Denethor I: Difference between revisions

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Denethor I was the tenth Steward to rule [[Gondor]], in whose time the realm suffered perhaps the most calamitous upheaval in its history. When Denethor succeeded his childless uncle [[Dior]] in [[Third Age|T.A.]] 2435, Gondor had known peace for many generations. Nearly four hundred years earlier, during the Stewardship of Denethor's noble ancestor [[Mardil]], [[Gandalf]] had gone to [[Dol Guldur]] and forced [[Sauron]] to withdraw into the east of [[Middle-earth]]. Though it was known that the [[Nazgûl]] still infested [[Minas Morgul]], they offered no threat to the [[South-kingdom]], and Denethor had every reason to hope that this time of [[Watchful Peace]] would continue in his time.
{{disambig-more|Denethor|[[Denethor (disambiguation)]]}}
{{gondorian infobox
| name=Denethor I
| image=
| caption=
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=[[Ruling Steward]]
| position=
| location=[[Gondor]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth={{TA|2375}}
| birthlocation=
| rule={{TA|2435}} - {{TA|2477|n}} (42 years)
| death={{TA|2477}}
| deathlocation=
| age=102
| notablefor=
| house=[[House of Húrin]]
| parentage=[[Rían (daughter of Steward Barahir)|Rían]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=2 older children,<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, manuscript C, The Ruling Stewards, entry 11. Boromir, p. 205</ref> [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
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{{Pronounce|Denethor.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Denethor I''' ([[Third Age]] 2375<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, manuscript C, The Ruling Stewards of Gondor, entry 10. Denethor I, p. 204</ref> – 2477,<ref name=Denethor>{{App|South}}, ''Ruling Stewards'', entry for Denethor I, p. 1039</ref> aged 102 years) was the tenth [[Ruling Steward]] of [[Gondor]] and ruled from from {{TA|2435}}<ref name=Dior>{{App|South}}, ''Ruling Stewards'', entry for Dior, p. 1039</ref> until his death in {{TA|2477|n}}.


He was wrong. [[Third Age|T.A.]] 2460, the twenty-fifth of Denethor's rule, would be last year to see Gondor fully at peace for nearly six centuries. In that year, Sauron gave up his exile and returned to his fortress of Dol Guldur in [[Mirkwood]]. Just a few years later, it was seen that the Nazgûl had not been idle in the years of the Peace - they unleashed a force of hideous soldier-orcs on Gondor, of the kind that was then unknown, but would become known as the [[Uruk-hai]]. They ravaged [[Ithilien]] and took [[Osgiliath]], but Denethor's heir [[Boromir]] fought them back and recovered Gondor's holdings east of the River, though he was dreadfully wounded. These were the first skirmishes in a conflict that would not truly end until the time of the War of the Ring.
==History==
Denethor was probably named after [[Denethor (Nando)|the leader]] of the [[Laiquendi]] in the [[First Age]], as it was customary in the [[House of Húrin]] to name sons after figures from the legends of the [[Noldor]] and their interactions with the [[Edain]]<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}, manuscript C, The Ruling Stewards of Gondor, p. 203</ref>.


Denethor I ruled as Steward for forty-two years, and was succeeded by his son Boromir.  
During the time of Denethor’s rule the [[Watchful Peace]] came to an end (in {{TA|2460}}) when [[Sauron]] returned with increased strength to [[Dol Guldur]].<ref>{{App|TA}}, entry for the year 2460, p. 1087</ref> In the last years of his rule the ''Uruks'', black Orcs with great strength, came from [[Mordor]] for the first time and assailed and overran [[Ithilien]] and captured [[Osgiliath]] in {{TA|2475}}. Denethor’s son, [[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]], defeated the invaders and reconquered Ithilien, but Osigiliath was left in ruins and its great stone-bridge over the river [[Anduin]] was broken and Osgiliath was abandoned by its population.<ref name=AppADenethor>{{App|Stewards}}, entry for Steward Denethor I, p. 1053</ref>


