Henneth Annun Reseach Center

Character Bios

Eomer Éadig

Meaning: Probably a compound meaning 'horse-famous'; 'Éadig' means 'blessed'.

Other Names: N/A

Location(s): Rohan

Race/Species: Man

Type/Kind: Rohirrim

Title(s): Third Marshal of Riddermark, King of the Mark, King of Rohan

Dates: III 2991 - IV 63

Parents: Éomund and Théodwyn

Siblings: Éowyn

Spouse: Lothíriel

Children: Elfwinë

Description:
"Then one rode forward, a tall man, taller than all the rest; from his helm as a crest a white horsetail flowed."
Book 3, Ch 2, The Riders of Rohan, TTT, LOTR


Éomer was said to have been tall, of like height with Aragorn; but he with other descendants of King Thengel were taller than the norm of Rohan, deriving this characteristic (together in some cases with darker hair) from Morwen, Thengel's wife, a lady of Gondor of high Númenórean descent.

(UT: The Disaster of the Gladden Fields: Appendix: Númenórean Linear Measures)


On his relationship with Théoden and Théodred:


"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."

(UT: The Battles of the Fords of Isen)



"...the loyalty of Théodred and Éomer remained steadfast, even in his [i.e. Théoden's] 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. Gríma therefore tried to play them one against the other in the mind of Théoden, representing Éomer 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 Théodred."

(ibid.)



More on the role he played as Marshal of Rohan:


"In times of war or unquiet each Marshal of the Mark had under his immediate orders, as part of his "household" (that is, quartered under arms at his residence) an éored ready for battle which he could use in an emergency at his own discretion. This was what Éomer had in fact done;* but the charge against him, urged by Gríma, was that the King had in this case forbidden him to take any of the still uncommitted forces of the East-mark from Edoras, which was insufficiently defended; that he knew of the disaster of the Fords of Isen and the death of Théodred before he pursued the Orcs into the remote Wold; and that he had also against general orders allowed strangers to go free, and had even lent them horses."

(ibid.)



"After the healing of Théoden by Gandalf...Éomer was reinstated, and became virtually first Marshal, ready to take command if the King fell or his strength failed; but the title was not used, and in the presence of the King in arms he could only advise and not issue orders. The part he actually played was thus much the same as that of Aragorn: a redoubtable champion among the champions of the King.*


"When the Full Muster was made in Harrowdale, and the "line of journey" and order of battle considered as far as possible determined, Éomer remained in this position, riding with the King (as commander of the leading éored, the King's Company) and acting as his chief counsellor."

(ibid.)

Contributors:
Dim Genesis, 12.27.02; Lyllyn 1.1.03; Leonora 27.07.03; Nessime 08.12.03; 02.13.04

Related Library Entries

Characters Search

      

View all Bios

Full Text Search