The line of the kings is ended. The witch-king has killed the last King of
Gondor and the time of the Ruling Stewards has begun. Over the next thousand years,
they would lead Gondor through further war, but also alliances with other men, and a wizard.
Today, on Nerd of the Rings, we conclude the History of Gondor.
After the childless King Earnur is killed by the Witch-king in Minas Morgul,
it is believed the line of Anarion had failed. No one with any tangential claim to the throne
would come forward, for no one wanted to risk another kin-strife. At this time,
Gondor is far from its previous heights and another kin-strife would likely have
destroyed the realm entirely. Thus, the rule of Gondor passes to the line of the Stewards.
Mardil Voronwe, the steward who attempted to dissuade Earnur from marching to face
the Witch-king, becomes the first of these Ruling Stewards in 2050 TA. As explained in last week’s
video, the Stewards were said to rule “until the king returns”, for they had no proof that Earnur
was indeed dead. Out of respect for the King’s position, the Stewards would never sit on the
throne of Gondor, but in their chair of black stone placed below it. They would also never
wear a crown, but simply hold a white rod - a symbol of their position. Upon being sworn in,
they pledged “to hold rod and rule in the name of the king, until he shall return.”
While certainly respected, it is not believed the latter portion of
this pledge will ever come to fruition. There were none in Gondor descended from
Isildur’s direct line and by this time, the northern realm of Arnor
was wiped out - the sole remnant being the relatively small group of Dunedain Rangers.
The Rule of the Stewards would actually begin rather well. Mardil is said to have ruled with
a steady hand, which is how he earns the moniker “Voronwe” meaning “the Steadfast”.
And fortunately for his descendants, their rule would coincide with the period of time
known as the Watchful Peace. During Mardil’s rule, in 2063 TA, the wizard Gandalf the Grey
went to Dol Guldur to investigate the shadow growing there. Not ready to reveal himself,
this Necromancer flees, and for nearly 400 years, Gondor and much of Middle-earth would have peace.
While Sauron goes to the East where he would work to corrupt the men of that land,
his Nazgul look inward. Rather than plan attacks,
they would instead prepare for Sauron’s return, giving Gondor a respite from war. However,
Gondor would use this opportunity to strengthen its borders with Mordor and Minas Morgul.
Hador, the seventh Ruling Steward, is recorded as the last of his line to have a lifespan
of a Dunedain, living to 150 years. At this point, the blood of Numenor waned,
and the lifespan of the stewards would shorten closer to that of normal men.
The Watchful Peace comes to an end in 2460 TA, during the rule of Denethor I (not to be confused
with Denethor II, who we meet over 500 years later). 15 years after Sauron returns to Dol
Guldur (2475 TA), a new menace would be unveiled - the Uruk-hai. Unbeknownst to their enemies,
the lords of Minas Morgul had bred this new race of orc. Faster, larger,
stronger, and smarter than typical orcs, the Uruk-hai could travel in daylight without
being weakened. They are unleashed from Mordor and conquer the lands of Ithilien,
and sack the city of Osgiliath. Denethor’s son, Boromir, leads the Gondorian forces in
driving the Uruks out of Osgiliath, reclaiming the once great capital. However, this would be
the final blow to the city. Already damaged and depopulated starting with the earlier kin-strife,
Osgiliath is completely abandoned after the attack by the Uruk-hai.
Boromir would succeed his father as Steward in 2477 TA, and while he had previously won
back Osgiliath, the Steward would have to fight several campaigns to win back the
lands of Ithilien from the orcs. While he would eventually win back the lands of Gondor, Ithilien
would remain depopulated, and during the war he receives a Morgul-wound. Despite his strength,
which was great, Boromir would become shrunken with pain and die just 12 years into his rule.
The rule of Gondor passes to Boromir’s son Cirion,
who would become one of the realm’s most famous Stewards. He takes leadership of
a kingdom where the Corsairs of Umbar have begun raiding the coasts once more,
Ithilien - the land bordering it’s closest enemy - is deserted, and their northern province of
Calenardhon is almost completely depopulated. Between Calenardhon and the forts along the
Anduin having been long abandoned, Cirion’s primary concern is invasion from the North.
He sends out spies so that he may be informed of any coming threats and his
men return with dire news - a new group of Easterlings has emerged - the Balchoth.
Likely descended from the Wainriders, the Balchoth were under the shadow of Dol Guldur,
and using a large number of wagons, they were making their way westward.
