Eorl the Young
Written by Eile. Researched by Anka, Pellakal, Ciardwen, Éile.

Eorl, son of Léod, became the last Lord of the Éothéod in 2485 at the tender age of sixteen when his father was thrown from a horse he was training, struck his head, and died. Vowing to avenge his father, Eorl sought the white stallion and upon finding him called, “’Come hither, Mansbane, and get a new name!’ To their wonder the horse looked towards Eorl, and came and stood before him, and Eorl said: ‘Felaróf I name you. You loved your freedom, and I do not blame you for that. But now you owe me a great weregild, and you shall surrender your freedom to me until your life’s end.’” At that Eorl mounted Felaróf and he submitted. That day and all others that followed, Eorl rode with neither bit nor bridle. It was said that the horse could understand the speech of Men. And it was from Felaróf that the line of the mearas were born, ridden only by the Kings of the Mark or their descendents.

In 2510, Gondor was threatened simultaneously by a host of wild men from the North-east, and Orcs down from the Mountains. Cirion, twelfth Ruling Steward of Gondor, sent word to the Men of Anduin’s Vale for aid, however mostly they were too few and scattered to offer much assistance, their lands having been beset by the Plague. The hour was late when Borondir of Gondor arrived among the Éothéod with news of their need. With no time to spare, Eorl still assembled a great host and rode to Gondor’s aid; for he said, “If the Mundburg falls, whither shall we flee from the darkness?”

On their journey south, they passed the Golden Wood, where the White Lady, in a token of good will, sent out a white mist to “drive back the gloom of Dol Guldur. Under it’s canopy all things were lit with a clear and shadowless light, while to left and right they were guarded as it were by white walls of secrecy.” Eorl remained unconvinced of the White Lady’s intentions, but trusted Felaróf’s instincts. “’At least I will trust the wisdom of Felaróf. He scents no evil. His heart is high, and his weariness is healed…’ So they rode on, as fresh and eager as on the morning of their setting-out, during that day and the next.” And so with unprecedented speed and without challenge, they passed more than five hundred miles in nine days, six days less than it took Borondir make the initial journey North.

At the eleventh hour, seven thousand riders and several hundred horse archers arrived unlooked for upon the Field of Celebrant, breaking upon the rear of the advancing Orc-host. The enemy scattered in fear as Eorl and his men pursued them over the plains of Calenardhon. “In the forefront of the charge they saw two great horsemen, clad in grey, unlike all the others, and the orcs fled before them; but when the battle was won they could not be found, and none knew whence they came or whither they went. But in Rivendell it was recorded that these were the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir.”(1)

In gratitude, Cirion gave over the Northern land of Calenardhon to the leadership of Eorl. Upon his oath to the Steward, Eorl the Young became King of the Mark of Riders.(2) “Speaking in his native tongue of the Éothéod, he swore the Oath of Eorl: ‘Hear now all peoples who bow not to the Shadow in the East, by the gift of the Lord of the Mundburg we will come to dwell in the land that he names Calenardhon, and therefore I vow in my own name and on behalf of the Éothéod of the North that between us and the Great People of the West there shall be friendship for ever: their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoever evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength. This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the Shadow fall upon them and they become accursed.’”

As the move of his people was accomplished over some time, during his life, Eorl was known as Lord of the Éothéod and King of Calenardhon. The Sindarin names Rohan and Rohirrim(3) were later invented by Hallas, successor of Cirion and were used by Men of both lands.

Eorl, called ‘the Young’ for his youth at the time of his succession and the fact that he remained ‘yellow-haired and ruddy to the end of his days,” established his capital at Aldburg in the Folde. He had begun construction of Meduseld before his untimely death in battle defending the Wold from Easterling attacks.(4) Eorl and Felaróf were laid to rest together in the first mound at Barrowfield. The Rohirrim have since called themselves Eorlingas, the Sons of Eorl. Eorl was succeed by his son Brego.

Sources
(1) This is from HoME 12; The Making of Appendix A. It is interesting to note that 2510 is also the year that Celebrían left Middle Earth and sailed for the Undying Lands, Elrond having been unable to heal the poisoned wounds she sustained from orcs the previous year. I include it, as it might explain the assistance of Galadriel during the ride of the Eorl and the Éothéod.
(2) “The term Mark signified a borderland, especially one serving as a defense of the inner lands of the realm.”
(3) It appears that the proper form of these names is in fact, Rochand and Rochirrim. A very detailed explanation can be found in UT; Cirion and Eorl; Note 49.
(4) Also from HoME XII; The Making of Appendix A.
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Brego
Written by Eile. Researched by Anka, Pellakal, Ciardwen, Éile

Brego, son of Eorl the Young, became the second King of the Mark at the age of thirty-three in the year 2545 of the Third Age. He had three sons, Baldor, Aldor, and Eofor. With the aid of his second son, Aldor, the last of the Dunlendings were rooted out of the Wold in 2546. They were driven out away beyond the Isen, leaving the Fords of the Isen, gateway to the Riddermark and the lands beyond, to the guardianship of the Rohirrim. Thus was established the long standing hatred of the Dunlendings for the Men of the Mark. For many years thereafter the grassy plains of Rohan saw peace.

During this time Brego had the Golden Hall of Meduseld completed at Edoras. Upon completion of the hall he removed his household to the capital city. His former home of Aldburg in the Folde then passed into the hands of his third son, Eofor, whom Éomund, father of Éomer, claimed decent. In 2569, a great celebration was held in the newly completed Meduseld. During the festivities, Brego’s eldest son Baldor rashly vowed to traverse the ‘Paths of the Dead.’ Baldor never returned from the Dwimorberg. Brego passed a year later in 2570, at the age of 58, grieving the loss of his son. Baldor’s fate remained unknown until many years later when Aragorn took the paths of the dead and found his remains still clad in his gilded hauberk.

Sources
Lord of the Rings: Appendix A
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Aldor the Old
Written and researched by Eile

During the festivities celebrating the completion of the Golden Hall of Meduseld, Aldor's older brother Baldor rashly vowed to traverse the 'Paths of the Dead.' Baldor never returned from the Dwimorberg. Brego passed a year later in 2570, and Aldor, Brego's second son, became the third King of Rohan at the age of twenty-six. Born in 2544, he fathered at least four children, three unnamed daughters and one son, Fréa.

During Aldor's reign the last of the Dunlendings that lingered east of the Isen were driven out and their lands into Enedwaith and raided by way of reprisal. During this time the Rohirrim flourished, Harrowdale and the mountain valleys of the Ered Nimrais were settled, and Dunharrow was first established as a refuge-fort. Under Aldor's rule, Rohan saw the beginnings of an age of peace and prosperity that would span the reign of four Kings of the Mark.

He was often referred to as 'Aldor the Old' due his great age, as he reached the age of one hundred and two before his death in 2645. His reign lasted seventy-five years, the longest in the history of the Mark.

Sources
1) The Lord of the Rings (Appendix A and RotK) by JRR Tolkien
2) Unfinished Tales by JRR Tolkien
3) HoME, Volume VIII & XXII
4) A Guide to Middle-Earth by Robert Foster
5) The Tolkien Companion by JEA Tyler
6) Encyclopedia of Arda (website)
7) Annals-of-Arda (website)
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Fréa
Written and researched by Eile

Fréa, great-grandson of Eorl and the fourth King of the Mark, succeeded his father, Aldor the Old in 2645. Due to the length of his father's reign, he was already well advanced in age, at seventy-five, when he ascended the throne. Born in 2570, Fréa was the fourth child born to Aldor and the only son. His fourteen-year reign was marked only for the peace and prosperity the people of Rohan enjoyed. Fréa passed his title to his son Frëawine upon his death in 2659.

Sources
1) The Lord of the Rings (Appendix A and RotK) by JRR Tolkien
2) Unfinished Tales by JRR Tolkien
3) HoME, Volume VIII & XXII
4) A Guide to Middle-Earth by Robert Foster
5) The Tolkien Companion by JEA Tyler
6) Encyclopedia of Arda (website)
7) Annals-of-Arda (website)
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Frëawine
Written by Brenna. Researched by Imbeannowyn, Nae, Calisto

Freawine meaning Friend, companion of Frea, he was the fifth king of Rohan, son of Frea, and father to Goldwine.
Born in T.A.year 2594. Died in 2680.
Frëawine ruled during the height of the peace and quiet established by Aldor the Old, and there was very little conflict between the Mark and the Dunlendings at that time. No further records were found at this time.

fréa literally means 'lord' or 'king', but the reference in Fréawine's name is more likely to his father, whose name happened to be 'Fréa'. The notion of Fréawine being his father's 'friend' or 'companion' may not be accidental - Fréa's father Aldor enjoyed an incredibly long reign. This meant that, for the period between Fréawine's birth in III 2594 and Aldor's death in III 2645, Fréa and Fréawine were heirs-in-waiting together for a total of fifty-one years.

