Steward of Gondor
The ruling Steward of Gondor was the chief governor and regent of the southern kingdom of Gondor during the long interregnum following the disappearance of Eärnur Teldil, the last King of Gondor. Though originally appointed as servants of the kings, the Stewards came to rule Gondor in their own right, maintaining the realm in trust for the return of the king.
The Ruling Stewards were descended from Húrin of Emyn Arnen and governed Gondor from Minas Tirith for nearly a thousand years of the Third Age. Though they never claimed kingship, they wielded full royal authority, defending Gondor against its enemies and preserving its laws and traditions until the restoration of the monarchy in the Fourth Age. Like the Kings of Gondor, the Stewards were Dúnedain, Men of Númenórean descent, and several lived to well over 100 years of age. This blood would fade slightly with each generation however, and by the time of Denethor II, the Stewards were only marginally longer-lived than other Gondorians.
List of Ruling Stewards of Gondor
The full line of the Ruling Stewards is as follows:
- Mardil Voronwë, son of Vorondil, the first Ruling Steward, who assumed governance after the loss of King Eärnur.
- Eradan, son of Mardil, who continued his father's policies and strengthened Gondor's administration.
- Steward Herion, son of Eradan, who ruled during a period of relative stability.
- Belegorn, son of Herion, under whom Gondor endured growing threats along its borders.
- Húrin I, son of Belegorn, who ruled with firmness during renewed conflicts.
- Túrin I, son of Húrin I, whose long stewardship brought order and continuity.
- Steward Hador, son of Túrin I, who governed during the early years of Gondor's gradual decline.
- Steward Barahir, son of Hador, whose rule was marked by unrest and vigilance.
- Steward Dior, son of Barahir, who continued the stewardship amid increasing dangers.
- Denethor I, nephew of Dior, slain in battle against the Easterlings.
- Boromir Charn, son of Denethor I, a valiant steward who fell defending Gondor.
- Cirion Gwaedhir, son of Boromir, who granted Calenardhon to the Rohirrim, forging the alliance with Rohan.
- Hallas, son of Cirion, who died during the Great Plague.
- Húrin II, son of Hallas, who led Gondor through years of recovery.
- Belecthor I, son of Húrin II, whose rule was troubled by renewed invasions.
- Steward Orodreth, son of Belecthor I, who maintained Gondor's defences.
- Ecthelion I Minastur, son of Orodreth, noted for his wisdom and learning.
- Steward Egalmoth, cousin of Egalreth, who ruled during a time of growing shadow.
- Beren Ithrondil, son of Egalmoth, who strengthened Minas Tirith.
- Beregond Belechest, son of Beren, whose long rule brought relative stability.
- Belecthor II Orndil, son of Beregond, whose stewardship was brief.
- Thorondir, son of Belecthor II, who died after a short rule.
- Túrin II, son of Thorondir, who governed Gondor during uneasy peace.
- Steward Turgon, son of Túrin II, under whom Gondor faced increasing pressure from Mordor.
- Ecthelion II Thandir, son of Turgon, a wise and foresighted steward who strengthened Gondor's defences in preparation for war.
- Denethor II, during whose rule the War of the Ring was fought and the kingship of Gondor was restored, though he did not live to see it.
- Faramir, whose reign was over just as soon as it stared, when he surrendered the office to the newly-crowned King of Gondor, Aragorn II Elessar.
