The Encyclopedia of Arda - Stones of Gondor (original) (raw)

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Dates Made during the Years of the Trees; at least two survived into the Fourth Age Locations Originally housed in Osgiliath, Minas Anor (later Minas Tirith), Minas Ithil (later Minas Morgul) and Orthanc; the Ithil-stone was later removed to Barad-dûr Origins Made by Fëanor Races Made by Elves, but used by Men (and later, in the case of the Orthanc-stone, by a Wizard) Division Dúnedain Culture Gondorians Family The rightful users of the Stones were descendants of the House of Elendil and their appointees Pronunciation Gondor is pronounced 'go'ndorr' (where 'rr' emphasises that the final 'r' sound should be pronounced) Meaning Gondor means 'Land of (the People of) Stone'1 Other names Individually known as the Master Stone (of Osgiliath) the Anor-stone, the Ithil-stone and the Orthanc-stone Indexes: Alphabetical: G Alphabetical: S Items About this entry: Updated 17 January 2017 This entry is complete The palantíri of the South-kingdom Years of the Trees First Age I Second Age II Third Age III Fourth Age IV The four Seeing-stones or palantíri placed around the land of Gondor by Elendil and his sons. The greatest of these - the so-called Master Stone - was held beneath the Dome of Stars in Osgiliath, but was lost during the uprising known as the Kin-strife. The other three were placed in the fortresses of Angrenost, Minas Anor and Minas Ithil. When Minas Ithil fell to the Nazgûl in III 2002, its palantír came into the hands of Sauron, a fact that would later give him a powerful advantage in the War of the Ring. Master Stone _Lost III 1437_The most powerful of the Stones of Gondor, this was one of the largest of all the palantíri. The great black orb held beneath the Dome of Osgiliath was said to have been too large and heavy for a Man to lift, and had the ability to view conversations between other Seeing-stones (something that was impossible using lesser Stones). In the burning of Osgiliath by the usurper Castamir, the Stone of Osgiliath was lost in the waters of Anduin. Anor-stone _Survived into the Fourth Age_The palantír set in Minas Anor (later called Minas Tirith), which was originally the citadel of Anárion son of Elendil. It survived the tumults of the Third Age, but it faded from memory, so that by the end of that Age it was a secret held only by the Steward Denethor. His use of this Stone allowed Sauron to influence his perceptions, causing him to believe that Gondor's defeat was inevitable and eventually driving him to take his own life. Denethor burnt himself to death on a pyre while holding this Stone, and after this time the palantír would show an image of Denethor's burning hands. Ithil-stone _Presumed destroyed 25 March III 3019_Eastward from Osgiliath, in the western foothills of Ephel Dúath, stood Isildur's fortress of Minas Ithil. Like his brother Anárion in Minas Anor, Isildur maintained a palantír in his tower. This Ithil-stone remained in place for more than two thousand years, until the Nazgûl emerged suddenly from Mordor and captured the city. Thus the Ithil-stone fell into the hands of Sauron, and through it he entrapped and deceived his enemies, subverting Saruman and driving Denethor to despair. The fate of the Ithil-stone is not established with certainty, but it was presumed destroyed when Barad-dûr fell in the War of the Ring. Orthanc-stone _Survived into the Fourth Age_While the early Gondorians clustered three of their Seeing-stones in their eastern cities, the fourth was placed far away on their western borders. The great impregnable Tower of Orthanc within Isengard watched the western extent of their realm in its early days, and the Orthanc-stone allowed its commander to receive orders or warn of attack. Over the millennia the Orthanc-stone was forgotten by all but the Wizard Saruman who acquired the Tower and recovered the Stone that it held. Through it he was beguiled by Sauron, who held the Ithil-stone. The Orthanc-stone later came into the possession of Gandalf and Aragorn, who used it to further their efforts against the Dark Lord. Notes 1 Given that the term 'Stones of Gondor' literally translates as 'Stones of the Land of Stone', there is perhaps room for confusion. The 'stone' referred to in Gondor's name was that used by its early builders to create great cities and other works; there is no connection with 'Stone' as in 'Seeing-stone' or palantír. See also... Seeing-stones of Númenor Indexes: Alphabetical: G Alphabetical: S Items About this entry: Updated 17 January 2017 This entry is complete For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page. Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2010, 2015-2017. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ. Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.A DISC Job Match from Discus can assess a personality against the ideal needs of any role.

