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Old 07-26-2016, 09:35 AM   #14
Faramir Jones
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
 
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Shield Tyrants and illegitimacy

Thanks for your response, Zigûr, including your pointing out of earlier versions of the story of Ar-Pharazôn and Sauron in The Lost Road.

The issue of Morgoth was interesting. Because he was originally the chief of the Valar not Manwë, he regarded himself the lawful King of Arda. By his standards, anyone who didn't accept his rightful authority as King was a rebel, who could be dealt with accordingly. Examples of what he did to such people are given, including to Húrin, who refused to accept him as the Elder King, and who indeed called him an escaped thrall [slave] of the Valar. For someone who regarded himself as the legitimate monarch of Arda, this would have been the most dreadful insult imaginable.

We need to look at who is a 'tyrant'. This can refer to a person who acquired power illegitimately in the first place; or it can also refer to a person who while acquiring power 'legitimately', like Ar-Pharazôn, then wields it in an illegitimate manner. I use inverted commas for the latter; because while he was a usurper, his usurpation appears to have been accepted by most of the population, due to his views on the Valar and the Elves agreeing with their own.

You're right to point out other types of monarchs, including those who are indolent and pay no attention to ruling. Atanatar II Alcarin of Gondor was not only indolent, not maintaining the power his ancestors had worked hard to build up; his two sons were of a similar nature. His eldest son, Narmacil I, declared Minalcar, son of his younger brother Calmacil, to be regent when he succeded their father as king. Minalcar ruled in the name of his uncle and father, before becoming king in his own right. Fortunately for Gondor, he was an able regent and king, taking the crown with the title Rómendacil II, due to his military prowess.

There's also an interesting example of a monarch who, while not tyrannical, was deeply unpleasant. King Fengel of Rohan was, according to what we are told, avaricious and gluttonous, and a lot of conflict took place with his family and military commanders. His son Thengel left and went to Gondor, marrying a Gondorian woman, and did not return until after his father's death and his succession as king.

Last edited by Faramir Jones; 08-22-2016 at 01:39 PM.
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