Kingdom of Gondor of the Reunited Kingdom (Arnor-Gondor)
| Gondor Arnad i Gondor Southern Kingdom |
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| — Constituent Kingdom — | |||
| Kingdom of Gondor | |||
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| Country | Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor | ||
| Founded | S.A. 3320 | ||
| Return of the King | T.A. 3019 | ||
| Reunited Kingdom | T.A. 3020 | ||
| Capital | Minas Anor | ||
| Provinces | Umbar, Harondor, Ithilien, Anórien, Lossarnach, Lebennin, Belfalas, Lamedon and Ringló Vale, Tolfalas, Anfalas and Andrast. | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Absolute Monarchy | ||
| • King of Gondor | Arathorn II Tar Eldarien Telcontar | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 2,155,530 km2 (832,254 sq mi) | ||
| Population (Fo.A. 273) | |||
| • Total | 4,500,000 | ||
| • Density | 2.1/km2 (5.4/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym | Gondorian | ||
The Kingdom of Gondor is the Southern Kingdom of the Reunited Kingdom of Arnor and Gondor. In the first three centuries of the Fourth Age, Gondor has been the actual seat of the High King and the most developed part of the vast realm of the Men of the West.
Contents
Geography
Within the Reunited Kingdom, Gondor lies south the line of Adorn-Angren (Isen) river in the north, which separates it from both Enedwaith (part of the Kingdom of the West but not of Gondor) and the allied land of Rohan; south a relatively segment of the Ered Nimrais range, which separate Gondor from the Eastfold; east the Mearing Stream and the Falls of Rauros, which separate Gondor and Eastfold and East Emnet respectively; south the Dead Marshes, which mark the border between the Western Middle-earth and the Rhovanion (part of which under the control of the High Kings); west the Ephel Duath, which separate Ithilien from Plateau of Gorgoroth (the ancient Mordor) and Nurn; north the Harnen (except for some coastal possessions), which divides Harondor from Near Harad.
Council of Gondor
The Council of Gondor is the select royal advice and support body. It is composed of princes and lords of each of the Kingdom's separate lands, of the High King's heir, and of the Steward and the Great Officers of the Realm as well. The Councillors in their capacity have no power save that of advice and counsel.
The King of Gondor (as conceptually separated by the High King) is aided by the Council of Gondor, which meets in a separate capacity from the Council of the Sceptre. Some Gondorian lords who do seat in the Council of Gondor, do not seat into the Council of the Sceptre and vice versa.
Great Officers of the Realm
In the Kingdom, the Great Officers of the Realm are the Crown ministers, who are appointed to exercise certain functions as part of the government. Such positions are not transmissible nor hereditary. The Reunited Kingdom inherits its Officers from both Gondor and Arnor. While most of them are hereditary, some offices are appointed. Some offices are put into "commission"; that is, multiple commissioners are appointed to collectively exercise the office.
Steward of the Realm
The Stewards of the Realm are at first the chief of the high councilors to the High Kings. Steward is therefore the traditional title of the chief counsellor to the High Kings. Stewards are of pure high Númenórean blood. Soon after the death of Denethor II, Aragorn II Tar Elessar Telcontar was crowned High King. The Steward Faramir, son of Denethor II, surrendered to the High King his rod of office, but it was returned to him. King Elessar confirmed in Faramir and his descendants the office of Steward of Gondor, which soon became Steward of the Realm, and granted him in addition the Princedom of Ithilien, ensuring his line a position as counsellor of the King.
Provinces
The Kingdom of Gondor comprises the twelve most southern lands and provinces (Sûza): Umbar, Harondor, Ithilien, Anórien, Lossarnach, Lebennin, Belfalas, Lamedon and Ringló Vale, Tolfalas, Anfalas and Andrast. Each of these lands enjoys of a different form of government, according to its own customs and traditions.
Gondorian provinces are classified as either internal or royal, meaning that their heads are either appointed within the local aristocracy or drawn from King's trusted advisors and companions, also a nobleman.
The core function of a provincial head, whatever form the position may take, is to be the representative of the High King and of its government, to act as the highest magistrate of judge, and manage the taxation and public spending in his area. The head of a province has usually a large staff of other officials: procurators, judicial advisers and reeves.
In a general way, Royal Provinces (Arnendor) are unstable, newly conquered or particular territories: Umbar, Harondor and Andrast all have a King-appointed Lord Lieutenant (although duties and responsibilities vary according each province).
The remaining provinces are called "internal provinces" (Mityandor). These provinces are governed by High Councils, made up of all significant lords and representatives of major autonomous cities and towns. At the head of the High Councils are generally high-ranking nobles, but the High King may appoint a commoner as personal legate. The only exception is the High Council of Belfalas, which is presided over by the Prince of Dol Amroth due to an hereditary privilege granted in ancient times.
To this division there are two exceptions: Ithilien is under the firm rule of the Prince of Ithilien of the House of Húrin, and Anórien is under the direct rule of the King.
Districts
The twelve Gondorian provinces are further subdivided into numerous Districts (Sindarin: Drann, pl. Drannin), which in turn include fiefdoms, cities and towns, each enjoying its own degree of autonomy, according its history and granted privileges.
Each District is governed by a magistrate (Condir i Drann) appointed by the King for ten years. Such magistrates have the duty to oversee subordinate fiefdoms and cities, as well as to deliver the King's High Justice, manage the collection of taxes and revenues, and ensure the establishment of the local military forces.
Fiefdoms and cities
Gondor is home to a deeply-rooted nobility and to long-standing cities and towns. Both fiefdoms and lordships, on one hand, and cities and towns, on the other hand, have the right to administer on their own the small justice, i.e. all laws not pertaining the King's High Justice.
While fiefdoms, such as the Princedom of Dol Amroth or the Lordship of Emyn Arnen, are ruled by King's vassals according hereditary rules, autonomous cities and towns are governed through several institutional forms, ranging from an urban aristocracy to a direct democracy. However, the most common forms of government are oligarchic in nature.
Those cities and towns which are not autonomous or which are not granted their own charter of rights and privileges are governed and administered by an Ostherdir (Town-Prefect), who is appointed directly by the High King (for Andrast and Anorien) or by the head of the relevant province. Tenure of an Ostherdir lasts five years, if not extended by his appointer.
Osgiliath
Osgiliath is the southern capital city of the whole Reunited Kingdom and, as such, it is traditionally included within the Kingdom of Gondor, but it is directly governed and ruled by the King. Due to its sheer importance, the city is not part of any province. Instead, it is governed by an Ostoher (Lord of the Citadel) who is invariably a King's younger son or brother.
