Prince of Belfalas

A noble title among the Gondorians.

Before the Downfall of Númenor, a family of the Faithful abandoned the Isle and travelled to Middle-earth, settling the shoreland between the rivers Ringló and Gilrain. This family of Númenóreans were akin to the Lords of Andúnië and thus related to Elendil. When Elendil himself came to Middle-earth and founded the Kingdoms of the Dúnedain, he granted this family a noble title, making them the hereditary Princes of Belfalas.

We have few details of the history of the Princes, though at one time they were powerful enough to give their name to the region where they lived: Dor-en-Ernil, the Land of the Prince. The line had definitely come to a formal end by TA 2076, having lasted for more than two millennia, when Galador son of Imrazôr became the first Prince of Dol Amroth. This new style continued in use to the end of the Third Age and beyond.

Though there were no further Princes of Belfalas after Galador's time, they remained important in history. In particular, we know that one branch of their descendants removed to Lossarnach. Morwen Steelsheen, a daughter of that family, married Thengel of Rohan. Through Morwen, both Thengel's heir Théoden and his grandson Éomer carried the blood of the ancient Princes of Belfalas.