Narmacil II
Twenty-ninth King of Gondor, Narmacil II was born in year 1684 of the Third Age. He was the son of King Telumehtar, who managed to lead Gondor to victory against Umbar. Narmacil II had a brother named Arciryas. When Telumehtar Umbardacil died in 1850, Narmacil II was crowned king. He ruled Gondor for six years, which was the second shortest reign of any king.
In 1851, hostile men from Rhun known as Wainriders attacked Gondor. These men were called Wainriders because they rode in wains, or wagons, to battle. The Wainriders were under the service of Sauron. Gondor had allies known as the Northmen who lived at the borders of Rhun. The Northmen suffered heavy casualties when the Wainriders first left their homeland.
In 1856, Narmacil II led an army to wage war with the attackers. They met between Mordor and Mirkwood. Gondor was allied with the Northmen, who also marched to war led by Marhari. The combined forces of Gondor and the Northmen ultimately lost to the Wainriders in the Battle of the Plains and Narmacil II was killed. After his army retreated, Marhari was slain as well.
After this major defeat, Gondor limited its eastern border to the Anduin River and Ithilien. Many Northmen abandoned their original home in the Wilderland and settled along the banks of the Anduin and became the Eotheod.
Narmacil II was succeeded by his son Calimehtar as king. The Wainriders were not defeated until 1944 when they lost to Earnil in the Battle of the Camp.
In 1851, hostile men from Rhun known as Wainriders attacked Gondor. These men were called Wainriders because they rode in wains, or wagons, to battle. The Wainriders were under the service of Sauron. Gondor had allies known as the Northmen who lived at the borders of Rhun. The Northmen suffered heavy casualties when the Wainriders first left their homeland.
In 1856, Narmacil II led an army to wage war with the attackers. They met between Mordor and Mirkwood. Gondor was allied with the Northmen, who also marched to war led by Marhari. The combined forces of Gondor and the Northmen ultimately lost to the Wainriders in the Battle of the Plains and Narmacil II was killed. After his army retreated, Marhari was slain as well.
After this major defeat, Gondor limited its eastern border to the Anduin River and Ithilien. Many Northmen abandoned their original home in the Wilderland and settled along the banks of the Anduin and became the Eotheod.
Narmacil II was succeeded by his son Calimehtar as king. The Wainriders were not defeated until 1944 when they lost to Earnil in the Battle of the Camp.
Names & Meanings
Narmacil, also spelled Narmakil, means "fire sword" or "sword of fire" from nar meaning "fire" and macil meaning "sword." There was another king of Gondor named Narmacil I.
References
The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "The Realms in Exile," page 319; "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," page 329-330
The Unfinished Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," pages 289, 311-312 note #8
The History of Middle-earth, Volume V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: definitions and translations of nar and macil.
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 200 and 215
The Unfinished Tales: "Cirion and Eorl," pages 289, 311-312 note #8
The History of Middle-earth, Volume V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: definitions and translations of nar and macil.
The History of Middle-earth, Volume XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," pages 200 and 215
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