Even more remarkably, Fréawine's own son Goldwine, and Goldwine's son Déor, were all born within Aldor's reign. At one point, between III 2644 and III 2645, five generations of the royal house of Rohan were extant at the same time. When old Aldor died, his young great-great-grandson Déor was about one year old.

The son of Fréa and grandson of Aldor the Old. On account of his grandfather's immensely long reign, Fréawine, like his father before him, became Rohan's King in his old age, when he was already more than sixty years old. Little is said of his twenty-one years as King, except that it was a time of peace and plenty in the Mark. Fréawine was succeeded by his son Goldwine.

Sources
Not stated
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Goldwine
Written by Brenna. Researched by Imbeannowyn, Nae, Calisto

Goldwine, he was the Sixth King of Rohan and Freawine’s son.
Born in T.A.year 2619. Died in 2699.

Goldwine, the sixth Lord of the Mark, inherited the throne from his father Fréawine. Of his life and reign almost nothing is known, apart from a general note that Rohan had peace and prosperity during his nineteen years as King. Goldwine was the last of Rohan's Kings to enjoy a peaceful reign for many years. He was succeeded by his son Déor, in whose time the Dunlendings driven out by Goldwine's great-grandfather Aldor began to reappear in the northern marches. They would trouble the Rohirrim for many generations.

The implications of Goldwine's name aren't entirely certain. He may have been a 'gold-friend' in the sense that he loved riches, or in the sense that he bought the friendship of his nobles with gold. Given that Rohan was known to have been both peaceful and prosperous during his reign, the latter might seem the more likely.

King of Rohan of the first line that ended with Helm Hammerhand. The son of Fréawine and the father of Déor. Ruled during the beginnings of the Troubled times for Rohan which culminated with the overrunning of the Kingdom during Helm's reign.

Sources
Not stated
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Déor
Written by Brenna. Researched by Imbeannowyn, Nae, Calisto

Deor, Son of Goldwine.
Born in T.A.year 2644. Died in 2718.

A direct descendant of Eorl the Young, who inherited the Kingship of Rohan from his father Goldwine. Déor's great-great-grandfather, Aldor the Old, had hunted out the Dunlendings that had harried the eastern borders of Rohan, and his successors Fréa, Fréawine and Goldwine had enjoyed peaceful reigns because of their ancestor's enterprises. In Déor's time, this peace came to an end.

It was later discovered that the Dunlendings had secretly been moving back into the northwestern uplands of Rohan throughout the reigns of Déor's predecessors. By Déor's own time, a powerful Dunlendish force had been established, and the King was forced to ride northward from Edoras, ultimately to defeat his enemies. The victory was a bitter one, though, for he discovered that the Dunlendings had also captured the Ring of Isengard, which Déor had no possible means of recapturing. So Déor's reign saw the beginning of a danger from the north that would reach a crisis nearly fifty years later, when the Dunlendings were to come close to destroying Rohan altogether.

Déor's turbulent reign lasted nineteen years. He was succeeded as King by his son, Gram.

T.A.2710. Rohan was often raided by Dunlendings who came across the river Isen from Dunland and in 2710 the Dunlendings occupied the deserted ring of Isengard.

In Déor's reign from 2644 to 2718, the trouble began to return. The Dunlendings began to creep into the territory of the Mark once more and in particular they gained the Ring of Isen and they became to strong for the forces of Rohan to push them out.

Sources
Not stated
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Gram
Written by Brenna. Researched by Imbeannowyn, Nae, Calisto.

Gram: he was the Eighth king of Rohan, father to Helm.
Born in T.A.year 2668. Died in 2741.

The son of Déor and father of Helm Hammerhand, who ruled Rohan as the eighth Lord of the Mark. His reign was a time of warfare with the Dunlendings, who had occupied Isengard during his father's time, and continued to raid and harass the Rohirrim.

Son of Déor and father of Helm Hammerhand. During this time the Dunlendings pushed the borders of the Mark even further back and Rohan was close to being overrun.

Sources
Not stated
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Helm Hammerhand
Written by AEmma. Researched by Eorir, Vana Scurwen, Nalion and AEmma.

J. R. R. Tolkien writes this of the ninth King of Rohan: "Of the Kings of the Mark between Eorl and Théoden most is said of Helm Hammerhand. He was a grim man of great strength." Among Helm’s vassals was a man by the name of Freca, who claimed to be a distant relative of Helm. "…Freca, who claimed descent from King Freawine, though he had, men said, much Dunlendish blood, and was dark-haired. He grew rich and powerful, having wide lands on either side of the Adorn." Near the source of the Adorn, Freca erected a stronghold, ignoring Helm’s authority as King. Though Freca was not trusted by the King, he was often called to meetings and council, though he "came when it pleased him".

"To one of these councils Freca rode with many men, and he asked the hand of Helm’s daughter for his son Wulf." This marriage would have given the family of Freca a great deal of power. Helm’s response to Freca was, "You have grown big since you were last here; but it is mostly fat, I guess", for Tolkien writes that Freca was "wide in the belt". Freca took great offence to Helm’s insult; in a rage he speaks these words to Helm, "Old kings that refuse a proffered staff may fall on their knees." Helm’s response to this outburst was, "Come! The marriage of your son is a trifle. Let Helm and Freca deal with it later. Meanwhile the king and his council have matters of moment to consider."

After the council had ended, "Helm stood up and laid his great hand on Freca's shoulder saying: ‘The king does not permit brawls in his house, but men are freer outside’, and he forced Freca to walk before him out from Edoras into the field." After removing Freca’s men from his side, Helm spoke, "Now Dunlending, you have only Helm to deal with, alone and unarmed. But you have said much already, and it is my turn to speak. Freca, your folly has grown with your belly. You talk of a staff! If Helm dislikes a crooked staff that is thrust on him, he breaks it. So!" Now, Helm "smote Freca such a blow with his fist that he fell back stunned, and died soon after." After delivering to Freca this fatal blow, Helm was thereafter called Helm Hammerhand. Freca’s son, Wulf, and his near kin were proclaimed enemies by the king, "and they fled, for at once Helm sent many men riding to the west marches."

Four years later (2758), great troubles came to both Rohan and Gondor. The Southern Kingdom was being assailed by three fleets of Corsairs on all of its coasts, preventing Rohan from calling them to their aide, as was promised in the Oath of Cirion and Eorl. Of this time period, Tolkien also writes, "At the same time Rohan was again invaded from the East, and the Dunlendings seeing their chance came over the Isen and down from Isengard. It was soon known that Wulf was their leader. They were in great force, for they were joined by enemies of Gondor that landed in the mouths of Lifnui and Isen." The Riders of the Mark were defeated and Rohan overrun. Those not killed or taken prisoner fled to the protection of the mountains. "Helm was driven back with great loss from the Crossings of Isen and took refuge in the Hornburg and the ravine behind (which was after known as Helm’s Deep). There he was besieged. Wulf took Edoras and sat in Meduseld and called himself king. There Haleth Helm’s son fell, last of all, defending the doors."

During the Long Winter, Rohan lay under snow for five months from November 2758 to March 2759. Over the course of this sieve, both the Rohirrim and their enemies suffered grave losses. After Yule, Helm’s Deep suffered a great hunger; "being in despair and against the king’s counsel, Hama his younger son led men out on a sortie and foray, but they were lost in the snow. Helm grew fierce and gaunt for famine and grief; and the dread of him alone was worth many men in the defense of the Burg. He would go out by himself, clad in white, and stalk like a snow-troll into the camps of his enemies, and slay many men with his hands. It was believed that if he bore no weapon no weapon would bite on him. The Dunlendings said that if he could find no food he ate men. That tale lasted long in Dunlend." Whenever Helm set forth from the Burg, he would sound a blast on his great horn, "and then so great a fear fell on his enemies that instead of gathering to take him or kill him they fled away down the Coomb."

Of the doom of the ninth King of Rohan, Tolkien writes, "One night men heard the horn blowing, but Helm did not return. In the morning there came a sun-gleam, the first for long days, and they saw a white figure standing still on the Dike, alone, for none of the Dunlendings dared come near. There stood Helm, dead as a stone, but his knees were unbent. Yet men said that the horn was still heard at times in the Deep and the wraith of Helm would walk among the foes of Rohan and kill men with fear."

