Eldacar
Born in year 1255 of the Third Age, Eldacar became the twenty-first King of Gondor. He was the son of King Valacar and his wife Vidumavi and the grandson of King Romendacil II, who had achieved victory over the Easterlings. Eldacar was born in Rhovanion with the name Vinitharya, which was changed to the Gondorian Eldacar upon the family's arrival in year 1260. Eldacar had at least one sibling, but they were not named.
Unlike any other King of Gondor, Eldacar was of a mixed background. His father was of the line of Numenor, but his mother Vidumavi was a member of the Northmen. Her father Vidugavia was a great leader of Rhovanion. The Northmen were a short-lived group of men who were allies of the people of Gondor. Many of the Gondorions opposed the reign of Eldacar because of his heritage, assuming that since he was of mixed descent, the line of Kings would fail. These resentful people thought that they had been proven correct when Vidumavi died in either 1332 or 1344 at a relatively young age. Rebellion began in the southern provinces of Gondor during the reign of King Valacar.
By the end of Valacar's reign in year 1432, a civil war known as Kin-strife began. As King, Eldacar managed to pick up some followers including Northmen and the peoples of the northern provinces of Gondor. Eldacar had a fearless spirit that was said to have come from his mother. However, when the rebel forces besieged Osgiliath in year 1437, Eldacar and his forces had no choice but to retreat due to their own starvation and wounds. He and many of his followers left Gondor for Rhovanion.
While Eldacar was gone, the rebel leader Castamir usurped the throne. He became known as "Castamir the Usurper." Castamir was the grandson of Romendacil II's brother Calimehtar. During his reign, Castamir slew Eldacar's eldest son Ornendil in Osgiliath to assure himself that a new line of Kings would begin and all of the Northmen's blood would be out of the country. However, Ornendil had a younger brother named Aldamir who escaped as well as a surviving sister.
Osgiliath was burnt by the orders of Castamir. Few were able to evacuate the city, so many civilians died. Castamir relocated the capital of Gondor to Pelargir in the south, where he secured his alliance with the Corsairs of Umbar, who were traditionally fierce enemies of Gondor. As the years passed, the people of Gondor came to realize that their king was transforming their nation into a dictatorship.
Finally in 1447 after ten years of torture in Gondor, Eldacar sensed that the time was right for him to return from Rhovanion and reclaim the throne. He gathered a large force that consisted of Northmen, men of Ithilien, Anorien, and Calenardhon. Castamir led his forces to the defense. However, Eldacar defeated Castamir's forces in the Battle of the Crossings of Erui and he became king once more after slaying Castamir.
Castamir's sons escaped to Pelargir, but King Eldacar had them besieged. The surviving rebels fled across the Havens of Umbar and many became Corsairs.
Eldacar ruled over Gondor until his death in year 1490. He was unaffected by his mother's short lifespan, for he lived 235 years. Eldacar's son Aldamir was crowned king.
Unlike any other King of Gondor, Eldacar was of a mixed background. His father was of the line of Numenor, but his mother Vidumavi was a member of the Northmen. Her father Vidugavia was a great leader of Rhovanion. The Northmen were a short-lived group of men who were allies of the people of Gondor. Many of the Gondorions opposed the reign of Eldacar because of his heritage, assuming that since he was of mixed descent, the line of Kings would fail. These resentful people thought that they had been proven correct when Vidumavi died in either 1332 or 1344 at a relatively young age. Rebellion began in the southern provinces of Gondor during the reign of King Valacar.
By the end of Valacar's reign in year 1432, a civil war known as Kin-strife began. As King, Eldacar managed to pick up some followers including Northmen and the peoples of the northern provinces of Gondor. Eldacar had a fearless spirit that was said to have come from his mother. However, when the rebel forces besieged Osgiliath in year 1437, Eldacar and his forces had no choice but to retreat due to their own starvation and wounds. He and many of his followers left Gondor for Rhovanion.
While Eldacar was gone, the rebel leader Castamir usurped the throne. He became known as "Castamir the Usurper." Castamir was the grandson of Romendacil II's brother Calimehtar. During his reign, Castamir slew Eldacar's eldest son Ornendil in Osgiliath to assure himself that a new line of Kings would begin and all of the Northmen's blood would be out of the country. However, Ornendil had a younger brother named Aldamir who escaped as well as a surviving sister.
Osgiliath was burnt by the orders of Castamir. Few were able to evacuate the city, so many civilians died. Castamir relocated the capital of Gondor to Pelargir in the south, where he secured his alliance with the Corsairs of Umbar, who were traditionally fierce enemies of Gondor. As the years passed, the people of Gondor came to realize that their king was transforming their nation into a dictatorship.
Finally in 1447 after ten years of torture in Gondor, Eldacar sensed that the time was right for him to return from Rhovanion and reclaim the throne. He gathered a large force that consisted of Northmen, men of Ithilien, Anorien, and Calenardhon. Castamir led his forces to the defense. However, Eldacar defeated Castamir's forces in the Battle of the Crossings of Erui and he became king once more after slaying Castamir.
Castamir's sons escaped to Pelargir, but King Eldacar had them besieged. The surviving rebels fled across the Havens of Umbar and many became Corsairs.
Eldacar ruled over Gondor until his death in year 1490. He was unaffected by his mother's short lifespan, for he lived 235 years. Eldacar's son Aldamir was crowned king.
Names & Meanings
Vinitharya seems to have been a Gothic word. It comes from Vinitharius of the Ostrogoths, whose name means "conqueror of the Venedi." The Venedi were a Slavic culture.
Eldacar or Eldakar translates as "Elf helmet." It is derived from Elda meaning "Elf" in Quenya and karma meaning "helm."
Eldacar or Eldakar translates as "Elf helmet." It is derived from Elda meaning "Elf" in Quenya and karma meaning "helm."
References
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "The Realms in Exile," page 319; "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," page 326-328
The History of Middle-earth, Volume VII, The Treason of Isengard: page 366 note # 18
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 198-199; "The Making of Appendix A," pages 260-261
The History of Middle-earth, Volume VII, The Treason of Isengard: page 366 note # 18
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 198-199; "The Making of Appendix A," pages 260-261
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