the line of Isildur. But Pelendur and the Council rejected his claim because the kingship in Gondor passed through the male line only, and because Gondor was ruled by the heirs of Elendil's son Anarion, not Isildur.
In 1945, the victorious Captain Earnil was crowned as King Earnil II. He was a member of the Royal House whose great-great-grandfather was King Telumehtar, and his claim was unanimously approved by the Dunedain of Gondor.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ondoher means "stone
lord" in Quenya in reference to Gondor (Quenya Ondonore)
meaning "stone land." The word
ondo means "stone" and heris
from heru meaning "lord."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 329-30
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 367
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 289-95
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 200-201, 203, 215-16
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for gond
and heru
Earnil was a man of valor and wisdom. He became the Captain of the Southern Army of Gondor, and he was stationed at Pelargir on the Anduin.
In 1944, Gondor was attacked on two fronts by Men from the East known as the Wainriders and their allies, the Men of Khand and Harad. Earnil learned that the Haradrim were planning to invade Ithilien from the south. He positioned his forces 40 miles north of the Poros which was the southern border of Ithilien. He allowed the enemy forces to cross the river and then attacked and defeated them.
Earnil then led his Southern Army northward through Ithilien. The Northern Army had been routed by the Wainriders near the Black Gate of Mordor. King Ondoher and both his sons had been slain. Earnil gathered as many of the survivors as he could find. On the night of July 13, Earnil attacked the Wainriders' camp.
The Wainriders were taken by surprise because they thought they had eliminated Gondor's entire army. They were celebrating their victory when they were attacked. Earnil's forces burned the Wainriders' wagons and defeated them in the Battle of the Camp. Many of the Wainriders fled into the Dead Marshes where they perished, and the rest were driven from Ithilien.
After the battle, Gondor was without a King. Arvedui, the son of King Araphant of Arthedain in the North-kingdom, tried to claim the Crown of Gondor. He argued that his wife Firiel was the daughter and only remaining child of King Ondoher, and that he himself was descended from Elendil - the first High King of Gondor and Arnor - through the line of Isildur. But the Council of Gondor led by Pelendur the Steward rejected the claim because in Gondor the kingship was not passed through the female line and the Kings were descended from Elendil's son Anarion, not Isildur.
In 1945, Earnil claimed the Crown of Gondor, and he was accepted by the Council. Earnil was a member of the Royal House and a hero of Gondor, and he had the unanimous approval of the Dunedain of Gondor. He sent word to Arvedui that he would help the Dunedain of the North in time of need.
Pelendur continued to serve as the King's Steward until his death in 1998. He was succeeded by his son Vorondil, who in turn was succeeded by his son Mardil in 2029.
In 1973, Earnil received a request for aid from Arvedui, who was by that time the King of Arthedain. Arthedain was being threatened by the Witch-king of Angmar. Earnil sent a fleet commanded by his son Earnur, but they did not arrive in the North until 1975. Arvedui was already dead, and Fornost had been captured by the Witch-king. Earnur joined forces with the Elves and the Dunedain of the North, and together they defeated the Witch-king in the Battle of Fornost.
The Witch-king was the Lord of the Nazgul, and unknown to the Men of Gondor he returned to Mordor in 1980 and gathered the other Nazgul there. In 2000, the Nazgul attacked Minas Ithil, a stronghold of Gondor on the border of Mordor. Minas Ithil was captured in 2002. It was occupied by the Lord of the Nazgul and became known as Minas Morgul.
Earnil II died in 2043. He was succeeded by Earnur, who was the last King of Gondor until Aragorn, King Elessar.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Eärnil is a
contraction of Eärendil, meaning "lover of the Sea." The word
eär
means "the Sea" and the ending ndil means "devotion." Earnil II
was the second King of Gondor of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 329-32
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 291-95
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 201
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #297
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
In 1975, Earnur led a fleet to help the Dunedain of the North-kingdom who were under attack by the Witch-king of Angmar. The ships filled the harbors in the Gulf of Lune. Earnur's forces were well-armed and well-provisioned and included both Men of Gondor and cavalry from Rhovanion.
Earnur joined forces with the Dunedain of the North and the Elves of Lindon to form the Host of the West. They marched east toward Fornost, which the Witch-king had captured. On the plain between the North Downs and Lake Evendim they fought the Battle of Fornost.
The forces of Angmar were routed, and the Witch-king tried to retreat, but he was pursued by Earnur. Earnur was joined by Glorfindel and an army of Elves from Rivendell, and together they finished off the Witch-king's forces. The Witch-king turned on Earnur and rode straight at him full of wrath. Earnur tried to stand his ground but was unable to control his terrified horse. The Witch-king laughed as Earnur was borne away by his steed.
Then Glorfindel approached, and the Witch-king fled into the night. Earnur wanted to pursue him, but Glorfindel said, "Far off yet is his doom, and not by the hand of man will he fall." (LotR, App. A, p. 332) Earnur complied, but he was angry and embarrassed and he wanted revenge on the Witch-king.
Earnur returned to Gondor, and the Witch-king went to Mordor. He was the Lord of the Nazgul, and he gathered the other eight Nazgul to him. In 2000, the Nazgul besieged Minas Ithil - a stronghold of Gondor on the border of Mordor. They captured Minas Ithil in 2002 and it was renamed Minas Morgul.
Earnur succeeded his father as King of Gondor in 2043. The Witch-king issued a challenge of single-combat to Earnur, mocking him for his failure to stand and fight at the Battle of Fornost. Mardil, the Steward of Gondor, restrained Earnur and convinced him to turn down the challenge.
But in 2050, the Witch-king renewed his challenge, and this time Earnur could not be dissuaded. He left the Crown of Gondor on his father's tomb in the House of the Kings and he rode to Minas Morgul with a small company of knights. Earnur and his companions were never seen again. It was not known what had become of Earnur - whether he had been slain or whether he remained for a time as a prisoner in torment.
Earnur left no heir, and there was no claimant to the throne of Gondor. Thus the line of Kings ended, and Mardil became the first Ruling Steward. The Stewards ruled Gondor in the absence of a King until 3019, when Aragorn became King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Eärnur is a
contraction of Eärendur which is Quenya meaning "Sea servant"
or "(professional) mariner" from Eär meaning "the Sea" and
the ending ndur meaning "to serve." Earendur was a Captain of
Gondor as well as King of Gondor.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "The Window on the West," p. 278
The Return
of the King: "The Steward and the King," p. 245
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 331-33
The Silmarillion:
"Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," p. 297
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 201-202
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #297 footnote
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
EldarionSon of Aragorn and Arwen. Eldarion's date of birth is not known. He was the only son and heir of Aragorn, King Elessar. Eldarion had several sisters whose names are not known.In the year 120 of the Fourth Age, Aragorn perceived that his life was coming to an end and that his son was ready to assume kingship of Gondor and Arnor. Eldarion accompanied his father to the House of Kings in the Silent Street and received the Winged Crown of Gondor and the Sceptre of Annuminas from him. Then Eldarion said goodbye to his father and Aragorn died. Eldarion's mother Arwen then bid him farewell and went to Lothlorien where she died a year later. Eldarion was the second King of the Reunited Kingdom. According to one source, he may have ruled until at least the year 220 of the Fourth Age. It was foretold that Eldarion's realm would be great and that it would endure under the rule of his descendants for a hundred generations of Men. Names &
Etymology:
Genealogy:
Sources:
|
 |
Hurin served as Steward to three Kings of Gondor. He began as Steward to Minardil, who was killed by Corsairs in 1634 of the Third Age. Minardil was succeeded by Telemnar who ruled for only two years before he died in the Great Plague of 1636, which also killed many others in Gondor. Telemnar was followed by Tarondor. Thoughout this chaotic period, Hurin worked hard to rebuild Gondor's strength and maintain order in the realm.
All the subsequent Stewards of Gondor were descended from Hurin of Emyn Arnen. The House of Stewards became known as the House of Hurin, or the Hurinionath.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Húrin is
composed of hûr meaning "readiness for action, vigor, fiery
spirit" and inn meaning "inner thought, meaning, heart." Hurin was
the name of a hero of the First Age, and it was also the name of two later
Ruling Stewards of Gondor.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Stewards," p. 333
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 309
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 202-203
Pelendur served as Steward to King Ondoher. He may have become Steward in 1940. In 1944, Ondoher and his sons Artamir and Faramir were killed in battle against the Wainriders. There was no direct heir to the throne of Gondor. Pelendur temporarily ruled Gondor while the Council of Gondor considered who the next King would be.
A claim to the throne was made by Arvedui, the son of King Araphant of Arthedain in the North-kingdom. Arvedui was descended from Elendil, the first High King of Gondor and Arnor, through the line of Elendil's eldest son Isildur. Arvedui was also married to Ondoher's daughter Firiel. But Pelendur and the Council rejected Arvedui's claim because the Kings of Gondor were descended from Elendil's younger son Anarion and because the kingship in Gondor did not pass through the female line.
In 1945, the throne was claimed by Earnil, a member of the Royal House who had defeated the Wainriders in the Battle of the Camp. Earnil's claim was unanimously approved. Pelendur served as Steward to King Earnil II.
Pelendur died in 1998. He was succeeded as Steward by his son Vorondil and from that time on the office of Steward became hereditary, passing from father to son or a close male relative.
