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The '''King of Gondor''' was the [[Númenórean]] ruler of [[Gondor]].  
[[File:Gondor Heraldry.png|250px|thumb|Coat of arms of the Royal [[House of Anárion]]]]
The '''Kings of Gondor''' were the [[Númenórean]] (later known as [[Dúnedain]]) ruler of [[Gondor]]. Each king governed the realm with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the maker.<ref name="politics">{{L|244}}</ref> The line of the Kings would endure for over two thousand years, but would eventually fail with the presumed death of Eärnur. The kingship would be restored later by Aragorn, the hidden descendant of Elendil.


The King of Gondor governed the realm with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the maker.<ref name="politics">{{L|244}}</ref> The Kings were buried in the [[Hallows]] of Minas Tirith. Stone statues of the Kings were in the [[Tower Hall]]. The symbol of his authority was the [[Crown of Gondor]].
==History==
The origins of the [[Kings of Gondor]] lie with the [[House of Elros]]. Through [[Amandil]] the Kings claimed descent from the [[Lords of Andúnië]], and from there to [[Silmariën]] and the [[King of Númenor|Kings of Númenor]]. The first line of the Kings of Gondor were primarily members of the [[House of Anárion]].
 
Elendil was the first King of [[Arnor]] and was succeeded by Isildur.  Elendil ruled over both realms as High King of the Dúnedain-in-exile Isildur succeeded as High King as well upon his father's death.  Isildur committed Gondor to the rule of Meneldil the son of Anarion as sole King of Gondor, but Isildur's royalty in the South-realm remained, as his line was by right High King over both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], though after Isildur's death, the realms were split. Isildur's son, [[Valandil]], opted to not press his claim as High King of the Realms-in-Exile. Thus were the two realms sundered from each other, though Isildur's line technically could still lay claim to the dormant High Kingship.
 
The kingship of Gondor, unlike Arnor which had a direct line from Isildur to [[Arvedui]], underwent several succession crises even before they eventually failed altogether. The first king of Gondor who had no direct offspring was [[Falastur]], who had to be succeeded by his nephew [[Eärnil I]]. The next childless king was [[Narmacil I]], who had to be succeeded by his brother [[Calmacil]]. The worst crisis, however, was that of the [[Kin-strife]], a civil war which resulted in both the loss of [[Umbar]] and the shedding of royal blood. From this war, [[Eldacar]] emerged victorious, but the House of Anárion was greatly weakened.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}p. 1371</ref> The house suffered further in the invasion of the [[Wainriders]], which killed the king [[Ondoher]] and his sons. Only his daughter [[Fíriel]] survived, who previously had married the king of [[Arthedain]], [[Arvedui]].
 
[[Arvedui]] made an attempt to be named king of Gondor himself, citing two reasons. First, Isildur did not give up his being High King of both realms in exile, instead only committing the rule of Gondor to Meneldil, but not giving up his royalty. This meant that Isildur's heirs technically still held royalty within Gondor, even if they did not rule. Secondly, according to the Numenorian laws of succession, the sceptre would go the oldest child of the ruler upon their death, be they male or female. Thus, technically the kingship would have gone to Arvedui's wife Fíriel rather than a claimant from outside Ondoher's immediate family. However, the council of Gondor elected to ignore Arvedui's claims, and the kingship went instead to [[Eärnil II]], who was a member of the house of Anárion.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}p. 1374-1375</ref> After him, the crown lasted only one generation before the last of the kings.
 
The final king was Eärnur, who reigned for only seven years before he was challenged to single combat by the [[Witch-king of Angmar]]. Enraged by this, Eänur accepted the challenge and rode to [[Minas Morgul]], where he vanished and was never seen again. After his disappearance, however, there was no member close enough to the House of Anárion left in the realm of Gondor to make a claim to the kingship. Rather than suffer another civil war, the rule of the Kingdom of Gondor fell to a succession of [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]].<ref>{{App|Gondor}}p. 1379</ref>
 
In {{TA|3019}}, the kingship of Gondor was restored in the person of [[Aragorn]], who was the hidden descendent of Isildur. Aragorn was also a blood descendent of Anárion via the marriage of his ancestor [[Arvedui]] to the Gondorian princess [[Fíriel]]. Aragorn, taking the regnal name Elessar, reestablished the kingship of Gondor before going on to refound the realm of [[Arnor]] as well, thus recreating the [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Elessar's new royal house would henceforth be known as the [[House of Telcontar]]. Elessar would rule until {{FoA|120}}, before passing the rule of the kingdom to his son [[Eldarion]].
 
