Cirion

From Tolkien Gateway
Cirion
Gondorian
Alan Lee - Cirion.jpg
"Cirion" by Alan Lee
Biographical Information
TitlesRuling Steward
LocationGondor
LanguageWestron, Sindarin, Quenya
BirthT.A. 2449
RuleT.A. 2489 - 2567 (78 years)
DeathT.A. 2567 (aged 118)
Family
HouseHouse of Húrin
ParentageBoromir
ChildrenHallas
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Cirion

Cirion was the twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor.

History[edit | edit source]

Cirion was born in the year 2449 of the Third Age.[1] Despite his father's recent victories, Cirion inherited a shrunken kingdom upon assuming the Stewardship in T.A. 2489;[2] Ithilien was deserted, the Corsairs of Umbar again raided the coasts while the population of Calenardhon was diminishing. All he could do was directing all his power to defend his borders.[3]

Threat from the North[edit | edit source]

One of Cirion's main concerns was the threat of invasion from the north, where the forts along the Anduin had long been abandoned. He stationed a few men there and sent scouts into the area between Mirkwood and Dagorlad. Cirion's spies discovered new enemies, the Balchoth, steadily migrating in from the East. Cirion was hard put to it to hold the line of the Anduin.[3]

After the winter of 2509, reports came to Cirion that hosts of men were mustering along the southern edge of Mirkwood with plans to invade Gondor. Desperately, Cirion dispatched several messengers to the Éothéod, who were old allies of Gondor but had removed to the far north near the sources of the Anduin.

Six volunteer riders were chosen to attempt the nine hundred and fifty mile journey through Calenardhon, over the Undeeps, and past the shadow of Dol Guldur. Only one, Borondir, got through to Framsburg when he delivered his message to King Eorl the Young.

Battle of the Fields of Celebrant[edit | edit source]

Knowing that there was scant chance of his message arriving, and not knowing if the Éothéod would respond, Cirion gathered as great a strength as he could and prepared to lead it himself against the threat, while leaving his son Hallas in command at Minas Tirith.

However, as Cirion led his forces north, the Balchoth crossed the Anduin on rafts and overpowered the defenders. Cirion's army was cut off and driven north over the Limlight. Then came a sudden attack by a horde of Orcs descending from the Misty Mountains, which pressed Cirion towards the Anduin. Hope was failing when suddenly the horns of Eorl's riders were heard and the fortunes of the Battle of the Field of Celebrant were reversed. Eorl the Young and his riders swept away the enemy, pursuing the Balchoth across the fields of Calenardhon.[3][4]

Founding of Rohan[edit | edit source]

After the great victory, Cirion parted from Eorl but asked him to meet him again in three months upon the banks of the Mering Stream. When they met again, Cirion had caused the overgrown path up Amon Anwar to be cleared, and the two men with their parties ascended the hill.

Prior reaching the top, Cirion revealed his resolution, to offer to Eorl the land of Calenardhon for him and his people, in perpetual alliance with Gondor. Eorl accepted, in acknowledgment of Cirion's wisdom and friendship. The group then continued to climb and, at the summit, Cirion revealed the tomb of Elendil. Before witnesses (Cirion’s son Hallas, the Prince of Dol Amroth, and two other Councilors of Gondor), Cirion pledged his bond with Eorl. In return, Eorl swore the Oath of Eorl and became the first King of Rohan.[4]

When Rohan was founded, Cirion judged that the "Tradition of Isildur" was now made void: The hallow was no longer "at the midpoint" and Gondor was not the Kingdom as it was when Isildur spoke. Cirion removed the casket that Isildur had set within the mound and sent it to the Hallows of Minas Tirith.[5]

After Cirion's death at 2567, he was succeeded by his son Hallas.[2]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

Cirion is apparently Sindarin, but it was never glossed. David Salo suggested it could mean "Shipman, sailor".[6]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

 
 
