Events In the Realm of Gondor

After the fall of Umbar Ciryaher, the King, extended the realm of Gondor and ruled for 134 years. "In his day Gondor reached the summit of its power" (p. 325, The Return of the King). In fact the defeated people around Gondor, such as the Harad, paid homage to Ciryaher. In this time Mordor remained empty and under intense watch by the Gondorians.

By 1149 Third Age Atanatar Alcarin, son of Ciryaher, became King. He was not a ship-faring warrior like his father before but enjoyed the power and providence of the land. In that day the saying, "precious stones are pebbles in Gondor for children to play with" (p. 325, The Return of the King) was common. Alcarin's two sons were in like mood of their father and the decline of Gondor began. "The watch upon Mordor was neglected" (p. 325, The Return of the King). A good reminder that sons look to their fathers and will model the behavior they see.

In 1240 Minalcar became Regent of Gondor for he was full of vigor and his father wished to be released from all responsibilities. Minalcar sought to win alliances with the Northmen who had increased greatly in the years of peace. The Northmen, out of all lesser Men, were nearest in kin to the Dúnedain and were strategically placed in between Gondor and the the Easterlings who would occasionally attack the land. Although when the attacks began again some of the Northmen aided the Easterlings. In 1248 Minalcar defeated the Easterlings and fortified his borders. During this time he had the pillars of the Argonath built.

Still Minalcar (now taking the name Romendacil) sought to build an alliance with the Northmen taking many of their men into his army and giving them high positions. In particular he sought the favor of Vidugavia a powerful prince of the North who named himself King of Rhovanian. Minalcar sent his son, Valacar, to the lands in the North to learn the customs, language, and policies of the Northmen. "He grew to love the Northern lands and people, and he married Vidumavi, daughter of Vidugavia" (p. 326, The Return of the King). This marriage would later prove ill to Gondor.

Middle-earth timeline: Third Age, 1050-1240
Today's reading comes from: The Return of the King, pages 325-326