In the spring of 2509 TA, Cirion receives word that hosts of these men are mustering along the
southern border of Mirkwood, preparing to invade Gondor. Desperate for aid,
Cirion sends out six volunteer riders to seek out their old allies the Eotheod in the far north. Of
the six riders, only one would survive the 950 mile journey. Borondir delivers the Red Arrow,
a symbol of the dire circumstances and a call for aid, to King Eorl the Young.
Knowing the chances of word reaching the Eotheod were slim, and not knowing how the Eotheod would
respond, Cirion musters as great a force as he is able. He personally leads the army north to
meet this new foe. However, the Balchoth crossed the river Anduin and overpower the Gondorians,
driving them north over the Limlight river. A bad situation gets worse as
Orcs descend from the Misty Mountains, pinning Cirion back against the Anduin.
In this moment, when hope was lost, there was a sudden sounding of horns. The riders
of Eorl had come. The Eotheod turn the tide of battle, driving the enemies away
and pursuing the Balchoth across the fields of Calenardhon. Three months later, Eorl comes to
the Mering Stream at the request of Cirion. Since the Battle of the Field of Celebrant,
Cirion had cleared the path to Amon Anwar. Cirion offers Eorl all the lands of Calenardhon
and for their people to live in perpetual alliance with one another. Eorl accepts,
and their two parties ascend the hill where Cirion reveals the secret tomb of Elendil. With
his own son Hallas, two councilors of Gondor, and the Prince of Dol Amroth as witnesses,
Cirion pledges this bond with Eorl and his people. In response Eorl pledges an oath of his own:
Cirion then made answer. Standing to his full height he laid his hand upon the tomb and in his
right hand held up the white wand of the Stewards, and spoke words that filled those who heard them
with awe. For as he stood up the sun went down in flame in the West and his white robe seemed
to be on fire; and after he had vowed that Gondor should be bound by a like bond of friendship and
aid in all need, he lifted up his voice and said:
Invoking the name of Iluvatar himself, such an Oath had not been heard in Middle-earth since
Elendil himself swore an allegiance with Gil-galad to form the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
Thus Eorl becomes the first ruler of a new kingdom - the kingdom of Rohan - ever after
in alliance with the men of Gondor. The names Rohan and Rohirrim, being devised by Cirion’s
son Hallas. With Amon Anwar no longer marking the midpoint of Gondor, Cirion
removes the Tomb of Elendil, and has it placed in the Hallows of Rath Dinen in Minas Tirith.
The following 200 years would largely be peaceful ones for Gondor. Between 2628-2655 TA, during the
rule of Belecthor I, we are told the Corsairs of Umbar once again become a threat to Gondor,
though no specific battles or events are recorded. During the rule of Ecthelion I, the Steward has
the White Tower rebuilt in Minas Tirith. Standing 300 feet tall, the great tower shone like a spike
of crystals, pearl, and silver. It would ever after be known as the White Tower of Echthelion.
The Oath between Gondor and Rohan would be called upon multiple times over the
coming centuries - though it would not always be answered. In 2710 TA, King Deor of Rohan would
request aid of Steward Egalmoth when Dunlendings seize control of the Ring of Isengard. However,
this came in a period of renewed war with the orcs, making Gondor unable to answer the call.
Egalmoth’s son Beren would spend much of his rule fighting the Corsairs of
Umbar. During the Long Winter of 2758-2759 TA, Gondor is assailed by three great fleets from
Umbar and Harad along their coast as far north as the mouth of Isen. The northernmost of these
forces joins with the Dunlendings in attacking King Helm Hammerhand’s Rohan. Both under attack,
neither Gondor nor Rohan could assist the other for a long while. However,
with Spring on the horizon, Beren’s son Beregond defeats the invading Corsairs and Haradrim. Thus,
Gondor is finally able to send aid to Rohan, fulfilling the Oath.
Both Gondor and Rohan would survive these attacks, though Rohan’s capital of Edoras
was under enemy control for much of the winter. In the aftermath, Gondor is visited by one of
the Istari. The wizard Saruman comes to Beren and requests permission to dwell in Isengard.
Beren gladly agrees to having a wizard ally on the northern border of Rohan and gives him the
key of Orthanc. Saruman by this time had already been seeking his own benefit, having researched
much of the rings of power, and deducing that one of the palantiri remained in Orthanc.
