Cirion
The twelfth ruling-Steward of Gondor, Cirion was born in the year 2449 of the Third Age as the son of Boromir. When Boromir died in 2489, Cirion became Steward. Cirion's main goal was to address the threats from the north and east. Along the Anduin were abandoned forts where he positioned several men. Additionally, Cirion sent scouts to the areas between Mirkwood and Dagorlad, where they found enemies called the Balchoth advancing from beyond the Sea of Rhun.
In 2509, it was reported that the Balchoth were gathering along the southern edge of Mirkwood, and they seemed to have been preparing to attack Gondor. Cirion dispatched a number of messengers to Gondor's allies the Eotheod requestng aid. Among these messengers was Borondir along with five others.
The journey north was nine hundred and fifty miles, and it passed Dol Guldur. Only Borondir survived to Framsburg to request aid from King Eorl the Young.
Cirion thought it very unlikely that the journey north would succeed, and he did not know if the Eotheod would respond. Also, the Balchoth were ready to attack. Cirion gathered all armies of Gondor to him, and put his son Hallas in command at Minas Tirith. Cirion left with a massive defense army.
However, as Cirion's army marched northward, the Balchoth crossed the Anduin on rafts in secret and ruined the defenses. Cirion's army was attacked and split, some forced to retreat over the Limlight. A group of Orcs then sent a flanking attack from the Misty Mountains, forcing Cirion's forces over to the Anduin. Suddenly, Eorl arrived with a massive army from the north and began slaying orcs and Balchoth at will. The Battle of the Field of Celebrant was won.
Cirion and Eorl separated, but Cirion requested that they meet in three months at the Mering Stream. When the time came, Eorl arrived and the two men walked in Calenardhon. Cirion offered Eorl the entire land, as witnessed by Hallas, the Prince of Dol Amroth, and Councilors of Gondor. He bonded with Eorl, who then pleged to Oath of Eorl. The land became known as Rohan and Eorl was its first king.
Cirion died in 2567 and was succeeded as Steward by Hallas.
In 2509, it was reported that the Balchoth were gathering along the southern edge of Mirkwood, and they seemed to have been preparing to attack Gondor. Cirion dispatched a number of messengers to Gondor's allies the Eotheod requestng aid. Among these messengers was Borondir along with five others.
The journey north was nine hundred and fifty miles, and it passed Dol Guldur. Only Borondir survived to Framsburg to request aid from King Eorl the Young.
Cirion thought it very unlikely that the journey north would succeed, and he did not know if the Eotheod would respond. Also, the Balchoth were ready to attack. Cirion gathered all armies of Gondor to him, and put his son Hallas in command at Minas Tirith. Cirion left with a massive defense army.
However, as Cirion's army marched northward, the Balchoth crossed the Anduin on rafts in secret and ruined the defenses. Cirion's army was attacked and split, some forced to retreat over the Limlight. A group of Orcs then sent a flanking attack from the Misty Mountains, forcing Cirion's forces over to the Anduin. Suddenly, Eorl arrived with a massive army from the north and began slaying orcs and Balchoth at will. The Battle of the Field of Celebrant was won.
Cirion and Eorl separated, but Cirion requested that they meet in three months at the Mering Stream. When the time came, Eorl arrived and the two men walked in Calenardhon. Cirion offered Eorl the entire land, as witnessed by Hallas, the Prince of Dol Amroth, and Councilors of Gondor. He bonded with Eorl, who then pleged to Oath of Eorl. The land became known as Rohan and Eorl was its first king.
Cirion died in 2567 and was succeeded as Steward by Hallas.
Names & Meanings
Cirion is derived from kir meaning "ship" and the masculine ending -ion, which means "son."
References
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: "The Window on the West," page 287
The Lord of the Rings: Appendix A: "The Stewards," pages 333-34; "The House of Eorl," pages 344-45
The Unfinished Tales: "Cirion and Eorl"
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," page 205
The Lord of the Rings: Appendix A: "The Stewards," pages 333-34; "The House of Eorl," pages 344-45
The Unfinished Tales: "Cirion and Eorl"
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," page 205
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