Post by Móreadhiel on Jan 16, 2007 12:42:18 GMT -5
Ecthelion II
Twenty-fifth Ruling Steward of Gondor; father of Denethor II. Ecthelion, son of Turgon, was born in 2886. He succeeded his father as Steward of Gondor in 2953.
Ecthelion was a wise Steward. He strengthened Gondor's defenses against the possibility of attack from Mordor, where Sauron had begun rebuilding his forces in 2951. Ecthelion fortified the island of Cair Andros in the Anduin, as well as the port city of Pelargir farther downstream.
Ecthelion also took many valiant men into his service, including one called Thorongil. Unknown to Ecthelion, Thorongil was actually Aragorn, the heir to the throne of Gondor. Ecthelion thought highly of Thorongil and esteemed him more than his own son Denethor.
Ecthelion heeded Thorongil's advice in many matters. He welcomed the Wizard Gandalf and distrusted Saruman. When Thorongil warned Ecthelion that the Corsairs of Umbar posed a threat to Gondor from the south, the Steward gave him permission to launch a preemptive strike. Thorongil defeated the Captain of the Havens of Umbar and burned many ships of the Corsairs' fleet. But afterwards, Thorongil did not return to Gondor, and he sent Ecthelion a message of farewell.
Ecthelion II died in 2984 and was succeeded by his son Denethor II, the last Ruling Steward of Gondor.
Names & Etymology:
The name Ecthelion is probably derived from the Sindarin word ecthel meaning "spear," as found in "The Etymologies" in HoME V, combined with the masculine ending -ion. However, a note in HoME XI suggests that the name contains the word thel meaning "intend, mean, purpose, resolve, will."
Sources:
Appendix A of LotR: "The Realms in Exile," p 319; "The Stewards," p. 335-36
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," entries for EK, EKTE, and STELEG
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "Maeglin," p. 318-19
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," p. 206
Twenty-fifth Ruling Steward of Gondor; father of Denethor II. Ecthelion, son of Turgon, was born in 2886. He succeeded his father as Steward of Gondor in 2953.
Ecthelion was a wise Steward. He strengthened Gondor's defenses against the possibility of attack from Mordor, where Sauron had begun rebuilding his forces in 2951. Ecthelion fortified the island of Cair Andros in the Anduin, as well as the port city of Pelargir farther downstream.
Ecthelion also took many valiant men into his service, including one called Thorongil. Unknown to Ecthelion, Thorongil was actually Aragorn, the heir to the throne of Gondor. Ecthelion thought highly of Thorongil and esteemed him more than his own son Denethor.
Ecthelion heeded Thorongil's advice in many matters. He welcomed the Wizard Gandalf and distrusted Saruman. When Thorongil warned Ecthelion that the Corsairs of Umbar posed a threat to Gondor from the south, the Steward gave him permission to launch a preemptive strike. Thorongil defeated the Captain of the Havens of Umbar and burned many ships of the Corsairs' fleet. But afterwards, Thorongil did not return to Gondor, and he sent Ecthelion a message of farewell.
Ecthelion II died in 2984 and was succeeded by his son Denethor II, the last Ruling Steward of Gondor.
Names & Etymology:
The name Ecthelion is probably derived from the Sindarin word ecthel meaning "spear," as found in "The Etymologies" in HoME V, combined with the masculine ending -ion. However, a note in HoME XI suggests that the name contains the word thel meaning "intend, mean, purpose, resolve, will."
Sources:
Appendix A of LotR: "The Realms in Exile," p 319; "The Stewards," p. 335-36
The History of Middle-earth, vol. V, The Lost Road and Other Writings: "The Etymologies," entries for EK, EKTE, and STELEG
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "Maeglin," p. 318-19
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Heirs of Elendil," p. 206
