Denethor was the last Steward of the Gondor as soon after his death King Elessar took the Thrown. Denethor had two sons: Boromir and Faramir. Boromir was by far his favorite and so it hurt him a lot when he learned that Boromir had fallen at the breaking of the Fellowship. So it came that when Gandalf and Pippin came to Minas Tirith, Pippin was interrogated by Denethor about the circumstances of the death of Boromir. Pippin became a Guard of Minas Tirith by swearing loyalty to Gondor. During the battle of the Pelennor fields Denethor became mad and wanted to burn his only wounded son Faramir. Luckily he was stopped by Pippin and Gandalf and Faramir was saved. Denethor burned to death however. They then discovered that he had a Palantir and that he had been in contact with Mordor. Denethor died on March 15, 3019.