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sador
Half-elven
Jan 29 2009, 9:16am
Post #1 of 7
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The Numenorean Kingdoms, part VI - "was there no woman of the race of Numenor to chose?"
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Gondor! Gondor, between the Mountains and the Sea!
West Wind blew there; the light upon the Silver Tree
Fell like bright rain in gardens of the Kings of old.
O proud walls! White towers! O wingéd crown and throne of gold!
O Gondor, Gondor! Shall Men behold the Silver Tree,
Or West Wind blow again between the Mountains and the Sea?
Unlike Arnor, the appendix offers us no description of Gondor until later – which would be understandable if we assumed they were written by Findegil the King’s Writer (as was the best copy of the Red Book). But for hobbits, and for us as well, something should be offered – so I return to the verses Aragorn spoke in ‘The Riders of Rohan’.
1. Here we see three main features of Gondor: the landscape west of Anduin, the Silver Tree, and the West Wind. What feeling do these three convey?
2. The West Wind (with two capital W!) is noteworthy. It reminds one of the Lament for Boromir, in which the wandering West Wind was asked first, then the sighing South Wind, and finally the mighty North Wind. I’ve always understood this to refer to the way Boromir took, the way he suggested the company should take (in ‘A Journey in the Dark’, after Gandalf reminded him of Saruman’s treason), and the way he actually went; but now I see it also fits Aragorn’s poem. What do you think?
Before we learn of the history of the South Kingdom, I would like to query it’s status: after all, it was the kingdom of Elendil’s sons, surely under their father’s overlordship; and Isildur was his eldest (and only surviving) king. What was the exact status of Meneldil Anarion’s son?
In the Council of Elrond, this question was obliquely hinted at. Consider Boromir’s words (and remember, at this stage he knows already of Aragorn’s claim):
All know in Gondor that he went first (Isildur, before returning to the North) to Minas Anor and dwelt a while with his nephew Meneldil, instructing him, before he comitted to him the rule of the South Kingdom.
Nobody argues with him; however, Gandalf quotes from Isildur’s scroll:
The Great Ring shall go now to be a heirloom of the North Kingdom; but records of it shall be left in Gondor, where also dwell the heirs of Elendil.
3. Do you also notice the difference in tone? Which account, if any, supports or contradicts Denethor’s claim: “I am Steward of the House of Anarion”?
4. Why was the white tree planted then and there? Did Isildur take another sapling with him to plant in Anuminas, or was this to be the only memory of Nimloth the fair? In what way does it balance the plethora of heirlooms of the kingdom of Arnor, as mentioned on the previous thread?
One should also mention the character of Meneldil. Note no. 10 to ‘The Disaster of the Gladden Fields’ reads:
He was a man of courtesy, but far-seeing, and he did not reveal his thoughts. He was in fact well-pleased by the departure of Isildur and his sons, and hoped that the affairs in the North would keep them long occupied.
5. What does that say about him, and about the way he saw his inheritance?
Be it as may, “Though war never ceased on their borders, for more than a thousand years the Dunedain of the South grew in wealth and power by land and sea”. Arnor may have been the inheritance of Isildur himself, but his descendants paled next to his brother’s. At the time Amlaith of Fornost was forced to recognise the seccesion of his brothers in Cardolan and Rhudaur, the kings of Gondor were in the middle of their campaign to defeat the Haradrim, having already “won much territory eastwards” (said of king Turambar).
Ostoher, the seventh king, is mentioned in the appendix for two reasons: he rebuilt Minas Anor, which became afterwards the summer-home of the kings rather than Osgiliath, and for his being first attacked by the Easterlings – who are defeated by his son Romendacil I, and by his grandson Turambar.
King Taranon Falastur began the line of the ‘ship kings’ – the four kings that built great navies, and struggled with the Haradrim for the mastership of the coasts. King Taranon himself was a great captain, but childless. His nephew Earnil and his grandson Ciryandil continued his struggle with the Haradrim, both perishing in the South (one in a sea-storm, and one in battle) – amd finally Ciryaher defeated the Haradrim utterly, conquering Umbar and levying tribute from the other kings of Harad (recall Damrod’s words in ‘On Herbs and Stewed Rabbit’: “’Tis said that there were dealings of old between Gondor and the kingdoms of the Harad in the Far South; though there was never friendship. In those days our bound were away south beyond the mouths of Anduin, and Umbar, the nearest of their realms, acknowledged our sway”).
