The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Elendil's immediate heir, Isildur, was probably born in II 3209; the line continued into the Fourth Age
Race
Division
Culture
Family
Pronunciation
Elendil is probably pronounced 'e'lendil' (though see note 2 to the entry for Elendil)
Meaning
Title of
The heirs of Elendil through his sons Isildur (the elder line, ruling the North-kingdom) and Anárion (ruling the South-kingdom)

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About this entry:

  • Updated 25 February 2010
  • This entry is complete

Heir of Elendil

A descendant of the first High King

"...a recognized descendant occupying a throne or lordship in the Númenórean realms by virtue of this descent [from Elendil]..."
The full definition of 'Heir of Elendil'
Unfinished Tales Part Four III
The Palantíri
Elendil
Isildur
Anárion
Elendur
Aratan
Ciryon
Valandil
Three unnamed children
Meneldil
Kings of
Arnor

Kings of
Gondor

Kings of
Arthedain

Kings of
Cardolan
Kings of
Rhudaur
Chieftains of
the Dúnedain

Aragorn
Elessar

Eldarion
Further
Heirs

The line of descent of the Heirs of Elendil, with Elendil and his true heirs shown in bold text.

A title granted to those descended from Elendil, the founder of the Two Kingdoms in the late years of the Second Age. In the North-kingdom of Arnor, whose rulers were descended through Elendil's elder son Isildur, its definition was simple: their rulers came from Elendil's direct male line, unbroken down to Aragorn himself.

The political situation in the South-kingdom of Gondor was more complicated, because its first independent King, Meneldil, was not a direct heir of Elendil in the strictest sense, being the son of Isildur's younger brother Anárion. In Gondor, therefore, the title was taken to refer to any descendants of Elendil who ruled in their own stead, a convenience that allowed Gondor's Kings to represent themselves as true Heirs of Elendil. This situation was complicated still further with the loss of Gondor's last King, Eärnur. After this point, the Stewards who took up the rule of Gondor acted in place of the heirs of Elendil, and took on the powers associated with the title.

These complexities were resolved at the end of the Third Age with the enthronement of Aragorn, a true heir, as King of a Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 25 February 2010
  • This entry is complete

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