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Civil war, plague and Easterling expansions gravely weakened the once powerful Kingdom. Gondor prospered for many decades under the rule of Anárion’s line, and became the most powerful kingdom in the land, expanding its borders and conquering parts of Harad and Rhûn.But after the return of Sauron darkness fell upon Gondor. After the War of the Last Alliance, in which both Elendil and Anárion were lost, and the death of Isildur by an Orc ambush, the throne fell to Anárion's son Meneldil.
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The French royal forces are more than a match for the armies in Normandy, but they also have enough fronts to deal with right now that they are unlikely to be able to drive them from the continent anytime soon.Steward Denethor IIGondor, the Southern Kingdom of the Númenóreans – founded in the Second Age by Elendil, and ruled by his sons Isildur and Anárion. The Scots to the north are isolated from the rest of Europe, and should be easy to wear down without a strong ally from the mainland. The ever stubborn Scottish also prevent the King of England from having uncontested control of the British Isles.Though they presently face trouble on multiple fronts, the English are in a rather promising position. This independence in England, plus the proximity of Normandy to other lands the French monarchy consider their own, makes France an immediate and obvious threat to deal with. England's new masters have a more modern approach to the art of warfare, and the will to utilise the country's rich resources to maximum effect.The English court may now speak French, but the Normans certainly don't consider their new conquest a French territory. Most importantly, William the Conqueror came with the support of the Pope, as well as a mixed force of well-trained infantry, archers and heavy cavalry. However, the new rulers of England have swiftly replaced and improved the taxation system so as to replenish their coffers in quick time.
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Having recently wrestled control of England from the Saxons, many would expect the conquering Normans to be somewhat spent and weakened.
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