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of the name Pelendur
is uncertain. The ending
-ndur means "servant" in Quenya. The word
pel
means "go around, encircle, fence" but "fence servant" does not appear
to be a meaningful or suitable translation.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 329-30;
"The Stewards," p. 333
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth:
"The Heirs of Elendil," p. 2-3-204, 215-18
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #297
Vorondil succeeded his father as Steward to King Earnil II in 1998. He served until his death in 2029 and was in turn succeeded by his son Mardil, who became the first Ruling Steward of Gondor when the line of Kings ended with Earnur in 2050.
Names &
Etymology:
Vorondil means "faithful
friend" in Quenya from voro meaning "ever" and ndil meaning
"devotion." He was sometimes called Vorondil the Hunter.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 27
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile - The Stewards," p.
319 and note
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for (n)dil
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for BOR
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204, 218-19
Mardil continued to serve as Steward to King Earnur. In 2043, Mardil advised King Earnur to refuse a challenge from the Lord of the Nazgul, who hated Earnur for helping defeat him at the Battle of Fornost. The Lord of the Nazgul renewed his challenge in 2050, and King Earnur accepted against Mardil's advice. Earnur rode to Minas Morgul and was never seen again.
Earnur left no heir, and in the absence of a King, Mardil assumed the rule of Gondor. He was the first of a long line of Ruling Stewards, who took an oath to "rule in the name of the King, until he shall return." The Ruling Stewards bore a white rod as a symbol of their office, their standard was a plain white banner, and they sat in a chair at the foot of the dais where the King's throne stood empty.
In 2060, Mardil introduced a revised calendar system known as the Stewards' Reckoning which came to be used by most of the people of Middle-earth who spoke the Common Speech, except for the Hobbits who continued to use their own Shire Reckoning.
In 2063, the era known as the Watchful Peace began when Sauron left his stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood and went into hiding in the East. During this time, Gondor was free from attack by Sauron's minions and the Nazgul remained quiet in Minas Morgul. The Watchful Peace lasted four centuries until Sauron returned to Dol Guldur during the reign of the Steward Denethor I in 2460.
Mardil died in 2080 and was succeeded as Ruling Steward by his son Eradan.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Mardil means "devoted
to the House (of the Kings)" in Quenya. The word mar means "house"
and the ending dil means "to love, be devoted to."
Mardil was also called the Good Steward and Mardil Voronwë, meaning "steadfast."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "Gondor
and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 332-33; "The Stewards," p. 333
Appendix
D of The Lord of the Rings: "The Calendars," p. 386-87
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 309, 317 note 44, 319-20 note 54
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for bar
and (n)dil
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for BORON
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil" p. 201-204
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #297 (etymology)
Names &
Etymology:
The name Eradan may be composed
of er meaning "one, alone" and adan meaning "man."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix
- Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for adan and er
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of the name Herion
is not known. It may be related to the verb herio meaning "to begin
suddenly and vigorously."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for KHOR (herio misprinted as heno)
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204
Names &
Etymology:
The name Belegorn may mean
"mighty tree" from beleg meaning "mighty" and orn meaning
"tree."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The
Realms in Exile," p. 319
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for beleg
and orn
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204
Names &
Etymology:
The name Húrin is
composed of hûr meaning "readiness for action, vigor, fiery
spirit" and
inn meaning "inner thought, meaning, heart." There was
a previous Steward named Hurin but Hurin
I was the first Ruling Steward of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for KHOR and ID
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204
Names &
Etymology:
The name Túrin is
composed of the element túr meaning "power, mastery, victory"
and
inn or ind meaning "mood, heart, inner thought."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for ID and TUR
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth:
"The Heirs of Elendil," p. 204
Hador became Steward in 2278. During Hador's reign, an adjustment was made to the Stewards' Reckoning, which was the calendar used in Gondor. An extra day was added to the year 2360 to make up for a deficit of eight hours that had accrued over the course of the centuries.
Hador died in 2395 at the age of 150. He was the last man of Gondor to live that long and after him the lifespans of his descendants decreased. Hador was succeeded as Steward by his son Barahir.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Hador means "thrower
(of spears or darts)." Hador was also the
name of the head of one of the Three Houses of the Edain in the First Age.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
Appendix
D of The Lord of the Rings: "The Calendars," p. 386-87
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for KHAT
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204
Names &
Etymology:
Barahir means "fiery lord"
from bara meaning "fiery" and hîr meaning "lord." Barahir
was also the name of the father of Beren in the First Age.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for heru
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for BARAS
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204
Names &
Etymology:
The name Dior means "successor"
from the root ndew meaning "to follow, come behind." Dior
was also the name of the son of Beren and Luthien.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for NDEW
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204
In 2460, the Watchful Peace ended when Sauron returned from hiding in the East to his stronghold of Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. Gondor was once again under attack by Sauron's minions. In 2475, Ithilien was invaded by Uruks from Mordor led by the Nazgul. They captured Osgiliath and the bridge spanning the Anduin was broken. Denethor's son Boromir led an army to retake Ithilien and the Uruks were driven back to Mordor. But Osgiliath was ruined and deserted, and Boromir received a Morgul-wound that weakened him and shortened his life.
Denethor I died in 2477 and was succeeded by Boromir, who ruled for just twelve years until his death in 2489.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Denethor means "lithe
and lank" from dene meaning "thin and strong, pliant, lithe" and
thara
meaning "tall (or long) and slender." He was the first Steward of that
name, the second being Denethor II who was
the Steward of Gondor during the War of
the Ring. There was also an Elf in ancient times named Denethor.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "Quendi and Eldar,"
p. 412, note 17 (meaning of Denethor)
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204-205
In 2475, Ithilien was invaded by black Uruks led by the Nazgul. The Uruks captured Osgiliath and broke the great bridge that spanned the Anduin. Boromir and his men defeated them and drove them back to Mordor. Ithilien was reclaimed, though Osigiliath was ruined and abandoned. Boromir was a great warrior and even the Lord of the Nazgul feared him, but during the battle Boromir was wounded by one of the Nazgul.
The Morgul-wound caused Boromir great pain and illness and it shortened his life. He became Steward in 2477 and ruled for just twelve years until his death in 2489. Boromir was succeeded by his son Cirion.
Names &
Etymology:
The world bor means "endure"
and boron means "steadfast, trusty man, faithful vassal." The word
mir
means "jewel, precious thing, treasure."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p 319; "The Stewards,"
p. 333
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for BOR, BORON and MIR
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204-205
During his rule, Cirion was hard pressed to defend the borders of Gondor. The southern coastline was harried by the Corsairs, while the line of the Anduin was threatened by a group of Men from Rhun called the Balchoth. The Balchoth had been growing in numbers. They made frequent raids on settlements along the eastern side of the Anduin until most of the inhabitants fled.
Cirion feared that the Balchoth would soon cross the Anduin and invade the sparsely populated province of Calenardhon. He sent watchmen to the forts along the Anduin which had been neglected during the centuries of the Watchful Peace. He also sent spies into enemy territory to gather intelligence. From them he learned that a great force was gathering south of Mirkwood.
In 2510, Cirion prepared to lead an army to defend the line of the Anduin, leaving his son Hallas in command of Minas Tirith. But he knew his forces would not be sufficient to withstand the greater numbers of the Balchoth. Cirion sent messengers north through hostile territory to the source of the Anduin to request help from the Eotheod, who were allies of Gondor. Of the six messengers, only Borondir reached his destination.
The Balchoth crossed the Anduin on rafts and boats and swept away the defenses on the western shore. When Cirion led his army into Calenardhon, they were cut off by the Balchoth and were driven north over the River Limlight into the Field of Celebrant. There they were suddenly attacked from the west by Orcs from the Misty Mountains.
All seemed lost for Cirion's forces, but then the Eotheod arrived from the North led by Eorl the Young. Together the forces of the Eotheod and Gondor defeated the Balchoth and the Orcs in the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. Borondir died defending Cirion. The Eotheod drove the enemy forces back across the Limlight and hunted them over the plains of Calenardhon until none remained.
Three months after the battle, Cirion brought Eorl to the summit of Halifirien in the Firien Wood. There he gave Eorl and his people the land of Calenardhon, which became Rohan. Eorl responded by swearing an oath to remain a friend and ally of Gondor.
In granting the Gift of Cirion, the Steward considered both the needs of the Eotheod who had done Gondor a great service and the needs of his own realm which needed a strong ally on its borders. Thus Cirion forged a vital and lasting alliance which benefited Gondor many centuries later when the Rohirrim rode to defend Minas Tirith in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Cirion died in 2567 and was succeeded by his son Hallas.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Cirion means "shipman,
sailor" in Sindarin from kir meaning "ship" and the masculine ending
-ion.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "The Window on the West," p. 287
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Stewards," p. 333-34; "The House of
Eorl," p. 344-45
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," passim
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for KIR and YO, YON
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205
Hallas succeeded his father as Steward in 2567. He ruled until his death in 2605 and was followed by his son Hurin II.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Hallas is most likely
derived from hall meaning "exalted, high" or halla meaning
"tall." It's not clear whether the final element is derived from las
meaning "leaf."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 297, 302, 307
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
Appendix
E of The Lord of the Rings: "Writing and Spelling," p. 401 note 1
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for KHAL and LAS
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205
Names &
Etymology:
The name Húrin is
composed of hûr meaning "readiness for action, vigor, fiery
spirit" and inn meaning "inner thought, meaning, heart." Hurin
II was the second Ruling Steward of that name.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for KHOR and ID
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205
Names &
Etymology:
The name Belecthor may mean
"mighty eagle" from beleg meaning "mighty" and thor or thoron
meaning "eagle."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for BEL and THOR, THORON
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of Orodreth is
uncertain. It includes the word orod meaning "mountain" but the
second element is unclear. There was also an Elf named Orodreth.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p 319
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205; "The Shibboleth of Feanor," p. 350
Ecthelion I repaired and rebuilt the White Tower at the summit of Minas Tirith. It was afterwards known as the Tower of Ecthelion. The Tower was completed in 2698.