[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
The [[Rammas Echor]] was built with a great amount of labour after the province of [[Ithilien]] fell under the shadow of the Enemy<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 750</ref> during the rule of Steward Denethor,<ref name=UI>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Rammas Echor,'' p. 512</ref> but it is not specified if it was during the rule of Steward Denethor I or Steward [[Denethor|Denethor II]]. It is possible that Denethor I had the [[Rammas Echor]] constructed after the capture of Osgiliath, to protect the [[Pelennor Fields]] which fed [[Minas Tirith]], because the borders of Gondor were under constant threat from his rule on<ref name=AppADenethor/>.
[[Category:Stewards]]
 
Denethor I ruled as Steward for forty-two years,<ref name=Dior/><ref name=Denethor/> and was succeeded by his son Boromir<ref name=AppADenethor/>.
 
==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree | | | BAR | | | | |BAR=[[Barahir (Steward of Gondor)|Barahir]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2290|n}} - {{TA|2412|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree | DIO | | RIA | | |DIO=[[Dior (Steward of Gondor)|Dior]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2328|n}} - {{TA|2435|n}}''</small>|RIA=[[Rían (daughter of Steward Barahir)|Rían]]<br/><small>''unknown''</small>}}
{{familytree | | | | | |!| | | |}}
{{familytree | | | | | DEN | | |DEN='''DENETHOR I'''<br/><small>''{{TA|2375|n}} - {{TA|2477|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | | | DAU | | BOR |DAU=''two older children''<br/><small>''unknown''</small>|BOR=[[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2410|n}} - {{TA|2489|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree | | | | | | | CIR |CIR=[[Cirion]]<br/><small>''{{TA|2449|n}} - {{TA|2567|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree/end}}
 
{{references}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=gondorian
| house=[[House of Húrin]]
| born={{TA|2375}}
| died={{TA|2477}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Dior (Steward of Gondor)|Dior]]
| list=10th [[Ruling Steward|Ruling Steward of Gondor]]
| dates={{TA|2435}} - {{TA|2477|n}}
| next=[[Boromir (Steward of Gondor)|Boromir]]
}}
{{seq-end}}
 
{{rulingstewards}}
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:House of Húrin]]
[[Category:Ruling stewards]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
 
[[de:Denethor I.]]
[[fi:Denethor I]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:dunedain:gondoriens:denethor_ier]]

Latest revision as of 13:19, 24 May 2023

The name Denethor refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Denethor (disambiguation).
Denethor I
Gondorian
Biographical Information
TitlesRuling Steward
LocationGondor
LanguageWestron
BirthT.A. 2375
RuleT.A. 2435 - 2477 (42 years)
DeathT.A. 2477 (aged 102)
Family
HouseHouse of Húrin
ParentageRían
Children2 older children,[1] Boromir
Physical Description
GenderMale

Denethor I (Third Age 2375[2] – 2477,[3] aged 102 years) was the tenth Ruling Steward of Gondor and ruled from from T.A. 2435[4] until his death in 2477.

History[edit | edit source]

Denethor was probably named after the leader of the Laiquendi in the First Age, as it was customary in the House of Húrin to name sons after figures from the legends of the Noldor and their interactions with the Edain[5].

During the time of Denethor’s rule the Watchful Peace came to an end (in T.A. 2460) when Sauron returned with increased strength to Dol Guldur.[6] In the last years of his rule the Uruks, black Orcs with great strength, came from Mordor for the first time and assailed and overran Ithilien and captured Osgiliath in T.A. 2475. Denethor’s son, Boromir, defeated the invaders and reconquered Ithilien, but Osigiliath was left in ruins and its great stone-bridge over the river Anduin was broken and Osgiliath was abandoned by its population.[7]

The Rammas Echor was built with a great amount of labour after the province of Ithilien fell under the shadow of the Enemy[8] during the rule of Steward Denethor,[9] but it is not specified if it was during the rule of Steward Denethor I or Steward Denethor II. It is possible that Denethor I had the Rammas Echor constructed after the capture of Osgiliath, to protect the Pelennor Fields which fed Minas Tirith, because the borders of Gondor were under constant threat from his rule on[7].

