Harithilien (S. "South Iithilien") was the only political domain within the Southkingdom that straddled both sides of the traditional geographic divide between northern and southern Gondor. As such "Harithilien" was simply the southern half of Ithilien proper, and did not constitute a distinct political entity; Ithilien itself was a feudal domain, which by definition recognized no other authority apart from that of the feudal lord (whether this be the king himself or one of his vassals). With a few exceptions, Harithilien was in effect, nothing more than a patchwork of noble estates.