Ecthelion I died that same year. He had no children and no direct heir. He was succeeded as Steward by Egalmoth - the grandson of his father's sister Morwen.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ecthelion is probably
derived from the Sindarin word ecthel meaning "spear," as found
in the Etymologies in HoME V, combined
with the masculine ending -ion. However, a note in
HoME
XI suggests the name contains the word thel meaning "intend,
mean, purpose, resolve, will." In addition, the word ecthel is translated
as "fountain" in an early lexicon accompanying "The Fall of Gondolin" where
the character Ecthelion of the
Fountain is introduced.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 369
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. II, The Book of Lost Tales Part Two: "Appendix:
Names in The Lost Tales - Part Two," p. 338
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for EK, EKTE, and STELEG
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "Maeglin," p. 318-19
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205
In 2710, King Deor of Rohan sent word to Egalmoth that Men from Dunland had taken over Isengard - a stronghold of Gondor on the western border of Rohan. But Egalmoth was unable to spare any forces to retake the impregnable stronghold, so Isengard remained in the hands of the Dunlendings for the time being.
Egalmoth died in 2743 and was succeeded by his son Beren.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Egalmoth is said
to mean "pointed helm-crest" from the original form Aegamloth. The
element êg means "thorn" and the element amloth is
said to be derived from ambalotse meaning "uprising flower." This
apparently refers to a flower used as a crest on a pointed helmet.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
Unfinished
Tales: "The Battles of the Fords of Isen," p. 372-73
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for EK, EKTE
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "Maeglin," p. 318-19
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205
At the same time, Rohan was invaded by the Men of Dunland. Frealaf of Rohan expelled the Dunlendings, and Beregond sent aid to the Rohirrim. In 2759, Beren agreed to let Saruman take up residence in Isengard - a stronghold on Rohan's western border that belonged to Gondor. Gondor no longer had the resources to maintain Isengard, and Beren believed that the Wizard's presence would help protect Rohan from an invasion in the future.
Beren died in 2763 and was succeeded by Beregond.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Beren means "bold,
daring." Beren was the name of a great hero of the First Age who married
the Elf-maiden Luthien.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "The Stewards,"
p. 334; "The House of Eorl," p. 348
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for BER
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205
Names &
Etymology:
The element ber means "valiant"
and the element gond means "stone."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "The Stewards,"
p. 334-35
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for BER and GOND
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205, 220
Note:
Belecthor's date of death is incorrectly
given as 2852 in "The Tale of Years" in Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings.
The correct date is 2872, as given in Appendix
A.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Belecthor may mean
"mighty eagle" from beleg meaning "mighty" and thor or thoron meaning
"eagle."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "The Stewards,"
p. 334
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 369
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for BEL and THOR, THORON
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205-206
Names &
Etymology:
The name Thorondir is composed
of thoron meaning "eagle" and dir meaning "man."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "The Stewards,"
p. 334
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for DER and THOR, THORON
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 206
Sauron's allies the Haradrim occupied the region called South Gondor, and there was fighting along the River Poros on the border between South Gondor and Ithilien. In 2885, the Haradrim crossed the Poros and invaded Ithilien. The Rohirrim helped the Men of Gondor fight the Haradrim, and there was a great battle at the Crossings of Poros. Folcred and Fastred, the sons of King Folcwine of Rohan, were killed, but the Haradrim were defeated and were driven out of Ithilien. Turin sent King Folcwine a weregild of gold in compensation for the loss of his sons.
Ithilien was also under frequent attack by Orcs and Uruks from Mordor. By 2901, most of the people living in Ithilien had fled. Turin had a number of secret refuges made including Henneth Annun for the use of the Rangers who remained to guard Ithilien. Turin also fortified the island of Cair Andros in the Anduin to protect the river crossing.
Turin II died in 2914 and was succeeded by his son Turgon.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Túrin is
composed of the element túr meaning "power, mastery, victory"
and
inn or ind meaning "mood, heart, inner thought."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "The Stewards,"
p. 335; "The House of Eorl," p. 350
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 369
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for ID and TUR
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 206
During Turgon's reign, Thengel, the heir to the throne of Rohan, came to live in Gondor. Turgon was served honorably by Thengel.
In 2951, Sauron revealed that he had returned to Mordor. Sauron began to gather power and to rebuild Barad-dur. Turgon died just two years later in 2953. After Turgon's death, Saruman claimed control of Isengard - where he had been living with the permission of the Stewards - and began to fortify the stronghold. Turgon was succeeded by his son Ecthelion.
Names &
Etymology:
Turgon means "masterful commander"
from tur meaning "power, mastery" and gon from kanomeaning
"commander." The King of Gondolin was also
named Turgon.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319; "The Stewards,"
p. 335
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 370
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for kano
and tur
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 206
Ecthelion was a wise Steward. He strengthened Gondor's defenses against the possibility of attack from Mordor, where Sauron had begun rebuilding his forces in 2951. Ecthelion fortified the island of Cair Andros in the Anduin, as well as the port city of Pelargir farther downstream.
Ecthelion also took many valiant men into his service, including one called Thorongil. Unknown to Ecthelion, Thorongil was actually Aragorn, the heir to the throne of Gondor. Ecthelion thought highly of Thorongil and esteemed him more than his own son Denethor.
Ecthelion heeded Thorongil's advice in many matters. He welcomed Gandalf and distrusted Saruman. When Thorongil warned Ecthelion that the Corsairs of Umbar posed a threat to Gondor from the south, the Steward gave him permission to launch a preemptive strike. Thorongil defeated the Captain of the Haven of Umbar and burned many ships of the Corsairs' fleet. But afterwards, Thorongil did not return to Gondor, and he sent Ecthelion a message of farewell.
Ecthelion II died in 2984 and was succeeded by his son Denethor II, the last Ruling Steward of Gondor.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ecthelion is probably
derived from the Sindarin word ecthel meaning "spear," as found
in the Etymologies in HoME V, combined
with the masculine ending -ion. However, a note in
HoME
XI suggests the name contains the word thel meaning "intend,
mean, purpose, resolve, will." In addition, the word ecthel is translated
as "fountain" in an early lexicon accompanying "The Fall of Gondolin" where
the character Ecthelion of the
Fountain is introduced.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p 319; "The Stewards,"
p. 335-36
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. II, The Book of Lost Tales Part Two: "Appendix:
Names in The Lost Tales - Part Two," p. 338
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for EK, EKTE, and STELEG
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "Maeglin," p. 318-19
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 206
Names &
Etymology:
Elboron may mean "Enduring
Star" from the word el meaning "star" and boron meaning "long-lasting,
enduring."
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The Fellowship
of the Ring: "Prologue - Note on the Shire Records," p. 24
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 221, 223
Barahir may have been the son of Elboron, who was the only known child of Faramir and Eowyn. If so, then Barahir may have become Steward of Gondor, provided he had no older brothers.
Names &
Etymology:
Barahir means "fiery lord"
from bara meaning "fiery" and hîr meaning "lord." Barahir
was also the name of a Ruling Steward of Gondor. It appears that this later
Barahir would not have been styled Barahir II if he became Steward because
he was not a Ruling Steward - as evidenced by Hurin
of Emyn Arnen, a non-ruling Steward, who was later followed by two
Ruling Stewards styled Hurin I and Hurin
II.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The Fellowship
of the Ring: "Prologue - Note on the Shire Records," p. 24
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for heru
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for BARAS
Ondoher was killed in the first assault and command of the Northern Army was assumed by Minohtar, Captain of the Right Wing, who sent orders to Adrahil. Adrahil retreated with the Left Wing and the rear portion of the Right Wing to guard the narrow passage between Cair Andros and the Mountains of Shadow in an attempt to keep the Wainriders from reaching Minas Anor. Adrahil also sent messengers in search of Earnil, the commander of the Southern Army.
Minohtar was killed in battle and the survivors of his forces retreated to Adrahil's position. Command of the Northern Army presumably fell to Adrahil, but his fate is not recorded. The remnants of the Northern Army joined forces with the Southern Army and Earnil led them to victory over the Wainriders in the Battle of the Camp.
Adrahil was said to be from Dol Amroth, but the city in Belfalas was not so named until after the drowning of the Elf-lord Amroth in the Bay of Belfalas in 1981. It is not clear whether Adrahil held a title. According to one story, the first Prince of Dol Amroth was Galador who lived after Adrahil's time, but according to another story the title of Prince dated back to the founding of Gondor at the end of the Second Age. Adrahil was probably an ancestor of the Prince of Dol Amroth of the same name who was the father of Imrahil.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Adrahil is apparently
of the Adunaic language of Numenor. It contains
a common element with Imrahil. The meaning is not known.
Sources:
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 293-94, 316 note 39
Adrahil had three children. The eldest was a daughter named Ivriniel born in 2947. His daughter Finduilas, born in 2950, married Denethor II and was the mother of Boromir and Faramir. Finduilas died young in 2987. Adrahil's only son and heir Imrahil was born in 2955.
Adrahil died in 3010 and was succeeded by Imrahil.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Adrahil is apparently
of the Adunaic language of Numenor. It contains
a common element with Imrahil. The meaning is not known.