==Duties and Office==


==History==
The King was the ultimate commander of the armies and navies of Gondor. For example, King Eärnil II sent his son Eärnur as the leader of the army who defeated the [[Witch-king of Angmar]]. The King would also be in charge of building projects, such as creating fortifications.<ref>{{App|A1iv}}</ref> The King served as the ultimate arbiter of justice in court matters.<ref>{{RK|VI5}}</ref> The King would have the ability to forge diplomatic alliances and both administer and renew oaths.<ref>{{App|Eorl}}</ref> The King was the only one invested with the ability to invoke the name of [[Eru]], though this power was seldom used.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref> Finally, the King had the legal right of using the [[palantíri]] available to him in places such as [[Minas Ithil]]. He could also invest others to do this on his behalf if the situation required it.<ref>{{UT|Palantiri}}</ref> However, this practice ended when [[Sauron]] gained control of the [[Ithil-stone]], for fear that he might work evil with it.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>
Through [[Amandil]] the Kings claimed descent from the [[Lords of Andúnië]], and from there to [[Silmariën]] and the [[King of Númenor|Kings of Númenor]]. The line of the Kings of Gondor was associated with the [[House of Anárion]].
 
The King appointed a Steward who would help in both the running of the King's affairs and ruling in the King's stead if he was incapacitated or otherwise away from the kingdom.<ref>{{UT|8e}}This was first done by Rómendicil I, see note 53</ref> There was also a [[Council of Gondor]] who advise the King, though the full extent of the council's powers remains unclear. The Council retained enough authority to block the attempt of Arvedui, last king of Arthedain, to be named King of Gondor, even though he technically met the requirements. Earnil would be named in his stead.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>


Elendil was the first King of [[Arnor]] and was succeeded by Isildur.  Elendil ruled over both realms as High King of the Dúnedain-in-exile Isildur succeeded as High King as well upon his father's death.  Isildur committed Gondor to the rule of Meneldil the son of Anarion as sole King of Gondor, but Isildur's royalty in the South-realm remained, as his line was by right High King over both [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], though after Isildur's death, the realms were split. Isildur's heirs ruled Arnor and Anárion's heirs ruled Gondor.
Part of the tradition associated with the King was that he was the only one who knew the location of the [[Tomb of Elendil]]. This burial ground was used as a place of secrecy or meditation by the Kings, and they were sworn not to let the location of it be known. It would remain secret until the days of the Stewards.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>


Eärnur was taken in [[Minas Morgul]] and never seen again, and the Kingdom of Gondor was ruled by a succession of [[Stewards of Gondor|Stewards]] until the restoration of the line of Kings with Elessar ([[Aragorn]]), the first king of the [[Reunited Kingdom]] of Gondor and Arnor.
The kings of Gondor had a crown used as a badge of office. They also would set in a great throne in the White Tower, a tradition respected even during the time of the Ruling Stewards, who did not sit on the King's throne.