Helm was succeeded by his nephew, Frealaf Hildeson, who came down out of Dunharrow with a small company and surprised Wulf in Meduseld. They killed him and recaptured Edoras. Before the year of 2759 ended, the last of the Dunlendings were driven out and Frealaf was crowned King of the Mark.

Of the burial of Helm Hammerhand, Tolkien writes, "Helm was brought from the Hornburg and laid in the ninth mound. Ever after the white simbelmyne grew there most thickly, so that the mound seemed to be snow-clad."

Sources
Appendix A ('Of the House of Eorl') in The Return of the King, pages 1040-41, 43. 
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Fréalaf
Written by Anka. Researched by Pellakal, Eile, Ciardwen and Anka

Fréaláf Hildeson, the tenth King of Rohan and First King of the Second Line, was born in 2726 of the Third Age and ruled for the thirty-nine years between 2759 and 2798. He was the son of Hild, Helm Hammerhand’s sister and the daughter of Gram, the 8th King of the Mark.

During the Long Winter (2758-9), Rohan suffered grievously not only from famine but from invasion by Dunlendings led by Wulf, son of Freca. Wulf captured Meduseld after slaying Helm’s older son Haleth; and Helm himself perished (along with his younger son Háma) during the subsequent siege of the hornburg. In 2759, during the Spring after Helm’s death, Fréaláf led a raid on Edoras. With the aid of Gondor, the Rohirrim successfully reclaimed their land and slew Wulf, leader of the Dunlendings. Isengard, which had been conquered by the enemy much earlier in 2510, was also recaptured by the united forces of Gondor and Rohan.

It was after this success that Fréaláf was crowned Lord of the Mark. During the coronation feast, Saruman appeared bringing gifts and speaking in praise of the Rohirrim. The Nineteenth ruling Steward of Gondor, Beren, allowed Saruman to take up his abode in Isengard and gave him the Keys of Orthanc, but the place was still claimed as a fortress of Gondor. Saruman was granted this with the condition that he protect Orthanc from any further threat, thus allowing Fréaláf to concentrate on protecting the vulnerable Fords of Isen located at Rohan’s western frontier. Saruman agreed, pledging support and friendship to Rohan and Gondor. The rebuilding of the Mark occupied a great deal Fréaláf’s reign so having a strong and wise neighbour in Isengard was most likely a welcome affair. In 2798, Fréaláf died and was succeeded by his son Brytta Léofa.

Sources
The Lord of the Rings (Appendix A and RotK) by JRR Tolkien
Unfinished Tales by JRR Tolkien
A Guide to Middle-Earth by Robert Foster
The Tolkien Companion by JEA Tyler
Encyclopedia of Arda (website)
http://www.annalsofarda.dk/annals-of-arda/ Humans-index-tables/Humans/Brytta.htm
http://www.annalsofarda.dk/annals-of-arda/ Humans-index-tables/Humans/Frealaf.htm
http://www.annalsofarda.dk/annals-of-arda/ Humans-index-tables/Humans/Beren-the-Steward.htm
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Brytta
Written by Anka. Researched by Pellakal, Eile, Ciardwen and Anka

Brytta Léofa, the eleventh King of Rohan, was born in 2752 of the Third Age and ruled for the forty-four years between 2798 and 2842. He was at the age of 46 when he succeeded his father, Fréaláf, as Lord of the Mark. He is remember to have been much loved by his people, who granted him the name Léofa, which translates to “beloved” or “treasured”, due to his kindness, generosity and liberality.

During the reign of Brytta, Rohan was troubled by Orcs driven from the Misty Mountains by the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. This War had been started in 2790 when the orc-chieftan Azog slew the Dwarven King Thror, and lasted until 2799. Brytta hunted down the Orcs that fled from the Misty Mountains to seek refuge in the White Mountains surrounding Rohan. For a while after the end of Brytta’s reign it was thought that the Orcs had been completely eradicated but this was not so, as they had only cleverly concealed themselves in the Mountains.

Brytta Léofa died in 2842 and was succeeded by his son Walda.

Sources
The Lord of the Rings (Appendix A and RotK) by JRR Tolkien
Unfinished Tales by JRR Tolkien
A Guide to Middle-Earth by Robert Foster
The Tolkien Companion by JEA Tyler
Encyclopedia of Arda (website)
http://www.annalsofarda.dk/annals-of-arda/ Humans-index-tables/Humans/Brytta.htm
http://www.annalsofarda.dk/annals-of-arda/ Humans-index-tables/Humans/Frealaf.htm
http://www.annalsofarda.dk/annals-of-arda/ Humans-index-tables/Humans/Beren-the-Steward.htm
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Walda
Written and researched by Taethowen

Topic: A study of the years 2780 - 2864, with special focus on the reigns of Walda and Folca.

Walda was born in the year 2780 of the Third Age. His grandfather, Fréaláf Hildeson died in the year 2798, and Walda's father, Brytta (also called Léofa) became King. In the year 2800 Orcs came from the North and began to trouble the people of Rohan.

Walda became King of Rohan when is father died in the year 2842, and it was thought at that time that all the Orcs had been hunted out of Rohan. When Walda had been King only nine years (2851 TA), though, he was killed by the Orcs who had been hiding in the paths of Dunharrow.

Sources
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, Appendix A
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Folca
Written and Researched by Taethowen

Folca son of Walda was born in the year 2804 of the Third Age, and he was known as a great hunter. His son, Folcwine, was born in 2830.

Folca became King in 2851 after his father was killed. After that he vowed not to hunt again until all the Orcs had been driven out of Rohan.
In the year 2858 his son Folcwine had twin sons, Folcred and Fastred.

Finally, in the year 2864, Folca drove the last of the Orcs from Rohan. Not long afterwards he rode to kill the boar of Everholt, his first hunt in thirteen years. He killed the boar, but received tusk-wounds that proved fatal. His son Folcwine became King after him.  

Sources
The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien, Appendix A
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Folcwine
Written by Imbeannowyn. Researched by Calisto, Tamsyn, Naefrewyn, Imbeannowyn

Folcwine was born in 2830 and died in 2903.
He is the son of Folca the hunter King, famous for having slain the Boar of Everholt. But Folca died of the wounds he suffered during this hunt in 2864 and Folcwine became King of Rohan. Nothing is known about his wife, but he had 4 children, 3 boys and a girl. His third son and fourth child was Fengel, who became the 15th King of Rohan.

When Folcwine became King, the Rohirrim had only just recovered from the ravages and losses caused by the Long Winter and the attacks of the Dunlendings under their new leader Wulf. Under Folcwine’s reign, the Rohirrim recovered to full strength and reorganized their forces. From this period on, an Éored was said to contain not less than 120 men (UT, p. 407)

The re-conquering of the West-march - T.A.2864-2885
Folcwine managed to completely re-conquer the West-march, the land between the rivers Adorn and Isen, conquered by the Dunlendings under the reigns of Deor, Gram and Helm Hammerhand some 72-120 years ago.

The Battle of Ithilien – T.A 2885
Rohan had received a lot of aid from Gondor in the evil times and during Folcwine’s reign, Gondor was under attack once more. In 2885, the Haradrim occupied South Gondor and attacked Ithilien across the river Poros. King Folcwine wished to send help to the gondorian steward Túrin II, but was dissuaded. In his stead, his twin sons, Folcred and Fastred lead the Rohirrim into the battle of Ithilien at the Crossings of Poros, the point where the Harad Road entered the lands of Gondor. At this strategic location, the united forces of Gondor and Rohan won a great victory, destroying the army of Harad. But both Folcred and Fastred fell in this battle. Túrin sent to Folcwine a rich weregild of gold and the Rohirrim buried the twins in a great mound, after their custom. Their burial mound, called Haudh in Gwanur and located on the bank of the Poros, guarded Gondor’s southern boundaries for long years after.

After a rule of 39 years, Folcwine was succeeded at his death in 2903 by his youngest son Fengel.

Sources
J.RR. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A
J.RR. Tolkien, Unfinished Tales
Annals of Arda http://www.annalsofarda.dk/annals-of-arda/
Encyclopedia of Arda http://www.glyphweb.com/arda
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Fengel
Written by Imbeannowyn. Researched by Calisto, Tamsyn, Naefrewyn, Imbeannowyn

 Fengel was born in 2870 and died in 2953, at the age of 83.
He was the third son and fourth child of Folcwine. He had two older brothers, Folcred and Fastred, and a sister. Nothing is written about his wife, but we know that he had three children. Among them was his only son, Thengel, who became the 16th King of Rohan and was the father of Théoden.

