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A translation of the [[Elvish]] term [[Karma-kundo]], which literally means 'Guardian of the Helm', that was applied to those granted executive authority in place of a legitimate reigning King of Gondor. In all the history of the [[South-kingdom]], only one Regent of this kind was ever appointed - [[Minalcar]] son of [[Calmacil]].
'''Regent''' ([[Quenya|Q]]. ''[[Karma]]-[[kundo]]'', "Guardian of the Helm") was a title applied to those granted executive authority in place of a legitimate reigning king.


Minalcar was the grandson of [[Atanatar Alcarin]], and already in the closing years of his grandfather's rule, he had become a forceful presence in the councils of the King, especially since neither of Atanatar's sons, [[Narmacil]] nor Calmacil, showed great interest in affairs of state. Just a few short years after Narmacil succeeded his father as King, he conferred the office of Karma-kundo on his nephew Minalcar, who from that point effectively ruled [[Gondor]], though officially doing so in the King's name.
==[[Númenor]]ean precedent==
Before the time of [[Tar-Aldarion]], no [[Kings of Númenor|King]] had ever left the [[Elenna|island]] during his reign. When Tar-Aldarion resolved to travel to [[Middle-earth]], the [[Council of the Sceptre]] sought a regency to rule in his place. The king's father, [[Meneldur]], refused the regency when offered, and Meneldur's cousin, [[Hallatan]] of [[Hyarastorni]], became regent instead.  [[Ancalimë]] served as regent on more than one occasion while her father voyaged.<ref>[[Christopher Tolkien]]'s discussion of his father's notes for the unfinished portions of ''[[Aldarion and Erendis]]''</ref>
==[[Gondor]]==
In all the history of the [[Kings of Gondor]], only one Regent of this kind was ever appointed, [[Minalcar]].


Minalcar would eventually ascend to the throne of Gondor himself under his better-known name [[Rómendacil II]]. Before doing so, though, he was Gondor's Regent for no less than sixty-four years.
Minalcar was the grandson of [[Atanatar II|Atanatar II Alcarin]] and son of [[Calmacil (King of Gondor)|Calmacil]]. In the closing years of his grandfather's rule, he had become a forceful presence in the royal councils as neither of the King's sons, [[Narmacil I|Narmacil]] nor Calmacil, showed great interest in state affairs. Just a few short years after his uncle Narmacil succeeded the King, he conferred the office of Karma-kundo on Minalcar; from that point he effectively ruled [[Gondor]] for no less than sixty-four years, though officially doing so in the King's name.<ref>{{PM|Ai}}</ref> Minalcar would eventually ascend to the throne of Gondor himself under his better-known name [[Rómendacil II]].
 
After the death of [[Ondoher]] and his sons, [[Steward]] [[Pelendur]] ruled Gondor briefly between {{TA|1944}} and {{TA|1945|n}} until [[Earnil I]] was appointed as Ondoher's successor.<ref>{{App|Gondor}}</ref> The [[Ruling Stewards]] were effectively "Regents" who ruled Gondor indefinitely in the King's absence.
 
==Etymology==
''Karma-kundo'' is translated "Helm-guardian".<ref>{{PM|Ai}}, p. 260</ref>
 
In the orthography used in ''The Lord of the Rings'', this name would be written ''Carma-cundo'', since Tolkien usually represented the [k]-sound with the letter "c".
{{references}}
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Titles]]

Revision as of 16:08, 7 April 2018

Regent (Q. Karma-kundo, "Guardian of the Helm") was a title applied to those granted executive authority in place of a legitimate reigning king.

Númenorean precedent

Before the time of Tar-Aldarion, no King had ever left the island during his reign. When Tar-Aldarion resolved to travel to Middle-earth, the Council of the Sceptre sought a regency to rule in his place. The king's father, Meneldur, refused the regency when offered, and Meneldur's cousin, Hallatan of Hyarastorni, became regent instead. Ancalimë served as regent on more than one occasion while her father voyaged.[1]

Gondor

In all the history of the Kings of Gondor, only one Regent of this kind was ever appointed, Minalcar.

Minalcar was the grandson of Atanatar II Alcarin and son of Calmacil. In the closing years of his grandfather's rule, he had become a forceful presence in the royal councils as neither of the King's sons, Narmacil nor Calmacil, showed great interest in state affairs. Just a few short years after his uncle Narmacil succeeded the King, he conferred the office of Karma-kundo on Minalcar; from that point he effectively ruled Gondor for no less than sixty-four years, though officially doing so in the King's name.[2] Minalcar would eventually ascend to the throne of Gondor himself under his better-known name Rómendacil II.

After the death of Ondoher and his sons, Steward Pelendur ruled Gondor briefly between T.A. 1944 and 1945 until Earnil I was appointed as Ondoher's successor.[3] The Ruling Stewards were effectively "Regents" who ruled Gondor indefinitely in the King's absence.

Etymology

Karma-kundo is translated "Helm-guardian".[4]

In the orthography used in The Lord of the Rings, this name would be written Carma-cundo, since Tolkien usually represented the [k]-sound with the letter "c".

References

  1. ↑ Christopher Tolkien's discussion of his father's notes for the unfinished portions of Aldarion and Erendis
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "IX. The Making of Appendix A": (i) "The Realms in Exile"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "IX. The Making of Appendix A": (i) "The Realms in Exile", p. 260
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