==List of Kings==
==List of Kings==
Line 32: Line 47:
| 5. || [[Anardil (King of Gondor)|Anardil]] || {{TA|324}} – {{TA|411}} ||
| 5. || [[Anardil (King of Gondor)|Anardil]] || {{TA|324}} – {{TA|411}} ||
|-
|-
| 6. || [[Ostoher]] || {{TA|411}} – {{TA|491}} ||
| 6. || [[Ostoher]] || {{TA|411}} – {{TA|492}} ||
|-
|-
| 7. || [[Rómendacil I]] || {{TA|491}} – {{TA|541}}† || Born [[Tarostar]]
| 7. || [[Rómendacil I]] || {{TA|492}} – {{TA|541}}† || Born [[Tarostar]]
|-
|-
| 8. || [[Turambar (King of Gondor)|Turambar]] || {{TA|541}} – {{TA|667}} ||
| 8. || [[Turambar (King of Gondor)|Turambar]] || {{TA|541}} – {{TA|667}} ||
Line 88: Line 103:
| 32. || [[Eärnur]] || {{TA|2043}} – {{TA|2050}}† || Last King of Gondor. Reign of the Stewards begins
| 32. || [[Eärnur]] || {{TA|2043}} – {{TA|2050}}† || Last King of Gondor. Reign of the Stewards begins
|-
|-
| 33. || [[Aragorn|Elessar]] || {{TA|3019}} – {{FoA|120}} || First High King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| 33. || [[Aragorn|Elessar]] || {{TA|3019}} – {{FoA|120}} || First High King of the [[Reunited Kingdom]], blood descendant of Isildur, descendant of Anárion via his ancestor Fíriel
|-
|-
| 34. || [[Eldarion]] || {{FoA|120}} – c. {{FoA|220}} ||
| 34. || [[Eldarion]] || {{FoA|120}} – c. {{FoA|220}} ||
|}
|}


:''For a detailed family tree of the individual Kings of Gondor, see: [[House of Anárion]].''
:''For a detailed family tree of the individual Kings of Gondor until Eärnur, see: [[House of Anárion]].''


==Other names==
==Other names==
"King of Gondor" was translated as '''''Aran Ondóreo''''' in [[Quenya]],<ref>{{VT|49a}}, p. 27</ref> and '''''Aran Gondor''''' in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{SD|XI}}, p. 128</ref>
"King of Gondor" was translated as '''''Aran Ondóreo''''' in [[Quenya]],<ref>{{VT|49a}}, p. 27</ref> and '''''Aran Gondor''''' in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{SD|XI}}, p. 128</ref>


{{references}}
==The ancestry of the Kings of Gondor==
==The ancestry of the Kings of Gondor==
{{Dúnedain}}
{{Dúnedain}}
[[Category:Rulers of Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Gondor]]
[[Category:Mannish Titles]]
[[Category:Mannish titles]]
[[de:Gondor#Herrscher_von_Gondor]]
[[de:Gondor#Herrscher_von_Gondor]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/dunedain/gondoriens/rois_du_gondor]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/dunedain/gondoriens/rois_du_gondor]]
[[fi:Gondorin kuninkaat]]
[[fi:Gondorin kuninkaat]]
{{references}}

Revision as of 00:08, 16 November 2021

"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
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Coat of arms of the Royal House of Anárion

The Kings of Gondor were the Númenórean (later known as Dúnedain) ruler of Gondor. Each king governed the realm with the frame of ancient law, of which he was administrator (and interpreter) but not the maker.[1] The line of the Kings would endure for over two thousand years, but would eventually fail with the presumed death of Eärnur. The kingship would be restored later by Aragorn, the hidden descendant of Elendil.

History

The origins of the Kings of Gondor lie with the House of Elros. Through Amandil the Kings claimed descent from the Lords of Andúnië, and from there to Silmariën and the Kings of Númenor. The first line of the Kings of Gondor were primarily members of the House of Anárion.

Elendil was the first King of Arnor and was succeeded by Isildur. Elendil ruled over both realms as High King of the Dúnedain-in-exile Isildur succeeded as High King as well upon his father's death. Isildur committed Gondor to the rule of Meneldil the son of Anarion as sole King of Gondor, but Isildur's royalty in the South-realm remained, as his line was by right High King over both Arnor and Gondor, though after Isildur's death, the realms were split. Isildur's son, Valandil, opted to not press his claim as High King of the Realms-in-Exile. Thus were the two realms sundered from each other, though Isildur's line technically could still lay claim to the dormant High Kingship.