Taking the name of Hyarmendacil, Ciryaher brought Gondor to the apex of its power – ruling from Tharbad to the sea of Rhun, and from Celebrant to Umbar (in UT, Christopher Tolkien notes that this must have meant ‘the Field of Celebrant’, as Gondor never ruled Fangorn or Lorien).
6. Why did Ostoher rebuild Minas Tirith? Was it ever conquered? And why move the King’s seat to it – because it was more pleasant, because it was the city of Anarion, because of the threat of the Easterlings?
7. The Easterlings’ threat was destroyed by King Turambar, until the times of Minalcar. However, at about the time king Hyarmendacil defeated the Haradrim, the Wise became aware of the new shadow in Dol Guldur (app. B). Actually, according to the essay on the Istari in UT, Curunir came at about 700 over the Sea – which means the Valar were concerned that Sauron had survived as early as that. What was happening in the east? Who was responsible for these first invasions?
8. King Falastur was the first childless king, and is brought by this appendix as an example of the beginning of the decline of Gondor (which Faramir described so movingly in ‘The Window on the West’). However, a note in UT seems to blame this on his unsuccesful marriage with that mysterious witch, Queen Beruthiel. Any comments, UUT’s, connections with other wicked witches - or diatribes against gender-prejudice?
9. Another things which catches the eye is the names the kings take. In Arnor one senses a pattern: first names in Quenya form, then Sindarin (in the early kings of Arthedain), then names starting with ar-, as a token of their claim to the throne of all Arnor. No heroes, except for king Beleg. The kings of Gondor, however, take names of power – Earendil (!), Anardil (the name of the great king of Numenor, Tar-Aldarion), Turambar, Calmacil (another Numenorean king), Falastur “Lord of the Coasts”, and all those who take the suffix ‘-dacil’ i.e. victor. What does this say about the Kings’ self-image?
Hyarmendacil’s son was Atanatar II Alcarin, ‘the Golrious’. In his days, men said “precious stones ar pebbles in Gondor for children to play with” – but the “decay”, and “waning” as Tolkien calls it is accelerated in his time, and in the time of his two sons (at least, until they hit upon the bright idea to appoint someone else as Regent). But one important deed of his is mentioned (in a footnote in the section dealing with Arnor): he had changed the original crown of Gondor, the war-helm of Isildur, into the more ornamented crown with which king Elessar was crowned.
10. Why did Isildur leave his helm in Gondor? And why would king Atanatar change this crown – was it only to flaunt his jewelry?
11. Names again: the decline of Numenor was first felt in the time of Tar-Atanamir the Great, and that of Numenor in the time of Atanatar the Glorious (wih Alcarin, another name of a Numenorean king, thrown in for good measure). Comments?
Whatever fault one might find with kings Narmacil and Calmacil – at least they knew someone more able than themselves should run the kingdom’s business. So Minalcar son of Calmacil was appointed as Regent, making him effectively the ruler of Gondor for 126 years (more than half of them in another’s name).
Minalcar anticipated the threat of the Easterlings, and made an alliance with the Northmen, which lived in Rhovanion. Together with them he defeated the Easterlings, taking the name of Romendacil after the fashion of his family. He is known for erecting the pillars of the Argonath (Gondor’s carft of stonemasonary had survived long down the years!), and for taking Northmen into his service. His son, Valacar went to the realm of the powerful Northren prince Vidugavia as an ambassador – and to the Dunedain’s dismay, falls in love with and marries Vidumavi, Vidugavia’s daughter, returning home with a son, a half-breed heir to the throne of Gondor!
