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Kings of Gondor After Ondoher
Faramir - second son of Ondoher, he ruled from 1944 TA to 2072 TA (128 Year Reign). Faramir takes the crown after the death of his father and brother against the Wainriders. He rules through a tumultuous time, wars with the Haradrim, Easterlings, the final war against Angmar and the first two wars against the Witch-King. He marries a noble woman of great pedigree from the Dunedain families of Umbar, so that the city was tied more closely to Gondor. Of this marriage Faramir had three sons. As was usual for the line of kings in his day, he outlived his wife by a full 50 years. In his time the position of King’s Steward was made hereditary among the House of Hurin of Emyn Arnen. Starting with Vorondil the Hunter, son of Steward Pelendur. Faramir was a stalwart friend of King Aranrath of Arnor, his nephew, and the trade between Gondor and Arnor was renewed. The Troubles in Belfalas begin in his reign; the succession of Adrahil is disputed as he left no heir and the claimants are too many. Only by direct intervention by the king was bloodshed avoided in the province. Disputes and almost wars continue until the middle reign of Faramir’s son. King Faramir died at the age of 200 after ruling for 128 years, the longest reign since Tarondor. In him it was seen by the people of Gondor that the glory of the king was renewed and Gondor stabilized after its recent defeats. Faramir was the last king of Gondor to live to 200.
- Stewards of Gondor under Faramir
- Pelendur
- Vorondil
- Mardil Voronwe
Calmacil II - eldest son of Faramir, born 1950 TA. He ruled from 2072 TA to 2147 TA(75 year reign). Along with his cousin Earnur, Calmacil was a fierce warrior who would distinguish himself as a captain and warrior in the last Angmar War when Gondor marched to save Arthedain. Further glory was earned by him when he relieved Minas Ithil from the Witch King’s first siege. Calmacil would fortify Ithilien and the Ephel Death to stymie attacks from the orcs of Mordor, now ruled by the Witch King. The Witch King would make his fortress Cirith Ungol after his third attack on Minas Ithil was repulsed in 2100 TA. The Watchful Peace begins in Gondor under Calmacil’s rule. Ithilien is turned into a fortified province and Minas Ithil becomes known as Minas Tirith. Gondorian control in Calenardhon fades as the king chooses to strengthen the southern provinces of Harondor and Umbar, diverting the majority of the northern garrisons to the south. The Troubles in Belfalas end as Galador son of Imrazor(descended maternally from the Princes of old) becomes the Prince of Dol Amroth and establishes the city of the self-same name.
Calmacil died at the age of 197 after ruling for 75 years.
- Stewards of Gondor under Calmacil II
- Mardil Voronwe
- Eradan
- Herion
Minohtar - son of Calmacil II, born 2025 TA. Died 2219 TA at the age of 194. Ruled from 2147 TA to 2219 TA (72 year reign). His reign was peaceful and the Dunedain of Gondor prospered. Mordor is silent during his reign and Gondor’s enemies are unable to assume a war footing against the kingdom. Minohtar established a royal palace in Umbar where the king would hold court when he visited the southern provinces. The Pillar of Ar-Pharazon is refurbished in his reign. He was named after the uncle of his grandfather Faramir.
- Stewards of Gondor under Minohtar
- Herion(one year)
- Belegorn
- Hurin I
Valandur - son of Minohtar. Born 2100 TA. Died 2294 TA at the age of 194 after an uneventful 75 year reign. Ruled from 2219 TA to 2294 TA. Osgiliath is renewed under his reign as people from Ithilien nearest to Mordor relocate to the city. Valandur was a great patron of the arts in his life, many ancient works are refurbished during his reign and many new wonders are commissioned across the kingdom. The Great Road between Gondor and Arnor is restored by Valandur, and the highways into the southern provinces are expanded to account for increased trade from the southern provinces. No king since the foundation of Gondor was as civic minded as Valandur, such was his desire to increase the bounty of his people and land.
- Stewards of Gondor under Valandur
- Hurin I
- Turin I
- Hador(The Old)
Ciryaher - son of Valandur. Born 2175 TA. Died 2366 TA at the age of 191 after a 72 year reign. Ruled from 2294 TA to 2366 TA. In his time the decline of the lifespan of the kings is noticed in Gondor and the worries of the people increased. Nothing could be done to stop the decline, despite the efforts of the wisest Dunedain. His steward was Hador the Old, the longest serving Steward of the King. Hador was able in his role and Ciryaher was attentive to his duties as king, acting on the needs of his people. Thereby was Gondor enriched by his rule. The fleets of Gondor were increased in his reign and the wealth of the kingdom increased from trade with Far Harad. The prosperity of Gondor reached heights not seen since Atantar II Alcarin.
