Eldacar, King of Gondor

by Varda-(Valar)
Dec. 16, 2008
Men > Kings > Numenorean Kings > High Kings > Kings of Gondor, 2nd line > Valacar > Eldacar > Aldamir

Eldacar > Eldacar, King of Gondor

    Eldacar was the 21st King of Gondor, of the second line of Gondorian kings. He was probably named after his ancestor, Eldacar, the fourth High King of Arnor and Gondor.
    Eldacar of Gondor's father was King Valacar of Gondor who had married Vidumavi, daughter of Vidugavia who was leader of the Northmen. Eldacar was born in Rhovanion in the North. His birth name was, therefore, northern: Vinitharya. He was a noble man, a valiant soldier, and handsome, with the fearless spirit of the Nortmen.
    The Royal family rebelled against him, since he was only half Dunadan, in the five-year Kinstrife. He fled to Rhovanion after escaping the siege of Osgiliath.
    Castamir of Ships, also called Castamir the Usurper, took Eldacar's place. Castamir was the grandson of Calimehtar, who was the younger brother of Romendacil II. Castamir loved fleets, not the land, and planned to move the king's seat to Pelargir. He was a cruel king, so when Eldacar returned ten years later with an army of Northmen, Eldacar had the support of the people of Gondor. Eldacar killed Castamir at the Battle of the Crossings of Erui and regained his throne.
    Eldacar was a good ruler and did not age more swiftly than other Dunedain, even with his mixed heritage.
    Eldacar's sons were Ornendil and Aldamir. Ornendil was captured and slain by Castamir's orders during the Kinstrife, so the younger son, Aldamir, became the heir. Castamir's sons escaped to Umbar, which was never again fully controlled by Gondor until the days of High King Aragorn II.

References:
    Return of the King:
        Appendix A (iv) "Gondor and the Heirs of Anarion"
        Appendix B: timeline
    Silmarillion: "Akallabeth". Ballantine paperback 1977:
        pp336-338, 342 for the story of the White Tree.
        pp 344-346 for the drowning of Numenor.
        pp 347 for Sauron's fate.
       Index of Names: Argonath
    Fellowship of the Ring, Houghton-Mifflin trade movie cover, 1994.
       "The Great River" p383 for the Argonath
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