Fengel’s childhood and youth
Fengel grew up in Edoras during a peaceful period since orcs and other enemies had been driven out of Rohan’s lands by Fengel’s ancestors. But this time of peace was ended when Steward Túrin II of Gondor called for aid in the battle of Ithilien. The death of his twin brothers in this battle left Fengel as the rightful heir to the throne of Rohan and when his father died in 2903, Fengel was made King.

Fengel, an unpopular King
Soon after his coronation, he started to have troubles with his Marshals. He was said to be “greedy of food and gold and at strife with his Marshals, and with his children” (ROTK, Appendix A). People started to use Fengel’s name without praise, to say the least. Even his youngest child, Thengel, left Rohan when he reached manhood because he could no longer tolerate the strife he had with his father’s lifestyle. Thengel spend a long time in Gondor, winning honour in the service of Turgon.

Nothing more is remembered of the reign and life of Fengel. When he died at the age of 83, Thengel was recalled from Gondor and became the 16th King of the second line.

Sources
J.RR. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A
J.RR. Tolkien, Unfinished Tales
Annals of Arda http://www.annalsofarda.dk/annals-of-arda/
Encyclopedia of Arda http://www.glyphweb.com/arda
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Thengel
Written by Eorir

Thengel was born the son of Fengel in the year 2905 of the Third Age.  He was the third child and only son of his father, who was the 15th King of the Mark on the Second Line.
Tolkien tells us that Thengel, "left Rohan when he came to manhood and lived long in Gondor, and won honour in the service of Turgon."  The fact that Thengel leaves the Mark can be speculatively blamed on his father, who "was greedy of food and of gold, and at strife with his marshals, and with his children."

While in Gondor, Thengel took a bride.  He married Morwen of Lossarnach, who was 17 years younger than Thengel, who was 38.  In Gondor, Morwen bore Thengel three children, the second of whom was Thengel's only son and future King of the Mark, Theoden. 

In the year 2953, Thengel's father died and word was sent to the exile that his time to take the throne had come.  Thengel returned to Edoras, where he rightfully took the kingship.  He became the 16th King of the Mark.  Tolkien tells us that Thengel was, "a good and wise king; though the speech of Gondor was used in his house, and not all men thought that good."  Thengel most likely spoke in the tongue of his wife's people of Lossarnach, southwest of Minas Tirith.

Morwen bore Thengel two more children when they moved back to Rohan, both of whom were daughters.  The last girl, born in 2963 was Theodwyn, the mother of Eomer and Eowyn.  This date would make Thengel 58!  Although Theoden and Theodwyn were 15 years apart, it is said they were very fond of one another.

In the years that Thengel was King of the Mark, Saruman declared himself Lord of Isengard.  Desiring the One Ring, he begins to fortify Isengard and can no longer be trusted as an ally of Rohan.
Thengel son of Fengel died in 2980 at the age of 75.  His only son, Theoden became the 17th King of the Mark and the last of the Second Line.

Sources
Lord of the Rings:  The Return of the King. Appendix A 
Lord of the Rings:  The Return of the King. Appendix B 
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Théoden Ednew
Written by Ciardwen. Researched by Eile, Pellakal, Anka and Ciardwen.

Theoden Ednew, seventeenth King of Rohan and Last of the Second Line, was born of King Thengal and Morwen of Lossernach, in 2948. Their only son and heir, Theoden became King in 2980, and ruled for a further 39 years during the tumultus time of the War of the Ring until his death at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields in 3019.
Born in Gondor, Theoden returned to Edoras when his father reluctantly ascended the throne after King Fengel’s death in 2953. Growing up with four sisters, Theoden developed a close relationship with Theodwyn, his youngest sister born in 2963.

"In 2989 Theodwyn married Éomund of the Eastfold, the chief Marshal of the Mark. Her son Eomer was born in 2991, and her daughter Eowyn in 2995... Eomund's chief charge lay in the east marches; and he was a great lover of horses, and great hater of orcs. If news came of a raid he would often ride against them in hot anger, unwarily and with few men. Thus it came about that he was slain in 3002; for he pursued a small band to the borders of Emyn Muil, and was there surprised by a strong force that lay in wait in the rocks.

Not long after, Theodwyn took sick and died to the great grief of Theoden. Her children he took into his house, calling them son and daughter. He had only one child of his own, Theodred his son and heir, then twenty-four years old; for queen Elfhild had died in childbirth, and Theoden did not wed again...At this time, Sauron had risen again, and the shadows of Mordor reached out across Rohan. Others came down from the Misty Mountains, many being the great Uruks in the service of Saruman". (The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A: "House of Eorl")

Gandalf arrived in the summer of 3019, begging Theoden for help and warning him that imminent war lay on his doorstep. But Theoden would not listen to him and cried out 'Be gone! Take any horse, only be gone ere tomorrow is old!' (The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B: "The Great Years") Gandalf took the horse that was Shadowfax, the most precious of the King's steeds, and chief of the Mearas. Shadowfax returned some seven days later, but had grown wild and would let no man handle him.

"The chief obstacles to an easy conquest of Rohan by Saruman were Theodred and Eomer: they were vigorous men, devoted to the king, and high in his affections, as his only son and sister-son; and they did all that they could to thwart the influence over him that Grima gained when the Kings health began to fail. This occurred early in the year 3014, when Theoden was sixty-six; his malady may thus have been due to natural causes, though the Rohirrim commonly lived till near or beyond their eightieth year. But it may well have been induced or increased by subtle poisons, administered by Grima In any case, Théoden’s sense of weakness and dependence on Grima was largely due to the cunning and skill of this evil counsellors suggestions. It was his policy to bring his chief opponents, Eomer and Theodred, into discredit with Theoden, and if possible, get rid of them. Yet it proved impossible to set them at odds with one another: Theoden, before his 'sickness' had been much loved by all his kin and people...

..Grima therefore tried to play them one against the other in the mind of Theoden, representing Eomer as ever eager to increase his own authority and to act without consulting the King or his heir. In this he had some success, which bore fruit when Saruman at last succeeded in achieving the death of Theodred" (Unfinished Tales: "The Battles of the Fords of Isen") at the First Battle of the Fords of Isen, in 3019.

Five days after Theoden received news of his sons death, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Gandalf arrived in Edoras. There they met "a man so bent with age that he seemed almost a dwarf, though his eyes still burned with a bright light". (The Two Towers: "The King of the Golden Hall") Gandalf then raised his staff, thunder rolling about the sky, casting darkness which swallowed the hall. "Now, Lord" said he, "look out upon your land! Breathe the free air again!" (The Two Towers: "The King of the Golden Hall") And then Theoden stood, revived to his old self once more.

Calling Edoras to arms, Theoden led his people to the safety of the Hornburg, relying on its strength to protect them. There, they battled fiercely against the forces of Saruman, coming within inches of defeat till Gandalf arrived on the coming of the morn with Erkenbrand and his host. Theoden then rode out with what remained of his military force, issuing the command for a Full Muster of Rohan to form up and meet them at Dunharrow, while they headed towards Isenguard. There, Sauruman tried to convince Theoden to join him, speaking of promises of peace between them, and it seemed for a moment that Theoden would agree to these offers. Fortunately, at the last moment, Theoden roused himself from Saruman's spell, and rejected the offer, saying;

"...We will have peace. Yes, we will have peace, we will have peace when you and all your works have perished -- and the works of your dark master to whom you would deliver us. You are a liar, Saruman, and a corrupter of men's hearts. You hold out your hand to me, and I perceive only a finger of the claw of Mordor. Cruel and cold! Even if your war on me was just as it was not, for were you ten times as wise you would have no right to rule me and mine for your own profit as you desired -- even so, what will you say of your torches in Westfold and the children that lie dead there? And they hewed Hama's body before the gates of the Hornburg, after he was dead. When you hang from a gibbet at your window for the sport of your own crows, I will have peace with you and Orthanc. So much for the House of Eorl. A lesser son of great sires am I, but I do not need to lick your fingers. Turn elsewhither. But I fear your voice has lost its charm..." (The Two Towers: "The Voice of Saruman")

Returning back to Helm's Deep, the remaining members of the Fellowship departed; Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli for the Paths of the Dead, and Gandalf to Minas Tirith with Pippin. Merry, though left behind, swore fealty to the King of Rohan, and was given a pony named Stybba to ride beside the King to Dunharrow.