The kingship of Gondor, unlike Arnor which had a direct line from Isildur to Arvedui, underwent several succession crises even before they eventually failed altogether. The first king of Gondor who had no direct offspring was Falastur, who had to be succeeded by his nephew Eärnil I. The next childless king was Narmacil I, who had to be succeeded by his brother Calmacil. The worst crisis, however, was that of the Kin-strife, a civil war which resulted in both the loss of Umbar and the shedding of royal blood. From this war, Eldacar emerged victorious, but the House of Anárion was greatly weakened.[2] The house suffered further in the invasion of the Wainriders, which killed the king Ondoher and his sons. Only his daughter Fíriel survived, who previously had married the king of Arthedain, Arvedui.

Arvedui made an attempt to be named king of Gondor himself, citing two reasons. First, Isildur did not give up his being High King of both realms in exile, instead only committing the rule of Gondor to Meneldil, but not giving up his royalty. This meant that Isildur's heirs technically still held royalty within Gondor, even if they did not rule. Secondly, according to the Numenorian laws of succession, the sceptre would go the oldest child of the ruler upon their death, be they male or female. Thus, technically the kingship would have gone to Arvedui's wife Fíriel rather than a claimant from outside Ondoher's immediate family. However, the council of Gondor elected to ignore Arvedui's claims, and the kingship went instead to Eärnil II, who was a member of the house of Anárion.[3] After him, the crown lasted only one generation before the last of the kings.

The final king was Eärnur, who reigned for only seven years before he was challenged to single combat by the Witch-king of Angmar. Enraged by this, Eänur accepted the challenge and rode to Minas Morgul, where he vanished and was never seen again. After his disappearance, however, there was no member close enough to the House of Anárion left in the realm of Gondor to make a claim to the kingship. Rather than suffer another civil war, the rule of the Kingdom of Gondor fell to a succession of Stewards.[4]

In T.A. 3019, the kingship of Gondor was restored in the person of Aragorn, who was the hidden descendent of Isildur. Aragorn was also a blood descendent of Anárion via the marriage of his ancestor Arvedui to the Gondorian princess Fíriel. Aragorn, taking the regnal name Elessar, reestablished the kingship of Gondor before going on to refound the realm of Arnor as well, thus recreating the Reunited Kingdom. Elessar's new royal house would henceforth be known as the House of Telcontar. Elessar would rule until Fo.A. 120, before passing the rule of the kingdom to his son Eldarion.

Duties and Office

The King was the ultimate commander of the armies and navies of Gondor. For example, King Eärnil II sent his son Eärnur as the leader of the army who defeated the Witch-king of Angmar. The King would also be in charge of building projects, such as creating fortifications.[5] The King served as the ultimate arbiter of justice in court matters.[6] The King would have the ability to forge diplomatic alliances and both administer and renew oaths.[7] The King was the only one invested with the ability to invoke the name of Eru, though this power was seldom used.[8] Finally, the King had the legal right of using the palantíri available to him in places such as Minas Ithil. He could also invest others to do this on his behalf if the situation required it.[9] However, this practice ended when Sauron gained control of the Ithil-stone, for fear that he might work evil with it.[10]

The King appointed a Steward who would help in both the running of the King's affairs and ruling in the King's stead if he was incapacitated or otherwise away from the kingdom.[11] There was also a Council of Gondor who advise the King, though the full extent of the council's powers remains unclear. The Council retained enough authority to block the attempt of Arvedui, last king of Arthedain, to be named King of Gondor, even though he technically met the requirements. Earnil would be named in his stead.[12]

Part of the tradition associated with the King was that he was the only one who knew the location of the Tomb of Elendil. This burial ground was used as a place of secrecy or meditation by the Kings, and they were sworn not to let the location of it be known. It would remain secret until the days of the Stewards.[13]

The kings of Gondor had a crown used as a badge of office. They also would set in a great throne in the White Tower, a tradition respected even during the time of the Ruling Stewards, who did not sit on the King's throne.

