Valacar
Valacar was the twentieth king of Gondor born in year 1194 of the Third Age. His father was King Romendacil II.
In year 1250, Valacar was chosen by his father to journey to Rhovanion as an ambassador before the court of King Vidugavia of the Northmen. During the time he spent in Rhovanion, Valacar learned the traditions of local Northmen and grew to love their culture. He fell in love with King Vidugavia's daughter Vidumavi. Romendacil II gave them permission to marry in order to secure Gondor's relationship with the Northmen, though he feared that the people of Gondor would not accept Valacar's son as their king because his blood was not purely Gondorian.
In 1255, Valacar and Vidumavi's first son was born. He was called Vinitharya by the Northmen and Eldacar by the people of Gondor. They had more children. At King Romendacil II's request, Valacar returned home to Gondor and brought his wife, children, and many Northmen with him.
Some of the people of Gondor liked Vidumavi and welcomed her, but some did not. Those who did not feared that a king who was not purely of Numenorean descent would end the line of kings due to his short lifespan. Vidumavi died in 1332 or 1344, which proved to the people of Gondor that the Northmen had a shorter life expectancy.
Valacar was crowned king after his father's death in 1366. He was known to be a strong king, but not strong enough to subdue rebellion in the southern provinces. After Valacar's death in 1432, a civil war broke out and Eldacar was banished. Castamir usurped the throne but Eldacar reclaimed it in 1447.
In year 1250, Valacar was chosen by his father to journey to Rhovanion as an ambassador before the court of King Vidugavia of the Northmen. During the time he spent in Rhovanion, Valacar learned the traditions of local Northmen and grew to love their culture. He fell in love with King Vidugavia's daughter Vidumavi. Romendacil II gave them permission to marry in order to secure Gondor's relationship with the Northmen, though he feared that the people of Gondor would not accept Valacar's son as their king because his blood was not purely Gondorian.
In 1255, Valacar and Vidumavi's first son was born. He was called Vinitharya by the Northmen and Eldacar by the people of Gondor. They had more children. At King Romendacil II's request, Valacar returned home to Gondor and brought his wife, children, and many Northmen with him.
Some of the people of Gondor liked Vidumavi and welcomed her, but some did not. Those who did not feared that a king who was not purely of Numenorean descent would end the line of kings due to his short lifespan. Vidumavi died in 1332 or 1344, which proved to the people of Gondor that the Northmen had a shorter life expectancy.
Valacar was crowned king after his father's death in 1366. He was known to be a strong king, but not strong enough to subdue rebellion in the southern provinces. After Valacar's death in 1432, a civil war broke out and Eldacar was banished. Castamir usurped the throne but Eldacar reclaimed it in 1447.
Names & Meanings
Valacar, also spelled Valakar, means "helmet of the Valar" in Quenya. It is derived from karma meaning "helmet."
References
The Lord of the Rings: Appendix A: "The Realms in Exile," pages 318-319; "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion," pages 326-327
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 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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