For the High Men of Gondor already looked at askance at the Northmen among them; and it was a thing unheard of before that the heir to the crown, or any son of the King, should wed one of lesser and alien race. There was already rebellion in the southern provinces when King Valacar was old. His queen had been a fair and noble lady, but short-lived according to the fate of lesser Men, and the Dunedain feared that her descendants would prove the same and fall from the majesty of the Kings of Men. Also they were unwilling to accept as lord her son, who though he was now called Eldacar, had been born in an alien country and was named in his youth Vinitharya.
Comment about racism and xenophobia if you feel like it, but I am going to ask two other questions:
12. Do you remember Faramir’s description of the Stewards being “wiser, and more fortunate” in ‘The Window on the West’? He was commending Cirion for his alliance with Eorl. But does this apply to King Valacar as well? To Faramir himself? As one who knew well the history of Gondor, how could he risk another cross-racial marriage?
13. A question for those into languages (you know who I have in mind – but anyone else is welcome, too!): in UT, in note no. 6 to ‘Cirion and Eorl’, Christopher Tolkien notes that the names of the Northmen are Gothic in form, ‘Vidugavia’ meaning “wood-dweller”, and ‘Vidumavi’ – “wood-maiden” What does ‘Vinitharya’ mean? Is it connected in any way to the name Eldacar? And when was the Gothic changed to Anglo-Saxon – ‘Marhwini’ is still Gothic, but what of 'Frumgar'?
Next comes the Kin-strife. I will try to cover all the three great disasters which befell Gondor in one thread.
"That is a chapter of ancient history which it might be good to recall; for there was sorrow then too, and gathering dark, but great valour, and great deeds that were not wholly vain."
Thus Gandalf. But Elrond was deflating:
"I have seen three ages in the West of the world, and many defeats, and many fruitless victories".
We've reached The Grey Havens last week, but the discussion still goes on!
Join us for appendix A, i-iv - the Numenorean kingdoms.
(This post was edited by sador on Jan 29 2009, 9:19am)
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Curious
Half-elven
Jan 30 2009, 12:21am
Post #2 of 7
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1. Here we see three main features of Gondor: the landscape west of Anduin, the Silver Tree, and the West Wind. What feeling do these three convey?
The remnants of Numenor.
2. The West Wind (with two capital W!) is noteworthy. It reminds one of the Lament for Boromir, in which the wandering West Wind was asked first, then the sighing South Wind, and finally the mighty North Wind. I’ve always understood this to refer to the way Boromir took, the way he suggested the company should take (in ‘A Journey in the Dark’, after Gandalf reminded him of Saruman’s treason), and the way he actually went; but now I see it also fits Aragorn’s poem. What do you think?
The West Wind specifically symbolizes Valinor, although in LotR the South and North Winds can be just as beneficial.
3. Do you also notice the difference in tone? Which account, if any, supports or contradicts Denethor’s claim: “I am Steward of the House of Anarion”?
The key question is whether Isildur relinquished his and his son's claim to the South Kingdom forever, or temporarily while he traveled north. But that isn't the only reason the Northern Kings claimed the throne of Gondor -- they were also the closest kin through marriage to one of the princesses of Gondor, and of course Gondor's line eventually ended without an heir in the south.
4. Why was the white tree planted then and there?
Why not?
Did Isildur take another sapling with him to plant in Anuminas, or was this to be the only memory of Nimloth the fair?
We don't know for sure what Isildur brought with him, but there is no mention of a sapling.
In what way does it balance the plethora of heirlooms of the kingdom of Arnor, as mentioned on the previous thread?
It's a nice heirloom.
He was in fact well-pleased by the departure of Isildur and his sons, and hoped that the affairs in the North would keep them long occupied.
5. What does that say about him, and about the way he saw his inheritance?
It implies that he may not have had a right to usurp Isildur's son in the south.
6. Why did Ostoher rebuild Minas Tirith? Was it ever conquered? And why move the King’s seat to it – because it was more pleasant, because it was the city of Anarion, because of the threat of the Easterlings?
Because it was a better fortress than Osgiliath.
7. What was happening in the east? Who was responsible for these first invasions?
Sauron was rising.