- Stewards of Gondor under Ciryaher
- Hador(The Old)
Aldastan - son of Ciryaher. Born 2250 TA. Died 2440 TA at the age of 190 after a 74 year reign. Ruled from 2366 TA to 2440 TA. The Shadow of the Witch King is seen in Aldastan’s later years, as Aldastan was a learned man and took council with the wandering wise man who visited his court on occasion. The Watch on Mordor is increased and the seeing stone of Minas Ithil, now Minas Tirith, is removed to the capital at Minas Anor. Though Aldastan perceived a storm growing around Gondor, he did not live to see it unleashed on the southern kingdom.
- Stewards of Gondor under Aldastan
- Hador (The Old)
- Barahir
- Dior. He had no children and the Stewardship passed to his nearest male kin
- Denethor
Hyarmendacil III* - son of Aldastan, born Tarohtar. Born 2325 TA. Died 2477 TA at the age of 152 in battle against the forces of Mordor. Ruled from 2440 TA to 2477 TA. In the twentieth year of his reign, the watchful peace was broken. Initial assaults by the Witch King from Cirith Ungol were defeated and Minas Ithil defended. However a mighty host of Haradrim invaded Umbar and Harondor. Taking the greater part of Gondor’s strength south, Tarohtar defeated the Haradrim completely. Marching up the course of the Harnen, he raised the chief Haradrim city that had lead the league against Gondor. Swinging south, he smashed the Haradrim besieging Umbar in front of the city’s great walls and took no prisoners. For this he took the name Hyarmendacil, the third and last king of Gondor to take that name. So total was the defeat of the southern men, that they did not threaten Gondor for fifteen generations.
In 2475 TA, The Witch King attacked, overcoming the defenses of Gondor through a three pronged offensive out of Mordor. Minas Tirith was put the siege and Ithilien was ravaged. Hyarmendacil warred against the witch king’s army for two years, confounding the Witch-King efforts to cross the Anduin. This was the greatest war in Gondor since the Kinslaying. The sons of the king distinguished themselves in this war, though his second son was slain on the field of battle in 2476 TA. At the battle that lifted the siege of Minas Tirith, Hyarmendacil crossed swords with the Witch-King himself, and was to be besting him, before being slain on the field of combat by the troll guard of the Witch-King.
- Stewards of Gondor under Hyarmendacil III
- Denethor
Romendacil III* - son of Hyarmendacil III, born Minastan. Born 2387 TA. Died in 2488 TA at the age of 101 in battle against Mordor after a rule of 11 years. Ruled from 2477 TA to 2488 TA
In his days the war against the Witch King continued following the death of his father in battle. Two dozen times did the forces of Gondor met the armies of Mordor on the Dagorlad during his short rule, and twenty-three times was Romendacil victorious. After the fourth battle at Dagorlad he was hailed by his soldiers as Romendacil and took this as his regnal name. His Steward Boromir was a puissant man and the Steward of Gondor fought alongside his King in those years, and Mordor knew no victory. In the war the Black Gate is stormed by the forces of Mordor and made into the fortress of the Witch King; Gondor loses its fortifications in the mountains north of Minas Tirith.
In the year 2488 TA the Witch King marched two hosts out of Mordor, one upon the Dagorlad and one against Minas Tirith. The second host fought around Minas Ithil and marched on Osgiliath. The King split his armies between himself and Boromir. The Steward would defeat the army of Mordor on Dagorlad while the king’s army would defend Osgiliath and chase orcs back to Mordor, to the far side of the Minas Tirith pass. It was then, with Mount Doom looming above, that the Witch-King surprised the King and his vanguard with an ambush. In this ambush was Romendacil killed and Boromir his steward died one year later of his wounds taken on the Dagorlad. In Minas Tirith a great statue of the king was raised in his honor, for this king was beloved by his soldiers. After this war the strength of Mordor was weakened and attacks ceased for a time. Romendacil had no sons of his own, so the crown passed to his youngest brother. Gondor was battered and weakened from the 28 year long war with Mordor. The lifespan of the Dunedain outside of the line of kings drop precipitously after the days of Romendacil III. This is said to be the effects of the growing shadow. The foul breath of Mordor made disease more common in the kingdom.
- Stewards of Gondor under Romendacil III
- Boromir the Brave*
Surion - brother of Romendacil III. Born 2417 TA. Died 2603 TA at the age of 186 after a 115 year rule. Ruled from 2488 TA to 2603 TA. Osgiliath is abandoned in his day. Farming in Ithilien becomes nearly impossible in his early reign, this is attributed to the amount of orc blood that seeped into the soil during the Long War. Rohan is established and is charged with defending Gondor from threats from the north and west. The Balchoth are defeated in battle with Gondor and the riders that become Rohan. Mordor is silent as the Witch King rebuilds his armies. The Nazgul are sighted in Mordor through use of the Palantir. Surion becomes known as Surion the Farsighted from his use of the Palantir to learn of the designs of Gondor’s enemies. However Surion had not the strength of arms available to thwart the designs of Mordor.
