Steward of Gondor
The title Steward of Gondor was originally given to the chief councilor(s) of the KING OF GONDOR. Following the death of the last King, the Steward became the monarch in fact ruling in the stead of the terminal line of Kings.
First created by the powerful King ROMENDACIL I, Steward was the traditional title of a chief counsellor to the Kings of Gondor. He was usually an elderly man not from the Royal House chosen for his wisdom and integrity, and was never permitted to go to war nor to go abroad. During the reign of King MINARDIL the House of Hurin was founded by his Steward, HURIN of ENYN ARNEN and afterwards Stewards were usually chosen from his descendants. They were of high Númenórean blood, but not descendants of Elendil in the ruling line. During the time of the Steward PELENDUR, the title became hereditary, passing the station of counsellor from father to son, much like the Kingship.
After the disappearance of King EARNUR, who left no heir to the throne of Gondor, the Steward MARDIL VORONWE became the first of the Ruling Stewards in TA 2050. Mardil was the first of the Stewards to administer Gondor, and his descendants have done so for 25 generations.
Comments