Genealogy:
See
Imrahil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Stewards," p. 336
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Appendix
on Languages," p. 32; "The Heirs of Elendil," p. 220-23
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of Aglahad is
unknown. It may be of the Adunaic language of Numenor.
Genealogy:
See
Imrahil:
Genealogy.
Source:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 223
Names &
Etymology:
The name Alphros appears
to contain the word alph meaning "swan" - the symbol of Dol Amroth
- and ros meaning "foam."
Genealogy:
See
Imrahil:
Genealogy.
Source:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 221, 223
Names &
Etymology:
The name Amrothos is related
to Amroth. Dol Amroth was named after an Elf named Amroth
whose name means "up climber, high climber" from
am or amba
meaning "up" and rath meaning "climb." The name is not a pure Sindarin
form but was probably influenced by the Silvan language.
Genealogy:
See
Imrahil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 221, 223
Unfinished
Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 245, 255 note 16
(meaning of Amroth)
Anborn |
A
Ranger of Ithilien named Anborn in the New
Line film
|
Ranger
of Ithilien. Anborn was a member of Captain
Faramir's company. On March 7, 3019 of the Third Age, Anborn reported
to Faramir that he had seen a strange creature climb a tree and hiss at
him. Anborn speculated that it might have been a large black squirrel.
In the early hours of March 8, Anborn saw the creature again at the Forbidden Pool. It was Gollum, seeking fish. Anborn asked Faramir whether he should shoot the creature since he had discovered their hidden refuge, but Frodo Baggins asked Faramir to spare Gollum's life since Gollum was bound to him and his quest. Faramir told Anborn to accompany Frodo down to the Pool. Anborn grunted but did as his Captain bid.
When Gollum came to Frodo, Anborn seized the creature by the nape of the neck and put a hood over his head. Anborn carried Gollum into the refuge and brought him before Faramir for questioning. Afterwards Faramir told Anborn to take Gollum away, with instructions to treat him gently but watch him closely.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Anborn may mean
something like "long enduring." The element and or ann means
"long." The element bor means "endure" and boron means "enduring,
long-lasting" and "steadfast, trusty man, faithful vassal."
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "The Window on the West," p. 283-84; "The Forbidden Pool,"
p. 293-301
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for ANAD, ANDA and BOR and BORÓN
Angbor did as he was bid, arriving at Pelargir on the night of March 13. Then Aragorn sent him marching north to Minas Tirith at the head of a company of 4,000 Men of the South while Aragorn himself sailed the fleet seized from the Corsairs up the Anduin. The day after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, Aragorn said he expected Angbor to arrive in two days on March 18. It is not known whether Angbor accompanied the Host of the West to the Black Gate or whether he remained to guard Minas Tirith.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Angbor may mean
"iron fist" in Sindarin from ang meaning "iron" and bor from
paur
meaning "fist." Called Angbor the Fearless by Aragorn.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Last Debate," p. 151, 153, 157
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
ANGA
& KWAR entries
The Lord
of the Rings: A Reader's Companion by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina
Scull: "The Last Debate," p. 588
Names &
Etymology:
The name Angelimir is incorrectly
spelled Angelimar in Unfinished Tales.
The meaning is uncertain. It could be of the Adunaic language of Numenor
like Imrahil.
Genealogy:
See
Imrahil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Unfinished
Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 248
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 220-23
In 3429, Sauron attacked Isildur's stronghold Minas Ithil. Isildur escaped with his wife and sons to Arnor where Isildur's father Elendil lived. Elendil and Gil-galad formed the Last Alliance of Elves and Men in 3430. Isildur's youngest son Valandil was born that same year.
During the War of the Last Alliance, Aratan and Ciryon were assigned to guard Minas Ithil in case Sauron tried to escape from Mordor over Cirith Duath. Sauron was defeated in 3441, the last year of the Second Age. Elendil was killed and Isildur became High King of Gondor and Arnor.
In the year 2 of the Third Age, Elendur, Aratan, and Ciryon accompanied their father on a journey to Arnor where they intended to live. In the Gladden Fieldson October 4, they were attacked by Orcs. Ciryon was killed and Aratan was mortally wounded trying to save his brother. Elendur and Isildur were also killed. Valandil - who was still a child and had remained in Rivendell during the war - succeeded Isildur as King of Arnor though he did not claim the kingship of Gondor.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Aratan is Quenya
meaning "noble Man" from ar meaning "noble, royal" and atan
meaning "Man." In an earlier version, his name was Eärnur.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 271, 274, 279-80 note
11
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 191-92, 208
The Silmarillion:
"Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," p. 293, 295
Quenya-English
Wordlist
Names &
Etymology:
The name Arciryas means "royal
ship" in Quenya from ar meaning "noble, royal" and ciryas
meaning "ship."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 330
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 216
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
In 1944, Gondor was attacked by hostile Men from Rhun called the Wainriders. Artamir accompanied his father and the Northern Army of Gondor as they marched toward Dagorlad to meet the enemy. But the Wainriders surprised the Northern Army near the Black Gate and Ondoher and Artamir were killed side by side in the onslaught. Their bodies were never found.
Faramir had disobeyed orders to remain behind as regent and he was also slain, leaving no direct heir to the throne of Gondor. Firiel's husband Arvedui of the North-kingdom tried to claim the kingship but the Council of Gondor turned him down. In 1945, Earnil - the captain who had defeated the Wainriders in the Battle of the Camp - became King of Gondor.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Artamir means "exalted
jewel" in Quenya from
arta meaning "exalted, lofty" and mir
meaning "jewel."
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 329-30
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 201, 215; "The Shibboleth of Feanor," p. 354 (meaning of
arta)
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 291-92, 294-95
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for mir
Names &
Etymology:
The name Baranor may contain
the Sindarin word baran meaning "brown."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 33-34, 42-43
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for BARAN
Beregond was a man of arms of the Third Company of the Citadel. He greatly admired Faramir, son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. Beregond perceived that Faramir was a brave warrior and great leader of men as well a learned man. Although he did not travel far from Minas Tirith, Beregond was well-informed about the situation throughout Gondor and the rest Middle-earth and the threat posed by Sauron.
On the morning of March 9, 3019 of the Third Age, Beregond had no duties to perform, so he was assigned to instruct Pippin Took - the newest member of the Guard of the Citadel - in the pass-words and other matters. Beregond was interested to meet Pippin, for he had never met a Hobbit before, and he was amazed to find that although Pippin was like a child in appearance he had been through more dangers than most Men of Gondor.
Beregond was greatly concerned when Faramir was pursued back to Minas Tirith by Winged Nazgul on March 10, and he feared for Faramir’s safety when Denethor sent his son back to guard the river crossing the next day. On March 13, Faramir was brought back to the City near death. That night Beregond saw a strange light in the tower, which he believed indicated that Denethor was confronting Sauron with his mind. Beregond was correct – it was the light of the palantir that he saw.
In the early hours of March 15, Beregond was on duty as the sentinel at the gate of the Citadel when Pippin came to tell him that Denethor intended to burn Faramir alive. Beregond had to choose between his duty to remain at his post and his love for his Captain. Beregond ran to the Silent Street to help Faramir. When he came to the Closed Door, the porter would not let him pass and Beregond was forced to kill him – an act he deeply regretted. At the entrance to the House of the Stewards, Beregond slew two of Denethor's servants who were trying to light the funeral pyre and he stood on the steps warding the others off with his sword until Gandalf arrived.
Gandalf rescued Faramir from the pyre, but Denethor drew a knife and advanced on his son. Beregond stepped forward to stop his lord from hurting Faramir. Denethor then committed suicide by setting himself on fire. Beregond helped carry Faramir to the Houses of Healing and Gandalf entrusted him with the key to the Closed Door.
Beregond reported his actions to the Chief of the Guard, and Gandalf recommended that Beregond should be assigned to guard Faramir in the Houses of Healing. Beregond was present when Faramir awoke and he was overjoyed.
On March 18, Beregond set out with the Host of the West to march to the Black Gate. At the Battle of the Morannon on March 25, he stood in the front rank with Pippin. A great Troll-chief stunned Beregond and nearly killed him, but Pippin slew the Troll and saved his friend's life.
After the coronation of Aragorn, King Elessar on May 1, Beregond was brought before the King to receive judgement for leaving his post and for killing the porter and Denethor's servants on hallowed ground. The penalty for these acts was death, but the King showed mercy because Beregond had done them out of love for Faramir and because he had fought bravely in battle. Beregond became the Captain of the Guard of Faramir called the White Company. He went to live in Emyn Arnen in Ithilien to serve his lord, Faramir the Prince of Ithilien.
Names &
Etymology:
The element ber means "valiant"
and the element gond means "stone."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 32-45; "The Siege of Gondor," p. 81-82,
84, 91, 100-101; "The Pyre of Denethor," passim; "The Houses of Healing,"
p. 142, 147; "The Black Gate Opens," p. 160, 168-69; "The Steward and the
King," p. 247
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for BER and GOND
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "A New Shadow,"
p. 411, 421 note 15
In his youth, Berelach lived with his father in Ithilien at Pen-arduin on the slopes of the Emyn Arnen overlooking the Anduin. Berelach joined the King's Ships - the navy of Gondor - and was initially stationed near his home at the Harlond of Minas Tirith. He was later given a promotion and moved to Pelargir.
