It is one of the greatest and
longest-lasting realms of men in all Middle-earth. Rising from the ashes
of Numenor, it would survive war, plague, and turmoil for over 3000 years before
finally seeing the Return of the King. Today, on Nerd of the Rings,
we cover the History of Gondor. After the Downfall of Numenor, the five ships of
Isildur and Anarion were brought to the southern lands of Middle-earth, while their father Elendil
and his four ships were taken north. In 3320 SA, the brothers continue their voyage up the
Anduin River, landing in the heart of the new realm they would build - Gondor. While
known as a great kingdom in later days, Gondor was initially subservient to Elendil’s
northern kingdom of Arnor. Isildur and Anarion rule as Kings of Gondor, while Elendil
rules over both realms as the High King. Isildur settles in and rules over the lands
of Ithilien. He builds the tower of Minas Ithil on the border of Gondor and Mordor
as a direct threat to Sauron. Minas Ithil, meaning “Tower of the Moon”, is where Isildur
plants the sapling of the White Tree of Nimloth which he saved from Numenor. Meanwhile,
Anarion builds the city of Minas Anor, “The Tower of the Sun”, directly to the West
across the river. Between their two cities, the brothers establish the first capital
of their realm - Osgiliath. The capital city is known for its beauty and has great
stone bridges going over the river Anduin. Aside from the great craftsmanship shown
in the construction of these three cities, the early Gondorians were also responsible
for some of the most iconic monuments and buildings in all Middle-earth. The Second Age
Gondorians constructed the tower of Orthanc, made of unbreakable black stone. Another
great black stone is one Isildur brings from Numenor - the Stone of Erech, upon which the
King of the Mountains swears an oath that he will one day break. Gondor also builds a fortress
within its realm of Calenardhon at Aglarond, also known as the Glittering Caves, with other
wonders to follow in their later history. Among these great cities and fortresses are
spread four of the seven palantiri rescued from the Fall of Numenor. Isildur
and Anarion placenone in each in their cities of Minas Anor and Minas Ithil,
they place one in the capital of Osgiliath, and one is stationed in the tower of Orthanc
at the northern border of their realm. Among the citizens of this newly
formed kingdom are men of Numenor who already lived in Middle-earth. These
people, many of whom were among the Faithful and at least partially of Numenorean
descent, lived in long-held Numenorean colonies like Belfalas and Pelargir. The nobles
of Belfalas were given a hereditary Princedom - from which we would eventually
get Imrahil, the Prince of Dol Amroth. Despite its role as the lesser kingdom,
Gondor is, from the very beginning, more powerful and populous than the northern Arnor.
Though soon enough, Gondor would have to look north for aid. Shortly after the cities of Minas
Anor, Osgiliath, and Minas Ithil are finished, the fires of Orodruin awaken, signaling the
return of Sauron. Being survivors of Numenor, the Gondorians were aware of Sauron
from his time on the island kingdom, though this was their first proof that
he had survived its destruction. From this moment onward, the Men of Gondor refer
to Orodruin as Amon Amarth, or Mount Doom. In 3429, Sauron begins his quest for vengeance
upon the men of Numenor. He launches an attack upon Minas Ithil, forcing Isildur to retreat along
with his family and a seedling of the White Tree of Gondor. He sails down the Anduin and out to sea
before going to his father in Arnor. Meanwhile, Anarion is left to hold out against Sauron,
protecting Minas Anor and Osgiliath for the next five years. He would in fact succeed in
driving Sauron’s forces back to the Ephel Duath, but as their enemy gathers reinforcements, they
know they cannot hold the line indefinitely. Finally, in 3434 SA, Isildur would return
alongside his father, Elrond halfelven, and the High King of the Noldor, Gil-galad in
the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. Anarion would meet this host at the northwest corner of Mordor,
where they fight Sauron’s forces in the Battle of Dagorlad. While the death toll is great,
especially among the Silvan elves, the Alliance is victorious and
presses on to Sauron’s own fortress. For the next seven years, the Alliance lays
siege to Barad-dur. In the 6th year of the siege (3440 SA), Anarion is struck by a rock
thrown from the tower and killed. Finally, in 3441 SA, Sauron himself comes forth
from Barad-dur. So great was his attack that he pushes the Alliance back to
the slopes of Mount Doom. But there, Sauron comes face to face with the High Kings
of Elves and Men - Gil-galad and Elendil. The three fight in legendary combat until all
three are thrown down. In this moment, Isildur takes the hilt shard of his father’s
sword and cuts the One Ring from Sauron’s hand. No longer able to hold his physical form, Sauron’s
spirit flees, and the Alliance is victorious. Isildur returns to Gondor after
the leveling of Barad-dur and the destruction of Sauron’s forces. With his
father and brother both slain in the war, he is now in line to become the new High King.
