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{{gondorian
__NOTOC__
{{gondorian infobox
| name=Valacar
| image=
| image=
| name=Valacar
| caption=
| pronun=
| othernames=
| othernames=
| position=[[King of Gondor]]
| titles=[[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]
| birth=[[Third Age 1194|T.A. 1194]]
| position=
| rule=[[Third Age 1366|T.A. 1366]] - [[Third Age 1432|T.A. 1432]]
| location=[[Gondor]]
| death=[[Third Age 1432|T.A. 1432]], aged 238 years
| affiliation=
| gender=Male
| language=[[Westron]], language of the [[Northmen]]
| birth={{TA|1194}}
| birthlocation=
| rule={{TA|1366}} - {{TA|1432|n}} (66 years)
| death={{TA|1432}}
| deathlocation=
| age=238
| notablefor=
| house=[[House of Anárion]]
| parentage=[[Rómendacil II]]
| parentage=[[Rómendacil II]]
| siblings=
| spouse=[[Vidumavi]]
| spouse=[[Vidumavi]]
| children=[[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]]
| children=[[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]]
| ref=
| gender=Male
|}}
| height=
'''Valacar''' ([[Third Age]] 1194 – 1432, aged 238 years) was the son and heir of the great [[King of Gondor]], [[Rómendacil II]]. While Rómendacil still sat on [[Gondor]]'s throne, he developed a strong alliance with the [[Northmen]] who lived to the east of [[Mirkwood]]. To further the close friendship between Gondor and these Northmen, Rómendacil sent Valacar as an ambassador to the court of their leader [[Vidugavia]], who styled himself [[King of Rhovanion]].
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}'''Valacar''' ({{TA|1194}}<ref>{{PM|Elendil}}</ref> {{TA|1432|n}},<ref>{{App|South}}</ref> aged 238 years) was the twentieth [[King of Gondor]].


Rómendacil had intended that his son should learn something of the language and culture of the [[Northmen|Men of Rhovanion]], but he had not foreseen how strongly Valacar would be drawn to the Northmen. He went so far as to wed [[Vidumavi]], daughter of Vidugavia, a union that would bring great troubles in the future.
==History==
Valacar's father, [[Rómendacil II]], led a large army that in {{TA|1248}} defeated the [[Easterlings]] in the lands beyond the [[Anduin]].  In this same region also dwelt numerous groups of [[Northmen]], of which the most powerful was [[Vidugavia]], who aided [[Gondor]] in the fight against the Easterlings. Rómendacil wished to strengthen the bond with the "[[King of Rhovanion]]", so in {{TA|1250|n}} he sent Valacar as Gondor's ambassador to Vidugavia.<ref name="Gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>


The Northmen did not share the long lives of the Gondorians, and Vidumavi died even before Valacar had succeeded his father as King. Nonetheless, she bore Valacar an heir. He was raised with the name [[Vinitharya]] in the eastern lands, but returned to Gondor with his father as [[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]]. These events caused unrest throughout Valacar's reign — it was believed that the pure [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood of the Royal House would be lost.
Valacar was charged with learning the language, manners, and policies of the [[Northmen]].  What was not foreseen was that he would become so enamoured of the people and lands of the North that he would want to marry Vidugavia's daughter, [[Vidumavi]].<ref name="Gondor"/>  Rómendacil gave his consent to this marriage so as to not antagonize Vidugavia or the Northmen in Gondor's service.  Valacar and Vidumavi continued to live in the north and produced a son named [[Vinitharya]], after the fashion of Vidumavi's people.  Rómendacil finally recalled his son to Gondor in {{TA|1260|n}}; when Valacar arrived he brought his family as well as a household of noble men and women from the North.<ref>{{PM|Ai}}</ref>


By the last years of Valacar's reign, certain southern provinces of Gondor saw this unrest break out into full rebellion. In the year Valacar died, 1432, this rebellion became a civil war, a dark and bloody period known as the [[Kin-strife]] that would last for the next fifteen years, until Eldacar managed to secure his throne.
The news that the heir to the throne had married a woman of a lesser and alien race did not sit well with the high men of Gondor.  Vidumavi was short-lived according to the measure of the [[Dúnedain]] and they feared that her descendants would prove likewise, thus diminishing the majesty of Gondor's royalty.  This fear, plus the distaste of the people of Gondor for the Northmen who had come into the realm, led to unrest and then rebellion (especially in the southern fiefs) when Valacar grew old. Upon his death Valacar's son, now called [[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]], had to face civil war during the period called the [[Kin-strife]].<ref name="Gondor"/>


Valacar ruled as King of Gondor for sixty-six years, and was succeeded through great troubles by his son Eldacar.
==Etymology==
The name ''Valacar'' is [[Quenya]], a compound of ''[[Vala]]'' and the suffixal form ''-car'' of ''[[karma|carma]]'' "helm", also seen in [[Eldacar]] "Elf-helm".<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 114</ref>