- Established the vassal kingdom of Rohan in Calenardhon.
- Stewards of Gondor under Surion
- Cirion
- Hallas
Maltacar - son of Surion. Born 2492 TA. Died 2675 TA at the age of 183 after a 72 year reign. Ruled from 2603 TA to 2675 TA. The hosts of Mordor issue forth from the Black Gate five times in his reign. North Ithilien is abandoned completely and defensive lines established along the Anduin. Cair Andros is encastellated and becomes the cornerstone of Gondorian defense in the north. The Gondorian army shifts to a defensive institution; relying on a series of powerful fortresses built along key passages to prevent Mordor’s open advance into Gondor.
- Stewards of Gondor under Maltacar
- Hallas
- Hurin II
- Belecthor
- Orodreth
Elatan - son of Maltacar. Born 2577 TA. Died 2751 TA at the age of 174 after a 76 year reign. Ruled from 2675 TA to 2751 TA. The war with Mordor continues in his reign, though open battle does not resume until the reign of his son. Elatan was a paranoid king, and his attentions were ever bent towards the constant threats facing Gondor out of the east. His son is born in the latter half of Elatan’s life.
- Stewards of Gondor under Elatan
- Orodreth
- Ecthelion*
- Egalmoth
- Beren
Castandil - son of Elatan. Born 2680 TA. Died 2854 TA at the age of 174 after a 103 year reign. Ruled from 2751 TA to 2854 TA. To defend Minas Tirith from being cut off by the hosts of Mordor as in the past, Castandil builds the long wall, the Andram, to protect the road to Minas Tirith. During his reign the Haradrim renew their attacks against Gondor. Led by three Nazgul, they storm Umbar in 2835 TA. Gondor is unable to relieve Umabr. Castandil spends the remainder of his reign fortifying the north bank of the river Harnen and fending off attacks from the south. The Corsairs of Umbar establish themselves again under Haradrim rule and battle with the fleets of Gondor. The Wizard Saruman comes into Gondor once more in Castandil’s day, the wizard’s advice is welcomed by the king and Saruman granted permission to make his home in Isengard.
- Stewards of Gondor under Castandil
- Beren
- Beregond
- Belecthor II
Falassion* - son of Castandil. Born 2730 TA. Died 2876 TA in battle with the Haradrim along the river Harnen at the age of 146 after a 22 year reign. (Real age would have been 171). In his reign the royal fleet of Gondor was renewed (the southern fleets had been destroyed or captured at the loss of Umbar) and the Corsairs were driven back for a time. Bolstered by his success at sea, Falassion attempted to retake Umbar. This offensive failed and his retreat back across the Harnen was ambushed by a Nazgul led host of Haradrim. Falassion was killed by the Nazgul known as Khamul in the fighting. His body was lost to the river.
- Stewards of Gondor under Falassion
- Belecthor II
- Thorondir
Narmacil III - son of Falassion. Born 2805 TA. Died 2973 TA at the age of 168 after a 97 year reign. Ruled from 2876 TA to 2973 TA. In his reign the Haradrim crossed the river Harnen after the death of his father and Harondor becomes a divided land despite the Haradrim being halted by Narmacil’s armies five years after crossing north. Narmacil III departed from the strategies of his ancestors in his efforts to go on the offensive against the foes of Gondor, rather than seeking to weather the intermittent assaults through the strong defenses of Gondor. Mordor is checked in the north on the Dagorlad in 2901 TA and stopped from entering South Ithilien in 2919 TA. This prompts Narmacil to order a southern side of the long wall to Minas Tirith to be built. Minas Tirith is assaulted constantly after Sauron returns to Mordor and reveals himself.
By the end of Narmacil’s reign, South Ithilien has been evacuated and has become a land where the armies of Gondor and the Haradrim clash, just as North Ithilien had become the contested land between the orcs of Mordor and Gondor. The reign of Narmacil III is the last time the armies of Gondor issue forth against their enemies until the end of the age. Gondor becomes defensively minded. Narmacil III is the last king of Gondor to die a natural death in the Third Age.
