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sador
Gondolin
Jan 30 2009, 10:05am
Post #1 of 3
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The Numenorean Kingdoms, part IX - “in the name of the king, until he shall return”
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Earnil is now king.
On the surface level, he might be the greatest king of Gondor, possibly greater than Hyarnemdacil I – he was the general who defeated the forces of both Harad (and Khand), and the Wainriders; also, Gondor’s army was the major force which defeated the evil realm of Angmar. His son is a great warrior and captain, the one who led the army in the North. Being (as Tolkien tells us) wise and not arrogant, he is probably popular as well.
But he’s hardly a successful king: first, his most loyal allies, the Northmen of Rhovanion, now free from the Wainriders – move forth to become the Eotheod, in the lands free from the threat of Angmar.
And on the other hand, Angmar comes home – the Witch-king joins the other Ringwraiths in Mordor, and in 2000 they go down the pass of Cirith Ungol and lay siege to Minas Ithil – which falls after two years, becoming Minas Morgul.
1. Could he have prevented either of these happening? In an earlier thread, Dreamdeer suggested that Denethor is the greatest of all the stewards, but he was pitted against a foe beyond his, or indeed anyone’s, measure (parpahrasing Aragorn about Eowyn). Does the same apply to Earnil?
2. With all due respect to Denethor, Tolkien names Cirion the greatest of the Stewards. Could Earnil have granted Calenardhon to Frumgar? Might that have prevented the fall of Minas Ithil?
3. I also find it interesting that the enemy issued through the pass of Cirith Ungol. How could they get a huge army through that pass? Why not take the highway from Gorgoroth? Did the invaders only attack the guards of the main road, or did Tolkien mix this up? Which brings us back to squire’s post, from when we discussed the Tower.
One major headache king Earnil had, was restraining his son – who must have been chafing at the bit, wishing to remove the blemish on his honour caused by his horse’s fear of the Witch-king. And not marrying, either.
Earnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom. He was a man of strong body and hot mood; but he would take no wife, for his only pleasue was in fighting, or in the excercise of arms. His prowess was such that none in Gondor could stand against him in those weapon-sports in which he delighted, seeming rather a champion than a captain or king, and retaining his vigour to a later age than was usual.
When Earnur becomes king, the Witch-king challanges him to a duel. For seven years Earnur refuses, being restrained by the counsel of Mardil the steward (which didn’t however persuade him to marry); but being goaded at last by the Witch-king’s taunt that to the cowardice of youth he had added the weakness of old age – he finally takes up the challange, and with a small escort of knights rides to Minas Morgul.
It was believed in Gondor that the faithless enemy had trapped the king, and that he died in tormeny in Minas Morgul; but since there were no witnesses of his death, Mardil the Good Steward ruled Gondor in his name for many years.
4. Once again – the description of Earnur is in quotation marks. What is gained by this? Who wrote this, and when – at the time of the Stewards, or of King Elessar? Does it belong here, or is it more proper in the description of the battle against Angmar (which was also in quotation marks) – in terms of style, and of content?
5. Earnur didn’t have a wife, and must have known that he is leaving no direct heir. Did he see his ride as the final scene in the struggle of Numenor, carefreely assuming that if he is defeated there would be no point in Gindor continuing? If so, why did he leave his crown on his father’s lap?
The escort annoys me – recall two scenes from The Silmarillion:
Maedhros the tall, the eldest son, persuaded his brothers to feign to treat with Morgoth, and to meet his emissaries at the place appointed; but the Noldor had as little thought as had he. Wherefore each embassy came with greater force than was agreed; but Morgoth sent the more, and there were Balrogs. Maedhros was ambushed, and all his company were slain; but he himself was taken alive... (‘Of the Return of the Noldor’).
Then Fingolfin beheld (as it seemed to him) the utter ruin of the Noldor, and the defeat beyond redress of all their houses; and filled with wrath and despair he mounted upon Rochallor his great horse and rode forth alone... Thus he came alone to Angband’s gates, and smote once more upon the brazen doors, and challanged Morgoth to come forth to single combat. (‘Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin’).
6. Which of these rides does Earnil resemble more – Maedhros’, or Fingolfin’s?
7. Where did he get the escort from? Was there a cult of young fools who adored him – like the Guild of Venturers adored Tar-Aldarion when he was yet prince Anardil?