Once at Dunharrow, an errand rider of Gondor arrived, bearing a peculiar arrow; black feathered and barbed with steel, and the point painted red. The Red Arrow, as it was known, was the ancient call for aid used between Gondor and Rohan. Hirugon, the name of the messenger, explained the situation in Gondor, begging Theoden to aid their cause. Theoden answers "Say to Denethor that even if Rohan itself felt no peril, still we would come to his aid.” (The Return of the King: "The Muster of Rohan") The following morning, Theoden presided over the Muster of 6,000 horsemen, leaving some to guard the strongholds of Rohan. Eowyn, he left in charge, though unbeknownst to him, she dressed as would a man, and accompanied the Muster to Pelennor. Merry he released from his service, though he too followed the Cavalry with Eowyn's aid.

And so Theoden led the Rohirrim to Gondor's aid, passing through the Druadan forest. Ghan-buri-ghan, the leader of the Druedain, approached Theoden, saying the road he'd chosen to travel was watched by the dark forces, and offered to lead them a secret way to Rammas Echor. On the morn of the 15th of March, 3019, the Rohirrim assembled atop the slopes of Gondor, where Theoden led the charge upon the enemy. Theoden slew the Haradrim's chieften with his spear, and hewed in half their banner bearer, and thus the Haradrim fled from battle.

Suddenly, the Witch King of Angmar and Lord of the Nazgul, astride his Fell beast, descended onto the battle field. Snowmane, the King's horse was so overcome with terror that he reared up, a dart striking him as he rose. Snowmane fell to the ground, crushing his master beneath him. The Fell beast dug its claws into Snowmane, as the Witch King prepared the fatal strike that would kill Theoden, when Eowyn and Merry slew the Lord of the Nazgul.

While dying beneath his horse, Theoden told Merry of his regret at not seeing Eowyn once more, not realizing she lay injured nearby. He passed the King's banner to Eomer, his nephew and named air, saying "Hail, King of the Mark! Ride now to victory! Bid Eowyn farewell!" (The Return of the King: The Battle of the Pelennor Fields) before dying.

Théoden’s body was borne in honour to his birth land of Gondor, where he was guarded by twelve men of Rohan and Gondor in the Towers of Ecthelion. He was later returned to Rohan to lie with his ancestors in the eighth burial mound on the eastern side of the Barrowfield.

Sources
The Lord of the Rings: A trilogy, by J.R.R Tolkien
Unfinished Tales by J.R.R Tolkien
The Thain's Book http://www.tuckborough.net/theoden.html
Annals of Arda http://www.annalsofarda.dk/Annals-of-Arda/Humans-index-tables/Humans/Theoden.htm
Encyclopedia of Arda http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/default.htm?http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/t/theoden.html
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Éomer Éadig
Written by Taethowen. Researched by Taethowen and Idesinholde

Tolkien first introduces us to Éomer in The Two Towers (Chapter 2 - The Riders of Rohan) during unfriendly times. One of the first traits visible in the King's nephew and foster-son is honesty.
"All that you say is strange, Aragorn," he said, "yet you speak the truth, that is plain: the Men of the Mark do not lie, and therefore they are not easily deceived."
By that phrase one would judge that honesty was valued by all Rohirrim, and that dishonesty and was dishonor - and perhaps disloyalty - to the Mark. Éomer's honesty was one of the things attacked by Gríma Wormtongue when he confronted Gandalf in Meduseld, as well as Éomer's competence to command.
"...In Éomer is little trust. Few men would be left to guard your walls, if he had been allowed to rule..." That honesty was restored in Théoden's mind by Gandalf.
"...What is your counsel?" "You have yourself already taken it," answered Gandalf, "To put your trust in Éomer, rather than in a man of crooked mind. To cast aside regret and fear. To do the deed at hand..."

The next things we see in Éomer are honour, hope and trust.
"...How shall a man judge what to do in such times?" "As he has ever judged," said Aragorn, "Good and ill have not changed since yesteryear; nor are they one thing among Elves and Dwarves and another among Men. It is a man's part to discern hem, as much in the Golden Wood as in his own house." "True indeed," said Éomer, "But I do not doubt you, nor the deed which my heart would do. Yet I am not free to do all as I would. It is against our law to let strangers wander at will in our land, until the king himself shall give them leave, and more strict is the command in these days of peril. I have begged you to come back willingly with me, and you will not. Loath am I to begin a battle of one hundred against three." "I do not think you law was made for such a chance," said Aragorn, "Nor indeed am I a stranger; for I have been in this land before, more than once, and ridden with the host of the Rohirrim, though under other name and in other guise. You I have not seen before, for you are young, but I have spoken with Éomund your gather, and with Théoden son of Thengel. Never in former days would any high lord of this land have constrained a man to abandon such a quest as mine. My duty at least is clear, to go on. Come now, son of Éomund, the choice must be made at last. Aid us, or at the worst let us go free. Or seek to carry out your law. If you do so there will be fewer to return to you war or to your king." Éomer was silent for a moment, then he spoke, "We both have need of haste," he said, "My company chafes to be away, and every hour lessens your hope. This is my choice. You may go; and what is more, I will lend you horses. This only I ask: when your quest is achieved, or is proved vain, return with the horses over the Entwade to Meduseld, the high house in Edoras where Théoden now sits. Thus you shall prove to him that I have not misjudged. In this I place myself, and maybe my very life, in the keeping of your good faith. Do not fail." "I will not," said Aragorn.

Honour because he knows what he must do despite everything; hope because he sees if Aragorn can save Merry and Pippin, then perhaps he can save Rohan; trust because he was willing to lay his life (literally) in Aragorn's hand by giving them their freedom, as well as horses. Aragorn proved that trust, and did indeed give him hope.
"...I promised Éomer that my sword and his should be drawn together." "Now indeed there is hope of victory," said Éomer.

Loyalty is what Tolkien reveals in Éomer next. Éomer had been arrested by his uncle, the man who had been his father to him for many years. But still he loves him.
"Take this, dear lord!" said a clear voice, "It was ever at your service.”... Éomer was there. No helm was on his head, no mail was on his breast, but in his hand he held a drawn sword; and as he knelt he offered the hilt to his master. "How comes this?" said Théoden sternly ... "It is my doing, lord," said Háma, trembling. "I understood that Éomer was to be set free. Such joy was in my heart that maybe I have erred. Yet, since he was free again, and he a Marshal of the Mark, I brought him his sword as he bade me." "To lay at your feet, my lord," said Éomer.
Also, from the Unfinished Tales, Tolkien says: “The chief obstacles to an easy conquest of Rohan by Saruman were Théodred and Éomer: they were vigorous men, devoted to the King, and high in his affections, as his only son and his sister-son; and they did all that they could to thwart the influence over him that Gríma gained when the King's health began to fail ... the loyalty of Théodred and Éomer remained steadfast, even in his apparent dotage. Éomer also was not an ambitious man, and his love and respect for Théodred (thirteen years older than he) was only second to his love of his foster-father.

Yet perhaps the greatest strength Éomer showed was in his courage and determination at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields (Return of the King, Chapter 6). Théoden King had just been slain, and Éomer's sister, Éowyn, wounded. Having just been thrust into the position of King of Rohan, they still had to win a battle - and a war. Though his hope may have failed for a while, he didn't give up. As for the rest of the deeds of Éomer, they can be found in the Return of the King.

The family of Éomer is as follows: (written by Idesinholde)
He belongs to the house of Eorl.
He was the son of Éomund of Eastfold, and Théodwyn the sister of King Théoden. They got married in 2986.
Éomer was brother to Éowyn.
His father died in 3002, not long after Theodwyn got sick and died also.
King Théoden then took Éomer and his sister in, and called them son and daughter. Thus
Eomer was raised in Edoras.
It has been said that Éomer looked like his ancestors.
Since both his cousin, Theodred, and his uncle died. Èomer was the natural heir to Rohan and became king, after Theoden had declared him as such before he died.
He married a Gondorian named Lothìriel, daughter of Imrahil of Dol Amroth, a good friend of Éomer, and with her he had a son, named Elfwine who reigned after him.

Sources
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-earth by J.R.R. Tolkien/Christopher Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien
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Éowyn
Written by Tamsyn (beginning) and Imbeannowyn. Researched by Tamsyn and Imbeannowyn.

