Eldacar was the son of Valacar, the twentieth king of Gondor and Vidumavi, daughter of Vidugavia, King of Rhovanion. His original name was Vinitharya, after the manner of his mother's people, and he was born in Rhovanion. His mixed descent was the origin of a dark period in Gondor's history, a violent civil war known as the Kin-strife.

Even before Eldacar succeeded to the throne, rebellions had already begun in some of Gondor's southern provinces. When Eldacar became King in TA 1432, the civil war broke out. The leader of the rebels was Castamir, grandson of Calimehtar, younger brother of Rómendacil II. Castamir was also the Captain of Ships, and therefore he had the support of the people of the coasts and of Pelargir and Umbar.

During the first five years of his reign, Eldacar opposed the rebels and valiantly defended his throne, holding long the city of Osgiliath, but eventually he was outnumbered and forced to retreat to the North. There he received aid not only from his kinsfolk, but also from the Dúnedain of the northern parts of the realm, who hated the usurper, Castamir, for his cruelty and lack of love for the land. No reason of war could account for the violence shown during the siege of Osgiliath; moreover, when Ornendil, Eldacar's eldest son, was captured, Castamir cruelly ordered his death.

Eldacar spent ten years in Rhovanion, preparing his return to the throne of Gondor and his vengeance against Castamir. In TA 1447, Eldacar and his army met the forces loyal to Castamir in a great battle in Lebennin, at the Crossings of Erui. Eldacar himself killed Castamir in battle, thus avenging Ornendil, but Castamir's sons escaped and fled to Pelargir, with the intention of gathering more forces there.

Eldacar then laid siege upon Pelargir and in TA 1448 the rebels eventually escaped by sailing to Umbar. There they established a refuge for all the enemies of the king and a lordship independent of Gondor.

Eldacar ruled for 5 years (TA 1432 - 1437) and another 43 years (TA 1447 - 1490) after regaining the Kingship at the end of the Kin-strife. He was succeeded by his second son, Aldamir.
Encyclopedia entry originally written by Nenyia