Timeline Event
Éomer becomes King of Rohan in the Battle of the Pelennor
Event Type: Genealogical
Age: 3rd Age - Ring War
Date: March 15, 3019
Description:
An event in the Battle of the Pelennor; see that entry for an overview:
But thereupon Éomer rode up in haste, and with him came the knights of the household that still lived and had now mastered their horses. ... But Éomer leaped from the saddle, and grief and dismay fell upon him as he came to the king's side and stood there in silence.
Then one of the knights took the king's banner from the hand of Guthláf the banner-bearer who lay dead, and he lifted it up. Slowly Théoden opened his eyes. Seeing the banner he made a sign that it should be given to Éomer.
'Hail, King of the Mark!' he said. 'Ride now to victory! Bid Éowyn farewell!' And so he died, and knew not that Éowyn lay near him. And those who stood by wept, crying: 'Théoden King! Théoden King!'
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 6, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
Now slowly and sadly Merry walked beside the bearers [of Théoden's body] ... It was through a mist that presently he saw the van of the men of Gondor approaching. Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth, rode up and drew rein before them.
'What burden do you bear, Men of Rohan?' he cried.
'Théoden King,' they answered. 'He is dead. But Éomer King now rides in the battle: he with the white crest in the wind.'
The Return of the King, LoTR Book 5, Ch 6, The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
2948-3019
17. Théoden.
Éomer and Éowyn grew up at Edoras and saw the dark shadow fall on the halls of Théoden.
2991-F.A. 63 (3084)
18. Éomer Éadig. When still young he became a Marshal of the Mark (3017) and was given his father's charge in the east marches. In the War of the Ring Théodred fell in battle with Saruman at the Crossings of Isen. Therefore before he died on the Fields of the Pelennor Théoden named Éomer his heir and called him king. In that day Éowyn also won renown, for she fought in that battle, riding in disguise; and was known after in the Mark as the Lady of the Shield-arm.
Éomer became a great king, and being young when he succeeded Théoden he reigned for sixty-five years, longer than all their kings before him save Aldor the Old. In the War of the Ring he made the friendship of King Elessar, and of Imrahil of Dol Amroth; and he rode often to Gondor. In the last year of the Third Age he wedded Lothíriel, daughter of Imrahil. Their son Elfwine the Fair ruled after him.
In Éomer's day in the Mark men had peace who wished for it, and the people increased both in the dales and the plains, and their horses multiplied. In Gondor the King Elessar now ruled, and in Arnor also. In all the lands of those realms of old he was king, save in Rohan only; for he renewed to Éomer the gift of Cirion, and Éomer took again the Oath of Eorl. Often he fulfilled it. For though Sauron had passed, the hatreds and evils that he bred had not died, and the King of the West had many enemies to subdue before the White Treeh could grow in peace. And wherever King Elessar went with war King Éomer went with him; and beyond the Sea of Rhûn and on the far fields of the South the thunder of the cavalry of the Mark was heard, and the White Horse upon Green flew in many winds until Éomer grew old.
The Return of the King, LoTR Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The House of Eorl
Contributors:
Elena Tiriel 16Aug04