Eowyn, born in T.A. 2995, four years after her brother Eomer, was the daughter of Eomund, First Marshal of the Mark, and Theodwyn, daughter of Morwen Steelsheen. Theodwyn was also sister to Theoden, making Eowyn the king's niece. Eowyn was allegedly descended (through her father) from Eofor, son of Brego. When Eowyn was seven years old and her brother was eleven, their father was ambushed and killed near Emyn Muil while pursuing a small band of Orcs; his wife pined for him and a year later followed him to the grave, leaving Eowyn and Eomer as orphans. Theoden King then took the two children into his own home and raised them with his son Theodred. When Eowyn was about 27, she became closely involved in the War of the Ring, and was actually present at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Though the King commanded her to remain behind, she disguised herself as a man, calling herself Dernhelm, and rode with the Cavalry, taking Meriadoc Brandybuck, one of the halflings of the erstwhile Fellowship, with her. During the battle, she confronted the Witchking Angmar, Lord of the Nazgul, and, with the help of the Holbytla — who stabbed the ringwraith’s knee -- parted his spirit from his physical form. Before this, however, the Witchking broke Eowyn’s shield-arm with his mace, and when she finally defeated him, she fell victim to the Black Breath and fell senseless on the field. Later she was healed by Aragorn (later King Elessar). It was in the Houses of Healing that she met her future husband, Faramir, second and youngest son of Denethor II, the last ruling Steward of Gondor. They eventually fell in love and, in that same year, after the Destruction of the Ring, Eowyn became Faramir’s wife and the Lady of Ithilien. She bore a son named Elboron, who later became Prince of Ithilien.

An Investigation Into the Life and Personality of the Lady Eowyn
In the 2995th year of the Third Age, a girl-child was born in Rohan who was destined to be one of the greatest women the fair land had ever known. The girl’s father was Eomund, First Marshal of the Mark in that time, and the mother was beauteous Theodwyn, the sister of the king. The child’s name was Eowyn.

The young girl and her brother Eomer, who was four years her senior, could never have been mistaken for common folk, even at an early age. Beside their gifted parents, the two children had many great ancestors, and it was not hard to see that they were of a line of kings. Eowyn herself had her mother’s stately bearing and her father’s courage, and though she was a quarter Gondorian, being the granddaughter of Morwen Steelsheen, she was every bit the Rohirric princess, from her queenly appearance to the fierce, proud spirit that burned in her breast and spurred her on to the deeds of valor she worked in later days. She was slender and pale, with golden hair past her waist in the fashion of the woman of Rohan—a beauty even in her younger days.

But Eowyn had little time to flourish under the wisdom of her parents. In T.A. 3002, when the lass was but seven years old, Eomund, who had always born a hot hatred against Orcs, was ambushed and slain near Emyn Muil, while pursuing a small band of the vile creatures in the hopes to annihilate them. A year later, Theodwyn followed him to the grave, having pined away in grief for her lost husband; her death left the two children as orphans. It can only be guessed that this was the first thing to contribute to Eowyn’s coldness, which was later remarked upon by many who saw her. It was a beautiful, dangerous coldness, like bared steel, and it kept many from her who might have loved her. Aragorn, as he first saw her, ”thought her fair, fair and cold, like a morning of pale spring that is not yet come to womanhood." (LOTR, TTT, The King of the Golden Hall, p.504). Later on, as he sat at her bed in the Houses of Healing, this first impression was strengthened and he talked about Eowyn to her brother, Eomer: “For she is a fair maiden, fairest lady of a house of queens. And yet I know not how I should speak of her. When I first looked on her and perceived her unhappiness, it seemed to me that I saw a white flower standing straight and proud, shapely as a lily, and yet knew that it was hard, if wrought by elf-wrights out of steel. Or was it, maybe, a frost that had turned its sap to ice, and so it stood, bitter-sweet, still fair to see, but stricken, soon to fall and die?” (LOTR, ROTK, The Houses of Healing, p.848)

Eowyn’s uncle, the king Theoden, took the brother and sister into his household, where he reared them beside his own son Theodred, and was like a father to them for twenty years until his death on the Pelennor Fields. In Meduseld, Eowyn was like a princess, but she did not have everything she wanted. Discontent festered in her mind. As she grew older, she became more accustomed to the ways of men, and though she was womanly in many ways and fair to look upon, she longed with a man’s longing for the sword and the freedom of battle. Indeed, it was a hard thing to do the tasks of a woman in dark times where doubt lurked in the shadows and war lay on the threshold—but she braced herself against the frustration and did her duties with a reluctant heart. Her argument with Aragorn before his departure to the Paths of the Dead perfectly illustrates her frustration and longing for a different life:
"Lord,' she said, 'if you must go, then let me ride in your following. For I am weary of skulking in the hills, and wish to face peril and battle.'
'Your duty is with your people,' he answered.
'Too often have I heard of duty,' she cried. 'But am I not of the House of Eorl, a shieldmaiden and not a dry-nurse? I have waited on faltering feet long enough. Since they falter no longer, it seems, may I not now spend my life as I will?' (...)
'Shall I always be chosen?' she said bitterly. 'Shall I always be left behind when the Riders depart, to mind the house while they win renown, and find food and beds when they return?' (...)
'But I am of the House of Eorl and not a serving woman. I can ride and wield a blade, and I do not fear either pain or death.'
'What do you fear, Lady?' he asked.
'A cage,' she said. 'To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire.'" (LOTR, TTT, The passing of the Grey Company, pp.766-767)
She watched her kingly uncle’s strength wane under the power of his crafty advisor, Grima, surnamed “Wormtongue”. The wily man’s sly words and cunning manipulation of the king did not go undetected, for Eowyn was watchful and devoted from the darkness behind the throne, and was ever near his side.

Her constant closeness was not without a price, however, for as she grew into a young woman, she found that she was not the only person in that hall who was watching someone. Her uncle’s advisor, whom she detested for his lies and trickery, began to look upon her with a covetous eye, and she sensed his desire, but could do nothing about it.

In early March of the year 3015, strangers came to the halls of Meduseld—two Men, a Dwarf and an Elf. The group brought some salve for Eowyn’s troubles, for the elder Man, a Wizard, freed Theoden from the clutches of Wormtongue—but there was to be more misfortune for her, for she fell in love with the younger of the Men—Aragorn, son of Arathorn. But he did not return her affection for his love lay with the elven lady Arwen. But Eowyn’s sentiments didn’t go unnoticed and Aragorn was deeply grieved by the situation, as he would tell Eomer and Gandalf: “Few other griefs amid the ill chances of this world have more bitterness and shame for a man’s heart than to behold the love of a lady so fair and brave that cannot be returned. Sorrow and pity have followed me ever since I left her desperate in Dunharrow and rode to the Path of the Dead; and no fear upon that way was so present as the fear for what might befall her.” (LOTR, ROTK, The Houses of Healing, p. 849)

Eowyn’s days didn’t grow any merrier. Her love remained unreturned and her longing to fight besides men was unsatisfied, as she was left behind when the Riders of Rohan set out to defend Helm’s Deep. Though the great honor of ruling the people of Rohan in the King’s stead was bestowed upon her, she didn’t feel happy and sadly watched the cavalry ride out, “as she stood still, alone before the doors of the silent house.”(LOTR, TTT, The King of the Golden Hall, p.513)

Shortly before the great battle at the gates of Minas Tirith, on the Fields of Pelennor, the Lady Eowyn should find an ally in the person of Meriadoc, the Hobbit, who now stood in King Théoden’s service. But as soon as the need to muster the Rohirrim arose, Merry was released from his service and was asked to assist the Lady Eowyn in governing the people remaining in Edoras. But as the Lady Eowyn, Merry’s only wish was to fight among his friends to defend what he loved most. And thus it came that Merry and Eowyn, now going by the name of Dernhelm, rode to battle together.

It was at the Fields of Pelennor that the Lady Eowyn would show all her courage when facing the terrible Lord of the Nazgûl. It was indeed only in this very moment that she revealed, not without satisfaction, her true identity, which had kept her so long from fighting alongside men. “But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund’s daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him. (LOTR, ROTK, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields, p.823). It is with such fervor that she protected her uncle and King Théoden and her heroic act ended with the destruction of the Witchking.