At the border of Anorien and Calenardhon, Isildur constructs a secret tomb for Elendil
upon Amon Anwar. He would also plant the seedling of the White Tree in Minas Anor in
memory of his brother. And after two years of preparing his nephew Meneldil for rule, he
leaves Gondor in the hands of its third King. Isildur departs Gondor in the second year of
the Third Age, intending to take up the High Kingship of both Gondor and Arnor in Annuminas.
Instead, he would die after an ambush by orcs, and the One Ring is lost to the
Anduin. Despite the loss of Isildur, both Gondor and Arnor would grow in wealth
and power for the next 800 years. Gondor’s growth being only briefly interrupted by an
Easterling invasion in 492 TA. However, while Arnor would begin it’s steady decline into ruin,
Gondor would continue marching to prosperity. From 830-1149 TA, Gondor experiences it’s Golden
Age - a period of rule by four consecutive rulers collectively known as the Ship-kings. These
kings, Tarannon Falastur, Earnil I, Ciryandil, and Ciryaher Hyarmendacil I, would seek
to expand Gondor’s might in both military and navy. Tarannon, the first of these kings,
extends Gondor’s realm both west and south of the Mouths of the Anduin. Tarranon is also
known as the husband of Queen Beruthiel, a Black Numenorean known for being
nefarious, solitary, and loveless, and of course for her spy cats - all of which
is covered in my Black Numenoreans video. Tarannon is the first King of Gondor to die
without an heir to his throne. And having years earlier cast his wife out to sea adrift
aboard a ship, the crown passes to his nephew Earnil I. Earnil continues the expansion of
his uncle by constructing a great navy and repairing the old Numenorean port of Pelargir.
Despite the greatness Gondor had achieved, it was not yet the supreme power of the coasts of
Middle-earth - for there was still the haven of Umbar - also a former Numenorean port, but under
the control of Black Numenoreans and Haradrim. In 933 TA, twenty years into his kingship, Earnil I attacks the forces of Umbar, seizing
control of the harbor and as a result, the seas of Middle-earth. Still, the sea itself
was not tamed, for just three years later, Earnil is lost at sea and never seen again. His
son Ciryandil rises to the kingship. The third ship king continues the practice of building ever
more ships, though he would die 79 years later in Umbar when the Haradrim, led by the lords
exiled by his father lay siege to the city. Ciryaher then becomes the fourth and final
ship-king. He seeks vengeance for his father’s death and after building up his armies, he attacks
Harad by both land and sea in a decisive victory in 1050 TA. He forces the defeated kings of Harad
to acknowledge the overlordship of Gondor and dubs himself Hyarmendacil, meaning “South-victor”.
At this moment, Gondor is at the very height of it’s power - both militarily and in terms of lands
occupied. Their lands stretched from Celebrant in the north to Harnen and Umbar in the south. From
the Greyflood in the west to the Sea of Rhun in the east. The realm was now spread far and wide,
but it would not last - for lesser kings, plague, and civil war were on the horizon.
– With Hyarmendacil’s death in 1149 TA, his son
Atanatar takes the throne as sixteenth king of Gondor. During his seventy-seven year reign,
the strength and wealth of Gondor would begin to deteriorate. The 19th king was Romendacil
II, would take the crown in 1304 TA. And while there had been two kings between these rulers,
Romendacil was effectively the ruler during nearly the entire reigns of his father and uncle
before him after winning great renown in battle. During the rule of his uncle, the Easterlings
resumed their attacks on Gondor and during his battles, Romdendacil discovers not all of
the Northmen adhered to Gondor. Seeking to secure the region, he leads a great force from
Gondor to attack the Easterling army occupying the lands between Rhovanion and the Sea of
Rhun in 1248 TA. His attack is a success, completely defeating the Easterlings west of the sea. It is then that he begins going by
the name Romendacil, meaning “East-victor”. In that very year, Romendacil fortifies the
western shore of the Anduin north through the lands of Calenardhon. It is at his behest that the
Argonath, the great Pillars of the Kings Anarion and Isildur, are constructed north of Amon Hen.
