Flammifer
Well-Known Member
In last night's class, the class seemed surprised at the information about the long and ancient resistance of the Stewards of Gondor to the notion of the return of a king.
However, none of this is new. It is all implied, if not explicit in TLOTR. In Appendix A we learn that, "On the death of Ondohir and his sons, Arvedui of the North-kingdon claimed the crown of Gondor, as the direct descendant of Isildur, and as the husband of Firiel, only surviving child of Ondohir. The claim was rejected. In this Pelendur, the Steward of King Ondohir, played the chief part."
So, we know that Pelendur constructed a successful coup d' etat, which replaced the legitimate Kings, with Earnil, as King of Gondor. But Earnil's son, Earnur, never married, and had no children. So, Pelendur's coup set up the eventual rule of the Stewards in Gondor.
We also know, from Appendix A, that after Mardil Voronwe (first of the Ruling Stewards), "His successors ceased to use High-elven names."
The only new thing we learned from this passage in 'The Nature of Middle-earth", is the emphasis and direct statement that, "from Pelendur onwards the Ruling Stewards were determined not to receive any such claimant (heirs of Isildur) but to remain supreme rulers of Gondor." However, this attitude might have been inferred from what we do know from TLOTR.
However, none of this is new. It is all implied, if not explicit in TLOTR. In Appendix A we learn that, "On the death of Ondohir and his sons, Arvedui of the North-kingdon claimed the crown of Gondor, as the direct descendant of Isildur, and as the husband of Firiel, only surviving child of Ondohir. The claim was rejected. In this Pelendur, the Steward of King Ondohir, played the chief part."
So, we know that Pelendur constructed a successful coup d' etat, which replaced the legitimate Kings, with Earnil, as King of Gondor. But Earnil's son, Earnur, never married, and had no children. So, Pelendur's coup set up the eventual rule of the Stewards in Gondor.
We also know, from Appendix A, that after Mardil Voronwe (first of the Ruling Stewards), "His successors ceased to use High-elven names."
The only new thing we learned from this passage in 'The Nature of Middle-earth", is the emphasis and direct statement that, "from Pelendur onwards the Ruling Stewards were determined not to receive any such claimant (heirs of Isildur) but to remain supreme rulers of Gondor." However, this attitude might have been inferred from what we do know from TLOTR.