The Encyclopedia of Arda - Lord of the Ships and Havens of Númenor (original) (raw)
A title held by King’s Heir Aldarion
In the year II 800, on his one hundredth birthday, Aldarion son of Tar-Meneldur was officially made King's Heir of Númenor. Already famed as a mariner and adventurer, Aldarion's father the King also chose to bestow on his son the title of Lord of the Ships and Havens of Númenor, placing him in charge of all that island kingdom's navies and harbours.
Aldarion held this Lordship until II 829, when against the wishes of his father he set out from Númenor aboard the great ship Palarran, an act which saw his authority rescinded by the King. That hard voyage lasted no less than fourteen years, but on his return Tar-Meneldur chose to forgive his son. The title of Lord of the Ships and Havens was conferred once again, and Aldarion was also made Master of the Forests, therefore placing him in charge of the timber needed for his shipbuilding.
Our only references to the title 'Lord of the Ships and Havens of Númenor' are in reference to Aldarion, and it was particularly suited to his interests and skills. It appears most likely, therefore, that Tar-Meneldur devised the position specifically for his son. Nonetheless, it seems entirely possible that there would have been further Lords who held this position after Aldarion's time, though if so we have no record of these other Lords.
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- Updated 27 September 2017
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