It’s possible that the Seat of Seeing and the Seat of Hearing were also built during this time
given their proximity and Romendacil’s interest in the north. He also took a special interest
in the Northmen, many of whom he brought into his service. Romendacil even goes so far as
to send his son to live among the northmen, though this seemingly small act
would bring civil war to Gondor. Prince Valacar would marry a woman of the Northmen
and have a son named Eldacar. Valacar would rule for 66 years after his father’s death, but when
he dies in 1432, Eldacar takes the throne to the anger of many. For many Gondorians of Numenorean
blood disapproved of Eldacar’s mixed heritage, and believed a half-breed had no right to
rule. Chief among these was his second cousin Castamir. Castamir was Gondor’s Captain
of Ships, and thus was supported by both Umbar and Pelargir among other
coastal regions of the realm. In 1437, five years into his cousin’s rule,
Castamir leads a rebellion and besieges the city of Osgiliath. During this attack, Osgiliath
is covered in flames and the Dome of Stars, a great hall in the capital, is destroyed and
its palantir is lost in the Anduin. In his sack of Osgiliath, Castamir first shows his utter
cruelty and executes Eldacar’s son Ornendil. Thus begins the kin-strife in Gondor -
a topic that can and will get it’s own video in the future, but for now, we’ll
touch on some of the biggest key points… Eldacar goes into exile, fleeing to
his mother’s kin in Rhovanion. In turn, many of the Northmen previously loyal
to Gondor, as well as Gondorians in the northern provinces rally behind the rightful
king. Castamir would rule Gondor for 10 years, continuing to show his true colors to his people
and steadily losing favor and becoming seen as the usurper he was. Finally, in 1447, Eldacar
returns with a great army from Rhovanion and meets Castamir’s forces at the Crossings
of Erui. Many are killed in this deadly conflict before Eldacar takes his vengeance
upon Castamir, killing him in single combat. Castamir’s sons retreat to the haven of
Pelargir, where they would hold out for a year before sailing with all their forces to
Umbar. Eldacar, who had no ships of his own, is unable to pursue them, and as a result,
Gondor would lose control of Umbar for the next 400 years as the sons of Castamir join the
enemies of Gondor, bringing about the Corsairs of Umbar. The Corsairs would ally with the Haradrim
in a war against Gondor in which the new king, Eldacar’s son Aldamir, was killed. Eleven years
later, in 1551 TA, Aldamir’s son would defeat the men of Harad in battle, avenging his
father and taking the name Hyarmendacil II. The Corsairs would plague the coast of Gondor for
many years, but another plague would become a much greater concern for Gondor in 1636 TA. This
plague affects a huge area of Middle-earth, and its source is an old and ancient foe.
The plague coincides with the emergence of a shadow in Dol Guldur, and Sauron’s
plague would not only devastate Gondor, but their enemies to the East and South as well.
We are told Osgiliath is especially hard hit and people fleeing the city would cause Minas Anor to
become the new capital of the kingdom. Meanwhile, Calenardhon is so hard hit by the plague
that it is nearly completely abandoned. Among the casualties of the plague
are not only thousands of Gondorians, but King Telemnar, all his children,
and even the White Tree of Gondor. After the kin-strife and now this Great Plague,
Gondor has been severely weakened. In 1856 TA, enemies would once again come from the East. The
spirit of Sauron once again moves the Easterlings into hostilities against Gondor. This group of
easterlings, known as the Wainriders, traveled in great fortified camps of wagons and had invaded
Rhovanion. King Narmacil II leads Gondor and the men of the north in the Battle of the Plains south
of Mirkwood. The battle is a disaster. Narmacil II is killed and the Easterlings enslave the
people of Rhovanion. Some of the northmen would escape and flee to the upper vales of Anduin
in their exile, becoming known as the Eotheod. The First Lord of the Eotheod,
warns the new King Calimehtar, who was determined to avenge his father, that the
Wainriders are preparing a raid on Calenardhon, but that the enslaved northmen were also
nearing a revolt. With time being precious, Calimehtar leads an army north, drawing the
Wainriders south to meet them at Dagorlad. As the battle seems in doubt, Calimehtar’s secret
cavalry crosses the Undeeps, meets up with the Eotheod riders and arriving at the
battle, assure their victory. Between the battle and the revolt in Rhovanion,
the Wainriders are driven back to the east. In 1940 TA, after many centuries of
operating independently of one another, King Ondoher of Gondor meets with King Araphant
of Arthedain - a splinter kingdom of the former Arnor. They realize that the wars and plague
and misfortune they’ve experienced are no mere coincidence. There is a single force
bent upon the destruction of the Dunedain. The Kingdoms ally once more in hopes of saving
