Council of Gondor

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The Council of Gondor is a fictional group in J. R. R. Tolkien's fantasy book, The Lord of the Rings.

[edit] Literature

The council are advisors to the King of Gondor. The Council of Gondor was composed of the lords of the fiefdoms of Gondor — such as the Prince of Dol Amroth — and the Captains of the armed forces. The King's Steward was usually the head of the Council. The Council was consulted in matters of great importance to the realm, though the ultimate decision was made by the King.

In one case, however, it was the Council that made the decision. In T.A. 1944, King Ondoher of Gondor and his sons were killed in battle, and there was no direct heir to the throne. King Arvedui of the North-kingdom of Arnor staked a claim to the throne of Gondor as a descendant of Isildur and the husband of Ondoher's daughter Fíriel. The claim was rejected by the Council of Gondor, led by Pelendur, the Steward of King Ondoher. The Council stated that Gondor was ruled by the heirs of Elendil's son Anárion, not Isildur, and also that any claim through the female line was invalid. The Crown of Gondor was given to Eärnil, a member of the Royal House of Gondor and a victorious military commander.

After the line of Kings ended, the Ruling Stewards also consulted a Council in matters of importance. During the War of the Ring, Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, consulted his Council as Sauron's forces prepared to attack Minas Tirith. In the end, Denethor made up his own mind and sent Faramir to defend the river crossing at Osgiliath, where he lost a third of his men and was nearly killed.

When Aragorn became king, he reestablished the Great Council of Gondor, with his Steward Faramir as his chief counsellor.