Imrahil

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Imrahil
Gondorian
Donato Giancola - Imrahil.jpg
"Imrahil" by Donato Giancola
Biographical Information
Other names"the Fair"
TitlesPrince of Dol Amroth
LocationDol Amroth
LanguageWestron
BirthT.A. 2955
RuleT.A. 3010 - Fo.A. 34
DeathFo.A. 34 (aged 100)
Family
HouseHouse of Dol Amroth
ParentageAdrahil
SiblingsIvriniel and Finduilas
ChildrenElphir, Erchirion, Amrothos and Lothíriel
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Imrahil
"That is a fair lord and a great captain of men. If Gondor has such men still in these days of fading, great must have been its glory in the days of its rising."
Legolas in The Return of the King, "The Last Debate"

Imrahil was the twenty-second Prince of Dol Amroth.

History[edit | edit source]

Early life[edit | edit source]

Imrahil was the only son of Adrahil. He had two older sisters, Ivriniel and Finduilas. After his father's death, he became Prince in T.A. 3010. Imrahil had four children: Elphir, Erchirion, Amrothos and Lothíriel.[1]

War of the Ring[edit | edit source]

Prince Imrahil by John Howe

During the War of the Ring, Imrahil came to the aid of his brother-in-law, Denethor II. On 9 March, T.A. 3019, he came into Minas Tirith with a company of knights and seven hundred soldiers.[2] On 13 March, as Southrons harassed Faramir, Imrahil and his knights, with Gandalf, formed a sortie, and Imrahil himself saved his sister-son from his pursuers. Faramir received a poisonous wound, and Denethor fell to madness. Being the highest ranking officer in Gondor fit for battle, Imrahil took command, and quickly passed it on to Gandalf.

Two days later, the Battle of the Pelennor Fields raged before the city. Imrahil ventured outside the city, and witnessed the funeral procession of Théoden. He recognized that Éowyn still lived (though she lay an inch from death), and brought her to the Houses of Healing.

Because Éomer and his riders were outnumbered, Imrahil rode into battle, together with Húrin the Tall, Forlong of Lossarnach and Hirluin the Fair, and they were soon joined by Aragorn who landed at Harlond. Imrahil continued East, driving the frightened Variags and orcs away.

Imrahil survived the battle unscathed, and together with Éomer and Aragorn he came to the Great Gate of Minas Tirith.[3] Imrahil recognized that Aragorn was the rightful King, but he agreed that it was wise for Aragorn to wait to enter the city, because he knew Denethor was strong-willed and proud.

When Imrahil learned that Denethor was dead and Faramir dying, he suggested that Aragorn be summoned, remembering that the Kings of old were great healers. Aragorn came at Gandalf's request to heal the wounded Faramir, Éowyn, and Merry, but he declared that Prince Imrahil should rule the City until Faramir awoke, in effect granting Imrahil the temporary position of Steward. Though Aragorn also declared that Gandalf should lead them in all things for the remaining days of the war, to which Imrahil agreed.

During the debate of the Captains of the West, Gandalf proposed that they march to the Morannon to distract Sauron's attention from Frodo the Ring-bearer. Imrahil said that he would follow his liege Aragorn, but since Minas Tirith was under his command the Prince advised that some should remain to defend the City. In the end it was decided that an army of 7,000 would ride forth. Imrahil laughed at the thought.[4] Húrin the Tall was left behind in command.

The Host of the West left Minas Tirith on 18 March. Bypassing Minas Morgul and marching North, the heralds announced the coming of King Elessar at Imrahil's advice. When Sauron's forces emerged from the Black Gate on March 25, Imrahil stood on the front line with his men. They fought the Battle of the Morannon until the One Ring was destroyed.

Prince Imrahil was present at the celebrations of the field of Cormallen, and the coronation of Aragorn as King Elessar, and rode with the funeral procession of King Théoden to Rohan, remaining in Edoras after the King's burial on August 10. Imrahil and Éomer became great friends, and in Fo.A. 2 Éomer wed Imrahil's daughter Lothíriel.[5]

Later life[edit | edit source]

After the War of the Ring, Prince Imrahil and his nephew Faramir, Prince of Ithilien, were King Elessar's chief commanders. Imrahil was also part of the Great Council of Gondor, and remained an advisor of the King.[6]

Prince Imrahil died in the year 34 of the Fourth Age, and was succeed by his eldest son Elphir, who continued the line of Princes.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name Imrahil is said to be of Númenórean origin,[7] though its exact meaning is uncertain.

The second element -hil, also seen in the name Adrahil, is perhaps related to the Westron ending -kil[note 1] and perhaps ultimately related to Elvish "follower" (KHIL).[8][9]

Considering the Elvish root KHIL, Carl F. Hostetter and Patrick H. Wynne have proposed as a possible meaning "Heir of Imrazôr".[10]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
 
 
 
 
Angelimir
2866 - 2977
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adrahil
2917 - 3010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ivriniel
b. 2947
 
Finduilas
2950 - 2988
 
Denethor II
2930 - 3019
 
IMRAHIL
2955 - Fo.A. 34
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of
Rohan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Boromir
2978 - 3019
 
Faramir
2983 - Fo.A. 82
 
Elphir
2987 - Fo.A. 67
 
Erchirion
b. 2990
 
Amrothos
b. 2994
 
Lothíriel
b. 2999
 
Éomer
2991 - Fo.A. 63
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elboron
unknown
 
Alphros
3017 - Fo.A. 95
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elfwine
unknown
 
 

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1992: Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series):

Imrahil is played by Gert Andresen.

2015: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Imrahil is featured prominently in the main storyline and is first met within the gates of Minas Tirith. He is close to Mithrandir and has his trust, so the Wizard often leaves him and the player to take care of certain problems while he is too preoccupied elsewhere.

Notes

  1. This ending is found in words like banakil, Tarkil and possibly means "person" or "man"

References

Imrahil
House of Dol Amroth
Born: T.A. 2955 Died: Fo.A. 34
Preceded by:
Adrahil
22nd Prince of Dol Amroth
T.A. 3010 - Fo.A. 34
Followed by:
Elphir