During the rule of Beren’s son, Beregond, Gondor would once again be troubled by orcs. However,
these orcs were not from Mordor. Instead, they were orcs fleeing the Battle of Azanulbizar,
the climactic fight of the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. They take up residence in the White
Mountains and many battles would occur between the men and orcs before the latter are destroyed.
Still, Beregond’s rule is largely a positive one as Gondor begins to recover some of its
strength. With the blood of Numenor still dwindling in the line of the Stewards,
Beregond’s son Belecthor II is the last to live to 100 years old. Upon his death, the White Tree of
Gondor also dies. However, the people of Gondor would leave it standing - until the King comes.
In 2882 TA, Turin II becomes the 23rd Ruling Steward of Gondor, and would do much to secure
the future of his realm. Ithilien was further deserted by his people due to invasions of orcs,
but Turin II would not forsake these lands. He builds secret refuges for his soldiers in
Ithilien so that they could combat this threat. The longest guarded and manned of these outposts
was Henneth Annûn, the very cave Faramir would take Frodo and Sam over 130 years later.
But the greatest threat during Turin II’s rule would come from the south. Ever since
the kin-strife, the lands of Harondor, also known as South Gondor, were a debated
land between the Corsairs of Umbar and the kingdom of Gondor. By the time of Turin II,
the Haradrim occupied South Gondor and from there in 2885, they would launch an invasion
of Ithilien with great force. Fortunately, King Folcwine of Rohan would fulfill the Oath of Eorl
and sends many Rohirrim to Gondor. Thanks to the assistance of Theoden’s great grandfather,
Gondor succeeds in defeating the Haradrim. Still, with this invasion, Gondor completely
withdraws its people from Ithilien - the only ones remaining in the realm are the Rangers of
Ithilien, soldiers left to harass the forces of their enemies as they could. Around 2900,
Turin II would also refortify the river island of Cair Andros to protect Gondor from the north.
The rule of Turin II’s son Turgon would be largely peaceful, but for one notable
occurrence - in 2951 TA, ten years after being driven from Dol Guldur by the White Council,
Sauron declares himself openly in Mordor and begins rebuilding Barad-dur. Just two years later,
Turgon’s son Echthelion II, becomes the 25th Ruling Steward of Gondor.
Echthelion II is known for his wisdom and used all his power to strengthen Gondor in the face
of a resurgent Sauron. He would strengthen both the haven of Pelargir and Cair Andros.
He would encourage worthy men from both within Gondor and without to enter into his service in
exchange for ranks and reward. One stranger who comes into the steward’s service is a
man named Thorongil, who had previously served King Thengel of Rohan. Echthelion
grew to love Thorongil above all others - possibly even his own son Denethor II.
Denethor grows bitter toward Thorongil, and much of their council was in opposition. Thorongil
advised Echthelion to not trust Saruman in Isengard, but to instead turn to Gandalf the
Grey. Thorongil advises the steward that the Corsairs of Umbar - the long-held enemies of
Gondor - would prove a great threat to the Southern fiefs if Sauron were to turn to
open war. Ecthelion permits Thorongil to launch a surprise attack on the Haven of
Umbar, which severely damages the Corsair fleet. Thorongil could have returned to Minas Tirith with
great honor, but instead sends a farewell message to Ecthelion, for other tasks now called him.
For Thorongil would indeed return to Minas Tirith nearly forty years later, as this
descendant of both Isildur and Anarion would return under his rightful name - Aragorn son of
Arathorn. For the final stage of Gondor’s history, which we will cover next week, will be defined by
the rules of Denethor and Aragorn, the War of the Ring, and the dawn of the Fourth Age.
as always I want to say a huge thank you to my patreon supporters who make this channel
possible Tom to bombadil19 listen me the Cinda kelle brimbor the mighty MIM team weasel Rabbi
Rob Thomas Charles Leisure Toby mobs music CCDC red team nerd sichman any timer pelkey sports
cards monkey the brown Christopher carbaugh Joe Tepper Sky carcass slide belts Dane ragnarson
salimerman zetrock bertelberg Grand strategy nerd Graham dare cot the dark-haired one Wyland
Michael Wu Grant McGregor and Debbie if you enjoyed the artwork in this video check out
the artists in the description and purchase prints of their great work for yourself
thanks so much for watching and subscribing and we'll see you next time on nerd of the Rings