Denethor I
2375 - 2477
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
two daughters
unknown
 
Boromir
2410 - 2489
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CIRION
2449 - 2567
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hallas
2480 - 2605
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Húrin II
2515 - 2628


Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

The Lord of the Rings Online tapestry: The Oath of Eorl

2012: The Lord of the Rings Online:

A statue of Eorl and Cirion is erected near the site of their first meeting. A tapestry called "The Oath of Eorl" showing Cirion is found in the Mead Hall of Aldburg.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "VII. The Heirs of Elendil", p. 205
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Realms in Exile", "The Southern Line: Heirs of Anarion"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion", "The Stewards"
  4. 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "(iii) Cirion and Eorl"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan", "(iv) The Tradition of Isildur"
  6. David Salo (2004), A Gateway to Sindarin, pp. 245, 346
Cirion
House of Húrin
Born: T.A. 2449 Died: T.A. 2567
Preceded by:
Boromir
12th Ruling Steward of Gondor
T.A. 2489 - 2567
Followed by:
Hallas


The Southern Line and the Heirs of Anárion
Kings of Gondor: Elendil (S.A. 3320 - 3441) · Isildur (S.A. 3441 - T.A. 2) and Anárion (S.A. 3320 - 3440) · Meneldil (T.A. 2 - 158) · Cemendur (158 - 238) · Eärendil (238 - 324) · Anardil (324 - 411) · Ostoher (411 - 492) · Rómendacil I (492 - 541) · Turambar (541 - 667) · Atanatar I (667 - 748) · Siriondil (748 - 830) · Tarannon Falastur (830 - 913) · Eärnil I (913 - 936) · Ciryandil (936 - 1015) · Hyarmendacil I (1015 - 1149) · Atanatar II Alcarin (1149 - 1226) · Narmacil I (1226 - 1294) · Calmacil (1294 - 1304) · Rómendacil II (1304 - 1366) · Valacar (1366 - 1432) · Eldacar (1432 - 1437) · Castamir the Usurper (1437 - 1447) · Eldacar restored (1447 - 1490) · Aldamir (1490 - 1540) · Hyarmendacil II (1540 - 1621) · Minardil (1621 - 1634) · Telemnar (1634 - 1636) · Tarondor (1636 - 1798) · Telumehtar Umbardacil (1798 - 1850) · Narmacil II (1850 - 1856) · Calimehtar (1856 - 1936) · Ondoher (1936 - 1944) · Eärnil II (1945 - 2043) · Eärnur (2043 - 2050)
Stewards of Gondor: Húrin of Emyn Arnen (c. T.A. 1630s) · Pelendur (before T.A. 1944 - 1998) · Vorondil (1998 - 2029) · Mardil Voronwë (2029 - 2080) · Eradan (2080 - 2116) · Herion (2116 - 2148) · Belegorn (2148 - 2204) · Húrin I (2204 - 2244) · Túrin I (2244 - 2278) · Hador (2278 - 2395) · Barahir (2395 - 2412) · Dior (2412 - 2435) · Denethor I (2435 - 2477) · Boromir (2477 - 2489) · Cirion (2489 - 2567) · Hallas (2567 - 2605) · Húrin II (2605 - 2628) · Belecthor I (2628 - 2655) · Orodreth (2655 - 2685) · Ecthelion I (2685 - 2698) · Egalmoth (2698 - 2743) · Beren (2743 - 2763) · Beregond (2763 - 2811) · Belecthor II (2811 - 2872) · Thorondir (2872 - 2882) · Túrin II (2882 - 2914) · Turgon (2914 - 2953) · Ecthelion II (2953 - 2984) · Denethor II (2984 - 3019) · Faramir (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 82) · Elboron (Fo.A. 82 onwards)
Kings of Gondor: Elessar (T.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 120) · Eldarion (Fo.A. 120 onwards)
Non-ruling stewards are in italics