{{sequence
== Genealogy ==
|prev=[[Rómendacil II]]
{{familytree/start}}
|next=[[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]]
{{familytree | | | | | | | CAL | | |NAR=[[Narmacil I]]<br/><small>''{{TA|1049|n}} - {{TA|1294|n}}''</small>|CAL=[[Calmacil (King of Gondor)|Calmacil]]<br/><small>''{{TA|1058|n}} - {{TA|1304|n}}''</small>}}
|list=20th [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]<br/>T.A. 1366 1432
{{familytree | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree | VID | | ROM | | CAL |VID=[[Vidugavia]]<br/><small>''unknown''</small>|ROM=[[Rómendacil II]]<br/><small>''{{TA|1126|n}} - {{TA|1366|n}}''</small>|CAL=[[Calimehtar (son of Calmacil)|Calimehtar]]<br/><small>''unknown''</small>}}
{{familytree | |!| | | |!| | | |:| |}}
{{familytree | VID |y| VAL | | |:| |VID=[[Vidumavi]]<br/><small>''d. {{TA|1344|n}}''</small>|VAL='''VALACAR'''<br/><small>''{{TA|1194|n}} - {{TA|1432|n}}''</small>}}
{{familytree | | | |!| | | | | |:| |}}
{{familytree | | | ELD | | | | CAS |ELD=[[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]]<br/><small>''{{TA|1255|n}} - {{TA|1490|n}}''</small>|CAS=[[Castamir]]<br/><small>''{{TA|1259|n}} - {{TA|1447|n}}''†</small>}}
{{familytree | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |!| |}}
{{familytree | ORN | | ALD | | SON |ORN=[[Ornendil]]<br/><small>''d. {{TA|1437|n}}''†</small>|ALD=[[Aldamir]]<br/><small>''{{TA|1330|n}} - {{TA|1540|n}}''†</small>|SON=''sons''<br/><small>''unknown''†</small>}}
{{familytree/end}}
 
{{references}}
 
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=gondorian
| house=[[House of Anárion]]
| born={{TA|1194}}
| died={{TA|1432}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Rómendacil II]]
| list=20th [[Kings of Gondor|King of Gondor]]
| dates={{TA|1366}} - {{TA|1432|n}}
| next=[[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]]
}}
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{southernline}}
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:House of Anárion]]
[[Category:House of Anárion]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Rulers of Gondor]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Valacar]]
[[de:Valacar]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/dunedain/gondoriens/valacar]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/dunedain/gondoriens/valacar]]
[[fi:Valacar]]
[[fi:Valacar]]

Revision as of 22:04, 18 September 2015

Valacar
Gondorian
Biographical Information
TitlesKing of Gondor
LocationGondor
LanguageWestron, language of the Northmen
BirthT.A. 1194
RuleT.A. 1366 - 1432 (66 years)
DeathT.A. 1432 (aged 238)
Family
HouseHouse of Anárion
ParentageRómendacil II
SpouseVidumavi
ChildrenEldacar
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Valacar

Valacar (T.A. 1194[1]1432,[2] aged 238 years) was the twentieth King of Gondor.

History

Valacar's father, Rómendacil II, led a large army that in T.A. 1248 defeated the Easterlings in the lands beyond the Anduin. In this same region also dwelt numerous groups of Northmen, of which the most powerful was Vidugavia, who aided Gondor in the fight against the Easterlings. Rómendacil wished to strengthen the bond with the "King of Rhovanion", so in 1250 he sent Valacar as Gondor's ambassador to Vidugavia.[3]

Valacar was charged with learning the language, manners, and policies of the Northmen. What was not foreseen was that he would become so enamoured of the people and lands of the North that he would want to marry Vidugavia's daughter, Vidumavi.[3] Rómendacil gave his consent to this marriage so as to not antagonize Vidugavia or the Northmen in Gondor's service. Valacar and Vidumavi continued to live in the north and produced a son named Vinitharya, after the fashion of Vidumavi's people. Rómendacil finally recalled his son to Gondor in 1260; when Valacar arrived he brought his family as well as a household of noble men and women from the North.[4]

The news that the heir to the throne had married a woman of a lesser and alien race did not sit well with the high men of Gondor. Vidumavi was short-lived according to the measure of the Dúnedain and they feared that her descendants would prove likewise, thus diminishing the majesty of Gondor's royalty. This fear, plus the distaste of the people of Gondor for the Northmen who had come into the realm, led to unrest and then rebellion (especially in the southern fiefs) when Valacar grew old. Upon his death Valacar's son, now called Eldacar, had to face civil war during the period called the Kin-strife.[3]

Etymology

The name Valacar is Quenya, a compound of Vala and the suffixal form -car of carma "helm", also seen in Eldacar "Elf-helm".[5]

Genealogy

 
 
 
 
 
 
Calmacil
1058 - 1304
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vidugavia
unknown
 
Rómendacil II
1126 - 1366
 
Calimehtar
unknown
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Vidumavi
d. 1344
 
VALACAR
1194 - 1432
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eldacar
1255 - 1490
 
 
 
Castamir
1259 - 1447
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ornendil
d. 1437
 
Aldamir
1330 - 1540
 
sons
unknown


References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Southern Line: Heirs of Anarion"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 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"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 114
Valacar
House of Anárion
Born: T.A. 1194 Died: T.A. 1432
Preceded by:
Rómendacil II
20th King of Gondor
T.A. 1366 - 1432
Followed by:
Eldacar


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