Dúnedain of Gondor

During the later years of the Second Age, the lands around the Mouths of Anduin saw an influx of Faithful Númenóreans fleeing the oppression of the King's Men. The port city of Pelargir on Anduin became a haven for these Dúnedain, while other Númenóreans settled the land of Belfalas to the west.

At the time of the Downfall in II 3319, a further and final group of Dúnedain came to this region: five ships escaping the storm of Númenor's destruction. These carried Isildur and Anárion, the sons of Elendil, and thus high nobility among the Faithful. Under their father's High Kingship they founded a joint realm in the lands surrounding the White Mountains: Gondor, the South-kingdom of the Dúnedain. It was at this time that the great cities of Gondor were established: Minas Ithil and Minas Anor, and the capital at Osgiliath on the wide waters of Anduin.

From these Dúnedain were descended all the Kings of Gondor that came after, as well as the Stewards who followed them. Though the Dúnedain formed the ruling class and nobility, they were not the only people of Gondor. Native peoples of the region, survivors of the Dark Years of the Second Age, remained in these lands and became subjects of the new Kings from over the Sea.