According to an unfinished story called "A New Shadow," Berelach reported to his father that a ship and several sailors had disappeared. Berelach believed there had been an accident, but his friend Saelon implied that something more sinister had happened.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Berelach appears
to be composed of ber meaning "valiant" and lach meaning
"leaping flame."
Sources:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for BER
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "A New Shadow,"
p. 416-17, 421 note 14
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for lhach
Bergil was ten years old at the time of the War of the Ring. At that age, he was nearly five feet tall. Though most of the women and children were evacuated from Minas Tirith, Bergil remained with some other boys in the Old Guesthouse on the Lampwrights' Street. On March 9, 3019, Bergil met Pippin Took and together they went outside the City gates to watch the arrival of the Captains of the Outlands who were coming to defend Minas Tirith.
During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, Bergil ran errands for the Healers of the Houses of Healing. On the fourth level of the City, Bergil met Pippin, who was bringing his wounded friend Merry Brandybuck from the battlefield. Bergil ran to the Houses of Healing and Gandalf came down to find the Hobbits. Bergil was then sent to find athelas, and he brought six leaves of the plant to Aragorn who used them to heal Merry, Eowyn, and Faramir.
When the Host of the West set out for the Black Gate on March 18, Bergil and Merry watched them leave. After the War of the Ring, Bergil's father Beregond became the Captain of the Guard of Faramir. Bergil and his father went to live in Emyn Arnen in Ithilien.
Names &
Etymology:
Bergil means "valiant star"
from ber meaning "valiant" and gil meaning "star."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 40-44; "The Houses of Healing," p.
135, 141; "The Black Gate Opens," p. 159-60; "The Steward and the King,"
p. 247
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for BER and GIL
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "A New Shadow,"
p. 411, 421 note 15
Beruthiel may have been a Black Numenorean in origin. The Black Numenoreans lived in Harad in southern Middle-earth, particularly along the coasts around Umbar. Their ancestors were Men of Numenor who were corrupted by Sauron and turned to evil. It was highly unusual for a woman of Black Numenorean descent to become the wife of the King of Gondor. How it happened is not known.
Beruthiel's marriage to Tarannon was unhappy. They had no children and they lived in different cities. Tarannon had a house on the water near Pelargir, but Beruthiel moved to the King's House in Osgiliath because she hated the sound and smell of the Sea.
Beruthiel did not like colors or ornaments. She wore only black and silver, and her rooms were bare. There were tormented sculptures under the cypress and yew trees in her garden.
Beruthiel was a conniving and devious woman. She reverted to the evil ways of her people after leaving her husband's home to live alone in Osgiliath. She spied on other people to learn their secrets and gain advantage over them.
For this purpose Beruthiel used her ten cats. She had nine black cats and one white cat. She disliked cats and she tormented them, but they were useful to her because of their stealth and their ability to find their way in the dark. She was able to communicate with them and learn what they discovered on their nocturnal prowls. She had the white cat spy on the black cats to keep them in line.
In the end, Tarannon banished Beruthiel from Gondor. He set her adrift in a ship on the Bay of Belfalas, alone except for her ten cats. A north wind carried Beruthiel's ship past Umbar, but what became of her after that is not known. Her name was stricken from the Book of Kings.
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of Berúthiel
is uncertain. It could be derived from bereth meaning "Queen, spouse
of the King" and the feminine ending -iel. However the construction
Berúthiel
instead of Berethiel is unusual. One theory by Patrick Wynne suggests
that the name Berethiel was modified by the people of Gondor to include
the word rûth meaning "anger" as a commentary on Beruthiel's
nature.
In an earlier version of The Fellowship of the Ring she was named Margoliantë Beruthiel. The meaning of Margoliantë is unknown.
Sources:
The Fellowship
of the Ring: "A Journey in the Dark," p. 325
Unfinished
Tales: "The Istari," p. 401-402 note 7
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. VI, The Return of the Shadow: "The Mines of Moria,"
p. 464 note 26 (Margoliante Beruthiel)
The Road
Goes Ever On, p. 66
"The Realms
of Tolkien" by Daphne Castell in New Worlds, November, 1966, p.
147-148. Online text at Fantastic
Metropolis. (Interview with Tolkien mentioning Queen Beruthiel
as a Black Numenorean.)
"Essitalmar"
by Patrick Wynne in Vinyar Tengwar 6, June 1989, p. 10. (Theory
on Beruthiel containing the word ruth = anger.)
Borlas lived to an old age. He was still alive during the reign of King Eldarion, who succeeded Aragorn, King Elessar, in 120 of the Fourth Age. Borlas outlived his wife by at least ten years. They had a daughter and a son named Berelach who joined Gondor's navy. Borlas lived in Pen-arduin on the western slopes of Emyn Arnen overlooking the Anduin.
According to an unfinished story called "A New Shadow," Borlas became concerned about a resurgence of evil that threatened to disrupt the peace that followed Sauron's defeat. He had a disturbing conversation with Saelon, a friend of his son Berelach. Saelon invited Borlas to meet him at night to investigate the rumors, but before he could do so Borlas felt an evil presence in his own house. The story ends at that point, and the fate of Borlas is unknown.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Borlas is composed
of the Sindarin bor meaning "steadfast" and las from glass
meaning "joy." He was called Borlas of Pen-arduin.
Source:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for BOR and GALAS
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "A New Shadow,"
p. 409-421
Borondir volunteered for the mission and was chosen because of his courage and endurance and his skill as a rider. The six riders were dispatched in pairs. Borondir and his companion were the first to depart on March 10. The riders memorized a message and each carried a stone bearing the Steward's seal.
The distance from Minas Tirith to the land of the Eotheod at the source of the Anduin was about 950 miles. The riders first travelled through Calenardhon west of the Anduin and then crossed the river at the Undeeps. There the journey became dangerous because the Balchoth patrolled the eastern bank of the river.
As they passed Dol Guldur in Mirkwood, Borondir and his companion were ambushed. Borondir's companion was killed by arrows but Borondir escaped. Enemy forces pursued Borondir to the Gladden Fields and others came out of the forest forcing him to detour. On the thirteenth day of his journey Borondir ran out of food.
Finally after fifteen days Borondir reached the Eotheod on March 25 and delivered his message. Eorl agreed to come to Gondor's aid and he set out with an army on April 6. Borondir rode with Eorl as a guide. As they passed Dol Guldur a dark shadow flowed toward them, but then a white mist came from Lothlorien across the Anduin and drove back the darkness and hid Eorl's army from view. Borondir speculated that Galadriel had sent the mist to help them.
On April 15, Eorl's army arrived at the Field of Celebrant where Cirion and the forces of Gondor were already fighting the Balchoth. Borondir was the first across the Limlight and he rode to Cirion's side. Borondir was killed defending Cirion during the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. He was buried in the Hallows of Minas Tirith and he was remembered in a song called Rochon Methestel - "Rider of the Last Hope."
Names &
Etymology:
The name Borondir means "enduring
man" from boron meaning "enduring" and the masculine ending dir.
He was known as Borondir Udalraph meaning "Borondir the Stirrupless."
In song he was called Rochon Methestel meaning "Rider of the Last
Hope."
Sources:
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 296-99, 313 note 27
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for BORON and DER
The name of Calimehtar's son or daughter is not known, but his grandson was Castamir. In 1437 of the Third Age, Castamir usurped the throne of Gondor from Eldacar and ruled for ten years until Eldacar returned and killed him in the Battle of the Crossings of Erui in 1447. Castamir's descendants became the Corsairs of Umbar.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Calimehtar means
"bright warrior" in Quenya from calima meaning "bright" and ohtar
meaning
"warrior." Also spelled Kalimehtar. There was also a King of Gondor
named Calimehtar.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 327
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 282 note 17 (meaning
of ohtar)
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for KAL
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 199
Names &
Etymology:
The name Calimmacil means
"Bright Sword" from calima meaning "bright" and macil meaning
"sword."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 330
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for KAL and MAK
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 201, 216
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
In 3429, Minas Ithil was attacked by Sauron. Isildur escaped to Arnor with his wife and sons. The youngest son Valandil was born the next year in Rivendell. Isildur's father Elendil formed the Last Alliance of Elves and Men with Gil-galad.
The War of the Last Alliance against Sauron lasted from 3434 to 3441. Ciryon and his brother Aratan were assigned to guard Minas Ithil to prevent Sauron from escaping over Cirith Duath. In 3441, Elendil and Gil-galad were killed but Sauron was defeated and Isildur took the One Ring from him.
Isildur became High King of Gondor and Arnor. In the year 2 of the Third Age, he set out for Arnor with his three oldest sons and a company of 200 knights. They were attacked by Orcs in the Gladden Fields on October 4.
After nightfall, the company was surrounded. Ciryon was seized by Orcs and was killed, and his brother Aratan was mortally wounded trying to save him. Elendur and Isildur also perished and the Ring was lost. Valandil became the King of Arnor, though he did not claim the kingship of Gondor.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ciryon is derived
from the Quenya word cirya meaning "ship." In an earlier edition
he was named Veandur.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 271, 274, 279-80 note
11
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. p. 191-92, 208
The Silmarillion:
"Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," p. 293, 295; "Appendix - Elements
in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for kir
Damrod |
Alistair
Browning as a Ranger of Ithilien named Damrod in the New
Line film
|
Ranger
of Ithlien. Damrod was one of the Dunedain
of the South, descended from the Numenoreans
of old. His people had once lived in Ithilien before it was deserted by
all but the Rangers, who patrolled on the outskirts of Mordor
and harried the Enemy forces they found there.
