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Things of Middle-earth

White Rod of the Stewards of Gondor, The

Type: Artifacts

Other Names:
The White Wand of Office
The Staff of the Stewardship

Description:Each new Steward indeed took office with the oath 'to hold rod and rule in the name of the king, until he shall return.' But these soon became words of ritual little heeded, for the Stewards exercised all the power of the kings. ...

Nonetheless the Stewards never sat on the ancient throne; and they wore no crown, and held no sceptre. They bore a white rod only as the token of their office; and their banner was white without charge....

The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: Gondor and the Heirs of Anárion: The Stewards

Then Cirion led Eorl ... to the upper slopes of the Hill [of Awe] ...

Cirion rose and from his esquire took the white wand of office and the white mantle of the Stewards of Gondor. ...

Standing to his full height he laid his hand upon the tomb [of Elendil] and in his right hand held up the white wand of the Stewards, and spoke words that filled those who heard them with awe. For as he stood up the sun went down in flame in the West and his white robe seemed to be on fire; and ... [he] vowed that Gondor should be bound by a like bond of friendship and aid in all need....

Unfinished Tales, Part 3, Ch 2, Cirion and Eorl and the Friendship of Gondor and Rohan: Cirion and Eorl

At the far end upon a dais of many steps was set a high throne .... But the throne was empty. At the foot of the dais, upon the lowest step which was broad and deep, there was a stone chair, black and unadorned, and on it sat an old man gazing at his lap. In his hand was a white rod with a golden knob.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 1, Minas Tirith

Then Denethor leaped upon the table, and standing there wreathed in fire and smoke he took up the staff of his stewardship that lay at his feet and broke it on his knee. Casting the pieces into the blaze he bowed and laid himself on the table, clasping the palantír with both hands upon his breast.

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 7, The Pyre of Denethor

Faramir met Aragorn in the midst of those there assembled, and he knelt, and said: 'The last Steward of Gondor begs leave to surrender his office.' And he held out a white rod; but Aragorn took the rod and gave it back, saying: 'That office is not ended, and it shall be thine and thy heirs' as long as my line shall last. Do now thy office!'

The Return of the King, LoTR Book 6, Ch 5, The Steward and the King

Contributors: Elena Tiriel 6.24.04; added quote 7.29.04

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