8. Why didn’t the Witch-king answer his challenge – did he actually fear Earnur? Fingolfin managed to shame Morgoth into a duel – couldn’t Earnur even do that? And how does anyone in Minas Tirith (get used to the new name!) know what actually happened there?
As could only have been expected, King Earnur never returned. Steward Mardil Voronwe rules the City of Guard (probably never really expecting the king back). After some unspecified time, the Council starts looking around for another king. The line of Arthedain is not even considered crown-worthy, and none of the other descendants of Anarion seem appetising; either they haven’t got pure blood, or their claim was ambiguous, or else they simply had no clout. So when Mardil dies, the white rod passes to his son Eradan, who takes oath “to hold rod and rule in the name of the king, until he shall return”.
9. Who was actually responsible for finding a new King – was it the interest of the claimants, or of the People? If we assume that a Monarchy is the most natural and correct type of government, why did people feel that no king is better than Kin-strife?
10. Gondorians are pretty smart, I think. Some must have realised that the Stewards were establising an effective Monarchy with a new Dynasty. Why didn’t that cause a second Kin-strife? Tolkien mentiones several unworthy claimants – why didn’t any of them rebel?
Next time we’ll look at the House of Stewards.
"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 Ataahua on Feb 1 2009, 12:35am)
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Dreamdeer
Doriath
Jan 30 2009, 8:25pm
Post #2 of 3
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...that Denethor might have been the greatest steward. One of the goodest, not the greatest.
Life is beautiful and dangerous! Beware! Enjoy!
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Elros
Ossiriand
Jan 31 2009, 4:00am
Post #3 of 3
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Quick thoughts before the fun begins
[In reply to]
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2. With all due respect to Denethor, Tolkien names Cirion the greatest of the Stewards. Could Earnil have granted Calenardhon to Frumgar? Might that have prevented the fall of Minas Ithil? He could have, but you've mentioned previously how much fuss there was previously when Gondorian royalty got themselved mixed up with those Northmen. Even if he had, I don't think it could have prevented the fall of Minas Ithil. Think of how long the "Muster of Rohan" took in LOTR. By the time the Northmen came to the aid of Gondor in Minas Ithil, it would have already long been Minas Morgal.
5. Earnur didn’t have a wife, and must have known that he is leaving no direct heir. Did he see his ride as the final scene in the struggle of Numenor, carefreely assuming that if he is defeated there would be no point in Gindor continuing? If so, why did he leave his crown on his father’s lap? I highly doubt he was worried about an heir at that stage in his life, but that doesn't mean he never intended to have one. Think of how many couples today wait until their late 30s or even 40s to have kids because they want to be successful in their careers first. Earnur's career was the military.
6. Which of these rides does Earnil resemble more – Maedhros’, or Fingolfin’s? I actually would compare it more with Feanor's ride, simply for its foolish pride.
7. Where did he get the escort from? Was there a cult of young fools who adored him – like the Guild of Venturers adored Tar-Aldarion when he was yet prince Anardil? He's the king isn't he? I don't see how it's unbelievable that he had troops willing to fight for him.
8. Why didn’t the Witch-king answer his challenge – did he actually fear Earnur? Fingolfin managed to shame Morgoth into a duel – couldn’t Earnur even do that? And how does anyone in Minas Tirith (get used to the new name!) know what actually happened there? It's possible it could be partly fear, but I think it's mostly intelligence. Why meet a reknowned warrior in single combat when you can send an army to ambush him? The Witch-king obviously has been studying his master's playbook. Nobody in Minas Tirith does know what happened, which is why they held out hope for the return of the king for so long.
9. Who was actually responsible for finding a new King – was it the interest of the claimants, or of the People? If we assume that a Monarchy is the most natural and correct type of government, why did people feel that no king is better than Kin-strife? The people of Gondor already had a king, they just referred to him as Steward. Mardil does everything that Earnur did previously, save sit in the higher throne, wear wings on his head, or twirl the fancier baton. In fact, given how Earnur only seemed to care for battle (doesn't he remind you of Boromir a little?), Mardil was probably a better ruler for the people than the King ever was.
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