The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Armenelos remained the royal seat of Númenor throughout its history, II 32 - II 3319; Minas Tirith was founded (as Minas Anor) in II 3320 and survived into the Fourth Age
Locations
Armenelos was in Arandor, the Kingsland of Númenor; Minas Tirith stood at the eastern end of the White Mountains in Gondor
Race
Division
Cultures
Family
Armenelos was ruled by the House of Elros; Minas Tirith was originally ruled by the House of Elendil (whose members could claim descent from the House of Elros), and later by Stewards of the House of Húrin
Meaning
Both cities were the seats of the kings of the realms in which they stood
Other names
Minas Tirith was formerly known as Minas Anor, and also as the Guarded City, Mundbug, Stone-city and Tower of Guard

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  • Updated 13 January 2021
  • This entry is complete

City of the Kings

A title of two cities

"And Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undómiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer..."
The Return of the King VI 5
The Steward and the King

A name used for two royal cities of the Dúnedain at different times in history. It originally referred to Armenelos, the capital of Númenor, which was the seat of the island's Kings (and Queens) throughout its history.

The same title was later applied to Minas Tirith in Gondor (as in the quote above), where the Kings of the name were the many generations of the Kings of Gondor. In fact, Minas Tirith had not been the City of the Kings of Gondor throughout their entire history. Their royal residence was originally in Osgiliath on the Anduin, but the seventh King, Ostoher, took Minas Anor (as Minas Tirith was then known) as his summer residence. It only became the absolute royal seat of Gondor long afterwards, when the twenty-seventh King, Tarondor, moved the court permanently to Minas Anor under Mindolluin.


Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 13 January 2021
  • This entry is complete

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