Damrod served as a member of Captain Faramir's company. He wore the green and brown clothing of the Rangers that served as camouflage, and he had a green hood and mask and green gauntlets. He was tall with fair skin, dark hair, and grey eyes. Damrod could speak both the Common Speech and a form of Elvish, and he knew of the Valar and called upon them in time of need.
On March 7, 3019 of the Third Age, Captain Faramir's company was preparing to ambush a regiment of Haradrim when they encounted Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee. Faramir assigned Damrod and Mablung to guard the Hobbits while his company proceeded with the attack. Afterwards, Damrod and Mablung were chosen to escort the Hobbits to Henneth Annun while Faramir questioned them about their quest. The two Rangers blindfolded Frodo and Sam before bringing them into the hidden refuge.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Damrod means "hammerer
of copper or metal" composed of dam meaning "hammer, beat" and rod
meaning "copper" or "metal."
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit," p. 264-70; "The Window on the
West," p. 276-77, 281-82
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for NDAM and RAUTA
Derufin and DuilinArchers of the Blackroot Vale. Derufin and Duilin were the sons of Duinhir. They were both tall.During the War of the Ring, Derufin and Duilin accompanied their father and 500 archers to Minas Tirith to aid in the defense of the City. They arrived on March 9, 3019 of the Third Age. At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, Derufin and Duilin led an attack on the great Oliphaunts. The brothers tried to get close to the creatures to shoot out their eyes, but both Derufin and Duilin were trampled to death by the giant beasts. Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of Derufin is not clear. Some of the elements it could contain are der meaning "man," rúnya or roina meaning "red, ruddy," fin meaning "hair," or rhufen meaning "east." Sources:
|
Decipher
cards of Derufin (top)
and Duilin (bottom) 
|
DervorinSon of the Lord of the Ringlo Vale. Dervorin was from the river valley of the Ringlo in Lamedon in southern Gondor. On March 9, 3019 of the Third Age, Dervorin led 300 men to Minas Tirith to help defend the city against the forces of Mordor. The Battle of the Pelennor Fields was fought the next week on March 15.Names &
Etymology:
Sources:
|
DuinhirLord of the Blackroot Vale during the War of the Ring. Duinhir was a tall man. He had two sons named Derufin and Duilin. On March 9, 3019 of the Third Age, Duinhir came to Minas Tirith with his sons and 500 archers to help defend the City. They fought in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15. Both of Duinhir's sons died in the battle.Names &
Etymology:
Sources:
|
Numenor was destroyed in 3319. Elendur escaped along with his father, his uncle Anarion, and his grandfather Elendil - leaders of the Faithful who had resisted the corrupting influence of Sauron. They founded the realms of Gondor and Arnor in Middle-earth.
Elendil was the High King and lived in Arnor while Isildur and Anarion jointly ruled Gondor. Isildur and his family lived in Minas Ithil. Elendur's younger brothers Aratan and Ciryon were born in Gondor in 3339 and 3379.
In 3429, Sauron attacked Minas Ithil. Isildur escaped with his family to Arnor. Elendur's youngest brother Valandil was born in Rivendell the next year. Elendil formed the Last Alliance of Elves and Men with Gil-galad and they marched to war against Sauron. Elendur, Aratan, and Ciryon accompanied their father while the infant Valandil remained in Rivendell with his mother.
Elendur was at his father's side throughout the War of the Last Alliance from 3434 to 3441. He took part in the Battle of Dagorlad and the Siege of Barad-dur. Elendur was not with his father on the slopes of Mount Doom when Elendil, Gil-galad, and Sauron all perished, but he knew that Isildur had claimed the One Ring.
After the war, Isildur intended to claim the title of High King and live in Arnor as Elendil had done. Elendur was his father's heir. Gondor was left in the care of Anarion's son Meneldil.
Elendur, Aratan, and Ciryon began the journey north with their father in the year 2 of the Third Age. They were accompanied by 200 knights and soldiers including Elendur's esquire Estelmo. In the Gladden Fields on October 4, they were attacked by Orcs. Isildur and his men were able to repel the initial assault, but they were outnumbered ten to one and after nightfall the Orcs surrounded them.
Elendur suggested that Isildur use the One Ring to compel the Orcs to retreat, but Isildur was unable to use the Ring's power. The Orcs renewed their assault and Ciryon and Aratan were killed. Elendur begged Isildur to flee in order to prevent the Orcs from capturing the Ring.
Elendur died commanding the remaining troops. His esquire Estelmo was one of only three survivors of the company of 200. Estelmo was later found unconscious under Elendur's body and was able to tell his rescuers what had happened.
Isildur did not escape. He was killed and the One Ring was lost in the waters of the Gladden Fields. Valandil became King of Arnor and his descendant Aragorn, King Elessar, bore a strong resemblance in looks and character to Valandil's brother Elendur.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Elendur means "Star
servant." The word elen means "star" and is here probably a reference
to the Elves, or Eldar, the People of the Stars. The ending ndur
meaning "to serve." In an earlier version he was named Kiryandil.
Sources:
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 271-76, 279-80 note
11, 282 note 18, 283-84 note 26
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 191-92, 208
The Silmarillion:
"Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age," p. 293, 295
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #297 footnote
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
Elphir was about 32 years old at the time of the War of the Ring but whether he participated in any battles is unknown. Elphir became the 23rd Prince of Dol Amroth after his father's death in the year 34 of the Fourth Age. Elphir died in 67 and was succeeded by his son Alphros.
Note:
In HoME
XII, p. 223, Elphir's death date is incorrectly given as 57
F.A. in the table, while the correct date of 67 F.A. is given in the text.
Also note that these Fourth Age dates are calculated in the New Reckoning
of Gondor. According to the reckoning used in the Shire, Imrahil's date
of death would be 33 F.A. and Elphir's date of death would be 66 F.A.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Elphir may contain
the element alph meaning "swan" - the symbol of Dol Amroth - and
the ending hîr meaning "lord."
Genealogy:
See
Imrahil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for ALAK, KHER, and PHIR
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 221, 223
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of Erchirion
is unknown. The masculine ending
-ion means "son of." The first
element may be er meaning "alone" or possibly ar meaning
"noble." The middle element may be hîr meaning "lord" or possibly
the root kir denoting "ship" where cirion means "sailor."
There is a word erch meaning "prickle" related to ereg meaning "holly tree" but this does not make much sense in this context.
Sources:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for ERE, EREK, KHER, KIR and YO, YON
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 221, 223
In 1944, Gondor was invaded by the Wainriders from Rhun. King Ondoher led the Northern Army to stop them accompanied by Artamir. Faramir was ordered to remain behind as regent because both heirs to the throne could not go to war at the same time. But Faramir disobeyed and he joined Gondor's allies the Eotheod in disguise.
The Wainriders defeated the Northern Army and the Eotheod. A company of the Eotheod retreated toward the Dead Marshes, and Faramir was mortally wounded. He died in the arms of the leader of the Eotheod who discovered Faramir's true identity from tokens that he carried.
Ondoher and Artamir were also killed in battle and there was no direct heir to the throne. Firiel's husband Arvedui of the North-kingdom made a claim to the throne but it was rejected by the Council of Gondor. Finally in 1945, Earnil - who had defeated the Wainriders in the Battle of the Camp - became King of Gondor.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Faramir may mean
"sufficient jewel" from phar meaning "suffice" and mir meaning
"jewel."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 329-30
Unfinished
Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," p. 291, 294-95
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for MIR and PHAR,
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 201
Findegil's copy of
The Thain's
Book became an important source of information on the role of the Hobbits
in the War of the Ring and was the only copy to include Bilbo's
complete Translations
from the Elvish, a history of the Elder Days which he compiled
while at Rivendell between 3003 and
3018 of the Third Age.
Source:
The Fellowship
of the Ring: "Prologue: Note on the Shire Records," p. 23-24
Finduilas was a beautiful and gentle-hearted woman. In 2976, she married Denethor II, the Steward of Gondor. She bore him two sons: Boromir, born in 2978, and Faramir, born in 2983. But Finduilas was unhappy in Minas Tirith far from Dol Amroth and the Sea and she greatly feared the growing Shadow in Mordor across the Anduin. She died in 2988, and after her death her husband Denethor became more grim and remote.
Faramir gave a mantle that had once belonged to his mother to Eowyn of Rohan as they waited in the Houses of Healing while the Host of the West marched to Mordor in March of 3019. The mantle was of deep blue set with silver stars around the hem and collar and it reminded Faramir of his mother's beauty and the grief he felt at her loss.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Finduilas may be
Telerian in origin. The meaning is uncertain. The element fin means
"hair" and the element las means "leaf."
Genealogy:
For the family tree of Finduilas,
see Imrahil: Genealogy.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Steward and the King," p. 239-40
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion: The Stewards,"
p. 336-37
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix
- Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for fin
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for LAS1
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Appendix
on Languages," p. 36; "The Heirs of Elendil," genealogical chart of the
Princes of Dol Amroth, p. 221
King Ondoher formed an alliance with King Araphant of Arthedain - the only remaining Kingdom in Arnor. Gondor and Arnor had been separated for nearly 2,000 years, but Ondoher and Araphant realized that they were in danger from a common enemy and they took counsel with one another. In 1940, Firiel married Araphant's heir Arvedui and moved to the North-kingdom.
In 1944, Firiel's father and brothers were killed in battle against the Wainriders - a hostile race of Men from the East. There was no surviving male heir to the throne of Gondor.
