The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Unfinished Tales - Part Three - II

Faramir Jones · 03-08-2013, 10:34 AM

It might interest people to know that there was a 'Gondorian' example in 20th century European history, of a kingdom with a vacant throne: Hungary in 1920-44. That state had as king the head of the Hapsburg family, who was also Emperor of Austria. At the end of WWI, when Austria-Hungary was defeated, Charles I of Austria, also Charles IV of Hungary, renounced his power in both countries. In Hungary, after a period (1919-20) when a Communist Hungarian Soviet Republic was in power, military forces under Admiral Miklós Horthy seized power, and elections were held for an assembly. Horthy was elected Regent of Hungary, a position he would hold until 1944.

But while Hungary was restored as a monarchy, it had no monarch. Attempts by the former Charles IV to regain power failed. This is an interesting real life comparison with the Gondor portrayed by Tolkien.

03-08-2013, 10:34 AM	#7
Faramir Jones Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lonely Isle Posts: 706	A kingdom with a vacant throne It might interest people to know that there was a 'Gondorian' example in 20th century European history, of a kingdom with a vacant throne: Hungary in 1920-44. That state had as king the head of the Hapsburg family, who was also Emperor of Austria. At the end of WWI, when Austria-Hungary was defeated, Charles I of Austria, also Charles IV of Hungary, renounced his power in both countries. In Hungary, after a period (1919-20) when a Communist Hungarian Soviet Republic was in power, military forces under Admiral Miklós Horthy seized power, and elections were held for an assembly. Horthy was elected Regent of Hungary, a position he would hold until 1944. But while Hungary was restored as a monarchy, it had no monarch. Attempts by the former Charles IV to regain power failed. This is an interesting real life comparison with the Gondor portrayed by Tolkien.