This event was a key moment in her life and from that day on, things changed for her. She had been seriously wounded by the weapon of the Witchking and she spent many days in the Houses of Healing in Minas Tirith. The evil that had befallen her was called the Black Shadow and even the mighty Healers of the White City were helpless. It was said that “those who were stricken with it fell slowly into an ever deeper dream, and then passed to silence and a deadly cold, and so died” (LOTR, ROTK, The Houses of Healing, p.842)

It was finally Aragorn, with a King’s healing hands, who saved Eowyn from her torments, using Kingsfoil, also called Aethelas. But Aragorn worried about whether the Lady of Rohan would have the strength and the will to live, for, as he mentioned to Eomer, the Lady’s malady began far back before the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Thus referring to Eowyn’s painful past, Aragorn was filled with doubt concerning the Lady’s healing: “I have, maybe, the power to heal her body, and to recall her from the dark valley. But to what she will awake: hope, or forgetfulness, or despair, I do not know. And if to despair, then she will die, unless other healing comes, which I cannot bring” (LOTR, ROTK, The Houses of Healing, p.849)

And other healing came, for Eowyn awoke, under the refreshing scent of Athelas and the caring hand of Aragorn. Her body was soon healed, but there was still less hope in her, until, the day she left her bed for the first time, she met Faramir in the gardens of the Houses of Healing. When Faramir first looked upon her, “it seemed to him that her loveliness amid her grief would pierce his heart and he was deeply touched as she declared she did not desire healing but wished to ride to war like her brother Éomer, or Théoden King. “For he died and has both honor and peace” (LOTR, ROTK, The Steward and the King, p.939). But Faramir convinced her to remain in the care of the Houses of Healing, as he was forced to do himself after his severe fever. After long days of doubt and sorrow, the Lady Eowyn finally regained joy of life as Faramir declared her his love. “I stand in Minas Anor, the Tower of the Sun”, she said; “and behold! The Shadow has departed! I will be a shieldmaiden no longer, nor vie with the great Riders, nor take joy only in the songs of slaying. I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren. (…) No longer do I desire to be a queen.” (LOTR, ROTK, The Steward and the King, p.943)

And thus the Lady Eowyn and Lord Faramir got married with the blessings of King Aragorn and lived in fair Ithilien, which was given to Faramir to be his princedom, and Eowyn grew a beautiful garden. It was there that their son Elboron, later prince of Ithilien, was born.  

Sources
J.R.R Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers
J.R.R Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King
J.R.R Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendixes
J.R.R Tolkien, Unfinished Tales
Encyclopedia of Arda
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The time of the Eotheod until the establishment of Eorl the Young as the first King of Rohan
Written by AEmma. Researched by Vana Scurwen, Eorir, Nalion and AEmma

The Northmen and the Wainriders
As described by Professor Tolkien in the Unfinished Tales, the Northmen were a "numerous and powerful confederation of peoples living in the wide plains between Mirkwood and the River Running". The homes of these men were found in the Eaves of the Forest especially in the East Bight. The Northmen were akin to the Dunedain and were descendants of the Men who passed into the West of Middle Earth to aid the Eldar in the First Age. From their settlement near Mirkwood and the River Running, the Northmen served as a bulwark for Gondor, defending the country from invaders upon its Northern and Eastern borders. These men were known as "great breeders of horses and riders renowned for their skill and endurance," as stated in the Unfinished Tales.

During the winter of the year 1635, the Northmen were bombarded with the Great Plague that, by the end of it’s duration among the Northmen, had claimed the lives of half of it’s people and horses. Recovery was slow, but, as the other inhabitants of Middle Earth were probably recovering from their bout with the Plague, their weakness was not tested for quite some time. However, when the Wainriders began their assaults upon Gondor, the Northmen were greatly afflicted by their first movements.

The scattered remnants of the Northmen took up arms with King Narmacil the 2nd of Gondor against the Wainriders; when engaged in battle, the army of Gondor, along with the Northmen, was defeated in the Battle of the Plains, where King Narmacil himself was slain. Some of the remaining Northmen fled across the Celduin and merged with the people of Dale, with whom they were akin; others took refuge in Gondor, probably with the remnants of King Narmacil's defeated army. Marhwini gathered to him some of the remaining Northmen and they settled in the Vales of the Anduin, being joined by other fugitives coming through Mirkwood; this group of men became the Eotheod, however nothing of this was known in Gondor. Thus far, of the unaccounted Northmen, Tolkien writes, "Most of the Northmen remaining alive were reduced to servitude and their former lands were occupied by the Wainriders."

What came to be known as the Eotheod now dwelt in the Vales of the Anduin, under the leadership of Marhwini. Calimehtar, the son of King Narmacil the 2nd, succeeded his father and became ruler of Gondor; he wished to avenge the defeat of Gondor's army at the Battle of the Plains. Being forewarned by Marhwini about a rebellion, of which he helped plan and orchestrate, of the enslaved Northmen upon the Wainriders entrance into war with Gondor, Calimehtar hastened to march his army out of Ithilien, making sure that the enemy was aware of his presence. And so, when the Wainriders came, Calimehtar retreated, feigning only to draw them away from their homes. Meanwhile, Calimehtar had sent some horsemen over the Undeeps, which had been left unguarded by the enemy, who later joined with Marhwini and his Riders. Now, the eored of Marhwini and the Riders of Calimehtar assailed them in flank and rear, and thus pursued the fleeing Wainriders, who scattered back to their homes, which were now ablaze by the successful revolt of the enslaved Northmen.

Though the revolt was successful, many Northmen were lost, for the Wainriders had not left their homes unarmed; the old men and youths fought, better armed than the Northmen, alongside the women, who, according to the custom of the Wainriders, were also trained in arms. Marhwini, and his men, thus retired to their piece of land beside the Anduin and did not return to their former homes. During the years, of the Third Age, 1899 through 1944, Gondor enjoyed a respite from war with the Wainriders, and the Eotheod dwelt in peace for the time being.

In the Unfinished Tales, the account of the Eotheod's actions is now discontinued for the time being. From the account of the victory of the Eotheod and Calimehtar, it is only followed by the relating of the Wainrider's revenge, which took place after much plotting and planning from their kinfolk in the Eastern lands beyond Rhun and their allies in Khand. In small print, Christopher Tolkien comments of his father's scribbled notes on the subject: "It is possible to make out, however, that men of the Eotheod fought with Ondoher," which hints at the participation of Marhwini's Eotheod once more in the wars of Gondor.
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The Ride of Eorl and the Battle of the Field of Celebrant
Now the Eotheod removed to the far North, some eight hundred miles from Minas Tirith. Tolkien describes their new area of settlement as follows: "The new land of the Eotheod lay north of Mirkwood, between the Misty Mountains westward and the Forest River eastward. Southward it extended to the confluence of the two short rivers that they named Greylin and Langwell."

In the year 2489, Cirion became Steward of Gondor; and he was well aware of the growing threat of the Balchoth in the North, to which his thoughts were constantly turned. In the year 2509, the Balchoth began their movement against Gondor, causing Cirion, in desperation, to call for aid from the Eotheod, Godor's friend of old. Cirion sent three pairs of scouts at one day intervals beginning on the tenth day of Sulime; of those six scouts, only one made it to Eorl, now the Leader of the Eotheod. Borondir, after fifteen days of hastened riding, came upon the lands of the Eotheod, into the presence of Eorl, son of Leod. Without much time spent in consideration, Eorl ordered the mustering of the eohere; being a great number of Riders, it took Eorl several days to empty his lands, leaving only a few hundred for its'; defense. On the sixth day of Viresse, Eorl set out for Gondor with some seven thousand mounted men and some hundreds of mounted archers. Borondir, serving as a guide, rode to Eorl's right as the eohere rode for Gondor. The Eotheod swept over Rhovanion, and crossed the Anduin on rafts; about the same time, Orcs, being in great number, overran Calenardhon and Cirion.

Tolkien writes this of their descent onto the Field of Celebrant, "the Northern Army of Gondor was in peril. Defeated in the Wold and cut off from the south, it had been driven across the Limlight, and was then suddenly assailed by the Orc-host that pressed it towards the Anduin. All hope was lost when, unlooked for, the Riders came out of the North and broke upon the rear of the enemy. Then the fortunes of battle were reversed, and the enemy was driven with slaughter over Limlight. Eorl led his men in pursuit, and so great was the fear that went before the horsemen of the North that the invaders of the Wold were also thrown into panic, and the Riders hunted them over the plains of Calenardhon."
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The Oath of Eorl
After the great assistance given to Gondor by their allies in the North, the Eotheod, the people of Gondor began to wonder how Cirion would ever reward Eorl and his people for their great deeds. Rumours were told of a great feast in Minas Tirith, where the reward would be announced, but Cirion, instead, escorted Eorl, and an eored of roughly one-hundred and twenty men, to the Mering stream where he told them to return three months later.