Arvedui made a claim to the throne of Gondor based in part on his marriage to Firiel. He argued that women were able to inherit the throne in Numenor - where the ancestors of the Dunedain of Gondor and Arnor originated. He also argued that he himself was a descendant of Elendil, the first High King of Gondor and Arnor, through the line of Isildur.
But the Council of Gondor rejected Arvedui's claim. They replied that in Gondor the kingship passed through the male line only, and through the line of Elendil's son Anarion, not Isildur. Earnil II, a captain of the Royal House, became the King of Gondor instead.
Firiel and Arvedui had a son named Aranarth and at least one other son. Arvedui succeeded his father as King of Arthedain in 1964.
Arthedain was conquered by the Witch-king of Angmar in 1974. Arvedui fled north and was drowned in a shipwreck on the Icebay of Forochel. His children escaped west to Lindon, where a number of Elves lived. It is not known whether Firiel was with them or what became of her afterwards.
Aranarth took the title of Chieftain of the Dunedain of the North. Through his mother Firiel, he and his descendants had the blood of the Kings of Gondor as well as of Arnor. The last Chieftain of the Dunedain was Aragorn who became King of the Reunited Kingdom of Gondor and Arnor.
Names &
Etymology:
Fíriel is a Quenya
name meaning "mortal woman" from the word fir meaning "die, fade."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The North-kingdom and the Dunedain," p.
321-23; "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 329-30
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 367
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 195, 201-2, 215-16; "The Tale of Years of the Third Age,"
p. 232
"The Adventures
of Tom Bombadil" in The Tolkien Reader: Preface, 192-93 and
note 2
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
Forlong came to Minas Tirith on March 9, 3019 of the Third Age. He wore mail and a black helmet and carried a long spear. With him came a company of 200 men to help defend the City. Forlong had to leave many of his men behind to guard Lossarnach from the threat of the Corsairs.
At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, Forlong rode out from the City to the aid of the Rohirrim along with Prince Imrahil, Hurin of the Keys, and Hirluin of the Green Hills. Later on, Forlong lost his horse and became separated from his Men. He was killed by Enemy soldiers wielding axes.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Forlong was not
of Elvish origin but was instead from the time before the Numenoreans
founded Gondor. The meaning is unknown.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 43; "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields,"
p. 121, 124-25
Appendix
F of The Lord of the Rings: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third
Age," p. 407
Mithrellas was one of the companions of Nimrodel. They became lost on their way to the Elf-haven of Edhellond in 1981. Mithrellas was given shelter by Imrazor and married him, but after the births of their children she ran away and was not seen again.
The Princes of Dol Amroth who were descended from Galador had both the blood of Elves and of the Men of Numenor. Galador was the first Prince of Dol Amroth according to one story, although according to another story the title of Prince was granted to his ancestors by Elendil after the founding of Gondor. The discrepancy between the two versions may be due to the fact that Dol Amroth was not so named until Galador's time.
Galador died in 2129. The name of his successor is not known.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Galador may contain
the word galad meaning "radiant," although the word galadh
meaning "tree" could be intended. The ending -dor may be from taur
meaning "high, noble, lord."
Sources:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 220-22
Unfinished
Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 248; "Cirion and
Eorl," p. 316 note 39
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for GALAD, KAL, and TA, TA3
Names &
Etymology:
The name Gilmith means "grey
star" from gil meaning "star" and mith meaning "grey."
Sources:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 221
Unfinished
Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 248
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for gil
and mith
Names &
Etymology:
The name Golasgil may be
composed of the Sindarin words golas meaning "collection of leaves"
and gil meaning "star," but this translation is uncertain.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 43
The Silmarilllion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entry for gil
The Letters
of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #211, #297
Names &
Etymology:
Also called Hirluin the Fair.
The meaning of Hirluin is not certain. The element hîr means "lord, master." The word luin means "blue" in Sindarin but it may also mean "pale" or "fair" in Doriathrin. Possible meanings of Hirluin are thus "blue lord" or "fair lord."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 43; "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields,"
p. 121, 124-25
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for KHER and LUG2
A
Tolkien Dictionary by Robert Ireland
Hirgon presented King Theoden with the Red Arrow, a token of war used to summon the Rohirrim to the aid of Gondor in time of need. It had not been seen in Rohan for many years. Hirgon told Theoden that Gondor was threatened by armies from the east and south and said that if Minas Tirith fell, Rohan would follow. Theoden agreed to come with at least 6,000 men but said it would take about a week to reach Minas Tirith. Hirgon was dismayed by this news, for he feared that Minas Tirith would be destroyed before then unless help came from elsewhere.
Hirgon spent the night in Dunharrow and witnessed the Muster of Rohan the next morning. Then he and his companion set out for Minas Tirith, but when they reached the outer wall of the city sometime around the night of March 12 they found that the forces of the Enemy were there before them. Hirgon and the other messenger turned westward to flee but they and their horses were killed and Hirgon was beheaded. When the Rohirrim passed through the Druadan Forest on March 14, they found his headless body still holding the Red Arrow, and they feared that news of their coming had never reached Denethor.
Names &
Etymology:
The meaning of Hirgon is
not certain. The element hîr means "lord, master." The ending
-gon
means "valor," as in the name Turgon. A possible meaning is therefore "valiant
lord." Another possibility is "stone lord" from the word gond meaning
"stone."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Muster of Rohan," p. 71-74; "The Ride of the Rohirrim,"
p. 109-110
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for GOND, KAN, and KHER
Hurin was left in command of the men of Gondor who remained in Minas Tirith when the Host of the West marched to the Black Gate. On May 1, Hurin and Faramir, the Steward of Gondor, came forth from Minas Tirith to meet Aragorn. Aragorn was crowned King Elessar, and Hurin pushed back the barrier at the Gate of Minas Tirith and the King entered the City.
Names &
Etymology:
Also called Lord Hurin andHurin
the Tall.
The name Húrin is composed of hûr meaning "readiness for action, vigor, fiery spirit" and inn meaning "inner thought, meaning, heart." Hurin was the name of a hero of the First Age, and it was also the name of three Stewards of Gondor.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields," p. 121; "The Steward
and the King," p. 237, 244-46
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for KHOR and ID
In 1981 of the Third Age, Imrazor gave shelter to an Elf named Mithrellas who had become lost in the White Mountains while travelling to Edhellond with Nimrodel and Amroth. Imrazor and Mithrellas married and had two children - a son Galador, born in 2004, and a daughter Gilmith. Sometime after Gilmith's birth, Mithrellas left home and Imrazor never saw her again.
Imrazor died in 2076. His son Galador became the first Prince of Dol Amroth and his descendants had both Numenorean and Elvish blood.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Imrazôr is
from the Adunaic language of Numenor. The meaning is unknown. He was called
Imrazor
the Numenorean because he was of Numenorean descent.
Although Galador is said to be the first Prince of Dol Amroth, Imrazor may also have been a Prince. According to one story, Elendil gave the title of Prince to one of Imrazor's ancestors after the foundation of Gondor. It is not clear whether these two stories are contradictory or whether it is a matter of semantics in that Dol Amroth was not named until after Amroth's death in 1981.
Genealogy:
See
Imrahil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Unfinished
Tales: "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn," p. 248; "Cirion and
Eorl," p. 316 note 39
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 220-23
Ingold |
A
Gondorian named Ingold in the New
Line film
|
Man
of Gondor. On March 9, 3019 of the Third Age,
Ingold was the leader of a group of Men finishing the repairs on the Rammas
Echor encircling Minas Tirith. At dawn,
Gandalf
the White arrived at Forannest
- the north-gate - with Peregrin Took. Ingold
gave Gandalf leave to enter but he was reluctant to let his companion pass
without learning his identity. Pippin informed Ingold that he was a Hobbit
and that he had news of the death of Boromir,
son of the Steward. Gandalf vouched for
Pippin and Ingold sent them through to bring the news to Denethor.
Sauron's forces breached the Rammas Echor on March 13, and Ingold led the last remnant of the guard from the wall to Minas Tirith. He brought news of Enemy battalions that had crossed the Anduin near Cair Andros and held the northward road. Ingold mistakenly surmised that the Rohirrim would no longer be able to come to the aid of Gondor.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ingold was a form
of Ingoldo meaning "the Noldo; one eminent among the Elves
of the Noldor." Noldor means "the Wise" from ngol meaning
"wise, wisdom." Ingoldo was a name used for Finrod
of the Noldor, and it was later adapted to Ingold by the Numenoreans
and became a common name among the Men of Numenor and Gondor.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 20-22; "The Siege of Gondor," p. 95
The Silmarillion:
Index,
entry for Noldor
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for NGOL
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Shibboleth
of Feanor," p. 360
Ioreth |
Ioreth
with Aragorn
unused image from the New Line film |
Wise-woman
of Gondor. At the time of the War
of the Ring, Ioreth was the eldest of the women who worked in the
Houses
of Healing in Minas Tirith. She was
skilled at her work, but she had a tendency to chatter.
Ioreth worked long and hard helping the wounded after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields on March 15, 3019 of the Third Age. When Faramir was brought to the Houses of Healing, Ioreth wept.
"Alas! if he should die. Would that there were kings in Gondor, as there were once upon a time, they say! For it is said in old lore: The hands of the king are the hands of a healer. And so the rightful king could ever be known."At her words, Gandalf realized that Aragorn should be brought in to tend Faramir, as well as Merry and Eowyn who were gravely ill as a result of their contact with the Lord of the Nazgul. Aragorn asked Ioreth for athelas. Ioreth recognized the plant by its common name, kingsfoil, for she had seen it growing in the woods near Lossarnach where she walked with her sisters. But she was unaware of any healing properties of the plant and told Aragorn that there was none in the Houses of Healing.
