Although not considered a Ruling Steward, Pelendur effectively ruled the kingdom for one year after King Ondoher and his sons were killed. Hrin and his house were of noble but not royal blood. Just like real life fiefdom, the regions that are ruled by high lords are nearly autonomous, as is required to keep such a large nation from fracturing. The House of Hrin was founded by one Hrin of Emyn Arnen, Steward to the King Minardil, the twenty-fifth King of Gondor (reigned T.A. The borders have been contested countless times over the ages, so there are other regions and fortresses that fell or were reclaimed. After the death of King Ernur, who left no heir to the throne of Gondor, the Steward Mardil Voronw became the first of the Ruling Stewards. There are many major cities and fortress, including Calembel, Dol Amroth, and former capital Osgiliath. During the time of the Steward Pelendur, this title became hereditary, passing the station of counselor from father to son, much like the Kingship. As such, it is far too large to be ruled directly by the King or High Steward, so there are other high lords throughout the kingdom who have rule in their own territory, but still pay homage to the High Steward. Gondor totals over 700k square miles, which is comparable to the size of Mexico or Indonesia. Although the capital of Minas Tirith is the focus in the last parts of the series, the lands of Gondor are vast. Middle-earth doesn’t follow real world rules exactly, but Gondor does mirror a feudalistic societies that existed within medieval Europe. This was not the answer that the ambitious Boromir wanted to hear, but this truth was key to keeping Gondor united until the great war with Sauron. When asked by Boromir how long it would be before a Steward can be King, Denethor replied “ In Gondor, ten thousand years will not suffice.”
In many other places, this would be a constant struggle, but Gondor culture and pride made it relatively safe from internal threats. When the last King, Eanur, disappeared and was presumed dead, he had no children and the rule was passed to the Stewards temporarily, in case a legitimate claim was made by someone with enough support to disrupt the line. Gondor is ruled by a line of Stewards in place of a King until he returns, whenever that may be. When a King dies, it naturally can take some time before a new one is chosen but in the case of Gondor it has been very long- 25 generations to be exact. Probably the most notable trait of Gondor, at least before the end of the series, is that it has no King.
0 kommentar(er)