List of Kings

Elendil, son of Amandil, reigned titularly as High King from S.A. 33203441 while his sons Isildur and Anárion were the co-rulers of Gondor itself until Anárion's death in S.A. 3440

Kings of Gondor
  Name Reign Notes
1. Anárion & Isildur S.A. 3320S.A. 3440 Sons of Elendil and co-rulers.
2. Meneldil T.A. 2T.A. 158 Son of Anárion. First sole ruler of Gondor
3. Cemendur T.A. 158T.A. 238
4. Eärendil T.A. 238T.A. 324
5. Anardil T.A. 324T.A. 411
6. Ostoher T.A. 411T.A. 492
7. Rómendacil I T.A. 492T.A. 541 Born Tarostar
8. Turambar T.A. 541T.A. 667
9. Atanatar I T.A. 667T.A. 748
10. Siriondil T.A. 748T.A. 830
11. Tarannon Falastur T.A. 830T.A. 913 First of the Ship-kings. Died childless
12. Eärnil I T.A. 913T.A. 936 Nephew of Tarannon
13. Ciryandil T.A. 936T.A. 1015
14. Hyarmendacil I T.A. 1015T.A. 1149 Last of the Ship-kings
15. Atanatar II Alcarin T.A. 1149T.A. 1226
16. Narmacil I T.A. 1226T.A. 1294 Second childless king
17. Calmacil T.A. 1294T.A. 1304 Younger brother of Narmacil. His son Minalcar ruled as prince-regent from 1240 – 1304
18. Rómendacil II T.A. 1304T.A. 1366 Born Minalcar
19. Valacar T.A. 1366T.A. 1432 Married Vidumavi, the daughter of Vidugavia
20. Eldacar T.A. 1432T.A. 1437 Born Vinitharya
Castamir T.A. 1437T.A. 1447 Usurped the throne during the Kin-strife. Known as the Usurper
21. Eldacar T.A. 1447T.A. 1490 Won back the throne with aid from the Northmen and Dúnedain of Gondor
22. Aldamir T.A. 1490T.A. 1540
23. Hyarmendacil II T.A. 1540T.A. 1621 Born Vinyarion
24. Minardil T.A. 1621T.A. 1634
25. Telemnar T.A. 1634T.A. 1636 Died in the Great Plague with all his children
26. Tarondor T.A. 1636T.A. 1798 Nephew of Telemnar
27. Telumehtar Umbardacil T.A. 1798T.A. 1850
28. Narmacil II T.A. 1850T.A. 1856
29. Calimehtar T.A. 1856T.A. 1936
30. Ondoher T.A. 1936T.A. 1944 Died in battle with his two sons. His daughter Fíriel might have been ruling queen but was passed by.
31. Eärnil II T.A. 1945T.A. 2043 Descendant of Telumehtar Umbardacil. Was crowned after a year of rule by the Steward Pelendur
32. Eärnur T.A. 2043T.A. 2050 Last King of Gondor. Reign of the Stewards begins
33. Elessar T.A. 3019Fo.A. 120 First High King of the Reunited Kingdom, blood descendant of Isildur, descendant of Anárion via his ancestor Fíriel
34. Eldarion Fo.A. 120 – c. Fo.A. 220
For a detailed family tree of the individual Kings of Gondor until Eärnur, see: House of Anárion.

Other names

"King of Gondor" was translated as Aran Ondóreo in Quenya,[14] and Aran Gondor in Sindarin.[15]

The ancestry of the Kings of Gondor

Kings of the Dúnedain

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elros
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tar-Elendil
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of Númenor
 
Lords of Andúnië
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elendil
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Isildur
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anárion
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of Arnor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of Gondor
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kings of Arthedain
 
Kings of Cardolan
 
Kings of Rhudaur
 
Ondoher
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Arvedui
 
Fíriel
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aranarth
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chieftains of the Dúnedain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Aragorn
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
High Kings of the Reunited Kingdom
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien; Humphrey Carpenter, Christopher Tolkien (eds.), The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, Letter 244, (undated, written circa 1963)
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"p. 1371
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"p. 1374-1375
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"p. 1379
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Steward and the King"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The House of Eorl"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Palantíri"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "Notes"This was first done by Rómendicil I, see note 53
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan"
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Eldarin Hands, Fingers & Numerals and Related Writings — Part Three" (edited by Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 49, June 2007, p. 27
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Sauron Defeated, "Part One: The End of the Third Age: XI. The Epilogue", p. 128