Denethor I ruled as Steward for forty-two years,[4][3] and was succeeded by his son Boromir[7].

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
Barahir
2290 - 2412
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dior
2328 - 2435
 
Rían
unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DENETHOR I
2375 - 2477
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
two older children
unknown
 
Boromir
2410 - 2489
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cirion
2449 - 2567


References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", manuscript C, The Ruling Stewards, entry 11. Boromir, p. 205
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", manuscript C, The Ruling Stewards of Gondor, entry 10. Denethor I, p. 204
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Southern Line: Heirs of Anarion", Ruling Stewards, entry for Denethor I, p. 1039
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Southern Line: Heirs of Anarion", Ruling Stewards, entry for Dior, p. 1039
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", manuscript C, The Ruling Stewards of Gondor, p. 203
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Third Age", entry for the year 2460, p. 1087
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards", entry for Steward Denethor I, p. 1053
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith", p. 750
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Unfinished index for The Lord of the Rings", in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, entry Rammas Echor, p. 512
Denethor I
House of Húrin
Born: T.A. 2375 Died: T.A. 2477
Preceded by:
Dior		10th Ruling Steward of Gondor
T.A. 2435 - 2477		Followed by:
Boromir


The Southern Line and the Heirs of Anárion
Kings of Gondor: Elendil (S.A. 3320 - 3441) · Isildur (S.A. 3441 - T.A. 2) and Anárion (S.A. 3320 - 3440) · Meneldil (T.A. 2 - 158) · Cemendur (158 - 238) · Eärendil (238 - 324) · Anardil (324 - 411) · Ostoher (411 - 492) · Rómendacil I (492 - 541) · Turambar (541 - 667) · Atanatar I (667 - 748) · Siriondil (748 - 830) · Tarannon Falastur (830 - 913) · Eärnil I (913 - 936) · Ciryandil (936 - 1015) · Hyarmendacil I (1015 - 1149) · Atanatar II Alcarin (1149 - 1226) · Narmacil I (1226 - 1294) · Calmacil (1294 - 1304) · Rómendacil II (1304 - 1366) · Valacar (1366 - 1432) · Eldacar (1432 - 1437) · Castamir the Usurper (1437 - 1447) · Eldacar restored (1447 - 1490) · Aldamir (1490 - 1540) · Hyarmendacil II (1540 - 1621) · Minardil (1621 - 1634) · Telemnar (1634 - 1636) · Tarondor (1636 - 1798) · Telumehtar Umbardacil (1798 - 1850) · Narmacil II (1850 - 1856) · Calimehtar (1856 - 1936) · Ondoher (1936 - 1944) · Eärnil II (1945 - 2043) · Eärnur (2043 - 2050)
Stewards of Gondor: Húrin of Emyn Arnen (c. T.A. 1630s) · Pelendur (before T.A. 1944 - 1998) · Vorondil (1998 - 2029) · Mardil Voronwë (2029 - 2080) · Eradan (2080 - 2116) · Herion (2116 - 2148) · Belegorn (2148 - 2204) · Húrin I (2204 - 2244) · Túrin I (2244 - 2278) · Hador (2278 - 2395) · Barahir (2395 - 2412) · Dior (2412 - 2435) · Denethor I (2435 - 2477) · Boromir (2477 - 2489) · Cirion (2489 - 2567) · Hallas (2567 - 2605) · Húrin II (2605 - 2628) · Belecthor I (2628 - 2655) · Orodreth (2655 - 2685) · Ecthelion I (2685 - 2698) · Egalmoth (2698 - 2743) · Beren (2743 - 2763) · Beregond (2763 - 2811) · Belecthor II (2811 - 2872) · Thorondir (2872 - 2882) · Túrin II (2882 - 2914) · Turgon (2914 - 2953) · Ecthelion II (2953 - 2984) · Denethor II (2984 - 3019) · Faramir (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 82) · Elboron (Fo.A. 82 onwards)
Kings of Gondor: Elessar (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 120) · Eldarion (Fo.A. 120 onwards)
Non-ruling stewards are in italics
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