Cirion then entrusted a task to his most trusted servants; they were directed to prepare a path, in the Firien Wood, only large enough to accommodate a few men on foot. The servants did as they were told, and the path into the forest was prepared just as Cirion had ordered, "There you must re-open the ancient path to Amon Anwar. It is long overgrown; but the entrance is still marked by a standing stone beside the Road, at that point where the northern region of the Wood closes in upon it. The path turns this way and that, but at each turn there is a standing stone. Following these you will come at length to the end of the trees and find a stone stair that leads on upwards. I charge you to go no further. Do this work as swiftly as you may and then return to me. Fell no trees; only clear a way by which a few men on foot can easily pass upwards. Leave the entrance by the Road still shrouded, so that none that use the Road may be tempted to use the path before I come there myself. Tell no one whither you go or what you have done. If any ask, say only that the Lord Steward wishes for a place to be made ready for his meeting with the Lord of the Riders."

At the appointed time for the meeting, Cirion set out to the Mering Stream with his son Hallas, the Lord of dol Amroth (whose name isn’t given), and two others of his council; Eorl led three of his captains to the meeting. Now, Cirion spoke to Eorl, "Let us go now to the place that I have prepared." A guard of Riders was left at the bridge as Cirion, Eorl and their attendants continued on. At the base of the stair, the party dismounted their horses; Cirion instructed them that they must all go unarmed, "I go now to the Hill of Awe. Follow me, if you will. With me shall come an esquire, and another with Eorl, to bear our arms; all others shall go unarmed as witnesses of our words and deeds in the high place. The path has been made ready, though none have used it since I came here with my father." The party soon reached the foot of the second stone stair where they rested for a short time in a small cove in the side of the hill.

Cirion mounted the first step of the second stair and proclaimed, "I will now declare what I have resolved, with the authority of the Stewards of the Kings, to offer to Eorl son of Leod, Lord of the Eotheod, in recognition of the valour of his people and of the help beyond hope that he brought to Gondor in time of dire need. To Eorl I will give in free gift all the great land of Calenardhon from Anduin to Isen. There, if he will, he shall be king, and his heirs after him, and his people shall dwell in freedom while the authority of the Stewards endures, until the Great King returns. No bond shall be laid upon them other than their own laws and will save in this only: they shall live in perpetual friendship with Gondor and its enemies shall be their enemies while both realms endure. But the same bond will be laid also on the people of Gondor."

Eorl rose after Cirion';s speech, but remained quiet in admiration of the generous proposal of Cirion; the people of the Eotheod had grown large in number, and the greatness of Calenardhon would better be able to accommodate their numbers, so Eorl accepted the generous offer of the King. "Lord Steward of the Great King, the gift that you offer I accept for myself and for my people. It far exceeds any reward that our deeds could have earned, if they had not themselves been a free gift of friendship. But now I will seal that friendship with an oath that shall not be forgotten."

Of the feeling between the great men at this time, Tolkien writes: "Yet beyond wisdom and policy both Cirion and Eorl were moved at that time by the great friendship that bound their peoples together, and by the love that was between them as true men. On the part of Cirion the love was that of a wise father, old in the cares of the world, for a son in the strength and hope of his youth; while in Cirion Eorl saw the highest and noblest man of the world that he knew, and the wisest, on whom sat the majesty of the Kings of Men of long ago."

Then, the party ascended the stairs with Cirion leading Eorl and the attendants following behind. Among the party was the Lord of Dol Amroth, who recognized a tomb upon the level turf of the wide, oval place where they stopped their ascension. "Is this then a tomb? But what great man of old lies here?" Reading the letters lambe, ando, lambe, the Prince discovered that the tomb belongs to Elindil the Tall.

Cirion told the company, "Nonetheless this is his tomb and from it comes the awe that dwells on this hill and in the woods below. From Isildur who raised it to Meneldil who succeeded him, and so down all the line of Kings, and down the line of the Stewards even to myself, this tomb has been kept a secret by Isildur's command. For he said: ‘Here is the mid-point of the Kingdom of the South, and here shall the memorial of Elendil the Faithful abide in the keeping of the Valar, while the Kingdom endures. This hill shall be a hallow, and let no man disturb its peace and silence, unless he be an heir of Elendil.'; I have brought you here, so that the oaths here taken may seem of deepest solemnity to ourselves and to our heirs upon either side."

After asking Eorl if he was ready to take the Oath, Eorl responded that he was. He removed his blade from its sheath and placed it on the mound, keeping his hands on the hilt. Speaking in his native tongue of the Eotheod, he swore the Oath of Eorl: "Hear now all peoples who bow not to the Shadow in the East, by the gift of the Lord of the Mundburg we will come to dwell in the land that he names Calenardhon, and therefore I vow in my own name and on behalf of the Eotheod of the North that between us and the Great People of the West there shall be friendship for ever: their enemies shall be our enemies, their need shall be our need, and whatsoever evil, or threat, or assault may come upon them we will aid them to the utmost end of our strength. This vow shall descend to my heirs, all such as may come after me in our new land, and let them keep it in faith unbroken, lest the Shadow fall upon them and they become accursed."

After speaking in Quenya, an answer to Eorl’s Oath, Cirion repeated his words in the Common Tongue, "This oath shall stand in memory of the glory of the Land of the Star, and of the faith of Elendil the Faithful, in the keeping of those who sit upon the thrones of the West and of the One who is above all thrones for ever." Of this event, Tolkien writes, "Such an Oath had never been heard in Middle Earth since Elendil himself had sworn alliance with Gil-galad of the Eldar.

Now the party withdrew back through the Wood, to a camp that had been prepared for them. Then, they proceeded to draw the boundaries for the new kingdom. Tolkien describes the new kingdom as: "The bounds of the realm of Eorl were to be: in the West the river Angren from its junction with the Adorn and thence northwards to the outer fences of Agrenost, and thence westwards and northwards along the eaves of Fangorn Forest to the river Limlight; and that river was its northern boundary, for the land beyond had never been claimed by Gondor. In the east its bounds were the Anduin and the west-cliff of the Emyn Muil down to the marshes of the Mouths of Onodlo, and beyond that river the stream of the Glanhir that flowed through the Wood of Anwar to join the Onodlo and in the south its bounds were the Ered Nimrais as far as the end of their northward arm, but all those vales and inlets that opened northwards were to belong to the Eotheod, as well as the land south of the Hithaeglir that lay between the rivers Angrin and Adorn."

Eorl and Cirion embraced before leaving the place unwillingly. They parted with kind words for each other; Eorl spoke to Cirion: "Lord Steward, I have much to do in haste. This land is now rid of enemies; but they are not destroyed at the root, and beyond Anduin and under the eaves of Mirkwood we know not yet what peril lurks. I sent yestereve three messengers north, riders brave and skilled, in the hope that one at least will reach my home before me. For I must now return myself, and with some strength; my land is left with few men, those too young and those too old; and if they are to make so great a journey our women and children, with such goods as we cannot spare, must be guarded, and only the Lord of the Eotheod himself will they follow. I will leave behind me all the strength that I can spare, well nigh half of the host that is now in Calenardhon. Some companies of horsed archers there shall be, to go where need calls, if any bands of the enemy still lurk in the land; but the main force shall remain in the North-east to guard above all the place where the Balchoth made a crossing of the Anduin out of the Brown Lands; for there is still the greatest danger, and there also is my chief hope, if I return, of leading my people into their new land with as little grief and loss as may be. If I return, I say: but be assured that I shall return, for the keeping of my oath, unless disaster befall us and I perish with my people on the long road. For that must be on the east side of Anduin ever under the threat of Mirkwood, and at last must pass through the vale that is haunted by the shadow of the hill that you name Dol Guldur. On the west side there is no road for horsemen, nor for a great host of people and wains, even were not the Mountains infested by Orcs; and none can pass, few or many, through the Dwimordene where dwells the White Lady and weaves nets that no mortal can pass. By the east road I will come, as I came to Celebrant; and may those whom we call in witness of our oaths have us in their keeping. Let us part now in hope! Have I your leave?"

Upon hearing this, Cirion responded: "Indeed you have my leave since I see now that it cannot be otherwise. I perceive that in our peril I have given too little thought to the dangers that you have faced and the wonder of your coming beyond hope over the long leagues from the north. The reward that I offered in joy and fullness of heart at our deliverance now seems little. But I believe that the words of my oath, which I had not forethought ere I spoke them, were not put into my mouth in vain. We will part then in hope."

This concluded the meeting of Cirion and Eorl. After the Eotheod sent north for their women and children, they settled in Calenardhon, which they came to call the Mark; they named themselves the Eorlingas, for they considered themselves the sons of Eorl. The people of Gondor called their new neighbours the Rohirrim, and their land of settlement, Rohan. After the taking of this Oath, Eorl was established as the first King of Rohan; and the Rohirrim maintained their perpetual friendship with Gondor—according to the Oath of Eorl.

Sources
Unfinished Tales: Cirion and Eorl
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Coded by Celinawyn