8. King Falastur was the first childless king, and is brought by this appendix as an example of the beginning of the decline of Gondor (which Faramir described so movingly in ‘The Window on the West’). However, a note in UT seems to blame this on his unsuccesful marriage with that mysterious witch, Queen Beruthiel. Any comments, UUT’s, connections with other wicked witches - or diatribes against gender-prejudice?
He wouldn't have married badly if he had been in proper touch with the Higher Powers.
9. Another things which catches the eye is the names the kings take. In Arnor one senses a pattern: first names in Quenya form, then Sindarin (in the early kings of Arthedain), then names starting with ar-, as a token of their claim to the throne of all Arnor. No heroes, except for king Beleg. The kings of Gondor, however, take names of power – Earendil (!), Anardil (the name of the great king of Numenor, Tar-Aldarion), Turambar, Calmacil (another Numenorean king), Falastur “Lord of the Coasts”, and all those who take the suffix ‘-dacil’ i.e. victor. What does this say about the Kings’ self-image?
Lots more war in Gondor. They needed to take valiant names.
10. Why did Isildur leave his helm in Gondor? And why would king Atanatar change this crown – was it only to flaunt his jewelry?
It is the crown of the South Kingdom, not the North, which has its own crown. Flaunting jewelry may indeed be the whole point.
11. Names again: the decline of Numenor was first felt in the time of Tar-Atanamir the Great, and that of Numenor in the time of Atanatar the Glorious (wih Alcarin, another name of a Numenorean king, thrown in for good measure). Comments?
Atanamir was a name of ill repute be the time the king of Gondor used it; it's a bad sign that he took the name of a greedy Numenorean
12. Do you remember Faramir’s description of the Stewards being “wiser, and more fortunate” in ‘The Window on the West’? He was commending Cirion for his alliance with Eorl. But does this apply to King Valacar as well? To Faramir himself? As one who knew well the history of Gondor, how could he risk another cross-racial marriage?
Race had nothing to do with the decline of Gondor.
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hanne
Lorien
Jan 31 2009, 2:20am
Post #3 of 7
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The West Wind specifically symbolizes Valinor
And so then bliss, God, divinity, no? Gondor fell when it lost its moral power - that it was meant to have at its best - and was renewed when it regained it again, with Aragorn's refusal of Sauron's temptations and going to war as sacrifice and service, not for power and domination. The very brief outline in these appendices seems all about setting up a long tragic sinking (parallel to Numenor's) so the Return of the king is that much more significant.
Is it too obvious to suggest that all three ages had the same arc, with that respect? Corruption by power bringing final disaster, but last-minute redemption by a small, faithful, moral few (1. Earendil, 2. Elendil, 3. Frodo and Aragorn). And all helped by the West Wind of Manwe (1. Eonwe and his army, 2. the west wind blowing Elendil to shore 3. Eagle rescues).
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Curious
Half-elven
Jan 31 2009, 4:27am
Post #4 of 7
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In Tolkien's world, history is a long decline,
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punctuated by too-brief periods where some past glories are briefly restored, especially at the beginning of a new age. Only in Valinor are past glories preserved throughout the ages.
Tolkien uses wind symbolically in LotR to a greater extent than in any of his other stories. But in The Silmarillion the Great Eagles symbolize Manwe's continued interest in Middle-earth. And Ulmo always has a presence in the waters of Middle-earth. Plus, from time to time characters seem to channel one of the Valar, as for example when Fingolfin challenged Morgoth, or when Helm Hammerhand roamed the winter like a personification of Tulkas.
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Curious
Half-elven
Jan 31 2009, 2:36pm
Post #6 of 7
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I was thinking of his strength, but his personality does differ from Tulkas. Okay, how about Bullroarer Took? Or Theoden channeling Orome?
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sador
Half-elven
Feb 2 2009, 7:24am
Post #7 of 7
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"That is a chapter of ancient history which it might be good to recall; for there was sorrow then too, and gathering dark, but great valour, and great deeds that were not wholly vain."
Thus Gandalf. But Elrond was deflating:
"I have seen three ages in the West of the world, and many defeats, and many fruitless victories".
We've reached The Grey Havens last week, but the discussion still goes on!
Join us for appendix A, i-iv - the Numenorean kingdoms.
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