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Timeline Event

Line of Ship-kings of Gondor ends with Ciryaher Hyarmendacil I

Event Type: Political

Age: 3rd Age - The Kings

Year: 1149

Description:

The death of of Hyarmendacil I ends the era of the four Ship-kings of Gondor who build up the realm's navy to its maximum strength:
The Southern Line: Heirs of Anárion

Kings of Gondor....

Here followed the four 'Ship-kings':
Tarannon Falastur 913. He was the first childless king, and was succeeded by the son of his brother Tarciryan.
Eärnil I 936,
Ciryandil 1015,
Hyarmendacil I (Ciryaher) 1149. Gondor now reached the height of its power.

The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The Realms in Exile

For many years Umbar was invested, but could not be taken because of the sea-power of Gondor. Ciryaher son of Ciryandil bided his time, and at last when he had gathered strength he came down from the north by sea and by land, and crossing the River Harnen his armies utterly defeated the Men of the Harad, and their kings were compelled to acknowledge the overlordship of Gondor (1050). Ciryaher then took the name of Hyarmendacil 'South-victor'.

The might of Hyarmendacil no enemy dared to contest during the remainder of his long reign. He was king for one hundred and thirty-four years, the longest reign but one of all the Line of Anárion. In his day Gondor reached the summit of its power. The realm then extended north to [the Field of1] Celebrant and the southern eaves of Mirkwood; west to the Greyflood; east to the inland Sea of Rhûn; south to the River Harnen, and thence along the coast to the peninsula and haven of Umbar. The Men of the Vales of Anduin acknowledged its authority; and the kings of the Harad did homage to Gondor, and their sons lived as hostages in the court of its King. Mordor was desolate, but was watched over by great fortresses that guarded the passes.

So ended the line of the Ship-kings.

The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion

[Owing] to the vigour of the 'Ship-kings', the line from Falastur onwards, Gondor reached the height of its power.

The Peoples of Middle-earth, HoME Vol 12, Part 1, Ch 7, The Heirs of Elendil: The Southern Line of Gondor: The Anárioni

Atanatar Alcarin son of Hyarmendacil... loved ease and did nothing to maintain the power that he had inherited.... The waning of Gondor had already begun before he died....

The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion


Notes
The sign indicates a premature death, in battle or otherwise, though an annal of the event is not always included.

The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers

1In Appendix A (I, iv) to The Lord of the Rings the kingdom of Gondor at the summit of its power in the days of King Hyarmendacil I (Third Age 1015-1149) is said to have extended northwards "to Celebrant and the southern eaves of Mirkwood." This my father stated several times to be in error: the correct reading should be "to the Field of Celebrant."

Unfinished Tales, Part 2, Ch 4, Appendix C, The History of Galadriel and Celeborn: The Boundaries of Lórien

Contributors:
Tanaqui 16Apr05
Elena Tiriel 9Sep09

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