The Return of the King: "The Houses of Healing," p. 136
Aragorn sent Ioreth off to find some athelas and at last six leaves were found. Aragorn used the athelas to revive Faramir, Merry, and Eowyn. Ioreth was amazed and said the scent reminded her of the roses of Imloth Melui from her youth. She was equally amazed to learn that Aragorn was the rightful King. On May 1, Ioreth attended Aragorn's coronation with her kinswoman from Imloth Melui.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ioreth means "old
woman." The stem ior comes from iaur meaning "old, ancient"
while -eth is a feminine ending.
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "The Houses of Healing," p. 136-37, 139-42; "The Steward
and the King," p. 244-45
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings:
"The Etymologies," entry for
YA
The Lord
of the Rings: A Reader's Companion by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina
Scull: "The Houses of Healing," p. 579
Names &
Etymology:
The name Iorlas may mean
"old joy." The element ior
is from iaur meaning "old" and
las
may
be from glas
meaning "joy." The word las also means "leaf."
Sources:
The Return
of the King: "Minas Tirith," p. 41-42
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for GALAS and YA
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ivriniel is composed
of ivrin, which may be the plural of ivren possibly meaning
"crystalline, of crystal" and the feminine ending -iel. The word
ivrin
is nowhere defined, but the possible meaning "of crystal" is based on the
description of the crystal waters of Eithel
Ivrin, the source of the Narog
in Beleriand.
(Silmarillion, p. 209-10)
Genealogy:
See
Imrahil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 221, 223
Gateway
to Sindarin by David Salo, p. 266
Hiswelókë's
Sindarin Dictionary
Tolkien
Language Archives
Lothiriel married Eomer in the last year of the Third Age. They had at least one son named Elfwine the Fair who became the 19th King of Rohan on the death of his father in the year 63 of the Fourth Age. Lothiriel's date of death is not known.
Names &
Etymology:
Lothíriel means "flower
garlanded maiden." The word loth means "flower, blossom." The element
riel
means "garlanded maiden" from the root rig meaning "twine, wreathe"
and the feminine ending -iel.
Genealogy:
See
Imrahil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The House of Eorl," p. 352
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for kal-
(gal-) and loth
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil - The Line of Dol Amroth," p. 221
Mablung |
A
Ranger of Ithilien named Mablung in the New
Line film
|
Ranger
of Ithilien. Mablung was a member of Captain
Faramir's company. They patrolled Ithilien on the outskirts of Mordor.
Mablung was tall with dark hair and grey eyes and he wore the green and
brown raiment of the Rangers with green gauntlets, hood and mask. He and
the other Rangers were Dunedain of the South of the line of the Lords of
Westernesse. He knew both the Common Speech and a form of Elvish.
On March 7, 3019 of the Third Age, Mablung was with Faramir when he encountered Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee. The Rangers were preparing to ambush a regiment of Haradrim heading to Mordor when they saw the smoke from the Hobbits' campfire. Faramir left Mablung and Damrod to guard Frodo and Sam during the battle between the Rangers and the Haradrim.
Faramir returned and questioned Frodo, but when the talk turned to sensitive matters he dismissed all his men except Mablung and Damrod. The two Rangers escorted their Captain and the Hobbits through Ithilien. When they drew near to the secret outpost at Henneth Annun, Mablung and Damrod blindfolded Frodo and Sam and guided them, carrying them over rough terrain where necessary.
In late March, the Host of the West passed through Ithilien on the way to the Black Gate. Mablung led a band of scouts who warned the Host of an approaching force of Orcs and Easterlings and thus prevented an ambush.
Names &
Etymology:
Mablung means "heavy hand"
from
mab meaning "hand" and lunga meaning "heavy." There
was also an Elf named Mablung.
Sources:
The Two
Towers: "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit," p. 264-70; "The Window on the
West," p. 276-77, 281-82
The Return
of the King: "The Black Gate Opens," p. 162
The Silmarillion:
Index,
entry for Mablung of the Heavy Hand (an Elf of Doriath)
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
MAP
and LUG1 entries
Names &
Etymology:
The name Minastan may mean
"tower maker" from minas meaning "tower" and tan meaning
"make, fashion."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 319
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for MINI and TAN
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 200
The
Quenya Corpus Wordlist
In 1944 of the Third Age, Gondor was attacked on two fronts by the Wainriders of Rhun and the Men of Khand and Harad. The Northern Army marched toward Dagorlad to meet the Wainriders on July 12. The main force was headed by King Ondoher, while Adrahil of Dol Amroth led the Left Wing and Minohtar led the Right Wing.
As the Northern Army approached the Black Gate, the Wainriders emerged from the shadow of the Ash Mountains and took them by surprise. Minohtar received orders to cover Ondoher's left flank. Ondoher and his son Artamir were killed in the assault.
Minohtar prepared to send a message to Ondoher's younger son Faramir who had been ordered to remain at home. But the leader of the Eotheod informed Minohtar that Faramir had gone to war in disguise and had been killed, leaving Gondor with no King.
Minohtar took command of the Northern Army. He instructed Adrahil to position the Left Wing and the rear portion of the Right Wing between Cair Andros and the Mountains of Shadow in an attempt to prevent the Wainriders from reaching Minas Anor. Minohtar meanwhile gathered the remainder of Ondoher's forces along with the forward ranks of the Right Wing to his banner. They blocked the Harad Road leading into Ithilien.
The Wainriders did not expect to encounter organized resistance, but in the end they overwhelmed Minohtar's forces with their superior numbers. On July 13, Minohtar was killed by an arrow. His surviving forces retreated, carrying his body with them.
The Wainriders held a feast to celebrate their victory that night, but they were surprised by the Southern Army of Gondor led by Earnil who defeated them in the Battle of the Camp. Earnil later became King of Gondor.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Minohtar may be
composed of the Quenya words
minya meaning "first" and ohtar
meaning
"warrior, soldier."
Sources:
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 282 note 17; "Cirion
and Eorl," p. 291-95
Names &
Etymology:
Morwen means "dark maiden"
in Sindarin from mor meaning "dark, black" and
wen meaning
"maiden."
Morwen was also the name of the mother of Turin in the First Age as well as another woman of Gondor called Morwen Steelsheen.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for MOR and WEN
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 205, 219-20
Morwen met Thengel of Rohan, who was living in Gondor for a time, and they married in 2943. She was 17 years younger than her husband. While living in Gondor, Morwen bore three children - two daughters and a son, Theoden, who was born in 2948. In 2953, Thengel became King of Rohan on his father's death and he returned home with his family. Morwen had two more daughters in Rohan, including the youngest, Theodwyn, born in 2963.
Morwen was tall with dark hair. She was also graceful and proud - traits that she passed on to her granddaughter Eowyn. The people of Rohan called her Steelsheen.
Names &
Etymology:
Morwen means "dark maiden"
in Sindarin from mor meaning "dark, black" and
wen meaning
"maiden." Her name is likely a reference to her dark hair. She was called
Steelsheen
in Rohan.
Morwen was also the name of another woman of Gondor as well as the mother of Turin in the First Age who was called Morwen Elfsheen.
Source:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The House of Eorl," p. 350-51
Unfinished
Tales: "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields," p. 286
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entries for MOR and WEN
The civil war of the Kin-strife began in 1432 of the Third Age. The rebels opposed Eldacar because his mother was one of the Northmen and therefore he was not of pure Numenorean descent. In 1437, the rebels led by Castamir the Usurper captured Osgiliath. Eldacar and many of his followers escaped but Ornendil was captured. Castamir had Ornendil put to death.
In 1447, Eldacar avenged his son's death by killing Castamir at the Battle of the Crossings of Erui. He reclaimed the throne of Gondor and was later succeeded as King by his second son Aldamir.
Names &
Etymology:
The name Ornendil means "tree
friend" in Quenya from
orne meaning "tree" and the ending -ndil
meaning "devotion."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 327
Appendix
B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 367
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 199
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for -(n)diland
orn
Names &
Etymology:
The name Rían means
"crown gift" in Sindarin from rî meaning "crown" and anna
meaning "give." Rian was also the name of
the mother of Tuor in the First Age.
Genealogy:
See
Denethor:
Genealogy.
Sources:
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies,"
entry for RIG
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 204
Names &
Etymology:
The name Siriondil might
mean "friend of the Great River." The ending ndil means "friend,
devotion." The Sirion was a river in Beleriand. Its name meant "great river"
in Sindarin. There was also a King of Gondor named Siriondil.
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," p. 330
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 201, 216
Names &
Etymology:
The name Tarciryan is composed
of the Quenya words tar meaning "high, noble" and ciryan
meaning "for a ship" from cirya meaning "ship."
Genealogy:
See
Elendil:
Genealogy.
Sources:
Appendix
A of The Lord of the Rings: "The Realms in Exile," p. 318
The History
of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs
of Elendil," p. 197
The Silmarillion:
"Appendix - Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names," entries for kir
and tar
Quenya
- The Ancient Tongue
TargonMan of Gondor. Targon worked in the storehouse and buttery of one of the companies of the Tower Guard. On the morning of March 9, 3019 of the Third Age, Targon provided Beregond and Pippin Took with a meal of bread, butter, cheese, apples, and ale.Names &
Etymology:
Sources:
|
A
Gondorian named Targon
in the New
Line film
|
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