The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien

ALPHABETICAL RACES PLACES MISCELLANEOUS REFERENCE INTERACTIVE

SHARE User guide Latest entries FAQ and e-mail Disclaimer and bibliography Awards Old and rare words Lexicon of names Excyclopedia of Arda Movie-goer's Guides: • The Fellowship of the Ring • The Two Towers • The Return of the King The Hobbit Viewer's Companions: • An Unexpected Journey • The Desolation of Smaug • The Battle of the Five Armies Tolkien links Book news Latest Chronicle Calendar Old and rare words Lexicon of names Links Random

Dates Made during the Years of the Trees; at least two survived into the Fourth Age Locations Originally housed in Osgiliath, Minas Anor (later Minas Tirith), Minas Ithil (later Minas Morgul) and Orthanc; the Ithil-stone was later removed to Barad-dûr Origins Made by Fëanor Races Made by Elves, but used by Men (and later, in the case of the Orthanc-stone, by a Wizard) Division Dúnedain Culture Gondorians Family The rightful users of the Stones were descendants of the House of Elendil and their appointees Pronunciation Gondor is pronounced 'go'ndorr' (where 'rr' emphasises that the final 'r' sound should be pronounced) Meaning Gondor means 'Land of (the People of) Stone'1 Other names Individually known as the Master Stone (of Osgiliath) the Anor-stone, the Ithil-stone and the Orthanc-stone Indexes: Alphabetical: G Alphabetical: S Items About this entry: Updated 17 January 2017 This entry is complete The palantíri of the South-kingdom

Years of the Trees First Age I Second Age II Third Age III Fourth Age IV Map of the Stones of Gondor

The four Seeing-stones or palantíri placed around the land of Gondor by Elendil and his sons. The greatest of these - the so-called Master Stone - was held beneath the Dome of Stars in Osgiliath, but was lost during the uprising known as the Kin-strife. The other three were placed in the fortresses of Angrenost, Minas Anor and Minas Ithil. When Minas Ithil fell to the Nazgûl in III 2002, its palantír came into the hands of Sauron, a fact that would later give him a powerful advantage in the War of the Ring. Master Stone _Lost III 1437_The most powerful of the Stones of Gondor, this was one of the largest of all the palantíri. The great black orb held beneath the Dome of Osgiliath was said to have been too large and heavy for a Man to lift, and had the ability to view conversations between other Seeing-stones (something that was impossible using lesser Stones). In the burning of Osgiliath by the usurper Castamir, the Stone of Osgiliath was lost in the waters of Anduin. Anor-stone _Survived into the Fourth Age_The palantír set in Minas Anor (later called Minas Tirith), which was originally the citadel of Anárion son of Elendil. It survived the tumults of the Third Age, but it faded from memory, so that by the end of that Age it was a secret held only by the Steward Denethor. His use of this Stone allowed Sauron to influence his perceptions, causing him to believe that Gondor's defeat was inevitable and eventually driving him to take his own life. Denethor burnt himself to death on a pyre while holding this Stone, and after this time the palantír would show an image of Denethor's burning hands. Ithil-stone _Presumed destroyed 25 March III 3019_Eastward from Osgiliath, in the western foothills of Ephel Dúath, stood Isildur's fortress of Minas Ithil. Like his brother Anárion in Minas Anor, Isildur maintained a palantír in his tower. This Ithil-stone remained in place for more than two thousand years, until the Nazgûl emerged suddenly from Mordor and captured the city. Thus the Ithil-stone fell into the hands of Sauron, and through it he entrapped and deceived his enemies, subverting Saruman and driving Denethor to despair. The fate of the Ithil-stone is not established with certainty, but it was presumed destroyed when Barad-dûr fell in the War of the Ring. Orthanc-stone _Survived into the Fourth Age_While the early Gondorians clustered three of their Seeing-stones in their eastern cities, the fourth was placed far away on their western borders. The great impregnable Tower of Orthanc within Isengard watched the western extent of their realm in its early days, and the Orthanc-stone allowed its commander to receive orders or warn of attack. Over the millennia the Orthanc-stone was forgotten by all but the Wizard Saruman who acquired the Tower and recovered the Stone that it held. Through it he was beguiled by Sauron, who held the Ithil-stone. The Orthanc-stone later came into the possession of Gandalf and Aragorn, who used it to further their efforts against the Dark Lord. Notes 1 Given that the term 'Stones of Gondor' literally translates as 'Stones of the Land of Stone', there is perhaps room for confusion. The 'stone' referred to in Gondor's name was that used by its early builders to create great cities and other works; there is no connection with 'Stone' as in 'Seeing-stone' or palantír. See also... Seeing-stones of Númenor Indexes: Alphabetical: G Alphabetical: S Items About this entry: Updated 17 January 2017 This entry is complete For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page. Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2010, 2015-2017. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ. Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.A DISC Job Match from Discus can assess a personality against the ideal needs of any role.