Summary
The Kingdom of Gondor is one of the most prominent locations inLord of the Rings, as it was home to characters like Boromir and Faramir, and the many battles fought within its borders were essential to the ultimate destruction of the One Ring. However, the kingdom had been in a less than ideal situation for several centuries. When the Fellowship’s quest began, Gondor, once famed as one of the most powerful kingdoms in Middle-earth, was in a state of war with Mordor, facing some major challenges, and undergoing a period of decline.
The return of Aragorn, a descendant of the ancient kings of Gondor and Arnor, played a crucial role in the political dynamics of the kingdom. His rightful claim to the throne and his coronation as King Elessar at the end of theLord of the Ringstrilogy marked a new beginning for Gondor and a new and peaceful era for Men. to understand the significance of Aragorn’s return, it is important to look back into Gondor’s history, its decline, and the kings that came long before him.
Related:LOTR: The Kingdoms of Men, Explained
Who Ruled Gondor Before Aragorn?
Gondor’s rich history begins in the lost kingdom of Númenor, when the brothers Isildur and Anárion, Númenórean exiles, arrived in Middle-earth and founded the kingdom of Gondor. For over 30 generations, Anárion’s descendants continued to rule as kings, butGondor faced several invasions, plagues, and internal conflictsthat weakened the kingdom. Eärnur served as the last king of Gondor, and after his mysterious disappearance and presumed death in the year 2050 of the Third Age, almost 900 years before Aragorn was even born, Gondor was left without a king, presumably ending Anárion’s line of kings. Due to the ongoing challenges the kingdom was facing, a new ruler was needed and the Stewardship began.
Since there was no actual evidence that the king was dead, the Stewards of Gondor ruled the kingdom and preserved it forthe eventual return of the true king. Mardil Voronwë served as the first Steward of Gondor, and he was the one who established the Stewardship as Gondor’s seemingly temporary governing institution. The Stewards held political authority, and essentially served as kings, but without having the title. Before every new Steward took over, he would swear an oath to grant the power to the king once again if he ever returned. The Stewards continued to rule Gondor for nearly a thousand years. During the events ofLord of the Rings,Gondor was ruled by Denethor II, the 26th and final Steward, a role he held for several decades.
Eärnur’s Reign, Explained
While some fans may not be familiar with Eärnur, his reign, although relatively short, changed Gondor’s history, as his disappearance marked the end of the line of kings and the beginning of a nearly thousand year long Stewardship. Long before he became king, Eärnur had already made a name for himself as a great warrior and leader. His greatest triumph came during the Battle of Fornost in the year 1975 of the Third Age, where he facedthe Witch-King of Angmar, king of the Nazgûland one of Sauron’s deadliest servants. During the battle, Eärnur defeated and intended to slay the Witch-king, but his horse fled in terror.
After the death of his father in 2043 of the Third Age, Eärnur took over the throne of Gondor. He had inherited a kingdom that had seen a fair share of challenges and victories, but its political climate was far from stable. Not long after, he was challenged by the Witch-King. Eärnur, known for his quick temper and wrath, wanted to accept the challenge, but the Gonrodian Steward Mardil Voronwë held him back. After serving as king for seven years, Eärnur was challenged a second time by the Witch-King. This time, however, Mardil was unable to stop him. Afterhe crossed the gates of Minas Morgulto face the Witch-King once again, he was never heard from again. The uncertainty of his disappearance left a big impact on Gondor for generations, as nobody was sure of his fate. Since Eärnur had left no heir to the throne, Mardil, who had tried to stop the king from facing this dangerous challenge, became the ruler and first Steward of Gondor, starting a new era for the kingdom.
Who Ruled Before Eärnur?
Before Eärnur, Gondor was ruled by his father, Eärnil II, a member of the House of Anárion, who served as king for 98 years. Eärnil was a wise king, and his reign was marked by the kingdom’s military success, but also faced some major losses. He was a loyal ally toGondor’s sister kingdom Arnor, and sent them aid when needed. In the year 2000 of the Third Age, the Witch-King’s army of Nazgûl ambushed the city of Minas Ithil, starting the second siege, and two years later, taking over the city. Eärnil died in the year 2013 at the age of 160.
It wasn’t until the year 3019 of the Third Age that Gondor was restored with Aragorn’s return and rightful claim to the throne, as seen at the end of theLord of the Ringstrilogy. Aragorn was a blood descendant of Anárion, and a hidden descendant of Gondor’s founder Isildur. Aragorn reestablished the kingdom of Gondor, and later on united it with Arnor, creating the Reunited Kingdom. While Aragorn’s reign represents a turning point for Gondor, each ruler before him contributed to the kingdom’s everlasting legacy.
