Eärnil I
Thirteenth King of Gondor, Earnil I was born in year 736 of the Third Age. His father was Tarciryan, who was the second son of King Siriondil. Tarciryan's brother Tarannon was the twelfth king of Gondor. Since Tarannon had no children and died in 913, Earnil I became king.
Earnil I was the second of the four ship-kings, the first being his uncle Tarannon. Gondor's navy was at its height during Earnil I's reign. He also refurbished the Havens at Pelargir.
In year 933, Earnil I gathered an army and a navy and set out to invade the Havens of Umbar. The people of Umbar were Corsairs descended from Black Numenoreans, who were men under the influence of Sauron.
Earnil I successfully captured Umbar, though it cost him many of his soldiers' lives. Earnil I was able to transform Umbar into a port for Gondor which was used and relied on for many years to come.
In year 936, a 200 year old Earnil I died at sea during a storm with many of his crew members. His son Ciryandil took up the throne. Despite the tragedy of his father's death at sea, Ciryandil continued the ship-building trend in Gondor.
Earnil I was the second of the four ship-kings, the first being his uncle Tarannon. Gondor's navy was at its height during Earnil I's reign. He also refurbished the Havens at Pelargir.
In year 933, Earnil I gathered an army and a navy and set out to invade the Havens of Umbar. The people of Umbar were Corsairs descended from Black Numenoreans, who were men under the influence of Sauron.
Earnil I successfully captured Umbar, though it cost him many of his soldiers' lives. Earnil I was able to transform Umbar into a port for Gondor which was used and relied on for many years to come.
In year 936, a 200 year old Earnil I died at sea during a storm with many of his crew members. His son Ciryandil took up the throne. Despite the tragedy of his father's death at sea, Ciryandil continued the ship-building trend in Gondor.
Names & Meanings
Eärnil is related to the name Eärendil, which means "lover of the Sea." Eärendil was the name of an Elf Mariner in the First Age. The element eär means "the Sea" in Quenya. There was also a later king named Earnil II.
References
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "The Realms in Exile," page 318; "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," page 325
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," page 197
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter # 297
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," page 197
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter # 297
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