- Stewards of Gondor under Narmacil III
- Thorondir
- Turin II
- Turgon
- Ecthelion II
Earnil II* - son of Narmacil III. Born 2881 TA. Died 2979 TA at the age of 98 after a 6 year reign. Ruled from 2973 TA to 2979 TA. As a prince, he defeated the fleet of the Corsairs of Umbar in 2955 TA. During this campaign a young Dunedain named Thorongil serving as his herald, a post that was exclusively reserved for those with royal blood since the days of Ondoher. Earnil wished to make the young man a noble of the kingdom but Thorongil vanished from Gondor after the royal fleet returned to Pelargir. Earnill II is killed by a morgul arrow while inspecting the fortifications along the Anduin. His brother takes the throne after his death. The Rammas Echor is built to defend the outskirts of Minas Anor, which have become the breadbasket of the kingdom, feeding Anorien, Minas Anor and Minas Tirith. This is done under the direction of Steward Ecthelion II.
- Stewards of Gondor under Earnil II
- Ecthelion II
Arciryas* - son of Earnil II. Born 2956 TA. Died 2987 TA at the age of 31 in battle against Mordor after an 8 year reign. Ruled from 2979 TA to 2987 TA. In the year of his death, the Witch King and five Nazgul lead a host of orcs in an attempted crossing of the Anduin as to circumvent the long wall guarding Minas Tirith through taking the ruins of Osgiliath. The fierce fighting over the ruins ends with the orc host defeated and the Nazgul in retreat. King Arciryas was wounded several times by a Morgul blade when he fought and defeated a Nazgul in single combat. despite the best efforts of the healers of Gondor, he died of his wounds. Due to the youth of his son, his uncle Siriondil takes the crown.
- Stewards of Gondor under Arciryas
- Ecthelion II
- Denethor II
Siriondil II* - brother of Earnil II. Born 2895 TA. Died 2999 TA at the age of 104 after a reign of 12 years. Ruled from 2987 TA to 2999 TA.The war against Mordor continued throughout his reign and the Shadow assails the spirit of the people very heavily in his day. The Poros river is crossed several times by Haradrim and Khand hosts. They are prevented from crossing the Anduin. In Ithilien, Sauron amasses the largest host of orcs since the Long War of the Witch King and besieges Minas Tirith. This named by later generations the 30 Year Siege and it lasts until the end of the age. The majority of the forces of Gondor in the north are now tied up in defending the Long Wall to Minas Tirith and the fortress city itself.
In 2999 TA a plague out of Rhun sweeps into Gondor. The King goes forth among his people and delivers healing unto them, the healing arts having been the passion of Siriondil. He does this unto exhaustion, then catches the plague himself and dies. Athelas ceases to heal after his death. It’s does not heal again until the ending of the age. Siriondil was childless and his brother takes the throne.
- Stewards of Gondor under Siriondil
- Denethor II
Caliondil* - brother of Siriondil II and Earnil II; son of Narmacil III. Born 2929 TA. Died in 3019 TA at the age of 90 after a reign of 20 years. Ruled from 2999 TA to 3019 TA. Takes the throne after the death of his brother Siriondil II. Rules from 2999 TA to 3019 TA. The slow phase of the war with Mordor happens in the majority of his reign. The siege against Minas Tirith continues. More and more of the forces of Gondor are diverted to man its fortifications. The White Tree dies in 3000 TA. The King leads a host south to check the Haradrim advance in 3001 TA and wins a victory over them. The victory gives Gondor a much needed breathing room in the southern provinces. Caliondil dies in the War of the Ring. He takes no wife due to the war against Mordor, and to appease partisans of the line of his nephew Arciryas.
He was nigh unto brothers with his Steward Denethor II. The two worked tirelessly together to try and devise a way to defeat Mordor. Consulting the Palantir, Caliondil and Denethor learn that Sauron is seeking a powerful weapon. He sends his heir Anardil to the council held in Rivendell, convened to discuss the upcoming offensive by Mordor, surely to be launched after Sauron obtains his sought after weapon. Caliondil and his Steward die in battle of Pelennor Fields in the War of the Ring
- Stewards of Gondor under Caliondil
- Denethor II*
Anardil II - son of Arciryas. Born in 2979 TA. He was too young to take the throne after the death of his father. He was a great friend of Boromir, the Steward’s Heir, as the two were raised up together from childhood. Anardil fights in the War of the Ring, with distinction at the battle of Helm’s Deep and the Relief of the Siege of Minas Tirith. He joins Aragorn II of Arnor on his march on the Black Gate as part of the Host of the West. Survives the War of the Ring and rules into the Fourth Age with his co-king Elessar, who he outlives. Gondor is much wearied from the war with Mordor, and Anardil II devotes the majority of his rule to restoring the southern kingdom to its prosperity. Anardil II leads the armies of Gondor to war in the recovery of Umbar and Harondor in the early Fourth Age. After completing the restoration of his kingdom's natural borders, Anardil II puts up his sword and rules in peace for the rest of his days. He lives to the age of 207, the longest of his line since Calimehtar. The House of Anarion flourishes and peace rules Gondor.
- Stewards of Gondor under Anardil II
- Boromir*
- Faramir