both from collapse and Prince Arvedui marries Ondoher’s daughter Firiel, further cementing
their alliance. However, whatever alliance there was would be short lived, and merely
bring about another contest for the throne. Just four years after their alliance, Gondor’s
enemies make a coordinated assault. The Haradrim invade from the south and just a few
days later, Wainriders return from the East. Ondoher’s distant cousin Earnil II leads an army
south, while Ondoher leads an army north to meet the wainriders. The chariots and horsemen of the
easterlings wreak havoc upon the King’s Guard, and Ondoher and both his sons are
killed in the Disaster of the Morannon. After destroying the Haradrim in the
south, Earnil II brings his army north, catching the Easterlings by surprise in
their celebration and decimate their forces, driving the survivors back to the East. With the
death of Ondoher and his heirs, both Arvedui and Earnil II lay claim to the throne. Arvedui’s
claim comes from, and would hinge upon, reintroducing an ancient Numenorean law of
accession, which would see the eldest child, not eldest son, inherit the throne, in which
case his wife Firiel would become the first Ruling Queen of Gondor. He also attempted
to captialize on the fact that he himself was the heir of Isildur, and their children would
symbolize this reunification of Gondor and Arnor. While the Steward Pelendur and Council of Gondor
acknowledge the honor that the Heir of Isildur title commands, they decree the King of Gondor
must be of the line of Anarion, and the kingship passes to Earnil II. Earnil, who is described as
both wise and humble, sends a message to Arvedui saying, "I do not forget the loyalty of Arnor,
nor deny our kinship, nor wish that the realms of Elendil should be estranged. I will send you
aid when you have need, so far as I am able." This oath would be fulfilled as Arthedain
continues to be plagued by its centuries old enemy - the Witch-king of Angmar. In
the fall of 1973, Gondor receives word that Arthedain is about to be attacked as the Angmar
War surpasses 400 years. Earnil II sends his son Earnur north with a fleet as great as they could
spare. However, by the time they arrive, Arthedain is conquered and Arvedui is drowned in the sea.
Earnur joins with Cirdan, and the combined force of elves and men destroys the army of Angmar.
Earnur seeks to fight the Witch-king, but his horse is terrified and flees the battle against
its rider’s wishes. The Witch-king mocks Earnur, but would himself flee at the coming of Glorfindel
and the elves of Rivendell. It was in this moment that Glorfindel pronounced his prophesy
that not “by the hand of man shall he fall.” Being driven from the north, the Witch-king
would instead bring the war directly to Gondor. He returns to Modor in 1980 TA and rallies the
other eight Nazgul to him. Twenty years later, they lay siege to Minas Ithil and in 2002 TA,
they sack the city, take control of its palantir, and remake the city to a place of unspeakable
evil. This once great city of Isildur is occupied by foul creatures and comes to be known
as Minas Morgul, “Tower of Dark Sorcery”. This leads many Gondorians living in Ithilien to
flee, depopulating the lands east of the river. After his father’s death, Earnur ascends to the
throne in 2043 TA. After Earnur’s coronation, the Witch-king sends him a challenge
to single combat while reminding him of his disgrace of seeming to flee the
battlefield in the north. Fortunately, the Steward, Mardil Voronwe
convinces the king not to go. However, seven years later, in 2050, the
Witch-king renews his challenge and this time, the King would accept. He sets his crown
on his father’s lap in the Houses of the Dead and with a small escort of knights,
he rides across the river and past the gates of Minas Morgul. None of the
company would ever be seen again. Earnur dies with no heir, and there are likewise
no others to claim the throne, thus ends the male Line of Anarion. The rule of Gondor passes to the
Stewards, who were set to rule “until the King returns”, for no one knew whether or not Earnur
had indeed been killed. Whatever other claims to the kingship would go unclaimed, either out
of doubt, or out of fear of another kin-strife. The time of the Ruling Stewards would
last for nearly 1000 years, a time that would see the return of the Easterlings and
Corsairs, old allies made into a new kingdom, visits from the Istari, and the War
of the Ring. We’ll cover all that, and much more in the History of Gondor
Part 2, here on Nerd of the Rings. 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
Keller brimbor the mighty MIM team weasel Rabbi Rob Thomas Charles Leisure Toby mobs music CCDC
red team nerd sidgeman any timer pelkey sports cards mokey the brown Christopher carbaugh Joe
Tepper Sky carcass slide belts Dane ragnarson selimerman zetrock bertelberg Grand strategy
nerd Graham derekot 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
Excellent as always my dude!
Awesome