Ruling Steward

"How many hundreds of years needs it to make a steward a king, if the king returns not?"

― Boromir

"Few years, maybe, in other places of less royalty. In Gondor ten thousand years would not suffice."

― Denethor

Ruling Steward was the title used for the rulers of Gondor after the loss of its King.

The Stewards of Gondor were only the advisors to the King of Gondor. The first Ruling Steward was Pelendur who ruled briefly after the death of King Ondoher and his sons (T.A. 1944).

Mardil Voronwë was the one who started ruling Gondor after the death of its last King Earnur. He ruled on the behalf of the King until the throne would be claimed by one of the Royal House. The office was in all respects and purposes that of the King, although out of respect the Steward never sat on the throne of the King or wore a crown; instead, they sat on a simple chair of black stone placed below it. The symbol of their office was a white rod, and when they assumed office they swore "to hold rod and rule in the name of the king, until he shall return". Their banner was simple white without a charge.

The title was hereditary, and was carried on through twenty-six generations to Denethor II, Ruling Steward at the time of the War of the Ring. His son Faramir gave up the rule of Gondor to Aragorn II, the rightful Heir of Isildur. Faramir then took up the traditional role of a Steward of Gondor as the advisor to the King.

See also: High Warden of the White Tower

List of Ruling Stewards

The Line of Ruling Stewards
	Name	Reign	Notes
1.	Mardil Voronwë	T.A. 2050 – T.A. 2080	Becomes Ruling Steward after King Eärnur leaves no descendants. Beginning of the Watchful Peace.
2.	Eradan	T.A. 2080 – T.A. 2116
3.	Herion	T.A. 2116 – T.A. 2148
4.	Belegorn	T.A. 2148 – T.A. 2204
5.	Húrin I	T.A. 2204 – T.A. 2244
6.	Túrin I	T.A. 2244 – T.A. 2278
7.	Hador	T.A. 2278 – T.A. 2395	The last Steward of Gondor to have the lifespan of a full Dúnedain.
8.	Barahir	T.A. 2395 – T.A. 2412
9.	Dior	T.A. 2412 – T.A. 2435	Succeeded by his sister Rian's son.
10.	Denethor I	T.A. 2435 – T.A. 2477	The Watchful Peace is broken. Orcs attack from Minas Morgul and people begin to abandon Ithilien.
11.	Boromir	T.A. 2477 – T.A. 2489
12.	Cirion	T.A. 2489 – T.A. 2567	Defeats the Balchoth with the aid of the Éothéod. As a reward he gives them the land of Calenardhon.
13.	Hallas	T.A. 2567 – T.A. 2605
14.	Húrin II	T.A. 2605 – T.A. 2628
15.	Belecthor I	T.A. 2628 – T.A. 2655	The Corsairs of Umbar again become a threat to Gondor.
16.	Orodreth	T.A. 2655 – T.A. 2685
17.	Ecthelion I	T.A. 2685 – T.A. 2698
18.	Egalmoth	T.A. 2698 – T.A. 2743
19.	Beren	T.A. 2743 – T.A. 2763	During the Long Winter, Gondor is besieged by Corsairs and Rohan by Dunlendings.
20.	Beregond	T.A. 2763 – T.A. 2811	Defeats the Corsairs.
21.	Belecthor II	T.A. 2811 – T.A. 2872	Death of the White Tree of Gondor.
22.	Thorondir	T.A. 2872 – T.A. 2882
23.	Túrin II	T.A. 2882 – T.A. 2914	Defeats an invasion of Haradrim. Orcs invade from Mordor and Ithilien is evacuated.
24.	Turgon	T.A. 2914 – T.A. 2953	Sauron declares himself openly.
25.	Ecthelion II	T.A. 2953 – T.A. 2984	Defeats the Corsairs with the aid of Thorongil
26.	Denethor II	T.A. 2984 – T.A. 3019	Ruling Steward during the War of the Ring.
27.	Faramir	T.A. 3019	Returns the rule of Gondor to King Aragorn Elessar.