Kin-strife
The Kin-strife was the name for the terrible civil war that erupted in Gondor toward the middle years of the Third Age.
During the reign of Narmacil I, his nephew Minalcar was appointed as the regent of the realm of Gondor, as Narmacil I was not a man suited to being the king.
Minalcar gathered and led great armies into the east, defeating the armies of Easterlings between the Sea of Rhûn and Rhovanion.
After these great victories, Minalcar took the name meaning 'East-victor, and Rómendacil II he was called thereafter.
Rómendacil II then sought to renew Gondor's alliance with those lesser men who lived to the east. He sent his son Valacar to live amongst the Northmen who lived just outside the forest of Mirkwood.
After the death of Narmacil I, the kingship passed briefly to Rómendacil II's father, Calmacil. But in reality, Romendacil continued to rule, as he was again appointed regent.
When Calmacil died, at last Rómendacil II became the King of Gondor in name.
Rómendacil II had hoped that Valacar would learn something of the language and culture of the Northmen while he served as an ambassador to the self-proclaimed King of Rhovanion, Vidugavia. But the young man grew also very fond of the folk of Rhovanion, and he wed Vidumavia daughter of Vidugavia.
The Northmen had not the same long lifespan of those in Gondor, and Vidumavia perished before Valacar ascended to the throne himself. She bore an heir though, named in the North, Vinitharya, but when he came to Gondor with his father he was called Eldacar.
During Valacar's reign, there was much talk of the possibilty that the Númenórean blood of the royal house was now mingled and that it would lead to impurity of their folk were Eldacar allowed to rule and put up his own heir as well.
During the last years of Valacar's reign, some of the southern-most provinces of Gondor had gone from a state of unrest into periods of rebellion. Upon the king's death though, in TA 1432, civil war broke out all over the country, and the Kin-strife began and lasted 15 years.
Eldacar was the rightful heir to the throne, but because of his mixed blood, there was rebellion, and one of his kin, Castamir saw an opportunity and took it, leading his own rebellion against Eldacar.
Castamir succeeded is usurping the throne of Gondor, and he ruled for 10 long years, until Eldacar was finally ready.
With his army that he had gathered in secret, Eldacar was able to defeat Castamir and re-take his rightful place as the King of Gondor.
Those who were loyal to Castamir, and who survived, fled to Umbar and continued thereafter their grudge against Gondor.
During the reign of Narmacil I, his nephew Minalcar was appointed as the regent of the realm of Gondor, as Narmacil I was not a man suited to being the king.
Minalcar gathered and led great armies into the east, defeating the armies of Easterlings between the Sea of Rhûn and Rhovanion.
After these great victories, Minalcar took the name meaning 'East-victor, and Rómendacil II he was called thereafter.
Rómendacil II then sought to renew Gondor's alliance with those lesser men who lived to the east. He sent his son Valacar to live amongst the Northmen who lived just outside the forest of Mirkwood.
After the death of Narmacil I, the kingship passed briefly to Rómendacil II's father, Calmacil. But in reality, Romendacil continued to rule, as he was again appointed regent.
When Calmacil died, at last Rómendacil II became the King of Gondor in name.
Rómendacil II had hoped that Valacar would learn something of the language and culture of the Northmen while he served as an ambassador to the self-proclaimed King of Rhovanion, Vidugavia. But the young man grew also very fond of the folk of Rhovanion, and he wed Vidumavia daughter of Vidugavia.
The Northmen had not the same long lifespan of those in Gondor, and Vidumavia perished before Valacar ascended to the throne himself. She bore an heir though, named in the North, Vinitharya, but when he came to Gondor with his father he was called Eldacar.
During Valacar's reign, there was much talk of the possibilty that the Númenórean blood of the royal house was now mingled and that it would lead to impurity of their folk were Eldacar allowed to rule and put up his own heir as well.
During the last years of Valacar's reign, some of the southern-most provinces of Gondor had gone from a state of unrest into periods of rebellion. Upon the king's death though, in TA 1432, civil war broke out all over the country, and the Kin-strife began and lasted 15 years.
Eldacar was the rightful heir to the throne, but because of his mixed blood, there was rebellion, and one of his kin, Castamir saw an opportunity and took it, leading his own rebellion against Eldacar.
Castamir succeeded is usurping the throne of Gondor, and he ruled for 10 long years, until Eldacar was finally ready.
With his army that he had gathered in secret, Eldacar was able to defeat Castamir and re-take his rightful place as the King of Gondor.
Those who were loyal to Castamir, and who survived, fled to Umbar and continued thereafter their grudge against Gondor.
Encyclopedia entry originally written by Nienna-of-the-Valar